Qing Yao

Chapter 376 A Good Wife

Now, not only was Wanqing, the "Madam Zhao," speechless with shock, but all the staff of the grain transport office, including her father, Ding Tai, were also extremely shocked.

The fact that the Governor of Jiangning, Fu, of the same rank, sent someone to present the travel gifts was already a great gesture, and the Prefect of Jiangning coming in person to deliver them was an even greater honor. But who is the General of Jiangning?

A high-ranking official of the first rank, commanding a large army and guarding the southeast!
Even those who submit joint memorials with the Governor-General in the Liangjiang region are exceptional figures whose names are always listed before the Governor-General's!
Such a powerful figure, whose every move could shake the southeast, actually dispatched a fourth-rank captain to lead a team of elite Eight Banner cavalry in gleaming armor to escort the wife of a second-rank provincial governor to reunite with her husband.

This treatment is simply outrageous!

Things I wouldn't even dare to dream of normally.

As a result, the air at the scene seemed to be filled with an unusual atmosphere, and everyone present had a big question mark in their minds: What exactly is going on!
Wanqing was even more puzzled. She really didn't know why the three powerful figures in Jiangning City—General Jiangning, Provincial Governor Jiangning, and Prefect Jiangning—were so respectful to her. Was it simply because she was Zhao An's wife?
Even if the husbands were promoted to the position of Provincial Treasurer of Anhui at a young age, with unlimited potential, these three should not have done so.

Despite her confusion, she showed no sign of unease. She slowly bowed to the 86th Zuo Ling, who represented General Jiangning, and said in a gentle and clear voice, "General, how can my husband and I accept such kindness? We are truly at ease with the trouble caused to Zuo Ling and all the military officers."

"Madam, you're too kind!"

Eighty-Six quickly dismounted and walked to Wanqing, lowering his voice to say, "To be honest, Madam, Lord Zhao and I have a long-standing friendship. What's a little trouble running errands and escorting him?"

He then leaned closer, his voice carrying a hint of mystery and ingratiation, "Besides, in Jiangning City these days, who with any good connections doesn't know that Lord Zhao is incredibly powerful? Our General is just expressing his gratitude, so please accept it, Madam, and don't refuse!"

"Extremely valuable?"

Wanqing keenly grasped this crucial information, but she was even more confused: What exactly makes her husband so valuable?
No matter how expensive it is, it can't compare to the price of General Jiangning.

Judging from this, it seems that her husband is even more valuable than a general, otherwise why would a high-ranking official be so "attentive" to her?

Strange things.

Who could be more valuable than a high-ranking official?

Wanqing's mind raced, her brain analyzing rapidly like a computer.

Ding Tai, standing to the side, was also completely baffled. Although he was now actually in charge of the daily work of the grain transport office, he had only been helping his father, Lao Ding, manage the affairs of the county government before. He didn't know much about the ins and outs of officialdom, let alone dealing with such a high-ranking government office and officials. So he stood there for a moment, somewhat at a loss.

This is also because I'm involved in the situation.

The rumor that Zhao An was the emperor's illegitimate son was known not only throughout Jiangning City, but also throughout Jiangnan and even the three provinces of Liangjiang. However, those "involved" in the matter, including his father-in-law Ding Tai and his wife Wan Qing, were unaware of it.

Because no one dares to say it in front of them!

This resulted in the Ding family being artificially blocked from accessing information.

Otherwise, the reaction would not have been like this.

If you don't even know the situation yourself, you naturally can't offer your daughter any advice.

General Ding was about to exchange a few polite words with the captain when he caught a glimpse of another carriage speeding towards them, bearing the flag of the Governor's Mansion!

As soon as the carriage came to a stop, an official in his early fifties, dressed in the robes of a sixth-rank official, stepped out. He appeared to be a capable and refined man.

The prefect was startled to see this man and quickly stepped forward to bow and greet him, saying, "Lord Lou, you've come too!"

The visitor was none other than Lou Sanqiang, the "chief secretary" of the governor's office.

Why would a fourth-rank prefect be so polite to a sixth-rank "chief secretary"? The reason is unspoken.

The eunuchs around the emperor and the gatekeepers of the prime minister were people that officials could not afford to offend.

The same principle applies to the Governor's "chief secretary".

Let alone the prefect, even the provincial governor Fu would have to be more polite to Teacher Lou.

Why is it that when the Governor-General, the General, the Governor, and the Provincial Treasurer go for a walk together, the "Chief Secretary" has to accompany them?

"I didn't expect the prefect to be here as well,"

Teacher Lou was not surprised. With a perfectly timed smile, he first bowed slightly to the prefect, then nodded slightly to the eighty-six officers of the city, and then walked straight to the bewildered Wanqing, bowing to her and saying:
"This must be Madam Zhao? I am Lou Sanqiang from the Governor-General's Office of Liangjiang. I have come here on the orders of the Governor-General to see you off. The Governor-General is too busy with official duties to attend in person, which he deeply regrets. He has instructed me to prepare a small gift to express his feelings. I hope you will not refuse."

Teacher Lou had never met Wanqing; she hadn't married Zhao An yet when he was supervising the examinations in Yangzhou.

General of Jiangning, Governor-General of Liangjiang, Provincial Treasurer of Jiangning, Prefect of Jiangning.
Seventeen-year-old Wanqing was both surprised and delighted by the successive arrivals of important figures and representatives. This was no longer a simple matter of giving face; it was a major event that could shake the entire Liangjiang region. Behind it all, there must be something earth-shattering!
Not daring to be negligent, she quickly bowed deeply and said, "Your Excellency is so kind as to grant me such a great favor, and Mr. Lou has come in person. I am deeply grateful and have no way to repay you."

"There's no need for you to be so formal with me, Madam."

Teacher Lou's smile remained unchanged. She glanced at Ding Tai and simply nodded in greeting, unaware that the man in front of her was Zhao An's father-in-law.

It's not Mr. Lou's fault; he had only met Lao Ding and Lao Song, and Zhao An had never told him about his father-in-law.

Essentially, the core members of the microloan gang consist of four people: Zhao, Ding, Song, and Lou.

Everyone else is currently on the periphery.

Beyond the periphery are the personnel being inspected and those being considered for future development.

Because the daughter had switched identities with Luo Chunlan, the identity of Ding Tai, the father-in-law of the provincial governor, was also unknown, which was quite embarrassing.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have been ignored so repeatedly.

After exchanging a few polite words with the representatives sent by the Prefect, the Commander, and the Provincial Governor, Teacher Lou returned to Wanqing and asked meaningfully, "Lord Zhao is young and promising, with outstanding political achievements. What's even more remarkable is his noble character, which has won him the hearts of the people. The Governor often marvels at this. What kind of family background could have nurtured such a pillar of the nation as Lord Zhao? What kind of family education could have enabled him to be so outstanding?"

The question may seem ordinary, but in the current situation, anyone with a bit of experience in officialdom can understand its underlying meaning.

This is to investigate the son-in-law's background!
Ding Taixin's heart leaped into her throat. She knew all too well that her son-in-law came from a humble background, had no distinguished family history, and had not received a good education, because even his name, household registration, and educational background were fake.

She was afraid that a careless answer from her daughter might bring unforeseen trouble to her son-in-law.

However, Wanqing's reaction surprised her father. Instead of panicking or avoiding the situation, she glanced at him and said in a low voice with just the right amount of hesitation and uncertainty, "My parents-in-law passed away early, so I don't know my husband's family background. I only know that after we got married, several guests came from afar to visit."

"Oh?"

A glint flashed in Teacher Lou's eyes. "Does Madam know where these guests who have come from afar are from?"

Wanqing shook her head and said, "I don't know either. I only know that they were speaking the official language of the capital. Their demeanor and bearing were definitely not those of ordinary wealthy families."

After speaking, she paused slightly, as if trying to recall something, "After the guests arrived, they all had private conversations with my husband behind closed doors, which lasted for a long time. My husband wouldn't allow me to enter. I watched from afar and felt that the guests were extremely respectful to my husband in their expressions and words. When I asked about it later, my husband wouldn't say much, only that my parents-in-law were old acquaintances and told me not to ask any more questions."

At this point, Wanqing gently raised her head, her eyes filled with confusion, as if she truly did not know the identity of the guest from the capital.

He was from the capital, spoke with a pure Beijing accent, possessed an extraordinary demeanor, was extremely respectful, held private conversations behind closed doors, and was unlike any ordinary person.
These words, when put together, caused Teacher Lou's eyes to flicker violently, clearly indicating that he was greatly shocked. His sharp eyes scrutinized Wanqing's gentle, innocent, and utterly naive face, as if trying to discern the truth from falsehood.

However, Wanqing's "expression management" package is perfect. The slight daze of recollection, the slight uncertainty of speculation, and the just-right hesitation at the end are all perfectly natural and flawless.

Teacher Lou's resolve wavered.

Could Zhao An really be the emperor's illegitimate son?
Considering Zhao An's rapid rise in rank, the emperor's exceptional favor and generous gifts to him, and even his own mentor's uncertain attitude, when Teacher Lou spoke again, his tone was already tinged with a hint of awe: "Lord Zhao has the bearing of a dragon and the demeanor of a phoenix, and his extraordinary bearing is beyond the reach of ordinary people. Your wife will surely be of immeasurable nobility in the future."

After speaking, he clasped his hands and bowed deeply.

The officials in the surrounding government offices took in the whole scene and exchanged glances: Goodness, it seems the rumors about Lord Zhao are true!
Wanqing decided to "stop while she was ahead," because she wasn't sure if her husband's high status was actually related to the capital. Fearing that she might say something inappropriate, she bowed gracefully to the officials who came to see her off, and then, with the help of her nanny, carried her infant son to the spacious carriage that had been prepared in advance.

Seeing this, Chunlan hurriedly got into the carriage as well. Although she was a concubine, her food, clothing and daily necessities were the same as Wanqing's.

Wanqing was able to treat everyone fairly in this respect.

The carriage curtains fell, shutting out all the inquisitive, awe-inspiring, and fawning gazes from the outside world.

Eighty-six was ordered to escort them, so he led his guards forward. The procession of dozens of Eight Banner soldiers surrounding and protecting them drew the attention and discussion of the people along the way.

Inside the carriage, Chunlan, the young lady, only breathed a long sigh of relief after the carriage had left the city. Her face was pale, and she said with lingering fear, "Good sister, how could you make something so baseless sound so real! My husband doesn't have any distinguished guests visiting from the capital. Aren't you just lying to him? What if you get caught?"

Wanqing's lips curled into a sly smile, all traces of her previous gentleness, obedience, and hesitation vanished. She gently patted Chunlan's hand and giggled, "Silly sister, they were the ones who first said our husbands were incredibly noble. I was just going along with them. We can't just let down all these gentlemen's kindness, can we?"

After speaking, he lifted the curtain of the carriage window and looked back at the receding Jiangning city wall, his eyes flashing with the same shrewdness and calculation as Zhao An.

It seems they've guessed something.

(End of this chapter)