Ch 86: The Regent’s Farmer Husband

In the village before West Mountain, west of Changping County.

That morning, the sky was clear and cloudless, another perfect sunny day. With autumn settling in, the weather had turned cooler. A light breeze brushed the face, gentle and pleasant.

Early at dawn, several magpies chattered on the branches.

After breakfast, Zhao Ru and the others got busy. Jiang Xia took Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei to the school. Lu Shun led a group to the warehouse in front of the workshop, preparing to continue collecting cotton.

Jiang Ji’s textile workshop had already been completed thirteen days after he left for the capital. Lu Shun and Zhao Ru had gone to inspect it and paid the remaining balance.

Within a couple of days, the cotton harvest began. Following Jiang Ji’s arrangements before his departure, they had been focusing entirely on collecting cotton during this period.

According to the contracts, the cotton farmers brought their harvest along with their agreements to deliver the goods.

Thanks to the high-resistance, high-yield cotton seeds, along with the cultivation methods Jiang Ji had provided, this year’s cotton crops had all produced abundant yields, achieving the target he had once promised of sixty jin per mu.

The highest-yielding household harvested eighty-seven jin from a single mu, which delighted them immensely. Even the lowest-yielding plots, those poorly managed and affected by pests, still produced over twenty jin, far more than in previous years.

The farmers’ faces were all lit with smiles. Translated on Hololo novels. Once they received notice from Jiang Ji’s household that collection had begun, they picked their cotton and promptly delivered it.

Jiang Ji had signed contracts with them to purchase cotton at last year’s market price of three hundred twenty wen per jin, roughly matching current market rates. Once harvested, they could sell it immediately and receive silver on the spot, which made everyone very happy.

After many days of collection, fewer than twenty households had yet to deliver their cotton.

Lu Shun led his men to open the warehouse doors, revealing sacks upon sacks of cotton piled inside.

The guards carried tables and scales to the entrance. Lu Shun opened a drawer and placed the silver and copper coins he had been carrying on his back into it, ready to receive deliveries.

Next door, Zhao Ru led sixteen women, including Aunt Xiufang, in processing the cotton.

This, too, had been arranged by Jiang Ji. Fearing he might not return in time, he had instructed that beginning the second day of collection, they should hire workers to start cleaning and ginning the cotton.

Inside the cleaning room, long tables were covered with cotton. A dozen or so older women and young wives, wearing face coverings, sorted through it. First, they removed bits of husk and debris; second, they separated the cotton into high-grade, medium-grade, and lower-grade categories.

The cleaned cotton was packed into baskets and carried next door to the ginning room, where Zhao Ru and Xiufang, along with two others, used the cotton ginning machine Jiang Ji had devised to remove the seeds.

After the seeds were removed, the cotton would be laid out to dry in the sun. Once dried, it could be stored for the time being, waiting for Jiang Ji to return before beginning spinning and the subsequent processes.

The cotton ginning machine rumbled as it worked, rapidly separating the seeds from the cotton.

“A-Ji has been gone for more than twenty days now, hasn’t he? I wonder how things are for him in the Capital City?” Aunt Xiufang asked as she worked the machine. “Has he sent any letters back?”

Zhao Ru smiled. “Mm, we received one a few days ago. He said he had already arrived. He wrote that the Capital City is very large and prosperous, with wide streets, countless shops, and crowds of people everywhere.”

“Well, it is the Capital City, of course it’s prosperous,” another aunt said with a laugh. “I’ve heard it’s full of wealthy people.”

“And so many officials too. Walking down the street, you might run into the sons and daughters of official families at any moment.”

After chatting for a bit, Aunt Xiufang asked, “Did A-Ji say when he’ll be back?”

“He said it’s hard to say for now,” Zhao Ru replied. “Once he finishes what he needs to do there, he’ll return.”

What Zhao Ru did not mention was that she knew clearly: Jiang Ji’s trip to the Capital City was not only to promote wheat seeds, but also, more importantly, to meet Jiang Yan’s parents.

She glanced out the window, a trace of worry in her eyes. Had A-Ji already met Jiang Yan’s parents? Had Jiang Yan’s family made things difficult for him?

She only hoped everything was going smoothly and that he would return soon.

On the official road outside, a low-key carriage stood parked by the roadside. Before long, farmers pulling carts of cotton arrived to deliver their goods.

Inside the carriage, a thin man dressed as a farmer lifted the curtain to take a look. “Master, more people have come to deliver cotton.”

Zhang Yuanwai glanced outside. “Go on, then.”

“Yes.”

The thin man got down from the carriage and followed behind the farmers toward the village before West Mountain.

Inside the carriage, the steward of the Zhang Residence said with concern, “Master, they’ve collected so much cotton and even built such a large building. It’s obvious they’re planning to open a workshop. It’s only because Jiang Ji isn’t here that they haven’t moved on to the next step yet.”

For the past several days, Zhang Yuanwai had been coming here daily to observe and gather information. He muttered, “I wonder what Jiang Ji went to the Capital City for.”

“I’ve heard from the villagers that he went north to promote wheat seeds,” the steward replied. “That cotton-separating machine of his… if only we could get our hands on one.”

Zhang Yuanwai frowned, which was precisely what troubled him.

Jiang Ji had somehow obtained design plans and created a machine that could remove cotton seeds. Servants, disguised as farmers delivering cotton, had secretly tried to gather information. They had heard that the machine could separate seeds from cotton very quickly.

However, the workshop was guarded, and the servants had no way to get close enough to see what the machine actually looked like.

After a moment’s hesitation, the steward suggested, “Master, they’re probably almost done collecting cotton. Why don’t we send someone again tonight to take a look? If we can’t get one, at least we could see what it looks like.”

Previously, they had already sent people to the village, but many households kept dogs. Whenever strangers approached, the dogs would bark. Jiang Ji’s household alone kept two dogs—one at the workshop and one at home. The workshop was also guarded at night, making it very difficult to approach.

Zhang Yuanwai’s brows knitted tightly. “What about the women working in the workshop? The ones we tried to get close to?”

The steward shook his head. “We couldn’t find anything out. The villagers are very tight-lipped with strangers. We could only talk a bit while posing as cotton deliverers, and even then, they spoke only in general terms. Not a word about the machine.”

Zhang Yuanwai pondered for a moment. “I heard Jiang Ji’s family has a feud with a household in the village. Have someone look into that.”

The steward nodded. “Yes.”

Just as the steward was about to get down from the carriage, he noticed a group approaching in the distance. Upon seeing the leading carriage, he immediately climbed back inside.

Lifting the curtain, he said, “Master, Prefect Xu has arrived.”

Zhang Yuanwai quickly ordered, “Drive forward—take that fork in the road.”

Prefect Xu was no longer the magistrate of Changping County. He had been promoted to Prefect of Yunzhou. The former assistant magistrate had been promoted to magistrate, and the former county lieutenant, Zhou Lin, had been promoted to assistant magistrate.

The steward flicked the whip at once, and the carriage slowly moved forward, turning into a nearby fork and stopping by the roadside.

The two lifted the curtain and watched. Before long, several carriages entered the village road leading to the village before West Mountain, accompanied by many mounted officers.

Looking at the four carriages behind Prefect Xu’s, the steward asked, “Why are there so many carriages? Master, the ones in front belong to Prefect Xu and Lord Chen. The last one should be the county magistrate. But those in the middle look unfamiliar—whose could they be? And those mounted officers… their attire looks different. They don’t seem like county yamen runners.”

“I don’t know,” Zhang Yuanwai said, frowning at the officers. “With so many of them… could something have happened to Jiang Ji in the Capital City?”

Otherwise, why would so many officials come to his household?

The steward paused, then his face lit up. “Master, the Capital City is full of powerful nobles. Perhaps Jiang Ji offended someone of high status and has been punished? If he’s been convicted, then their workshop will never open.”

Zhang Yuanwai glanced at him, a slow smile forming at the corner of his lips.

Master and servant exchanged a knowing look and smiled.

With five carriages and a large contingent of officers, the procession was an imposing sight. The villagers working in the fields all turned to stare.

The leading carriage belonged to Prefect Xu. Translated on Hololo novels. One of the following carriages belonged to the county yamen—they came often, so the villagers recognized it. But who did the other carriages belong to?

Whenever officials came, they usually came to see Jiang Ji—but he had already gone to the Capital City, and Prefect Xu knew that. So why had so many people come?

When the village head saw the procession entering the village, he didn’t even bother with his work, grabbing his hoe and hurrying back.

The carriages went straight to Jiang Ji’s residence and stopped at the gate. The coachman got down and knocked.

Most of Jiang Ji’s household had gone to the warehouse to help, leaving only a few servant women at home. They were mostly in the rear courtyard and could not hear the knocking at the front gate.

Some villagers saw what was happening and reminded them, “My lord, they’re all over at the workshop collecting cotton.”

Prefect Xu was just getting out of his carriage when he heard this. He asked, “Fellow villager, is Jiang Ji’s mother there as well?”

“Yes, they’re all there.”

“Many thanks.” Prefect Xu climbed back into the carriage and said, “Head to the workshop.”

The driver urged the horses forward for another twenty or so zhang until they arrived in front of the workshop.

When Lu Shun saw the procession of carriages, he recognized the leading one as belonging to Prefect Xu. Then he glanced behind—and his eyes widened in shock.

Those officers behind… weren’t those imperial guards from the palace?

He also spotted several people from the Regent’s Residence.

Lu Shun hurried over, first bowing to Prefect Xu, then turning to the Regent’s Residence guard He Ling, who had just dismounted.

“He Ling, why are you here?” he asked quietly, then lowered his voice further. “And why are there imperial guards? Has the Regent come?”

“No,” He Ling replied softly. “It’s Eunuch Wen, who serves at His Majesty’s side. He’s here with an imperial decree.”

Lu Shun was startled. “An imperial decree? Is it good news or…?”

“Good news.” He Ling leaned in and whispered a few words into Lu Shun’s ear.

Lu Shun’s eyes widened. “Really?”

He Ling nodded with a smile. “Hurry and invite Madam out.”

Lu Shun glanced at the people disembarking behind them. Sure enough, it was Eunuch Wen. He immediately ran toward the ginning room.

“Madam! Madam!”

Zhao Ru looked up, stopping what she was doing. “What is it?”

With a beaming face, Lu Shun said, “Come out quickly—Eunuch Wen from His Majesty’s side has arrived.”

Zhao Ru was confused. “Who did you say?”

“Eunuch Wen—he serves by His Majesty’s side,” Lu Shun explained hurriedly. “Anyway, please come out at once. Aunt Xiufang, all of you stop working and come with me.”

“What’s going on?”

“You’ll know once you come out.”

Lu Shun gathered everyone in the workshop and brought them to the open space in front.

Everyone looked bewildered, unsure what was happening, but they could see many officers ahead, along with several high-ranking officials.

The village head, who had rushed over with his hoe, was equally confused. “Prefect Xu, what is this about?”

“Good news, don’t worry,” Prefect Xu reassured him. Then he explained to everyone, “Madam Zhao, fellow villagers, this is Eunuch Wen, who serves at His Majesty’s side. He has come with an imperial decree from His Majesty.”

“An… imperial decree?” The villagers were even more bewildered. None of them had ever experienced such a thing.

Eunuch Wen looked over the crowd and asked, “Which of you is Madam Jiang, Zhao Ru, the mother of Duke Chang, Jiang Ji?”

Duke Chang? Who?

Prefect Xu and the others were stunned. They knew Eunuch Wen had come to deliver a decree and reward Jiang Ji, but they had not known what title he would receive.

Hearing “Duke Chang,” their eyes widened in shock.

He had been granted the rank of duke?

Zhao Ru answered hesitantly, “In reply to Eunuch Wen, this humble woman is Jiang Ji’s mother, Zhao Ru… but my son Jiang Ji is not any sort of duke.”

“Then it is indeed you, madam—we have the right person,” Eunuch Wen said with a smile. Raising his voice, he announced, “Zhao Ru, receive the decree.”

Zhao Ru froze for a moment until Lu Shun reminded her, “Madam, quickly kneel and receive the decree.”

“Oh—oh.” Zhao Ru hurriedly knelt.

Lu Shun, Prefect Xu, and the others all knelt as well. Seeing this, the villagers quickly followed suit, kneeling one after another.

Eunuch Wen took out a bright yellow scroll, unfolded it, and began to read aloud:

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

Jiang Ji of the village before West Mountain, west of Changping County in Yunzhou, is loyal, brave, resolute, and accomplished in both civil and martial pursuits. He has created composite bows and bed crossbows, strengthening the military might of our Da Sheng. Diligent and selfless, with lofty ambition, he has promoted new rice, wheat, and cotton seeds; introduced sweet potatoes, maize, and potatoes; and devised new agricultural tools, alleviating the hunger and hardship of the people, advancing the prosperity of agriculture in Da Sheng, and bestowing benefits for generations to come.

Therefore, Jiang Ji is hereby enfeoffed as First-Rank Duke Chang, with hereditary succession without reduction. He is granted an estate of three thousand households, a ducal residence, one thousand mu of fertile land, one thousand taels of gold, ten thousand taels of silver, twenty bolts of fine silk, and ten chests of jewels and jade.

His mother, Madam Jiang, is hereby conferred the title of First-Rank Honored Lady, with a grant of five hundred taels of gold, ten bolts of silk, and five chests of jewels and jade.

By Imperial command.”

When the decree was finished, everyone present was stunned.

What had the eunuch just said?

Jiang Ji had been granted… the title of duke?

And his mother had been made an Honored Lady?

The villagers did not fully understand the court titles, but they could tell it was something immense—especially with a residence, so much land, gold, and silk as rewards.

After finishing the proclamation, Eunuch Wen looked at Zhao Ru and smiled. “Honored Lady, please receive the decree.”

Zhao Ru was still in a daze, hardly believing what she had just heard.

Lu Shun whispered again, “Madam, accept the decree and give thanks. Say: ‘Thank you for His Majesty’s grace. Long live His Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand upon ten thousand years.’”

Only then did Zhao Ru come back to her senses. Following his instructions, she knelt and said, “Thank you for His Majesty’s grace. Long live His Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand upon ten thousand years.”

Lu Shun then helped her receive the decree.

“Honored Madam, please rise.” Eunuch Wen helped her up and offered his congratulations. “Congratulations, Honored Lady.”

Overcome with emotion, Zhao Ru said, “Thank you, Eunuch Wen. Th-this… is this really true?”

“Of course it is true,” Eunuch Wen replied. “All the rewards granted by His Majesty have already been accepted by Duke Chang. He chose to keep them in the Capital City to avoid the trouble of transporting them back and forth. Duke Chang is currently residing at the Regent’s Residence and still has matters to attend to in the Capital City, so he was unable to return with us. The ducal residence is already under renovation, awaiting the day when your whole family may reunite.”

Prefect Xu and the others stepped forward to offer their congratulations.

“Congratulations, Honored Lady.”

“Congratulations, congratulations.”

Zhao Ru was both nervous and overwhelmed, unsure how to respond to such a scene. She could only keep saying, “Thank you.”

Then she turned to Lu Shun and asked, “Shun’er… is this real?”

“It’s true, Madam,” Lu Shun said happily. He then took out a banknote from his robe and slipped it into Eunuch Wen’s hand. “Many thanks, Eunuch Wen. You’ve had a long journey—please come to the house and rest.”

Only then did Zhao Ru react. “Yes, yes—please come inside and sit. Eunuch Wen, esteemed lords, please come in.”

Lu Shun instructed several guards to continue collecting cotton, then helped Zhao Ru receive the guests.

They led everyone into the main hall. Lu Shun called for Sister Guihua to serve tea.

Eunuch Wen summoned the people he had brought from the Imperial Weaving Bureau to take Zhao Ru’s measurements for her First-Rank Honored Lady attire.

Lu Shun remained in the hall, attending to the guests.

Prefect Xu asked, “Eunuch Wen, you mentioned just now that Jiang—ah, Duke Chang—is currently residing at the Regent’s Residence?”

Eunuch Wen nodded. “The ducal residence is not yet fully renovated. Duke Chang returned to the capital together with the Regent—and he even saved the Regent’s life. Naturally, the Regent would not have him stay at an inn outside. He has been staying in the Regent’s Residence all along.”

“Duke Chang saved the Regent?” Prefect Xu asked in surprise.

“Yes,” Eunuch Wen replied.

At that moment, Lu Shun spoke up, “Prefect Xu, my young master—Jiang Yan—is the Regent.”

Prefect Xu and Lord Chen both froze in shock.

“Jiang Yan is the Regent?” Prefect Xu exclaimed.

Lu Shun nodded. “Yes. The Regent has also recovered his memories.”

Prefect Xu and Lord Chen exchanged looks. They had met Jiang Yan so many times, yet never realized he was the Regent!

After Zhao Ru finished having her measurements taken and came out, Prefect Xu asked her, “Honored Lady, did you know that Jiang Yan is the Regent?”

Zhao Ru glanced at Lu Shun. Seeing him nod, she nodded as well. “Xiao Ji and the others told me. But at the time, they said Jiang Yan’s situation was not safe, so his identity had to be kept secret.”

Hearing that Zhao Ru already knew, Prefect Xu and Lord Chen were finally convinced.

Jiang Yan truly was the Regent!

Eunuch Wen smiled. “Honored Lady, the Regent has also sent people to escort you.”

“Oh, right.” Lu Shun called He Ling over. “Madam, this is He Ling, a guard from the Regent’s Residence. He has come under orders.”

He Ling bowed to Zhao Ru. “Honored Lady, the Regent and Duke Chang have sent us to escort you, the young lady, and the young masters to the Capital City.”

He took out a letter from his robe and handed it to Zhao Ru.

Zhao Ru accepted it, then handed it to Lu Shun. “Read it for me.”

Seeing that they were about to read the letter, Eunuch Wen stood up. “Honored Lady, we will be staying at the county yamen posthouse. If you can set out within three days, shall we return to the capital together?”

Zhao Ru looked at Lu Shun, who nodded.

She nodded in return. “Then we will trouble Eunuch Wen.”

“You are too courteous, Honored Lady. You must have many matters to attend to, so we will take our leave for now. We will meet again when it is time to depart.”

Seeing that they were about to leave, Zhao Ru quickly said, “No, no—Eunuch Wen, please stay. If you do not mind, would you and the esteemed lords stay for a simple meal? Allow us to fulfill our duty as hosts.”

“Well…” Eunuch Wen hesitated.

Prefect Xu smiled. “Eunuch Wen, you may not know this, but our Duke Chang is also an excellent cook. The cooks in his household were all trained by him. They have many new dishes as well. Why not stay and try them—taste the rice and vegetables grown by our Duke Chang?”

Hearing this, Eunuch Wen smiled. “Then I shall humbly accept the invitation.”

Zhao Ru quickly said, “Please be seated, Eunuch Wen. Prefect Xu, Lord Chen, I’ll trouble you to keep him company while I make arrangements.”

Prefect Xu nodded. “Very well, Honored Lady, go ahead.”

Zhao Ru happily went to make arrangements and instructed Lu Shun, “Shun’er, prepare firecrackers—we’ll set them off at lunch to celebrate.”

“Got it.”

“Wait, Shun’er—shouldn’t we also prepare some reward money?”

“Yes,” Lu Shun said with a smile. “Madam, just give me the money and I’ll take care of it.”

“Alright, alright, thank you for your hard work.”

Zhao Ru gave Lu Shun the money, went to the kitchen to make arrangements, then returned to him. “Quick, read me the letter.”

Lu Shun began reading:

“Mother, it’s Xiao Ji. I asked Jiang Yan to write this letter for me.

How is everything at home? Are you well? How are Xia’er, Jiang Nan, and Jiang Bei? Have Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei been obedient? If they haven’t, I’ll deal with them when I get back.

I’ve finished promoting the wheat seeds. I’ve been busy for several days and earned a bit more silver. As soon as I returned to the residence, I ran into Eunuch Wu, the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Household, who came to deliver an imperial decree. He said I’ve been granted the title of Duke Chang, and you’ve been made a First-Rank Honored Lady. There’s also a residence, lots of land, and gold and jewels—I was shocked.

You’ve received the decree too, right? Were you shocked as well? Couldn’t believe it?

Hehe, it’s real!

We were originally thinking of buying a house in the capital, but now there’s no need—perfect timing! I hear the ducal residence is quite large. When you all arrive, we’ll go see it together!

Mother, since you’ve been granted the title of First-Rank Honored Lady, you need to personally come to the capital to give thanks.

Just pack lightly and come with the people from the Regent’s Residence. The guard is called He Ling—he brought four others. Lu Shun knows them.

Has the cotton harvest been finished at home? I’ve already spoken with Jiang Yan. For now, let Lu Shun stay behind to help manage things—he can oversee the cotton and rice harvests for us. After we finish giving thanks, we’ll still need to come back for a while.

Lately I’ve been busy trying to win over Jiang Yan’s parents. I’m preparing gifts and hope that Minister Lu and Madam Lu will accept me.

Mother, I miss you all. I’ll be waiting for you in the capital.

Your son, Jiang Ji—dictated, written by Jiang Yan.”

After Lu Shun finished reading, he looked at the last few lines, somewhat puzzled. What did Young Master Jiang Ji mean by “win over” the master and madam? And “accept him”—what did that mean?

Just like the previous letter, it clearly carried the tone of a son writing home. Zhao Ru’s eyes were filled with warmth as she said, “Shun’er, let me see it.”

Lu Shun, still puzzled, handed the letter to Zhao Ru. “Madam, why did the Duke say he needs my master and madam to accept him?”

Zhao Ru did not immediately realize that “the Duke” referred to Jiang Ji. She paused, then replied, “Oh—he just means he wants to pay a visit to Minister Lu and Madam Lu.”

She did not mention anything about her son and the Regent, uncertain whether things would work out on that side.

Lu Shun instinctively felt that was not the full story, but seeing Zhao Ru had no intention of explaining further, he decided he would ask He Ling later.

Zhao Ru looked at the letter. Though she could not read, simply seeing the paper made her feel close to her son. She gazed at it for a long while before carefully folding it and slipping it back into the envelope.

“Shun’er, I’ll be taking Xia’er and the others to the Capital City,” Zhao Ru said apologetically. “I’ll have to trouble you to take care of things at home for a while longer.”

Lu Shun had already learned this from the letter. “It’s no problem, Madam. You go ahead. Just tell me what to watch out for when it’s time to harvest the rice.”

“Alright. Let me explain…”

Zhao Ru began instructing Lu Shun on the rice harvest. Meanwhile, throughout the village, the news that Jiang Ji had been granted the title of duke spread like wildfire.

“My heavens—a Duke!”

“I heard the storytellers in town say that a duke outranks even a marquis!”

“Outranks a marquis?!”

“Good heavens—higher than a marquis? How high is that!”

“That’s not an official post, it’s a noble title. Didn’t you hear? It’s hereditary—passed down forever.”

“So that means Jiang Ji’s family will all be dukes from now on?”

“That’s right—they’ve been granted a noble title!”

“Did you hear? He was even awarded a residence in the Capital City!”

“And not just that—so much land, gold, and treasures!”

“Jiang Ji’s family has truly risen!”

“With the seeds Jiang Ji brought back, once they spread across all of Da Sheng, who knows how many people will benefit? He deserves this reward.”

“Exactly! Seeing that our second rice harvest is about to be abundant, it still feels like a dream to me.”

“Me too!”

“This title—it was rightfully his.”

For the village to produce a duke and a First-Rank Honored Lady—this was no small matter.

The village head immediately gathered several clan elders, found firecrackers, and went to Jiang Ji’s house to offer congratulations.

When the villagers heard, they all followed behind.

After all, this was the duke from their village!

The entire village shared in the glory.

Meanwhile, on the official road, the thin man came running back to Zhang Residence’s carriage.

“Master—something’s wrong!”

“What do you mean something’s wrong? I’m perfectly fine,” the steward snapped, then quickly asked, “Did something happen at Jiang Ji’s house?”

“Yes.” The thin man, out of breath from running, paused to catch it.

The steward turned to Zhang Yuanwai with delight. “Master, you were right—Jiang Ji must have offended someone powerful and been punished. Now his workshop will never open.”

Zhang Yuanwai stroked his beard and smiled.

The thin man looked confused. “Steward, what are you talking about? Jiang Ji hasn’t been punished—he’s been ennobled.”

The steward and Zhang Yuanwai froze, their smiles stiffening on their faces.

“He’s been ennobled?” Zhang Yuanwai asked. “Ennobled as what? Speak clearly.”

The thin man said, “Just now several carriages came with many people. Among them was Eunuch Wen, who serves at His Majesty’s side. He came to deliver an imperial decree. Because of Jiang Ji’s contributions in promoting new rice seeds—and also making some kind of weapons—he’s been granted the title of Duke Chang, first rank. His mother has been made a First-Rank Honored Lady. They were also awarded a residence in the Capital City, a thousand mu of land, and a great deal of gold and treasures.”

“A… a duke?” Zhang Yuanwai was stunned. “He’s been granted a first-rank dukedom?”

“Yes,” the thin man nodded.

Crack—crack—crack—

The sound of firecrackers echoed from afar.

The thin man said, “Master, listen—they’re setting off firecrackers to celebrate.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yuanwai was completely dumbstruck.

Jiang Ji had been granted a dukedom—who would dare oppose him now?

To offend a duke… would that not be courting death?

When the firecrackers finally ceased, Zhang Yuanwai said in a defeated tone, “Let’s go. Head back. Steward, recall everyone we sent out to gather information.”

“Yes, Master.”

They drove the carriage away in dejection, not daring to entertain any more schemes.

🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾

Sandy: Not motivated at all these days. So sorry for slow releases 🥲

Next