Chapter 97 County Master
"Is everyone here?" asked Old Lady Lin as she walked closer.
Lu's heart was heavy, but she had to try her best to win over Old Lady Lin. Lately, Lu's image in Old Lady Lin's eyes had taken a big hit, and if she didn't take some action to regain favor, the position of housekeeper might really fall into someone else's hands.
"Mother, all have arrived except for Third Brother and Fourth Sister. The eunuch who will be reading the imperial edict, Fang Gonggong, is also about to arrive."
"Hmm." Old Lady Lin glanced at her lightly and then shifted her gaze to Liu's face, "What's wrong with you, Third Elder?"
Nothing in the house could be hidden from Old Lady Lin.
Liu's body trembled slightly, and she lowered her eyes, saying: "It's probably that Fourth Young Miss has been delayed by something."
Old Lady Lin didn't say anything else.
Liu's lips curled up in a bitter smile, she knew this matter wouldn't end, the things back then were private, but because of her momentary impulsiveness, she almost made Zhao'er suspicious.
Old Lady Lin won't let her off.
As expected, Lin Chen was right, she was too eager for quick success and wanted to show off herself, but instead, she would end up losing herself.
Madam Hou got a great bargain this time!
Lin Chen and Lin Zhaoyan arrived soon after. Old Lady Lin only gave them a glance without saying a word, but her eyes hid a cold intent.
This was her first time showing dissatisfaction with Lin Chen.
Lin Chen also knew that he was greatly wrong this time. The biggest mistake was that he shouldn't have compared Liu Shi with Wan Ru.
Liu had always regarded Lin Chen as her everything, but this time she didn't even glance at Lin Chen, instead anxiously looking towards Lin Zhao Yan with an expression that seemed to want to speak yet hesitated.
She suddenly felt scared. For the first time, she didn't know how to talk to Lin Zhaoyan.
Madam Hou, nee Lu, watched with great interest from the side, how interesting! Lin Zhaoyan was also dragged into it, and it seemed that those expressions she had investigated earlier were likely to be true.
In a moment, Fang Gonggong arrived with a smile on his face that was as bright as a chrysanthemum.
"Congratulations to Old Lady Lin, felicitations to Old Lady Lin, a magpie has arrived at your doorstep!"
Mrs. Lin was also delighted, "It's all thanks to Uncle Gong."
Mr. Fang laughed even more radiantly, his eyes twinkling as he glanced at Lin Zhaoyan, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager specially ordered our family to come and read out the imperial edict, all because of the affectionate relationship between Old Lady Lin and our family in the past."
Old Lady Lin's heart skipped a beat, could it be that she had set her sights on Fourth Young Miss?
No way, no way. Hua'er clearly sent a message back saying there was no problem, then there's no problem! Doesn't she know Si Yatou's identity? How could she possibly let Si Yatou enter the palace?!
Once this matter is exposed, how can the Hou Mansion avoid being implicated? Hua'er herself will also be involved!
"Is everyone here?" Mr. Fang's words broke into Old Lady Lin's deep thought.
"Everyone is here."
"Then kneel down and accept the imperial edict!"
A group of people suddenly knelt down.
Lin Ruoyan quietly approached Lin Zhaoyan's side, "Sister, are you okay?"
Lin Zhaoyan shook her head.
Lin Ruoyan was still worried, "Mother just said that, you see which time she returned to Yanling without bringing you?"
Lin Zhaoyan nodded again.
Lin Ruoyan was disheartened.
She also knew that Liu's words were excessive.
If she had known earlier, she wouldn't have dragged Lin Zhao Yan into this first.
The sharp and clear voice of Fang Gonggong echoed in the air, "The Empress Dowager's edict, the seventh daughter of the Lin family of the Duke of Jian'an, Lin Shi, is gentle and virtuous. Her demeanor is elegant and refined, dignified and wise. The Empress Dowager is extremely fond of her, and has specially granted permission for her to enter the palace as a companion from this day forward. Let it be known!"
Lin Xiang's words are reasonable!
Everyone was shocked and amazed, including Old Lady Lin who also got a surprise.
But she quickly calmed down. It didn't matter whether Ruo Si or Qi Mei was chosen, the reason why they had insisted on Ruo Si earlier was because they were worried that Empress Dowager would blame them for lacking sincerity. Now that Empress Dowager herself chose Qi Mei, she was relieved and happy to sacrifice Qi Mei rather than Ruo Si.
However, Qi Ba Jiao was just a concubine's daughter and it was unclear whether she could take the stage.
Mrs. Lin is worried, but Mrs. Hou and Lu are gloating. Liu Yuxin, you're competing with me and ruining your daughter's future? Serves you right!
Liu's anger had yet to dissipate, but since Lin Zhaoyan had just been wronged, she devoted more than half of her energy to comforting him, so relatively speaking, she wasn't as angry.
The most excited person was Lin Xingyan herself, who almost jumped up.
She won! Heaven didn't make a mistake after all, it's really her who won!
Auntie, did you see that? Without you around, I can still hold my own!
"Qi Yaotou, what are you still dazing about? Hurry up and receive the imperial edict!" Madame Hou Lu urged discontentedly. She was delighted to have struck a blow at Liu Yuxin, but she still harbored resentment towards Lin Xingyan's scheme that day.
These seven girls are really a bunch of wicked hearts, and they will definitely be more terrifying than their mother in the future!
"Hey, no rush. There's still one more imperial decree to receive!" Lord Fang waved his hand, signaling everyone not to get up yet.
Is there another one?!
The crowd was stunned, and then saw the official open another yellow silk imperial edict, opened his lips, and slowly spoke: "Lin Shiyaowen, the fourth daughter of the Duke of Jian'an, is gentle and cautious by nature, diligent and soft in temperament, with a noble heart and virtuous character. She is specially appointed as the Countess of Anyang County, rewarded with 10 dan of precious stones, 100 taels of gold, and hereby decreed!"
Lin Zhaoyan was sealed as the county master? !
This news was like a thunderclap on a clear day, shocking everyone, even Lin Zhaoyan, who was immersed in sorrow, furrowed his brow.
The Empress Dowager conferred upon her the title of Countess? What does this mean?
Although she didn't have much of a concept about the county master, she knew that this was something that could be taken as imperial salary. In the Jian'an Marquis's estate, apart from Old Lady Lin and the Marchioness, everyone else who didn't have an imperial decree on their person should salute her according to the rules.
In this grand mansion of Duke Ping'an, is this really a promotion for the Empress Dowager?
It's not at all, she has put herself in a place of injustice, making it even more difficult for her to take a step forward in the Hou Mansion from now on.
However, the calmness tempered by life did not make her do anything out of place, and she quickly gathered her thoughts, lowered her eyes, and remained silent.
Compared with Lin Zhao's calmness, Lin Xing's words were much more agitated.
What does this mean? Let her enter the palace, let her enter, and why is Lin Zhao Yan made a county master?! It's clear that they want to get in the way and steal her thunder!
Why not choose Lin Zhao directly into the palace then!
Lin Xing's words made him more and more angry, his eyes turned red, the excitement just now was gone without a trace.
The other rooms are naturally in a rhythm of envy, jealousy and hatred.
Only Old Lady Lin let out a sigh of relief.
This is compensation!
In this way, the Empress Dowager will no longer use Siya to cause trouble for the Marquis of Hou's household!
Master Fang was a clever man, he had taken in the expressions of everyone below him. He curled up the corner of his lips and said with a hint of a smile: "Two young ladies, why don't you quickly come forward to receive the imperial edict and express your gratitude?"
"Also, after receiving the imperial edict, don't forget to enter the palace and thank the Empress Dowager." Manager Fang reminded.
This is a well-known rule, everyone knows it, why did Fang Gong deliberately remind him?
Lin Zhaoyan raised her eyes and looked at him, with a cryptic smile hanging on Fang Gonggong's face.
She suddenly realized that it was to tell her that the Empress Dowager had something to discuss with her.
Lin Zhaoyan smiled wryly, knelt down to receive the imperial edict, and respectfully chanted: "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your kindness. May the Empress Dowager live for a thousand years, a thousand years, and ten thousand years!"
Lin Xingyan also knelt down and accepted the imperial edict, gritting his teeth in gratitude.
After Lin Zhaoyan's incident, she felt that her sense of accomplishment as an elected representative was completely gone!
And looking at Lin Ruoyan's reaction, she didn't care at all, she always thought she was being cheated!
"Now that things have been settled, let's return to the palace first."
Old Lady Lin personally escorted Mr. Fang and the palace staff out of the mansion, until they couldn't see the imperial carriage anymore, then she turned around and slowly spoke to Lin Zhao Yan and Lin Xing Yan: "You two go back and tidy up, then come to Rong Shou Tang."
The two of them agreed.
Old Lady Lin left, and the several houses that had just been calm began to discuss it.
Whether Lin Xingyan was chosen to enter the palace or Lin Zhaoyan was conferred as a county mistress, this is all the glory of the third house, and the third house will rise to prominence from now on.
The Wu family of the Fifth House is the most adept at trimming their sails to the wind. Previously, they had attached themselves to Madame Hou and joined forces with the Second House to oppose the Liu family. Now, they immediately put on a smiling face and sidled up to Madame Liu, "Third Aunt, congratulations are in order! Two out of three girls have managed to catch the eye of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, truly a testament to your excellent guidance! If I had known earlier, my younger brother and sister would have placed those two rascals under your care for upbringing!"
There's another layer of meaning in these words, which is hinting to Liu that you should take charge of the household, I believe if you manage the Hou estate it will definitely be better, and I'm on your side.
However, Wu was still afraid of offending Madame Hou directly and could only slightly hint at it, planning to make more detailed plans later.
Liu gave Wu a cold glance, she looked down on Wu's kind of wall grass the most, but wouldn't refuse this kind of person either. This kind of wall grass, as long as she used them properly, could achieve twice the result with half the effort!
The lady of the second house, Qin, would never make peace with Liu again, so she devoted herself to relying on Lady Hou, and who would win or lose in the end was still unknown.
"Yes! Third Brother and Sister are indeed blessed, but I remember that Fourth and Seventh Sisters have been independent since childhood, whereas Third Brother and Sister seem to have never been taught? Unlike Ruo Jie, who was personally raised by Third Brother and Sister, not even hiring a wet nurse! And they still live together now!"
Lu also smiled and said, "Yes, I thought this time would be Ruo's sister's turn! Tsk tsk, even if she doesn't get elected, shouldn't we at least make her a county mistress as consolation?"
Liu's expression changed, and just as she was about to retort, Lin Zhaoyan, who had been quietly standing by with his head bowed, suddenly said: "Mother, I'll go back first. I still have to go to Grandmother's place later."
Her cold and expressionless words made not just Liu's wife but also the other madams jump in fright.
This girl, why so dull and lifeless!
Lin Zhaoyan didn't wait for Liu's response and respectfully bowed to them before turning around and leaving.
A group of women's intrigue and infighting, just listening to it makes her feel fed up!
The company actually didn't let us off on New Year's Eve! Suddenly I felt tired and didn't want to do anything. Is my New Year's Eve really going to be spent on the highway? Waaaahhhh... [Under the feet, a vast expanse of gray darkness]
