The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1639 - 1634: Lady Dingguo

Chief Steward Su wore a smile on his face, and to others, it seemed as if he was introducing the beautiful scenery of the Imperial Garden to Wang Yongzhu, who was three steps behind him.

However, what he said had nothing to do with the scenery: "His Majesty’s intention is that once the Wife of the Heir-Apparent reaches the Grasslands Royal Capital, she should quickly head to the capital. The person that His Majesty wants the Heir and the Wife of the Heir-Apparent to find is a woman in her forties. Her most distinctive feature is her blue-green eyes, and her facial features also slightly differ from ours in Great Chu, somewhat resembling women from the Western Region."

Wang Yongzhu sighed in relief; it seemed the Emperor had come to his senses and realized that merely leaving her a name and asking her to find someone was exceptionally challenging.

With these clues, it would be much easier.

She thus smiled and said, "Please, Chief Steward, report back to His Majesty for me, and please rest assured that my husband and I will certainly do our best to find this person!"

Chief Steward Su nodded, and the two exchanged a knowing glance, never mentioning the matter again, as if it never happened.

Along the way, Chief Steward Su did introduce several sights of the Imperial Garden, and Wang Yongzhu obligingly praised them, albeit without much thought.

After leaving the Imperial Garden, Wang Yongzhu said, "I wouldn’t dare trouble Chief Steward Su with the rest of the journey; why not let that eunuch escort me to the palace gates instead."

Chief Steward Su laughed, "I mentioned that I was ordered to escort the Wife of the Heir-Apparent home! Besides, I have tasks awaiting; after escorting you home, there is a decree to proclaim! Rest assured, I will see to it that you are delivered safely to your residence!"

Only then did Wang Yongzhu notice the bright yellow scroll that Chief Steward Su carried, which should be the imperial decree.

Although she didn’t know what was written in the decree, she did not ask further.

She simply thanked Chief Steward Su and silently followed him out of the palace gates.

At the palace gates, several carriages were already prepared, guarded by chamberlains and the Imperial Guards.

The Forbidden Army guarding the palace gates were stunned to see Wang Yongzhu being personally escorted by Chief Steward Su, as such an arrangement suggested she was to be delivered to the Duke’s Mansion.

Before Wang Yongzhu could be escorted back to the Duke’s Mansion by Chief Steward Su, the well-informed families in the Capital City were already aware of the news.

Over at the Song Family, due to the slow pace of Wang Yongzhu’s carriage, someone had already returned to report the news.

By the time they arrived at the Duke Weiguo Residence’s gate, Song Hong was already prepared with an incense table, the main gate was wide open, a red carpet laid out, and everything was in order.

Lady Gao, due to her long illness, naturally did not come out.

The womenfolk did not make an appearance either; only Wang Yongzhu, after stepping off the carriage and entering the residence, knelt behind Song Hong, awaiting the decree.

Chief Steward Su held out the decree, facing the direction of the Imperial Palace, and began to read.

The decree stated that the Wife of the Heir to the Duke of Weiguo had saved the lives of the Empress and the Ninth Prince, a meritorious service to the royal family. In gratitude for her unwavering loyalty to the dynasty, she was bestowed the title of Lady Dingguo, First-Rank Imperial Lady, a status higher than her previous rank as the Wife of the Heir-Apparent to the Duke of Weiguo.

It’s important to know that it was extremely rare for women of the clans and officials to be granted First-Rank Enjoin Lady with titles.

Especially such a First-Rank Lady with a title, unaffected by her husband’s or children’s rank.

She enjoyed the court’s salary and all the treatments of the First Rank; the restrictions on clothing patterns and jewelry designs were greatly reduced.

In the Capital City’s women’s circle, apart from the Empress Dowager, Empress, Imperial Noble Consort, and a few Princess Consorts, no one else would require her to bow in greeting.

At such a young age, she was already equal to those Princess Consorts and mothers and wives of First-Rank officials.

Since the founding of Great Chu, there have been many First-Rank Ladies, but those granted a title numbered only a dozen.

Not to mention there was a long list of rewards, where gold and silver jewelry were the least of concerns, as she was lavishly bestowed with an Imperial Estate and a serene courtyard.

Such generous rewards left even Song Hong somewhat bewildered.

The title of Lady Dingguo alone was exceedingly precious, as many women of noble status never reached this position even in their twilight years.

Yet Wang Yongzhu, not even twenty, had become probably the youngest and most honorable First-Rank Lady of this dynasty.

Most importantly, even if something unfortunate were to happen with the Song Family or Song Chongjin in the future, it would not affect Wang Yongzhu’s own grant and salary in the slightest.

Something flickered across Song Hong’s eyes, but when he looked up, there was only immense joy and surprise on his face.

Wang Yongzhu still felt as though she were in a dream, not fully awakened.

What’s going on? Did she hear wrong, or had the Emperor suddenly lost his mind?

Such lavish rewards were practically unheard of; what was the intention here? To place her on a pedestal to be scrutinized?

Does this mean in the future, aside from those in the palace, she could practically walk freely in the Capital City?

One must know that as the First-Rank Imperial Lady, there were definitely no women of higher status than her in the entire Capital City.

The younger ones didn’t have a higher status either?

Suddenly becoming a life winner at such a young age, reaching the pinnacle of life, what next? She had no more goals to strive for!

The taste was indescribable; it was certainly beyond just being sweet and sour!

While Wang Yongzhu remained immersed in the bewilderment of suddenly becoming a life winner, she subconsciously followed behind Song Hong, instinctively accepting the decree and expressing her gratitude.

When she finally came to her senses, all she heard were voices of congratulations.

All she saw were looks of envy, jealousy, and resentment.

It was still Song Hong who gave Chief Steward Su an overly generous red envelope and personally escorted him out. When he returned and saw the crowd surrounding Wang Yongzhu, his face turned cold.

"What are you all gathering here for? Get back to your duties!"

Although everyone did not understand why the Duke’s face was not good despite such glorious and joyous news, they were perceptive enough to disperse.

Wang Yongzhu also wanted to leave but was stopped by Song Hong: "You, come with me to the study!"

In the study, Song Hong coldly glanced at Wang Yongzhu: "What did you do in the palace today? For His Majesty to reward you so generously?"

Wang Yongzhu herself was in a daze: "I did nothing after entering the palace. I simply said everything was done and it was time to return to Chicheng City, reminding His Majesty about the promised matters. Then His Majesty agreed, and I took my leave and returned!"

Song Hong could hardly believe it.

His suspicious eyes scrutinized Wang Yongzhu from head to toe: "His Majesty really said nothing else to you?"

A pang hit Wang Yongzhu’s heart, but outwardly she remained calm: "No!"

Whether Song Hong saw anything was unclear, but he only said coldly, "If that’s the case, that’s for the best! Since you’ve told His Majesty you plan to return to Chicheng City, hasten to pack and set off in the next couple of days! Staying longer in the Capital might lead to unforeseen circumstances!"

After several mental deliberations, Wang Yongzhu finally understood what Song Hong meant by this. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Instantly, she retorted with a hardened expression: "I don’t understand what you mean, Lord Duke! I was conferred the title of Lady Dingguo because I saved the Empress and the Ninth Prince, which is merely what I deserve! How can you assume there is another meaning behind my conferred title of First-Rank Lady?"

"Are you looking down on my husband, or are you undermining me? What do you mean by unforeseen circumstances? My conscience is clear and my stature upright. If you have doubts, why not ask His Majesty?"