The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1642 - 1636: The Smallest Cost, the Greatest Benefit (Part 2)

This is something everyone is concerned about, so for a moment, no one spoke; they just raised their ears to listen to the mother and daughter talk. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

It’s said that because she saved the Empress and the Ninth Prince, she has such honor now, and for the time being, everyone can only envy it.

No way around it, this is just fate!

Otherwise, even if such a great opportunity were handed to them, they wouldn’t have the luck to seize it.

I’m afraid not only would they fail to gain today’s glory, but might even risk their lives.

Thus, Lady An laughed and said, "This is indeed cousin’s skill and blessings; luckily, cousin learned medical techniques to have today’s achievement. Otherwise, replacing her with someone else might just result in a crime that destroys the whole family! We don’t have such skills, so no matter how enviously red-eyed we get, we can only watch—"

Even though this is a joke, it’s indeed the truth.

Everyone present understood this in their hearts.

But Old Lady Gu said, "This is a great honor and happy event; compared to the Duke Weiguo Residence, they must be holding a grand banquet to celebrate. When the time comes, I, this old woman, must go and sit for a while to soak up my granddaughter’s fortune!"

Wang Yongzhu smiled, "That would be wonderful! Once the date is set, not only will we invite grandmother, but my first aunt, second aunt, and third aunt; everyone must come!"

"On that day, I can imagine how many people will say pleasant things to praise me. Grandmother and the aunts can listen in, enjoy the compliments, and be envied for having a niece like me; we’ll all be happy together!"

These words made everyone laugh.

After staying at the Gu Family for lunch, everyone discreetly left, allowing the mother and daughter to talk privately for a while.

Once Old Granny Zhang saw there were no outsiders left, just mother and daughter, her smiling face instantly faded, and she grabbed Wang Yongzhu’s hand with concern: "Zhuzhu, tell your mother the truth, what’s the deal with this Lady of the First Rank? I heard this news yesterday and was initially happy for you. But I noticed your uncle didn’t seem happy, which made me uneasy, and I couldn’t sleep well all night."

"Don’t hide anything from me, say whatever it is. Although I don’t understand the affairs outside the Imperial Court, I overheard that the title Lady of the First Rank is not easy to bear. There isn’t any trouble with this, right?"

Poor Old Granny Zhang, she hardly slept well last night and used makeup this morning to cover up her dark circles.

At this moment, she naturally wanted to understand it clearly.

Wang Yongzhu quickly explained, "Mother, don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong! This title of Lady Dingguo is not only because I saved the Empress and the Ninth Prince, but mainly because—"

She leaned to Old Granny Zhang’s ear and whispered the real reason.

Only then did Old Granny Zhang breathe a sigh of relief: "Now I’m relieved! Although life in the Capital City has better food, clothing, and living standards than elsewhere, it’s also exhausting. You have to be careful in every conversation, and even sleep in fear of speaking nonsense that might be overheard. We’d better return to Chicheng County early!"

Wang Yongzhu nodded, "Once we’ve entertained the guests, we’ll set off. Mother can slowly start packing these days, and we’ll leave when the time comes."

Only then did Old Granny Zhang completely relax.

By the afternoon, Gu Changqing returned. Upon hearing Wang Yongzhu had come, he immediately summoned her to the study.

After seeing Wang Yongzhu, he examined her from head to toe for quite a while before saying, "Your husband really cherishes you, using such a great credit just to request the title of First-Rank Enjoin Lady for you!"

Wang Yongzhu proudly smiled at Gu Changqing, "Of course, just look at who your niece and sister are; how could our choice in a husband be wrong?"

Perfect! Praising herself yet unable to catch her breath.

Gu Changqing was amused: "In the height of youth and emotion, everything seems fine, but if things don’t go smoothly in the future, these sacrifices might turn around and become errors! One might even resent you then; aren’t you afraid?"

Wang Yongzhu slowly said, "Who can predict the future? We can’t not live because we fear future death, right? If we don’t give our all when in love, should we wait until love fades to give everything?"

"Moreover, the method for increasing wheat production was indeed my result from three years of trials. Is awarding me wrong for that? It’s just because I am a woman, and the Imperial Court cannot accept it, that it was presented to the Emperor in Brother Song’s name."

"Brother Song and I are husband and wife but he is more concerned with opening trade routes and establishing markets at the border. If this matter is delayed, its future merits will be self-evident."

"This matter is Brother Song’s years of hard work, naturally, he won’t let this accomplished merit pass to others easily. Besides, only Brother Song can handle opening the trade routes for now. The border relations are intricately complex, and Brother Song has various advantages due to his status as the heir of Duke Weiguo; anyone else taking over would face resistance, mere disunity, how could it succeed?"

"He is already the Heir of Duke of Weiguo and Prefect of Chicheng County, were he to gain credit for increasing wheat yields, the rewards might lead him away from Chicheng County. His Majesty knows this, and so does Brother Song."

"Therefore, using the credit for increasing wheat production to request the title of First-Rank Enjoin Lady serves to elevate my status and offer protection. Additionally, His Majesty sees fit, such a significant merit is substantial enough to have shrines built and temples erected among the people, heightening reputation exponentially. His Majesty wouldn’t trust anyone else with such acknowledgment!"

"Only by rewarding me could His Majesty effectively use the smallest investment to reap the greatest gain. In the future, any mention of increasing wheat production will attribute merit to His Majesty, enhancing His Majesty’s prestige—only a fool would disagree!"

Such words left Gu Changqing stunned, as he looked at Wang Yongzhu in surprise.

He knew his niece was intelligent, but he didn’t expect her to have such keen insight on major matters.