Chapter 122: Shifting the Grave to the Capital

Xiaoguo retracted her gaze and looked at the soldiers lined up in a row. They were actually real soldiers. This was the only thought that popped into Xiaoguo’s mind.

“Eh? Are they wearing armor? Wow, they really are!”

It was a real eye-opener for Xiaoguo. However, after entering the front door, she restrained herself. No one must see her like this.

Xiaoguo followed behind the village chief’s wife steadily. She did not look around anymore and just stared ahead calmly.

The atmosphere in the house was so still that everyone’s breathing could be heard clearly. The two high-ranking officials were seated in the lobby and sipping their tea in a leisurely manner.

The old village chief was standing and looking so anxious that his already bent back looked even more crooked.

He was just a small village chief. With two high-ranking officials sitting in front of him, he didn’t even dare to blink.

He kept looking anxiously at the door, hoping that his wife would quickly bring Xiaoguo to save him.

He was not the only one who was suffering. The county magistrate of Yonghai County, Lord Liu, was also suffering. Although he was considered a big shot in Yonghai County, he was now seated beside this particular person. Putting aside the fact that this man was from the capital, even if he was just an assistant minister, he would completely reign over Lord Liu, who is just a mere magistrate in the village.

In the eyes of outsiders, Lord Liu was drinking tea quite calmly. However, only he knew that his legs were numb. He maintained his posture and did not dare to move at all. The teacup that he was holding to his mouth had long run out of water. However, he did not dare to ask for water. The mighty official was still around. How could he, a small county magistrate, dare to open his mouth? He could only look at the old village chief tentatively, hoping that he would see him and pour water for him. However, the chief just kept looking outside and did not even glance at him.

Out of the three men, the one who looked the calmest was the Minister of Revenue. He gently put down the cup that had long been empty.

The other two men shifted in their seats almost imperceptibly.

The Minister of Revenue started to look towards the door anxiously. Beneath his calm demeanor, he was thinking, “Come quickly, come quickly. The sooner she comes, the sooner I can complete the mission. My wife is still waiting for me to go back for dinner!”

Although the three of them were thinking different thoughts, they were all looking at the same place—the door.

“Here they are!”

The old village chief was closer to the courtyard. He first saw his wife, then Xiaoguo, who was following behind her. He was overjoyed.

Upon hearing this, the other two sat up straight and straightened their official uniforms at the same time. They looked towards the door.

The village chief’s wife stood at the door and did not enter. It was not that she did not want to enter, but her legs were trembling. If she were to enter, her knees would buckle.

She gave Xiaoguo a look and signaled her to go in herself. Xiaoguo was in a dilemma. Should she kneel when she enters?

Feeling conflicted, she entered the house and stood beside the old village chief. Eventually, she knelt down.

Once Xiaoguo entered the room, the Minister of Revenue suddenly stood up and took out an imperial edict.

Xiaoguo’s heart skipped a beat when she saw the bright yellow scroll. She knew what to do. That was what they always did on TV.

Just as she expected, as soon as the Minister of Revenue took out the imperial edict, everyone, regardless of whether they were inside or outside the house, knelt down.

“Long live the emperor.”

Xiaoguo chanted the words together with the rest of the group. For some reason, she felt a little shy.

Seeing that everyone was still, Xiaoguo didn’t dare to move and looked down at the ground.

Even though she couldn’t see what was going on, her sense of hearing suddenly became sensitive.

Xiaoguo pricked up her ears to listen to the imperial edict.

The Minister of Revenue cleared his throat. He had drunk too much water just now.

“By the grace of the heavens, the Emperor has decreed that the Jiang family, from the east of the capital, who were previously framed and expelled from the capital, have now been vindicated. Therefore, on the selected auspicious day, Jiang Kunming and his wife will be moved to the ancestral grave of the Jiang family in the capital. The daughter-in-law, by surname Jiang-Qin, will receive the decree.”

Xiaoguo imitated what she saw on television. She kowtowed and raised her hands. “I, humble subject by the surname of Jiang-Qin, accept the decree.”

The Minister of Revenue saw that she had good etiquette and did not make things difficult for her. He swiftly handed the decree to her.

“You may get up!”

The Minister of Revenue put down the imperial edict and called for everyone to get up.

He remembered what the emperor had instructed and looked at Qin Xiaoguo curiously. Who was this Qin Xiaoguo?

Before setting off, the emperor had specially instructed him to arrange everything for her and ensure that she arrives at the capital safely.

After thinking for a while, the Minister of Revenue continued to speak. His tone was filled with… affinity?

“Madam Qin, the day after tomorrow is an auspicious day. Pick an early hour to move the coffins. The village chief and County Magistrate Liu will prepare everything for you.”

Xiaoguo thought of the words “affinity” and felt her liver tremble. How could such a powerful Minister of Revenue show affinity to a small village woman like her?

Upon hearing his words, Xiaoguo nodded in acknowledgment.

After seeing her nod, the Minister of Revenue looked at the other two men before getting up to leave.

The Minister of Revenue left with more than half of the carriages and soldiers.

Xiaoguo made a point to check if the “BMW” was his.

Apart from Xiaoguo, the rest of the group heaved a sigh of relief. They had finally sent off a huge mountain.

The old village chief did not dare to relax. He looked at County Magistrate Liu cautiously and waited for further instructions.

Xiaoguo remained standing where she was, beside the old village chief, and looked at County Magistrate Liu, who was sitting on a chair.

Magistrate Liu recalled the look in the Minister’s eyes just now and got the gist of the situation. To get to his current position as a magistrate, he was definitely not a clueless man. His mind was spinning rapidly as he looked at Xiaoguo with extra kindness.

“Have a seat. Don’t just stand there. It’s time for us to discuss the details.”

Xiaoguo was already a little tired from standing, so she took the opportunity to sit down. The old village chief also sat down on a chair nervously.

“Just now, the minister said that the day after tomorrow is an auspicious day. In that case, we’ll start the burial at nine in the morning during the Si hour. Old Village Chief, you will take care of this matter and set off to the county together. I’ll wait for you in the county and escort the two elders of the Jiang family to the capital.”

Magistrate Liu explained the plan, and Xiaoguo had no objections. Mrs. Jiang had treated the previous owner very well when she was alive. She had regarded Xiaoguo as her biological daughter. This was the last wish of the two elderly Jiangs and they had no other descendants besides Zhuang Zhuang. Zhuang Zhuang was still too young, so as a daughter-in-law, Xiaoguo naturally had the obligation to accompany the two elders all the way to the capital for their burial. It was a duty and a responsibility that she could not turn down.

After confirming the time, Xiaoguo quickly bade farewell and walked home. She had been out for quite some time, and she didn’t know how Zhuang Zhuang was doing at home. Based on his usual behavior, he must be worried sick after not seeing her for so long.

The two houses were not close to each other. Xiaoguo quickly jogged back to her house. As soon as she knocked on the door, she could hear some noises coming from inside the house. Xiaoguo guessed that Zhuang Zhuang might be behind the door.

“Zhuang Zhuang.”

As soon as Zhuang Zhuang heard Xiaoguo’s voice, he quickly opened the door. “Mother!”

“Where did Mother go? I was so worried.”

Xiaoguo rubbed his head and comforted him. “Let’s go. I’ll cook for you first. I’ll tell you more later.”

In some ways, Zhuang Zhuang was different from other children his age.

Similar to other three-year-old children, he was innocent, cute, kind, and lively. However, he was more mature than other children his age and was much more perceptive.

Hence, Xiaoguo was prepared to explain everything to him. She was sure that Zhuang Zhuang would understand.