Chapter 297: Chapter 278: Promotion to Magistrate_1
Yan Zhigao spent a whole day preparing before taking Yan Wenxiu to visit the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. After meeting the second master of the Zhou Family, he was led to the Ministry of Personnel to report and wait for an imperial audience.
During the wait, neither father nor son had thought about taking the initiative to visit the Yang Residence.
After waiting for several days, the Yang Family could no longer restrain themselves. Yang Boyi, accompanied by his legitimate son Yang Hongrui, personally made a visit and finally met with Yan Zhigao and his son.
Yan Zhigao and Yang Boyi were classmates, and having not seen each other for many years, they should have had plenty to talk about. Unfortunately, when they met, only awkwardness remained.
On the other hand, Yan Wenxiu and his cousin Yang Hongrui were delighted in conversation and even made plans to visit a teahouse to listen to stories another day.
Yang Boyi and his son stayed for half a day before leaving. As they departed, Yan Zhigao said, “After I have been received by the Emperor, I will go to see my sister.”
He was going to see his sister, not to pay a courtesy visit to the Yang Family.
Hearing this, Yang Boyi felt somewhat uncomfortable, while Yang Hongrui’s face was a picture of embarrassment.
In previous years, their family had really not been kind to their uncle’s family. They had not only failed to help but hadn’t even fulfilled the most basic courtesies.
He knew his mother also harbored grievances, and now, seeing his uncle’s attitude, he realized that the Yan Family had no good feelings towards the Yang Family either.
….
Xingzhou.
While Yan Zhigao was waiting for the imperial summons, the Yan Family carried on with their days in an orderly fashion.
Time flew by, and it was soon February.
On the fifth day of February, the Yan family’s servant returned breathlessly with a letter.
“Madam, a letter from master!”
The butler Sun handed the letter to Madam Li, who opened it eagerly. Her face quickly lit up with a radiant smile, and she hurried to Songhe Courtyard with the letter in hand.
Upon hearing the news, the second and third branches of the family also hurried to the old lady’s courtyard.
“Mother, great joy! Master has been personally appointed by the Emperor as a fourth-rank magistrate,” announced Madam Li with excitement.
Daohua, who was playing with a parrot with the old lady, also beamed with happiness upon hearing the news.
An excited old lady exclaimed, “Where is the letter? Let me have a look.”
Madam Li promptly handed over the letter.
After the old lady read the letter and confirmed the news, she clasped her hands together in prayer, “May the ancestors of the Yan Family bless us!”
Daohua also took the letter and read it, joy evident between her brows.
The better her adopted father’s fortune, the better it would be for the rest of the family.
At this moment, Yan Zhiyuan and others arrived.
An eager Yan Zhiyuan asked, “Big sister-in-law, is it a letter from big brother?”
Madam Li nodded with a smile.
Yan Zhiyuan asked, “Is big brother transferred to Beijing, or to some other place?”
Madam Li replied, “He has been appointed to Ningmen Prefecture as a fourth-rank magistrate.”
When he heard it wasn’t an appointment in Beijing, Yan Zhiyuan felt a tinge of disappointment. However, considering that a fourth-rank magistrate was still quite good, he smiled and said, “Ningmen Prefecture? That’s still in Zhongzhou Province, isn’t it?”
Madam Li nodded, having heard of Ningmen Prefecture. It was the northernmost prefecture in Zhongzhou Province, and it seemed somewhat impoverished?
Meanwhile, the Zhou Family also received the news, and the wife of the Zhou patriarch immediately brought Zhou Jingwan over to offer congratulations.
The Yan Family might not understand the significance of Ningmen Prefecture, but the old master of the Zhou Family was very clear about it.
Ningmen Prefecture connected the provinces of Zhongzhou, Jiguang, and Fenxi. Ningmen Pass was an extremely important military checkpoint. The prefecture under its jurisdiction was as large as three others combined, and the magistrates there had always been personally appointed by the Emperor.
From this alone, it was clear that the Emperor had a favorable impression of Yan Zhigao during his audience; otherwise, he would not have been assigned such an important post.
Taking advantage of Lady Li entertaining Madame Zhou, Daohua took Zhou Jingwan back to her own courtyard.
“What are you looking for?”
Seeing Daohua plunge into the study room as soon as she got back, Zhou Jingwan was puzzled.
Daohua replied, “Maps!”
She needed to check the location of Ningmen Prefecture and understand its geographical environment.
Zhou Jingwan showed a look of surprise, “You have maps here?” This kind of thing was only available in their family’s external study room, which women were not allowed to enter.
Without turning her head, Daohua said, “I got it from Xiao Yeyang.”
Hearing this, Zhou Jingwan felt envious, “The Little Prince treats you really well—you can’t buy maps outside.”
Daohua pulled out the map from the bookshelf and, as she unfolded it, she smiled and said, “That’s because he lost to me in chess; this is my prize.”
Zhou Jingwan curled her lip, “Do you believe that yourself? Your chess skills are only good enough to play with me. Against others, you’ll only lose.”
Daohua stubbornly argued, “Anyway, I won this.”
Zhou Jingwan couldn’t be bothered to argue about this and quickly moved closer to Daohua, “Did you find it? Where is Ningmen Prefecture?”
Daohua pointed to a mark on the map, “It’s at the northernmost end of Zhongzhou Province, with a branch of the Dayuan River flowing through it.” She smiled, “That’s good, we’ll still be able to see each other often in the future.”
Zhou Jingwan nodded joyfully.
Her family had boats, so as long as they passed the Dayuan River, traveling to and fro was convenient.
Daohua examined Ningmen Prefecture on the map seriously, “It connects Jiguang, Fenxi, and Zhongzhou provinces; this prefecture covers quite a large area.”
Zhou Jingwan immediately said, “I heard from my grandpa that Governor Guo is stationed at Ningmen Pass within Ningmen Prefecture’s jurisdiction.”
Daohua looked surprised; this was the first time she had heard this. After pondering for a while, she said, “Fenxi has bandit problems, Jiguang has floods, and only Zhongzhou seems better off. Ningmen Prefecture isn’t easy to govern.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Jingwan was curious, “My grandpa said the same, but he also said that, although it might be difficult, if one has the capability, it’s the easiest place to achieve political merit.”
Daohua did not dwell on it; she would let her stepfather worry about that.
On the third day after receiving the letter from the Yan Family, Lady Li received another letter, this time from the Li Family.
“What?! Sister Zixuan’s marriage arrangement has been finalized?”
Daohua was somewhat surprised since she had parted with her two older cousins just over two months ago, “Isn’t this too quick?” she said as she read the letter written by her second uncle.
After reading it, Daohua sat down and pondered for a moment before raising her head to look at Lady Li, “Mother, could it be that the Feng Family rushed to set the wedding because they knew Father had been promoted to Magistrate of Ningmen Prefecture?”
Lady Li tapped her daughter’s forehead, “There’s your shrewdness.”
Without denial, it meant that indeed was the case.
Daohua’s face showed concern, “Mother, if the Feng Family is so calculating, will they treat Sister Zixuan well?”
Lady Li fell silent for a moment before saying, “Your second uncle sees merit in the young man from the Feng Family; the character must be adequate. As for what you’re calling ‘calculating’… when families are joined in marriage, they indeed need to support each other. If one can benefit from the other, naturally, everyone is happy.”
Daohua fell silent, and after a long pause, asked, “Mother, when I get married in the future, will you also consider what is most beneficial for the Yan Family first?”
Lady Li glared at her daughter with a smile, “No shame at all,” she said, hugging Daohua, “You’re my daughter; I hope you’ll just be happy and content for the rest of your life. Don’t worry, I won’t just marry you off to anyone.”
Daohua’s lips curved into a smile, and she grasped the opportunity to push her advantage, “Then Mother, can I wait until after I’m twenty to discuss marriage?”
These words immediately resulted in a knock on the head.
Lady Li scolded sternly, “What nonsense are you spouting? By twenty, you’d be an old maid.”
Daohua was speechless; at twenty, one is in the prime of youth. She immediately countered, “Then eighteen, surely eighteen is alright?”
Lady Li sighed and looked at Daohua, “You girl, what nonsense are you thinking about all day? Forget about these thoughts; I can keep you at home for a few more years, but as for matchmaking, it needs to be considered early on.”
Daohua wanted to say more, but Lady Li cut her off.
