Casting Nets to Catch a Husband

Chapter 212: Complete

When the envoy arrived in Yuanzhou, the entire local officialdom was shaken.

When Xie Rongzhi arrived in Yuanzhou, he came discreetly last time, but this time, he brought the emperor’s imperial edict. The current governor of Yuanzhou, Yang Zhizhou, led a group to greet him from ten miles away.

Traditionally, the Ministry of Rites handles the delivery of imperial edicts, but because Xie Rongzhi was previously sent as an imperial envoy for disaster relief, he was entrusted with delivering the emperor’s edict this time as well.

This time, for the response to the drought, all the officials in Yuanzhou received praise from the emperor. Afterward, Xie Rongzhi’s mission was to deliver the emperor’s decree to the merchants from the Lu family and the Liu family in Anyi County.

The Lu family, that was his in-laws.

Yang Zhizhou was so delighted that his face nearly blossomed into a smile. Naturally, he accompanied Xie Rongzhi to Anyi County. Leading the way were Yang Cunxu and Lu Shuang, along with their children, who had just received the news.

“Imperial edict?”

At this moment, both the Lu and Liu families still lived behind their shop. When Yang Cunxu came back to inform his father-in-law and the Liu family, he summoned both families to the Lu Feng cloth shop.

Lu Xun and Chen Shi were stunned. The imperial edict… was that not the emperor’s official decree? How could such a thing relate to them, humble commoners?

The couple looked at each other, speechless.

Lu Chengxiao and Liu Yanqing, who were also summoned, had confused expressions. Lu Chengxiao asked Yang Cunxu, “What’s going on?”

Yang Cunxu smiled and said, “It’s great news! After the drought, didn’t the court send an imperial envoy for disaster relief? After the envoy returned to the capital, he reported to the emperor about your charity efforts in saving countless lives by buying food for Yuanzhou. This edict is likely a reward. It’s on its way now. My father sent us ahead to inform you and help you prepare to receive the edict.”

He then carefully explained the proper rituals and preparations for receiving the imperial decree.

When the imperial envoy’s procession reached Anyi County, the whole town lined the streets to watch. The envoy passed through the town, heading east towards the Liu family first, and then to the Lu family. Only then did the people realize the purpose of the imperial edict, and the city erupted in cheers.

The people of Anyi County had great admiration and gratitude for the Lu and Liu families, who had risked their wealth to purchase large quantities of food to save countless lives. Now, their good deeds had reached the emperor’s ears—what could be more thrilling than that?

Good deeds are rewarded with good fortune, and the people approved wholeheartedly.

When the Lu and Liu families received the imperial edict, both Lu Chengxiao and Liu Yanqing were shocked when they saw Xie Rongzhi, the envoy, come to deliver the decree. They hadn’t expected that the imperial envoy who had visited their estate earlier was from the court. Their expressions couldn’t hide their surprise. Xie Rongzhi, for his part, was also deeply moved when he saw Liu Yu for the first time up close, but he dared not show it on his face.

Both families speculated about the reward they might receive, guessing it would likely be a plaque or some money and silver. However, when Xie Rongzhi read out the edict, both families were dumbfounded.

It wasn’t a reward at all. Instead, the edict was an imperial order for both the Lu and Liu families to travel to the capital to receive honors and rewards.

Not only were the Lu and Liu families stunned, even Yang Zhizhou was caught off guard.

Though the Lu and Liu families’ charity during the disaster was not the first time such good deeds had reached the emperor’s ears, it was customary for rewards to include things like an edict, a plaque bearing the emperor’s handwriting, or some money and silver. But the idea of bringing both families to the capital, old and young alike, was unheard of.

After the initial shock, it was clear they had to accept the decree and express their gratitude.

Later, Yang Zhizhou asked Xie Rongzhi about it, but Xie could only offer an excuse to explain, avoiding mentioning the fact that someone had been desperately trying to see Shen Yan’s granddaughter or the idea that, to ensure Liu Yu herself wasn’t left behind, the entire family, both young and old, had to go together.

With the Lu and Liu families heading to the capital, there were many matters to be arranged in Yuanzhou. Xue’er, now a woman, stayed with Liu Yu to manage things. She had married Babao, and although their slavery indentures had long been annulled, they still worked together at the Lu family.

As for the various businesses, there were managers in place. When there were problems, Babao now helped Lu Chengxiao handle many affairs. Even more promising was Ge An, now a young man, who had been trained since childhood in the Lu family’s shops and had developed considerable skills. He joined Lu Chengxiao at twelve and had become fully capable of handling matters on his own.

At this point, Ge An and Babao were now the two most trusted assistants of Lu Chengxiao.

The Lu and Liu families made their way to the capital in a grand procession.

Even the separated Lu Chengzong and Lu Chengzhang brought their children along. This journey was a rare and honorable experience for the entire family, and even Lu Chengzhang, who had once been pained by the 10,000 taels of silver his younger brother and the Liu family had invested, had completely let go of that resentment.

In this lifetime, Lu Chengzhang felt that he could proudly claim that he had entered the capital once more, under the protection of his third brother. Not just any entry, but riding in the imperial family’s grand carriage, invited by the emperor’s decree to come to the capital.

Lu Chengzhang thought to himself that, just for this, he could boast for the rest of his life.

Thinking back to when they bought grain, he had contributed 500 taels of silver—quite a significant portion of his wealth. It made him feel even more proud and confident, standing tall with a sense of honor. He believed that as long as he followed his third brother and sister-in-law, his life would only improve.

The two families were arranged to stay at an inn, and their accommodations were of the highest standards.

At the Xie family’s residence, Old Madam Xie had been waiting eagerly. If it weren’t for the fact that it would be improper, she would have accompanied Xie Rongzhi to Yuanzhou herself.

When Xie Rongzhi returned to the palace and reported his mission, he was immediately caught by the old lady, who insisted that he take her to meet someone.

Xie Rongzhi tried to suppress her enthusiasm, saying, “You can’t see them.”

This statement immediately triggered Old Madam Xie, “Why can’t I see the granddaughter of Yan’er?”

“It’s for their own good,” Xie Rongzhi sighed, explaining, “Do you know why Regent Xiao has not sought out Shen Yan all these years despite knowing she was in Yuanzhou?”

Old Madam Xie glanced at him and thought for a moment, then asked, “He’s ashamed?”

She quickly dismissed her own thought, saying, “He’s never had any shame in the past.”

In the entire capital, only Old Madam Xie would dare to speak so bluntly about Regent Xiao.

Xie Rongzhi, with a helpless expression, replied, “It’s not far from the truth.”

This left Old Madam Xie stunned. “Did I guess right?”

But it wasn’t quite what she thought.

“Before I left the capital, Regent Xiao summoned me. It was that day that I learned the truth of what happened in the Northwest all those years ago. It was that day I also learned that Shen Yan’s words back then were: ‘We will never meet again in life or death.’”

He shared what he knew with the old lady, adding, “Since that time, Xiao Ji has not stepped foot in Jiangnan for over thirty years. He didn’t even dare to send people to spy. Otherwise, how could he not know that Shen Yan had passed away twenty years ago? If it hadn’t been for the drought in Yuanzhou, and if we hadn’t all reached this age, he probably still wouldn’t have dared to send me to Yuanzhou.”

“‘We will never meet again in life or death.’”

Old Madam Xie repeated the words in her mind, only saying, “He deserves it.”

After a brief silence, she continued, “Are you afraid that the children of the Liu family will find out about the past?”

Xie Rongzhi nodded. “Although Liu Jingcheng wasn’t killed by Xiao Ji, if it hadn’t been for Xiao Ji’s status, if it weren’t for the old relationship between Shen Yan and Xiao Ji, no one would have gone to such lengths to set up a trap just to please him. From what I can tell, Xiao Ji doesn’t mean harm to the Liu family. But when he sees that girl’s face, which is exactly like Shen Yan’s, he might feel an urge to protect him. But you also know Shen Yan—knowing her temperament, she wouldn’t have wanted the future generations to have anything to do with Xiao Ji.”

Old Madam Xie slumped down in her chair. “I understand. If we accept that child, the past between Shen Yan and Xiao Ji will inevitably be brought up again. It’s better not to interfere, right?”

That’s the reasoning, but seeing the dejection on his wife’s face, Xie Rongzhi couldn’t help but feel pity. “Don’t worry. After the audience with the emperor the day after tomorrow, I’ll make sure you get a chance to see her from a distance.”

The day before the audience with the emperor, someone from the palace came to teach them the proper etiquette and rituals for entering the palace. Chen Shi and Wei Shi were both extremely nervous.

Since the entire family had come to the capital, it was only the men who would be going to the palace for the audience. Liu Yu and Wei Shi, as the heads of Ruyi Embroidery Shop and the primary financial supporters for the disaster relief, were allowed to go with Chen Shi, as she was not only Lu Chengxiao’s mother but also Liu Yu’s mother-in-law. They were granted permission to enter the palace together.

Of course, the men would meet the emperor, while Liu Yu, Wei Shi, and Chen Shi were escorted to the Cining Palace to meet the Empress Dowager and the Dowager Empress.

The two most respected women in the entire Great Qing dynasty, the Empress Dowager and Dowager Empress, were seated in the palace. As soon as they saw the three women enter, their eyes instinctively went to Liu Yu’s face.

Although they had never seen the woman Xiao Ji once favored, upon seeing Liu Yu, they understood why he had been so captivated.

With a granddaughter like this, how could her grandmother be any less remarkable?

No wonder Xiao Ji had sought her out for so many years and never forgotten her.

Due to Regent Xiao’s position, no, due to Liu Yu’s grandmother’s influence, Regent Xiao had even given up on trying to ascend the throne. This alone made both the Empress Dowager and Dowager Empress treat Liu Yu with great kindness, holding her hand as if she were a younger generation, asking about her business and the situation in Yuanzhou.

Chen Shi and Wei Shi were too nervous to speak, but Liu Yu handled the conversation with grace.

In the court, the young emperor, intrigued by the outside world, asked many questions.

Regent Xiao was unusually quiet that day, saying little. He simply observed the others. He wasn’t interested in anyone else, but he scrutinized each of the Liu family’s three brothers in turn.

Afterward, he appeared somewhat disappointed. The resemblance to Shen Yan was faint. Only with the boy named Liu Yanping did he manage to find a slight resemblance.

He felt somewhat disheartened.

The rewards for the two families had been decided early in the morning and were even more generous than Yang Cunxu had originally predicted: one hundred taels of gold, five hundred acres of fertile land in Yuanzhou City, two large adjacent estates, and a ceremonial archway with the inscription “Jishan Zhi Jia” (House of Accumulated Virtue).

Not only were the fertile land and estates in Yuanzhou City rare, but the imperial gift of the “Jishan Zhi Jia” archway meant that from now on, all Yuanzhou officials would show respect to the Lu and Liu families.

What was originally a kind act now earned them such a royal favor, and Lu Xun and the others quickly expressed their gratitude.

As for Liu Yu, the rewards from the imperial harem were also considerable, though these were primarily jewelry and precious items.

When the officials from the Ministry of Rites escorted them back to the inn, they mentioned that the emperor had issued another imperial decree. Since they were in the capital, the emperor wanted the Ministry of Rites to guide the two families around the city for a tour.

With the emperor’s permission to tour the streets, how could they refuse?

On the busiest street in the capital, Qianmen Street, the two families had been divided into smaller groups and enjoyed strolling wherever they liked, finding everything interesting.

Lu Chengxiao and Liu Yu paused in front of a sugar figure stall with a boy who had just turned three. The little boy looked up at the colorful sugar figures, then turned to Lu Chengxiao, raising his arms and calling out, “Daddy, hug!”

“Yi’er wants to watch them make sugar figures?” Lu Chengxiao asked.

The boy nodded vigorously, his little pigtails bobbing. Liu Yu laughed softly, and Lu Chengxiao reached down to pat his son’s head, lifting him into his arms.

Once Yi’er was in his father’s arms, the boy’s view expanded, and he wrapped his chubby little arms around Lu Chengxiao’s neck. He beamed with joy, leaving a wet kiss on his father’s face before turning his attention to the old man making the sugar figures.

Liu Yu couldn’t help but smile. At Lu Chengxiao’s subtle nod, she took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the little drool mark off his face.

Among the crowd, Old Madam Xie was watching from a distance, not needing Xie Rongzhi to point out who Liu Yu was. She recognized her immediately. The old lady’s eyes reddened, but she didn’t dare to approach. Supported by her maid, she stood some distance away, watching the scene.

Across from the sugar figure stall, Xiao Ji, dressed in civilian clothes, was also watching the scene from afar.

It was so strikingly familiar that, for a moment, he felt as if the person standing there was the one he had carved into his bones and blood.

Yi’er quickly received his sugar figure, holding it up to the sunlight with a big grin. His small, pearly teeth made him even more adorable.

“Mom, eat.”

The sugar figure was lifted to Liu Yu’s face. She smiled, taking a bite, and her eyes lit up. “It’s really sweet. Thank you, Yi’er.”

Yi’er laughed happily and eagerly held the sugar figure up to his father’s mouth. “Daddy, eat.”

The warmth of the scene—the family of three—was so heartwarming that it was almost unbearable for He Xiangsheng to watch.

Ahead of them, there was a monkey show, and Yi’er, curious, pointed and said, “Dad, let’s go there.”

He was pointing in the direction where Xiao Ji was standing. The man, who could shake the world with a stamp of his foot, instinctively turned his back. It wasn’t until Lu Chengxiao and Liu Yu passed by him, holding their child, that Xiao Ji dared to turn around.

As Liu Yu teased Yi’er, occasionally turning her face, Xiao Ji found that his vision had blurred, his thoughts drifting.

“Xiangsheng, do you think that if back then I hadn’t been so focused on that position, could it be that…”

Could it be that he and Shen Yan could have been like this?

Sansukini: And that’s the end, guys. Another novel finished. It’s such a long one. I really like reading slice of life novels, but I’m not sure I’ll translate something this long again.

There will be 2 new translations next week. One is a comedy about a transmigrated girl with a melon-eating system. It’s no literary masterpiece but I just found this novel funny and wants to share it with you.

The second one is about a virtuous wife whose loving husband cheated on her on the second year of their marriage. I just love love this novel a lot. I really don’t like reading stories about cheating, but this one gets me. The FL is very decisive, when her true character is soft. There’s also romance and chasing the wife (The ML is not the ex-husband).

So the new schedule of my posts will be:

The Second Year After Marriage (SYAM): Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays

The Real Daughter’s Inner Thoughts are Heard (RDIT): Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays

The Madman and The Doll (TMTD): Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays

I’ll Share the Bed With You (STBY): Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays

The Real Daughter’s Inner Thoughts are Heard

Xu Yinyin transmigrated into a wealthy family drama novel as the real daughter who was swapped at birth and destined to be cannon fodder.

Her predecessor harbored resentment toward her biological parents for favoring the fake daughter and constantly fought for attention, ultimately becoming a social pariah. She was cast out of the wealthy family and ended up on the streets.

With the “Gossip-Eating System” now bound to her, Xu Yinyin declared, “Life in a rich family is all about enjoying endless food and fun. Why compete for love? Let’s just eat melons (gossip) and watch the drama—it’s pure bliss!”

Scene 1:

Mother: “I raised Yaoyao as my own and can’t alienate her just because you’ve returned. But I’ll try to be good to you.”

Xu Yinyin (nodding obediently): “Okay.”

OS (inner thoughts): “Oh my, this ‘sister’ Yaoyao is actually the daughter of your husband’s white moonlight (first love). What a twisted love triangle! Well, technically, raising her as your own isn’t too far off.”

The mother, who could hear Xu Yinyin’s inner thoughts, suddenly collapsed into a chair, weak-kneed.

Xu Yinyin: “Huh? Why did she suddenly give me a black card and tell me to spend freely?!”

Scene 2:

Father: “Yaoyao is kind and timid. Speak gently to her; don’t scare her.”

Xu Yinyin (nodding obediently): “Okay.”

OS: “My sister is timid, sure, but she secretly supports her biological mom and will one day transfer family assets to her biological father. You’re just a big sucker raising someone else’s wife and child. Your enemy must laugh themselves to sleep nightly!”

The father, who overheard her inner thoughts, flushed with anger and collapsed onto the couch.

Xu Yinyin: “Eh? Why did he suddenly give me shares in the company and tell me to spend more and worry less?!”

Scene 3:

Grandpa wanted Xu Yinyin to gain experience by joining the family business. The second aunt, a general manager, said, “Your college isn’t prestigious. If you join, start as a receptionist for credibility. Is that okay?”

Xu Yinyin (smiling): “No problem.”

OS: “You’re just afraid I’ll catch you and my uncle-in-law having an affair, huh? My, my, you’re quite good at sneaking around with family!”

“Wow, wow, my uncle-in-law doesn’t have any tadpoles (infertile)? Poor auntie blames herself and endures his cheating, even agreeing to adopt his illegitimate child. What kind of monstrosity is this? Auntie ought to go full villain mode!”

“Wait, why did Auntie suddenly slap Uncle and kick him out with nothing?!”

As Xu Yinyin indulged her gossip cravings, she became a regular at high-society events.

A month later—

The richest man gifted her an island.

An elite socialite gave her several mansions.

A domineering CEO begged her to have his child, unstoppable.

Xu Yinyin (confused): “Uh, what’s going on here…?”

Translator’s Note: She’s always invited to parties so they can eat melons (gossips).

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