Remarrying Chun Yuan

Chapter 167 Unofficial decision

"Imperial decree?"

Liu Yuechu was taken aback. "Are you sure you're not mistaken? Are they here to see us?"

"Yes, absolutely right. I specifically asked the messenger, and he even told me to run over first and tell you and Young Master Yuan not to leave!" Liu Tao's mouth moved very quickly.

Liu Yuechu quickly looked at Yuan Cuo.

Yuan Cuo then grabbed her small hand and led her outside, saying, "Go out and see what's going on."

The manager and the staff followed one after another...

The person who came to deliver the imperial decree was Cheng Hai.

Liu Yuechu immediately gave her a disapproving look.

Cheng Hai and Yuan Cuo exchanged a glance, followed by a very insincere exchange of pleasantries.

"The imperial edict has already arrived, why don't you quickly set up the incense table for receiving it?" He saw that Yuan Cuo and Liu Yuechu remained expressionless.

Liu Yuechu glanced inside the shop. "Why don't we go inside to hear the proclamation?"

"No, it's right outside," Cheng Hai insisted.

Liu Yuechu could only have the staff set out the incense table and other items.

Everyone knelt on the ground to receive the imperial decree, and even the common people on the street followed suit and knelt down to accept it.

Cheng Hai opened the imperial decree and, as usual, rambled on and on, but in the end, he praised the Liu family for not being arrogant or conceited because they had saved the Empress Dowager.

"...May the Empress Dowager be well. As a special gift, I bestow upon her ten bolts of silk, ten boxes of bird's nest, three double-sided screens, a set of writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, three caskets of tea, a jade hairpin in the shape of a butterfly with gold thread and pearls, a cloisonné and kingfisher feather hairpin, a hollowed-out peony and coral hairpin, and a set of silk flowers with gold-sprinkled pearl stamens and crabapple blossoms..."

He carried a thick book and talked until his throat was dry from reciting about the gifts he had received.

After finally finishing reading, Cheng Hai neatly closed the imperial edict and then conveyed His Majesty's verbal instructions: "Although the reward is generous, Yuan Cuo should not be arrogant. Prepare well for the autumn imperial examination. I look forward to seeing you in the palace. In addition, the Empress Dowager is very fond of the silk paper you sent. If you become the top scholar in the autumn examination, send the Empress Dowager another set."

……

The following imperial edicts concerned everyday matters.

But to the crowd, it sounded like a raging storm.

They even said that Yuan Cuo threatened the Empress Dowager, so he was disliked and driven out without any reward? His Majesty is waiting for him in the palace to attend the autumn examination, which clearly means that he must be among the top three!

Those who had just joined the Bai family and the deceased's family in causing trouble felt guilty; they were simply jealous of others' good fortune and wanted to kick them when they were down.

But right now, they're doing better and better, and there's no one to throw stones into the well, so they have to jump in themselves.

Liu Yuechu was delighted to hear this, having long forgotten that she had just been cursing her father, Emperor Qi Xiao, for being unreliable.

Yuan Cuo was very serious, his face as cold as dust. "Yuan Cuo will keep His Majesty's teachings in mind and be grateful for the Empress Dowager's favor. He will do his best in the autumn examination and live up to His Majesty and the Empress Dowager's expectations. He will then go to the palace to express his gratitude after winning the top scholar title."

Cheng Hai's lips twitched. What? He'd only thank the emperor after winning the top scholar title? He wouldn't go if he wasn't given the title?!

Liu Yuechu thought it was a good idea. "Yes, my husband must work hard and never disappoint His Majesty. Even if we only get second or third place, it would be a disgrace to His Majesty, and we would have to go to the palace to apologize."

"My wife is right to teach me a lesson; I will remember it."

“I will fully support my husband and be proud of him.”

……

Cheng Hai couldn't bear to listen any longer; the final rankings in the palace examination were determined by His Majesty.

This is clearly a cover-up; it's utterly shameless!

"Shall we receive the decree, you two?" His tone had lost all its gentleness.

Yuan Cuo and Liu Yuechu accepted the imperial decree together, and then Yuan Cuo stood up from his kneeling position.

"According to the rules, even if we don't receive an invitation to the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet tomorrow, we should still head towards the palace to kowtow to her and offer our congratulations. Unfortunately, something went wrong just now, and we'll probably have to go to the county government office tomorrow. Please don't blame us, sir."

Liu Yuechu seized the opportunity; since Cheng Hai was already there, she had no reason not to complain.

Moreover, the palace only gave Consort De some face in the Bai family's matter, so Bai Shuncai was only slightly punished and not completely killed.

But the old geezer, who seems invincible, comes out to cause trouble again, deliberately stirring up trouble.

Liu Yuechu refused to believe that at this critical juncture, Consort De would still protect her. She was already fed up with so many problems that she was no longer worried. She was determined to take a hard bite, otherwise, those who were eyeing her covetously would not be afraid and would continue to tear the Liu family apart.

Cheng Hai had already heard about it on the way. "Later, I will send a message to Magistrate Wei, telling him that he does not need to go to the palace to offer birthday greetings tomorrow, and that he will personally oversee the event. You two do not need to participate. Focus on running your business and concentrating on the imperial examinations."

Although the case has not been tried, his statement has essentially sealed the outcome.

Liu Yuechu smiled and thanked him profusely, which scared Cheng Hai so much that he ran away as fast as he could, afraid that she might have some other trick up her sleeve.

The people in the palace quickly left.

The onlookers instantly lost their previous sullen expressions and offered their congratulations with clasped hands.

Liu Yuechu ignored it completely, had the palace rewards loaded onto the cart, and immediately went home.

But just as she was about to leave, she saw Liu Musheng standing there blankly.

"What are you doing? Why aren't you getting up?" He remained kneeling on the ground, motionless.

Liu Musheng looked up. "The imperial edict didn't mention me at all?"

Liu Yuechu: "..."

Why don't they know they're just as bad as they are?

Without saying a word, she and Yuan Cuo immediately got into the car. Before leaving, she left Liu Tao behind to be at Song Liu'er's beck and call, saying, "His face is injured, so you just run errands as I tell you. If anything happens, come home and find me immediately."

"Alright!" Liu Tao's big eyes sparkled, and after eating for two days, his thin body had gained some weight, making him work even harder.

……

The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet was a lively and extraordinary affair.

Although the Liu family did not attend the birthday celebration, they became the most talked-about topic at the banquet.

No one expected that the Empress Dowager and Emperor Qi Xiao would issue a decree for a generous reward at the last minute. Isn't this obviously playing with people's feelings?

"It's deliberately targeting the old Grand Tutor, but it doesn't include the Bai family. The Bai family are complete idiots."

"Indeed, she's a pig-headed idiot. Even Consort De has been implicated, but why target the Grand Tutor? The Empress Dowager is also turning against her own family?"

While people were gossiping, Li Shu was so angry she almost fell backward.

She thought Liu Yuechu would be unlucky, but unexpectedly, Liu Yuechu became the most important person.

How could Liu Yuechu have everything go so smoothly, to an unbelievable degree?!

That day, she saw Liu Yuechu being besieged and acting like a shrew, completely flustered and helpless.

How could the situation be reversed so easily? Even Wei Gongming was temporarily recalled to the county government to handle such a difficult case!

"Li Shu, weren't you very close to Liu Yuechu before? Her husband has already been chosen as the top scholar in the imperial examination. After the autumn examination, could you introduce us to her?"

The women from the other residences were very curious about Liu Yuechu.

Unfortunately, officials and merchants rarely had the opportunity to interact, so they never saw Liu Yuechu's true face.

Even though there were gatherings at Princess Chen's residence before, she couldn't attend them every time.

Li Shu's face immediately fell. "The exam hasn't even started yet, how could there be a pre-selected top scholar? My father is the chief examiner for the autumn imperial examination. He will definitely uphold justice and not be negligent in the slightest!"