Picking Up a General to Plow the Fields

Chapter 572: Receipts

Lian Ze smiled.
“Sister, I really didn’t expect this.
The emperor actually wrote a plaque and the court rewarded it!”

Ah Jian nodded.
“This is thanks to your sister’s unique vision.
Ah Ze, this is like giving the Lian family a talisman.
From now on, it will be much easier for you to do things.
If there are villains who don’t have eyes, even if they are powerful, they won’t be able touch you.
You don’t have to give them any face!”

“Though, you still need to pay attention to such people.” Lian Fang Zhou quickly added.
“You should stay away from those people! It’s fine to say a few polite words to them but you must not keep in touch.”

Lian Ze smiled and nodded seriously.
“I understand! Sister, Brother-in-law, don’t worry! Our family has won such an honor, I don’t know how many people will come to fawn over it.
I will take care to avoid those who have ulterior motives and impure hearts.”

“I’m relieved you understand!” Lian Fang Zhou smiled.
She looked at all of her siblings and said: “Although this is an honor, remember that we are a country family and we will live was usual.
All of you, remember not to be arrogant or reckless! If I hear about you bullying others, I will not be lenient!”

Lian Ze and Lian Che quickly responded obediently.
Lian Fang Qing looked confused but she also nodded.

Lian Fang Zhou glanced at her and said sternly: “Especially you, Qing’er! From now on, you must restrain your temper and stop messing around! And your little gray tail needs better discipline! Don’t release him to scare people anymore.”

If something went wrong, there would be rumors that the fourth young miss of the Lian family had sent out a wolf to murder people.

Lian Fang Qing stuck out her tongue and smiled: “I’m not messing around, it’s just for fun! According to my sister, people can bully me in the future but I’m not allowed to bully them! So boring!”

Everyone laughed, including Lian Fang Zhou.
Shaking her head, she scolded: “You still want to bully people! From now on, don’t even think about it!” Giving the little girl a doubtful look, she added: “You used to bully people often? Why didn’t I know this?”

Lian Fang Qing pretended to look nervous, as if her sister wanted to settle accounts with her, and quickly shook her little head, saying: “No! How could I bully others! Uh, Third Aunt! I’m so hungry, when are we going to eat?”

Her antics caused everyone to burst into laughter again.

Chuckling, Lian Fang Zhou said: “Oh, you think you can avoid it and change the subject? I’ll settle this score with you later!”

Of course Lian Fang Zhou knew what kind of temperament her younger sister had and knew that Lian Fang Qing would not bully others.
But it was inevitable that she would play tricks.

In the future, this wouldn’t be possible anymore.
Otherwise, if someone made a fuss about it, they wouldn’t be able to explain it clearly.

The emperor’s reward was a talisman but it was also a shackle.

Not to mention their own family, even their servants would have to work harder in the future!

Lian Fang Zhou made a mental note to have Lian Ze and Steward Qin go back in a few days and whip those workers into order.

Anyways, Qing’er was grown up now.
She couldn’t act like before, it was good to set up rules…

That night, Lian Fang Zhou smiled at Ah Jian in their room and said: “Husband, it looks like we won’t be able to leave like we planned.
We will have to wait at home for a few more days.”

Ah Jian smiled.
“Then we wait, it’s just a few days.
There’s no hurry!” Taking her in his arms, he lowered his head and gently kissed her on the cheek.
Rubbing her forehead with his chin, he smiled softly.
“As long as I’m with you, it’s the same everywhere…”

His voice was deep and his breath was burning hot.
A fire seemed to ignite in Lian Fang Zhou’s body, rapidly burning and spreading to her limbs.

Suddenly, she heard him laugh and her body went weightless as he lifted her horizontally…

–

Early the next morning, a countless stream of well-wishers and spectators came to the Lian house, one after another.
There were so many people coming that they just left the gate open.

These people were not just from Dafang village but also many of the surrounding villages.
Who knew how they got the news so quickly but it seemed that the power of gossip was infinite.

Steward Qin temporarily dispatched a lot of people from the compound to help manage the crowds.

At noon, two messengers arrived on a pair of fast horses.
Getting down, they announced: “Master Yun has brought the imperial decree, the plaque, and the reward for the Lian Family! They will enter the village soon, is everything ready?”

The crowd boiled with excitement, becoming more and more lively.
Lian Fang Zhou and the others quickly checked everything and decided that everything was ready.

Immediately, everyone lowered their heads and adjusted their clothing and hair, waiting nervously for the magistrate to arrive.

Lian Fang Zhou called Steward Qin over in a low voice and said: “Go to my uncle and aunt’s house and invite my cousin over.
My uncle hasn’t recovered so there is no need for him to come.
As for my aunt, she should stay and take care of him!”

Steward Qin nodded knowingly.
He couldn’t help but laugh and ask: “I thought it was strange that they did not come looking for Miss last night, so that is why there wasn’t any movement.”

She sneered with disdain.
“My uncle, how could he have the strength to go out? And no one in the village takes the initiative to speak with my aunt anymore.
She’s too busy with matters at home, how could she hear the news? As for my cousin, he’s preparing for the provincial examination so he stays inside to study!”

“Miss is right, I think this is true.” Steward Qin smiled.
“If they insist on following, then—?”

Lian Fang Zhou shook her head: “You let my cousin understand that I don’t want those two people to appear!”

“I understand!” Steward Qin nodded.
Turning around, he left in a hurry.

A cautious person like Lian Hai would not dare to offend Lian Fang Zhou now.
Since she was unwilling to let Lian Li and Madam Qiao come, he would definitely dissuade them.
It was all he could do.

Since Lian Fang Zhou had said so, he must use force.

Not long after, Manager Qin came back with a freshly dressed Lian Hai.

Steward Qin’s expression was relaxed while Lian Hai’s expression was full of eagerness and anxiety.

Lian Ze and Village Head Zheng saw Lian Hai and nodded at him but when Village Head Zheng saw that Lian Ze had no intention of talking, he whispered to Lian Hai with a playful smile: “Ah Hai is here too! Get ready, the magistrate will arrive soon with the imperial decree.”

“Good, good!” Lian Hai smiled reluctantly.
Looking around, he saw Lian Fang Zhou and hurriedly walked towards her.

“Fang Zhou, I wanted to say a few words to you!” While he greeted Lian Fang Zhou, he glanced at Ah Jian obviously.

It was a pity that Ah Jian was good at playing ignorant.
Since Lian Fang Zhou didn’t say anything, he just smiled lightly and said: “Cousin, please speak up if you have something to say! But it’s better to speak quickly, the imperial edict will arrive soon.”

Lian Hai was even more annoyed when he heard the words ‘imperial edict’ and his expression changed slightly.
Suppressing his anger, he said: “Why did I not hear about the imperial rewards and decree until now?”