Zhao Yan’s two younger brothers lowered their eyes, crying with both snot and tears flowing.
What did they miss out on, such an enormous fortune!
Even if they were distant relatives of the Empress, that would still be enough for them to hold their heads high in Xuanhua City!
Relatives of the royal family handle things with ease; who would dare belittle the Zhao Family!
No one in the Zhao Family felt guilty or remorseful for framing Qin Mu; instead, they regretted the consequences of the incident, and were saddened that they could no longer be related to the Empress.
Having torn their relations with the Qin Family, how could they beco part of the royal family!
Zhao Sheng steadied his mind and spoke without much fear, "Your Majesty, Empress, we were misled by slander. The death of my lowly daughter has nothing to do with the Qin Family, and we apologize to the Qin Family!"
His voice trembled, and he was at tis choked with emotions, unable to speak.
"I was wrong!"
The commoners were also shocked upon learning of the Qin Family’s royal connections.
The hearts of everyone in Xiaoshan City were full of excitent, knowing that Da Yu’s Empress Zhan Lan was actually the granddaughter of Mr. Qin’s family!
It turned out Qin Shuang had married Zhan Beicang, the Great General of the Zhan Family Army!
Zhan Lan glanced disdainfully at the Zhao Family mbers kneeling on the ground and then turned her gaze towards Lan Yu, the newly appointed Commander of Lizhou, "Lord Lan."
"I am here, Your Majesty!" Lan Yu stepped forward.
Zhan Lan said coldly, "Take the Zhao Family mbers away for interrogation, and also thoroughly investigate the relationship between Xuanhua City’s Magistrate and the Zhao Family."
"I obey!" Lan Yu nodded.
"Arrest them!" With his command, officers dragged the Zhao Family from the ground.
"Your Majesty, have rcy!"
"Empress, have rcy!"
The Zhao Family scread repeatedly.
The commoners knelt on the ground, deeply anxious. The elderly in Xiaoshan City couldn’t stop their tears from flowing; they had seen the Emperor and Empress in their lifeti.
No regrets in this life!
Mu Yan said solemnly, "Rise, all of you. Today, the Empress and I ca to visit family. The Qin Family has been loyal and protective of the country for generations, winning your support. Today, seeing you courageously drive away the Zhao Family bullies moved greatly. The folks of Xiaoshan City are pure, brave, and just. Each household will be rewarded with a hundred taels of silver, and those who led the protection of the Qin Family will receive a hundred taels of gold!"
The excitent of the commoners peaked at this mont.
A hundred taels of silver were enough for them to live comfortably for a lifeti.
The few who led the protection of the Qin Family looked at Mu Yan with tears in their eyes, feeling it was a blessing accumulated over lifetis to receive such a reward.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Empress!"
The voices of the commoners rose and fell.
Mu Yan explained so matters to the Vermilion Bird, then, holding Zhan Lan’s hand, entered the Qin Family residence.
Zhan Lan understood why Mu Yan rewarded the commoners with silver. Firstly, because the Qin Family was her family, and secondly, because the people of Da Yu knew to be grateful to upright and good officials. He wanted more commoners to know that the unity between officials and the people was one of Da Yu’s strengths.
Zhan Lan and Mu Yan entered the Qin Family’s courtyard, and Zhan Lan looked at Qin Mu and Qin Yizhuo, "Uncle, cousin, if you want to go have a look, feel free."
After all, they were Zhao Yan’s husband and son, so seeing Zhan Lan’s approval, they nodded and left.
The Old Madam looked at Mu Yan, even without his imperial robes, he exuded an undeniable regal presence, his looks as handso as an exiled immortal, a perfect match with Lan’er!
Mu Yan glanced around the Qin Family’s yard; although not large, it was very tidy, giving a warm feeling. The yard had a few locust trees, a well, and so fields, with small flowers of unknown species planted around the periter.
There were also things like radish drying in the yard, and occasionally, a group of small birds pecked at millet on the ground.
He had never seen such a yard, and everything was fascinating to him.
The Old Madam felt a bit embarrassed about her yard, it was small and the house was old, would the Emperor mind?
Mu Yan smiled and looked at Zhan Lan with a slight mock reprimand in his tone, "Lan’er, aren’t you going to introduce to the elders?"
Zhan Lan looked slightly embarrassed; she indeed hadn’t introduced her grandmother and the others to Mu Yan.
She walked to the Old Madam’s side, took her arm, and said, "This is our grandmother."
In Mu Yan’s eyes, Guo Shi had a kind and benevolent face, with her round eyes showing even more kindness when she smiled, making her appear very friendly.
For the first ti, he saw the word kindness in an elder’s eyes, perhaps because this was Lan’er’s grandmother, and therefore his grandmother too!
Mu Yan nodded, "Grandmother, may you be blessed with health and peace."
"Good, good, good!" Guo Shi was delighted by such a gentle sovereign and was very pleased with her grandson-in-law.
Zhan Lan also introduced Aunt Wen, who was overwheld with excitent and could only keep smiling.
Qin Xiangming stepped forward and said, "The house is a bit old, but it’s clean. I hope the Emperor does not find it displeasing."
Mu Yan chuckled lightly, "I find it very nice, quiet and cozy."
Both Qin Xiangming and Guo Shi breathed a sigh of relief; Mu Yan didn’t mind their ho.
An hour later, several monks ca to perform a ritual outside the door.
Zhan Lan glanced over and knew it was arranged by Mu Yan. Though he appeared not to care about superstitions, Zhao Yan’s body had been resting at the gate for days, and he clearly feared it might adversely affect her unborn child, so he had Vermilion Bird invite the monks to perform the ritual.
The Old Madam noticed this detail too, at first just thinking Mu Yan was very considerate.
It wasn’t until during the al that she understood why Mu Yan arranged for it.
The table was set with dishes like sautéed daylilies with wood ear mushrooms, fresh sour radish soup, stead crispy pork, stead bass, hot and sour shredded potatoes, spicy tofu, and other ho-cooked als.
Mu Yan watched as Zhan Lan ate every dish with relish and praised, "Grandmother’s cooking tastes like ho."
Guo Shi bead at Mu Yan’s complint, "I only make simple als, and it’s uncommon that the Emperor and Lan’er both enjoy them."
Zhan Lan’s lips curled up in a smile; Mu Yan seldom ate such a variety of dishes, eating more than he did in the palace, thanks to Grandmother’s delicious cooking.
Qin Shuang watched her son-in-law constantly serve her daughter food, spreading a smile across her lips, knowing Lan’er had married the right man.
Mu Yan treated Lan’er well, and as a mother, this made her most comfortable.
Mu Yan added half a bowl of rice for Zhan Lan, who held his hand, playfully complaining, "I’m going to get fat."
Mu Yan naturally replied, "I like you even if you’re plump. Now, you’re eating for two, so eat more."
Qin Shuang and the Old Madam, along with Wen Shi, exchanged glances; what did they just hear?
Qin Xiangming also put down his chopsticks, Qin Yan’s eyes lit up, and even Qin Jingshuo, who had been quietly eating his al, sensed sothing was off, wondering why everyone put down their chopsticks?
Now you’re eating for two!
For two?
Zhan Lan is pregnant!
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