Chapter 205 Passing the Order
Zhu Mingqiao and her family sat in the carriage. This was her first time traveling far in ancient times, and she was full of curiosity and excitement. She would pull up the curtains from time to time and look at the scenery outside the window, her eyes full of novelty.
The scenery along the way was like a painting, with green mountains and clear waters, ancient villages, and bustling crowds, all of which made Zhu Mingqiao feel the unique charm of the ancient world.
After more than ten days of tiring journey, they finally arrived in Qingzhou Prefecture.
Because of the imperial order, the group did not dare to waste time and immediately went to Baiyun Villa. As soon as they arrived at the villa, they saw that everyone was harvesting sweet potatoes in full swing. The people were still the familiar ones, Lord Sun and Lord Jiang were directing, Eunuch Cao was watching, and Village Head Liu was leading the workers to work.
As soon as Prime Minister Zhu appeared, officials came forward to greet him, like stars surrounding the moon, with an attitude of respect. Prime Minister Zhu looked solemn and explained to everyone: "I came here to obey the order of Your Majesty." Before he finished speaking, everyone immediately got busy and quickly gathered around to receive the order.
The sound of the imperial edict was solemn and loud, resounding throughout the village. In the edict, the emperor fully affirmed everyone's contribution to the cultivation of hybrid rice and expressed high appreciation for this achievement. Everyone held their breath and listened to the holy voice, their hearts filled with excitement and pride. Knowing that the harvest was good, the emperor decided to reward everyone, and the scene was immediately filled with jubilation, with cheers rising one after another.
Then, Prime Minister Zhu led everyone to Shitou Village. Today happened to be the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15th. This special day made everything seem more warm and peaceful. On that day, Shen's mother and daughter saw Shen Zhi in their dreams and promised to come back to see them on August 15th. Although it was just a dream, the two of them dreamed of the same scene at the same time. It was too coincidental and made people look forward to it. Shen Zhen hurried back from the photo studio early in the morning. Her steps were hurried and anxious, and her heart was full of expectations.
Shen started busying herself early in the morning, preparing many dishes that Shen Zhi liked. She and her daughter were busy at home from morning till night, but no one came to visit. As time went by, their hopes gradually faded, and their hearts became heavier and heavier.
However, just as the sun was about to set, Shen Zhen saw a group of people walking towards her yard from afar. She excitedly shouted into the house: "Mom, someone is coming!" Upon hearing the sound, Shen also hurried out and waited anxiously with Shen Zhen.
Their eyes were fixed on the group of people, their hearts filled with tension and anticipation. When Shen Zhen saw the butterfly hairpin mentioned in her dream, her heartbeat seemed to pause. The familiar hair accessory made her sure that the girl in front of her was her sister Shen Zhi whom she missed day and night.
Shen Zhen was so excited that she couldn't help herself, and tears welled up in her eyes. She ran towards the girl with the butterfly hairpin without hesitation. Although her steps were a little unsteady, her heart had already flown to her sister.
Shen Zhen ran all the way and finally arrived in front of Zhu Mingqiao. She stared blankly at the completely unfamiliar girl in front of her, as if something was stuck in her throat and she couldn't speak.
"You're back." Shen Zhen's voice trembled slightly, with a hint of temptation and uncertainty.
Zhu Mingqiao nodded heavily, with a firm look in his eyes, "I'm back."
At this time, Shen Zhen also hurried over. When she saw the strange girl in front of her, she couldn't believe her eyes. However, seeing Shen Zhen hugging the girl tightly, she felt more certain.
Shen slowly approached, looking back and forth at the girl, trying to find familiar traces on her face. The expression between her eyebrows and eyes seemed to still show some shadows of her daughter. She stretched out her hand tremblingly, gently touched the girl's shoulder, and choked up in her voice: "Are you... really Xiaozhi?"
The girl turned her head, tears glistening in her eyes, and looked at Shen and whispered, "Mom, it's me, I'm back."
Shen's tears burst out instantly and she hugged her daughter tightly in her arms.
Prime Minister Zhu looked solemn as he walked forward steadily. The bright yellow imperial edict in his hand unfolded slightly, and the sunlight shining on it made it look even more solemn and majestic.
"The imperial edict has arrived!" Prime Minister Zhu shouted loudly, his voice like a bell, echoing in the courtyard.
Upon hearing this, Shen and Shen Zhen hurriedly knelt on the ground, looking respectful and nervous.
Prime Minister Zhu slowly unfolded the imperial edict and read aloud: "In compliance with the will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims:
In ancient times, there were heroes who made contributions to the country and passed down their names through the ages. Today, there is Shen Zhi, who has great righteousness in his heart and is loyal and brave.
Shen Zhizhe presented high-yield potatoes, sweet potatoes and hybrid rice varieties to the Xiao Dynasty, alleviating the people's worries about food and clothing. This was a great achievement. He also led his army to fight against the Japanese pirates, killing more than a million enemies, protecting our country and the people. His bravery, loyalty and courage made him a pillar of the country.
Unfortunately, God is jealous of talents. Shen Zhi died on the battlefield. I am deeply saddened. To honor her merits, I posthumously confer the title of Princess Protector of the Nation on Shen Zhi."
As Prime Minister Zhu recited, Shen and Shen Zhen's hearts were filled with emotions.
When Shen heard that Shen Zhi was posthumously named Princess Protector of the Nation, Shen's eyes were red. She was proud of her daughter, but also heartbroken at the thought of her daughter's death.
"I decree this." Prime Minister Zhu finished reading the imperial edict, closed it gently and handed it to Shen.
Shen took the imperial edict with trembling hands, tears welling up in her eyes. "Thank you, Lord, for your grace. Long live the emperor." She and Shen Zhen shouted in unison.
After delivering the decree, Prime Minister Zhu took the others back to the Zhu Mansion to settle down. Zhu Mingqiao stayed in Shitou Village temporarily on the grounds that he and Shen Zhen got along very well.
Zhu Mingqiao stayed in Shitou Village for three days. These three days in Shen's house were a particularly precious time for Zhu Mingqiao. However, time always flies, and after three days, Zhu Mingqiao had to embark on the journey back home.
She said goodbye to Shen and Shen Zhen with some reluctance. After finishing his work, Prime Minister Zhu quickly led his group back to the capital.
In Haizhou, Zhan Xiao locked himself in his tent every day. He ordered people to collect a lot of information about the enemy country from all over the place, and devoted himself to it, studying all day long how to attack the hateful enemy country.
Inside the tent, piles of information were scattered everywhere. Zhan Xiao sometimes frowned in thought, sometimes wrote furiously, as if trying to find the key to victory from the information. His eyes revealed determination and resoluteness, and he had only one belief in his heart, which was to completely defeat them, protect the peace of Daxiao, and more importantly, to avenge his beloved Shen Zhi.
Mr. Sun has been staying by Zhan Xiao's side all this time. He knows that Zhan Xiao is in great pain and is afraid that he will make an impulsive decision that he will regret.