Chapter 170
170 Madam Protector
Zhou Jia took three consecutive exams until February 15th. On this day, the exhausted Zhou Jia had just left the examination hall when he was brought home by Li Yu and the others.
After resting at home for two days, the two of them were about to go out to play. Just as they went out, they met the tall youth called Shen Zhong at the door.
When Shen Zhong saw Li Yu, he bowed and said, “Madam Li, thank you for your help.”
Li Yu smiled politely. “Brother Shen, there’s no need to be so polite. Please come in and take a seat.”
Shen Zhong saw that the carriage had already been set up at the door. Li Yu and his wife also looked like they were about to leave. He smiled and said, “Mr. Zhou, Mrs. Li, you’re welcome. I’m here on Young Master’s orders to invite the two of you to the Cloud Return Residence for a chat.”
Zhou Jia cupped his hands and said, “Alright, please lead the way, Brother Shen.”
Shen Zhong pointed at the carriage and said with a smile, “Please.” The two of them smiled politely and followed Shen Zhong into the carriage. When they reached the East City, they walked towards the Cloud Returning Residence.
When they arrived at the entrance of the Cloud Return Residence, Li Yu realized that it was not the restaurant she usually saw, but an extremely beautiful garden.
After entering the Cloud Return Residence, they walked past a forest of green bamboo and entered a small courtyard with the words ‘An Ning Garden’ written on the lintel. In the middle of the small courtyard, a limestone path pointed to the hall. The door to the hall was open, and there was also a cluster of green bamboo at the corner of the courtyard wall. There were also rattan tables and chairs in front of the eaves corridor.
The few of them walked to the main hall. Shen Zhong turned around and said, “Mr. Zhou, Madam Li, please. Young Master will be here soon.”
Zhou Jia cupped his hands and smiled at Shen Zhong. “Thank you, Brother Shen.” The couple entered the hall and sat down on the chair below.
A moment later, someone who looked like a servant brought tea and snacks. He bowed before leaving.
Li Yu turned around and saw the young master wearing a dark-colored brocade robe. He walked in from the entrance of the courtyard with a majestic gait and an imposing aura.
Li Yu thought to herself, As expected, this young master already has the aura of a king.
Zhou Jia pulled Li Yu up and knelt down to kowtow. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“Mr. Zhou, there’s no need for formalities.” Chu Yuhao took a step forward and helped the two of them up. He smiled at Li Yu and said, “Madam Li, with your blessings, there aren’t any danger and excitement when we meet again.”
Li Yu smiled and said, “You still remember!”
Chu Yuhao nodded and smiled. He looked at the two of them and said, “Sit, don’t be restrained. I didn’t summon you to the palace because I didn’t want you to restrain yourselves.”
Zhou Jia bowed and said, “Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty.”
The couple sat down. Chu Yuhao said to Zhou Jia in an approachable manner, “I’ve already received the letter you handed over. A few days ago, I also received the blueprint of the grain-digging machine from the Four Seas Bank, as well as Madam Li’s method of choosing seeds, planting, and farming fertilizer. I didn’t expect that there were so many ways to farm. I heard that you two took the initiative to sell the rice seeds at 10% less. If the people of Great Yong are like you two, Great Yong won’t have to worry about not being able to prosper.”
Zhou Jia stood up and bowed. “Your Majesty, these are all the responsibilities of a citizen of Great Yong. You are wise and valiant, and you are diligent in governing and loving the people. The day when Great Yong prospers is just around the corner.”
Seeing Zhou Jia’s restrained look, Chu Yuhao waved his hand and said, “Mr. Zhou, you don’t have to be so restrained. The movable type printing technique you handed over has already been produced by the supervisor. Also, the threshing machine designed by Madam Li has been produced. During the spring sowing, I’ll get the manager of the Imperial Manor, Chu Fu, to invite Madam Li to the Imperial Manor to teach them how to breed and choose seeds. We’ll strive to plant high-yielding grain seeds all over the country as soon as possible.”
Li Yu and Zhou Jia hurriedly stood up and bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Chu Yuhao looked at Zhou Jia and Li Yu. “Madam Li, you cultivated such a high-yielding grain seed for Great Yong and even developed such a time-saving and labor-saving threshing machine. I haven’t rewarded you yet. Today, I thank you on behalf of those poor people.”
Seeing that Li Yu was standing still, Zhou Jia hurriedly pulled Li Yu to his knees and kowtowed with Li Yu. “Your Majesty, this is what we should do. Thank you for your reward.”
Seeing this, Chu Yuhao smiled and gestured outside. Shen Zhong walked in with the imperial edict and said to Li Yu, “Madam Zhou, Yu, receive the decree.”
“I, Li Yu, accept the decree,” Li Yu said as she knelt.
Shen Zhong read, “By the will of the heavens, the emperor has decreed that Madam Li of Zhou will be conferred with the title of Madam Protector of the First-grade. She will receive a courtyard in the East City and a hundred taels of gold.”
Li Yu listened to Shen Zhong recite the words “pure, quiet, and virtuous”. She thought to herself, “Give me something practical! What’s the use of these?!”
Before the resentment in Li Yu’s heart could pass, she heard Shen Zhong mutter, “Madam Protector of the First-grade with a residence…” Li Yu smiled until her eyes curved.
“Thank you for your reward, Your Majesty.” Li Yu took the imperial edict with both hands and kowtowed to thank the emperor.
Chu Yuhao looked at Li Yu’s smiling face and thought to himself, Madam Li is still honest, unlike those old fellows in the royal court.
Chu Yuhao stood up and said with a happy smile, “Madam Li, there’s no need to be so polite. I’m going back to the palace.”
Zhou Jia hurriedly pulled Li Yu to her knees and shouted respectfully, “Goodbye, Your Majesty.” The couple respectfully sent the emperor away.
Shen Zhong protected Chu Yuhao and walked out. “Your Majesty, have you really conferred Madam Li as Madam Protector of the First-grade? This is the first woman you’ve bestowed upon, and she’s even a first-grade Protector.”
Chu Yuhao looked at Shen Zhong and smiled. “Ah Zhong, you also know that if not for Madam Li’s help twice, you and I would have long been buried in the soil. Also, the high-yielding rice seeds and the printing technique are all good things for the country and the people. I see that they are both loyal people and should be rewarded.”
Shen Zhong bowed with admiration. “Your Majesty is wise.”
Chu Yuhao patted Shen Zhong’s shoulder and said with a smile, “Alright, we grew up together. Let’s not talk about these formalities. I’ve heard these things from those muddle-headed and incompetent old fellows every day. I’m long tired of hearing them.”
The shopkeeper of the capital shop of the Four Seas Bank, Chu Qing, walked in and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Madam. Mr. Zhou and His Majesty sent me to discuss the printing workshop with Mr. Zhou.”
Zhou Jia cupped his hands and said, “Thank you, Shopkeeper Chu.”
After the three of them sat down, Chu Qing smiled and said, “We have the residence and shop that are used to set up the workshop. We just want to discuss the allocation with the two of you. Do you have any requests, Mr. Zhou?”
Zhou Jia glanced at Li Yu and smiled. “Shopkeeper Chu, we only provided a prescription. We didn’t participate in anything else. The emperor has already rewarded us, so we can’t ask for more from the printing workshop.”
When Shopkeeper Chu heard this, he thought to himself that others can’t wait to fish money out of His Majesty’s pocket. Yet this couple was pushing the money out. No wonder His Majesty said that this couple is open-minded and worth befriending.
Shopkeeper Chu stood up and bowed. “His Majesty instructed me to discuss it with Sir and Madam. If the two of you don’t want it, I won’t be able to explain!”
Zhou Jia saw that Shopkeeper Chu was in a difficult position and looked at Li Yu. “Madam, we can’t make things difficult for Shopkeeper Chu. I think that’s it! We’ll just shamelessly take half of the shares.”
Li Yu nodded and smiled. “Alright, in that case, we’ll shamelessly accept it.”
When Shopkeeper Chu heard this, he sighed with emotion. “This is the first time I’ve seen someone disregarding fame and fortune. I’m ashamed!”