Chapter 192: Chapter 91: Rising Above Humble Origins
The matchmaker looked at Lin Wanwan and saw her features were well-defined, her skin fairer than snow. Despite being dressed in men’s attire and wearing a dark-colored turban, her stunning appearance was still evident. This kind of innate beauty should appear charming and gentle, innocent and unaware of worldly affairs, but this woman’s eyes revealed a hint of aloofness, coldness, and disdain.
The matchmaker paused, afraid to scold loudly. This poor orphan girl was tall and had an impressive presence, possessing a grace akin to a lady from a noble family, making one dare not underestimate her.
"This must be Lady Wanwan, right? Please don’t misunderstand me. I’ve come here under orders from the He Mansion with many betrothal gifts, and they would never dishonor you. Besides, Wenyu Langjun has deep and sincere feelings for you."
Deep and sincere my foot, I don’t even know him! And he wants to take me as a concubine, he’s really dreaming!
Lin Wanwan had no interest in arguing with the other party and simply waved her hand, saying, "No more discussion, please leave, I won’t see you off."
"Hey, what an ungrateful young lady you are, I..."
"Kun Lun, throw these boxes out for me!" Lin Wanwan interrupted, gesturing at Kun Lun.
Kun Lun, towering like a black iron tower, immediately stepped forward to lift the boxes. Those burly men appeared like chicks in front of the seven-foot-tall Kun Lun, akin to a fitness instructor standing before O’Neal, helpless to resist.
Yet, to show loyalty, they were pushed down and got up repeatedly, repeatedly failing but continually fighting, getting into an inextricable scuffle.
The matchmaker watched the silk falling all over the ground, slapping her thigh in distress, "Oh dear! How ridiculous, how ridiculous! Do you want to have a feud with the He Mansion?"
The whole Xiao Family, from masters to servants, stared wide-eyed at Lin Wanwan’s straightforward and rough actions.
"Wanwan, oh Wanwan! Speak nicely, speak nicely!" Aunt Wang from the second house hurriedly came out upon hearing the news, urging repeatedly.
Lin Wanwan was soon to leave Qiantang for Mao County, while the Xiao Family still resided in Qiantang after all this. Tearing faces like this, wouldn’t the wrath of He Mansion fall entirely on Xiao Mansion?
Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhen, the two brothers, reacted quickly, urgently calling Kun Lun to stop, but Kun Lun only listened to Lin Wanwan. Other voices were like buzzing flies, utterly disregarded.
Lin Wanwan, with a fierce look, said, "Uncle, don’t worry. I will settle things before leaving. Isn’t it just because their young man somehow fancies me? I will talk to him and make him abandon that thought, it won’t implicate your mansion."
"You’re just a small lady, how can you..."
Just at this moment, the gatekeeper suddenly stumbled in, shouting, "There... There’s an Imperial Decree!"
Interrupted in his speech and annoyed, Xiao Yan found an outlet, angrily saying, "How improper, acting so rashly!"
Xiao Zhen, with sharp ears, asked, "What decree?"
"Imperial Decree?!" Xiao Yan also reacted.
The crowd was taken aback, hastily organizing everything aside, summoning everyone from the mansion to the front yard, setting up the incense table, and opening the central gate to welcome.
A man dressed in blue official attire entered with a roll of yellow paper decree, facing south, began reading the content: "Under the door: Now in Jiangnan Road Mao County, there is a virtuous woman of the Lin family..."
The official read fluently in classical language, Lin Wanwan felt lost in clouds, understood the beginning, skipped parts of the middle, amidst words like "Le’an Village Lady" and "food stipend of three hundred households," felt the Emperor seemed to be conferring her as Village Lady?
Not bad! Have I gotten a title, moving away from the poor background?
Lin Wanwan smiled, not paying attention as the official read many names of "Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat Minister, Secretary XXX."
After a tea time, the official finished reading, Lin Wanwan joyfully offered a grand ceremonial bow, then rose and extended her hands to receive a copy of the decree.
The official still held another copy, smiling courteously while congratulating Lin Wanwan, "Congratulations to Le’an Village Lady, congratulations to Le’an Village Lady."
Lin Wanwan replied with a smile, "Thank you for your efforts." She knew that after the reading, it was time for rewards, as often seen on television.
She turned to find her maidservant, having glimpsed Yun Shang, Hua Nong, and others among the crowd.
Sure enough, as Lin Wanwan’s gaze met Yun Shang’s, the latter walked forward with a round tray, beaming, speaking to the official, "Thank you, envoy, for traveling long distances. Our lady sincerely appreciates you, a small token of gratitude, please accept it gladly."
The official did not decline, smiling as he reached for the tray, then bowed to Lin Wanwan, "Thank you for the reward from Le’an Village Lady."
Once the official exited through the central gate, a moment later the crowd slowly snapped out of their shock and puzzlement, whispers filling the courtyard.
Xiao Mother approached Lin Wanwan, supported by a maid, stepping firmly, gripping Lin Wanwan’s arm with tearful eyes, exclaiming, "Good child, what did you do to earn such regard from the Saint?"
Lin Wanwan thought and replied, "Perhaps I brought high-yielding sweet potatoes and other grains."
There might also be credit for the sun-drying salt method, but that needn’t be mentioned to Xiao Mother. The reason doesn’t matter, the outcome does.
Upon hearing, Xiao Mother praised repeatedly, Lin Wanwan gave a shy smile, without speaking.
Benefiting quietly is essential, otherwise one becomes easily envied and resented.
Earlier, Lin Wanwan waited anxiously for the reward, thinking it wouldn’t happen! After all, it was almost two months since contributing the salt drying method, not to mention even earlier contributions of high-yield rice and sweet potatoes. The joy arrived unexpectedly!
The reward came timely, akin to receiving a pillow just when needing rest! Truly a stroke of luck! Who dares to raise the topic of concubinage now, a slap to silence them!
That matchmaker from He Mansion now had her face flushed red, although she didn’t understand the decree content, she understood the official’s final words to Lin Wanwan!
Village Lady! A fourth-ranked titled officer’s mother or wife becomes Village Lady!
A poor orphan girl like Lin Wanwan being titled Village Lady, in an instant the sparrow turned into a phoenix on a branch!
The topic of concubinage naturally won’t come up anymore, unless it’s a proper marriage, otherwise Wenyu has no chance.
However, the matchmaker knew that Wenyu’s proper wife is from Xiao Yang’s direct lineage in Southern Lanling and won’t change his mind despite Lin Wanwan becoming Village Lady. The worldly view of new wealth isn’t equivalent to the noble standing of old aristocracy. Thus, Wenyu and Lin Wanwan are destined to never unite.
The matchmaker lowered her head, awkwardly shrinking to the side, subtly signaling the men carrying the gift boxes to leave quietly.
Lin Wanwan’s principle was never to retreat or weaken when at a disadvantage, to prevent others from taking advantage. Whereas in strength, she could show leniency, not pursuing those in distress, stopping at success.