Chapter 620: Chapter 607: Unwilling Request

Especially this Zhuang Qingning, who was an ordinary peasant girl who probably knows even less about etiquette. The two of them were fully prepared for any sudden situations.

But what they saw was not any nervousness or excitement, but Zhuang Qingning’s calmness.

It was as if what she heard was no more than a relaxed comment as simple as, “Today’s weather is nice”.

She gracefully knelt down, received the imperial edict calmly, with no errors in her formalities, even the gratitude she expressed was appropriate, leaving no room to find any faults.

Some people are destined to become nobles, so in many aspects, they will differ from others.

Perhaps Zhuang Qingning was one of them.

After the reading of the Imperial Decree was completed, Zhuang Qingning ordered Xiangqiao to bring a bench, prepare some hot tea, and serve cakes and fruit to Eunuch Gao and Mr. Lu.

After exchanging a few casual words, the initial awkwardness started to diminish and was replaced with a sense of familiarity.

Being long-term officials, Eunuch Gao and Mr. Lu did not dare to overstep their boundaries, they only smiled and conversed with Zhuang Qingning.

Seeing that the sun was almost at its zenith, Zhuang Qingning suggested that Eunuch Gao and Mr. Lu stay and have lunch at her home.

“The Lord has kindly offered us a meal, we should not refuse. However, I need to hurry back to report, so I do not dare to delay.” Mr. Lu stood up first.

“Yes.” Eunuch Gao bowed and answered.

“Eunuch Gao and Mr. Lu have worked hard on this journey.” Zhuang Qingning then started stuffing neat stacks of banknotes into their hands, “Please, have some tea with this.”

“We dare not, we dare not.” Eunuch Gao and Mr. Lu hurriedly declined.

Zhuang Qingning pursed her lips.

Even though she didn’t like these interpersonal dealings, in this era, she had to follow the survival rules of this period and show appreciation where it was due.

However, these two did not want to accept it, and their reactions were as if they had touched something scorching hot. They did not seem to be faking it either.

She didn’t know if these two were truly incorruptible or if there was some other reason, but since they didn’t want the money, she could save it.

Zhuang Qingning quietly took back the banknotes.

Eunuch Gao and Mr. Lu exhale in relief after seeing Zhuang Qingning’s actions.

They had been clearly instructed to carry out their mission impeccably and not to give any trouble to the Lord of Ninghe County. How could they not understand the implication?

“Lord Ninghe, I have an impolite request.” Mr. Lu bowed to Zhuang Qingning.

“Please speak, Mr. Lu.” Zhuang Qingning raised her hand.

“On the way from the capital city, I heard a lot about Lord Ninghe. Especially the products made by the workshops you previously operated. They are quite novel, especially the century eggs, glass noodles, tofu skin, and dried noodles. I hope the Lord can give me some to take back to the capital city, to present to the Emperor as a token of your gratitude for his favor.” Mr. Lu smiled and said.

“I will arrange for it immediately. Please wait a moment, Mr. Lu.” Zhuang Qingning ordered Xiangqiao to prepare everything. Once they were neatly packed, she handed them all to Mr. Lu.

“This is for your report to the Emperor. The rest are prepared for Mr. Lu and Eunuch Gao. In addition to the four items mentioned by Mr. Lu, I also made Moon Incense and soap by myself. I’ve prepared many portions, so Eunuch Gao and Mr. Lu just need to take one portion.”

Mr. Lu, seeing that Zhuang Qingning’s preparation was so thorough, had a broad smile on his face. After thanking Zhuang Qingning, he and Eunuch Gao left with those items.

Xu Zhengping followed hurriedly.

Zhuang Qingning saw them off from the entrance.

“Please stay, Lord Ninghe, please stay.”

Since they came with the Imperial Decree, it was proper for Zhuang Qingning to see them off. However, considering the different ranks, Zhuang Qingning should only need to see them to the doorway. They quickly urged Zhuang Qingning to stop going any further.

Zhuang Qingning stopped and watched Mr. Lu, Eunuch Gao and the others leave.

When all those people and carriages had left, the villagers who had been watching from a distance rushed over.

“Miss Ning, I heard that you are now a countess?”

“Hey, stop calling her Miss Ning. Didn’t you hear them? She is now the Lord of Ninghe County, we can’t call her Miss Ning anymore.”

“So, what exactly is a Countess, and how high-ranking is she?”

“I don’t know how high-ranking she is, but I just saw that the county magistrate bowed his head when he saw Miss Ning. So Miss Ning must hold a position higher than the magistrate.”

“That is indeed remarkable. Should we kneel when we see Miss Ning in the future?”

“Of course, we need to kneel when we see officers.”

“Greetings to the Lord of Hening County.” Someone in the crowd yelled out. Without any hesitation, the villagers all knelt on the ground, bowing and saluting Zhuang Qingning.

“Please, get up, get up,” Zhuang Qingning was startled initially, then quickly beckoned others to stand, urging Xiangqiao to help.

“Thank you, Lord Hening.” The villagers stood up and didn’t forget to thank her.

“All of you…” Seeing their respectful and somewhat unfamiliar expressions, Zhuang Qingning was reminded of the fear and anxiety Mrs. He had when she found out that Zhuang Mingli was attending Fan Wenxuan’s classes with Chu Jinzhou.

If this was the way things will be in the village from now on, with no more warm and friendly interactions, it would be too boring.

“Ning.” Zhuang Jingye, sensing Zhuang Qingning’s distress, shooed away the curious crowd and took Zhuang Qingning inside the courtyard to talk.

“I understand your frustration right now, but you can’t rush things.”

“Peasants are naturally scared when they see officials. Not to mention officials, even if a clerk comes to the village, they would feel apprehensive. You are now a Countess, a rank even higher than the magistrate. It is normal for the villagers to be worried.”

“But remember, I know you are different. You will not put on airs like the others, you just want to live a quiet life as before. I’m glad that you feel this way, but for these things to happen, patience is necessary.”

“In the beginning, everyone will be a bit unnerved. But as time passes and they see you acting as before, they will naturally stop overthinking and things will go back to normal.”

Hearing this, Zhuang Qingning nodded, “Uncle Chief is right.”