Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1471 - 748: Joy Fills the Home (Part 2)

"Brother, did you meet the Emperor?" Xiao Qi eagerly asked the question everyone was most curious about.

"I did." Wu Lang replied unhurriedly.

Lady Zhang chanted Amitabha, and Lian Shouxin excitedly stood up and bowed toward the direction of the Capital City.

"What does the Emperor look like? What did he say to you?" Lady Zhang asked anxiously.

In this era, the Emperor was almost mythologized. Ordinary people even believed the Emperor was a god-like figure with three heads and six arms. Even if he weren’t, his appearance couldn’t be like that of ordinary people; he must have some distinct features. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Lian Manman covered her mouth and giggled; Wu Lang also had a cheerful smile on his face. It was pure joy, a kind amusement, not mocking Lady Zhang.

Wu Lang understood Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin’s feelings well, so he carefully described the situation of being summoned by the Emperor in the Capital City.

After Shen Liu submitted a memorandum regarding the cultivation of winter wheat in Liaodong Prefecture, he recommended Wu Lang during the imperial audience. The basics of the Great Ming Dynasty were built on farming. Despite the Emperor’s countless affairs, he still remembered the Thirty Mile Camp and the Lian Family in Liaodong Prefecture.

An ordinary family had significantly contributed to promoting the cultivation of corn and sweet potatoes, and after receiving a commemorative plaque from the Emperor, they again contributed to the agricultural development of Liaodong Prefecture in the Great Ming Dynasty. This ordinary family adhered to the revered principle of passing on knowledge and farming, with their eldest son, though a late reader, having already passed the Scholar examination, and the younger son fervently studying, seemingly another pillar of the nation.

With successive achievements, Shen Liu’s recommendation, Mr. Loo as his teacher, and already having the Scholar title naturally enhanced the Emperor’s goodwill toward Wu Lang, thus granting him a special audience.

Wu Lang told the family how intricate the etiquette was for the audience with the Emperor, how the Ministry of Rites dispatched officials to specially instruct him on rituals, followed by bathing and changing clothes. During the audience, they almost reported every few steps. The family listened with fascination; even Lian Manman was captivated.

Wu Lang described the Emperor’s appearance as having a fair face with a slight beard, quite dignified.

After roughly finishing the story of the audience, Lian Manman asked about Mr. Loo.

"Did he enter the Hanlin Academy and receive an official rank?"

"On the second day of entering the Capital, Mr. Loo was summoned to the palace. He was granted the title of Grand Academician at the Hanlin Academy with a genuine fifth-rank official position." Wu Lang explained, "The Emperor highly regards Mr. Loo. It’s said that he intends for Mr. Loo to gain experience at the Hanlin Academy, and in a couple of years, he might enter the cabinet."

"That’s wonderful! I was just saying that the fifth-rank official title is too humble for Mr. Loo." Lian Manman remarked.

How could a Grand Academician at the Hanlin Academy compare to one in the cabinet? In this era, entering the cabinet meant essentially becoming the Prime Minister.

Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin didn’t quite understand the Imperial Court’s official positions, but after listening to Wu Lang and Lian Manman explaining in detail, the family felt immense joy for Mr. Loo.

"With Mr. Loo staying in the Capital, does that mean Wu Lang will have to commute between the two places?" Lady Zhang, as a mother, was the first to think about this concern.

"There’s no rush." Wu Lang understood Lady Zhang’s reluctance; the family had just reunited, and he didn’t want to discuss this matter right now.

"Mom, we have carriages and horses, so my brother will be looked after wherever he goes. Even if he doesn’t go to the Capital, he has to visit the Prefecture City every month." Lian Manman said, "Look, we now have a house in the Prefecture City, and our family can stay there whenever we wish... In the future, we’ll buy a house in the Capital too. When my brother goes to the Capital, he won’t go alone. Mom, you should go with him."

"Yes." Wu Lang replied with a smile.

The family all laughed, praising Lian Manman for her suggestions.

"Sis, are we really going to buy a house in the Capital?" Xiao Qi nudged Lian Manman’s arm lightly and asked with wide eyes.

"Of course." Lian Manman nodded confidently.

"Not just a house, but land too." Wu Lang added.

If they were to open a chain of roasted duck restaurants in the Capital, it would naturally require local facilities for raising ducks and managing farmholds.

"Brother, is there any progress on the roasted duck shop this time?" Lian Manman quickly asked Wu Lang. Though Wu Lang’s trip seemed long, time felt too tight to accomplish tasks. So, Lian Manman didn’t hold high hopes for this matter.

"Yes." Wu Lang nodded decisively and took out a wooden box from his luggage, opening it to show Lian Manman a bundle of property deeds and servitude contracts.

"...It’s a small farmstead in the suburbs of the Capital, with an estate of about a hundred houses, farmland spanning three hundred acres, and over twenty farmstead inhabitants of various ages." Wu Lang carefully told Lian Manman, "Land near the Capital is more expensive than here; I spent nearly two thousand taels of silver on this farmstead."

"...I’ve left a steward at the farmstead to manage it for now. Once we’ve handled my sister’s wedding, we can discuss sending someone over to start raising ducks. By then, we can set up shops and open the business; with Mr. Loo’s support, we won’t face any difficulties... The Imperial Noble Consort has also sent word through Xiao Jiu for you, Manman, saying she’s waiting for our roast duck shop to open."

The Imperial Noble Consort naturally referred to Shen Jin. With Wu Lang saying this, Lian Manman recalled her promise to Shen Jin in the Prefecture City, assuring her she could enjoy authentic roasted duck even in the Capital.

"Then we must speed up; we can’t keep her waiting too long." Lian Manman said with a smile.

After Lian Manman finished looking through the property deeds and servitude contracts, she placed them back in the wooden box.

"Hey," Lian Manman noticed a thick stack of silver notes at the bottom of the box, precisely the silver notes from Dacheng Banking House that Wu Lang had taken to the Capital initially. "Brother, you surely paid for the farmstead, so why is there still so much money left?"

"I have even better news, a truly huge news..." Wu Lang said with a cheerful smile.

**

Stomach ache, aiming for two updates. If it’s too late, don’t wait up; come and read it tomorrow.

Continuing to ask for support in pink books. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to vote for recommendation tickets or monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)