Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1096 - 463: Ma Peng’s Promotion
Yueyao hadn’t been out of confinement for long when she received good news. Ma Peng had received an imperial commendation, and once the matters in Shandong were settled, he would be transferred back to the Capital City.
Yueyao was very surprised to hear the news: "What’s going on?" This disaster was half a natural calamity and half a human error. If the Imperial Court had allocated funds for building the dikes properly, the losses wouldn’t have been so severe. It’s already good that the Emperor didn’t hold anyone accountable, and he even gave a commendation—there must be something behind this.
Steward Hong said, "Madam, I heard that the dikes in the counties administered by Uncle Master were not affected by the disaster. Uncle Master had made plans in advance, so the people under his jurisdiction suffered no major losses." In such a big disaster, even with advance planning, it’s impossible to have no damage at all. However, compared to the neighboring counties that were hit, the damage here was negligible. It was precisely because of this stark contrast that the Emperor took notice.
Yueyao revealed a smile: "So, big cousin had taken preventive measures! That’s wonderful." This action by big cousin saved countless lives.
Steward Hong felt that Ma Peng was really lucky: "Uncle Master had submitted a memorial to the Emperor before, proposing to rebuild the dikes. But this memorial was suppressed." Reconstructing the dikes in the Shandong area would cost a significant amount of silver, and the Emperor certainly wasn’t willing. Now that the incident has occurred, the Emperor feels that Ma Peng’s foresight was commendable.
Yueyao laughed upon hearing this. With this achievement, big cousin should be able to get a promotion: "Prepare a generous gift." It’s not that Yueyao is rushing to do this; given her relationship with the Ma Family, she doesn’t need to. But this is indeed a happy occasion, and gifts must be given.
When Yueyao arrived at Ma’s Mansion, several carriages were already parked in front. It turned out Eldest Young Madam of the Zhuang Family, Madam Hong, and the two young ladies from Duke of Lu’s Mansion had come.
After Yueyao greeted Zhuang Ruolan, she went to visit Ma Chengteng. Since Yueyao came out of confinement, she frequently visited Ma Chengteng.
Yueyao entered the room and saw that Ma Chengteng’s complexion had improved a lot, knowing he had received good news. Yueyao said with a smile: "Uncle, I told you not to worry, see, now big cousin is fine! You’re worrying unnecessarily; when big cousin learns that you fell ill from worrying about him, he’ll feel very guilty!"
Ma Chengteng’s heart eased once he heard that his son and grandson were safe: "As long as your cousin is fine, I’m relieved." Just the thought of having to send black-haired young ones away as a white-haired elder was too much for Ma Chengteng to bear. If not for the worry of leaving his two grandsons without support if he collapsed, he surely couldn’t have endured this situation. Now things are good; both his son and two grandsons are fine, and by stroke of luck, they’ve caught the Emperor’s eye, guaranteeing a bright future.
After chatting with Ma Chengteng for a while, Yueyao went home. Now that there’s such great news, she no longer has to worry about Ma Chengteng’s health.
But just two days of happiness were cut short when news spread that an epidemic had broken out in the disaster area and was spreading very rapidly. Mingzhu rushed in upon hearing this and sought out Yueyao: "Do you think Xiang Wei and Bai Yi might be in trouble?"
Yueyao shook her head and said, "Don’t worry! They will certainly be fine." Before Xiang Wei left for the disaster area, Yueyao had already informed her about the possibility of an epidemic. Having prepared, they will surely be alright.
Mingzhu, deeply concerned, said: "Doesn’t heaven seem intent on not letting people live? If the stricken areas have no food or drink, we can help them get through this. But this epidemic—people in the Capital City can’t even talk about it without trembling, let alone those in such poorly resourced places. Apart from waiting for death, there’s no other way out."
Yueyao couldn’t do much either; she’s not a doctor and hasn’t studied medical skills. Besides praying that Doctor Li can reach the disaster area soon to resolve the epidemic for everyone, there’s nothing else she can do.
Mingzhu sighed and said, "Enough, let’s not talk about this. Yueyao, how tired are you every day taking care of three little ones?"
Mingzhu’s words had barely fallen when the second child lying on the bed started crying intensely. When the second child cried, the eldest and the third immediately joined in. With the three crying voices overlapping, even Yueyao, who likes peace and quiet, found it unbearable, let alone Mingzhu, who enjoyed lively scenes.
Mingzhu chuckled and said: "Yueyao, now your home is lively." Mingzhu finally felt a sense of equilibrium. Back then, she didn’t know how envious she was when Yueyao had a well-behaved daughter. Now things have changed; Yueyao has three lively boys, and there will be plenty of liveliness to see in the An Family in the future.
