Zhao Luoyue was, of course, aware that the motorcade for conferring the title of imperial - appointed lady had set off.
She wasn't stupid. It was obvious where Madam Jiang was going at this time. Saying she was going to Zhao Luochun's place was just an excuse to get rid of her.
Madam Jiang had no choice but to let her get on the carriage. After all, the motorcade had already left, and they didn't have much time to waste.
The conferment of an imperial - appointed lady was a major event. Along the way, there were music and festivities. The motorcade wound from one end of the street to the other. Onlookers followed behind, forming a long queue.
This was a novelty in Huangcheng and a rare grand occasion. People left their homes to watch the show. They all wanted to see which household in the city the motorcade would finally stop in front of so that they could go in to offer congratulations and get some lucky money.
By the way, they also wanted to see what this suddenly - emerged imperial - appointed lady looked like.
People had guessed all possible identities for the imperial - appointed lady. At present, the two most popular candidates were Madam Ye and the eldest young mistress of the Ji family.
Lord Ye was in the emperor's favor, so Madam Ye was the most likely to be conferred the title. And the Ji family had lost their beloved son for the country. It was not impossible for the court to confer the title on the Ji family's mistress as compensation.
So, people watched as the motorcade passed by Lord Ye's mansion. When the leading Lord Ye passed his own home, he glanced inside. At that time, Madam Ye, with her son and daughter, was standing at the door.
Lord Ye smiled at Madam Ye. Madam Ye blushed, and the little child beside her waved and ran towards Lord Ye with a smile.
Lord Ye nodded to them and then led the motorcade forward and left.
Left? Just like that?
The onlookers were in an uproar.
A busybody stepped forward and grabbed Madam Ye, who hadn't had time to close the door and go back inside, asking, "Madam, isn't Lord Ye here to read the imperial edict for you?"
Madam Ye thought of that extraordinary woman, and there was a smile in her eyes and brows. "The one who can be an imperial - appointed lady must be an outstanding girl in the world. How can I compare with her?"
Hearing her words, people knew she must be in the know. They immediately chased after her and asked, "Then who on earth is this imperial - appointed lady?"
Madam Ye smiled. Being cornered by the questions, she could only reveal one piece of information. "That lady's surname is Jun."
"Surname Jun?"
People were chatting away. Someone in the crowd said, "The Jun family. Isn't that the maiden family of Madam Zhao?"
"Madam Zhao? The eldest young mistress of the Ji family is the long - lost daughter of Madam Zhao. Did she use her original name when she was away from home?"
Thinking of this, people nodded one after another. "Yes, yes, it must be so. Only the eldest young mistress of the Ji family is possible."
Madam Ye took the opportunity to smile and quickly urged the people surrounding her. "Hurry up and go. If you're late, you'll miss the fun."
Madam Ye's words woke everyone up. People quickly said goodbye and chased after the motorcade.
Madam Ye finally got a chance to catch her breath. She instructed the doorman, "Okay, close the door."
The maid asked, "Madam, aren't you going to watch the fun? You're an old acquaintance of the imperial - appointed lady. It would be so honorable."
Madam Ye shook her head with a smile. "With such a grand occasion today, she'll be busy enough greeting guests. I'll go to offer my congratulations in a few days."
The maid sighed, her tone full of helplessness. "Only you, Madam, don't care about these things at all. You don't even make use of the resources you have."
Madam Ye frowned and scolded the maid. "She's my benefactor. If I ever hear you say something about using or not using her again, don't blame me for not showing you mercy."
Madam Ye was a very easy - to - serve mistress and rarely got angry. When she got angry, not only the maid but also her son and daughter were scared.
Madam Ye ignored them. She was easy - going about everything. But when it came to her benefactor, she would absolutely stand up for her. No one could take advantage of her benefactor.
The maid knew she had made a mistake and could only lower her head and slink into the mansion.
Once the door of Lord Ye's mansion was closed, the excitement outside was shut out.
The door of the Ji mansion was also closed. When the motorcade was approaching the door, busybodies came to the doorman of the Ji mansion and told them to open the door to prepare for receiving guests. The doorman kept a cold face and ignored them.
When the motorcade reached the front of the Ji mansion, everyone was waiting for Lord Ye to dismount and knock on the door. Unexpectedly, Lord Ye didn't even glance at it this time and just led the motorcade forward.
Now, everyone was confused. Then who on earth was the imperial edict for the imperial - appointed lady meant for?
The two most likely candidates had been ruled out. People could only follow the motorcade forward with full of doubts.
They watched as the motorcade circled the city and then, right under everyone's noses, left through the city gate.
Wasn't she from Huangcheng?
People followed the motorcade out of the city with full of doubts.
The procession was mighty and imposing.
At this time, Ye Mansion on the outskirts of the city was still very quiet.
Caixue was sleeping in as usual. Only Huaci and Yarong, while drying radish strips in the yard, mentioned the matter of the imperial - appointed lady during their conversation.
When Huaci talked about it, her tone was full of admiration. "I wonder which woman can get such an honor!"
Yarong was very calm about fame and fortune. She lowered her head and fiddled with the radish strips. Watching the sweet radish strips spread out in the dustpan made her happier than any imperial - appointed lady title.
On the other side, Ji Jianwen walked over with a big white radish still covered in soil.
Because Ji Jianwen was deaf and couldn't learn to speak, in order to get Yarong's attention, he jumped around in front of Yarong with the big radish.
Yarong had been married to Zhao Luochun for many years without any children. She really loved Ji Jianwen as her own child.
Seeing that Ji Jianwen had dirtied his clothes while carrying the radish, she squatted down and lovingly patted the dirt off his body.
She was very patient with Ji Jianwen. For his sake, she even learned sign language. Although Ji Jianwen couldn't speak, every time Yarong talked to him, she would also say it in spoken language after using sign language, hoping that one day, Ji Jianwen could also learn to speak.
"Jianwen's clothes are dirty. Auntie will go and change them for you, okay?"
Jianwen understood and waved his hand. He pointed at the radish, then at Zhao Luoning's room, and made a gesture of eating.
Yarong knew what he meant.
These days, Luoning had been feeling unwell and had a poor appetite. Jianwen, such a young child, didn't know the meaning of pregnancy. He thought Zhao Luoning was sick.
Before, when Jianwen was sick and refused to eat, Yarong made him radish soup and persuaded him, "If you eat radish, you'll get better soon and won't need to take medicine."
So, little Jianwen thought radish could cure all diseases and asked Yarong to make radish soup for Zhao Luoning too.
Yarong smiled and stroked Jianwen's head, telling him, "Your mother has your father to dote on her. Don't worry."
Thinking of the three - duck stew that Guisu brought in the morning, Yarong was also shocked.
On the one hand, she sighed at Zhao Luoning's ability to be demanding. Only this girl could come up with such an idea.
On the other hand, she sighed at Ji Shisu's good temper. He really doted on Luoning to the core.
His Luoning was well - protected by him. Where did she need to make radish soup?