Chapter 413 - Ethereal (1/2)

“By the decree of the emperor, father and daughter, Yu Hai and Yu Xiaocao are to enter the capital to meet His Imperial Majesty!” Su Ran’s figure stood firmly and appeared very spirited and radiant. He gave off the feeling as though he were a banished immortal that was above the common folk.

“This commoner (commoner girl) accepts this decree. Many thanks to the Emperor!” As it was his first time receiving an imperial decree, Yu Hai was a bundle of nerves and almost did not manage to stand up from the ground as he had gone weak in the knees. It was only after Yu Xiaocao supported him that he was able to hold the imperial decree in his trembling hands.

Yu Xiaocao glanced at the smiling Zhu Junyang who stood behind Su Ran. The both of them had their own distinctive features. In terms of appearance, one was devilishly charming and the other was otherworldly clean. One emitted a cold aura, while the other warm...they were both extremely beautiful men who were very pleasing to the eye.

Noticing Yu Xiaocao’s gaze, a comforting smile appeared on Zhu Junyang’s cold face and he nodded at her, as though telling her that it was a good thing. Just as he smiled, flowers bloomed and the wind of spring blew for five kilometers, stunning Yu Xiaocao who thought that she was already immune to his charm.

‘It’s already come to such a situation, yet she still has the mood to appreciate beautiful men?’ Seeing that his youngest daughter gave no reaction even though so much time had passed, Yu Hai took out a piece of banknote worth 500 taels from his sleeve and reluctantly presented it to Chief Steward Su, stuttering, “Chief...Chief Steward Su, this is a small token of my appreciation…”

Su Ran glanced at the Yu Residence that was undergoing renovation. He did not reach out for the banknote in Yu Hai’s hand. Instead, he smiled, making them feel as if they were bathing in the wind of spring, “Master Yu need not be so courteous.”

Yu Hai was a little undecided about whether or not he should keep the banknote. ‘Could it be that Chief Steward Su thought the amount was too little? That could be the case, since he is the emperor’s most trusted chief steward. Which side of society has he not seen? Why would he care for these mere 500 taels from his family? Ai...he should’ve taken out 2 pieces of banknotes just now,’ Yu Hai felt very regretful ah!

Casually, Yu Xiaocao took the banknote from her father’s hand and forcibly stuffed it into Su Ran’s fair and delicate hands. She somewhat shamelessly smiled at him, “Sir Su, we’ve troubled you to come so far from the capital, so just take this money as Xiaocao treating you to tea!”

Su Ran lightly pushed the banknote back. He did not seem to have used much strength, but it had managed to easily push away Xiaocao’s enthusiastic little hand. He smiled slightly and his voice sounded gentle and warm as he spoke, “Miss Xiaocao, if you sincerely want to treat me to tea, then you should personally brew the pot of tea yourself. The country wild tea you brewed last time for the ‘heir of Prince Jing’ was quite lovely. It would be even better if it was accompanied by desserts!”

Seeing that he was adamant about not receiving the banknote, Yu Xiaocao knew that it would not look good if she continued to persist, so she went with the flow and kept the banknote. She stuffed it into her pouch and said to Chief Steward Su, “Sir Su, my home is undergoing renovation, so it’s a little more chaotic than usual. Please…”

“Please rest in the manor, Chief Steward Su…” Zhu Junyang flashed a smile at Yu Xiaocao, smoothly continuing her sentence.

Su Ran’s gaze moved between Zhu Junyang and Yu Xiaocao for a few times before he let out a faint smile, “That’s also good. Since I’ve come to Dongshan Village, it is expected that I go and greet the princess consort…”

Towards the rest of the Yu Household who were at a loss, Yu Xiaocao said, “Father, you should go and pack your bags for the capital. Mother, can you see if we have any specialty products for us to bring to Godmother? Godmother likes to eat the bacon and dried fish that we make…”

Hearing the words of their daughter, the two of them were akin to waking up from a dream and immediately started to busy themselves. When he heard that he had to enter the capital to meet the emperor, Yu Hai was so nervous he tensed up completely and even walked awkwardly. His arms and legs would not listen to his commands, and his brain was also near giving up! He never thought that he would be able to have the opportunity to meet the emperor in the years he was alive. It was a real-life emperor, not the ones that appeared in operas! His life was now without any regrets!

Madam Liu was a little tentative, so she turned towards her husband after the figures of Chief Steward Su, Royal Prince Yang and her youngest daughter disappeared into the stone pathway covered by trees, whispering, “Xiaocao’s father, why do you think the emperor wants to meet us? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?”

Yu Hai was also a little lost, replying with uncertainty, “I’m also not sure...Cao’er has followed Chief Steward Su. If she were here, even if she didn’t know the reason, with her cleverness she’d still be able to make an approximate guess.”

The old village head, who had accompanied the Yu Household to receive the imperial decree, held it in his trembling hands as he observed it. He was actually fortunate enough to be able to receive the imperial decree twice during his time as the village head! Even though the imperial decree was not directed at him, he still felt proud regardless. The first time he received the imperial decree, Hunter Zhao’s family went to the capital and he even became a general. This time, the Yu Family was about to rise to new heights with this imperial decree!

He reverentially returned the imperial decree to the Yu Family, smiling as he comforted Yu Hai and his wife, “Don’t panic. You see, the person who came to read the imperial decree is the chief steward. His expression was calm and treated your family warmly, and even Royal Prince Yang’s face had a hint of a smile—it’s definitely not a bad thing! Eldest nephew, good things are coming your way! When the time comes, don’t forget to look after our Dongshan Village!”