Ger, So Proud

Chapter 115: Rewards and Honors

That day, He Ze was enduring Lin Yu’s affectionate flogging in the prison cell.

“Didn’t you say it would take at most a month?! It’s been a few days past that and still no news… You just keep fooling me. I haven’t been able to eat or sleep well these days, and it’s all your fault!” Lin Yu, already five months pregnant, stood with his hands on his hips, genuinely angry, stamping his foot in agitation.

“Yes, it’s all my fault. I miscalculated the time… Brother Yu, Ah Yu, Yu’er, could you please sit down?” He Ze, trembling, humbled himself, not daring to retort, only hoping to soothe Lin Yu’s mood.

Perhaps the burden had lifted from his heart, and after months of suppression, Lin Yu seemed to be on the verge of an outburst this month, becoming increasingly irritable.

But a pregnant ger must maintain a good mood. He Ze was too worried to say anything more. He carefully helped Lin Yu to sit on the grass mat and poured him a cup of warm water from the lunch box Lin Yu had brought.

“Have some water and calm down. It’s only a few more days; I wasn’t lying to you. It’s just that the journey took longer than expected,” He Ze said, placing Lin Yu’s leg on his own knee and massaging it with practiced hands. “Didn’t you hear from Zhanming? The letter has arrived, so it won’t be long now. You’ve been through a lot these past months. Dad said you haven’t been eating well lately.”

“It’s not that. It’s just that Dad makes too much food, and I can’t finish it…” Lin Yu lowered his eyes, avoiding He Ze’s gaze. He was partly telling the truth. Although he had been irritable lately, he didn’t neglect anything related to the child in his belly. However, he had grown tired of drinking the same soup every day…

He Ze rarely saw Lin Yu looking so bashful and unsure, but he couldn’t deny how adorable it was.

“Then tell Dad to make less. Isn’t Uncle Xu around? Dad listens to him the most. Eating in moderation is fine; your good mood is what matters most.”

“Okay.”

Lin Yu obediently nodded. His temper flared up quickly but also subsided quickly. He felt better after venting a bit. “He Ze, we haven’t gone hunting for a long time~”

Lin Yu watched He Ze attentively massage his legs and suddenly thought of this.

“We’ll go together after the baby is born. We can even teach the little one how to hunt,” He Ze replied.

“Mm.” Lin Yu supported himself on the grass mat and scooted closer until he could wrap his arms around He Ze’s waist, snuggling into him.

All his previous agitation disappeared, replaced by a sense of fulfillment and dependence.

He really liked, no, loved this man he was holding. Even more fortunately, this man was now his husband, the father of his child. This feeling was simply wonderful.

Thinking back to when he didn’t want to marry He Ze, Lin Yu felt foolish. He playfully punched He Ze’s shoulder twice. Luckily, he had learned to control his strength, so it felt more like affection.

He Ze unhesitatingly lifted Lin Yu’s wrist and kissed his little fist twice.

The prison cell was filled with tenderness. Outside in the hallway, He An and Luo Zhanming, who had witnessed this loving scene, quietly left.

“Only Brother He can manage Brother Lin. At home, Brother Lin restrains himself from losing his temper, but if he doesn’t vent, he’ll feel suffocated, which affects his appetite. Dad is smart to have Brother Lin visit Brother He; it always makes things better.”

“You’re still so young, yet you worry about your brother and his wife’s affairs.”

“I’m not young anymore!” He An glared at Luo Zhanming.

“Oh? Not young? Then when will you marry me?” Luo Zhanming suddenly moved closer, causing He An to retreat in fright. As they neared the cell door, Luo Zhanming voluntarily pulled back.

He An, like a startled rabbit, darted away like a gust of wind.

“Really now, am I that scary?” Luo Zhanming muttered, chasing after him.

That afternoon, an imperial decree from the capital arrived in the county, brought by Zhao Qing and his inspection team who had detoured specifically for this matter.

The decree had three main points: First, it declared Qiong County a blessed land, granting a three-year tax exemption and renaming the east peak of Xiangyang Mountain as Liuxian Peak, implying that the land was so blessed that immortals must have resided there to produce such miraculous fruit. Second, it rewarded County Magistrate Zhou Wen with 100 taels of gold and praised his integrity and effective governance. Third, it acknowledged Lin Yu, whom Zhou Wen had specifically mentioned in his report as having a fortuitous encounter with the divine fruit, awarding him 100 taels of gold and a house.

“Congratulations, Magistrate Zhou! Allow me to be the first to wish you a prosperous future.” Zhao Qing said with a smile after reading the decree.

He appeared several years younger than he did a month ago, with his previously graying temples now dark and his complexion healthy and rosy.

Zhou Wen was amazed. Although he had heard reports of the fruit’s extraordinary effects, seeing was believing. No wonder the Emperor was so generous with his rewards.

“Thank you, thank you. Zhao Daren, you flatter me.” Zhou Wen hurriedly returned the courtesy. Given Zhao Qing’s high position and illustrious family background, Zhou Wen dared not show any disrespect.

“Hahaha, I speak the truth. The Emperor was so pleased that he praised you before the entire court, saying that if not for your talent and virtue, how could Qiong County be so blessed and its people so outstanding?”

“The Emperor overpraises me; I am unworthy of such commendation!” Zhou Wen said, bowing deeply towards the capital.

“Come now, Wen, no need for modesty. The Emperor already has plans in mind. When our inspection team returns to the capital and the official evaluations are complete, your promising future is just beginning!” Zhao Qing’s tone grew increasingly affectionate, clearly intending to draw him into his circle.

Court politics were complex, with ministers divided into factions vying for influence. Being courted meant having value.

Zhou Wen didn’t shy away, readily accepting Zhao Qing’s brotherly overtures.

He had long understood that he wasn’t cut out to be a solitary upright official. The intricacies of imperial favor were unpredictable, and relying solely on the merit of presenting the divine fruit wasn’t enough to secure a stable footing in court. The path ahead was uncertain, and though his long-awaited promotion seemed within reach, he felt a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

His youthful ambition had truly been worn away.

Zhou Wen mocked himself inwardly, but Zhao Qing’s encouraging words still brought a smile to his face. “About the case involving the Luo family and Lin Yu’s husband…”

“We’ll handle the case. Tomorrow, we’ll deliver the decree to He Family Village. Since Lin Yu has been honored by the Emperor, and there’s no substantial evidence against his husband in the case, we’ll release him for now.”

“Wise decision, my lord!”

Zhao Qing smiled without saying anything.

The news of Qiong County’s three-year tax exemption quickly spread through the county after Zhou Wen had it posted in large characters on the city wall. Within a day, the entire county was buzzing with excitement. Fields, streets, taverns, and teahouses were all filled with joyous chatter.

The next day, Zhao Qing, led by Zhou Wen, arrived at He Family Village with a ceremonial entourage and guards to announce the decree.

He Family Village hadn’t seen such a grand occasion or such high-ranking officials in over a hundred years. The mere announcement of an imperial decree caused a stir throughout the village.

The village elders, trembling with age, emerged in full force, followed closely by the villagers. Despite the whispers and murmurs, the crowd remained orderly. The clan leader, He Hong, stood straight at the forefront, with Lin Yu following behind He Youcai and Dad Li, supported by He An.

“Lin Yu of the He Clan, step forward.”

“Here, Your Excellency.”

“You are with child, so there’s no need to kneel too much. Rise. Lin Yu of the He Clan in Qiong County, listen to the decree…”

Lin Yu’s mind was still in a daze even after Zhao Qing finished reading the decree. Although He Ze had informed him the day before that officials would come to announce the decree, when the moment actually arrived, all his prior mental preparations seemed useless.

“By the way, Lord Zhao has ordered that due to insufficient evidence in the case of the refugee Wang Fucheng’s poisoning, He Ze is to be released. You can go and fetch him shortly.”

Before leaving, Zhou Wen declined the hospitality of He Hong and the villagers but spoke to He Ze’s family.

“Really? Thank you, my lord, thank you!” He Youcai and Dad Li were overjoyed. Despite He Ze, He An, and Lin Yu reassuring them repeatedly that everything would be fine, they couldn’t rest easy with their son still in jail. Now, they could finally bring their son home!

“There’s no need to thank me; you should thank your fortunate son-in-law. If not for his merits and the Emperor’s praise and reward, He Ze wouldn’t have benefited from such grace.” Recalling He Ze’s reminders, Zhou Wen made sure to point this out.

“Indeed, indeed,” Dad Li replied, gripping Lin Yu’s hand tightly and smiling widely.

As Zhao Qing, Zhou Wen, and the entourage departed, He Family Village erupted into excitement.

“Uncle Li, congratulations! He Ze has been cleared of charges and can come home, and Lin Yu has received the Emperor’s reward. This is fantastic news! Now, we can all hold our heads high when we go out!”

“Absolutely! You, Youcai, are truly blessed. Your son is successful, and he married Lin Yu, who turned out to be a great blessing. Good days are ahead!”

“You both had a sharp eye from the start, targeting Lin Yu. No one within ten miles could compare to him in looks. Now it seems that the previous two were simply too unlucky to handle Lin Yu’s good fortune, and that’s why they met misfortune.”

“That’s right. The Emperor himself declared Lin Yu a blessed person. And who is the Emperor? He’s like a god come down to earth. If he says it, it must be true.”

…

Listening to the flattering and praising voices around him, Lin Yu realized how He Ze had meticulously planned everything for him. The past rumors of him being “cursed” and bringing misfortune to his husbands seemed to have never existed. It was only now that Lin Yu understood the lengths He Ze went to secure this moment for him.

“Today, the Emperor’s decree is a joyous event for Lin Yu and for our He Family Village. Three days from now, we will hold a grand ancestral worship ceremony to inform our ancestors of this event. In the meantime, everyone should prepare,” He Hong announced loudly. Like the other elders, his face was flushed with excitement.

“Youcai, make sure to bring He Ze back as soon as possible. And Lin Yu, take care of yourself. On the day of the ancestral worship, you should also offer incense to the He ancestors in the ancestral hall.”

“Clan leader, isn’t that against the rules?” He Youcai hesitated. The village rules forbade gers from entering the ancestral hall, a tradition not only in He Family Village but across Qiongchuan and the entire country. Furthermore, Lin Yu was not even of the He family by blood.

“Nonsense!” He Hong waved his hand decisively. “This is a reward from the Emperor to Lin Yu. He Family Village benefits from his good fortune. Now that he has married into our village, he is one of us. Offering incense is not a big deal.”

Seeing He Hong’s determination, He Youcai did not argue further. After all, Lin Yu was his son-in-law, and he was delighted.

That afternoon, He Youcai and He An personally drove a carriage to bring He Ze home. Dad Li prepared a fire basin and readied pomelo leaves and peel for He Ze to wash his hands and bathe with, following traditional customs to ward off bad luck.