Several days later.
In the distant county town, Su's father got dressed early in the morning, ready to head to his job at the county office, while Su's mother quietly swept the courtyard.
Neither of their faces showed much joy, instead deep in their eyes were hidden looks of worry and fear.
"Take care on your way, old man," Su's mother sighed deeply.
Su's father didn't say anything, just tightly held Su's mother's hand.
But as he pushed open the main door, a voice like that of a devil came through.
"Yo~ Old Su, heading to the office to busy yourself with chores?" The County Magistrate's legitimate son, clad in a shiny blue robe, was leaning against the wall with a sneer, tilting his mouth. Seeing him come out, he raised his eyebrows, his stick resting on the ground as he stood in a skewed posture, his eyes full of malice, "These past days, gracing your home with my presence has surely made your shabby little hut shine!"
"Hahahahaha——" The bootlickers behind him all let out a big laugh, each holding a stick in their hand.
"What exactly do you want to do, young master? Disturbing my family repeatedly these last few days, aren't you afraid I'll report this to the authorities?" Su's father said coldly. Su's mother heard the commotion outside and came out, but was firmly shielded behind Su's father.
The County Magistrate's son scoffed, speaking disrespectfully, "Old Su! Go ahead and report, see if I care! Back then, you refused to give Su Zhiruan to me as a wife, and trust me, both my father and I have not forgotten! Hmph! Don't think that just because you sent her to the palace you are safe. Five years with no news, I reckon she's long dead! Such a pity, tsk tsk! Those hands, that figure, that face, never got the chance to grace my father's and my bed!"
"You—" Su's father's eyes filled with rage, nearly charging forward to fight to the death, while Su's mother, on the brink of fainting, still forcefully pulled him back.
"What are you slaves waiting for, go in and smash it up! Smash everything for me!! After letting out this grudge, I'll treat you all to the finest feasts and drinks!"
"Hahahaha, young master, then we won't hold back!"
The bootlickers charged into the Su Family home laughing and began to smash and shatter things.
Su's father and Su's mother looked at each other, both of their eyes filled with a last-ditch sense of despair.
They had only one daughter, Su Zhiruan, who had been in the palace for five years with no word from her. In their hearts, they somewhat had an answer, and that was she had died.
In a place like the Imperial Palace, it was nothing unusual for a palace maid to die. A child is a parent's life, and with this thought in mind, the two of them also didn't have much will to live. Moreover, the County Magistrate's son held a grudge against the Su family because of past events and had been increasingly troublesome, harassing and insulting them in every possible way.
Looking at the mud wall next to them and the County Magistrate's son shouting commands from other side, Su's father took out a knife from his bosom. Su's mother only had to look at him to understand his intent—to kill the County Magistrate's son and then commit suicide.
The County Magistrate's son, seemingly bored, ordered his lackeys to tie up Su's elderly parents and strip them of their clothes.
Su's father, with a knife hidden up his sleeve, was just about to make his move—
However, just at that critical moment!
A thunderous roar came from not too far away, "Scoundrel!! Stop!"
Everyone on the scene looked over, and amidst his shock, Su's father withdrew the knife he had hidden in his sleeve.
The comer was the County Magistrate; he dismounted and immediately started slapping his son with walloping blows, knocking him down to the ground, where he lay covering his face and crying out in pain.
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"Father! What are you doing?! I am your son!" the County Magistrate's illegitimate son cried out in desperation, even considering a counterattack.
The County Magistrate quickly ordered his men to pin him to the ground, preventing him from getting up, then he respectfully saluted Su's father, a complete turnaround from his previous difficult behavior, "Lord Su, the rebellious boy is willful and has behaved outrageously. I hereby hand him over to you for punishment—please do as you see fit!"
"Lord Su?" Su's father was puzzled, but then he saw a man in official attire, holding an Imperial edict, emerge from the luxurious carriage behind the County Magistrate.
"I presume this is Elder Su, whom I have long held in high regard!" The visitor did not behave arrogantly but instead treated Su's father with great respect, which left Su's elders quite baffled. Subsequently, the man took out a bright yellow scroll, raised his voice, and addressed everyone present, "I am here by the Emperor's command to announce this Imperial edict—"
All present knelt down in unison. Su's elders, clueless as they were, also knelt to receive the edict.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: County Secretary Su Wenbu is upright and honest, a man of integrity. The Emperor orders him to enter the Capital City, to join the Ministry of Revenue, granting him a residence. His wife is to be gifted ten boxes of gold and silver, eighty bolts of fine silk, and to share the same rank as her husband. His daughter, Su Zhiruan, is virtuous, graceful, and dignified, pure and esteemed like the moon, and is hereby conferred the title of Moon and appointed to the rank of concubine—Let it be known!"
As the edict was declared, everyone present was shocked.
Su's elders were nearly scared stiff on the spot. They had thought their daughter, long assumed dead, had suddenly become Lady Moon, and they themselves were to enter the Capital City as well.
Entering the court as an official was the greatest wish of Su's father, who was moved to tears, never expecting that his cherished youngest daughter would fulfill this dream. He had thought it impossible for him to enter the Capital and become a court official, but now his wish was granted.
The County Magistrate had been privy to some insider information, but even he was completely taken aback upon hearing the edict, especially when considering his worthless son by his side and their past covetous thoughts toward Su Zhiruan. They had even schemed for Su Zhiruan to become a lowly concubine. Now, as the Emperor's most beloved Lady Moon, if the Emperor were to find out—
They would not be able to keep their heads on their shoulders!
The official declaring the edict was the Prefect, who ranked significantly higher than a County Magistrate. He had heard about the mistreatment of Su's elders even before his arrival and, having witnessed it firsthand, gave a cold snort, indicating that it might be time to replace the County Magistrate.
The County Magistrate and his son were fools, but the Prefect certainly was not. Lady Moon was pregnant, and as the Emperor had no offspring, if she were to bear a Prince, he would undoubtedly become the Crown Prince. In the future, no matter what, the Su Family would be the Imperial Father-in-law. With this relation alone, he would ensure that the affair of inviting Su's elders to the Capital was handled properly.
"Lord Su, Madam Su, please stand," the Prefect personally helped Su's elders to their feet, smiling warmly, "There is no need for you to worry or prepare anything; I will take care of everything—As for the County Magistrate's family, I will deal with them personally."
It was his way of currying favor as well.
Before long, under the meticulous arrangements of the Prefect, Su's elders were on their way to the Capital City.
And the small county town, discreetly and without fuss, lost a corrupt County Magistrate and his son, and gained an upright and honest good official.
The common folk, upon learning of the emergence of Lady Moon from the Su Family, were also astounded.
The matter subsequently turned into a beautiful tale.
*
Meanwhile, Su Zhiruan was leisurely drinking tea with the Empress Dowager in the Cining Palace.
Having resided in the Cining Palace for only a few days, she had already won the affection of nearly everyone.
In her previous life, she was a worker, and having started off as a Palace Maid in this world, was not accustomed to idleness. Plus, with appropriate exercise being beneficial during pregnancy, she occasionally lent a hand. The Empress Dowager had told her to rest properly, but she meticulously managed everything, making the Empress Dowager very comfortable and even more fond of her.
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