RPAGF Chapter 11: Promotion is Coming
Chapter 11: Promotion is Coming
Qiao Qingshu approached Li Pu with grace and poise, bowing respectfully with an elegant and dignified demeanor, showing no sign of awkwardness.
This prompted Li Pu to nod in praise repeatedly.
"As expected of Bai's daughter, her demeanor is no less than that of the mistresses in the palace. It's truly delightful to see her like this."
After saying that, he took off the extremely rare string of small-leaf Buddhist prayer beads from his hand and stuffed them into Qiao Qingshu's hand, saying affectionately,
"This was a gift from His Majesty to me. It is our first meeting, and I have not prepared a generous gift. Please do not find it offensive, young lady."
Qiao Qingshu looked up at her father respectfully, not daring to accept the offer on her own. Old Madam Qiao and Qiao Jizhou were already overjoyed and hurriedly stepped forward to help Qiao Qingshu kowtow to Li Pu to express their gratitude.
Li Pu waved his hand and sighed deeply.
"Alas, I serve His Majesty in the palace and am never free. I know little about what is happening outside the palace. If it weren't for Lord Bai mentioning Bai Shi's passing yesterday, I probably wouldn't know that my benefactor has returned to his hometown. It's truly a cruel twist of fate."
Li Pu and Bai Chanzi were not much different in age. Years ago, when Bai Chanzi was traveling, she saw a little beggar being bullied and beaten by the roadside. She watched from inside her sedan chair and took pity on him. She asked her servant to chase away the people who were bullying him and then called him to the front of the sedan chair, where she gave him some money and snacks.
He was instructed to take the money and find a proper way to make a living, and not to beg on the streets. If he had any difficulties, he could come to the Bai family mansion and find Bai Chanzi, the eldest daughter of the Bai family.
Li Pu, who was around ten years old at the time, would never forget that kind and warm face, which was like that of a fairy, and he would never forget the name Bai Chanzi.
It was thanks to Bai Chanzi's financial assistance that Li Pu was able to buy decent clothes, make some arrangements, and enter the palace as a minor eunuch, eventually making his way to where he is today.
Qiao Qingshu had never heard Bai Shi mention these things. Several years later, when she entered the palace as empress, Li Pu shielded her from poisoned wine in the cold palace. Only when she was dying did she learn all about it from the eunuch in charge of the seal.
Bai Zhining, who was watching from the side, finally understood why Qiao Qingshu had asked him to deliberately reveal Bai's funeral to Li Pu.
Bai Chanzi was actually the benefactor of Li Pu, the chief eunuch.
After recounting his past, Li Pu picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and asked...
"Oh, what official position does Lord Qiao hold now?"
Qiao Jizhou hurriedly bowed and replied,
"I am now serving as an Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites."
At forty years old, he was only a fifth-rank official. Qiao Jizhou's career path was not smooth. He knew that his official position was not high, and at this moment, a humble expression appeared on his face.
Li Pu pondered for a moment.
"This position is unfair to the Bai family."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Qiao's heart nearly leaped with joy. It seemed that Qiao Jizhou had a chance for a promotion!
Without thinking twice, he quickly seized on Li Pu's words and said,
“Your Excellency is absolutely right. Jizhou and my dear wife Chanzi were an exceptionally loving couple. They were devoted to each other for decades. Although their lives were somewhat impoverished, their love was always exceptional. When Jizhou returned, he cried so much that he almost lost his breath. Now that Chanzi is gone, my heart is broken. I only regret that my Qiao family is useless and cannot give Chanzi a proper funeral. It is truly a great injustice to my good wife.”
Li Pu sighed softly, his eyes filled with regret.
"Bai is my benefactor. I didn't have a chance to repay her while she was alive, but I will definitely give her a dignified life after she dies. There is a round of transfers just before the New Year, and Lord Qiao's official position should be promoted as well. The imperial decree will arrive before the funeral, and the title of a third-rank lady will not be a disgrace to Bai."
The whole room was astonished.
Qiao Jizhou was overjoyed and immediately knelt down, repeatedly kowtowing in gratitude.
"Thank you for your appreciation, Lord Li!"
Madam Qiao's mouth stretched from ear to ear with joy. She thought to herself that the ancestors had truly shown their power. Spending 50,000 taels to perform a ritual for Ye Qingqiu was definitely worth it. The Qiao family was really on the rise and about to gain momentum!
Li Pu sipped his tea, glanced at Qiao Jizhou, and teased,
"Lord Qiao, don't thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank your wife. If I hadn't heard that you and Bai were deeply in love and lived in perfect harmony, I would never have agreed to speak on your behalf before the Emperor. Now that Bai has passed away, this favor has fallen on your Qiao family. Remember to keep vigil for Bai properly."
Upon hearing this, Madam Qiao became even more certain of Ye Qingqiu's words. Bai's auspicious appearance could help the Qiao family prosper for a hundred years, and it was absolutely true. Suddenly, she became curious about what Ye Qingqiu had written in the brocade pouch he had given her.
Qiao Jizhou nodded vigorously, tears streaming down his face.
"Lord Li is absolutely right. Since the passing of my wife, I have been unable to eat or drink for the past few days. I am consumed by grief and wish I could go with her. I will certainly keep vigil for her."
Qiao Jizhou looked heartbroken after losing his wife, and anyone who saw him would think that Qiao Jizhou was deeply in love with Bai Shi.
Only Qiao Qingshu watched coldly in the hall, a sneer flashing across her lips. Her father was putting on a good show for his career, but soon he would show his true colors.
Li Pugui was busy with official duties. He only managed to leave the palace today because the emperor was out hunting. He sat for a while and then left.
As soon as Li Pu left, the atmosphere in the room immediately relaxed.
Bai Zhining quietly pulled Qiao Qingshu aside to talk.
"You little brat, how did you know your mother and Li Pu had this relationship? Did your mother tell you?"
Qiao Qingshu smiled without saying a word.
Bai Zhining frowned and asked again.
"The Qiao family treated your mother so cruelly, with a frugal coffin and cold funeral, yet you wouldn't let me say a single word to Li Pu. He must think that Qiao Jizhou and Chanzi are a loving couple, which is why he wants to repay Qiao Jizhou's kindness by promoting him. Qing Shu, you're confused. The Qiao family treated your mother so badly, yet you still want to use your mother's favor to help the Qiao family."
Qiao Qingshu shook her head slightly, then leaned closer to her uncle's ear and said...
"Uncle, don't be impatient. The play isn't even halfway over yet. Just keep watching. My father is very happy right now. When the play is over and he has his time to cry, I'll make sure he cries even more pitifully and sincerely than he did in front of my mother's coffin."
He gestured towards the main hall and said again.
"Uncle, let's go back quickly. We still need to get Mother's dowry back. You go in and help with the performance."
Bai Zhining reached out and gently tapped Qiao Qingshu's nose with her finger, sighing softly. Although she didn't know what big idea the child was planning, she still trusted her and wanted to help her unconditionally.
The two returned to the house, where Old Madam Qiao was sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed) talking with Old Madam Bai.
Old Madam Qiao's demeanor was completely different from before. She was beaming with joy and her pride was undisguised. If it weren't for the fact that everyone present knew it was the seventh day after Bai's death, they would have thought the Qiao family was celebrating a great joy.
Madam Bai had a round face, wore a light blue brocade robe with silver thread, and her silver hair was styled into a high bun with a longevity pattern and a silver hairpin with a bat design. She had a kind face and was unassuming and simple.
Since entering the room, Madam Bai had not uttered a single word. At this moment, she simply sat quietly with her lips pursed, while Madam Qiao excitedly spoke of how the Qiao family was about to rise to prominence. Madam Bai showed no reaction on her face.
Seeing Qiao Qingshu and Bai Zhining return, he slowly waved to Qiao Qingshu.
"Qingshu, come to your maternal grandmother."
Qiao Qingshu obediently walked to the side of Old Madam Bai, moved an embroidered stool over and sat down, resting her head on Old Madam Bai's lap.
Old Madam Bai tenderly stroked Mo Qiaoqingshu's head before slowly asking,
Tell me in detail how your mother died.