RPAGF Chapter 217 The Arrival of the Eldest Princess
Chapter 217 The Arrival of the Eldest Princess
Shi Wanxia knocked on Cui Jiu's door, "bang bang bang".
Cui Jiu quickly got up and opened the door. Upon seeing that it was Miss Shi, he immediately bowed. "Greetings, Lord Shi. What can I do for you, my lord?"
Cui Jiu was honest and loyal, and this time he was entrusted by his master to protect Miss Shi's safety. He couldn't quite understand why Miss Shi was doing such a good job as a county magistrate.
He often delivered official documents to Miss Shi and her entourage. At first, the people of Xinyang were somewhat reluctant to accept a woman as a county magistrate. However, Miss Shi won over the people with her hard work and earned their praise.
Not only did he establish many new workshops, enabling most of the young and middle-aged men and women to work, increasing their income and reducing the burden on their families, but he also vigorously promoted water conservancy, developed agriculture and sericulture, and benefited the people of the whole county. How could such a good official who brought benefits to the people not be loved and respected?
"Brother Cui, you're too kind! It's like this, I have some seeds here that I'd like to trouble you to deliver to Zhangjia Village. Shuyun and the others are currently helping the villagers get through this sudden cold snap. However, they left in a hurry and forgot to take the seeds. I'd like to trouble you to deliver them for me!"
Cui Jiu pondered for a long time, thinking that the princess and the others should arrive tomorrow, and he should be fine if he went and returned quickly! He hurriedly bowed and accepted the gift.
"Lord Shi, you flatter me. As Lord Cui's personal bodyguard, I am here on your orders to protect your safety and serve you at your disposal. Rest assured, I will go now and will not delay your important business!"
Seeing that he agreed, Shi Wanxia smiled with relief. "Thank you very much, Brother Cui. I still have some official business to finish at the yamen, so I'll head over there now!"
Cui Jiu hurriedly bowed and saw her off, but Shi Wanxia turned and left with a heavy heart.
Inside the yamen, the yamen runners and constables were also somewhat melancholy. They had already received the princess's decree. They had also heard that the princess's visit this time was ill-intentioned, and it seemed she was coming for Lord Shi.
Xu Mingyi cleared his throat a few times, interrupting their conversation. With a serious expression, he began to direct people to clean the county government office and the Princess's villa.
When late summer arrived, everyone in the county government office was performing their duties, which pleased her greatly. Seeing the magistrate arrive, Xu Mingyi quickly led him to a side hall.
"My lord, I have heard that the princess is coming for you. Please do not confront her directly. I have heard that the princess is gentle and not an unreasonable person."
Shi Wanxia smiled indifferently. She had long known that neither officials nor the royal family would allow a woman like her to disrupt the court. "Don't worry! I know what I'm doing..."
Before he could finish speaking, a constable came to report from the doorway.
"Report! Your Excellency, the Princess's imperial carriage has arrived one mile outside the city gate. Your Excellency should go and greet it immediately."
Shi Wanxia's sorrow grew heavier. Oh well, she thought, let's just take it one step at a time!
"County Magistrate Xu, convey my order: all yamen runners must proceed to the city gates to welcome the Princess's imperial carriage. No mistakes are permitted!" Xu Mingyi quickly bowed and replied, "Your subordinate obeys!"
The county government officials quickly assembled, and Shi Wanxia gave a brief explanation of some important points before setting off in a grand procession.
Not long after arriving at the main street, the people learned that the Princess had arrived in Xinyang, and they all went to the city gate to greet her. The sharp-eyed people spotted the county magistrate.
"Lord County Magistrate!"
Just as everyone was about to bow, Shi Wanxia loudly stopped them.
"Fellow villagers, let's hurry and go welcome Her Highness the Princess!"
The people responded enthusiastically, following Shi Wanxia and her entourage in a grand procession toward the city gate. As the princess's entourage drew closer, Shi Wanxia quickly instructed people to arrange for the people to stand orderly on both sides of the main road.
When the convoy entered the city, Shi Wanxia, along with the yamen runners and commoners of Xinyang, knelt down to pay their respects.
"Welcome, Your Highness the Princess, Your Highness the Prince Consort, Your Highness the Prince of Xiang! May Your Highness the Princess, Your Highness the Prince Consort, and Your Highness the Prince of Xiang be well!" The voices were deafening, perfectly synchronized, and extremely imposing.
Shen Yunzheng sat in the carriage, half-lifting the curtain, her captivating and beautiful eyes scanning everyone present. Seeing that it was about time, she alighted from the carriage with the help of Granny Liu.
"You are the female magistrate of Xinyang County. Raise your head and tell me your name and where you are from."
Shi Wanxia slowly raised her head, her gaze calm and firm. "Your Highness, I am Shi Wanxia. I am sure Your Highness is well aware of my humble origins."
Shen Yunzheng narrowed her eyes slightly, carefully examining the woman in front of her. Although her face was not stunningly beautiful, it exuded a sense of resilience and intelligence. Her graceful figure also carried a touch of heroism. No wonder she was able to make a name for herself in Xinyang County.
"Shi Wanxia, do you know why I have come here today?"
Shen Yunzheng asked softly, but her voice carried an undeniable air of authority. Shi Wanxia's heart tightened, but she calmly replied, "This humble woman does not know; please enlighten me, Your Highness."
Shen Yunzheng smiled lightly, but the smile did not reach her eyes. "I've heard that you've acted eccentrically in Xinyang County. It's against the rules for a woman to be an official, yet you've launched major reforms and disturbed the people's peace. Do you have any explanation for this?"
Shi Wanxia took a deep breath and said loudly, "Your Highness, everything I have done is for the benefit of the people of Xinyang. The establishment of new workshops is to give the people more ways to make a living and increase their income; the large-scale development of water conservancy and agriculture is also for the well-being of the entire county. I believe that as long as it benefits the people, there should be no distinction between men and women, and the rules can be changed for the benefit of the people."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yunzheng frowned slightly. The prince consort beside her said softly, "Your Highness, what this woman said seems to make some sense."
Shen Yunzheng turned and glared at him, and the prince consort fell silent. The princess, on the other hand, looked at Shi Wanxia with interest, and inwardly felt a certain admiration for this female magistrate.
Shen Yunzheng spoke again: "Hmph, flattery! You say you're acting for the people, but who can prove it? I think you're just trying to gain fame for yourself and establish a foothold in this officialdom."
Just as Shi Wanxia was about to defend herself again, an old man suddenly stood up from the crowd. "Your Highness, I can testify. I have lived in Xinyang all my life and have never seen such a good official who cares so much about the people. Since Lord Shi came, our lives have been getting better and better. We have all seen her achievements and remember them in our hearts."
Then, several more people stepped forward to speak on behalf of Shi Wanxia. Shen Yunzheng looked at these people, her heart wavering, but she still refused to believe them easily. "Have you all been bewitched by her?"
Shi Wanxia stood up and walked to the people. "Your Highness, I have a clear conscience. The people's eyes are discerning. If Your Highness does not believe me, you can stay in Xinyang for a while longer and see for yourself whether what I have said is true."
Shen Yunzheng pondered for a moment, "What a joke! Why would I believe your one-sided story?" Shi Wanxia bowed respectfully, "This humble woman dares not."
"I wouldn't dare, but I think you're quite bold."