HLnovel Chapter 283 Heroine
Chapter 283 Heroine
The news that the emperor intends to confer the title of Marquis of Nanyi on Xiao Zhixue has spread throughout the capital, and the people are all eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of this heroic woman.
Xiao Zhixue rode her horse through the bustling streets. People on the roadside couldn't help but stop to watch. Although they didn't know Xiao Zhixue, they could recognize Fan Yanmu, who looked so majestic beside her, at a glance.
"Look at the woman walking in front, could she be the Marquis of Nanyi appointed by His Majesty himself?"
A passerby whispered.
"I think it's almost certain. Look at how she and Prince Fan are walking together! According to legend, Nan Yihou is often with Prince Fan."
Another person echoed.
"So that's the Marquis of Nan Yi. He's handsome and heroic, with a heroic look in his eyes. No wonder he was able to get the Emperor of Dong Chu to write a letter of surrender."
Another voice exclaimed in admiration.
Xiao Zhixue listened quietly to these comments, thinking back to her time in Lotus Town. Facing the current praise, she was no longer shy and retreated, but held her head high and accepted people's gazes and praises calmly.
Fan Yanmu followed closely beside him on horseback, his eyes full of pride and tenderness.
In his heart, what really attracted him was never those delicate flowers in the greenhouse, but women like Xiao Zhixue, who were both intelligent and brave and acted decisively.
Soon, they arrived at Yuexian Garden.
As they stepped into the garden, the spacious and bright residence was a feast for the eyes. Everyone marveled at the emperor's grace, which was a reward far beyond their imagination.
Yuexianyuan is huge, with more than thirty rooms. Everyone was busy moving their luggage and supplies, waiting with anticipation for the moment when Xiao Zhixue would assign them accommodation.
At this time, some people spontaneously proposed to become Xiao Zhixue's servants and maids.
The village chief Lu Degui also stepped forward and asked: "Miss Xiao, can you allow me to be the manager of Yuexian Garden? I promise to keep it in good order and not let any trivial matters disturb you."
Before he could finish his words, there was a knock on the gate of the garden.
Lu Li opened the door and saw a group of smiling visitors, led by a kind old lady, Nanny Wang, who was specially sent by the emperor to take care of Xiao Zhixue.
Nanny Wang smiled and asked, "Excuse me, has Marquis Nan Yi returned?"
Lu Li nodded in confirmation. Nanny Wang was very happy and ordered, "Then please take us to see Nan Yihou as soon as possible."
Although he had never met the visitor before, Lu Li did not dare to be negligent in the slightest and respectfully led Nanny Wang and others to Xiao Zhixue.
When Nanny Wang saw her, she immediately recognized that Xiao Zhixue was the Marquis of Nan Yi appointed by the emperor.
She led everyone to pay respect to Xiao Zhixue, and introduced herself and the other servants one by one.
Only then did Xiao Zhixue realize that these were the servants and maids specially arranged by the emperor for Yuexianyuan.
Although she had never thought that she would be served by so many people, she gladly accepted this kindness from the emperor.
As Nanny Wang and others stayed, the villagers began to realize that they might no longer be needed, and they couldn't help but look gloomy and lost.
They thought they could live in Yuexianyuan together, but reality told them that they would soon be separated.
Xiao Zhixue keenly noticed everyone's emotional changes and comforted them, "Don't worry, I will buy a big restaurant in the capital in a few days, and you can all work there, or even become the shopkeeper. As for the accommodation problem, I will also solve it. You can live in Yuexianyuan for the next few days and move there when everything is arranged."
When the villagers heard this, they were immediately delighted. They had originally thought that they would be excluded from the capital, but they did not expect that Xiao Zhixue already had a comprehensive plan.
Feelings of gratitude arose spontaneously, and they expressed their gratitude to Xiao Zhixue one after another.
However, for villagers who have been farming for generations, running a restaurant is a completely unfamiliar area for them.
Village chief Lu Degui expressed his concerns on behalf of everyone: "Miss Xiao, I'm afraid we are not up to the task. We are all native farmers and know nothing about management. We are afraid that we will ruin the restaurant's business."
Xiao Zhixue's mind flashed back to the fertile land bestowed by the emperor. After pondering for a moment, she made a suggestion: "How about this, once the 100 acres of land is confirmed, it will be given to you to cultivate. I will provide the seeds, and you will be self-sufficient in the future, and you don't have to worry about your livelihood anymore."
Xiao Zhixue's arrangement won the villagers' gratitude and joy.
They were finally able to end their wandering lives and return to the fields, which was exactly the peace they had dreamed of during their long wanderings.
Everything was arranged, and Xiao Zhixue accompanied Fan Yanmu to the palace to meet the emperor.
When Xiao Zhixue stepped into the magnificent hall, the eyes of all the civil and military officials were focused on her.
Fan Heng's face was filled with irrepressible pride and joy.
Facing the emperor on the dragon throne, Xiao Zhixue knelt down devoutly without waiting for Fan Yanmu to remind her, and said in a loud and respectful voice: "I, Xiao Zhixue, pay my respects to the emperor. I wish the emperor a long life!"
Fan Yanmu also knelt down and performed the etiquette between the monarch and his subject.
The emperor sat firmly on the dragon throne, his eyes dignified and kind. After glancing at Xiao Zhixue, he nodded with satisfaction.
"You are the Xiao Zhixue mentioned by the Marquis of Zhenping, who used her unique ability to help Fan Yanmu fly across thousands of mountains and rivers, directly to the East Chu Palace, and forced the enemy emperor to write a letter of surrender? Not only that, you also assisted the Marquis of Zhenping and Fan Yanmu in bravely killing the enemy in the southwest battlefield, and eliminated tens of thousands of enemies in one battle."
Xiao Zhixue bowed her head and replied, "Your Majesty, it is me, your humble servant."
On both sides of the hall, all the civil and military officials focused their attention on a woman, Xiao Zhixue.
She has an upright posture, and her eyes reveal an indescribable firmness and composure, like a pine tree that still stands proudly after wind and rain, inspiring awe.
The identity of this extraordinary woman became a common mystery in the minds of everyone present.
She was not only able to wield a sword as fast as a rainbow on the battlefield, but also dared to take risks alone and go straight into the heart of the enemy country, forcing the Emperor of East Chu to bow his head and sign a humiliating surrender. Her courage and wisdom were beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Just as everyone was lost in thought, news of victory came from the border battlefield. Several generals returned triumphantly with honors. Their return added a bit of joy of victory to the hall.
The generals walked into the hall. The dust and blood stains on their armor told of the hardships of the battle. They knelt down on the ground in unison and saluted the imperial power.
At this solemn moment, Gu Huairen raised his eyes and caught sight of Xiao Zhixue. She was standing quietly in the hall, waiting for the reward she deserved.
A complex emotion suddenly surged in his heart, including relief, regret, and a hint of bitterness.
Looking back on the past, Gu Huairen had tried every means to obstruct Xiao Zhixue's marriage with Lu Mingxuan because of her humble background, even to the point of breaking up with her.
Who could have expected that it was this peasant girl whom he once despised who single-handedly calmed the conflict between the two countries and brought peace to Xiliang.
The emperor issued an edict to confer the title of Marquis of Nanyi on her, which was unprecedented in history. This honor was not only an affirmation of her, but also a silent irony of Gu Huairen's past short-sightedness.