HLnovel Chapter 263 Grateful and Deeply Received Thanks, Neighboring Country Visits
Chapter 263 Grateful and Deeply Received Thanks, Neighboring Country Visits
The people were deeply grateful to Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu, and the prestige of the Marquis's mansion was further enhanced.
As the drought gradually subsided, the land of Shu (Sichuan) regained its vitality. The people's gratitude towards Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu was overflowing, and they expressed their respect in various ways.
Some people brought fresh fruits and vegetables they had grown themselves, while others sewed exquisite clothes by hand. In the streets and alleys, people praised Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu's achievements, regarding them as heroes who saved the land of Shu.
The Marquis's prestige was at its zenith, and people flocked to visit and seek cooperation. However, this also aroused jealousy and resentment among some.
A nearby prince, envious of the Marquis's prestige, secretly plotted to frame Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu. He colluded with some disloyal servants in the Marquis's household to collect so-called "evidence" and submitted a memorial to the court to impeach them.
After receiving the impeachment, the imperial court dispatched an imperial envoy to investigate. Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu were completely unaware of this and remained immersed in the joy of the prosperity of Shu.
When the imperial envoy arrived at the Marquis's residence, Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu greeted him respectfully. However, the imperial envoy had a serious expression and stated his purpose directly.
The Marquis's residence was immediately plunged into a tense atmosphere. Xiao Yi and Xiao Yu were extremely anxious, searching everywhere for evidence to clear their parents' names.
During the investigation, the prince kept sabotaging the investigation from the shadows, creating various false impressions to mislead the imperial envoy.
Just as the situation was becoming increasingly unfavorable, an official who had once received favors from the Marquis's mansion stepped forward to speak up for Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu. He detailed the Marquis's mansion's achievements in fighting the epidemic and providing disaster relief to the imperial envoy, and pointed out that the so-called "evidence" was purely fabricated.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yi and Xiao Yu finally found crucial evidence that proved the Hou family's innocence.
After learning the truth, the imperial envoy exposed the prince's conspiracy and reported it truthfully to the court.
To commend Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu for their achievements, the imperial court bestowed upon the Marquis's mansion even more honors and rewards.
But after this incident, Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu realized that the glory of the Marquis's mansion had attracted too much attention and jealousy, and the road ahead might be even more challenging.
Neighboring countries send envoys to visit, seeking cooperation and exchange.
On this day, the Marquis's residence was bustling with activity, as an envoy from a neighboring country had arrived with numerous gifts. Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu personally greeted him with impeccable manners.
The envoy explained his purpose: the neighboring country had heard of the Marquis's effective governance of its territory, especially the strength and wisdom it demonstrated in dealing with various disasters, and hoped to establish a cooperative relationship with the Marquis to jointly promote the prosperity and stability of the border region between the two countries.
Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu knew the matter was of great importance and dared not agree lightly. They had in-depth conversations with the envoys at the Marquis's residence to understand the specific needs and cooperative intentions of the neighboring country.
However, during the exchanges, the two sides disagreed on some key issues. The neighboring country hoped to obtain more preferential policies in trade, but the Marquis's Mansion, considering its own interests, believed that it could not easily concede.
Meanwhile, differing opinions existed within the Marquis's household regarding cooperation with neighboring countries. Some saw it as a rare opportunity for development, allowing them to expand the Marquis's influence; others worried that cooperation would bring many uncertainties and might even trigger conflicts with the imperial court.
Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu were caught in a dilemma. On the one hand, they had to weigh the interests of the Marquis's mansion, and on the other hand, they had to consider the overall situation of the country.
Just then, the imperial court learned of the visit of envoys from a neighboring country and became suspicious of the Marquis's actions. The emperor sent an envoy to convey an imperial decree, demanding that the Marquis's family handle relations with the neighboring country with caution and not act arbitrarily.
Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu felt immense pressure, so they decided to temporarily put aside the specifics of the cooperation and instead arrange for the envoys to visit the territory to showcase the strength and achievements of the Marquis's mansion, while also gaining a better understanding of the neighboring country.
During the visit, the envoy showed great interest in the Marquis's estate and culture, but also secretly observed the estate's weaknesses.
Meanwhile, some confidential information within the Marquis's residence was suddenly leaked, raising suspicions that someone had been bribed by the envoy. Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu were furious and ordered a thorough investigation.
After some investigation, the traitor was finally identified. However, this incident made the relationship between the Marquis's mansion and the neighboring state even more delicate.