Chapter 393: The Village in Shock
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The villagers standing outside saw the carriage and quickly called out for Grandpa Chu.
Startled, Grandpa Chu hurried towards the courtyard gate, sizing up the newcomers. Their imposing presence suggested they were no ordinary folk. “May 1 ask…” he began.
Before he could finish, Tang Jinghong’s personal guard respectfully said, “Elder, we are here on the general’s orders to deliver a festival gift to your family.”
The words ‘the general’ spread among the villagers…
Grandpa Chu was stunned, the word ‘general’ echoing in his mind. Had he heard wrong?
The villagers were equally dumbfounded. Were they hearing things?
Silence fell over the surroundings, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Seeing everyone’s dazed expressions, the guard thought, “Do they not know of our general’s identity?”
Did he make a mistake?
But the general hadn’t instructed him to hide his identity!
Chu Qingzhi approached, gently tugging at Grandpa Chu’s sleeve, “Grandpa, they’re waiting for you to speak.”
Regaining his composure, Grandpa Chu cautiously asked, “The general you speak of, is it Tang Jinghong?”
Pride shone on the guard’s face as he firmly replied, “Indeed, it is!”
Everyone’s jaws dropped in shock. They hadn’t misheard; it was the general, Tang Jinghong himself! General was a rank beyond their wildest dreams!
The villagers knew Tang Jinghong held a military post, but they never imagined it to be of such high stature. The highest among soldiers! How capable must one be to reach such a rank? What had Tang Jinghong done in the army to climb so high?
The news left everyone in shock for a long time.
This revelation was so astounding that Grandpa Chu, unable to believe it, cautiously asked, “You’re certain about this?”
The soldier understood how shocking it was to have a general in a village. He said patiently, “Our general is Tang Jinghong, a member of the Chu Village.”
“Our village has produced a general!!!” The village elder emerged from the crowd, overwhelmed to the point of fainting.
“Elder, Elder…” Everyone frantically rushed to assist the fallen elder.
Grandpa Chu, overcome with emotion, fainted as well.
Chu Qingzhi quickly supported him, and with a gentle pat on his chest, revived him.
How excited must he be to faint!
Chu Rong hurried over to help Grandpa Chu, his heart racing with excitement at the news that his son-in-law was a general. “Father, try to calm down,” he urged himself to do the same.
“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Grandpa Chu reassured, hand on his chest, thrilled beyond words.
The Ning family’s butler, along with servants, approached with a chest, “Elder, we are here on behalf of young master Ning Yuting to deliver a festival gift to your family.”
Grandpa Chu hurriedly helped them up, “You’re too kind, too kind. Please, come in, everyone.”
The guards and Ning’s servant followed Grandpa Chu inside with the chests.
Once inside the main hall, the guards and the steward presented the gift list to Grandpa Chu. “Here is the list. You can count it.”
Being illiterate, Grandpa Chu quickly handed the lists to Chu Qingzhi and Chu Qingyue for verification.
The guard and the servant opened their respective chests.
This scene drew everyone’s attention. The sight of the gifts inside sparked whispered conversations.
“A general and a wealthy young master… What stroke of luck has befallen the Chu family?”
“Fortunes change. This is the most dramatic turnaround I’ve ever witnessed.”
“Those who once looked down on the Chu family are surely feeling the sting now.”
After verifying the gifts, if there were no issues, one would sign their name on the gift list. One copy was kept by the recipient, and the other was returned to the gift-giver for confirmation.
Chu Qingzhi elegantly signed her name and handed it back to the guard, “Thank you for your efforts. Please, stay for lunch.”
Hungry, the guard accepted, “Thank you for the invitation.”
Chu Qingzhi politely offered, “Please, have a seat. 1’11 bring some refreshments.”
“Thank you,” the guard bowed in gratitude.
Chu Qingyue also finished verifying the gift list and handed it to the butler, “Uncle Ning, please have a seat. I’ll bring some tea.”
It’s common that butlers in large and wealthy households often share the surname of their masters.
The butler, addressed respectfully as ‘Uncle Ning’, felt honored and held a high regard for Chu Qingyue. Contrary to the stereotype of village girls being rude, the young lady his master favored was so well-mannered.
“Miss Qingyue, you’re too kind.”
Chu Qingyue smiled warmly, “It’s my duty.”
News of Tang Jinghong being a general spread like wildfire through Chu village, bringing a constant stream of people over to express their well-wishes.
Granny Chu reacted much like Grandpa Chu, fainting in excitement.
In the midst of this joyful atmosphere, an unexpected visitor arrived at the Chu family.
A young servant approached the Chu family, looking around, “Shuiyun County, Chu village, the home of the divine doctor, is this the place?”
When Chu Xuyao saw this, he quickly walked over. “Who are you looking for?”
The young servant, looking clean and somewhat shy, asked, “Is this the home of the divine doctor?”
Chu Xuyao pondered and tentatively asked, “My fifth sister is an excellent doctor. Are you referring to her?”
The servant politely replied, “Could you ask her to come out? I’ll know once I see her.”
“Just wait here,” Chu Xuyao, fearing the servant had urgent business with his sister, hurried off to find her.
Chu Qingzhi, curious, approached the servant, “Who are you looking for?”
“I’m a servant of Lin Yingmin, here to find the divine doctor,” the servant replied, placing a box on the stone bench at the doorway. He then pulled out a painting from his sleeve and unfolded it, comparing the image with Chu Qingzhi.
After examining the painting, he handed it to Chu Qingzhi, “Miss, this was painted by my young master. Please take a look.”
Chu Qingzhi studied the painting, which depicted a woman on horseback – unmistakably her. She frowned slightly, wondering why Lin Yingmin would paint her.
“What did your young master send you here for?”
The servant quickly handed her the box, “My master can’t walk easily. He especially asked me to deliver this to you.”
Chu Qingzhi opened the box, surprised to find a Mid-Autumn Festival gift, “How is your young master doing?”
The servant, not one for deceit, honestly replied, “Not well. When his leg ailment flares up, he suffers terribly. Just yesterday, after enduring the pain, his palms were covered in wounds. It’s truly pitiable.”
“Stay for a meal before you return. I’ll find time to treat your master’s leg ailment,” Chu Qingzhi said kindly..
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