Chapter 308: Chapter 308: The State Preceptor Returns Home
Yongping Village was bustling with excitement, completely aflame with celebration.
In just a few years, they had received two imperial decrees. Now, not only do people from other villages hold them in high regard, but even the city’s county magistrate treats them with special respect.
The corn seeds contributed by Yongping Village were all sold at affordable prices to nearby villages. The portion that was initially promised to the county magistrate was politely declined, converted instead into seeds for the extremely poor families.
As spring arrived the following year, corn and potatoes, these high-yield crops, began to be planted throughout the kingdom.
And Yongping Village, having acquired the precious Moonlight Silk, constructed a genuine greenhouse.
Even the well-informed Yi Meng and the villagers of Yongping Village couldn’t clearly explain what Moonlight Silk was made of.
Although it wasn’t as transparent as glass, its light-transmitting properties were already quite impressive.
The vegetables harvested were sold in nearby towns, causing the income of Yongping Village to soar. Quickly, this village, once built around a winding path, transformed into a renowned community within a hundred-mile radius.
Mrs. Qi, perhaps also buoyed by receiving an imperial decree, found her health improving day by day, eventually returning to her prior state of well-being.
In the blink of an eye, Qi Manman turned ten.
The tenth birthday of Manbao was a significant event for the entire Qi Family, even the whole of Yongping Village.
So, at the onset of spring that year, the Qi Family funded road construction.
The road, originally wide enough for only a single carriage, was expanded to accommodate three carriages side by side.
The extensive road spanning over a thousand miles was completed within just half a year, connecting Concord City to Yongping Village and leading out to the next town from another exit.
On Qi Manman’s tenth birthday, acquaintances from the city and those who had received kindness from the Qi Family came to Yongping Village.
The Yongping Village of today was nothing like it was before.
The imposing school halfway up the hill was impressive, with the Emperor sending a Great Scholar to oversee it.
This attracted even more students to come and study.
The houses in the village had also undergone a transformative change.
Even the poorest families lived in brick houses with large courtyards, their windows made of precious glazed panes.
The fields and houses were arranged in an orderly manner, with blooming flowers lining the paths.
In celebration of the family’s cherished member’s birthday, the Qi Family hosted a three-day banquet.
Everyone was filled with joy, bringing numerous gifts.
On the second day of the banquet, another imperial decree arrived at the Qi Family in Yongping Village.
The current Holy Emperor, learning about the tenth birthday of the Qi Family’s most cherished daughter, personally wrote calligraphy and sent numerous gifts as a congratulatory gesture.
Furthermore, Qi Manman was bestowed the title of County Princess, with the entire Concord City designated as her fief.
In the blink of an eye, Qi Manman was fourteen, just a year away from reaching adulthood.
As a County Princess, Qi Manman was invited by the Empress to the Capital City to host her coming of age ceremony personally.
Over the years, due to the Qi Family’s contributions of corn, potatoes, and watermelon seeds, the people of the kingdom were well-fed and clothed, greatly enhancing the nation’s power. Within a few short years, it became the strongest nation under heaven.
Since the Qi Family wished to live ordinary lives, the Royal Family attributed all the credit to Qi Manman.
Though she was just a small County Princess, the Empress personally hosting her coming of age ceremony made her the envy of all women under heaven.
However, unexpectedly, as soon as Qi Manman entered the Capital City, she caught the eye of the current State Preceptor and was accepted as his closed-door disciple.
Rumor had it that the State Preceptor imparted all his knowledge to this youngest disciple.
In just three years, at merely eighteen years old, Qi Manman donned the robes of the State Preceptor, becoming the youngest in history to hold the position.
"Old man, are you really going to travel?"
In her deep purple State Preceptor robes, Qi Manman leaned on the table, popped a grape into her mouth, and said discontentedly, "If you leave, then all the astrological observations and such will fall on me. Can you really bear that?"
The former State Preceptor, referred to as "old man," full of gray hair, was personally packing his luggage. Hearing this, he glanced at Qi Manman, "You little girl, enough already! It’s a rare opportunity for your grandfather to visit the mortal realm. I must seize the chance to explore before your Heavenly Dao grandfather finds out. Otherwise, I’ll be forced back to heaven, which is stifling."
"No, old man, you’re not playing fair! If you sneak away like this, I’ll go straight to the Heavenly Dao grandfather to tattletale!"
Qi Manman sat up, her expression threatening.
The Jade Emperor paused his packing, quickly put on a pleasing smile, and sat beside Qi Manman, gently rubbing the back of her head, "Sweetheart, cover for me with your Heavenly Dao grandfather. Just name your reward, as long as it’s within my power, I won’t haggle. Deal?"
"Really?"
"Really! Truer than pearls!"
The Jade Emperor immediately raised three fingers, "Grandpa swears, isn’t that enough?"
"Then..."
Qi Manman’s finger tapped her chin, "Take me traveling with you."
"That’s not possible!"
The Jade Emperor shook his head immediately, "You’re the State Preceptor now. If you travel, you’ll surely have to bring many people along. How would I manage my travels?"
Realizing he refused too directly, the Jade Emperor softened his tone, saying, "Didn’t you previously wish longevity for your family? How about this: I’ll take the liberty of editing your family members’ entries in the Book of Life and Death, ensuring each lives to a hundred and fifty years. How about it?"
"Living to a hundred and fifty years is nothing special. I want them to attain immortality,"
Qi Manman huffed, "If they can’t achieve immortality, then what’s the point?"
The Jade Emperor pondered for a moment and finally nodded, "Alright! Before I leave, I’ll prepare the elixirs for you to take back."
"Why not accompany me back and then depart from Yongping Village?"
Qi Manman readily agreed.
In the past three years, she hadn’t returned to Yongping Village, although her family had come to the Capital City to visit her.
But she missed Yongping Village, longing to go back and see it.
Realizing that once she fully assumed her duties as the State Preceptor, returning would become increasingly difficult.
Understanding this, the Jade Emperor didn’t haggle further and agreed readily.
Thus, half a month later, the State Preceptor’s entourage departed the Capital City, heading to Yongping Village.
The State Preceptor returning home was a significant event.
The people of the entire Concord City, and even the inhabitants of the Prefecture City, prepared to welcome the State Preceptor home.
The Qi Family also placed great importance on the occasion, beginning preparations and renovations upon hearing the news.
Mrs. Qi, her hair now completely silver, continually fretted over the cleaning and tidying, remarkably spirited.
A month later, the State Preceptor’s entourage finally appeared amidst everyone’s anticipation.
Returning to Yongping Village, Qi Manman stepped out of the carriage at the village entrance.
Before her were three to four hundred people kneeling on the village entrance grounds, led by the members of the Qi Family.
