Chapter 1244 - 1154: Female Chancellor 92
Aside from the family members, the County Magistrate and the County Magistrate’s Wife, the scholars from the study hall, and the people from the Yin Family in the village all came, making the scene extremely grand.
In addition to Shuangshuang, with Yan Yi, Ying Yi and others, there were dozens of people, creating a formidable presence. Compared to when they traveled, the scene was somewhat overwhelming, and the welcoming crowd at the city gate made the scene even grander.
Shuangshuang dismounted from the carriage from afar, walked forward on foot, first greeted her parents, and then couldn’t focus on the teary-eyed, pride-filled Yin Zheng and Mrs. Wang.
She hurriedly looked at the County Magistrate and said, "Lord County Magistrate, what is going on here? Why have so many people come to welcome me? What virtue or ability do I have to trouble everyone so much?"
The County Magistrate smiled broadly and said, "I am unworthy of being called ’Lord’ by you, Mr. Yin. Now you are on par with me as the head of a county, please just call me Heng Ru.
It is widely known that in the Capital City, you out-argued many great scholars and were exceptionally appointed as County Magistrate by the Emperor. These scholars are eager to see your demeanor and hear your guidance.
Moreover, by founding the study hall, you have unknowingly helped many impoverished scholars. They are sincerely grateful to you and have come voluntarily to welcome you, without any coercion from me."
Shuangshuang felt relieved; it was good that they weren’t forced to come to greet her. She then smiled and chatted with the people who came to welcome her.
She inquired after the family members who came from afar, entertained the scholars’ various curious questions, and shared harmless gossip from the Capital City. Fortunately, everyone knew Shuangshuang was unwell and had traveled a long way, so they didn’t delay her for too long and let her return home.
Back at home, the excited Yin Zheng and Mrs. Wang each hugged Shuangshuang from one side, expressing their longing for their daughter. Yin Zheng was fine, but Mrs. Wang was already crying, touching Shuangshuang’s much paler and thinner face than when she had left, her voice choked with emotion and eyes full of pain.
"Your grandfather told me everything, dear. I never expected this trip to the Capital City to be so perilous and arduous; it must have been tough for you. Had I known earlier, had I known..."
Mrs. Wang choked on her words, caught between her father and her daughter, with both being more important to her than her own life. She couldn’t make a choice, but fortunately, all of that was in the past. Her father and her daughter both returned safely to her side, which was all that mattered.
Yin Zheng’s eyes were also red, full of pride as he looked at Shuangshuang. His daughter was stronger than thousands of other sons.
What about having a daughter? Even now, she is close to the Emperor and a pillar of the county; her future is limitless. Who could say how many men can achieve such a thing!
Since the news of Shuangshuang’s verbal victory over the scholars and her subsequent appointment as County Magistrate by the Emperor returned, whenever Yin Zheng went out, people started calling him Mr. Yin with unparalleled respect and envy for having raised such a good daughter.
Now, the entire county is trending towards raising daughters alongside sons, as everyone knows that a well-raised daughter can outshine a son.
Furthermore, Yin Zheng had already received the Holy Decree to become an Imperial Merchant, which garnered even more envy. Now, whenever people from the Yin Family go out into the village, they receive more respect and confidence, with no one daring to manipulate them in business dealings. Indeed, when one person attains the Way, all things around him flourish.
Since the decree appointing Yin Zheng as Imperial Merchant came on fast horses and before Shuangshuang, and Shuangshuang traveled slowly, by the time she arrived home, Yin Zheng had already built workshops for making glass, cement, and soap.
After the family excitedly shared stories of their separation, Yin Zheng suddenly remembered something and said to Shuangshuang, "Oh yes, Shuangshuang, you previously pleaded for clemency for Yan Yi and Yun Yi, lifting their eternal servitude. Since then, many people have come to our home, wanting to serve you. Should we take them in or not?"
Of course we shouldn’t take them in. Shuangshuang frowned. When she did that, it was only to help those who defended their country and not to win people over.
Now, she is just a County Magistrate, with dozens of subordinates and Hidden Guards. She’s not an aristocratic family that loves ostentation; they are quite substantial already, and taking in more would verge on lavishness.
This required urgent attention, so Shuangshuang immediately went to see these people, who were living in a separate courtyard. As soon as they saw Shuangshuang, they all knelt to kowtow to her.
They repeatedly thanked her, their eyes full of sincerity. These men were as solid as iron, bleeding without tears, yet in the presence of Shuangshuang, their benefactor, they couldn’t hold back their tears.
When they killed those barbarians and were nearly beheaded, they didn’t bow down. When condemned to eternal servitude without redemption, they didn’t bend their spines. Yet, in front of Shuangshuang, they willingly bowed.
Shuangshuang quickly had them helped up: "Please don’t do this. You are all brave men defending your country. I only did a minor thing within my capacity.
I know you all want to repay me, but from my perspective, you are eagles soaring on the battlefield. I hope to help you return to the sky and continue flying freely.
Rather than clipping your wings and trapping you by my side, becoming a mere sparrow, that contradicts my original intention.
A man should fight on the battlefield, defending the country, achieving greatness. Therefore, I hope you don’t stay behind out of gratitude."
The sincerity in Shuangshuang’s words moved many of them, and a significant number decided to leave to continue fighting and achieving greatness after her persuasion, going to rejoin General Feng.
However, more than thirty remained, insisting on staying. Shuangshuang calculated that with these people and the Hidden Guards, she would have around a hundred people, which wasn’t too many, especially since she needed people now.
Given this, Shuangshuang decided not to insist they leave and took them in, dividing them into the Cloud Team and Yan Team. She assigned seasoned members to guide these newcomers, as they were all excellent at martial arts, and it would be a pity to waste them, so their skills should be honed.
After dealing with these matters, Shuangshuang gathered Yin Zheng and Mrs. Wang and earnestly spoke to them: "Father, Mother, there is something I have been thinking about for a long time. Ideally, I shouldn’t interfere in this matter, but if I don’t speak up, you won’t contemplate it.
For all these years, you purposely refrained from having more children to take care of me, your daughter. In my childhood, our family was poor, without extra money, and you two toiled daily without extra energy.
But now, things are different. Our family conditions have improved; we can afford to raise more children, even hire help to care for them. I have also grown up, and I’ll be heading to Qinglin County for my appointment alone. In the future, you might find yourselves quite lonely. While you’re still not too old, why not have another child?"