Chapter 365: Noble Title

Chapter 365: Noble Title

The Yu family happily settled into their new home.

The main courtyard of the rear residence, Songhe Hall, was naturally given to Wei Pozi and Yu Laotou.

Wei Pozi and Yu Laotou felt that Songhe Hall, symbolizing longevity like the pine and crane, was quite fitting, so they didn’t change the courtyard’s name and moved in directly.

Xingxing had initially hoped to stay in the same courtyard as Wei Pozi, just like in the old house in Nantuo Village.

However, Wei Pozi considered that the child was growing up, and how could their beloved little girl not have her own space?

Xingxing agreed, though she lingered with her head on Wei Pozi’s shoulder, clearly reluctant.

Wei Pozi almost couldn’t resist softening her stance.

In the end, Wei Pozi chose a small courtyard closest to the main courtyard for Xingxing. The courtyard wasn’t large, but it was built with an open and exquisite design, featuring green walls, black tiles, and upturned eaves. The corridor in the courtyard had glass windows installed, and as the sunlight slanted in, the beauty was breathtaking.

Xingxing loved her little courtyard.

Originally named Qiushui Garden, others might find the name charming, but Xingxing was reminded of the line, "The autumn water of the southern lake is smokeless at night, how can one ride the current straight to the heavens?" The sentiment was perfect, so Xingxing didn’t change the courtyard’s name. Instead, she wrote the three elegant characters "Qiushui Garden" herself and had the servants frame it to use as the courtyard’s name.

The remaining courtyards were chosen according to everyone’s preferences.

Yu Daniu and Li Chunhua chose Qingpu Courtyard, which had a stone mill. Li Chunhua was especially fond of the mill, picturing how delightful it would be to make fragrant tofu on a sunny day. Even the name Qingpu Courtyard felt very fitting, so the first household decided to keep the courtyard’s name and moved in.

Yu Erhu and Bai Xiaofeng lived in a courtyard called Qiuri Pavilion, located on higher ground in the residence. It had a two-story building, and when they opened the windows, they could see the fiery red maple leaves outside. On sunny autumn days, the golden sunlight would stream in, and Bai Xiaofeng pictured herself by the window, sewing clothes for the children, so she immediately decided on this courtyard.

As for Yu Sanbao and Su Rouer, they were drawn to Ningxiang Residence, which had several golden osmanthus trees planted in the courtyard. In late autumn, the scent of osmanthus was enchanting, and Su Rouer loved it. Although Yu Sanbao thought the name Ningxiang Residence was too delicate, he gave in to Su Rouer’s wishes, so the third household didn’t change the name.

Yu Siyang and Ah Wu moved into Xianxian Courtyard, which was near the water. Ah Wu could open the corridor window and see the rippling blue waves of the pond outside, with the sound of rain on the withered lotus, adding a touch of poetry to the scene. Yu Siyang appreciated the convenience of fetching water for his crafts in the courtyard.

As for the grown-up boys, each had their own private space. The younger ones naturally stayed with their parents for now and would choose their own courtyards when they were older.

There were still several courtyards left vacant. Wei Pozi figured there would be enough for the boys when they married and had children. Beyond that, she didn’t worry about it.

Bai Ge’er said, "No problem, I’ll ask the estate agent to watch for us. If any neighboring houses are for sale, it would be best to buy them and connect them."

Wei Pozi’s face brightened, and she nodded repeatedly, thinking this was a good idea.

Daxisipo, having spent so long in a bustling place, was already very uncomfortable. Seeing the Yu family move, she said she wanted to leave.

Xingxing had previously asked Bai Ge’er to help find an estate agent to look at the barren mountains near the outskirts of the capital. Finally, she settled on a manor with a hot spring on the mountain and bought it with her own savings. She handed the deed straight to Daxisipo: "Grandma Daxi, I’ve bought the manor for you. You can grow medicinal herbs if you want, or stay in the mountains. Just let me stay with you for a while every now and then, okay?"

Daxisipo’s lips moved, and she finally took the deed, huffing, "You little rascal, always know how to melt my heart!"

Xingxing beamed at Daxisipo, nuzzling her cheek like a kitten. Daxisipo complained, "You’re like a little kitten."

But the corners of her mouth were turned up.

In the end, Daxisipo moved to the manor Xingxing had bought for her.

The manor had specialized tenants who raised chickens, ducks, and geese. Bai Ge’er specially hired an experienced farmer to plant some medicinal herbs suitable for the season.

Daxisipo’s stone house was in a relatively hidden place in the mountains, previously a forester’s residence. These days, Bai Ge’er had people renovate it, install a stove, and dig a cellar, storing plenty of fruits and vegetables. Besides digging a water channel from a nearby stream, they also used bamboo pipes to bring in hot spring water, making Daxisipo’s life more convenient.

Even Daxisipo, with her high standards, couldn’t help but be pleased.

During the days the Yu family was moving and settling in, the Liu family faced a sudden and dramatic crisis—

Liu Haiqing's crime of driving a peasant girl to her death was proven with solid evidence. Liu Qingyuan tried to bribe others to cover up the crime, and along with other underhanded activities uncovered by the Shuntian Prefecture, he was sentenced to exile with multiple charges. Even Lady Cui from the ancestral temple could not escape punishment.

Moreover, starting from Liu Qingyuan, three generations of his descendants were forbidden from entering officialdom, effectively ending Liu Qingyuan's lineage's political aspirations for decades.

Grandfather Liu, having written letters to expose the crimes and having previously written to several respected elders to witness the division of the Liu family, succeeded in preserving most of the family's book collection.

The private assets under the first household of the Liu family were confiscated. Although Grandfather Liu and Ah Wu had previously entrusted their private assets to the first household, they had reclaimed them a few days before the incident, cutting all ties with the first household, thus preserving these assets.

Ah Wu brought Grandfather Liu back to the Yujia residence—now the General of the Western Garrison's mansion bestowed by the emperor—and offered to take care of him in his old age.

Grandfather Liu simply smiled without verbally agreeing.

...

On the day the plaque of the General of the Western Garrison's mansion was hung at the entrance, an imperial edict arrived from the palace, granting Wei Pozi the title of Third-Rank Lady and Li Chunhua the title of Fifth-Rank Lady.

The news shocked Wei Pozi and Li Chunhua, who knelt stiffly to receive the imperial edict, taking a moment to process the news.

They had naturally heard of the titles of noblewomen and had imagined that Huai Geer might earn them such titles with his military achievements in the future.

They never expected the titles to come so quickly!

Fortunately, Huai Geer reacted quickly, leading the entire family to shout "Thank you for the imperial grace" and receive the edict.

Although Wei Pozi and Li Chunhua were stiff when receiving the imperial edict, which was somewhat impolite, the eunuch who delivered the edict, intending to curry favor with the rising General of the Western Garrison, did not reprimand them but instead smiled and said, "Lady Wei and Lady Li are simply too overjoyed."

Bai Ge'er, being very tactful, slipped banknotes to the eunuchs to invite them for tea, and then saw them off.