The Ace Bigshot Becomes A Farmgirl

Chapter 1037: Chapter 1037: The Undeservedly Famous County Magistrate Zhang

Xiang Weinan indeed meant this, he nodded, ”You, this Village Chief, are genuine, recognized by the entire imperial court for your achievements, proclaimed by the Emperor to the world, and enjoy a stipend. Her? It’s just an empty title.”

Shu Yu was curious, ”What do you mean?”

”This County Magistrate Zhang’s family used to run a small business, about... seven years ago? It seemed to be around that time. The Zhang family brought her to the capital to seek relatives, coincidentally when the Empress Dowager was persuaded to leave the palace in disguise for a secret visit. Who knew they would encounter assassins, and by coincidence, the Empress Dowager was saved by this County Magistrate Zhang, even taking a knife for her amidst the chaos.”

Such incidents are not uncommon; throughout history, there have been countless people who shielded the Emperor or Empress Dowager from knives.

In the beginning, no one mentioned conferring the title of county magistrate upon her, but of course, rewards would be very generous.

However, this County Magistrate Zhang suffered a serious injury from the stab wound and was once at death’s door. Fortunately, the Imperial Physician saved her just in time, and after several days of unconsciousness, she finally woke up.

The Empress Dowager, having recovered from the shock, praised the twelve or thirteen-year-old girl who shielded her, commending her for her bravery at such a young age, and asked her what reward she desired.

At the time, it was unclear whether County Magistrate Zhang was still in shock or wanted to advance by retreating. She said she wanted no reward; she considered it an honor to shield the Empress Dowager with her back wound a badge of merit.

The Empress Dowager was deeply moved by this, telling her only to recover well and that she would not be treated unfairly.

County Magistrate Zhang recuperated in the Imperial Hospital within the palace, with the Empress Dowager occasionally visiting her. Over time, the two developed a good rapport, and the Empress Dowager became very fond of her.

Xiang Weinan said, ”Actually, the Empress Dowager was transferring her emotions. Many years ago, the Empress Dowager had a young daughter who died of illness at the age of twelve or thirteen. Since then, the Empress Dowager had been a devout Buddhist for many years. It’s unknown what about County Magistrate Zhang resembled the young princess of yore. In any case, the Empress Dowager later asked the Emperor to enfeoff her as a county magistrate.”

The Emperor initially disagreed; he thought a generous reward was sufficient for this girl, and there was no need to confer the title of county magistrate, as the blessings were already too deep.

But the Empress Dowager was unhappy, chastising the Emperor for being so ungrateful to a girl who saved his mother, which was truly unfilial.

The Emperor was troubled, and finally acquiesced, though this title of county magistrate came with neither a stipend nor a fief, serving as nothing more than a nominal title.

County Magistrate Zhang then stayed in the capital, living there for two years.

But those two years were sufficient for her to experience the warmth and coldness of human relationships. What place is the capital but a concentration of power and nobility? Not to mention, she was a county magistrate; even commandery princesses and imperial princesses were in abundance. Moreover, apart from occasional attention from the Empress Dowager, she had nothing, was nothing.

County Magistrate Zhang wanted to try and integrate into these circles, but clearly, others didn’t think much of her. She didn’t even know how she was ridiculed behind her back.

County Magistrate Zhang felt depressed that she couldn’t make a name for herself in the capital. If she returned to her hometown instead? Dongan Province didn’t even have a county magistrate.

As it happened, the Empress Dowager passed away two years later.

She lost her greatest and only support. The Emperor even forgot her existence as a county magistrate. In the capital, even daughters of officials of the fifth or sixth rank could disregard her completely. What was the point of County Magistrate Zhang staying in the capital any longer?

At that time, County Magistrate Zhang packed up and returned, and in Dongan Province, she was noticeably more at ease than in the capital.

Most young ladies and madams treated her as an esteemed guest here, with numerous people trying to ingratiate themselves with her.