After transmigrating into the body of a widow, I became the richest man in the capital.

Chapter 250 Even the Emperor Has to Pay
The Emperor pretended to have forgotten the time and said to Pei Yuan with a smile, "It seems that I was too excited to meet Brother Pei and forgot the time of meal."

At this moment, Magistrate Huang also came in to greet the Emperor, so the Emperor still had to put on a show in front of everyone and try his best to appear very friendly with Pei Yuan.

Of course, this was all just for show, and Pei Yuan didn't expose him, only smiling without saying a word.

At the dinner table, the emperor was actually just making conversation.

His purpose in making the trip was also to understand the living conditions of the local people. So, he put down his chopsticks and asked Magistrate Huang a question.

“Magistrate Huang, I remember you submitted a memorial last year saying that many refugees had been wandering around your county. How did you settle these refugees?”

The Emperor wanted to hear Magistrate Huang's solution to this matter, and Magistrate Huang pondered for a moment.

Although he felt guilty, he still mustered his spirits and told the emperor his solution. He didn't answer fluently, but he still expressed his thoughts in a way that neither offended anyone nor failed to take all the credit for himself.

"That's right. With General Pei Yuan's help, I opened the granaries to distribute grain and provide relief to the disaster victims. In addition, the wealthy families in the town have been helping me with this matter. It was through this two-pronged approach that the refugees in our town were able to get through the crisis together."

"Really? There was help from the common people? Tell me which wealthy family provided the assistance, and I will certainly reward them accordingly."

Magistrate Huang quickly reported the names of Qian Musheng and Su Xiaoxiao, and also told the Emperor about Su Xiaoxiao's help in catching insects in the neighboring county.

The Emperor was overjoyed when he heard Su Xiaoxiao's name.

"It seems that Magistrate Huang is a capable administrator. The fact that a talent like Su Xiaoxiao has emerged in this county is quite an achievement."

Magistrate Huang quickly replied modestly, "Not at all, this is all I should do."

Magistrate Huang received praise this time, but he remained quite modest, which shows that he is very good at dealing with people.

"I have some time this afternoon. May I come with you to see how the people in the city are living?"

"Alright, Your Majesty, please rest after your meal. I will go and make the preparations now."

Magistrate Huang withdrew.

In reality, such consideration for the people's plight is useless. They have already gone down to make preparations, and what is shown to the emperor is naturally what is prepared. The people live in peace and contentment, and every household lives as if in paradise, a picture of a beautiful and prosperous land.

Even so, these rulers at the very top can never see the truth.

It's the same no matter the era.

In the afternoon, countless armored cavalrymen cleared the way on both sides, escorting the emperor's sedan chair on his tour.

People on both sides of the road knelt by the roadside. The emperor's sedan chair curtain was only a thin layer of white gauze, so everyone could still see the emperor's appearance clearly.

Some people who never imagined they would one day see the emperor in his true form stared wide-eyed.

Is this the Emperor?

Look at them sitting in the sedan chair, looking so elegant and noble, they're like a celestial being descended to earth, so majestic.

The emperor stepped down from his sedan chair and went to the shops along the roadside. He chatted warmly, kindly, and approachably with the shop owners.

If only I had a camera at that moment, the flashes would have blinded me. This is the Emperor, after all! The shop owners who usually talk arrogantly to ordinary people are all very kind and amiable in front of the Emperor.

Everyone was in harmony, chatting and laughing, a picture of prosperity and good times.

Finally, Magistrate Huang took the Emperor to the jam shop where Su Xiaoxiao worked.

“I’m familiar with this store.”

The Emperor had indeed visited before; how could he possibly forget the shop owned by Su Xiaoxiao's family?

"The common people meet the Emperor."

Su Xiaoxiao hurriedly ran to the Emperor's side, bringing along her shop assistants, and knelt before him.

"Rise." "Get up, all of you!"

Of course, the emperor had to act as if he was trying to get closer to the people, and put on a friendly demeanor, always wearing a smile wherever he went.

The Emperor briefly toured Su Xiaoxiao's shop and inquired about the sales of the jams.

In the end, the emperor was still drawn to the mirror that Su Xiaoxiao's family had commissioned to be made.

"This mirror is nice, quite unique."

Su Xiaoxiao quickly stepped forward, "If Your Majesty likes it, I will find someone to make an identical mirror for you right now."

"That's thoughtful."

I never expected that the emperor would ask people for things when he went on an inspection tour.

The ministers and women following behind the emperor were all browsing in the shop. Since the emperor had allowed them to do so today, everyone was taking the opportunity to shop around. If they saw something they liked, they could have it delivered to them immediately without spending any money.

It must be delivered to the recipient with utmost respect; other shops would never have the chance to do so.

"This shop is quite unique."

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."

The face creams and perfumes, in particular, were absolutely adored by these women.

How could the emperor, who spends so much time in the deep palace, possibly have seen such rare and unusual things?

Moreover, Su Xiaoxiao's shop now offers several more varieties of jam, such as grape and apple, pear and blueberry, and the flavors of these jams are so amazing that even the emperor was amazed.

He tried them all, even though he himself is someone who likes sweets.

Everyone explored the entire place, and almost everyone found something they liked.

When everyone had finished shopping, and almost every minister, lady-in-waiting, and even the emperor's maids had something in their hands, Su Xiaoxiao blocked their way at the door.

"Please pay your bills before you leave!"

"Bill, please?"

"Yes, that means you pay before you leave."

"Isn't it?"

Magistrate Huang and his entourage were all taken aback. What was going on?
Has Su Xiaoxiao become too bold? The other shop owners are all eager to have the emperor come and pick something out of their shops; they'd be happy to give it to him.

Unexpectedly, Su Xiaoxiao was so bold as to ask the Emperor for money.

"You have to pay for all this stuff. What kind of business is it if you don't pay for all the things you've chosen?"

After the Emperor sent someone to pay and left, Magistrate Huang ran back, looked at Su Xiaoxiao's face, and pointed directly at her.

"No way, Mr. Su, are you tired of living? Do you dare to charge the Emperor?"

Su Xiaoxiao calmly replied, "Does buying things mean you have to pay for them? These things didn't just fall from the sky."

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Huang stamped his foot in exasperation and left.

The last person to leave was Pei Yuan, who smiled as he looked at Su Xiaoxiao.

She smiled radiantly, as if to say, "She truly is my woman."

(End of this chapter)