The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Chapter 242 Celebrating with a Feast
Not only was Tong Huaqiong curious about the content of the commendation on the plaque, but the onlookers were equally curious.

"Manager Tong, in recognition of your contributions to the villagers' bumper corn harvest, Lord Yao has specially issued this commendation to you," Magistrate Liu said with a smile.

When the villagers in his jurisdiction received the commendation from the prefect, Magistrate Liu was equally honored.

Tong Huaqiong thought to herself, "No wonder the commendation has arrived now; it turns out it was Lord Yao's idea."

With a command from Magistrate Liu, the red silk on the plaque was unveiled with a whoosh.

As the autumn morning light shone, Tong Huaqiong saw the four large characters "selfless and impartial" written on the plaque.

This is to commend her for selflessly donating pesticides to eradicate ear rot.

The village chief had already ordered people to prepare firecrackers, and the firecrackers went off as soon as the plaque was hung up.

Everyone cheered amidst the noise, and everyone was beaming with joy.

This was the first time anyone in the entire Qinghe Bay had received official recognition.

Moreover, she was a woman, which made it even more significant.

Man'er and Yaozu, along with a group of children, stood cheering amidst the red paper scraps from the firecrackers. Tong Huaqiong spotted Liu Yanhong, the son of Magistrate Liu.

Liu Yanhong followed Man'er around with a bright smile on his face.

"Grandma, I want some pastries." Liu Yanhong met Tong Huaqiong's gaze and ran over to ask for some pastries.

"My dear grandson, I'll get it for you later." Tong Huaqiong smiled and ruffled Liu Yanhong's hair, calling him "my dear grandson" so naturally.

Tong Huaqiong felt that she was now absolutely worthy of being called the godmother by the county magistrate's son.

Tong Huaqiong looked up at the plaque, which was her talisman.

When she first put the clothes on Tong Dajiao's body, she was still hoping that Gu Jingzhe would help her gain status and glory.

Now she earns her own living.

"What's written on it?"

Everyone was very curious about the words on the plaque.

Everyone in the village wanted to know what was on it, but most of them were illiterate and couldn't understand it.

"Completely selfless," Gu Taohua read aloud, pointing to the plaque.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Tong Dajiao is amazing. Not to mention our Qinghewan, no one in the entire Yanguan Town has received such recognition from the government."

"This is all rightfully Aunt Tong's; she saved so many acres of corn."

"This plaque should protect the Gu family now. If someone like Xu Yong tries to bully Tong Dajiao again, he'll have to step over this plaque."

“When we receive an official commendation, I certainly won’t hang it on the door; I’ll enshrine it on the ancestral tablet and burn incense there every day.”

Everyone was talking at once, some envious, some jealous, and the air was filled with the scent of lemons.

Hanging the plaque wasn't the end of it; Magistrate Liu then ordered an attendant to read a eulogy.

The eulogy praised Tong Huaqiong for her great righteousness and selflessness, and for her deep concern for her fellow villagers.
A barrage of beautiful words rained down on Tong Huaqiong, making her lips twitch. She herself was unaware that she was so great.

After the eulogy was read, another official came forward with a box covered with a red silk cloth.

Amidst the curious gazes of the crowd, Magistrate Liu untied the red silk cloth.

A box of gold almost blinded everyone.

"In recognition of Aunt Tong's contribution to the county's bumper corn harvest, this is a reward of one hundred taels of gold for you," said Magistrate Liu, casually changing "Shopkeeper Tong" to "Aunt Tong."

It's perfectly acceptable for Prefect Yao to address him this way, and for him, as Prefect Yao's subordinate, to do so.

After all, it's hard to bring yourself to call someone "godmother."

Tong Huaqiong accepted the gold with both hands, her breath catching in her throat.

She had thought there would be only moral encouragement, not material rewards.

Now that Magistrate Liu has bestowed upon her both spiritual and material rewards, how could she not be happy?

After all, no one can resist the temptation of gold. After Magistrate Liu presented the plaque, read the eulogy, and distributed the gold, he was invited into the courtyard by Tong Huaqiong for tea.

Gu Taohua led her two sisters-in-law into the house and brought out melon seeds, pastries, and hot tea, while Gu Dashu wrapped red envelopes and distributed them to the yamen runners and officials who followed them.

Magistrate Liu drank a cup of tea and then left with his officials.

He still needs to go back to the county government office to handle the case.

Liu Yanhong wanted to stay, so Magistrate Liu directly took the child's hand and asked Tong Huaqiong to take care of him for a few days.

Tong Huaqiong: "."

“Aunt Tong, my son hasn’t been studying properly lately, so I’d like him to stay at your house for a few days and work in the fields with Brother Dahan to temper his character.” Magistrate Liu placed Liu Yanhong’s small hand into Tong Huaqiong’s hand, and hurriedly got into the sedan chair as if afraid that the child would be returned.

"Thank you for your help, Aunt Tong."

Tong Huaqiong: "."

Magistrate Liu's actions were deliberate.

Tong Huaqiong saved his son, and the pesticide she concocted cured the corn in Pingchuan County of ear rot, ushering in a bumper harvest. As the county's top official, his career would shine as a result. Not only that, she also saved his cousin, Lu Zhaoyang. Lu Zhaoyang, hailed as a prodigy of Wanliu Academy, was unable to travel to the capital due to health issues. Now that he was better, he would be taking the imperial examinations in the next two years, and Lu Zhaoyang would become his partner in officialdom.

Magistrate Liu felt that ever since the Liu family met Tong Huaqiong, nothing but good things had happened.

Her own son was spoiled by his mother and became unruly from a young age. If he were placed in Tong Huaqiong's home, he might become more motivated.

After discussing it with Madam Liu, they secretly took Liu Yanhong to Tong Huaqiong's house without telling their mother.

Tong Huaqiong hurriedly ordered Chen Sufen to take out several boxes of pastries from the house and put them in Magistrate Liu's sedan chair, entrusting Magistrate Liu to deliver them to his mother, Han.

Magistrate Liu leaned out of the sedan chair and instructed his son, "Liu Yanhong, you must listen to your godmother. If you disobey, she can beat you with the firewood sticks she uses."

Upon arriving at Qinghe Bay, Liu Yanhong was like a bird released from its cage, readily agreeing: "Dad, don't worry, I will definitely listen to my godmother."

Tong Huaqiong was speechless.

What's the big deal? Magistrate Liu's son stayed in Qinghe Bay. In everyone's eyes, isn't that leaving behind a golden egg?

They're saying she can hit someone with a fire poker all she wants; she wouldn't actually hit her, would she?
"Grandma, I'm going to play with Man'er."

After watching his father's sedan chair drive away, Liu Yanhong let go of Tong Huaqiong's hand and ran to play among Man'er and Yaozu's group of children.

A short while later, Tong Huaqiong heard Liu Yanhong arguing with other children.

It's normal for children to bicker, and as long as they don't cry, Tong Huaqiong decided to let it go.

"Tong Dajiao, you've received official commendation! This is a joyous occasion, shouldn't you throw a feast?" After the officials left, Aunt Qin happily came up to congratulate them and insisted that Tong Huaqiong treat everyone to a meal.

"Yes, yes, yes, set up a few tables," someone chimed in.

“It’s a good thing that my mother-in-law received an award; everyone will be treated to a feast.” Liu Yue’e’s mother, Zhao, was also very proud.

Her mother-in-law's abilities have grown so much that she has received commendation from the government.

With a mother-in-law who has received official recognition, her daughter is sure to have a good life ahead of her.

Zhao was even happier than Tong Huaqiong herself.

Tong Huaqiong doesn't usually like to be high-profile.

But now she has no choice but to be high-profile. With Magistrate Liu making such a big fuss, not only Qinghewan, but probably the whole of Yanguan Town knows that she has received the government's commendation.

For the villagers, this was a joyous occasion comparable to a wedding or the birth of a child, and a banquet was a must to celebrate.

Tong Huaqiong lives in Qinghewan, so naturally she couldn't escape the trend.

In her past life, she was admitted to a prestigious university, and her father hosted a banquet for all the factory workers, with over a dozen tables. In this life, she received an official commendation, and she celebrated by throwing herself a banquet.

Let this be a tribute to my hard-working self in a parallel universe.

So, Tong Huaqiong smiled and said to everyone, "Of course we should set up a few tables to celebrate."

The crowd cheered.