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

“Of course we’ll display it,” Tong Huaqiong said.

We already held a banquet when we received the commendation plaque from the prefect last time, and this time, having received the imperial decree to be conferred the title of Township Lady, we certainly can't not hold a banquet.

"Well, today is a double celebration for our village. First, Dashu Niang has been bestowed the title of Township Lady, and second, the private school has started. We should celebrate properly. I have wine and food at home, so you don't need to prepare anything, Township Lady Suifeng. Just use your courtyard." Village Chief Liu said respectfully.

Village Chief Liu used to call her "Great Heat Mother," but before Tong Huaqiong's imperial decree could even warm up, Village Chief Liu changed his tune.

Tong Huaqiong found it very difficult to accept being addressed as "Suifeng Township Lord" repeatedly.

To entertain Mr. Li, Village Chief Liu prepared a lot of food and wine. Mr. Li was unable to come, so he ate some of the food and wine himself, and kept the remaining live chickens and fish at home.

Now it can come in handy.

The villagers were overjoyed to hear that there would be a feast to eat.

For the villagers, the joy comes from the fact that their children can go to school, that the corn harvest is bountiful, and that they can have a feast.

“Oh, my dear, I’m sorry, my family has a lamb leg left over from the Mid-Autumn Festival. I’ll bring it to you to add to your joy.”

"Then I'll slaughter my two fat ducks that don't lay eggs and add them to the dishes."

"My lord, I still have some fruit and melon seeds left over from my meal. I'll bring them over and arrange them on a plate."

"My lord, I have no meat at home, but I'll go and get some of my dried green beans; they'll make a delicious stew."

Inspired by Aunt Qin and Zhao, the mother-in-law of Liu Yue'e, the village women and wives all wanted to add dishes and meat to the feast.

After all, Tong Dajiao had been personally bestowed the title of Lady of Suifeng Township by the Emperor, so shouldn't everyone add gifts and express their joy?
Tong Huaqiong's face flushed as she was addressed as "Xiangjun" repeatedly.

If this continues, won't I have to bow to her every time I see her in the future?

It is precisely at times like these that we must keep a low profile and not act arrogantly.

Tong Huaqiong smiled and said to everyone, "We're all from the same village, so you can call me whatever you like. I prefer to be called Aunt Dashu, Aunt Tong, or Aunt Tong. Please don't call me 'Village Head'."

Everyone agreed and went home to get the vegetables and meat.

The villagers busied themselves in the Gu family's courtyard.

Chen Sufeng was too pregnant to manage the kitchen work, so Liu Yue'e led several young wives from the village to roll up their sleeves and go into the kitchen.

Tong Huaqiong noticed that Chen Sufeng's face was a little pale and asked with concern, "How are you? Should we call a doctor?"

Chen Sufen said, "I'm fine, I was just startled by the eunuch who announced the imperial decree."

Tong Huaqiong expressed her understanding.

When the Gu family first met that old man, they all suspected that he was harboring remnants of a traitor.

Chen Su-fen experienced a strong shift from fear and shock to surprise, which was normal for her body to be affected as she was pregnant.

Tong Huaqiong told Chen Sufeng to go inside and rest, but Chen Sufeng shook her head, saying that standing in the yard and getting some fresh air would make her feel better.

Tong Huaqiong's concern for Chen Sufen was noticed by all the young wives in the kitchen.

One of the young wives said to Liu Yue'e, "Your mother-in-law has changed so much in the past six months. She's been incredibly good to your eldest son's family. Look at her, she doesn't even let your sister-in-law cook. Who in the village doesn't work when they're pregnant? Why is your sister-in-law treated so preciously?"

Liu Yue'e lowered her head and kneaded the dough without saying a word.

The young woman continued, "Now that the eldest son's family already has one, and your sister-in-law is pregnant with another son, the eldest son's family will be putting more pressure on you. We often say behind your backs that the eldest son's family seems more like Aunt Tong's biological daughter, while you second son's family doesn't seem like her biological daughter at all. Now the eldest son and his wife are both at home, inseparable day and night, while you and Da Shu are living apart. How are you going to help Yao Zu give birth? Your mother-in-law is now the village head, I wonder how much of a benefit you and Da Shu will get."

This young woman's family also lived in Qinghewan. She married into the same village and was very close to Liu Yue'e.

Liu Yue'e raised her head, rubbing her flour-covered hands, and said, "My mother-in-law treats me very well. Look at the fashionable satin clothes I'm wearing in the city and the gold-inlaid hairpin in my hair—weren't they all gifts from my mother-in-law? You've always loved to compete with me since we were little. Now that I'm doing well, are you trying to sow discord?"

“My mother-in-law became the village head, so no matter how much she benefits from it, she’s still the village head’s son, and I’m still the village head’s daughter-in-law. If you tell others, you can only be Old Man Tian’s daughter-in-law.” The young woman’s face turned awkward after Liu Yue’e’s retort.

Liu Yue'e truly revealed her innermost thoughts.

They were all girls from Qinghewan who grew up together, and they all harbored a competitive spirit from a young age.

When young, girls compare whose hair ornaments are the prettiest and whose clothes are the newest. After marriage, they compare the living conditions of their in-laws and whose husbands are the most caring.

When Liu Yue'e was a young woman, she always came out on top in every competition.

After she eloped with Gu Dashu and married into the Gu family, she was at a disadvantage.

Ever since her mother-in-law opened the shop and the Gu family's life improved, Liu Yue'e has become the one who competes with the other young wives for status.

"You may be sour, but it won't stop me from enjoying a good life. Just wait and see, my life will only get better and better once my mother-in-law becomes the village head. I advise you to stop trying to sow discord. Instead of wasting your time, you should learn from my mother-in-law how to make money and live a good life," Liu Yue'e said bluntly.

Liu Yue'e wasn't stupid. These close friends, who seemed to be speaking up for her, were actually full of jealousy and deliberately trying to sow discord between her and others.

If she falls for it and expresses her dissatisfaction with her mother-in-law, it will reach her mother-in-law's ears without her even waiting until tomorrow.

The young wife felt embarrassed and, unable to stay in the kitchen any longer, slunk out.

However, Liu Yue'e was not unmoved by these words.

Before Prefect Yao and his entourage had even left Yanguan Town, the news that Tong Huaqiong had been granted the title of Township Lady spread like wildfire throughout the town.

The peach blossom dessert was a huge hit.

Her mother was granted the title of Lady of the Township, and it was even an imperial edict personally issued by the emperor. Gu Taohua was so excited that she could no longer concentrate on her business.

Gu Taohua gave her companion a few instructions and then hired a car to head home.

Hong and she were together, and the two of them couldn't wait to sprout wings and fly to Qinghe Bay to witness the glorious moment.

Unfortunately, all the cars in the car rental shop were already booked today, and Gu Taohua waited for a long time but still couldn't hire a car.

There were no horse-drawn carriages, and no donkey carts either.

Gu Taohua came to Fenglelou to borrow Boss Qian's carriage, but learned from the waiter that Boss Qian had already driven the carriage towards Qinghewan.

Gu Taohua stomped her foot and complained that Boss Qian lacked martial ethics and didn't know to invite her and Madam Hong to join him.

"Peach Blossom."

Gu Taohua heard someone calling her and turned around to see a carriage stop.

Huang Jingshan, the daughter of the wealthy Huang family, poked her head out and asked Gu Taohua with a smile, "You look so anxious, what happened?"

Huang Jingshan accompanied Grandma Huang to offer incense when she spotted Gu Taohua stamping her feet anxiously in the crowd.

Gu Taohua said, "News came from Qinghewan that the emperor of Shengjing issued an imperial edict to my mother, bestowing upon her the title of Township Lady. Aunt Hong and I wanted to rush back to see her, but we couldn't hire a carriage."

Old Mrs. Huang abruptly pulled back the carriage curtain, and Zhu Cui poked her head out, saying, "What? Your mother received an imperial decree?"

Grandma Huang and Huang Jingshan have not yet heard the news.

Gu Taohua nodded and said, "They said it was an imperial eunuch from Shengjing who came to deliver the imperial decree."

Grandma Huang got excited. What were we waiting for? She was going to Qinghe Bay to join in the fun.

When can't we offer incense?

So he beckoned Gu Taohua and Madam Hong to get into the carriage, saying, "What are you waiting for? Come on in, I want to take a look too." (End of Chapter)