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

Chapter 341 The Emperor's Kindness

"Mother, now that you're the village head, won't no one dare to mess with us when we do business?"

After Tong Huaqiong put away the imperial edict, the whole family sat together to eat tea and snacks. Gu Taohua asked with delight about the impact of the title bestowed upon the village lord on their business.

“Then no one in the Pingchuan County area would dare to mess with them,” Tong Huaqiong said.

Once you get to the prefectural city, things might be different.

There are many hidden talents in the prefectural city, and many families have connections with the capital.

In the past, no matter how many prefects came to Ningcheng, they could not suppress these local bullies. It was only when Prefect Yao came to the prefectural city with the backing of the Yao family, a family with a hundred-year history, that he was able to suppress them.

Gu Taohua smiled broadly and said, "Then we can just focus on doing business without worrying about other people's schemes."

Even if it only brings this effect to peach blossom desserts, Gu Taohua is satisfied.

After all, whether the pastries are delicious or not is irrelevant even if you have the title of "Lord of the Country".

People come to buy pastries not because of the village lord's reputation, but because the pastries are delicious and reasonably priced.

Tong Huaqiong said, "In Yanguan Town, if anyone dares to plot against the local lord, the emperor's edict will probably be in vain."

Gu Jingzhe said, "Sister, now that Mother has become the village head, she will be subject to supervision by the local inspectors. The more this is the case, the more careful and cautious we must be, and the more we must be honest. When you get to the shop tomorrow, you must emphasize this point to the staff. We can't let everyone get arrogant just because Mother is the village head."

Gu Jingzhe knew that every place had a supervisory office, whose people were responsible for supervising officials, princes, noble families, and others who had connections with the royal family.

As the newly appointed village head, Tong Huaqiong might already be being watched by a pair of eyes in the shadows.

Therefore, the higher one's status rises, the more humble one should be.

Tong Huaqiong gave Gu Jingzhe an approving look.

The youngest son has figured it out.

In the past, she could throw a tantrum under the title of Widow Tong and be seen as weak and pitiful. Now, she can only be seen as bullying others by throwing a tantrum under the title of Lady Xiangjun.

Therefore, the title of "village lord" has both advantages and disadvantages.

Overall, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Gu Taohua nodded.

Not to mention the guy getting cocky, she's getting a little cocky herself now.

No, we have to stop.

Gu Dahan said, "No matter what the village chief can bring to our family, we should just live as usual."

Tong Huaqiong said, "That's exactly the principle Da Han was talking about. You all need to remember this. In the future, when you're out doing things, don't be afraid of trouble, but don't use your title as the village head to cause me any trouble."

Gu Taohua and the others rushed to promise that they would never cause trouble.

"Mother, now even the Emperor in Shengjing knows about you. If we expand our business to Shengjing, won't we have the Emperor protecting us?" Liu Yue'e asked happily.

Today, when she took the lead in hosting the villagers for a meal, the villagers all said that even the emperor of Shengjing was now her mother-in-law's backer, and her mother-in-law's backer was equivalent to the Gu family's backer.

Even within the entire Pingchuan County, it would be an explosive force.

Liu Yue'e was extremely proud. The Gu family used to be poor, but now they are rich. However, they are still farmers like the people of Qinghewan. Who knows what will happen in the future?

When the emperor was mentioned, the whole family fell silent.

Liu Yue'e, oblivious to everything, looked at Su Chengmin under the lamplight and said, "Laifu, when you were in the capital before, did you meet the Emperor? What was the Emperor like? Was he very kind and approachable?"

Liu Yue'e had a great fondness for the emperor in Shengjing.

This old emperor is really something, he even acknowledges the merits of a country woman.

Tong Huaqiong frowned and scolded, "Yue'e, what nonsense are you talking about? How could Laifu have ever been to the capital and met the Emperor?" Only then did Liu Yue'e realize her mistake.

Although her mother-in-law didn't say it explicitly, Shengjing and the emperor were taboo words for the Gu family.

If Tong Huaqiong hadn't received the imperial edict from Shengjing, the emperor would never have appeared in the Gu family's lives.

She lightly slapped herself and said, "Mother, I didn't mean it. I didn't watch my words. Please forgive me."

Tong Huaqiong sneered, "If you mention Shengjing and the Emperor again next time, see if I'll spare you."

Liu Yue'e felt a little wronged and mumbled, "Didn't Mother also receive the title of Lady of the Township from the Emperor himself? We should naturally express our gratitude to the Emperor for his grace."

Without the Emperor's great favor, no matter how capable my mother-in-law was, no one would have granted her the title of a county magistrate.

Liu Yue'e felt it was only right to thank the Emperor.

The mother-in-law may forbid the family from mentioning the Emperor because of Xiaolong and Su Chengmin, but the family should not be ungrateful to the Emperor.

Before Tong Huaqiong could reprimand Liu Yue'e, a cold laugh came from the shadows, saying, "Sister-in-law Yue'e, do you know that both thunder and rain are forms of imperial favor? You should be grateful to the person on the dragon throne for being kind to you today, and you should still be grateful even if he cuts off your head and turns you into a ghost tomorrow."

Provoked by Su Chengmin, Liu Yue'e said, "We ordinary people don't participate in any rebellion or anything, so no matter how much you kill us, it won't be our turn."

The moment those words were spoken, everyone's expression changed.

Su Chengmin's eyes turned stern.

Tong Huaqiong shouted angrily, "You're getting more and more outrageous. Yue'e, let me tell you, don't say things like 'the Emperor is our backer' or 'treason will be punished with death.' Don't go to the shop these next few days. Stay home and study your characters properly. Copy each character I've taught you these next two days a hundred times. You can only go out when you've finished copying them."

Liu Yue'e reluctantly agreed.

Her mother-in-law finally got her under control, and preventing her from leaving the house was like a death sentence.

She also had to practice calligraphy, which Liu Yue'e felt was too harsh, as she couldn't even hold a calligraphy brush properly.

After returning from the prefectural city, at Tong Huaqiong's request, Liu Yue'e, Chen Sufeng, and Gu Dahan began to implement the literacy program.

Sometimes Tong Huaqiong taught, and sometimes Gu Taohua taught, during the evenings.

Now.
Tong Huaqiong looked at Su Chengmin and said with a smile, "Laifu, since you've become the teacher at the private school, why not entrust the task of teaching Su Fen, Yue'e, and the others to read to you as well?"

Could Su Chengmin refuse?
Obviously not.

Su Chengmin said, "Alright, I'll take care of my brother and sister-in-law's literacy task."

The news that Tong Huaqiong had been granted the title of Township Lady spread like wildfire throughout Yanguan Town, and people from Heilongtan Town who came to Yanguan Town to visit relatives and friends or go to the market naturally heard about it.

The people of Heilongtan Town knew, and naturally, the Tong family knew as well.

Tong Fusheng and Wang Shi naturally wanted to come to Qinghe Bay to ride on Tong Huaqiong's popularity, but since Tong Huaqiong didn't recognize them after their visit in the summer, they didn't dare to come this time either.

Tong Zhaodi then suggested to Tong Fusheng and Wang Shi that the married older sister, Pan Di, visit her aunt's door to ease tensions.

After all, Pan Di's father-in-law had only recently been promoted to village head of Heilongtan, so it was only right for the village head to go and congratulate the daughter of his hometown who had married out.

Tong Fusheng and Wang thought it was a good idea.

He then went to Tong Pandi's door.

Tong Pandi, heavily pregnant, was sitting at the doorway arguing with her mother-in-law.

Tong Fusheng wanted to go up and slap Tong Pandi across the face.

Since recovering from her illness last year, this girl seems to have lost her soul, and her behavior is becoming more and more like her younger sister, Tong Dajiao.

Instead of serving her mother-in-law, she sat at the door and argued with her. Tong Fusheng felt that he had lost all face.