They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 252 Returning Home at the Spring Equinox
As if she had heard something frightening, Chunfen suddenly became afraid and refused to go home. She tightly gripped Xu Zhichun's clothes and kept hiding behind her, saying, "I won't go back, I won't get married, I won't get married."

Madam Xu frowned in displeasure: "Pah, pah, pah! Spring Equinox, what nonsense are you talking about? What kind of girl doesn't get married? People will laugh at you. Come here and come back with me."

Chunfen shook her head wildly: "No, no, if I go back you'll all make me get married."

Madam Xu laughed in exasperation: "You really are a bit silly. Who said you'd get married as soon as you go back? It's a long way off. The wedding will take two months. You need to go home and prepare."

Just as she was about to celebrate the Spring Equinox, Xu's next words dampened her spirits, and she said, "No."

Madam Xu's face darkened: "Spring Equinox! Come here!"

Chunfen's expression faltered; she had always been a little afraid of her sister-in-law. But after a moment of stiffness, she shook her head and protested softly, "No."

Feeling a little dizzy, Xu shifted her gaze to Xu Zhichun: "Zhichun, what's going on? Why has she become so disobedient?"

The implication is, "What have you taught her?"

Xu Zhichun couldn't help but try to negotiate: "Sister-in-law, how about this, let Chunfen stay a few more days, and we can talk about it when the wedding date is closer. By then, she will be mentally prepared."

"What kind of logic is that?" Madam Xu sneered. "What kind of girl is still working in someone else's house when she's ready to be married? It's so unlucky. People will laugh at her if they find out. If you really care about her, tell her to come back with me right away."

Spring Equinox squatted on the ground, covered her face, and cried.

She does not.

She just doesn't want to go back, and she doesn't want to get married.

She is afraid.

She knew that no one liked her, and that getting married meant going to someone else's home and never being able to come home again; she was truly afraid.

"spring equinox!"

Ms. Xu was extremely embarrassed.

Xu Zhichun quickly bent down to comfort Chunfen, but to no avail; Chunfen cried even louder.

After much coaxing, Zhichun finally stopped crying and reluctantly agreed to go back with Xu Shi. After walking only a few steps, she suddenly stopped, turned back, and looked at Xu Zhichun with pleading eyes, feeling an emptiness in her heart, as if something was missing.

She couldn't quite describe the feeling, but she just felt uncomfortable, a kind of empty discomfort.

Xu Zhichun forced a smile: "You can come over and visit if you have nothing to do."

"Uh-huh!"

Spring Equinox's eyes finally lit up.

Xu watched coldly, secretly sneering.

Dream on, she won't allow the Spring Equinox to come again. Would she be foolish enough to work for free if it did? How stupid!
After returning home for the Spring Equinox, Xu Zhichun felt quite down. Fortunately, she still had Muxiang and her much-grown puppy to keep her company.

There are still too few people. Let's wait until we see someone suitable, then we can buy or hire a woman over forty years old long-term.

After much anticipation, Magistrate Lu finally returned.

And they brought back good news!
The government wanted all the potatoes and sweet potatoes from Liangjia Village.

To verify the authenticity and prove that Magistrate Lu was not lying, the Prefect even sent his trusted confidant and a team of constables to Liangjia Village again to witness it firsthand.

Magistrate Lu, Assistant Magistrate Zhao, and Master Shao were in attendance.

Magistrate Lu was quite calm. He didn't blame the prefect for being suspicious, since it was too unbelievable and sensational to be easily believed.
Or rather, who would dare to believe it so easily?
These are not fancy snacks or icing on the cake; they are food that can save lives and feed people during famine years.

After witnessing it, the matter was finally settled.

The memorials from Magistrate Lu and the Prefect were sent to the capital at lightning speed, and Xu Zhichun's name was on them. Magistrate Lu had promised to recommend her for merit, and he kept his word.

To be honest, Xu Zhichun was lucky to have met such an upright, honest, and magnanimous official as Magistrate Lu.

Otherwise, who knows whose credit it would become? For a lowly village woman like Xu Zhichun from a remote area, it would be effortless for officials to claim credit and manipulate her.

Could she possibly go to the capital to appeal to the emperor?
Putting aside the fact that it's a long distance away, does she have any evidence?
Having been in this world for so long, Xu Zhichun naturally understood this principle long ago.

Hearing Magistrate Lu say these words in person put an end to the matter, and Xu Zhichun's heart was finally at peace. He could finally laugh freely and without restraint.

Magistrate Lu also persuaded the prefect to recommend her for merit in his memorial, ensuring that the imperial reward this time would be substantial. Silver and an imperial edict of honor were certain, all invaluable to her. It meant an additional layer of security for her wealth and status.

Magistrate Lu announced on the spot that each household would keep 200 catties, and the rest would be purchased by the imperial court at a price of ten coins per catty; Liangjia Village would be exempt from taxes for three years starting next year. Furthermore, the imperial court would bestow upon Liangjia Village a plaque.

The government was offering a price of ten coins per catty, which was already considered extremely high, considering the large quantity involved and the amount of money required.

Moreover, before this, there really wasn't anything that could be sold for ten coins per pound.

This income alone is enough to make anyone overjoyed.

Moreover, the three-year tax exemption and the plaque of honor for the whole village are real benefits, and the latter are benefits that money can't buy.

Once the plaque is hung in the ancestral hall, it will be something to boast about for at least twenty years!
"Really? Really?!"

"That's wonderful! That's wonderful! Our village is really doing great!"

"Ten coins a pound? Ten coins! That's ten eggs! I should have planted more in the first place."

"Yeah, I regret it so much too. Potatoes are one thing, but we really should have planted more sweet potatoes. I knew they were good, but I never imagined they were this good."

"Ugh"

"Speaking of which, Zhichun has struck it rich again this time."

"That's right, no wonder they're so rich."

"And the village head's family and Qi Tianlin's family, tsk tsk, they've all made a fortune following Zhichun."

"My family will also be clearing land and planting more crops next year!"

"My family is the same!"

"Don't just talk about that. Three years of taxes, three years! That's not a small amount."

"Haha, yeah, you've probably saved up quite a bit this year. You've struck it rich!"

"I wonder what the plaque bestowed by the imperial court will look like. I'll have to take a good look at it when the time comes."

"I wish I could touch it."

"Keep dreaming. The village head, great-grandmother, and great-grandfather will fight you to the death."

Everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere inside and outside the crowd was filled with joy.

Liang Lizheng's face flushed with excitement as he excitedly assured Magistrate Lu, "Please rest assured, Your Honor, I will supervise each household. Apart from the two hundred catties each household keeps, I will sell the rest to the government without missing a single catty!"

"Okay, this matter required your cooperation anyway, and your initiative is perfect, hahaha!"

"Please rest assured, sir!"

Magistrate Lu specially invited Xu Zhichun aside for a short talk so that Xu Zhichun would be fully aware of the imperial court's rewards.

Magistrate Lu hinted to Xu Zhichun that there was little hope of receiving an imperial decree, as it would be difficult to obtain, but a pardon was likely to be granted, which would be a rare honor.

Magistrate Lu was secretly regretful. If he had connections in the imperial court, he could have easily bribed Xu Zhichun and secured a title of Lady of the Township with his merits.

But if there's no one in the court, things will be difficult.

Xu Zhichun was prepared and not greedy. She sincerely expressed her gratitude and took the opportunity to subtly suggest that she wanted some sweet potatoes and potatoes to deal with separately. Magistrate Lu readily agreed, only reminding her not to let others know.