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

Chapter 319 Madam Lu's Invitation

Madam Han forced Liang Cuier to accompany her on the visit. Liang Cuier was extremely unwilling, but her objections were ineffective, so she had no choice but to reluctantly go with Madam Han.

If Xu Zhichun is so easily manipulated, then there will be countless troubles ahead.

Things are different now; there aren't many people willing to fawn over others anymore.

Xu Zhichun ignored all those people who claimed to be relatives, people he had never heard of, and people from unknown villages.

Some people, enraged, made veiled insults, implying that she looked down on poor relatives now that she was successful and didn't need her help. Granny Qin Qing quickly retorted with a few words.

Some people, however, are truly ruthless. They come to our door wanting to borrow money, claiming they can't afford a dowry for their wedding or they're too poor to afford medical treatment. Their words are all about playing the victim and saying things like, "You're so rich, you can't spend all your money anyway. Lend us some and we'll remember your kindness."

Xu Zhichun ignored them all.

As long as she is cold and aloof enough, no one will dare to act recklessly or presumptuously.

The name of Madam Shanci is impressive enough.

The most ridiculous thing was an old lady who called herself "Grandma" or something, pretending to be crazy and acting like a grandparent or elder in front of her, acting like "one of us" and "I'm your elder." When she didn't take the bait, the "Grandma" got angry and accused her, yelling, "What kind of kind and benevolent lady is she? I think she's not kind or benevolent at all. She doesn't deserve the title of kind and benevolent lady. She's just a cold-blooded and heartless person who doesn't respect her elders and is unfilial!"

Xu Zhichun didn't tolerate it. He immediately asked Liang, the village head, to go to the other village to negotiate with the village head and clan chief.

What "aunt"? She was just Liang Minglang's maternal grandmother's cousin.

Liang Minglang's maternal grandparents had long passed away, and he only had an aunt who married far away to another county. They had lost contact with her many years ago, so where did this supposed elder relative come from? It was quite a joke.

After that, all the "relatives" finally quieted down.

As for what they might say behind their backs, neither Xu Zhichun nor Liang Mingxuan cared.

After all, most people are normal, and it's not their place to say anything; the truly exceptional are always a minority.

Han Fengshi's petty schemes and tricks are nothing compared to these.

Xu Zhichun didn't even let the two sisters-in-law in. Qin Qing, the old woman, brought up what had happened before. Liang Cuier turned away angrily, her face flushed. Han Fengshi's smile became forced, and she tried to say something like, "That was just said in anger. We're family, so we shouldn't talk like strangers. Now that you know you were wrong," but Qin Qing didn't budge.

The two women had no choice but to leave in a huff.

Liang Cuier brought Han Fengshi back to her parents' home. After exchanging pleasantries, Han Fengshi and Zhang Shi surprisingly got along quite well and started complaining about Xu Zhichun together.

Surprisingly, Zhang felt that her daughter's marriage wasn't entirely wrong; at least the man was sensible.

This was an unexpected surprise for their family.

After the Lantern Festival, Liang Mingxuan still went to the county school, and everything in the village gradually returned to normal.

Gradually, preparations for spring plowing will begin.

For Xu Zhichun's family, they will be planting paddy fields, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and konjac this year, as well as agar seeds for making ice jelly. Xu Zhichun also plans to plant some of these in the Qingquan Farm area.

Besides these, there are also snow lotus fruit, strawberries, tomatoes, and watermelons, all of which are good things.

We'll also plant some fruit trees and let some chickens roam freely in the orchards. We'll raise more pigs in Loujia Village; that way we can get meat and more manure.

Farmers cannot grow crops without sufficient fertility. Although they can burn wood ash, it is clearly not enough. They still have to rely on the produce from poultry and livestock.

Although Xu Zhichun's space warehouse has a lot of organic fertilizer, he has to find an excuse to use it. Even so, it is hard to guarantee that people will not suspect anything over time.

Of course, it's better if it can be solved in a down-to-earth manner.

In late January, the county magistrate's wife invited Xu Zhichun to her home. Xu Zhichun was somewhat puzzled.

During the Spring Festival, she and Mingxuan made a special trip to the county government office to pay their respects and exchange greetings. They had already met the county magistrate's wife, and so many days had passed, how could this happen again—

The maid who came to deliver the invitation also told Xu Zhichun that Madam Fan, the wife of the provincial magistrate, had arrived. During their conversation, she mentioned Madam Xu and said she wanted to see her, so she asked Madam Xu to come over the next day.

So that's how it is. Xu Zhichun smiled and said, "In that case, I'll go."

If I were the wife of the magistrate, I would probably be quite curious as well.

"I wonder what Madam Fan's likes and dislikes are? I'd like to prepare in advance."

Xu Zhichun asked with a smile, and casually stuffed a small purse into the servant woman's hand.

During the first month of the lunar year, I bought many of these small pouches for tipping, filled with silver melon seeds, silver peanuts, and the like.

The maidservant accepted it with a smile without refusing, and reminded her, "Granny Ji said that this Madam Fan comes from a prominent family and has been favored since childhood. Her family helped her get the position of Assistant Magistrate Fan. Besides Madam Fan, there are no other concubines or maids in the Fan family's backyard. Many wives in official circles envy Madam Fan, saying that she was favored in her family and is treated like a precious jewel after marriage. No one can have a better life than her."

"Mrs. Xu, there's no need to prepare anything special. Just treat us as your hostess and we can have a casual get-together."

Born into a prominent family, favored by her parents, and able to manage the household after marriage—since Granny Ji specifically pointed these out, it couldn't just be gossip.

She was telling herself that this Mrs. Fan was arrogant, spoiled, domineering, and perhaps even jealous.

Xu Zhichun felt a headache coming on.

The next day, Xu Zhichun took Qin Qing, the old woman, to the backyard of the county government office.

Upon meeting her, Xu Zhichun knew that this Mrs. Fan did not like him.

"This must be Madam Xu? She looks to be under twenty, isn't she? So young! Your Qingshan County is truly a place of beautiful scenery and outstanding people, it's truly enviable!"

Madam Fan glanced at Xu Zhichun, then turned to Madam Lu with a smile and started joking around.

Madam Lu joked, "Madam Fan has a good eye. Our Qingshan County is indeed a good place. It's a pity that the weather isn't warm yet. The scenery will be even better in a month or two."

"Really? Then I'll come again then. Please don't mind, Madam Lu."

"Not at all, we're eagerly awaiting Mrs. Fan's arrival."

Madam Lu smiled and glanced at Xu Zhichun: "Madam Xu, please sit down."

"Thank you, Madam."

Xu Zhichun then sat down.

Madam Fan then looked at her again, smiling as she asked how she discovered sweet potatoes and potatoes, and how she made the threshing machine, windmill, and so on. Xu Zhichun had prepared these stories long ago for any eventuality, but had never had the chance to use them until today.

And it was an exceptional performance.

This is what is meant by making the best use of resources.

She herself was in a terrible predicament, struggling to find a way out, constantly teetering between "giving herself away" and "covering up the mess".

Where does Madam Fan get so much curiosity from?

She has met more people than anyone else combined.