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

Chapter 309 Madam Shanci
Magistrate Lu smiled and kindly reminded her, "Madam Shanci, please accept the imperial decree and express your gratitude."

Xu Zhichun hurriedly raised both hands above her head to receive the imperial edict, saying, "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Prefect Meng laughed heartily: "Madam Xu is now the Lady of Benevolence, personally bestowed by the Emperor, no longer just a commoner!"

Magistrate Lu then gave a detailed explanation to the villagers.

The entire village was shocked.

"What? Zhichun has become an official? Right? Does that mean he's an official?"

"Madam Shanci? Madam Shanci! That sounds amazing!"

"Regardless of whether he becomes an official or not, this is an appointment bestowed by the Emperor. From now on, Zhichun's status will be different from ours."

"yes."

“Our village also benefits from this; we are all from the same village as Madam Shanci.”

"Yeah, hahaha, let's share in the good fortune and have great luck!"

"Yeah!"

Prefect Meng and Magistrate Lu were left speechless, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Magistrate Lu smiled and said, "The sweet potatoes, potatoes, threshing machines, and windmills that Madam Xu presented are beneficial to the country and the people. Therefore, the Emperor bestowed upon her the title of Madam Shanci as a reward. From now on, everyone must not call her by her name directly. Otherwise, it will be a crime of usurpation, and you will be arrested and punished by the yamen. From now on, you should call her Madam Shanci or Madam Xu."

Everyone was startled and immediately said they would remember it.

For a moment, everyone looked at Xu Zhichun with a hint of awe.

It was only at this moment that everyone truly realized that Xu Zhichun was really different from them.
Liang Mingxuan and Xu Zhichun personally received the imperial decree of honor, while the constables respectfully placed the vermilion lacquered gift boxes, carried in both hands, onto a long table made by joining two octagonal tables together. Magistrate Lu, smiling, explained from the side—

Magistrate Lu was afraid that the villagers wouldn't understand.

He was rewarded with a thousand taels of gold, a pair of white jade ruyi scepters, a crown with floral and jade ornaments, twenty bolts of tribute satin, a newly written imperial book, and a set of imperial writing implements.

All the gifts were sealed in vermilion lacquered gift boxes specially made for the Ministry of Rites. They were now placed one by one on the long table. Each gift box was different in size, but they all looked very high-quality and classy.

As Magistrate Lu read out the list of recipients with a smile, gasps rose and fell among the villagers. They stared at the gift boxes with a mixture of curiosity and awe, but no one dared to touch them.

"One thousand taels of gold! Gold, one thousand taels!"

"This gold alone is enough to live a life of luxury."

"Yes."

"And what about white jade? And jewelry, right? Silk for tailoring clothes, writing brushes and ink for studying—so many things. The Emperor bestowed them, they must all be valuable and precious items."

"I really want to see what it looks like!"

"I want to see it too! If I could just touch it, it would be worth it for my whole life."

"Stop dreaming. You dare touch something so precious? If you break it, you won't be able to afford to pay for it even if you sell it."

"Hey, I was just saying."

Xu Zhichun and Liang Mingxuan stood together, beaming as they accepted everyone's congratulations. They hadn't planned to open the gift boxes at this moment; with so many people around, if they accidentally pushed or bumped into someone and broke something, the good news would immediately turn into a bad one, and they'd end up in jail.

Liang Lizheng smiled and invited Meng Fucheng, Lu Xianling, and others to his home for lunch. Meng Fucheng also realized that it was inconvenient for Xu Zhichun's family to entertain so many men, so he and Lu Xianling agreed, and everyone went to Liang Lizheng's house together.

Liang Mingxuan went ahead first, and Xu Zhichun carefully put away the imperial gifts before leaving.

The villagers gradually dispersed; the excitement of the event would keep them talking about it for three days and three nights, even with relatives and friends. Madam Shanci? Madam Shanci!

A lady from their village was granted an imperial decree!

I really want to see what brocade, jade ruyi, and the like look like, but I don't know when I'll have the chance.

Granny Qin Qing and Mu Xiang carefully helped pack the things, feeling even more honored than others.

Granny Qin Qing laughed and said, "Let's see who dares to look down on Madam from now on."

Xu Zhichun smiled; she had done a good job again!
She had gained another layer of leverage and confidence, a much stronger one. Even if the local magistrate changed, he wouldn't dare underestimate her.

Not to mention others.

In this local area, they are basically at the top of the food chain.

Of course, she had no interest in bullying or oppressing others; she just wanted to live her life peacefully.

Although the word "compassionate" in Madam Shanci's name made Xu Zhichun feel that it sounded like an old lady and was a little awkward, it didn't matter. It made her sound more dignified and solemn, and more respectable.

Having been in this world for so long, she has learned quite a bit. For example, words like "virtuous" and "wise" are not easily bestowed by the emperor and the court. As a peasant woman from a remote place, she shouldn't even think about it.

After tidying up the house, the three of them, master and servant, hurried to Liang Lizheng's house.

Fortunately, Liang Lizheng's yard was spacious, and he had made arrangements yesterday, so it didn't feel crowded to accommodate so many people.

The meal was decided and prepared yesterday. Someone went into town to buy the food as soon as it was light today, so we had a leisurely and very plentiful meal.

A meal at a farmhouse restaurant can be described as a pleasant experience for both host and guests.

After lunch, Prefect Meng, Magistrate Lu, and others left.

Liang Lizheng led the entire village in respectfully seeing them off.

After the important figures left, everyone relaxed and became much more relaxed, surrounding Xu Zhichun and Liang Mingxuan with great excitement, showering them with praise and laughter.

Xu Zhichun felt a little awkward hearing everyone respectfully address her as "Madam Shanci," so she quickly asked them to change it and that from now on, she could call her Madam Xu or Lady Xu.

As for his name, no one dares to call it out anymore.

She didn't make things difficult for anyone.
Such a great thing should be celebrated properly. Xu Zhichun smiled and said that he would hold a big banquet in the village three days later and invite the whole village to eat.

If we're going to do it, let's do it on a big scale. Let's ask Liang, the village head, to help with the arrangements. We'll buy two fat, meaty pigs and slaughter them to prepare the feast.

The entire village, including all the elderly and children, numbered over 340. Two pigs plus side dishes were enough to feed them.

Everyone applauded and cheered, saying they would definitely come to help, making it even more lively than the Lunar New Year.

How could Uncle Liang and Uncle Liang's families possibly show their faces? The Liang family members never even showed their faces from beginning to end, pretending they knew nothing behind closed doors.

Uncle Liang's family was afraid that Xu Zhichun would report them and cause them to be punished, so they dared not go. Uncle Liang's second uncle wanted to go, but Bai Shi persuaded him with sweet words.

Bai dared not let him go; she was terrified.

What if Xu Zhichun impulsively begs the authorities to redress her grievances after seeing her family? What would happen to her then? She would die!
She now wishes Xu Zhichun would completely forget her existence, and ideally never think of her again for the rest of his life.

They were too busy dodging to dare to move forward.

Neither of the two families went, but of course they were aware of the incredible excitement.