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

Chapter 310 Congratulations from all sides
Before it even got dark, everyone in the Liang family's first and second branches knew what was going on. The news even reached the neighboring village, and many people from the neighboring village came specifically to ask for a more detailed version of the story.

Bai was panicking, like a frightened bird, restless and anxious, worried that Xu Zhichun would rush into the house at any moment, stand by the bed, point at her and yell at her.

She paid no attention to her husband's endless complaints or her two sons' envious yet resentful expressions.

The atmosphere in the main branch of the Liang family was also very unpleasant.

The whole family was boring.

Despite the huge commotion today, his family didn't get a single thing, not even daring to show their faces—afraid of being laughed at.

Zhang was muttering curses under his breath.

Uncle Liang regretted not going to the government office to file a report sooner. If they had gone first and claimed the credit for their contribution, wouldn't all the glory today have been theirs?

Lord Lu's special regard, the imperial court's commendation and rewards, and the honor of the Prefectural Magistrate's personal visit—all belonged to them.

He's got fame, he's got money, and now his son's path to success is on the horizon.

Now there is nothing!
Having only one immature daughter completely severed the naturally close relationship between the two families.

News of Prefect Meng and Magistrate Lu's grand visit to Xu Zhichun's home to deliver the imperial commendation and rewards spread quickly. The next day, Madam Qin was the first to prepare generous gifts and personally go to offer her congratulations.

Other families, upon hearing the news, naturally did not want to be left behind, and their wives all took carriages to Xu Zhichun's house in Liangjia Village to offer their congratulations.

Who wouldn't be happy to participate in something that adds to the glory? And it's all something they can afford.

Who knows if we'll ever have to deal with each other in the future?

Look at the Qin family. They quietly and without making a sound, before anyone even knew who Madam Xu was, they had already established a relationship with her. Whenever Madam Xu had something good, she would think of them first and give it to them.

The threshing machine, windmill, and watermill were all beneficial to the country and its people. They not only brought the Qin family a great fortune but also a good reputation, and their other businesses also prospered.

And those sweet potatoes and potatoes—others fight tooth and nail, go to great lengths, and pay exorbitant prices to get even a tiny bit of them, but the Qin family? I heard they easily get hundreds of pounds of each.

And there's also strawberry, tomato, and ice jelly.
In short, the Qin family has won miserably.

No wonder he became the richest man!
Who can match this vision, insight, and precognitive judgment?
In short, from now on, just follow the Qin family.

It's not unreasonable for the Qin family to drink some soup too, since they're eating meat.
Furthermore, no commoner woman in this county has ever been granted an imperial title before. The title of "Merciful Lady" sounds impressive, and the ladies are both envious and subtly proud: Look, women can be this powerful, right? They are stronger than many men!
When they met Xu Zhichun and Liang Mingxuan, the uncle and sister-in-law were both composed and proper in their dealings with others, and there was nothing wrong with them. Everyone liked them even more.

Families with children tend to have a closer and warmer bond than others, and seek advice from Xu Zhichun on raising children.

I originally thought that the claims of being a child prodigy, the youngest student to pass the imperial examination, or having an extraordinary temperament were all just boasting. After all, it's not easy for a farming family to produce a scholar, and it's even harder to pass the imperial examination. So why would they exaggerate it?
Seeing the real thing, you'll realize: it truly lives up to its reputation!
Look at those child prodigies, those young scholars, how handsome they are! I wonder how Madam Xu raised them. I'd be content if my own child were even half as good as that young scholar!
Xu Zhichun was both amused and exasperated.

Help! She knows absolutely nothing about raising children. Isn't it all because Mingxuan was born good-looking and exceptional? It has nothing to do with her.

Of course, she didn't dare say it aloud, afraid that people would secretly curse Versailles.
On the day Madam Qin arrived, Liang Xiaoman rushed over early in the morning with two servants, Zhang Quan and Liu Guang. Liang Xiaoman excitedly congratulated his employer and said, "I was afraid that there would be too many people coming to offer their congratulations and that Madam would be too busy, so I brought Zhang Quan and Liu Guang along to help with the reception. Madam, please rest assured, we will stay in the courtyard and not go inside the house."

Xu Zhichun was overjoyed. "You've come at the right time. There are mule carts, donkey carts, and drivers to help out."

She had to entertain the guests, with Granny Qin Qing and Mu Xiang taking care of them. Mingxuan was still young and a student, so the servants and maids who came with them were fine with Granny Qin Qing and Mu Xiang, but the coachman had to ask the villagers to help entertain them.

Since Liang Xiaoman brought Zhang Quan and Liu Guang, there was no need to trouble the villagers.

Xu Zhichun praised Liang Xiaoman a few times, but she hadn't expected this.

Liang Xiaoman chuckled a little embarrassedly and scratched his head. "I didn't expect it either. My master asked someone to pass on a message to me."

Xu Zhichun suddenly realized, "Manager Zhong is indeed very experienced. With such a mentor, you don't have to worry about not making a name for yourself in the future."

Liang Xiaoman nodded repeatedly: "Of course!"

He also greatly admired his master.

With help, the arrival of guests proceeded smoothly, and the event was lively for several days in a row. The house was overflowing with gifts, and Liang Mingxuan and Liang Xiaoman helped record each one. Granny Qin Qing and Mu Xiang helped unpack the gift boxes and sort them into categories.

Apart from the Qin family's gift being more valuable, the other families' gifts were all very tactful and appropriate, which relieved Xu Zhichun.

As expected, everyone here knows proper etiquette and knows what kind of gift is appropriate.

The Zeng family also sent someone to deliver gifts. It was the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zeng family who came. Xu Zhichun received her politely for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. She did not open the gifts and had Liang Xiaoman deliver them back to them unopened.

Left with no other option, the Zeng family had to give up in disgrace.

Leaving aside the previous conflicts and grudges, just considering what Zeng Mingzhu had done to Xu Zhichun, the fact that Xu Zhichun didn't immediately kick out the eldest young mistress of the Zeng family and even entertained her shows that she didn't hold a grudge against the Zeng family because of Zeng Mingzhu. Returning the gift untouched also means that she doesn't want to be on good terms with the Zeng family.

Because Zeng Mingzhu ran away and disappeared, and Madam Zeng made a scene every few days, the Zeng family was in chaos and in a state of utter disarray. As a result, the eldest son's wife had no choice but to take over the household management again.

It was her suggestion to her father-in-law to send gifts and congratulations to Xu Zhichun's family.

We visit all the families we usually interact with, but it wouldn't look good if we didn't.

Let's go and see.

Master Zeng praised her for her thoughtfulness and asked her to represent the Zeng family.

Although the result is not entirely satisfactory, it is still considered good.

When Madam Zeng found out, she sneered, "A pheasant is a pheasant; even if it flies to the top of a branch, it won't become a phoenix. So what if she's given the title of 'Madam'? She's still just a country woman! This kind of empty talk is just a temporary spectacle; who will recognize her afterward? It's laughable how these people are all so eager to please! I never thought we had someone like that in our family!"