Transmigrated into the role of the matriarch, I ensured my family had enough to eat and wear during

Tang Chengyu was swinging a flail, vigorously threshing the rice ears, when he heard Tang Susu's call. He immediately stopped, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and strode into the main room. He picked up a bowl of water from the table and drank it all in one gulp.

Tang Susu looked at his palm, which was covered with blood blisters of varying sizes, and her heart softened slightly.

She knew that although swinging the flail was not as physically demanding as harvesting in the fields, it was extremely tiring and exhausting. Tang Chengyu had never done such dirty or strenuous work in all the time he had been in the Tang family, let alone suffered such hardship.

"If you feel tired, take a break. Don't push yourself. We can take our time with the harvest work," Tang Susu said gently.

Tang Chengyu shook her head, a hint of stubbornness in her eyes: "Big sister, I'm fine. I can keep going. If I do more, you'll have an easier time."

Tang Susu smiled helplessly and stopped trying to persuade him. She took out an old-fashioned plaster that she had specially bought from the trading platform and carefully applied it to the blood blisters on his palms, her movements gentle, afraid of hurting him.

After treating Tang Chengyu's hands, Tang Susu turned and went into the kitchen. She took out several clean, rough porcelain bowls, poured the heatstroke prevention medicine she had bought from the trading platform into the bowls, added warm water, and stirred well.

She carried the bowl out of the kitchen and handed it to Tang Chengyu and Miao Yulan, saying with a smile, "This is a special heatstroke prevention soup I brewed. It's hot right now, so drinking it will help prevent heatstroke and relieve your fatigue."

Both of them knew that Tang Susu knew some medicinal herbs for locust control and wound treatment, so they didn't think much of it, quickly took the bowl, and drank it all in one gulp.

After settling the two down, Tang Susu put on the straw hat she had woven herself, picked up the carrying pole, and planned to go to the fields first, so that Tang Lifu, Tang Liqiang, Yang Gousheng, and Yang Xiaobao could go home first to take their medicine and rest.

She was genuinely worried that if the group of people, who had been working under the scorching sun for days, were to suffer from heatstroke and faint, it would not only cause them pain but also delay the autumn harvest.

But as soon as Tang Susu stepped out of the courtyard, before she even reached the fields, she saw a familiar carriage slowly traveling on the village road of Yangqu Village—it was Lu County Magistrate's personal carriage, which was very easy to recognize.

In the past, whenever Magistrate Lu's carriage entered the village, the villagers would put down their work and crowd around to join in the fun and say hello.

At this moment, the whole village was busy with the autumn harvest. Men, women, and children were all working together, and everyone was so tired that their feet barely touched the ground. Their eyes and minds were only on the grain in the fields. Even when they were too tired to continue, they would get up to catch their breath and drink some water, but they had no energy to pay attention to the carriage.

The carriage traveled smoothly all the way to Tang Susu's house and came to a slow stop.

Upon seeing this, Tang Susu felt a pang of anxiety. She had no time to go to the fields to deliver the medicine, so she immediately turned around and hurried back home, afraid of neglecting the county magistrate.

After the carriage stopped, Magistrate Lu was the first to lift the curtain and get out, his expression still calm and dignified. Then, Lu Hao also jumped down from the carriage, looking around the courtyard with curiosity.

He had sharp eyes and spotted Tang Chengyu swinging a flail in the courtyard at a glance. He exclaimed in surprise, his face full of doubt: "Tang Chengyu? What are you doing such rough work here? Aren't you going to take the imperial examination to become a scholar?"

Upon hearing the sound, Tang Chengyu immediately put down the flail he was holding and strode forward. Miao Yulan also quickly got up from the low stool and walked to Tang Chengyu's side. The two of them knelt down together and bowed to Magistrate Lu: "This humble subject greets Your Excellency."

Magistrate Lu waved his hand and said calmly, "Get up. There's no need for such a grand ceremony in the future. No need for such formalities."

The two men stood up, bowed their heads, and stood aside, not daring to say a word.

Magistrate Lu slowly opened his mouth and explained one of the purposes of his visit: "Tang Tongsheng, the first reason I've come today is to deliver your guarantee for the provincial examination."

He took out a neatly folded guarantee from his pocket, handed it over, and added, "Normally, guarantee certificates are only issued before the provincial examination next year. I've prepared one for you in advance. Before the exam next year, you just need to find one more person to sign as a witness, and you can use it."

Tang Chengyu solemnly extended both hands, accepted the guarantee, and held it tightly in his hands. His eyes were full of gratitude. He bowed deeply to Magistrate Lu and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Magistrate. I will study hard, remember your kindness, and live up to your trust."

County Magistrate Lu nodded, his tone gentle yet full of expectation: "I have high hopes for you. Whether Dongtai Town can produce a scholar next year depends entirely on your performance."

It should be noted that in each county or town, there are usually only six or seven people who can pass the imperial examination at the county level each year.

However, Dongtai Town was poor and backward, and the people could not even solve the problem of food and clothing. There were less than a hundred students who were willing to prepare for the imperial examination and study poetry and books. In recent years, only one Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examination) had been produced, and no one had ever become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examination).

Meanwhile, the neighboring Jiangtou Town, with the support of Chongwen Hall, had a strong academic atmosphere, producing more than 20 scholars every year and frequently producing Juren (successful candidates in the provincial examinations). This disparity made the people of Dongtai Town feel ashamed.

Therefore, the whole village hoped that Tang Chengyu could win the top prize in the provincial examination next year, thus diminishing the prestige of Jiangtou Town and bringing honor to Dongtai Town.

Hearing his father praise Tang Chengyu like this, Lu Hao immediately became indignant, his neck stiffening as he loudly retorted, "Father, you're too biased! My academic ability isn't bad either, and passing the imperial examination is not difficult for me. Why do you never praise me?"

County Magistrate Lu sneered, ignoring his rebuttal. He already knew that Lu Hao was used to being flattered by those around him, and had long since become arrogant and dizzy, completely unaware of his true abilities.

His purpose in coming here was to let Lu Hao spend more time with Tang Chengyu, and to guide Lu Hao onto the right path through Tang Chengyu's talent and character.

Furthermore, Lu Hao lost his mother at a young age and was spoiled by the old lady. He was used to having everything done for him and was unaware of the hardships of life, let alone the difficulty of studying. He wanted Lu Hao to stay in Yangqu Village for a while so that he could experience some trials and tribulations and temper his impetuous nature. This would be of great benefit to his future life.

Suppressing his thoughts, Magistrate Lu turned away from Lu Hao's aggrieved expression and instead looked at Tang Chengyu and Miao Yulan, asking softly, "Where is Madam Yang? Isn't she at home?"

Lu Hao was feeling wronged when he heard "Yang Tangshi" and his father asking about Tang Susu's whereabouts. Suddenly, his eyes lit up with surprise, and he quickly asked, "Father, are you talking about Sister Tang Susu? Is this Gou Sheng's house?"

Upon learning that this was Yang Gousheng's home, Lu Hao was overjoyed. Last time, when he went with his father to find a water source, he spent a few days with Yang Gousheng. The two were about the same age and got along very well. He had a good impression of Yang Gousheng and had always wanted to play with him again.

However, when he mentioned this to his father last time, Tang Susu did not give a clear answer, so he was unable to come again.

Just then, Tang Susu strode into the courtyard. Upon seeing Magistrate Lu, she quickly curtsied and was about to bow to him when Magistrate Lu raised his hand to stop her: "Mrs. Yang, there's no need for such formalities."

Tang Susu stood up, bowed her head, and stood aside, waiting for Magistrate Lu to speak.

County Magistrate Lu spoke calmly, without putting on any airs of an official, and slowly said, "You have probably heard about the current situation in Fuzhou. Thirty percent of the area has suffered a complete crop failure. In the future, a large number of refugees will flock to Dongtai Town, and bandits will become more and more rampant. I am busy with government affairs and dealing with these trivial matters all day long. I really have no time to discipline Lu Hao."

After a pause, he finally revealed his true purpose, his tone earnest: "Besides delivering the guarantee to Tang Tongsheng, I have another request. I would like to ask you to let Lu Hao stay in Yangqu Village for a while, and to educate and discipline him, and help him to rein in his temper."

Tang Susu's eyes widened in shock, and she was momentarily at a loss for words.

She never expected that Magistrate Lu would make such a request, and asked in bewilderment, "Sir, are you joking? Young Master Lu is the magistrate's son, a precious member of the family, why would he want to live in our remote Yangqu Village? Moreover, I am just a peasant woman, dull-witted, why should I be entrusted with his upbringing?"

Hearing his father's words, Lu Hao was also terrified. He jumped up on the spot, his face full of disbelief, and questioned, "Father! Are you crazy? I don't want to stay here! I want to go back to the county government office, I want to go home!"

Magistrate Lu frowned and sternly rebuked Lu Hao: "Shut up! How dare you interrupt when an official is speaking!"

After reprimanding Lu Hao, he turned to Tang Susu, cupped his hands slightly, and praised her sincerely: "Mrs. Yang, you don't need to be so modest. I know you are intelligent and capable. You are very good at teaching your children and managing your household affairs. Look at Gousheng, Liqiang, and Tang Tongsheng. Under your care, they are all very outstanding."

"On the other hand, Lu Hao is unruly and spoiled by nature. He is ignorant and incompetent all day long. He is not even as good as a single hair of Yang Gousheng. I really have no other choice but to ask for your help."

Upon hearing this, Lu Hao's face turned red with anger, and he retorted loudly, "I didn't! I'm not inferior to Gou Sheng! Father, you've gone too far!"

Before he could finish speaking, Magistrate Lu sternly interrupted him: "Shut up! If you dare say another word, I'll punish you!"

Lu Hao shrank back in fright, not daring to speak again, but still looked defiant, biting his lip tightly.

Magistrate Lu looked at Tang Susu again, his tone becoming more earnest: "Mrs. Yang, this matter is indeed presumptuous, but I really have no other choice. I beg you, do not worry about Lu Hao's status. If he makes a mistake, just scold him, or even punish him physically. If he does not comply, just send someone to me directly, and I will deal with him."

Tang Susu was in a difficult position and quickly declined tactfully: "My lord, I am truly sorry. It is not that I am unwilling to help, but it is the crucial time of autumn harvest. Everyone in the family is busy harvesting grain, and I am so busy that I can hardly breathe. I really have no time to take care of Young Master Lu."

She secretly grumbled to herself that her own house was already cramped, and with Tang Lifu, Tang Chengyu, Miao Yulan, and several children living there, plus a pampered and spoiled son of an official, it was just asking for trouble.

Moreover, she had never given birth to a child, nor had she ever disciplined such a spoiled child. She had no idea how to teach such a child. If she didn't teach him well, she would offend Magistrate Lu, which would be a loss.

"Furthermore, I have never had a child and do not know how to raise a child. I am afraid that I will fail to live up to your expectations and delay Young Master Lu. I would like to ask you to find someone more capable."

However, Magistrate Lu's attitude was very firm, and he had no intention of backing down. He slowly said, "Mrs. Yang, you don't need to worry about this. Tang Tongsheng can manage farm work and help with household chores. Lu Hao can too. Right now, we need help with the autumn harvest. Let him and his servant stay at the Yang family and harvest the grain with you. They can help out and also temper their character. It's a win-win situation."

Tang Susu felt helpless and sighed inwardly. Tang Chengyu was obedient and capable, and had a calm temperament. Even so, his work efficiency was not high. She didn't expect the pampered Lu Hao to be of any real help. She was already grateful that he didn't cause any trouble.

Faced with Magistrate Lu's earnestness and determination, she did not know how to refuse again, fearing that she would offend this magistrate.

Seeing this, Magistrate Lu knew that Tang Susu had softened. Before she could refuse again, he suddenly took out a heavy bag of silver from his pocket and stuffed it into Tang Susu's hand, saying urgently, "This bag of silver is Lu Hao's living expenses at the Yang family. It's enough for him to stay here for a while. You must accept it."

"I'm very busy with official duties, so I won't delay any longer. I'm entrusting Lu Hao to you."

Having said that, he didn't linger. He turned around, quickly boarded the carriage, instructed the driver to drive, and hurriedly took his leave.

Lu Hao's eyes widened, his face filled with despair. He hurriedly took a few steps forward and shouted towards the carriage, "Father! Father! Don't go! Take me with you! How could you leave me here without discussing it with me beforehand!"

The carriage slowly started moving. Magistrate Lu peeked out from behind the curtain, glared at him fiercely, and retorted sharply, "If I had discussed this with you beforehand and given you a chance to breathe, would you have obediently come to Yangqu Village to temper your character?"

Lu Hao subconsciously shook his head, his face full of grievance and resistance—he could come to Yangqu Village to play with Yang Gousheng for a few days, but he was absolutely unwilling to live in this dilapidated mud-brick and thatched house, and even less willing to follow them to do these dirty and exhausting farm work.