The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 336: Deliberate Provocation

"We must hold a feast." Tong Huaqiong said.

Last time, when we received the award plaque from the magistrate, we already held a banquet. Now, having received the Imperial Decree and been promoted to Village Lady, there definitely needs to be a banquet.

"Well... today our village has a double celebration. First, Dashi’s mother has been ordained as Village Lady, and second, the private school has started classes. We should celebrate properly. I have food and drink at home, so Village Lady Sui Feng, you don’t need to prepare anything. Just let us use your courtyard." Village Chief Liu said politely.

Previously, Village Chief Liu would call her Dashi’s mother, but Tong Huaqiong’s Imperial Decree hadn’t even cooled before he changed his tune.

Tong Huaqiong wasn’t used to being called Village Lady Sui Feng at every turn.

Village Chief Liu prepared a lot of food and drinks to entertain Mr. Li, but since Mr. Li couldn’t make it, the family ate some of it while the rest, like live chickens and fish, were kept at home.

Now it can be put to good use.

The villagers were thrilled to hear there would be a banquet, smiling from ear to ear.

For the villagers, their children having books to read, a bumper corn harvest, and a feast to enjoy were all happy events.

"Dashi’s mother... I mean, Village Lady, I have a leg of lamb left from August’s festival, I’ll bring it to add to your joy."

"I’ll slaughter my two ducks that don’t lay eggs to add to the dishes."

"Village Lady, I have some leftover fruit platters and sunflower seeds. I’ll bring them for the feast."

"Village Lady, I don’t have any meat, but I do have sun-dried beans, I’ll go fetch them, they’re great for stewing."

With Aunt Qin and Liu Yueer’s parents, Mrs. Zhao, leading the way, all the women in the village wanted to contribute dishes to the feast.

After all, Tong Dajiao has been personally ordained as Village Lady Sui Feng by the Emperor, how could everyone not celebrate and show their respect?

Tong Huaqiong felt her face heat up from being called Village Lady over and over.

At this rate, wouldn’t everyone have to bow when they saw her in the future?

In these situations, it’s important to stay humble and not put on airs.

Tong Huaqiong laughed and said to everyone, "We’re all villagers here, call me whatever you should. Dashi’s mother, Aunt Tong, Aunt Tong... I prefer these names, don’t call me Village Lady."

Everyone agreed and went home to bring dishes and meat.

The villagers started bustling around in the Gu Family’s courtyard.

Chen Sufen, being pregnant, couldn’t manage the kitchen work, so Liu Yueer gathered a few young wives from the village to roll up their sleeves and head into the kitchen.

Tong Huaqiong noticed Chen Sufen looked a bit pale and asked with concern, "How are you feeling? Do you need to see a doctor?"

Chen Sufen replied, "I’m fine, just startled by the official delivering the decree."

Tong Huaqiong understood.

Anyone in the Gu Family would initially wonder if the official might have caught them hiding rebel leftovers.

Chen Sufen experienced strong emotions from fear to shock to delight, which was normal given her pregnancy.

Tong Huaqiong suggested Chen Sufen rest inside the house, but Chen Sufen shook her head, saying she felt better standing in the courtyard and catching some breeze.

Tong Huaqiong’s concern for Chen Sufen didn’t go unnoticed by the young wives in the kitchen.

One young wife commented to Liu Yueer, "Your mother-in-law has changed a lot in the past half year. She’s been extra nice to your family, you see, not even letting your big sister-in-law cook. Which pregnant woman in the village doesn’t work, why is your big sister-in-law so precious?"

Liu Yueer kept her head down kneading dough without saying a word.

The young wife continued, "Now the main house already has a son, if your big sister-in-law gives birth to another son, the main house will overshadow yours. We all chat behind your back, saying the main house feels like Aunt Tong’s biological child now, while your family doesn’t. The main house couple are always home, never apart, but you and Dashi live separately. How are you going to give Yaozu a brother? Now that your mother-in-law is Village Lady, who knows how much benefit you and Dashi will get from it?"

The young wife’s family is also from Qinghe Bay and she married in the village, becoming close friends with Liu Yueer.

Liu Yueer raised her head, clapping her flour-covered hands, and said, "My mother-in-law treats me very well. Look at the fashionable satin from the city I’m wearing and the golden hairpin on my head; they were all gifts from her. You’ve always loved competing with me, now that I’m living well, are you trying to stir trouble?"

"My mother-in-law is Village Lady now, regardless of how much benefit we get, Dashi will always be the son of a Village Lady and I’m the daughter-in-law of a Village Lady. You can only be Old Man Tian’s daughter-in-law."

The young wife looked embarrassed after Liu Yueer’s retort.

Liu Yueer definitely hit the nail on the head.

Everyone grew up together in Qinghe Bay, always with a sense of competition.

As young girls, they compared who wore the prettiest flowers or the most fashionable clothes, and after marrying, they compared their families’ living conditions and whose husband was more caring.

As a young girl, Liu Yueer always had the upper hand.

After eloping with Gu Dashu and marrying into the Gu Family, she fell out of favor.

Since her mother-in-law opened the shop and the family’s fortunes improved, Liu Yueer once again became the envy of the young wives.

"You’re just envious, it doesn’t affect my good life. Just wait, now that my mother-in-law is Village Lady, my life will only get better. I advise you to stop trying to stir trouble, instead spend that effort learning how my mother-in-law makes money and living well." Liu Yueer said bluntly.

Liu Yueer wasn’t foolish; she knew her friend’s seemingly righteous words were filled with jealousy, trying to instigate her.

If Liu Yueer fell for it and expressed dissatisfaction with her mother-in-law, it wouldn’t take long for it to reach her ears.

The young wife felt awkward in the kitchen, so she slipped away.

However, Liu Yueer was not unaffected by the conversation.

Before Magistrate Yao and others even left Yan Guan Town, the news of Tong Huaqiong being ordained Village Lady spread like wildfire throughout Yan Guan Town.

Taohua Dessert was abuzz.

Gu Taohua couldn’t focus on her business upon hearing her mother was ordained Village Lady by the Emperor’s personal decree.

Gu Taohua gave some instructions to the clerks and wanted to hire a carriage to rush home.

Mrs. Hong joined her, both wishing they could instantly fly to Qinghe Bay to witness the glorious moment.

Unfortunately, all vehicles at the relay station were hired out, and Gu Taohua waited a long time but couldn’t get a carriage.

Not only were there no carriages, not even donkey carts were available.

Gu Taohua went to Fengle Building to borrow Boss Qian’s carriage, but the clerk told her Boss Qian had already driven to Qinghe Bay.

Gu Taohua stomped her foot, complaining that Boss Qian had no chivalry, not inviting her and Mrs. Hong to go along.

"Taohua."

Gu Taohua heard someone calling her and saw a carriage stop ahead.

Huang Yuanwai’s daughter, Huang Jingshan, leaned out and smilingly asked Gu Taohua, "Why are you in such a hurry, what’s happening?"

Huang Jingshan was accompanying Old Mrs. Huang to incense when she noticed the impatient, foot-stomping Gu Taohua among the crowd.

Gu Taohua replied, "News from Qinghe Bay says the Emperor in Shengjing has issued a decree for my mother, ordaining her as Village Lady. Mrs. Hong and I want to rush back to see, but we can’t hire a carriage."

Old Mrs. Huang swiftly pulled back the curtain of the carriage, craned her head glittering with jewels and said, "What? Your mother received a decree?"

Old Mrs. Huang and Huang Jingshan hadn’t heard the news yet.

Gu Taohua nodded and said, "They say it was an official from Shengjing who delivered the decree."

Old Mrs. Huang got excited, no need to wait, she wanted to go to Qinghe Bay and join in the festivities.

The incense could be offered anytime.

So she invited Gu Taohua and Mrs. Hong onto the carriage, saying, "What are you waiting for? Come on up, I want to see too."