When it was time for lunch, Xiaoman and the other village chiefs ate in the county government canteen, while Jiangzhi took Tiantao to eat in Magistrate Zhang's back office.

Magistrate Zhang was a northerner and couldn't get used to the dried noodles of Ba County.

So a small kitchen was set up specifically for Magistrate Zhang, and his maid Lanzhi prepared large steamed buns and noodles.

Before she could even eat the big steamed buns, Jiang Zhi first met the fat Jiang who wanted to reveal his recipe and looked just like a white steamed bun.

Before Jiang Zhi could speak, Fatty Jiang said with a grin, "Village Chief Jiang, we meet again!"

Jiang Zhi hesitated for a moment: "How should I address this distinguished person?" This was the second time she had asked about this person's identity.

Before, when he was in the hall, I just thought he was someone's personal attendant, but now that he's here, he's different.

Fatty Jiang chuckled: "Why are you being so formal, Sister Jiang? You've already called me 'family member,' so naturally we should address each other as brother and sister."

The fat man looked to be around thirty years old. Jiang Zhi was a full twelve years older than him, so it was normal for them to call each other brother and sister.

Jiang Zhi was also amused. In Ba County, it's called "Jiamen," which is just a dialect term.

When referring to people with the same surname, addressing them by their family name shows respect and recognition.

Jiang Zhi used to call him "family" because she only knew his surname was Jiang, but now she's even calling him "siblings."

Magistrate Zhang, standing nearby, came to Jiang Zhi's rescue: "Youchen is a staff member under the King of Zhou. This time, he is delivering the King of Zhou's commendation to you and taking the opportunity to visit his hometown."

No wonder someone still caused trouble after I received the reward from King Zhou. It turns out that it was King Zhou's advisors who were impersonating rice merchants to extort money from me!

Jiang Zhi quickly tried to bow, but Fatty Jiang stopped her with a smile, saying, "Brother, this is official business. If you want to thank someone, thank the Prince. There's no need to thank me."

"Sister, please don't hold it against your brother. The remarks in the hall earlier were just a joke because your brother was impressed by your generosity in donating the prescription for the medicine."

Jiang Zhi feigned fright: "Oh, that really scared me to death."

The drug manufacturing method was not reported for the time being because its effectiveness was not yet fully confirmed.

But since you brought it up in public, I really couldn't explain it clearly. I was afraid people would misunderstand me as someone seeking fame and fortune, which is why I argued with you.

Her words were half true and half false, which was reasonable. Jiang's advisor laughed and said, "If this method is really effective, King Zhou will surely reward you in the future," and then let the matter drop.

Next, Jiang Pangzi asked about Xujia Village in the midst of conversation and praised, "Xujia Village is truly a place of outstanding people and resources. The Tian Teng Army in the army is brave and skilled in battle, and the villagers are also exceptionally intelligent."

Jiang Zhi asked with curiosity, "Magistrate Zhang just mentioned the Tianteng Army, and your family also praised it. Could it be that the Tianteng Army is also from Pingchuan County?"

Jiang Pangzi laughed and said, "Big sister has always been farming in the countryside and didn't know that the famous Tian Teng Army came from Pingchuan County."

Jiang Zhi clapped her hands: "Truly remarkable, worthy of being from Pingchuan County."

"Wrong, they're from Xujia Village!" Fatty Jiang corrected with a smile.

Magistrate Zhang added, "Young Master Jiang said that the most outstanding young general in the Tian Teng Army is named Xiao Tian. He comes from Xu Family Village. The reason I called you here today is to ask you, the village chief, where Xiao Tian's family is. Young Master Jiang wants to meet them!"

What family visit? This fat Jiang is probably here specifically to investigate Nie Fantian's background.

Jiang Zhi's face gradually turned pale, and she stammered, "You said the young general leading the Tian Teng Army is called Xiao Tian?"

Seeing her expression, Magistrate Zhang and Fatty Jiang relaxed.

Fatty Jiang spoke slowly and in a low voice: "Big sister, please speak frankly. Has something happened to Xiao Tian's family?"

Xiao Tian said that during the chaos of war, the whole village fled, but his aunt, cousin, and cousin's wife didn't want to go to Yuzhou Prefecture, so they stayed in the village.

Upon arriving in Pingchuan County, Jiang Youchen learned from Magistrate Zhang that Xu Family Village had been wiped out, making it difficult to investigate Xiao Tian's family background. Fortunately, he soon discovered that Xiao Tian's foster family was the Jiang family.

However, Jiang had made outstanding contributions by offering prescriptions and medicines, and had just been commended by King Zhou. It was impossible for him to turn his back on her, which is why he had to go through this roundabout process.

Although Fatty Jiang spoke tactfully, Jiang Zhi still understood his intentions and immediately became flustered.

In male-oriented novels, the male protagonist must possess boundless magical power, requiring his relatives to sacrifice him to the heavens.

Jiang Zhi was unaware of the attitude of the advisor Jiang was towards Nie Fantian.

Is he the adopted brother I gained from a single moment of intense physical attraction?

Or is it an enemy they once offended, who is threatening the protagonist with their lives?

If her relationship with Nie Fantian were made public, would the male lead's bad luck befall her?

The thriving Xujia Village, the pregnant Qiaoyun, and Errui, who is full of enthusiasm for repairing the house every day, all seem to be beckon to a wonderful life...

Jiang Zhi didn't want all of this to ultimately become an adrenaline shot that helped the male protagonist soar to new heights, and to be unable to escape the fate of "ga".

The more she thought about it, the more nervous she became, sweat dripping down her face. Tian Tao, who was learning to serve tea nearby, quickly brought her a handkerchief: "Master! What's wrong?"

Magistrate Zhang also said sternly, "Village Chief Jiang, has that young general's family met with misfortune? You know why, so you can speak freely."

This is a reminder to myself that I told the truth.

Jiang Zhi knew this day would come sooner or later, but it came somewhat suddenly. Fortunately, she still had a chance to explain herself.

After carefully considering her words, Jiang Zhi slowly opened her mouth: "I was relieved to hear that Xiao Tian is still alive. That child is promising now. Fortunately, he did not bury his future by staying by my side."

"Young Master Jiang, Magistrate Zhang, to be honest, I am Xiaotian's aunt."

"Oh! You're Xiaotian's aunt. Why haven't you mentioned it before?" Fatty Jiang showed no surprise on his face, but instead frowned.

Magistrate Zhang remained unmoved.

Jiang Zhi gave a wry smile, then shook her head and sighed, "These family matters can't be explained in just a few words; it's just a cruel twist of fate."

"Xiao Tian, ​​whose name is Nie Fantian, was sent back to the Xu family by his aunt Xu Yuxian when he was one month old."

She said she was a wet nurse and it was inconvenient for her to raise the child with her.

She raised him for sixteen years, and even after Xiaotian went to Yuzhou Prefecture, his aunt never showed her face again.

Not long after Xiaotian came to my house, my husband was beaten up while looking for his sister-in-law.

The children at home need food and drink, and the sick need medicine and medical treatment. These hardships are nothing compared to my poor eldest son…

Jiang Zhi tried her best to speak with a mournful tone, but when she mentioned Da Rui, she suddenly felt a pang of pain in her heart and burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably: "My eldest son was only six years old. Because everyone in the family was busy taking care of the sick and Xiao Tian, ​​who was only two months old, and I was busy with farm work, no one took care of him. The child accidentally fell into the water and drowned."

“My family was not well-off to begin with. The man in my family was injured twelve years ago and could not do heavy work, so I was the one who supported the whole family.”

Although the child is innocent, I lost my husband and son because of him. Exhausted and heartbroken, I couldn't help but be a little harsh on Xiaotian.

“During the chaos of war, I had to go up the mountain to escape the fleeing soldiers, while Xiaotian wanted to go to Yuzhou Prefecture. We argued, and the village chief took him away. We then went our separate ways and lost contact. I’m afraid he’s been resenting me all this time.”

Jiang Zhi was sobbing as she recounted her story. Magistrate Zhang and Fatty Jiang exchanged a glance but remained silent.

Jiang Zhi's statement was roughly the same as others', and although it seemed like she was defending herself, it wasn't too far off.

It's already quite remarkable that a woman wouldn't go mad after such a tragedy as her husband's injury and her son's death.

Seeing that the two remained unmoved, Jiang Zhi secretly groaned inwardly.

Perhaps Nie Fantian himself had already publicized his "tragic" past, which is why Jiang's advisors reacted this way.

Since the other party has already prejudged the idea that he is a bad person, it will be difficult to gain their sympathy. It is still necessary to reveal Nie Fantian's background as soon as possible.

Anyway, according to the male protagonist's immortality law, adding more tragic events is like adding mana to him, increasing his mana.