She asked, "Peach Blossom, what's wrong? Why do you look so dazed? Are you feeling heavier or something is wrong?"

Lin Taohua then came to her senses: "No, don't worry, Second Sister-in-law. Taohua is not feeling unwell. She was just stunned by the news of Second Sister-in-law's promotion, which is why she lost her composure."

Song Anxin smiled and said, "Don't mention you, I was also shocked at the time. I'm still grateful that His Majesty values ​​us common people..."

Master Liu immediately chimed in: "Yes, yes, His Majesty values ​​the people and keeps their livelihoods in mind. Lady Hui has relieved the people's suffering and brought them blessings. It is truly a great favor that she has been granted the title of Lady Hui."

Just as Song Anxin and Liu Yuanwai were boasting at the door about the current emperor's arrival, a voice came from outside:

"The Prefect has arrived! The County Magistrate has arrived!"

Master Liu was immediately shocked. It was one thing for the county magistrate to come, but why would the prefect come to a lady's banquet?! The prefect was a fourth-rank official. He knelt down without thinking.

The crowd in the courtyard immediately knelt down. They rarely even saw the county magistrate, let alone the prefect. Everyone's face was filled with fear and trepidation.

The crowd shouted in unison, "Greetings, Prefect! Greetings, Magistrate!"

Today, Prefect Xu and Magistrate Yan were not wearing their official robes but ordinary clothes. Prefect Xu's serious expression softened as he spoke:

"Everyone, please get up. I'm just here to celebrate Lady Hui's official appointment. Please make yourselves at home."

The crowd slowly rose, but they dared not be casual in front of the prefect, and the scene became rather restrained for a moment.

Song Anxin hurriedly stepped forward and said, "It is a great honor for me that the Prefect and the County Magistrate could come and drink a cup of wine with me today. It also brings honor to my humble abode."

"Your Excellency, Prefect, Your Excellency, please come in and have some tea." She led Prefect Xu and Magistrate Yan into the courtyard, then said to everyone there, "Your Excellency is merely a guest here for a banquet; please continue with your own business."

Prefect Xu was not displeased upon hearing this. On the contrary, he hoped that the people would treat him like an ordinary person. After being an official for a long time, he was surrounded by people who flattered him but had no sincerity. He was truly exhausted.

As the group entered the courtyard, Prefect Xu said, "Madam Hui, this place reminds me of my hometown. I never expected that you could come up with such a wonderful and beneficial thing for the people in such an environment. I truly admire you!"

Prefect Xu, who had also risen from the bottom, showed no disdain for Song Anxin's family and was quite moved by their situation.

Song Anxin replied with a smile, "Born among the common people, I naturally understand their needs better. There's a saying that goes, 'Wisdom comes from the masses,' and I am just one of them."

Magistrate Yan laughed heartily, "What a fine saying, 'Wisdom comes from among the masses,' but Lady Hui's 'masses' are quite extraordinary."

Song Anxin felt that Magistrate Yan seemed to have seen through her, so she could only chuckle and play dumb, as is essential in the workplace.

When everyone saw that the prefect and magistrate were indeed drinking like ordinary people, they gradually relaxed, and the courtyard returned to its lively state.

Little Su whispered in Master Liu's ear, "Master, you just got back last night and may not know yet, but yesterday Magistrate Yan of Heyang County was investigated and imprisoned by the Prefect. It is said that the Jiang and Zhang families framed Madam Hui's son, and Magistrate Yan protected him. Coincidentally, the Prefect went there to bestow an official title upon Madam Hui, and Madam Hui directly led the people of Heyang County to sue Magistrate Yan. Many merchants from the Jiang and Zhang families were also implicated and are now imprisoned."

Master Liu was shocked. He had long known about the dirty dealings of Magistrate Yan of Heyang County, who colluded with officials, merchants and local ruffians. However, the emperor was far away and Magistrate Yan kept it a secret, which was why he had been able to do evil for so long. This second sister-in-law of Aunt Lin was really capable. She actually managed to bring down Magistrate Yan, who had stood firm for so many years.

She felt even more awe towards Song Anxin; it seemed she should make more frequent visits to Lin's family.

Suddenly, a little boy screamed.

"These are mine, they are all mine, you are not allowed to take them."

Then came the crying of the two little girls, Da Cao and Xiao Cao, followed immediately by Liu Mingzhu's voice:

"Mingjie, this is what my cousin Fengyao brought out for everyone to eat. You can't eat it all by yourself, so hurry up and take it out."

"I don't want them! These are all mine, and none of you can have them. Humph, what are you crying about, you country bumpkin!" Liu Mingjie shouted.

"Liu Mingjie, you've gone too far!"

Then came a commotion and crying. Song Anxin and her group rushed over and saw Liu Mingjie clutching a box of mooncakes tightly against the wall. Xiao Cao and Da Cao were wailing loudly. Lin Mingzhu looked like she was about to eat someone alive. Lin Fengyao and Liu Mingyue were holding her back tightly. The maids and servants serving them looked anxious and helpless.

"Cousin Mingzhu, don't be impulsive." Lin Fengyao tried to persuade Liu Mingzhu while pulling her back. He knew that if Cousin Mingzhu hit this Liu Mingjie, she would definitely suffer the same loss as last time.

When Master Liu arrived and saw this scene, he was so angry he almost twisted his nose. He couldn't help but roar:

"What are you doing?!"

Liu Taohua, supporting herself, quickly went over to protect Mingzhu: "Mingzhu, you can't do this, calm down."

Mrs. Su was terrified and quickly pulled her precious son aside, shielding him in her arms.

"Mingzhu, what are you doing? You look like you're about to eat your brother alive! Don't you have any manners as an older sister?!"

Liu Mingzhu was furious. It was clearly Liu Mingjie who had been domineering and unreasonable in stealing other people's things. She was about to talk back when her cousin Feng Yao beat her to it.

"Master Liu, Madam Liu." Lin Fengyao performed a junior's greeting and continued, "That's not how it happened. I took out these snow skin mooncakes to share with everyone, but when Young Master Mingjie saw them, he snatched them all and even made Da Xiaocao cry. Mingzhu was so angry that she asked him to give them back, but Young Master Mingjie refused, and that's how it ended up like this."

Liu Mingjie yelled in his mother's arms, "I won't give it to you! My mother said all the good things are mine. Mingzhu and Mingyue, those two brats, can forget about it. They'll just be money-losing goods when they get married!"

Upon hearing this, everyone present changed their expressions, and Madam Su quickly covered Liu Mingjie's mouth with her hand.

"Liu Mingjie, what did you say?! Who taught you to talk like that!" Master Liu felt utterly ashamed. The prefect and the magistrate were watching, and he was worried they would think of his family.

Madam Su quickly said, "Master, the children are just talking nonsense without knowing any better. Please don't be angry or take it to heart. Mingzhu and Mingjie were just joking with you and your brother. How could you take it so seriously?"