"What? Offer advice?"

The village chief was shocked; he knew nothing about this.

Jiang Yue touched her nose, feeling a little guilty under the village chief's gaze. She hadn't told him about her suggestion beforehand—how awful!

"I've come to inform you in advance. Judging by the journey, the imperial edict bestowing the title will arrive soon. Wu Jiangshi has rendered great service, and your Wu Family Village will all benefit from it..."

Magistrate Liu tried his best to describe the matter in easy-to-understand language. His mentor had sent a messenger in advance to tell him that because of his meritorious service, the emperor intended to promote him to the position of assistant magistrate, and his official rank would rise several levels!

Heaven must have been furious that he was demoted to Peach Blossom County for ten years, so it arranged for his brat to meet Wu Jiangshi's son.

This promotion was all thanks to Wu Jiangshi, who was able to get the emperor's attention and elevate his rank!

He will always remember this kindness!

When the village chief heard that Jiang had made a contribution and that Wu Family Village would benefit from it, a surge of excitement rushed to his head. He was completely excited!

How many more abilities does Chiang Kai-shek have yet to reveal?

What a surprise! What a wonderful surprise!

After serving as village chief for so many years, this is the first time he feels that he has no regrets in this life!

"Snap~"

Old Qin came to deliver tea and happened to overhear this conversation. She was stunned, her hands and feet went numb, and the tea fell to the ground with a thud.

"I'm so sorry, Your Honor, I've been rude..."

Magistrate Liu extended his hand and said sincerely:

"Please rise, ma'am. I've come today as an ordinary person to visit the village chief and Mrs. Wu. Please don't stand on ceremony."

"How could I possibly ask the county magistrate to help a woman like me? I'll go and pour you another pot of tea right away!"

When Old Madam Qin met the county magistrate for the first time, she could not hide her excitement.

He then excused himself and went back to the kitchen to pour water...

"By the way, your village previously escorted a group of 'bandits' to the county government. After being severely tortured, they confessed to the real culprit—"

The Chunyu family, a century-old family of traditional Chinese medicine merchants in Jinling Prefecture!

Magistrate Liu frowned slightly. During this period, he had arranged for people to secretly investigate the reason. He discovered that after Wu Family Village supplied medicinal herbs to the Ge family, Chunyu family's business had declined sharply. Perhaps this was the reason why they wanted to harm Wu Jiangshi and destroy Wu Family Village's path to becoming a medicinal herb village!

Strangely, just as he had made all the arrangements and was about to secretly help Wu Jiangshi, there was no movement from Jinling.

To this day, no one has been sent here again. How strange!

"It really was her."

Jiang Yue pretended to have just found out and echoed her.

He then bowed and expressed his gratitude.

"Many thanks to the magistrate for secretly protecting our Wu Family Village. We, the Wu Family Village, will forever remember this kindness!"

"Please, no need for formalities!"

Magistrate Liu offered a token assistance, and it should be Magistrate Wu who is thanking Madam Jiang.

Seeing the magistrate thanking Jiang Shi back and forth, Old Qin Shi was in a dilemma. Should she go forward or back down?

You may leave; the tea has gone cold.

"Old woman, come in! Everyone's waiting for tea!"

The village chief called out, gesturing for his wife to come in; he was parched from talking for so long.

"Hey, here it comes~"

Old Mrs. Qin breathed a sigh of relief; at crucial moments, the old man still had some sense of judgment.

The village chief wanted to invite them to stay for a meal, but Magistrate Liu was too busy with official duties to even find time to deliver the message.

After seeing the county magistrate off, Jiang Yue and the village chief exchanged a glance, then smiled at each of them.

Haha~

"Hehehe~"

The villagers who were passing by were confused and thought the two of them were possessed.

"May God bless my Wu Family Village!"

"Uncle, you'd better prepare well!"

The two exchanged a smile and clapped their hands in unison.

Old Mrs. Qin's heart raced at this thought, but after thinking for a moment, she decided not to reveal anything; a surprise was the most exciting thing ever!

After saying goodbye to Uncle Village Chief, Jiang Yue carried the cabbage given to her by Aunt Qin and walked home with light steps.

After returning home, she handed the cabbage to Ye He and said:

"Let's ask Aunt Ge to make some dry-pot cabbage tonight!"

"This servant obeys!"

Ye He happily accepted the cabbage, then went to the kitchen to prepare it in advance so that Aunt Ge could save some trouble later.

When Ye Hua brought the hot tea, she informed him as she served it:

"Master, the old lady from the old house came by and said that the old master's birthday, his sixtieth birthday, is in two days. The old house is preparing a banquet and would like you to come and eat there."

"Oh dear, this is a big deal. I need to think carefully about what to prepare for Dad."

Jiang Yue slapped her forehead; she had been so busy she had almost forgotten to prepare a generous gift for her father-in-law's 60th birthday!

Leafy Flower stuck out its tongue and advised:

"Don't worry, boss, there are still two days left, there's still time."

Jiang Yue blew on the tea, took a small sip, and finding the temperature to be just right, drank a few more sips.

After feeling a warm sensation in her stomach, she put down her teacup and asked:

"Hmm, has Aoyama gone home?"

"If we go back to the master, the eldest young master has returned and is currently in his room coaxing the young lady."

Ye Hua answered fluently and, with great tact, refilled the tea for the host.

“Go and call him here; I have something to discuss with him.”

With her son at home, Jiang Yue thought that since Qingshan was the eldest son, she should let him come up with ideas.

"Yes, ma'am!"

Ye Hua curtsied, withdrew, and then turned to invite the young master.

A moment later—

Qingshan entered the hall, bowed to his mother to pay his respects, and then sat down at his mother's gesture.

Afterwards, Ye Hua poured tea for the young master, and after finishing everything, she tactfully left the main hall and waited in the outer room.

"Clatter, clatter~"

A large white goose suddenly appeared out of nowhere and pretended to peck her.

"Shh~"

Ye Hua smiled innocently, but her movements were incredibly fast. In an instant, she shifted her position and grabbed Da Bai by the neck with one hand.

"You'd better pull your neck back properly, or else~"

A blatant threat!

Big White chickened out; it didn't want to disappear without a trace like its little brothers, leaving behind only a pile of feathers.

"Woof woof woof~"

When Xiao Bai saw his "brother" captured, he didn't even think about rescuing him. Instead, he smiled, as if mocking him.

Inside the house, the mother and son were having a heart-to-heart talk.

Jiang Yue made no attempt to conceal anything. She first informed Magistrate Liu of his visit and that the Emperor had bestowed a reward, which she estimated would be within the next couple of days. She then told Qingshan not to go to town for the next few days, as the shopkeeper would take care of everything.

Then comes my father-in-law's 60th birthday, which is a big event. We must help organize a good birthday banquet at the old house and prepare birthday gifts.

If necessary, go to her parents' home and invite her maternal uncle's family to a feast.

These events, one after another, kept Qingshan on edge, filled with both surprise and delight.

His mother is truly unfathomable, she's incredibly powerful!

When did you quietly accomplish another major feat?

This surprised even the emperor, who then bestowed a reward upon him!

Okay, let's not guess what the reward is for now, but it can't be bad.

Grandpa's birthday is important. He's sixty now. In the past, we didn't have the means to celebrate his birthday properly, but now that the Wu family is doing well, it's time to give him a grand and respectable celebration!

"Alright, I'll take care of all of this. Mother, you can relax and wait for the imperial decree at home."

Qingshan packed up a small package, hoping it would make things easier for her mother.

"Yes, I'll leave it to you. I don't mind."

Jiang Yue took a sip of hot tea, her face showing kindness.

He also stated that all expenses would be covered by public funds and would not need to come from his own pocket.

Qingshan doesn't care about these things; we're all family, there's no need to fuss over it...