In the days leading up to Chen's birthday, Lu Yanzheng and Jiang Qinyu were both very busy. One was busy taking over the government affairs transferred from various places, and the other was busy preparing for Chen's birthday banquet.

Preparing a feast is not difficult in itself; the difficulty lies in keeping it a secret from Chen.

Like all older generations, Chen was not extravagant or ostentatious, and she didn't even have much vanity. Therefore, after Jiang Qinyu subtly inquired about her situation, she decided to keep her preparations a secret from her for the time being.

Because of this, Jiang Chengyou and Liu Ruyi continued to live in the Lu family's livestock shed until the people arranged by Lu Yanzheng arrived.

Prisoners don't get any good treatment, especially Jiang Chengyou, who has a deep-seated hatred for the people of Dayue. Jiang Qinyu only had people send them water and food once a day.

The water was clean well water, unboiled, and the food was coarse grain steamed buns made from sorghum and foxtail grass seeds ground into powder.

Don't underestimate this kind of dry food. In years of famine, almost every farming family survived like this.

Of course, you can't expect much in terms of taste from such grains, and they'll even hurt your throat.

Jiang Chengyou had been living a life of luxury since childhood, and although Liu Ruyi was an illegitimate daughter, she had also had a good life since childhood. At first, the two of them looked down on such food, but after enduring it for three days, they finally resigned themselves to eating it.

Unfortunately, the food they hadn't eaten a few days ago was casually thrown to feed the cattle by A-Ping, who was in charge of looking after them. This resulted in Jiang Chengyou and Liu Ruyi being extremely hungry, with no strength left in their bodies, and either lying or sitting on the ground, barely alive.

With no one around the livestock shed, Jiang Chengyou spoke weakly, "Miss Liu, are you just going to accept your fate like this?"

Liu Ruyi ignored him. Although she didn't want to admit it, she was very clear about her own abilities. Even Jiang Chengyou couldn't escape, so of course she was even more capable.

It was already a good thing that Jiang Qinyu and her husband didn't acupuncture on them anymore; she didn't want to lose even the freedom to move around occasionally.

Seeing that she didn't react, Jiang Chengyou continued, "Didn't you live in their village before? Quickly think of a way, see if there's anyone you can use..."

He spoke weakly, but the will to escape sustained him as he kept talking until he had no strength left to speak.

Although Liu Ruyi did not reply, she was also thinking about it, and her mind began to wander to who else in the village was at odds with Jiang Qinyu and her husband.

Forget about the Wang family; Wang Jinhua is dead, and Granny Wang won't fall for it. Besides, she has no way to get anyone to come to her now.

Aside from the Wang family, it seems that only Lu Yanzheng's younger brother doesn't get along with them, right?

Lu Yancai's wife, Madam Ma, is stupid. If there's an opportunity, we can definitely take advantage of her.

But how can we get the Ma family to come over?

...

On Chen's birthday, Jiang Qinyu got up very early.

Lu Yanzheng and Jiang Qinyu were both dressed in new clothes today. They smiled at each other and went hand in hand to the courtyard of Madam Chen and Old Man Lu.

"Good morning, Father and Mother," Lu Yanzheng said, taking a few steps forward to take the broom from Old Man Lu's hand and begin sweeping the yard.

Jiang Qinyu also went over to Chen's side and rushed to water the small vegetable garden in their yard.

Mrs. Chen chuckled and said, "What's wrong with you two today? Why are you here so early? Are you going out?"

Jiang Qinyu smiled, her eyes crinkling, and said, "Mother, what day is it today?"

Chen paused in her work, unable to recall for a moment, and shook her head, saying, "My memory is bad, I really can't remember what special day it was."

"Old woman, you've really lost your mind! Today is your birthday!" Old Lu laughed heartily behind her.

Chen was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled. "It really is," she said, then looked at Jiang Qinyu and Lu Yanzheng and asked, "Are you dressed like this to celebrate for me?"

"How could that be?" Jiang Qinyu hugged her arm. "Mother, you're turning 49 this year. That's a big deal. Zheng and I are planning to give you a proper celebration."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Chen felt a little uneasy. "Isn't this a bad idea? It's too expensive."

Jiang Qinyu smiled and said, "How can this be considered a waste of money? Oh, Mother, don't worry about it. Today is your birthday, so just sit in the front. The village aunties and grandmas will be coming over soon, so you can have a good chat with them."

After saying that, she pushed Chen into the house and took out the things she had brought.

Upon seeing this, Chen's eyes lit up immediately. Pointing to the things Jiang Qinyu had taken out, she asked, "Did you prepare all of this?"

Jiang Qinyu picked up the red clothes she had prepared over the past few days, held them up against Chen Shi, and then smiled and said, "According to our custom, an elder must wear a red undergarment on their ninth birthday. For men, their sons prepare the clothes, and for women, their daughters prepare them. Mother, you don't have a daughter, so it's only right that I prepare them."

Nowadays, there aren't many families like the Lu family that don't have daughters. Jiang Qinyu doesn't know how other families manage, but she feels that Madam Chen has treated her well. Apart from the slight estrangement over the Chen Xiuer incident, Madam Chen deserves to be treated this way.

Suddenly, Chen's eyes reddened, and she took Jiang Qinyu's hand, saying, "Good child, thank you for thinking of these things..."

She had always known that Jiang Qinyu was a good person, but she never expected her to be so thoughtful, even noticing the village customs and preparing a whole set of red clothes for this old woman's birthday.

Jiang Qinyu smiled and helped her change, saying, "Mother, you should also change your mindset. Zheng Ge's status is different now. You are the only one in the village who has this.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call Madam Chen the Dowager Empress. If Lu Yanzheng were to actually ascend the throne as Emperor in the future, Madam Chen would still be the Empress Dowager!

Mrs. Chen smiled and said, "You're right. With such filial children like you, I'm not only unique in the village, but also in Yongshan County. There are very few who can compare."

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