Chapter 516 Wu Huiniang is pregnant again
The weather was fine on the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month.
The warm winter sun shone down, dispelling the gloom that had lingered for days.
That year, Dahe Village made a lot of money. Most of it was used to expand the market. Later, they made some more money from chrysanthemum viewing in autumn and plum blossom viewing in winter. However, the majority of these profits were distributed to Dashan's family. The remaining few hundred taels of silver were distributed among the whole village, with each household receiving only a few hundred coins. There was no need to bother with that.
After a meeting of the village management, it was decided that the money would be pooled together so that the whole village could have a reunion dinner.
Tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve, but preparations have already begun today. All the women in the village are helping to prepare the ingredients, while the men are building stoves and moving tables. The children can play to their hearts' content, and the whole village is filled with laughter and joy.
"Sigh, we were struggling to make ends meet last year, who would have thought things would change so drastically this year."
"Who can argue with that? Those years were really tough. We only had one piece of meat to eat during the New Year. The children cried and wailed because they were so hungry, but there was nothing we could do. But in such a short time, life in our Dahe Village has improved. We have to thank Aunt Dashan for all of this."
“The neighboring villages of Wangjiadun, Lijia Gou, and Guihua are so envious of us, because they don’t have a Dashan Nian in their village.”
“The most miserable village is Chengjia Village. Dashanniang’s surname is Cheng, and she has been driven away by the troubles.”
"Chengjia Village isn't so bad either. They produced a scholar who passed the imperial examination and is about to become an official. Chengjia Village will be something special in the future."
"Look, Aunt Mountain is here!"
Cheng Wanwan came over to help, dressed in comfortable clothes, followed by her maid and old woman.
Granny Qi and her companions had long since integrated into the village. As soon as they arrived, they spontaneously started working and gathered with the familiar women to chat about everyday matters.
"Oh dear, Aunt Dashan, you have to go check on her right away!" Aunt Wang rushed over, still holding a live fish in her hand. "Dashan's wife was rendering lard when she suddenly started vomiting. Her face turned pale instantly. Has she caught a cold? Should we go get a doctor..."
Cheng Wanwan quickly put down her work and ran to the kitchen.
Wu Huiniang had been helped to sit down by the villagers. She was holding a cup of hot water and sipping it slowly. Her complexion had improved slightly.
She looked at the crowd who had gathered around to check on her, and said somewhat embarrassedly, "I'm fine, it's just that... it's just that I might be pregnant..."
Her period was more than two months late, and she had been vaguely suspicious, but since her body hadn't shown any other symptoms, she didn't dare to make a big fuss. But this time, she started vomiting, just like when she was pregnant with Xiao Zhuzhu, and only then did she dare to confirm that she was really pregnant.
"Great news, wonderful news!" Old Mrs. Zhu laughed. "Aunt Dashan, you are destined for many children and grandchildren! Er Gou's wife's grandson hasn't even been born yet, and she's pregnant again. Quickly call Dashan over to help his wife back to rest. She was weakened by the first pregnancy, so she needs to take good care of herself this time."
Wu Huiniang quickly replied, "I feel much better now, I don't need to rest."
“Dashan’s wife, you have to listen to me.” Sun Shi came over carrying the child. “A woman should take better care of herself when she’s pregnant. Chunhua can do all those things too. Chunhua, what are you still chopping vegetables over there? You have no sense of propriety at all! Come over and take charge of the cooking. Dashan’s wife needs to rest. Our village’s New Year’s Eve dinner will be in your hands. Do your best and don’t let everyone down.”
Looking at Chunhua, a young girl, Zhao Sanniang asked with some doubt, "Can she really do it?"
“Of course.” Chunhua picked up the spatula. “I’ve written down everything my sister-in-law taught me, and I can cook all the dishes on the menu. You can handle it without any problem.”
Mrs. Sun smiled with satisfaction. Her daughter had been working at Dahe Banquet for almost a year, and it was time for her to show off her skills. Otherwise, the villagers would always think that Dashan's wife was the best cook, but her daughter Chunhua was also quite good.
Cheng Wanwan said, "Grandma Ma, you assist Chunhua in cooking. Huiniang, I'll take you back to rest."
Since everything had been arranged, Wu Huiniang didn't insist any further.
Just as the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were about to leave, Lord Wu appeared at the kitchen door, drenched in sweat.
Old Mrs. Zhu teased him deliberately, "The New Year's Eve dinner isn't until tomorrow, Lord Wu, what's the rush? Are you hungry? Chunhua, hurry up and get something to eat for Lord Wu to fill his stomach..."
Lord Wu, panting heavily, waved his hand and said, "Lord Shen sent someone to say that people from the capital have arrived..."
The village head also hurried over: "Grandma Dashan, hurry, hurry and get ready. It seems that someone from the capital has come to bestow rewards and is on their way to your house..."
"Oh my, another piece of good news!"
Old Mrs. Zhu cheered.
The promotion and reward given to Dashan's mother was a major event for the entire village and a blessing for Dahe Village. People in the surrounding areas were also excited and happy.
Cheng Wanwan had a pretty good idea of what was going on, but she didn't expect the reward to come so quickly.
She strode out, and everyone in the kitchen, no longer in the mood to prepare ingredients, swarmed after her to watch the spectacle.
On the main road, a dozen or so magnificent carriages came along. The horses looked exhausted, as if they had suffered a lot along the way. At the head of the procession were familiar faces: Magistrate Shen and two messengers. The grand procession stopped at the gate of the mansion.
Lord Shen had sent someone to inform them in advance that rewards had indeed arrived from the capital. In order to ensure that the rewards could reach Dahe Village before the New Year, he did not allow Eunuch Ming to accompany them. Instead, he sent people on horseback to deliver the rewards to the post station, and then from there to Ping'an County, where messengers were responsible for announcing the imperial decree.
Cheng Wanwan changed into her court attire and led her family out to receive the imperial decree.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The nation's benevolence and the well-being of its people are paramount. You, a resident of Sui'an Village, Dahe Township, Ping'an County, have shown great kindness and generosity... The birthday gifts you present are truly appreciated by the Emperor. They are not for my pleasure, but for the sake of the nation and its people. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon you one hundred taels of gold, one thousand taels of silver, ten bolts of brocade, ten bolts of fine silk, ten bolts of fine gauze... a pair of screens, and a pair of large peony vases..."
The imperial edict listed a long list of rewards.
The people of Dahe Village had actually seen a lot of the world. After receiving so many rewards from above, they weren't as excited about these gold, silver, and jade artifacts as they used to be.
Everyone knelt on the ground, all thinking the same thing: why wasn't anyone promoted this time?
They all thought that Madam Dashan would be promoted to a fifth-rank imperial lady this time. Why was the emperor being so stingy and miserly this time? Of course, everyone just thought about it and dared not say it out loud.
Cheng Wanwan remained calm, listening quietly as the messenger read the imperial edict. When the edict was finally finished, she was about to get up to receive it.
At this moment, the messenger took out another imperial edict, unfolded it, and continued reading.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Zhao Youjin, a native of Dahe Village, Ping'an County, served in the army for many years, holding the rank of centurion. He was loyal and courageous, and fought bravely on the battlefield. I have heard that Zhao Youjin unfortunately sacrificed his life for the country, which is a great loss to our dynasty. In mourning, I hereby posthumously confer upon him the title of Seventh-Rank Respectful and Resolute Guardian. This is my decree!"
Cheng Wanwan suddenly looked up.
No way, she's the one who made the contribution, but Zhao Youjin is the one who got the award.
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