In the courtyard, when Old Lady Li heard that her eldest son had been appointed village chief by the county magistrate, she was overjoyed.
She excitedly grasped Zhen Fugui's hand and said with relief, "Good, good! Our eldest son is promising. Our Zhen family will have officials in the future..."
"Mother! It's just being the village chief, it's nothing special."
Faced with the praise from everyone, Zhen Fugui felt both embarrassed and happy, and explained somewhat awkwardly.
Zhen Wanwan was playing with her child under the eaves when she saw Zhen Fugui's embarrassment. She smiled and said, "Mom! It's a good thing that my eldest brother has become the village chief. Shall we celebrate tonight?"
"Oh my! Yes! I'm so happy I'm almost delirious."
Grandma Li danced with joy and said to everyone, "None of you need to come out for dinner tonight. My eldest son has become an official, so we have to celebrate properly!"
Sister-in-law Zhou said with a smile, "Oh, we're really in luck today! All of us combined can't cook as well as Aunt Li!"
"Yes, yes! I've been thinking about Auntie's braised pork every day, so you'd better make a lot today!"
Everyone chimed in with flattering words, making Old Lady Li's lips never leave her mouth.
She accepted everyone's teasing with a smile and said, "Alright! Let's have a good meal today! Cuihua, come with me to buy groceries!"
Wang Cuihua was in high spirits when she heard something good, and she responded loudly to what Old Lady Li said. The two of them then went out the door with their vegetable baskets in their hands.
They happened to run into Zhu Yuan, and Old Lady Li smiled even more broadly. Even Wang Cuihua was not afraid of Zhu Yuan and followed behind Old Lady Li with a smile on her face.
"Oh! Strategist, you've arrived! Come in and have a seat. Stay for dinner today, and I'll make your favorite braised pork!"
Grandma Li, holding Zhu Yuan's left arm, turned and led her into the courtyard: "Wanwan! The strategist is here!"
Looking at her future son-in-law's handsome appearance, Old Mrs. Li became more and more satisfied, even ignoring the aloof feeling he exuded.
Zhu Yuan had gradually gotten used to Old Lady Li's enthusiasm, and he said with a smile, "Auntie, you don't need to be so polite! From now on, you can just call me Zhu Yuan."
Grandma Li's face beamed like a chrysanthemum: "Oh! Xiao Yuan! From now on, treat this place like your own home..."
"Mom! It's getting late, the butcher will close his shop if you don't go out soon!"
Grandma Li then realized what was happening. Instead of continuing to talk to Zhu Yuan, she turned to Zhen Wanwan and instructed her, "You must take good care of Xiao Yuan, and also let Gua Bao and Tian Bao get closer to their father!"
The second half of the sentence was whispered into Zhen Wanwan's ear by Old Lady Li, and then she smiled and went out again to buy groceries with Wang Cuihua.
Helpless, Zhen Wanwan led Zhu Yuan into the courtyard, explaining awkwardly, "That's just my mother's personality; she can chatter on and on about anyone she meets!"
"It's alright!"
Zhu Yuan, being a martial artist, naturally overheard the whispered conversation between the mother and daughter, which gave him a boost of confidence.
It seems his mother-in-law has approved of him, and the day of his wedding is getting closer. He needs to find a time to express his feelings to his father-in-law and brother-in-law.
Sweetie was sucking on her little finger, gazing longingly at Zhuyuan. Her pitiful appearance naturally touched the heart of Zhuyuan, a loving father.
"Let me hold Sweetie!"
Zhu Yuan took Tian Bao naturally, as if the awkward movements from yesterday were not his own.
Zhen Wanwan did not refuse, after all, she had said that the two of them would raise the child together, so she couldn't refuse to let the other person hold the baby!
The scene before him deeply pierced Qu Huaiyuan's heart. He couldn't understand when Zhenniangzi had become so close to Zhuyuan.
Thinking of the bloody scenes he had witnessed in the military camp, he felt very averse to Zhu Yuan's closeness to Zhen Wanwan.
And his thoughts...
Grandpa Zhen was unaware of his daughter's relationship with Zhu Yuan, and he considered it perfectly normal for Tianbao to be favored by Zhu Yuan.
After all, everyone who has seen his beloved granddaughter likes her, so what's so surprising about that?
However, as ordinary people, they still have a deep-seated fear of high-ranking officials.
He carefully led Zhu Yuan into the house, accompanied by his eldest son who had just become the village chief.
He is the oldest in his generation and the only man of that generation. He is the one who usually receives guests.
Of course, Qu Huaiyuan, being a student of the first level of the imperial examination, also had to sit in the main room to accompany the guests.
Although he disliked Zhu Yuan, he still greeted him with a smile, just like always.
Zhu Yuan took out the toys he had brought with him and placed them one by one on the table, letting Tian Bao play with them.
Upon seeing this, Grandpa Zhen smiled and thanked him, saying, "Hehe, it's good that you came, strategist. Why did you bring so many gifts for Sweetie?"
"Not much, there's very little left..."
Thinking back to where Zhuyuan had appeared in Dahe Village, she asked curiously, "Has your mission been completed, sir? If you need any help, please feel free to ask us!"
In short, they all benefited greatly from Zhuyuan. The land they were given this time was all good land, and they didn't even have to clear the land themselves. Even the houses were built with the help of the government.
They just need to sit back and wait to receive their houses and demolition compensation; they won't have to stop farming next year.
Zhu Yuan paused for a moment, not explaining why he had gone, but simply stating, "The matter has been settled; now we just need to wait for the villagers to move out..."
"I see!" Old Master Zhen understood. This iron ore was a good thing, no wonder Zhu Yuan valued it so much.
He turned to Zhen Fugui and instructed, "Eldest brother! In the next two days, go to Dahe Village and collect information on the villagers' land holdings. Deliver the documents to the county magistrate as soon as possible, so as not to delay the strategist!"
"My son understands!"
Qu Huaiyuan had been silently observing Zhu Yuan from the side, feeling quite surprised. Logically speaking, with chaos erupting outside, he, as the strategist, should have been in the military camp offering advice and strategies.
How can you still have the mind to look at a mountain here?
"My esteemed advisor! I have a question for you!"
Zhu Yuan raised an eyebrow, showing no surprise whatsoever, as if he had expected him to ask that question.
He hummed in agreement and said, "Go ahead!"
Qu Huaiyuan's smile faded, and he said seriously, "Does Your Excellency know about the situation outside? I learned earlier that the Fifth Prince intends to take control of the Songjiang Prefecture area."
And he wants the prefect of Anqing Prefecture to join his camp so they can storm the capital and purge the emperor of corrupt officials?
Zhu Yuan remained silent upon hearing this, but Old Master Zhen and Zhen Fugui beside him seemed to be getting restless.
They hadn't forgotten that the Third Prince had already ascended the throne, though not by proper order, he was still sitting on that chair.
If the prefect of Anqing Prefecture agrees, wouldn't that be tantamount to rebellion?
If the imperial court investigates and sends people to suppress the unrest, this hard-won stable life will be disrupted again.
No one could stand living in constant fear.
Zhu Yuan had no intention of hiding anything from them, and readily nodded: "You're right! But..."
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