Thinking of Niu Niu, Liang Shuyan felt a pang of worry. If the original owner's mother-in-law were still alive, she could still find some clues. But now, what other options were there?
There are ways, though. If the original owner's mother-in-law's memories could be reopened, perhaps some information could be found. However, this would be too much damage to her mother's health. Just thinking about this made Liang Shuyan feel very sad.
Grandma Jin knew exactly what her daughter was thinking. She pulled Liang Shuyan into her room, hesitated for a moment, and said, "I know that Niu Niu's background worries you a lot, doesn't it?"
Liang Shuyan turned her eyes to Grandma Jin: "Mother, no matter what, we raised Niu Niu from a baby. We can't control everything. If no one comes knocking, then we'll pretend nothing happened."
"That won't work either. What if they're rich or powerful people? Can we refuse them? How would we feel?"
"Yes, how could Liang Shuyan not have thought of this?" She tapped her head and said calmly, "Mother, it's alright. We can talk about this in a few days. I never wanted Niu Niu to get married anyway. We'll talk about it after Niu Niu finds her biological parents!"
A group of people arrived in the courtyard. They said they were several merchants from the town who wanted to cooperate with Jin's Tea House. Liang Shuyan greeted them with a smile: "Oh my, you gentlemen have come all this way. How did you know we were moving today?"
A chubby, bearded man sized up Liang Shuyan, carrying a bag of gifts, and said with a smile, "How come we didn't know? Everyone in the tea shop knows that Madam Tea is moving, right?"
Liang Shuyan gave an awkward smile and accepted the gift: "You've come all this way, why did you bring a gift? Come on in, please!"
Zhao Heng, carrying a basket on his back, led the guests' horses to an open space to the side, poured out some fresh hay, and then excitedly ran in.
One after another, people from the town and the provincial capital, merchants and government officials, as well as some women dressed in brightly colored clothes, arrived at Liang Shuyan's house.
Following his mother's method, Jin Erniu trained all the warriors in the martial arts school. Now, the escort agencies also learned that the people from Jin's martial arts school were not only skilled but also of excellent character. As a result, many people from the escort agencies came to Liang Shuyan's house from afar.
The courtyard was packed with people, but even so, many people from the capital still flocked into her home.
Just as everyone was enjoying their meal, a eunuch slowly alighted from a carriage at the door. He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Today, on the occasion of Lady Cha's housewarming, His Majesty has bestowed upon her a plaque!"
Upon hearing that the Emperor had bestowed another plaque, everyone glanced at it and saw four large vermilion characters written on the golden plaque: "Mianyuan Liuchang" (meaning "a long and continuous source of inspiration").
"On the occasion of Your Majesty's housewarming, I hope that Your Majesty will continue to uphold the Jin family's fine business ethics. I will give full support to the Jin family's martial arts school, Jin family's tea house, and all of the Jin family's businesses. In order to encourage and sponsor the development of the Jin family's businesses, I hereby bestow upon you 30 sets of ebony furniture, 50 sets of fine silk brocade quilts, more than 400 sets of weapons and equipment for the martial arts school, as well as thousands of sets of tea sets and tableware, and 3,500 taels of gold and silver!"
Everyone knelt on the ground, listening to the Emperor's decree. Liang Shuyan felt that these things were exactly what the Emperor had prepared for her new home. Although she was grateful, she was also uneasy. Would this cause more trouble?
Fortunately, this time, the emperor only rewarded her and did not grant her an official position, which made her breathe a sigh of relief.
Unexpectedly, the eunuch took out another scroll, slowly unfurled it, and then read aloud: "Bestowing upon the Jin family the rank of eighth grade official! And a set of official robes, which they must wear whenever they go out! So be it!"
Liang Shuyan was just feeling relieved that she hadn't been granted an official position, but who knew that another imperial decree would come to grant her one? She was just a farmer, and now, wouldn't she be facing even more misfortunes than before?
"This humble woman accepts the imperial decree! Long live the Emperor!"
The father-in-law threw his head back and laughed heartily, then handed the imperial edict to Liang Shuyan, who was kneeling on the ground.
"Why are you still a commoner? You've been promoted! Serve the magistrate well in agricultural matters. This is a special order from the Emperor. This old servant has already delivered the decree and will be returning now!"
Liang Shuyan immediately stood up and stopped her father-in-law: "Father-in-law, you've come all this way, why don't you have a drink or a bite before you leave? Today is a lucky day for our Jin family to move!"
The magistrate nodded respectfully: "Yes, that's right. Today is the lady's housewarming day. Why don't you try her new tea and other delicacies, sir?"
Upon hearing this, the father-in-law hesitated for a moment before saying, "Very well! In that case, this old servant will sit down and try your new tea, Madam!"
Then, Liang Shuyan ordered someone to serve tea and some pastries!
On the table, a beautiful porcelain cup was placed, carved with a delicate little flower. The pale red tea and the white cup looked very tempting. The father-in-law picked up the teacup, took a sip, and exclaimed in surprise, "Is this the lady's rose tea?"
"Yes, that's right. Father-in-law has heard that rose tea is good for beauty and can also help with weight loss. However, I have also prepared some premium tea to offer to the Emperor. Father-in-law, please take it to the Emperor before you leave. I also have some pastries that I made myself. Please have a taste."
Upon hearing that it was for beauty and weight loss, the father-in-law exclaimed with delight, "The ladies have long known that you have developed such tea, and they are overjoyed. There is no precedent for this beauty and weight loss tea in our Great Zhou Dynasty!"
"Don't worry, we've prepared everything. It's all local specialties from our Daling Village, a small gift to thank His Majesty and the Empresses. It's nothing but a token of our gratitude, please convey our thanks to you, Eunuch!"
The father-in-law tasted the noodles and delicacies served and nodded repeatedly: "I really didn't expect that Madam's cooking skills were so amazing. Even the food is so delicious. I'm not saying this out loud, but it's even better than what the Emperor's imperial chefs make! It's getting late, and I dare not delay any longer. I need to hurry back and report. Thank you for your hospitality, Madam!"
Liang Shuyan had already ordered people to prepare new tea, as well as some fresh pastries. She also brought some of her newly developed face cream and hand cream for the ladies.
The father-in-law took Liang Shuyan's things and nodded happily: "Good, since the people of Daling Village are so hospitable, you should not disappoint the Emperor's kindness. Now that the road and the school are built, why not turn Daling Village into a villa-style leisure place? Who knows, the Emperor might be interested in visiting your Daling Village one day?"
Liang Shuyan had this idea long ago: once the market in the village is built, the Daling Farm will definitely be built next!
"Okay, thank you, sir! May you rest in peace!"
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