Sister-in-law Lin and the others had already gotten out of the carriage. Sister-in-law Lin said happily, "What are you all standing there for? This is Madam Hui, my sister-in-law, and also Fengnian's mother. She is the second aunt of the Lin family!"
Lin's sister-in-law had already been brainwashed by Song Anxin on the way to the car. She thought her sister-in-law was right. A ban on an account is just a ban on an account. Life still goes on. The village should be lively and bustling together. People shouldn't be alienated from each other because of an identity.
She greeted the villagers, saying, "Come, come, my sister-in-law has become an official! It's a great joy for our family. Please have some wedding candy..."
The wedding candy was bought in the county on the way. It was made of sugar and flour. Her family bought a lot, enough for everyone in the village to have one piece.
Upon hearing that there would be wedding candy, everyone rushed to Sister-in-law Lin to receive it. Almost the entire village came to join in the fun, and the scene was very lively. Lin Fengnian, Song Anbang, Lin Fengshou... almost everyone was handing out wedding candy.
Each villager who received the candy would say, "Congratulations, Madam Hui."
"May Your Majesty be well."
"....."
At first, Song Anxin would try to correct them on how they addressed her, but she couldn't resist them and just let it go. Perhaps it was because of the clothes she was wearing that they unconsciously called her that. She would be fine after she changed out of these clothes.
Children are so innocent; they call her whatever she wears.
"Thank you, Second Aunt, for giving us candy."
"Thank you, Auntie, this candy is so sweet..."
"....."
Song Anxin smiled and responded to everyone. Just then, Lin Lizheng walked over. Although it was Fengnian Niang calling him, he called her as before, but seeing Fengnian Niang's attire, he really couldn't bring himself to say it. Fearing that Lady Hui would be unhappy, he still forced himself to speak:
“Feng, Fengnian’s mother, could you take the imperial edict, wear this official robe, and go to the Lin family ancestral hall with me to pay respects to the Lin family ancestors?”
The ancestors of the Lin family probably didn't even know what the Lady looked like, let alone have seen the imperial edict. He wanted his ancestors to know that their Lin family village had made something of itself by producing a wise and intelligent lady.
Song Anxin was surprised that the village head would say such a thing, because in this era, women were not allowed to kneel in the ancestral hall. However, considering her current status, she understood. Linjia Village had never produced a student in generations, but now a seventh-rank lady had emerged. Although she was a woman, she had brought honor to the village.
Song Anxin nodded: "Uncle, I'll get the imperial edict from the carriage and go with you."
Almost all the elderly members of the Lin family came. Lin Fengnian, as the eldest son, naturally had to come as well. The Lin family elders and Lin Fengnian solemnly held the imperial edict and placed it on the table, and began to burn incense and pray to the ancestors of the Lin family.
As Song Anxin knelt below, she was also moved by their sincerity. This kind of commemoration of ancestors is a way for the living to find solace and also a way to show respect for the dead. They came into this world not silently, but are forever remembered by someone.
The moment Peng Tongsheng, who was temporarily staying at the ancestral hall, saw Song Anxin, he unconsciously knelt down. He thought that coming to Linjia Village was indeed the right decision. Not only had he learned arithmetic methods that were different from those he had learned before, but he had also gained many different insights into this subject. Recently, he had been writing articles with great inspiration, which was all because there was such a remarkable person as Hui Ruren in Linjia Village.
When Song Anxin and Lin Fengnian returned from the ancestral hall, there were still quite a few people outside her courtyard gate. No one wanted to leave, and they all wanted to take another look at the newly appointed Lady Hui. They gathered on one side and talked about how impressive Song Anxin had looked when she came out.
When Song Anxin entered the courtyard, she found Granny Han, Stone Mother, Aunt Zhao, and several others standing guard in the courtyard, staring intently at the gate, looking like they were on guard against thieves.
Lin Fengnian walked in, puzzled, and asked, "Grandma, Auntie, what are you doing? Has a thief broken into my yard?"
Granny Han said, "Oh dear, what nonsense are you talking about? We're just worried about thieves coming in. There are so many people outside, we have to be careful. You have no idea how many good things came to your house this morning. They said they were all gifts from above. Your grandmother and your wife are keeping watch in the inner room because they're worried. We're keeping watch in the yard."
They must have heard the commotion inside, because the inner door opened and Old Madam Song came out. As soon as she saw Song Anxin, she walked quickly to her. Looking at her daughter dressed in a traditional Chinese wedding dress, Old Madam Song couldn't help but tear up.
“My dear Xin’er, hurry, let your mother take a good look. Oh my, Xin’er is really good, really good. I never thought my Xin’er would become an official first. How happy your father will be in heaven.”
Song Anxin was also moved when she saw her mother like this. Since ancient times, the achievements of children have always been the pride of their parents.
Song Mei said from the side, "Mother, you're finally back. The county government sent people to deliver a lot of things early this morning. I've never seen such precious items in my life. I was so scared at the time. They said that the emperor personally conferred the title of seventh-rank lady upon you and bestowed these gifts upon you."
She wiped her eyes, looking touched: "I never expected that you, Mother, would become a government official's wife, and that my second brother would return safely and be alright. I am so happy."
Granny Han said from the side, "This is a great joy! Isn't it a happy thing? Madam Hui, you don't know, when the gifts came down, everyone in the village stared at those glittering gold things. Otherwise, Aunt Song and Mei would have come out of the yard to see you long ago. With so many precious things in your house, they really didn't dare to leave."
Song Anxin smiled and said, "Stone Mother, Little River Granny, Auntie... thank you for keeping watch over me in the yard. Now that I've been granted an official position, such a joyous occasion, our family must hold a banquet. We'll have to ask you to come and help us with the arrangements tomorrow."
Aunt Zhao waved her hand and said, "Madam Hui, why are you being so polite with us? It's our honor to host a banquet for Madam Hui. Don't worry, we'll come first thing tomorrow morning."
The banquet was originally scheduled for today, but the prefect is investigating Magistrate Yan's case, and Magistrate Yan also needs to assist him. In addition, it's already past noon since they returned from Heyang County. Moreover, her appointment as an official is a big deal, and it's estimated that the whole village will need to host fifty or sixty tables. It would be too late to go to the county to prepare a large amount of vegetables and meat and make the banquet, so it has to be postponed to tomorrow.
She went back to her room and changed out of her lady's robes. She felt that wearing her usual clothes was the most comfortable. Without the lady's crown, she felt like her head was several pounds lighter. No wonder there is a saying that if you want to wear a crown, you must bear its weight.
After the family had a late lunch together, Song Anxin, along with Song Mei and Old Madam Song, began to take stock of the items. There were exquisitely crafted hairpins and jewelry, as well as high-quality porcelain, embroidered fabrics, and even a hundred silver ingots as a reward... Song Anxin thought the emperor was really generous this time. After taking a list, she locked everything in the cabinet.
Then she began to arrange things methodically, such as closing all the workshops for the day to celebrate the host's joy, deciding on the banquet arrangements, who to invite, and having Anbang, Fenghe, and Fengyao also request leave from the academy for the day, with Lin Fengnian and Lin Fengshou in charge of entertaining the guests, etc.
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