The Shen family was shocked.
The villagers of Xinghua Village were also shocked.
What? It's one thing for the Shen family to have a good relationship with the magistrate of Liucheng, but today a distinguished person from the capital has come?
Or what, the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion?
Even though they don't understand it, it sounds really impressive!
This wasn't the first time Lili had heard of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.
So it turns out that Sister Xia Ning's mother is from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
While the Shen family was still in shock, Madam Xia seemed completely unfazed. She pulled Xia Ning aside and asked, "Ning'er, His Highness the Crown Prince said in his letter that a young girl named Shen Lili saved you. Where is she?"
Xia Ning immediately pointed to Lili in the corner.
Madam Xia was taken aback. She had thought the girl was at least the same age as Ning'er, but she hadn't expected her to be so young.
She looks no more than two or three years old; she's still a little dumpling!
Xia Ning then went on and on to tell Madam Xia how Lili had caused a scene at the prefectural government and how she had taken her to play in the village. Madam Xia's impression of Lili quickly improved.
Mrs. Xia knelt down in front of Lili: "Lili, your aunt is so grateful to you!"
Gu Ziyi had mentioned all of what Xia Ning said in his letter.
It's fair to say that if it weren't for this little dumpling, her daughter might have already lost her life.
So Madam Xia hugged the little dumpling tightly. What's wrong with the little dumpling? The little dumpling is also a wonderful little dumpling!
"Lili, your aunt really admires you and is very grateful to you. If it weren't for you, Ning'er would be dead!"
The Shen family didn't know the specifics, but she did.
After Zhou Wukui was escorted back to the capital, His Majesty was furious upon receiving a secret letter from the Crown Prince and ordered the execution of his entire family and the death penalty.
On the day Zhou Wukui was beheaded and his head displayed to the public, the Minister of Rites volunteered to oversee the execution. It was also on that day that the Xia family learned that Zhou Wukui was actually a eunuch.
The Xia family secretly inquired with Zhuifeng, and Gu Ziyi had no intention of hiding anything from the Xia family, so Zhuifeng revealed a few things.
When Madam Xia was almost in Nanlin County, she received an urgent letter from the Xia family. Upon reading it, she was astonished to find that the little girl named Shen Lili was actually...!
Mrs. Xia admired her greatly, believing that Lili had extraordinary courage and would surely achieve great things in the future.
Lili accepted Madam Xia's praise quite readily: "Madam, you flatter me."
"Not at all, not at all." Madam Xia stood up and pointed to the things scattered around the courtyard. "These are just a small token of our gratitude. We hope you are satisfied."
The Shen family was greatly shocked. Was this just a small thing?
Madam Xia is very energetic and doesn't resemble the legendary noble ladies of the capital at all. Lili thinks that this aunt is very nice.
Old Mrs. Shen was filled with unease. Her family hadn't done anything, and the gift they received was really outrageous!
Old Mrs. Shen said, "Madam, this is too much... Our family did nothing; it was all Lili who saved Miss Xia."
Madam Xia smiled knowingly and took Old Lady Shen's hand affectionately.
The Shen family is indeed kind-hearted; they don't even want the things right in front of them. No wonder she felt a sense of kinship with the Shen family, especially Lili!
Madam Xia smiled and said, "Madam, please don't say that. Whether it's Lili or the Shen family, they are both great benefactors of my Xia family."
Several maids behind Madam Xia also said, "Yes, Madam, our lady has come all this way to express her gratitude to Miss Lili and the Shen family. Please accept this gift!"
"Madam, you mustn't!"
"Madam, you may!"
"That won't do!"
"Yes, that's fine!"
Mrs. Xia and Mrs. Shen's hands, which were clasped together, were pushed to the left and then to the right. The two of them were pulling and tugging at each other for quite a while without stopping.
They were just like relatives who were being very polite to each other.
Xia Ning was a little embarrassed, and pulled Lili aside to whisper, "That's just how my mom is, um... she's very enthusiastic. She didn't mean anything by it, she's just very grateful to you."
Lili smiled and said, "Of course I know."
Madam Xia's attitude was firm, and she seemed determined not to leave until the Shen family accepted her.
The Shen family has always been honest and simple; how could they possibly feel comfortable doing this?
Not to mention that Xia Ning was saved by Li Li, and had absolutely no connection with the Shen family.
Madam Xia paused, then realized that the Shen family did not want to receive a reward without having done anything in return.
Madam Xia felt even more approval for the Shen family. She believed that even though they were a farming family, they couldn't possibly end up doing badly in the future.
Madam Xia smiled: "Does Madam Shen find it too valuable? Or is she worried about something else?"
Before Old Lady Shen could answer, Madam Xia directly ordered the guards to open all the boxes, except for the one in the middle that looked the most valuable.
When they opened it, the Shen family was stunned.
It's not because there's gold, silver, or other priceless treasure inside.
Instead, these boxes were filled with grain!
Grains, vegetables, fruits, and all kinds of meat.
Millet, rice, wheat, sorghum, and beans.
Chinese cabbage, mustard greens, loofah, bitter melon, pumpkin, winter melon, corn, edamame, potato, sweet potato...
There were so many kinds, each one filled a whole box, it was dazzling to look at!
Even the meat, not only the cured and sealed ones, but also the live poultry!
Those cages were full of fat chickens, ducks, rabbits, and a few lambs, and there were even two pigs!
Lili reasonably suspected that if the cows hadn't been so big, the Xia family might have had to give away several of them.
The Shen family gasped, and Chen almost stumbled and fell to the ground.
Lili had seen plenty of grain in her previous life, but in this famine year, only a wealthy family could afford to produce so much grain all at once!
Lili looked at Xia Ning with undisguised surprise, and Xia Ning's eyes widened as well.
Wow, they're really enthusiastic.
However, it must be said that Madam Xia was very thoughtful.
At first, Lili was really worried that all these things were gold, silver and jewelry.
These gold and silver treasures might be priceless to other families.
But for the Shen family, it was more of a burden.
Moreover, in such a famine year, so much money is sometimes less valuable than a bowl of rice.
Madam Xia, pulling Old Lady Shen along, said with a smile, "You see, I did my research before coming. There's a severe famine in Xixiang County right now. Although the situation in Nanlin County is better, who knows when Nanlin County might also suffer. Money is all just an illusion. I thought that at a time like this, it would be more practical to send some grain to the Shen family. What do you think?"
While Old Mrs. Shen was still in a daze, some sharp-eyed villagers saw the scene in the Shen family's courtyard and were so shocked that they spilled all the melon seeds in their hands.
Seeing that Old Lady Shen remained silent, Madam Xia grew anxious.
She's never dealt with families like the Shen family before, so does she not like this grain?
Madam Xia thought for a moment, then deftly pulled out a handkerchief, sniffed, and began to sob.
"Madam Shen, if you won't accept this, you'll make my Xia family restless and unable to eat or sleep!" Madam Xia said with tears streaming down her face. "Lili is such a clever child. If it weren't for Lili, I'm afraid I would have to bury my child!"
Old Mrs. Shen only sighed inwardly a few times at how complete the variety of grains was, before looking up and Mrs. Xia burst into tears.
This terrified Old Lady Shen. This benefactor had been so considerate of her family. They had even expressed their gratitude to Lili for saving their lives.
If the Shen family doesn't accept it, they'll be offending them.
Moreover, Old Lady Shen had to admit that sending grain was indeed better than sending gold and silver jewelry.
The Shen family just wanted a simple life. If the Xia family really sent a whole courtyard full of money, Old Mrs. Shen probably wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully at night, fearing that someone would come and rob her.
I feel much more at ease about the food.
Seeing that Lili, who loved grain, had already started looking around at the boxes, Old Mrs. Shen relented and said, "Madam, you flatter me. Miss Xia is very fortunate. Our Lili is just doing the right thing."
Upon hearing this, Madam Xia knew that Old Lady Shen was going to accept the gift, so she quickly wiped away her tears and put on a smile again.
"Oh, right." Madam Xia leaned closer and whispered, "Madam, I'll let you in on a little secret. There's some grain here, some of which was personally bestowed by that person in the palace!"
Madam Shen was startled.
That person in the palace, could it be... His Majesty?
Lili heard it too and couldn't help but be curious.
What does this emperor mean?
Could it be that she is silently expressing her anger at the actions of the eldest prince?
Lili thought for two seconds, then shook her head and refocused her attention on the rice in front of her.
Forget it, let's leave the palace intrigue to His Highness the Crown Prince.
The rice in the capital is truly exceptional. Although I haven't tasted it, it looks so much better than the rice here, so round and lustrous.
Lili wondered, "Where did this rice come from as a tribute?"
She plans to go and investigate in person later.
There is grain in the palace, but I wonder if His Highness the Crown Prince has informed his Emperor father about the situation at the border, and how the rice at the border is doing.
Ugh, forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore, it's giving me a headache.
With so much grain, the Shen family will have no worries for a while, even if Nanlin County ever falls to the level of Xixiang County.
The Shen family was overjoyed, even more so than if they had received the money.
The boys shouted excitedly.
Wow, we have so much food!
"Yeah, look at those two pigs, they're so fat!"
"There are also little lambs! They're so cute! We can raise lambs!"
"With so much grain, Auntie San is sure to make all sorts of amazing dishes. My mouth is watering!"
Who doesn't like to hear others praise the gift they gave them?
Listening to the boys' words and seeing the happy faces of the Shen family members, Madam Xia felt very proud.
She said, "Isn't it better to send food than money?"
I'll brag about it to Xia Ning's dad when I get back!
Mrs. Xia gently patted Lili's little hand and asked, "Lili, what do you think?"
Lili naturally liked it; many of these grains could be replanted!
For fruits like bitter melon and pumpkin, if processed properly, the seeds inside can be used as seeds.
At that time, grain will produce grain, and grain will produce more grain.
Then there would be more food than we could eat!
"I love it! Thank you for the gift, Auntie!"
Perhaps it was because Lili was a little girl like her own daughter, and so adorable, that Madam Xia felt the closest to Lili and adored her.
"If you like it, that's fine."
Madam Xia then said to Old Madam Shen, "Old Madam, where should we put these things? I'll have the guards help us move them, so you won't have to go through all that trouble later."
Old Mrs. Shen and Old Mr. Shen exchanged a glance, now they were in a dilemma.
The Shen family had never needed to store so much grain before; they simply didn't have a house to store that much grain.
Lili thought for a moment and said, "I know, let's rent a small courtyard in the city, and hire two people to look after it. Besides, the county magistrate is right next door, so nothing will happen."
Old Mrs. Shen hesitated. It was a good idea, but it was a bit far, and it would take quite a while to get to Liucheng.
Madam Xia readily agreed: "I think it's a good idea. Madam, you don't need to worry about it. Our Xia family will take care of this and handle it for the Shen family. We'll just have the magistrate inform you when the time comes."
Old Mrs. Shen asked Lili, "Will it work?"
Lili: "It's wrapped!"
"OK!"
So the Xia family guards went through another round of fuss, loading all the items onto the carriages. Ten carriages set off without hesitation in no time.
Only one box was left in the yard.
Madam Xia chuckled and asked, "Madam, who is Lili's mother?"
Old Mrs. Shen pointed to the bewildered Yang Shi, and Madam Xia went over and pulled the anxious Yang Shi over, saying, "Lili is a good child. I felt from the letter that Lili was intelligent, quick-witted, kind and lovely, and seeing her today, it is indeed true."
What mother doesn't like others praising her child?
As expected, Madam Yang was no longer nervous: "Madam Xia is too kind. Miss Xia is also very well-behaved and clever."
Madam Xia opened the box on the ground a crack, just enough for Madam Yang to see clearly.
When Yang saw it, she was almost startled and cried out.
Yang's expression went blank for a moment.
What does this mean?
Madam Xia then put the box back on: "Madam Chen, this is a small token of my appreciation. The Xia family will never forget Lili's life-saving grace, nor will Xia Ning. These are my gifts for Lili. If Lili gets married in the future, this will be my dowry. If Lili wants to do something else, this will be the foundation I provide."
Madam Xia's voice wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for the Shen family to hear clearly.
"Carry this box inside."
The guards carried the box into the main room of the Shen family home, and Lili was inexplicably moved.
Xia Ning held Lili's hand tightly. She knew that today's reunion with her family also meant separation from Lili and the Shen family.
Recalling everything that had happened over the past two weeks, Xia Ning felt very reluctant to part ways.
Every plant and tree here is so different from those in the capital, yet she was deeply attracted to this place in just over twenty days.
Lili was also reluctant to part with this young lady; they had met by chance, yet a special bond had formed between them.
However, they will definitely meet again in the future!
Lili smiled brightly, her eyes crinkling to reveal dimples on her cheeks, and said, "Sister Xia Ning, don't be sad, we'll meet again."
Listen to the wind's whisper, and wait patiently for the flowers to bloom.
They will surely meet again somewhere next year.
Xia Ning boarded the carriage and instructed the guards to bring the small bed.
Just as Madam Xia was about to follow, she caught a glimpse of the silent person in the corner.
"Family, I just got back from a two-day trip to Macau, it was so much fun!"
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