Gu Lili was speechless for a moment; Wan Quan was quite good at stirring up trouble.
Just as Gu Lili was about to step forward and drag Wan Quan to the county government to report to the officials and prove her innocence, someone in the crowd recognized Gu Lili.
"Oh, isn't this Princess Yongning?"
When the county magistrate came here last time to arrest wanted criminals, Gu Lili mentioned that they were going to open a restaurant.
Because a considerable amount of time had passed, I only recognized Gu Lili now.
Several ordinary people who were present that day recognized Gu Lili after being reminded by others.
I've only met Gu Lili once, so I don't remember her very clearly.
Furthermore, what village head is so approachable, personally serving them food?
Those who recognized Gu Lili immediately knelt down and kowtowed to her.
"This humble subject greets the Lord of Yongning Township!"
Many of them survived because of Gu Lili's prescription, so this kneeling was from the bottom of their hearts.
No one would dare to impersonate the village head, who was personally appointed by the emperor.
Except for Wan Quan, all the ordinary people present knelt down one after another.
Wan Quan stared at Gu Lili in shock, unsure whether to kneel or stand.
Wan Quan wasn't the only one surprised; Gu Chenxi, who was standing next to Gu Lili, was also taken aback.
She had no idea that Gu Lili, who had saved her, was actually the famous Princess Yongning.
She had heard about Gu Lili's deeds before in the village, and at the time she thought this woman was really amazing.
Gu Lili didn't want to reveal her identity, but she didn't expect to be recognized anyway.
"Everyone, please get up quickly, no need to be so polite." Gu Lili hurriedly stepped forward to help the people in front of her up.
Gu Lili declined everyone's formalities, and everyone stood up.
At first, many of them believed what Gu Wanquan said and thought that Gu Lili had put something in it.
That's why everyone who tried it wanted to go in and have a meal.
However, when everyone learned that Baiweixuan was opened by the head of Yongning Township, they felt that what Wan Quan said was simply nonsense.
Gu Lili was willing to give up the prescription to save everyone's lives, so how could she possibly harm them?
"I think this man has ulterior motives. Let's take him to the county government!"
"I also think he's not a good person. He's quite old, but he bullies the village head just because she's young, and spreads rumors about her!"
"Let's go, let's take him to the county government!"
"......"
Immediately, all the people present began to condemn the attack.
Wan Quan panicked for a moment. He never expected that this person would be the Lord of Yongning Township.
Wanxianglou had no business, so he came out for a stroll. He saw that Baiweixuan was open and bustling with customers, so he squeezed in to join the fun.
Actually, Gu Lili's dishes are indeed very delicious. He had just squeezed through the crowd and grabbed a plate from Gu Chenxi to try.
He was simply consumed by anger when he uttered those false accusations against Gu Lili.
As everyone surrounded him, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration and started shouting.
"So that's why the Yongning Township Chief went to Wanxiang Restaurant to stir up trouble! It turns out he wanted to open a restaurant himself, so he deliberately smeared Wanxiang Restaurant to get customers to come to your restaurant!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Lili realized that they were from Wanxianglou, which made it no surprise.
Looks like we've run into each other on a narrow road!
Gu Lili was too lazy to talk to him. Now that everyone had recognized her identity, she naturally had to put on a proper air of a village head.
"This man has been spouting nonsense and falsely accusing me. Please help me subdue him so we can take him to the county government!"
If we let this go, then who knows what kind of Tom, Dick, or Harry will dare to spread rumors at the entrance of Baiweixuan in the future.
When the people present heard what Gu Lili said, they all surrounded her, ready to arrest Wan Quan.
Wan Quan was not about to surrender so easily, and immediately tried to run away.
But he never had such an opportunity.
Soon, he was pinned to the ground by several strong men.
"You must be feeling guilty, that's why you want to send me to the county government. Do you think I don't know that you people are all officials protecting each other? Even if I'm telling the truth, the magistrate will definitely favor you. I'm not willing to accept this!"
Even though Wan Quan was pinned to the ground, he kept talking.
He's got a real silver tongue; it's a shame he's a chef.
"Who said that I, an official, would show favoritism to the village head?"
A dignified voice came from behind the crowd, and the people unconsciously made way for it.
Gu Lili looked up and saw Magistrate Yang and Clerk Li, but they were following behind a man dressed as a eunuch.
Several guards followed behind, which reminded Gu Lili of the first time Eunuch Zhang came to her house to deliver an imperial decree.
Gu Lili had sharp eyes and quickly recognized him; it was the eunuch who came to deliver the imperial decree when she was first granted the title of village head.
Gu Lili couldn't help but feel curious. Why would Eunuch Zhang, who served the Emperor, suddenly come to this inconspicuous little town again?
When the people present saw the county magistrate arrive, they all quieted down.
Wan Quan's face also turned pale. His mother had long ago told him not to speak ill of others behind their backs.
The moment he uttered those words, the person in question arrived.
What should we do?!
"Greetings, Eunuch Zhang and the Magistrate." Gu Lili suppressed her questions and greeted Eunuch Zhang and the Magistrate.
When Zhang Gonggong saw Gu Lili greet him, his eyes narrowed with a smile.
Last time, when he presented the peach blossom wine he had asked for Gu Lili to the Emperor, the Emperor rewarded him with many gifts.
Eunuch Zhang nodded and said, "It's been a long time, Princess Yongning!"
County Princess?
Was it that Eunuch Zhang had misremembered, or was Gu Lili hallucinating?
"Eunuch Zhang, are you sure you're not mistaken?" Gu Lili asked cautiously.
Although the difference between "township lord" and "county lord" is only one character, the difference is significant.
A village head is only a ninth-rank official, but a county head is a second-rank official.
It doesn't matter if Eunuch Zhang is mistaken, but if he admits it and it gets out, he'll be in trouble.
Eunuch Zhang laughed, “If I’m not mistaken, Gu Lili, kneel down to receive the imperial decree!”
As he spoke, Eunuch Zhang took out the bright yellow imperial edict from his long sleeves.
Gu Lili caught a glimpse of that bright yellow color and immediately knelt down.
Not only Gu Lili, but even the common people present, including the county magistrate, knelt down.
Wan Quan's face grew paler and paler. Did he not check the almanac before going out today?
It seems like we've kicked a hornet's nest.
He knelt on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Gu family has a daughter named Lili, who is intelligent and kind."
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