Upon hearing the words "meet the officials," the Cen family members instinctively stepped back.
Ordinary people at the bottom of society in this era have a natural awe and fear of the government.
Immediately afterwards, the village chief's son arrived with a group of men, women, and children.
"Lord, is someone causing trouble here? Don't worry, the people of Anjia Village are not to be trifled with!" The speaker was none other than Old Lady Qian, who had a grudge against Yang Cui in the past, which was truly unexpected.
Yang Cui is not the same as before. Old Mrs. Qian has always wanted to reconcile with Yang Cui, but unfortunately she has never had the chance.
Today, the village chief's son came to the village to gather the villagers, saying that someone was causing trouble for Yang Cui. She and her whole family rushed to the front without hesitation, hoping that Yang Cui would forgive and forget and help their family make money and get rich.
“We’re all family, Lord De’an, why are you making such a scene?” Madam Wan said again.
“Madam Wan, I’ve already said he’s not my husband’s family, but you insist he’s one of us. Could it be that you hired them to cause trouble?” Yang Cui spoke directly, and everyone’s eyes turned to Madam Wan.
Madam Wan's face stiffened, and she said, "Lord De'an is joking. I just feel sorry for them..."
“Since Madam Wan is so compassionate, why not give them a hundred or eighty taels of silver to improve their lives? I’m sure Madam Wan won’t be reluctant to part with it.” After saying that, Yang Cui turned to the Cen family and said, “Why don’t you hurry up and thank Madam Wan? A hundred taels of silver! You couldn’t earn that much money even if you farmed for eight lifetimes.”
The Cen family members looked at each other in bewilderment at first, but Cen Xiao's half-brother was the first to react. He thanked Madam Wan profusely, saying things like she looked like the reincarnation of Guanyin Bodhisattva, and wishing her good health, all the best, and eternal youth. He just kept spouting nice things as if they were free.
Madam Wan glared angrily at Yang Cui.
Kuang Meiyun chuckled: "Madam Wan is kind-hearted, but I think there are still quite a few poor people in Anjia Village. Madam Wan is kind-hearted and is the reincarnation of Guanyin Bodhisattva. We can't be biased towards one family over the other. I think it would be better to give each household in Anjia Village two taels of silver."
"Two taels of silver? Meiyun, who are you looking down on? Madam Wan is so rich and kind-hearted, she should give at least ten taels of silver per person." Yang Cui laughed. "Madam Wan, what do you say?"
Village Chief An has learned his lesson and immediately chimed in, "Then on behalf of all the villagers of Anjia Village, I would like to thank Madam Wan. Come, everyone, come and thank Madam Wan!"
Zhou Daqing said, "Madam Wan, the villagers of Zhou'an Village are also very poor. You are a living bodhisattva, and you certainly wouldn't show favoritism. On behalf of Zhou'an Village, I thank you for your generous help, Madam Wan."
"Then I'll hurry back and call the villagers to come and collect the money." Zhou Zhuoshi immediately turned around and walked back.
Upon hearing this, Old Lady Qian chimed in, "Oh dear! I thank you so much, Madam, for your great kindness. There are fourteen people in my family, so we must have over a hundred taels of silver. Come here, everyone, let's thank this living Bodhisattva!"
Old Mrs. Qian beckoned, and the whole family swarmed around, bowing to Madam Wan: "Thank you for your great kindness, Madam Wan."
At this point, the other villagers also joined in the commotion, bowing deeply to Madam Wan with their hands clasped in prayer: "Thank you, Madam Wan. We will never forget your great kindness and virtue."
This is like putting Madam Wan in a very difficult position.
Madam Wan was so angry that her face turned ashen, and she wished she could skin Yang Cui alive.
"Oh dear, Madam Wan looks so pale. Could it be that you're reluctant to spend the money?" Kuang Meiyun feigned surprise.
"Meiyun, what nonsense are you talking about? Is Madam Wan such a petty person?"
Yang Cui and Kuang Meiyun continued their banter, and Madam Wan finally couldn't hold back any longer: "Yang Cui! Don't be so smug!"
"How dare you! How dare you call my hometown's name so high!" Xi Hongmei rebuked angrily.
The rank of a village head was not high, but ordinary women would still bow to her.
"So what if he's just a lowly village head? Yang Cui, let me tell you, Cen Xiao is dead. You won't be smug for long. Hand over 100,000 taels of silver obediently, or else... Hmph..." Madam Wan sneered, "Your whole family won't have an easy time!"
"Ten thousand taels of silver, Madam Wan, you have quite the nerve!" Mo Zijun said. "Although General Cen is no longer here, don't forget that the Su family is still behind Lord De'an!"
When Yang Cui returned to her hometown, a group of guards from the Su family were among her escorts, a fact known to many. But what they understood even more clearly was that the Su family sending people to escort Yang Cui back was undoubtedly a message to everyone: she, Yang Cui, was under the protection of the Su family!
"Heh, the Su family is nothing! They can't even protect themselves."
Upon hearing this, Yang Cui's expression changed drastically.
It is said that dynasties come and go, but aristocratic families remain. In ancient times, unless it was a serious crime like treason, it was impossible for an aristocratic family to suddenly collapse.
And she was perfectly fine when she left Beijing.
The original work barely mentions the Su family, so Yang Cui is unaware of their fate. However, Yang Cui trusts Cen Xiao, who said that Su Murong is trustworthy and has a close relationship with the Su family. Therefore, it is impossible for the Su family to have committed such a crime. But what does Madam Wan mean by saying this?
If she didn't have some powerful backing, how could she dare to do this?
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