"My goodness! I never thought the market in Dingshui Village would actually open!"
"And it was even the county magistrate himself who came!"
"And what about a princess? Who is that?"
"Good heavens, don't you know we're all under the Northwest King's jurisdiction now? Isn't the Northwest King's wife the Northwest Queen?"
"I'm so confused. Who is this King of the Northwest? How...?"
The discussions among the people grew louder and louder, and soon they had told most of the story about the market and Lu Yanzheng becoming the King of the Northwest.
"Oh dear, then when we go out in the future, can't we say that we are from the same place as the King of the Northwest?"
"Hahaha... Of course, we're all from Yongshan County!"
"You guys are so cunning, how come I didn't think of that?"
"If you ask me, the people from Dingshui Village are the real deal, tsk tsk... they really bring honor to their ancestors!"
"Who says otherwise? It would be great if our village produced a capable person, not a prince or general, but even a scholar or a graduate!"
"..."
When the people of Dingshui Village heard these words, they all stood up with pride, especially the older generation like Grandpa Jiang.
"Old Jiang, my heart is so warm!" Some elderly people held onto Old Man Jiang with tears in their eyes.
Grandpa Jiang patted his hand and said, "Who isn't? Our village's A-Zheng is really something! Who would have thought that our village used to be the poorest, where even dogs wouldn't come to our village for food, but now we've managed to put together such a bustling market, and A-Zheng has even become a prince..."
He felt it most deeply. What kind of life did the Lu family live back then? Their life was even harder than theirs, but Lu Yanzheng and his wife managed to make it work and now they are successful!
"You old folks are really something. Why don't you think about the deadly things Lu Yanzheng is doing? Don't let him drag us down with him." At this moment, someone suddenly poured cold water on the old men.
Grandpa Jiang looked over and frowned. "Are you Wang Laizi's daughter? How dare you talk like that? Didn't your parents teach you anything?"
"What? Did I say something wrong? Wasn't what Lu Yanzheng did a disgraceful act of rebellion?" Wang Jinhua retorted with her hands on her hips, speaking with righteous indignation.
Grandpa Jiang was so angry his nose almost twisted. He pointed at her and roared, "Didn't your parents tell you how we got our good life? Does the imperial court provide you with food or clothing? Have you had too many good days and gone stupid? How could you say such a thing!"
Who doesn't know that Lu Yanzheng is involved in a major rebellion? But they are not fighting alone now. Lu Yanzheng calls the shots in the entire Northwest Four Prefectures. The imperial court only has a dozen or so prefectures, and they now control a quarter of them!
Besides, when the imperial court was in charge of them, they were always hungry and cold, and they had to live in constant fear that foreign tribes would trample over their border towns.
Now that someone is finally willing to wholeheartedly care for them and ensure they have enough to eat and wear, they would be foolish to continue following the imperial court!
"What's wrong? What's wrong?" Granny Wang squeezed through the crowd and saw Wang Jinhua confronting Grandpa Jiang and the others. She quickly pulled her aside and bowed to apologize to everyone. "Please don't take my daughter's situation to heart. She's just a child and doesn't know any better. I'll take her home right away..."
Wang Jinhua was unconvinced and wanted to say more, but was glared at fiercely by Granny Wang, who then pulled her away quickly.
The other old men spat at their retreating figures.
"Pah! What kind of person is he? He picks up the bowl to eat, and then curses his mother after putting it down? Only someone from Wang Laizi's family would do such a thing."
"That's right. His family used to have a falling out with the Lu family, but they didn't hold a grudge and treated them to a good meal. Why don't they remember the kindness they received?"
"Aren't some people just like that? They can't stand seeing others do well; they're just jealous..."
Granny Wang pulled Wang Jinhua away hastily, only breathing a sigh of relief after leading her to a secluded place.
"What nonsense were you spouting again?" Granny Wang glared at Wang Jinhua. "Lu Yanzheng and his wife didn't do anything to us, so why are you so disobedient and insist on spreading rumors outside?"
Wang Jinhua pursed her lips. "Mother doesn't believe that my eldest brother was killed by them, and she's unwilling to go to their door to ask for compensation. What's wrong with me saying a few words?"
"You're asking what's wrong?" Granny Wang was furious. "Are you trying to get our whole family killed?!"
Who in the whole village doesn't admire Lu Yanzheng and his wife? Why is her daughter so stubborn?
Wang Jinhua didn't take it seriously. "Oh, Mom, don't worry. Even if Lu Yanzheng is powerful, his wife won't be able to cause trouble for long."
"What do you mean?" Granny Wang looked at her suspiciously. "What do you mean by 'can't keep up for long'? You're not planning something, are you?"
Wang Jinhua realized she had let something slip, quickly covered her mouth and shook her head, then said, "What can I do? Don't you know my own limitations, Mother?"
She took Wang Pozi's arm and, feeling guilty, hurried home, making small talk to dispel Wang Pozi's suspicions, "By the way, Mother, didn't you say you were going to find me another husband? How's it going..."
The mother and daughter talked for a while and then walked away.
The market in Dingshui Village was built right next to the official road, making it convenient to go anywhere. Since it was the first day of the market, all the shops and stalls were exempt from taxes, so the prices were low and the goods were of good quality, allowing all the villagers who came to buy things to leave with full loads.
At the same time, many people were also inquiring about the shops and stalls in the market.
Village Chief Li and his team from the village committee were busy running around, without even having lunch. They didn't have time to catch their breath and drink some water until the market closed in the afternoon.
"Has the magistrate gone back yet?"
"I went back; it was Ah Zheng's wife who brought it."
"How many shops do we still have left to rent out today?"
"Village chief, wait a moment, let me check... Ah, there are still five shops and eight stalls left unrented because the location is a bit out of the way."
"..."
After Village Chief Li sorted out all these matters, he finally felt completely relieved, and his smile became much brighter.
"My eldest niece had foresight. She said that there would be no shortage of shops and stalls to rent after the market opened, and it turned out to be true," said Village Chief Li with a smile.
Li Dachui grinned, showing his two front teeth, "Isn't that right? My sister-in-law truly deserves to be a princess..."
Just then, Yunzhu came over, peeked around the house as soon as she entered, and asked, "Village Chief, have you seen our lady?"
Jiang Qinyu's identity is not yet officially confirmed, so she is addressed as either "Madam" or "Princess Consort." However, Yunzhu and Hupo in the family are used to calling her "Madam."
"Didn't my niece go back after seeing Lord Wei off?" Village Chief Li was stunned, his mind a little blank.
Yunzhu couldn't find anyone here, and she immediately panicked. "What? Madam isn't here?"
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