The news that Mu Yi'an had been rewarded by the imperial family spread throughout the city overnight.
Many people do not know who Jiang Mushi is, nor do they understand why she was rewarded.
However, with such a large group of people marching through the streets, it was hard not to notice them.
That afternoon, everyone in the streets and alleys was talking about it, but the Jiang residence's gate remained tightly shut.
Jiang Shuyun has already given instructions that people should not go out for the next few days unless necessary, and that everyone's curiosity will pass.
Or, other rumors might circulate, and everyone would forget about it.
That evening, at the Mu family home.
"Master, there's a rumor going around that a troop of people has arrived in the capital to deliver a reward to someone. Do you know who it is?"
The two daughters-in-law of the Mu family were also very curious. They had heard some things from the maids and servants, but they hadn't quite explained it clearly.
"Whose house is it? A house you know?"
The Jiang family.
Uncle Mu still doesn't understand why Yi'an was granted this favor by the Emperor.
He was bombarded with questions by his colleagues all afternoon, which gave him a real headache.
Even the highest-ranking official in the prefectural city summoned him to ask what was going on.
He had no idea what was going on, and Yi'an and the others hadn't told him either, leaving him in a very passive position.
Seeing that her husband was a little emotionally unstable, Aunt Mu wondered to herself which Jiang family had received the favor, and whether they were families that did not get along with her husband.
Which Jiang family?
"And which Jiang family is there? The Jiang family that Mu Yi'an married into."
The imperial edict stated that Jiang Mu was granted the title of a seventh-rank lady.
Uncle Mu knew he should be happy, but the various expressions and veiled criticisms from his superiors and colleagues that afternoon made him very angry.
"You mean that the group of people today was delivering rewards to Yi'an's family? Yi'an was even given the title of Ruren, why is that?"
Aunt Mu didn't want to believe it, but she knew the master wouldn't lie about this. But what had Yi'an done to deserve such a reward?
"Why? I don't know why. The imperial edict said that Yi'an had successfully grown cotton, so he was rewarded."
But we haven't heard of her growing cotton, and there's no cotton on her farm either.
Uncle Mu was also confused. People are like that; the more they don't understand something, the more they want to figure it out.
Unfortunately, Yi'an and her family didn't come, and he didn't want to lower himself to inquire.
"Where did An grow cotton? Doesn't she grow watermelons? In June, she even sent a lot of watermelons home. I even gave some away as gifts."
Aunt Mu had never seen cotton before, not even once in her life. Was it a flower or a crop?
"I don't know either. She didn't reveal any information. No one in the entire prefecture has heard you mention her."
Uncle Mu wondered if his eldest brother's family knew about this.
"Then I'll go to Yi An's house tomorrow and ask what's going on."
Aunt Mu could tell that her husband also wanted to know what was going on, but was too embarrassed to ask the younger generation himself.
"Okay, go ask. I need to go to the government office tomorrow."
My superiors and colleagues kept pressing me for answers, but I didn't know what had happened. They didn't believe me and subtly belittled me.
Uncle Mu lost his appetite upon remembering this, and instead of eating, he went straight to his study.
“Mother-in-law, let’s go ask tomorrow. Father-in-law has it tough working in the government office.”
The eldest daughter-in-law of the Mu family understood, and she was also very envious.
The Emperor issued an edict of reward—what an honor! From then on, the cousin's family would be treated differently.
"Okay, come with me tomorrow to see what's going on."
Not only the Mu family, but many families in the prefecture were talking about the Jiang family and the Jiang Mu clan.
Everyone was eager to find out who this person was and make their acquaintance.
After all, the Jiang family, a family of great renown, had never been heard of in the prefectural city!
In the prefect's residence, the family was also talking about the Jiang family.
"Master, what's the background of this Jiang family? I've never heard of them before, how come they suddenly appeared?"
The prefect's wife had never known that there was such a family in the prefectural city.
"I sent someone to inquire this afternoon. The male head of the Jiang family was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the previous two years. After the spring examination, he did not take the official position but went directly to teach at Bailu Academy."
His brother-in-law loves farming, and the watermelons in Xinyuan County were successfully cultivated by him.
The one from the Zhao family seized this opportunity, expanded the cultivation of watermelons in Xinyuan County, and made a name for himself.
Jiang Mu was also rewarded for her farming work; it seems she went to the Northwest to grow cotton and succeeded.
Cotton was the most urgently needed material for the Northwest Army and the Northeast Army to keep warm.
How could the Emperor not reward this merit? It wouldn't make a difference for a mere seventh-rank lady.
"Without any effort, the cotton cultivation techniques became the imperial court's domain—a very profitable deal."
The prefect thinks the emperor is the best at business, but I'll just say that to my wife in our bedroom.
"Should I also meet this Jiang Mu family member?"
"Let's wait a while. At this time, the Jiang family will be very powerful, and we won't need to lower ourselves to summon her."
In any case, Jiang Shuyun doesn't have connections in official circles, so it won't have any impact.
"Once the excitement has died down, then you can invite her to meet you and see what kind of person she is."
The prefect holds a high official position, and even his wife has a rank, much higher than Mu Yi'an's seventh-rank wife.
That night, many people in the city were talking about the Jiang family.
As for the Jiang family, Mu Yi'an has decided to go to the estate to hide first thing tomorrow morning.
She had no intention of making friends with anyone; she didn't want to wade into the waters of the prefectural city, whether they were deep or shallow.
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