The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 335: Bringing Honor to Widows

Sui Feng Village Lady.

This title!

Does it symbolize the meaning of abundant harvests year after year?

Quite fitting.

Tong Huaqiong stood up and accepted the bright yellow Imperial Decree.

Her fingertips brushed against the smooth silk, regaining her composure.

In an instant, Tong Huaqiong transformed from the rural housewife in Eunuch Ming’s eyes into the astute Master Tong.

She smiled and said to Eunuch Ming, "I’m sorry to trouble you with this trip, Eunuch Ming. I was so happy with the emperor’s grace that I lost my bearings for a moment. Please forgive me."

"Eunuch, please come in and have a cup of tea."

This Widow Tong, quick with her words and generous in her actions, was hard for Eunuch Ming to refuse, and he followed Tong Huaqiong into her courtyard.

The villagers crowded around to watch the excitement.

A thousand firecrackers burst, adding a festive atmosphere to the whole Qinghe Bay.

Earlier, during the opening ceremony, Village Chief Liu forgot to have them lit, but now he had no regrets; it was just right to celebrate Tong Huaqiong being conferred the title of Village Lady.

The group entered Tong Huaqiong’s courtyard.

Tong Huaqiong set the Imperial Decree in place and personally brewed tea and served it. Gu Taohua went to oversee Taohua Dessert in town, Chen Sufen, who was pregnant, and Liu Yueer busied themselves, serving pastries and making sure they were noticed.

"Eunuch Ming, these pastries are from our shop, please have a taste."

Eunuch Ming, having eaten almost everything in the palace, was nonetheless impressed by the pastries and ate almost half a box in one go.

After sitting briefly, Eunuch Ming took his leave. Tong Huaqiong discreetly handed him thirty taels of silver and also gave five boxes of pastries to his attendants.

Eunuch Ming accepted them cheerfully.

After Eunuch Ming left, Tong Huaqiong smiled and expressed her thanks to Magistrate Yao.

Now she understood why Magistrate Yao had come to Qinghe Bay; it was to bring someone to deliver the decree to her.

How could the distant Old Emperor in Shengjing know she had promoted a corn harvest? It must have been due to Magistrate Yao’s doing.

Not to say, that muddle-headed Old Emperor was quite righteous to grant her a Village Lady title.

Tong Huaqiong believed County Magistrate Liu was not exaggerating when he mentioned that the Old Emperor valued agriculture and sericulture.

Magistrate Yao, facing Tong Huaqiong’s gratitude, said, "Aunt Tong, this is something you deserve."

Magistrate Yao was not speaking thoughtlessly.

In an era where technology had not greatly advanced, past dynasties all valued agriculture and sericulture. Anyone who could allow the people to eat their fill was meritorious.

Even the muddle-headed emperor who executed the Crown Prince was no exception.

Tong Huaqiong’s contribution to the corn harvest thus feeding more people was indeed a great merit.

Granting her the title of Village Lady was not excessive.

Village Chief Liu suddenly remembered something and asked, "How high-ranked is the Village Lady title?"

This question was well-timed and reminded Tong Huaqiong.

She only knew of Princess and Commandery Princess titles, not genuinely aware of the rank of a Village Lady.

Lu Zhaoyang explained, "Village Lady is fifth rank."

The villagers didn’t have a concept of fifth rank, mainly because Yan Guan Town never had a Village Lady before.

"How big is fifth rank? Is it bigger than our Lord Liu’s position?" Mrs. Zhao asked boldly.

Concerning her mother-in-law’s status, she had to clarify.

To potentially use her influence to assert themselves on occasion.

County Magistrate Liu replied calmly, "I am also of fifth rank."

The villagers gasped.

Wow, equivalent to a county magistrate. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Wouldn’t that mean Widow Tong will stand equal to a county magistrate?

Will people in Qinghe Bay have to bow when they see Tong Huaqiong?

Widow Tong earned a fifth-rank honorable title on her own, without relying on her son.

Who else in Ning City could achieve such a thing?

Tong Huaqiong laughed, "Lord Liu, dedicated to governance, has brought prosperity and harmony to Pingchuan County. How could I, a mere Village Lady, compare with County Magistrate Liu?"

Though she and County Magistrate Liu were both fifth rank.

The same rank entailed different significances.

Being a Village Lady conferred honor and a certain court stipend.

To put it bluntly, it’s a symbol of prosperity and grace.

County Magistrate Liu, however, held a truly authoritative position.

Still, having an honor is better than none, at least using the title of Village Lady might clear some obstacles in the future.

Magistrate Yao praised Tong Huaqiong for her contribution to the corn harvest, offering encouragement before leaving with Lu Zhaoyang and the others.

County Magistrate Liu accompanied them out.

However, County Magistrate Liu’s mother, Mrs. Han, and his son Liu Yanhong stayed behind.

In the presence of Magistrate Yao and County Magistrate Liu, the villagers remained restrained, but after they left, Divine Tree Village exploded with chatter, their eyes filled with admiration, envy, and awe.

"Wow, Sui Feng Village Lady, what a celebratory name!"

"Dashi’s mom can’t be called Big Foot anymore; she ought to be called Village Lady."

"Tsk tsk tsk, Dashi’s mom, now that you’ve become a Village Lady, you must not forget us. In future disputes over water and land with neighboring villages, you have to look out for us."

...

The villagers offered congratulations and some snide remarks.

However, most genuinely rejoiced for Tong Huaqiong, as having someone from Qinghe Bay become a Village Lady was a source of pride for everyone.

Moreover, as Tong Huaqiong’s fortunes rose, she uplifted the villagers, for instance, employing local clerks at Taohua Dessert, hiring villagers for farm work at fair wages, opening a private school for the village...

Everyone appreciated Tong Huaqiong’s virtues and sincerely shared in her happiness.

"Alright, let’s drop this talk of covering or not covering each other. Dashi’s mom, being the Village Lady of Qinghe Bay, is the pride of our village. Not even Yan Guan Town nor Ning City has produced a Village Lady before, and Dashi’s mom is the first. It’s a mark of pride for Qinghe Bay. Let me warn everyone, don’t misuse the title of Village Lady to oppress others, bringing shame to Dashi’s mom and Qinghe Bay."

Village Chief Liu Tieshan was overjoyed.

With Tong Huaqiong becoming a Village Lady, he felt even the title of village chief was dignified.

The envious looks from other village chiefs as though wondering why their villages don’t produce a Village Lady.

In the future, Qinghe Bay villagers might just walk all over villagers from other villages.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Dashi’s mom, the Gu family’s ancestral graves must have emitted blue smoke, and now you have an Imperial Decree. Let us have a look." Aunt Qin said.

The villagers heckled in agreement.

Oh my, having an Imperial Decree at home is like inviting a Buddha; who would dare trespass after this?

Tong Huaqiong laughed and said, "That’s the Emperor’s decree, if it gets scratched or damaged it’s a great disrespect. I’ve placed it in front of the shrine. Anyone is welcome to come see, but you can’t touch it."

The audience laughed, understanding that Tong Huaqiong was politely refusing and waved their hands to say they were only joking.

Everyone understood; after all, accidentally damaging the decree could cost one’s head.

In the hearts of Qinghe Bay’s people, the old emperor in Shengjing was a tyrant.

There was no helping it; the emperor’s reputation among the villagers was built on initial impressions of being a ruthless figure who didn’t even spare his own children and grandchildren.

Didn’t that mean chopping others was as easy as cutting pigweed?

Sitting on the dragon throne in Shengjing, the old emperor sneezed.

"Dashi’s mom, this is a big happy event. How many tables should we set?" Mrs. Han, County Magistrate Liu’s mother, joyfully suggested.

Her view of Tong Huaqiong had risen yet another level.

She also held an honorary title, but hers was through her son, whereas Tong Huaqiong earned hers independently.

Both widows, yet one managed to excel so remarkably.

Mrs. Han was thrilled to see her newfound friend achieve such a great accomplishment, a feat that honored widows everywhere.