The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 334: Granted the Title of Sui Feng Village Lady

Chapter 334: Chapter 334: Granted the Title of Sui Feng Village Lady

Lord Yao praised.

These words were interpreted differently by the crowd.

People like Gujia Clan Leader, Xu Yong, and Xu Kun, who believed that girls entering private schools would bring bad luck, heard the astonishment in Lord Yao’s words.

As a scholar, Lord Yao placed the utmost importance on rituals and traditions and certainly could not accept a girl stepping into a private school.

They were hoping for Lord Yao to rectify the atmosphere at Qinghe Bay private school, scold Tong Huaqiong, and ideally, chase Man Er out of the school in public.

However, they were destined to be disappointed.

Lord Yao said, "It’s excellent, very excellent, for girls to study and understand reason."

The Gujia Clan Leader couldn’t hold back anymore and boldly said to Lord Yao, "Lord Yao, girls entering private schools violate the ancestral tradition, which spoils the study prospects of boys. There’s no such rule anywhere allowing girls in private schools."

Lord Yao smiled and said, "Elderly, the ancestral tradition also includes matrilineal society where people followed the mother and didn’t know who the father was. So-called ancestral traditions are all set by people, and since they’re set by people, they can be broken. If girls entering private schools could spoil boys’ study prospects, it means those boys weren’t suited for studying in the first place. The process of studying and seeking knowledge is inherently arduous and requires strong willpower to persevere; a girl’s bad luck in school is hardly comparable to the challenges one faces."

Lord Yao paused and continued, "Moreover, you may not know that in the big families in Shengjing, there are also girls’ schools, where girls study and understand reason just like their brothers. Our late Empress advocated for girls’ education, not only establishing girls’ schools in the harem for palace maids to learn to read but also selecting clever girls willing to study from among the common folk to enter girls’ schools..."

However, this rule was abolished after the current Empress passed away.

Of course, there was no need to tell the villagers of Qinghe Bay the follow-up.

Lord Yao looked at Tong Huaqiong and said, "Aunt Tong has the same idea as the late Empress. It’s truly commendable."

Tong Huaqiong bowed respectfully to Lord Yao and said humbly, "This humble woman is terrified, how can I be compared to the late Empress? The late Empress worked for the nation and the people; I just think that if girls learn a few words, they won’t be cheated when they go out shopping."

The late Empress, the late Empress, which means the Empress who has already passed away.

Tong Huaqiong surely did not want to get involved.

Lord Yao smiled and said, "Aunt Tong, do not underestimate yourself."

Aunt Tong was too modest; it’s a pity she was born in the countryside. If she were born into a big family in Shengjing, with her exceptional insight, her achievements might not be lower than the late Empress.

Thinking of the late Empress, Lord Yao glanced at Xiao Long in the classroom, but quickly averted his gaze.

The Gujia Clan Leader and Xu Yong, Xu Kun’s plan to use Lord Yao’s hand to drive Man Er out failed, making them feel resentful towards Lord Yao.

If Lord Yao stayed in Ning City for a few more years, women would not only be able to do business but also study, and might end up turning the tables on men in the future.

Take Tong Dajiao for instance, her temper was bad before, but even then, she couldn’t overpower Old Gu. Now, Tong Dajiao is practically the one overshadowing all the men in Qinghe Bay.

When it came to gender issues, they dismissed all the contributions Lord Yao had made for the people since coming to Ning City.

The Gujia Clan Leader found Tong Huaqiong’s smiling face increasingly glaring, thinking to let her flaunt it for a while longer.

In his heart, he calculated when Tong Huaqiong’s in-laws could receive the letter.

Having received Lord Yao’s approval, Tong Huaqiong was delighted.

With the backing of the late Empress, even if the private school changes teachers in the future, Man Er couldn’t possibly be expelled.

Mrs. Han asked Tong Huaqiong, "I heard that Da Han had a child outside who’s been brought home. Did you let him attend the private school?"

Tong Huaqiong pointed to Xiao Long and said, "How could we not let him come?"

Mrs. Han squinted her eyes and observed for a while.

Without waiting for Mrs. Han to speak, County Magistrate Liu said, "No matter if they are legit or illegit, since they are brought into the family, they should be properly nurtured."

Tong Huaqiong said, "Lord Liu is right."

Then Mrs. Han took out a pure gold longevity lock and handed it to Tong Huaqiong, saying, "I already gave one to Man Er and Yaozu last time; give this one to that child for me, will you?"

Tong Huaqiong accepted it on behalf of Xiao Long without hesitation.

"Since the opening ceremony has been held, there’s no need for us to disturb the children while they’re studying." County Magistrate Liu said.

Subsequently, everyone left the private school accompanied by the students’ loud recitations.

Tong Huaqiong was still thinking about the important matter that Lord Yao mentioned, but he only started it and didn’t continue, making it inappropriate for her to ask, and even more inappropriate to ask County Magistrate Liu and Mrs. Han.

Just as she reached the village path, she heard the sound of hooves.

Tong Huaqiong glanced over and saw that the horse was obviously worth a great deal.

Three horses stopped in front of Lord Yao. The lead tall horse was dismounted by a man in a purple robe.

He was beardless and had a fair complexion.

Tong Huaqiong couldn’t guess his age.

"Lord Yao, which one is the Tong Family?" the purple-robed man spoke, his voice sounding like it was filled with gravel.

The Tong Family?

In the whole Qinghe Bay, she was the only one with the surname Tong.

Connecting this eunuch’s mannerism, Tong Huaqiong’s mind was bombarded.

Could it be that harboring the remnants of rebels had been exposed?

Just as nervous as Tong Huaqiong was Lord Liu. He stood by Lord Yao, breathing heavily.

Lord Yao smiled and said, "Eunuch Ming, this is Aunt Tong."

Eunuch Ming approached Tong Huaqiong, with a smiling face, pulled out a roll of bright yellow silk paper from his arms, then opened it with a loud voice, "Tong Family, receive the decree..."

Tong Huaqiong was stunned and didn’t know how to react.

It shouldn’t be a crime of harboring fugitives, otherwise, they wouldn’t let her receive a decree; she’d have already been dragged off to be executed.

Receive the decree, but how? She, a person from the modern civilization, had never experienced such a thing.

Quickly searching through Aunt Tong’s mind, one should prepare an incense table to receive a decree, should she go home to prepare it?

Seeing Tong Huaqiong frozen, Eunuch Ming coughed a few times.

These rural women had never seen such a scene; it seemed Lord Yao had not disclosed the decree beforehand.

The first to react were Lord Yao and Lord Liu, who knelt down, followed by Mrs. Han.

Gu Jingzhe knelt, Lu Zhaoyang, and Mr. Su also knelt.

The village chief and several village heads were blank-minded, not understanding anything, but seeing County Magistrate Liu kneel down, they followed.

The villagers followed suit and knelt like waves.

Yet, Tong Huaqiong stood alone.

Tong Huaqiong’s knees were stiff; she knew she should kneel to receive a decree, but just couldn’t kneel down.

Lord Yao said to Tong Huaqiong, "Aunt Tong, the decree has come from Shengjing, and it’s for you."

Tong Huaqiong gritted her teeth and reluctantly knelt down.

"The Tong Family of Qinghe Bay... has made contributions to agriculture and sericulture, is thus titled as Village Lady, awarded the title of Sui Feng, thus proclaimed."

Tong Huaqiong hastily imitated Gu Jingzhe by bowing her head to the ground, eagerly shouting, "Thank you, Your Majesty’s grace, long live Your Majesty."

While in her heart sneering, "Your grandson is still in my hands."

Initially, Tong Huaqiong thought the old Emperor had realized this decree was given for harboring his grandchild, but it turned out to be in recognition of her contribution to the corn harvest. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Tong Huaqiong wasn’t quite sure what status a Village Lady held.

However, with an Imperial Decree and an Emperor’s personal commendation and reward, no matter what the title, it’s an honor.

Realizing this made Tong Huaqiong happy.

"Sui Feng Village Lady, receive the decree."

Eunuch Ming stroked his non-existent beard. He had declared many decrees, yet only this Tong Family nearly didn’t complete the ceremony.

After all, it was a rural family, no matter how clever she was to make a potion that led to a bountiful corn harvest, she had never witnessed such a decree ceremony.

She was probably dumbfounded upon hearing the words "Imperial Decree".

This was also why Lord Yao discussed with him about not letting the Tong Family prepare an incense table, to which he agreed.