I trade in both worlds

In the next two days, everyone in Xu Village was busy. Xu Jizong's family also closed the shop, and the whole family helped out in the clan.

Second Grandma led the women in the village and started working in the kitchen from the first ray of sunshine in the early morning.

"Everyone, work harder. We have to prepare all the ingredients today. The tofu needs to be ground finely, the meat needs to be chopped finely, and the vegetables need to be the freshest." Second Grandma's voice was clear and powerful, penetrating the noise of the kitchen.

The women were either standing or sitting, some were busy washing and cutting vegetables, while others were stir-frying and stewing around the big stove. The kitchen was bustling with activity and full of fragrance, as if the New Year atmosphere had been welcomed in advance.

"Second grandma, this is even more lively than the Chinese New Year." A young daughter-in-law said with a smile, kneading dough with her hands, preparing to make pastries.

"That's right. Our Xu family has really made a big splash this time." Another woman continued, her eyes full of pride: "Xuxu is really a proud child for us."

At the entrance of the village, the villagers were busy building a stage. There were sounds of wood colliding with wood, hammers hitting nails, and Grandpa Liu stood by, supervising the work with his eyes narrowed.

And Xu Qinglin was busy sending out invitations.

He traveled through the streets and alleys of Guoyue County, and wherever he went, he received unprecedented warm reception.

Those officials and gentry who usually ignored him all stood up to greet him, and some even took the initiative to talk to him.

For the first time, he deeply experienced what it meant when one person's success brings prosperity to the whole family.

The next morning, the sky in Xu Zhuang was as blue as a clear sky. The sunlight shone on the bluestone road, flashing golden light. The kang in the patriarch's house was warm, and there were two large tables in each of the two main rooms.

The clan leader was wearing a brand new robe and a crown, looking particularly solemn. Li Wenyuan beside him was also well-dressed. The two stood together at the entrance of the village to welcome the upcoming distinguished guests.

Not far away, Xu Xu was wearing gorgeous first-rank lady's attire. Although the attire was exquisite, she seemed somewhat uncomfortable.

Beside her, Second Madam and Aunt Xu were also dressed in festive attire, and the three of them were preparing to welcome the wives of officials and gentry.

Xu Xu's heart was beating like a deer, and he was so nervous that his palms were sweating.

"Xu'er, don't be nervous. Just treat them as the aunts and grandmas in our village and treat them the same way." Aunt Xu saw her nervousness and comforted her softly.

"Hey, Second Aunt, I know, but I just can't control my panic. I'm afraid that if I'm not careful, I'll embarrass the Xu family." Xu Xu forced a smile, but the tension in his eyes was hard to conceal.

The second grandmother stood aside, her eyes kind and firm: "It's okay, we don't ask for anything from them, just treat them as ordinary guests coming to eat, treat them as you should, just be polite and courteous."

"Our Xu family relies on real duty and hard work, not empty talk."

Xu Xu nodded, took a deep breath, and tried to calm the waves in his heart.

Just as Xu Xu was trying to adjust his mindset, the sound of horse hooves and wheels came from afar, and the first wave of carriages of officials and gentry slowly approached.

The clan leader's friend, the county magistrate's chief clerk, Lord Liu, and his wife, Liu Qiuyuan, arrived first. As soon as Liu Qiuyuan got out of the car, she saw the second grandmother coming up to her with a big smile on her face.

"Qiu Yuan is here. That's great. Please help us entertain the guests." There was a hint of intimacy and trust in Second Grandma's words.

Liu Qiuyuan pretended to be angry and smiled: "I am a guest today, Madam Xu, the head of the clan."

Second Grandma laughed: "We farmers don't have those rules, you can help take care of it. Look at Xuxu, she's so nervous, I feel more at ease with you around."

Hearing this, Liu Qiuyuan looked at Xu Xu and saw that she was indeed nervous, so she readily agreed: "Okay, then I'll play the role of half the host for once."

The second grandma nodded with satisfaction and turned to greet other guests, leaving Liu Qiuyuan and Xu Xu standing together.

Liu Qiuyuan gently held Xu Xu's hand and whispered, "Xu Xu, don't be afraid. Just think of it as, these are all villagers from your village, they just dress more elegantly."

Xu Xu looked at her gratefully, and the tension in his heart seemed to have eased a lot.

As the guests arrived one after another, Liu Qiuyuan began to introduce them to Xu Xu one by one: "This is the wife of the county magistrate, Sister Zhang, who is very gentle; that is the wife of the county committee member, Sister Li, who has a straightforward personality. Don't be scared by her loud voice..."

Xu Xu greeted everyone one by one, trying her best to make her smile look natural: "Hello, Madam Zhang, Hello, Madam Li..." With each greeting, her heart felt more at ease.

At the beginning of the banquet, Xu Xu, accompanied by Liu Qiuyuan, shuttled between the tables, pouring wine and serving food to the guests. Everywhere he went, Liu Qiuyuan would skillfully guide the topic, making the atmosphere relaxed and pleasant.

At the same time, the news that Xu Xu was conferred the title of First-Rank Lady spread quickly like a spring breeze blowing through a quiet mountain village.

The villagers of Yangjiaao were talking about it, and the news caused different ripples in everyone's heart.

"Have you heard? The former daughter-in-law of Yang Laoshi was actually conferred the title of a first-rank lady." Aunt Wang exclaimed as she weaved a fishing net. The net thread in her hand shuttled between her fingers, but she could not hide the shock and envy in her eyes.

"Oh, it's really frustrating to compare yourself with others. We are still digging for food in the mud, while others are already ladies of noble title and have a thousand taels of gold. I'm afraid there is smoke coming out of their ancestral graves." Old man Zhao took a puff of his pipe, and in the smoke, his face was full of emotion and helplessness.

"That's right. Think about the suffering she endured in the Yang family. Who could have imagined that she would be so glorious today?" Mrs. Zhang shook her head, her tone filled with both sympathy and envy.

"The Yang family has really lost their dignity this time. They treated others like that back then, and now..." Aunt Wang sneered, her words full of sarcasm towards the Yang family's behavior back then.

After Xu Xu divorced, Yang Laoshi took Li Laidie and Yang Dazhu's family to the capital to seek refuge with his second son Yang Erzhu.

They fully expected that they would be able to enjoy a comfortable and comfortable life in the capital from now on. However, after only a few days, they were driven back by Yang Erzhu's new wife, the daughter of the great general, with an unquestionable attitude.

Although Li Laidie and Deng were unwilling, facing the power of the general's family, they could only keep their heads down and return to Yangjiaao in shame.

However, although they were driven back, Yang Erzhu's wife was still kind enough to pay for building a two-story house for Yang Laoshi in Yangjiaao, and also bought over a hundred acres of land so that the family could have a place to settle down.

At this moment, in the Yang family courtyard, Li Laidie was cursing at the empty yard, as if this could vent the resentment and jealousy in her heart.