Chapter 373: Courtesy Fulfilled

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 Chapter 876: Kneeling in Confusion

Following closely behind Da Bao and Da Hu, Er Niu and Lan Hua rushed in from outside, followed by Li Shi.

As soon as the news reached the village chief, it naturally reached the people in the main branch as well.

Therefore, when Da Hu and the others were halfway to Lu Dasong's house, they encountered Li Shi and the others who were coming this way. They turned around immediately.

Li Shi had been particularly frustrated during this period of time. How much damage had the second Branch caused to their family? Not to mention Er Niu and Lan Hua, even she herself had quarreled with her natal family because of this, growing distant from her husband and children.

If only the people from the second branch were here, she would have already gone to their door to reason with them.

But today, she heard from her daughter-in-law's natal family that the runaway girl might bring trouble to the entire Lu family, and her hatred towards Shu Yu reached its peak.

If Lu Dasong hadn't forbidden her from leaving the house, saying that second Zhou's wife was talking nonsense, she would have already run to the county town to find out.

Who would have expected that the damned girl not only went to find Da Niu, but now she even boldly returned to the village.

Li Shi's anger reached its peak, and she didn't even care about maintaining her image anymore. With a fierce expression, she rushed over to hold Shu Yu accountable.

She was walking so fast that even Lan Hua almost couldn't catch up.

At this moment, the courtyard of Lu Erbai's house had calmed down. After sitting for a while, Xiang Weinan stood up and told Shu Yu not to rush around.

He straightened his clothes and said to everyone, "Alright, let's announce the imperial edict first, so that everyone knows what's going on and can stop worrying."

Village chief Fanzhong and the others quickly stood up and listened attentively to his words. However, after hearing it, they all froze.

"Im...imperial edict?"

What imperial edict? Why would there be an imperial edict here?

What qualifications did their small village of Shishi have to receive an imperial edict?

Everyone looked at each other, and their inner anxiety grew stronger.

However, Xiang Weinan didn't explain much. He just turned his head and glanced at Hu Li, who presented a delicate box.

Xiang Weinan respectfully took out the imperial edict from the box and said, "Lu Shu Yu, receive the imperial edict."

Shu Yu inwardly sighed and then solemnly knelt down.

The people of Shishi Village had never received an imperial edict before, so they were at a loss for the proper procedures. They were momentarily stunned.

But when Lu Erbai saw Shu Yu kneel down, he immediately knelt down with his wife, children, and mother.

Yuan Shanchuan had seen the world and quickly followed suit.

Lu Sanzhu, who had always looked up to Shu Yu, was clever and quickly knelt down as well.

Da Niu pulled Lu Dasong and followed suit, kneeling at the back with Zhou Qiao.

Seeing the people from the Lu family all kneeling on the ground, the villagers present still hadn't reacted.

It was Hu Li who coughed lightly and reminded Fan Zhongzheng, "Village Chief Fan, this is an imperial edict from the emperor. Seeing the imperial edict is like seeing the emperor..."

Before he could finish his words, Fan Zhong knelt down with a thud. It was too sudden, and he knelt down forcefully, feeling a searing pain in his knees.

But he didn't dare to make a sound and immediately lowered his head.

The others finally understood what they were facing. Their faces turned pale, and they all knelt down in a row, fearing that if they were even a step slower, the county magistrate would remember and hold them accountable later.

Li Shi happened to arrive at this moment. She had already rolled up her sleeves at the door, looking like she was going to demand justice.

But who would have expected that just as she was about to enter the courtyard, everyone in front suddenly knelt down in a flurry.

***her thoughts is really ridiculous, what ever happened to her family especially to her children is solely her fault, if she did not caused a fuss and controlled her big mouth everything will be alright.

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 Chapter 875: Nervous Fan Zhongzheng

Lu Sanzhu expressed his satisfaction as well. His son had inherited his cleverness, knowing that establishing a good relationship with the Second Branch would bring benefits.

"Come, come, let's go inside," Lu Erbai opened the courtyard gate.

Just as they were about to enter, they saw a group of people approaching from another direction.

Leading the group were Lu Dasong and Fan Zhongzheng. When they saw that it was indeed the old lady and Shu Yu, Lu Dasong hurriedly walked a few steps forward. "Mother, Second Brother, it's really you! You've really come back?"

Fan Zhongzheng was a step behind. He glanced around and not only saw the Lu family's Second Branch but also... County Magistrate?

Fan Zhongzheng's legs weakened. Why was the County Magistrate here?

Behind him, besides the elderly villagers, there was also a large crowd of villagers who wanted to see the commotion.

They didn't recognize the County Magistrate, but they recognized Hu Li, who was standing next to Xiang Weinan. Someone immediately whispered softly, "Did the official come too? Maybe he heard the news and came to arrest someone?"

"Are you stupid? If he really wanted to arrest someone, would he just stand there?"

"Is the official here with the Lu family?"

"I see. That Lu family Second Miss is, after all, a criminal. She might have something very important to do in the village, so there's an official accompanying her to keep an eye on her. I think the Lu family Second Miss is just here briefly and will return to the Southwest later."

After hearing these words, the crowd actually thought that what this person said made some sense.

At the moment, this answer seemed to be more in line with the current situation.

Fan Zhongzheng also overheard it and his expression changed rapidly as he pondered quickly in his mind.

He hoped it was for this reason. At least it would prove that Lu Shuyu hadn't returned from the Southwest on her own. She wasn't a fugitive and wouldn't bring trouble to Shishi Village.

His steps were slow, but he had already arrived in front of them.

Fan Zhongzheng respectfully bowed first. "I am Fan Zhongzheng, the village chief of Shangshi Village. I greet the County Magistrate. I apologize for not welcoming you from afar, Your Excellency."

The villagers behind him, upon hearing the official's identity, became somewhat nervous and hurriedly imitated Fan Zhongzheng's manner of bowing.

Xiang Weinan waved his hand. "No need for so much formality."

Fan Zhongzheng noticed a hint of joy in his expression. In that case, the County Magistrate's visit shouldn't be for anything bad, right? Fan Zhongzheng wanted to find out the purpose of Xiang Weinan's visit, but he didn't know how to bring it up.

Fortunately, Lu Erbai came over. "Village chief, you don't have to stand here. Come in and rest your feet for a while. Your Excellency, please come inside as well."

Shu Yu and the others had already entered the house. The house had been unoccupied for some time, but during the New Year, the First and Third Branches had come to help clean it. However, there was still some dust in the house, so they temporarily sat in the courtyard.

Ruan Shi took some clean cloths from the mule-drawn carriage and wiped a few stools, placing them in the courtyard for Xiang Weinan, the village chief, and the others to sit and chat.

The village chief frowned when he saw this. Wasn't this too much of an inconvenience for the County Magistrate? The problem was that the Lu family had nothing now, not even tea to offer the County Magistrate. Wasn't it inappropriate?

But it seemed that Xiang Weinan didn't mind, so he didn't say anything.

Lu Erbai welcomed them, and Lu Dasong took the opportunity to pull Da Niu aside and ask about the situation. "What's going on? How did Shu Yu and the others come back? Nothing happened, right?"

Da Niu smiled. "Father, don't worry. Shu Yu coming back is a good thing. You'll find out soon."

As they were talking, there was a commotion outside.

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 Chapter 372 The Plaque is Ready

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 Chapter 371 Who Nourishes Better

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 Chapter 874: They Drove Back in Three Carriages

This blatant behavior would definitely implicate the Lu family's First Branch and even the entire Shangshi Village.

If Da Niu hadn't promptly taken the person to the government office, they would definitely have been accused of harboring a criminal.

The village chief was somewhat skeptical of Second Aunt Zhou's words, but he still called the elderly villagers to discuss the matter.

Lu Dasong was also called over and he didn't believe Second Aunt Zhou's words at all.

While arguing with the village chief, they suddenly heard loud voices from the villagers.

Lu Dasong's body stiffened. She... She really came back?

Fan Zhongzheng and the others exchanged glances, their faces turning serious. If Lu Shuyu had truly escaped from her place of exile and returned, it would be a major issue.

He looked at Lu Dasong, who was a bit flustered, but quickly thought of his son's temperament. He hurriedly asked the villager who brought the news, "You said Shu Yu came back, but what about my son? Is he there?"

The villager nodded repeatedly. "He's there. Da Niu is also back. Not only that, but Lu Sanzhu and your fourth sister's husband are also on the returning carriage."

He gestured with three fingers. "They drove back in three carriages. It was quite impressive."

Upon hearing this, Lu Dasong breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly regained his composure and turned to Fan Zhongzheng. "Village chief, Third Brother, don't worry for now. You know Da Niu's character. If Shu Yu really scape, he would never bring her back to the village like this."

The others paused for a moment and realized that it made sense.

They might not be very familiar with the Second Miss of the Lu family, but they knew Da Niu well, having grown up in the village.

Seeing that the village chief and the others had eased their expressions, Lu Dasong became more confident. "Besides, Third Brother and my brother-in-law are also there. Not to mention my brother-in-law, who works at the government office. If Shu Yu is truly a fugitive, my brother-in-law wouldn't shelter her, right? Let's go and see, clarify the situation, and avoid any misunderstandings."

Fan Zhongzheng thought that what Lu Dasong said made sense and nodded. "Let's go. We'll go to Lu Erbai's house and see the situation. Just to make it clear, if his Second daughter is indeed a fugitive, I won't show any mercy. I'll have her arrested and sent to the government office."

Lu Dasong didn't say anything. He felt that things weren't that simple.

Fan Zhongzheng rubbed his forehead and walked out of the door in large strides, with the others hurriedly following.

The Lu family's house wasn't far away. Shu Yu and the others were driving mule-drawn carriages, so they had to take the main road, which was slower. They had just stopped at the gate.

The old lady immediately called Da Bao and Da Hu over. "You two, run quickly and go to your eldest uncle's house to call them over."

"Okay." Da Bao had studied for more than half a year and had become more sensible. At least he understood the meaning of being respectful to siblings and elders.

After hearing the old lady's instructions, he turned and came over to hold Da Hu's hand. "Let's go, I'll take you. It's been so long since you last came back, you might not remember Uncle's house anymore. Follow me and don't get lost."

Da Hu said, "...It's not that exaggerated. I still remember Uncle's house."

But he still handed over his hand, and the two brothers ran off hand in hand, disappearing in an instant.

The old lady was very satisfied and said to Shu Yu, "Sending Da Bao to school was really good. Look at him now, completely different from the domineering attitude he used to have."

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 Chapter 873: Returning to the Village

Shu Yu rolled her eyes inwardly. Can they really come to me for such question?

However, there was some truth to Lu Sanzhu's self-praise.

At least in some aspects, Lu Sanzhu had indeed gained admiration. He had found the right path for himself now.

The old lady grew impatient. "Alright, hurry up and get on the carriage. We're going back to the village."

Lu Sanzhu immediately tried to climb onto Shu Yu's carriage, but the old lady pulled him down. "You go on that carriage, there's no space here."

Lu Sanzhu looked pitiful and sighed before walking back to his original carriage.

Lu Sixing spoke a few words to the old lady while holding her child, but knowing that it wasn't the time for a chat, she got back on the carriage with her child.

Xiang Weinan came out and saw that there were many people on the two Lu family carriages. He called Yuan Shanchuan and Lu Erbai to his carriage.

He had wanted Shu Yu to come as well, but considering her current relationship with Meng Yunzheng, he decided against it.

Yuan Shanchuan came over but refused to sit inside the carriage. Instead, he drove the carriage from the outside.

Lu Erbai, on the other hand, got into the carriage, but... he felt awkward sitting opposite Xiang Weinan. After a while, he exchanged seats with Hu Li and sat on the outside of the carriage.

Seeing this, Lu Sanzhu ran to Shu Yu's carriage again and said to the old lady, "Let me help drive the carriage."

The old lady finally didn't say much.

The three carriages were loaded with people and headed towards the city gate.

They bought some incense, candles, and paper money along the way and didn't stop until they reached Shishi Village.

The villagers at the village entrance were wide-eyed when they saw the three carriages approaching one after another. The scene was quite grand.

The one at the front was Da Niu and Zhou Qiao, which was not surprising. Then came Yuan Shanchuan and Lu Erbai.

Hmm? Lu Erbai?

When the villagers saw Shu Yu and Lu Sanzhu sitting at the back of the last carriage, they collectively gasped.

The news of Shu Yu's exile had originated from Shishi Village.

Therefore, although it was fine in the county, the entire Shishi Village, from the seventy-year-old elderly to the five or six-year-old children, knew it very well.

Moreover, the First Branch of the Lu family, led by Li Shi, was about to divorce. The second son had been sent back home from the private school, and the youngest daughter's engagement had been canceled. This made the villagers sympathize with the First Branch, and the fact that the daughter of the Second Branch had been exiled, with Lu Erbai's family following her to the southwest and disappearing, made them even more lamentable.

Many people sympathized with the Second Branch. Their daughter had been exiled, and Lu Erbai's entire family had disappeared in the southwest, leaving only the Third Branch in the county. Lu Sanzhu and Liang Shi had thick skins and didn't care what others said.

But it was different for the First Branch. Except for Da Niu and his wife, everyone else was still in the village.

Therefore, this person couldn't commit crimes or do bad things. Once they were sentenced, it wouldn't only affect their immediate family, but even relatives with a slight connection would suffer.

During this time, the hottest topic of discussion in the village was the Lu family's affairs.

Who would have thought that the people they were discussing just yesterday would appear before them the next morning?

Some people reacted quickly and immediately ran to the village chief's house.

"Village chief, something's wrong. That Second Miss from the Lu family, she really, really escaped and came back."

Fan Zhongzheng had a headache. Since early morning, the Second Zhou's wife had come to their village, saying that they were done for because Lu Shuyu had escaped from her place of exile and had even gone directly to the county government office to meet Da Niu.

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 Chapter 370 Apology

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