The Whole Village Thrives After Adopting a Lucky Girl

After all this fuss, the day had passed.

The next day, the entrance to the Princess Residence was quiet, and no one dared to approach.

A few days later, the County Magistrate of Mei County, under Wei Zhan’s supervision, held court to try those who were causing trouble.

Those with minor charges were beaten twenty times in court and their families were asked to provide bail. Moreover, they were required to sign a pledge stating that if they dared to cause trouble or harass citizens again, they would face severe punishment.

For those with existing criminal records, their days of reckoning had arrived. Chu Shun had managed to amass plenty of evidence of their habitual acts of bullying and oppression, and all the victims were brought in to identify their criminals and their crimes.

The County Magistrate was breaking out in sweat as he tried each case and passed judgment.

After judgment was rendered, Wei Zhan had the officials drag the criminals to the open space outside the County Government office to execute their sentence in front of the crowd.

For a while, the entrance of the government office was filled with wails and cries, and everyone in the city came to watch. They were all filled with gratification.

The County Magistrate and the Chief Clerk were panic-stricken. They knew that amongst the convicts were their own relatives, but they dared not utter a word.

They had underestimated the Commandery Princess, thinking she was merely a paper tiger who relied on royal favor, and lacked the authority of true royal relatives. Yet, she was swift and resolute, causing so much commotion and arresting so many people all at once, without fearing retaliation when her enemies were cornered.

However, since this incident, the security in the county town had significantly improved. There were more and more small businesses, and the number of farmers from outside the city coming in to sell vegetables and wood had also increased.

Time flew, and by the blink of an eye, it was August.

Wei Zhan’s own father, the head of the Wei Family, had bought two adjoining estates next to the residence of his daughter-in-law. He renovated them and connected them into one big compound and divided it into several courtyards.

The reason was that there were too many members of the Wei Family, and the previous place was too small and didn’t have enough courtyards to accommodate everyone.

Wei Shixian had his own considerations for doing this.

As a businessman, he naturally wanted to take advantage of the current trends to ensure longevity.

Although the Wei Family had two firms in Zhouhe County, they hadn’t been earning much.

The problem was not with the business performance, but the fact that there were too many people that they had to show respect and regard to. They had to maintain good relationships on all fronts.

Since his son and daughter-in-law had gained significant status in Zhouhe County and even the County Magistrate had to show them respect, he would be foolish to not seize the opportunity.

So, Wei Shixian decided to move his family to Zhouhe County and rely on the influence of his son and daughter-in-law.

“Jinniang, I have cleaned up your courtyard. You can move back anytime,” Wei Shixian said with an ingratiating smile to his wife. “When Qi Lang and his wife have children, you can come back and help them.”

Madame Wang thought about it and nodded: “Alright, I’ll let Yingbao know, and I’ll move back there.”

During her stay at the Princess Residence, she realized that she was affecting the life of the young couple.

Qi Lang and Yingbao were both very busy. If she continued to disturb them in their home, they would need to get up early to greet her and also to take care of her daily meals and living arrangements. It was a bit troublesome.

Moreover, she wanted to have grandchildren soon, so it would not be good if the young couple spent too much time taking care of her.

Upon hearing Madame Wang’s plan, Wei Shixian’s eyes lit up, and he hurriedly instructed the maids to pack their belongings.

When Yingbao heard that her mother-in-law was moving back, she didn’t find it surprising.

Her father-in-law had already bought the neighboring mansions and started refurbishing them. Most of the renovation was done, and it was natural for her mother-in-law to move back to the Wei Family and manage household affairs.

Fortunately, the two houses were close. It would be very convenient if her mother-in-law wanted to visit.

Yingbao had Magnolia move more than a dozen pots of flowers to the Wei Family’s house and place them in her mother-in-law’s courtyard. She also sent a few pots of mosquito-repellent plants.

Magnolia obeyed the orders and soon returned, “Princess, Lady Cao also wants some pots of mosquito-repellent plants.”

Cao’s woman had also returned to Zhouhe County this time, bringing with her Cao Qinqin, her sister.

Initially, she was unwilling, but she thought that her father-in-law would definitely buy a house in Zhouhe County. If she didn’t join them, she might miss out on her own share, so she braced herself to come and also brought her sister along.

Seeing this, the other sons and daughters-in-law of the Wei Family also followed, each occupying one courtyard.

“There are still a few in the courtyard, you can move some over there, send two pots to each house.” Yingbao said, reading her herbal book, without looking up.

She had plenty of these mosquito repellent plants, so she had no complaints about giving some to them.

Magnolia complied and led a few maids to move the potted plants.

Xinghua seemed displeased and murmured, “Madam Cao really has no shame, always asking the Commandery Princess for things. If we didn’t have what they wanted, wouldn’t it make both of us look bad?”

Magnolia gave her a stern look. “We’ve already given them; you should keep your thoughts to yourself. If the Wei Family hears this, they may think our Princess is stingy over a few potted plants.”

Xinghua huffed but didn’t say anything more.

In the room, seeing that it was time, Yingbao took out the Pupil Spring for Wuyang’s bath.

After this final soak, the little one would be completely cured.

He was already doing well, fed on sheep’s milk till he had become cherubic, and could even crawl a little on the bed.

“Oh, ah.” Wuyang called out to Yingbao, reaching out for her arms, wanting to be held.

Yingbao undressed him and placed him in a basin of water.

The water was warm, thanks to Xuanwu; it was just the right temperature for a bath.

Young Wuyang, having grown accustomed to the daily baths, joyfully smacked his little hands on the water surface. After splashing water all over Yingbao, he giggled uncontrollably.

“See if I don’t spank you!” Yingbao playfully swatted him on the bum and used a towel to wash his face and hair.

Anrou walked in, holding Wuyang’s clean clothes, and said softly, “Commandery Princess, allow me to take over.”

Yingbao murmured in agreement and straightened up.

Wuyang blinked, protesting loudly while reaching out for Yingbao: “Ah! Ah!”

Yingbao rubbed his head, “Behave and stay in the water. We’ll get out in a bit.”

Wuyang pouted but, as if he understood, he dropped his hands and started slapping the edge of the basin.

Anrou laughed, “Wuyang is getting smarter every day.”

Wuyang turned his face away.

Looking around for his toy turtle.

Knowing what he wanted, Anrou put a small wooden turtle in the little one’s hand.

It was intricately carved and made on the instruction of the Commandery Princess. It was unpainted, but it looked lifelike.

Wuyang chewed on the little turtle, then put it in the water, smacking it, hoping to make it swim.

Yingbao continued reading her book, conversing with Xuanwu in her mind.

“My brother wrote a letter saying that Xiao Mo has mysteriously disappeared from Beijing and took Murong Xian with him. Where do you think he went?”

Murong Xian had always been kept prisoner in a mansion near the palace by Zhou Wuchang. Despite being well looked after, he was kept under close surveillance and couldn’t step out of the residence.

The mansion was guarded patrolled so heavily that not even a fly could get in. How did Xiao Mo manage to take such a conspicuous person out of there?

Xuanwu: “I’ve done the calculations, and he must have gone to Jin Country.”

“Jin Country?” Yingbao frowned, “What’s he doing in Jin Country?”

Xuanwu: “I don’t know.” He didn’t care to know what that guy was up to.

“Is he planning to align with Jin Country?” Yingbao had always been suspicious of his motives.

Xuanwu shook his head, “He won’t align with Jin Country.” He would probably destroy Jin Country first before considering allying with them.

However, it dawned on him— the surname of the Great One was Xiao, and he was Xiao Chengjun’s blood brother.

No wonder he was always taking the side of Xiao Chengjun and the Chen Family.