Another elder added, "And the tables and chairs. Your family’s tables are small, not enough to hold all the dishes, and there aren’t enough chairs, either."
"Besides, those guards also need to eat. These are guards from the Pri Minister’s Mansion, experienced in high society. We can’t disgrace our village."
Aunt Wang said, "I’ll go with Juanzi. I’m familiar with Landlord Liu’s wife."
As she spoke, she pulled Juanzi along and hurried out.
Upon exiting, they saw Yun Jiao standing at the doorway of the main hall. Aunt Wang smiled warmly, paid her respects, then left.
Aunt Wang and Juanzi arrived at Landlord Liu’s house and explained the situation.
Upon hearing that Yun Jiao had married the Pri Minister, Landlord Liu’s wife imdiately called over two household workers and a cook. The two workers helped move tables and chairs and gathered bowls and chopsticks.
The cook was dispatched to lend a hand.
Landlord Liu’s wife said, "I must go too, to pay my respects to such an esteed person."
These few people set out, discussing along the way, and soon half the village knew and marched grandly towards Second Uncle Gu’s house.
In the hearts of these villagers, it was only right for the commoners to pay respects to officials. Yun Jiao was an official’s wife, and a very important one at that, how could they not pay their respects?
So villagers brought iron pots, so carried chickens and ducks, and others brought brown sugar and eggs. They brought what they considered good things to honor the esteed guest.
Those with nothing to bring planned to lend a hand when they arrived empty-handed.
The grand procession reached the entrance of Second Uncle Gu’s courtyard, where they found a few guards stationed.
Seeing so many people arriving, the guards, concerned for their master’s safety, stopped everyone from entering but, fearing they might offend the madam’s hotown folks, sent soone to inform the maid, who swiftly reported to Yun Jiao.
Yun Jiao, having already heard the commotion outside, went to see that indeed the crowd was large, probably half the village.
Young girls, young wives, elder ladies, young n, and the elderly all ca along.
As Yun Jiao stepped out, soone led the way, and the whole crowd knelt down collectively.
Simple country folk, once kneeling, didn’t know what to say, so they just bowed their heads to the ground.
Yun Jiao hurried over, "Everyone, please get up."
Seeing these villagers, a pang of guilt hit her heart. She had never done anything for her hotown, yet these people kneeled simply because of her status.
These concepts of hierarchy and respect were deeply ingrained in them.
Yet how many of those high above truly cared for these citizens who held them in such high regard?
Yun Jiao raised her voice, "Uncles and aunties, you all watched grow up. Among neighbors, there’s no need for so many formalities."
The kneeling villagers gradually stood up.
Just as they rose, Xu Lizheng led people hurriedly towards them.
The villagers stepped aside, and Xu Lizheng rushed over to kneel, but Yun Jiao quickly said, "Xu Lizheng, please rise."
Xu Lizheng stood up, extrely anxious, "I didn’t know the madam was coming, and I failed to welco you from afar—"
Yun Jiao waved her hand and looked at the crowd of villagers outside the courtyard. She considered that since she had returned ho, she ought to do sothing for her hotown for these relatives.
She called over Cai Ping and whispered a few words, and Cai Ping quickly went back inside.
At this ti, the villagers began placing their brought items down. Yun Jiao looked at the chickens and ducks, feeling truly uneasy. These villagers wouldn’t even bear to eat a chicken or two in a year. They raised them well to sell at the market, where a single chicken could fetch several hundred coins.
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