Zhao Jiaqi was also bewildered: "Perhaps it's Godfather? Or Xie Kun, he's the county magistrate's brother-in-law!"
But why would Xie Kun invite the county magistrate to her daughter's full moon banquet?
She was completely confused, vaguely greeting guests.
At the table, Xie Kun was also baffled by his brother-in-law attending such a feast. He asked in a low voice, "Brother-in-law, did my father-in-law invite you?"
Sun Ao shook his head, "I heard your father-in-law mention it. Today is Miss Zhao Jiaqi's full moon banquet, and I came of my own accord!"
When did Zhao Jiaqi get acquainted with his brother-in-law?
How had he not heard a word from his sister-in-law about it!
This led to a big misunderstanding, with both Xie Kun and Zhao Jiaqi mistakenly believing the other had extended the invitation.
During the feast, Sun Ao asked Zhao Jiaqi, "Have you named your daughter yet? What is her name?"
The county magistrate inquired, and Zhao Jiaqi dared not delay, replying, "Fan Yumeng!"
Sun Ao nodded, a hint of disappointment. It was a pity he hadn't been able to name the legitimate eldest daughter of the Hussar General.
But it was fine. As long as he could build a good relationship with her, there would be opportunities to gain the General's favor in the future.
After the banquet, before leaving, Sun Ao specifically instructed Xie Kun, "Fan Zehao has achieved merit on the battlefield and is now a Great General. The news hasn't reached here yet, so you must not spread it. You must also treat them well and help them out. It will benefit both of us in the future!"
"Oh!"
Sun Ao patted his unreliable brother-in-law on the shoulder. Although he was usually dissolute, he had managed to forge such an excellent connection at a critical moment.
After Sun Ao left, Xie Kun was still pondering the title of Great General. He could hardly believe that the simpleton had become a general overnight!
However, he was indeed capable of fighting. He had single-handedly taken on seven or eight of them and hadn't lost, so he had the potential to be a general.
If he had known that being good at fighting could lead to becoming a general, he wouldn't have paid people to impersonate him to join the army. Perhaps he would have held an official position by now.
It had to be said that those with simple minds also had simple ideas. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so carefree and plump.
In March, the willows budded, the earth revived, and the sunlight grew warmer day by day.
By April, many wildflowers bloomed in the woods.
Few people in the village now went up the mountain to dig for wild vegetables. In the past, when food was scarce and clothing was insufficient, people would scramble to dig for wild vegetables, or they would starve.
Li Wencai was extremely content now. The village was flourishing and full of vitality, making him proud as the village head.
Now, village heads from other villages would praise him, try to get close, and see if they could lead them to prosperity together.
If that didn't work, they would even want to register their households in his village to share in the good fortune.
This made him beam, a smile constantly on his face.
In May, as the scorching summer approached, preparations were underway to continue the ice-making business. Meanwhile, the county magistrate, in a carriage, arrived in a great hurry.
As soon as he entered, he knelt before Zhao Jiaqi, startling her.
If it weren't for the absence of April Fool's Day here, she would have thought the county magistrate was playing a trick on her.
"Lord Sun, what is wrong? Did you trip on something?" She sidestepped his bow and hurried to help Sun Ao up.
"This subordinate greets the General's wife. Congratulations, Madam! Congratulations!"
General's... wife?
Was he talking about her?
Fan Zehao became a general?
When did that happen? He hadn't mentioned it when he returned before the New Year!
"Um, Lord Sun, please get up. My husband is a general? Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
Sun Ao nodded very confidently, "How could such a major event be mistaken? Soon, the General will send someone to escort you back to the capital!"
So, Fan Zehao had gone directly to the capital.
She wasn't excited about him becoming a general, but hearing that he wouldn't be coming back to pick them up, she felt quite disappointed.
News of Fan Zehao becoming a general spread throughout the village within a few days.
Everyone came to offer their congratulations, aunts, distant relatives, familiar and unfamiliar alike, all joining in the excitement.
In the main hall.
Fan Hehua and Fan Ruhua, who claimed to be Fan Zehao's aunts, had been sitting there for half the day, their mouths never stopping, constantly recounting how well they had treated Fan Zehao when he was young and so on.
Zhao Jiaqi could recite their repeated tales by heart.
She put down her teacup and directly asked them, "Do you have something to say? And as a reminder, our family has left the clan, and we are no longer related to you. So, don't bring up the past with me. I didn't experience it, so I can't answer any of your questions."
Her words left the two speechless. After much stammering, Fan Hehua said, "Niece-in-law, what are you saying? Zehao was young then, and you weren't involved."
Fan Ruhua chimed in, rolling her eyes, "Exactly. Besides, relatives are like family. Even if you've broken ties with the Fan family, you haven't broken ties with us!"
Their talk was endless, truly skilled at gossiping.
She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, calming the turmoil within her.
If she were to take their words seriously and get angry, she would have died of anger countless times.
"Whether you break ties or not has nothing to do with me. If you have something to say, say it directly. I really don't have time to accompany you. The child is about to be hungry, and I need to breastfeed!"
Fan Hehua frowned, greatly disliking her tone, "What kind of person are you? Elders come to your house, and before they've even warmed their seats, you want to chase them away? So ill-mannered! Where is your mother-in-law? Call her out; we'll talk to her. It won't interfere with you taking care of the child!"
"You're simply a brat with a mother but no upbringing! Acting so arrogant just because you're the General's wife! You still have to call me Aunt when you see me!" Fan Ruhua said shamelessly.
Zhao Jiaqi sneered. It seemed that since they had entered the house, she hadn't acknowledged them as aunts.
She stood up and looked at the two, saying, "My mother is not here. Please leave."
As soon as she finished speaking, she left the main hall. A moment later, Fan Guangping entered with a dark expression and began to chase them away without a word.
When they arrived, they were neatly dressed, having specifically chosen clothes without patches, and spoke softly. When they were chased out, they began to curse loudly and wildly, making it unbearable to watch.
Zhang Cuihua, returning from town, was amused to learn that Zhao Jiaqi had chased the two women away after they arrived.
"Good job chasing them away! Next time they come, just beat them up and drive them out. Those two are too shameless. They snatched the prey my son hunted, verbally abused him, and even tried to sell him. Those two beasts, ignore them."
Alas, what was wrong with the Fan family that they produced such unpleasant individuals! Zhao Jiaqi held her forehead.
Her son was like this, and her daughter was like that. Fan Mingyue and Fan Shurong were both full of bad intentions. The whole family, except for Fan Zehao, was abnormal.
In mid-June, Fan Zehao took leave and returned home to personally escort them.
In over a year, he had only seen his wife once, and that was a hurried farewell.
On the day of his return, the village celebrated in grand style. In such a poor and remote area, to have produced a general was something unseen for a hundred years.
The celebration had barely begun when Fan Shurong showed up, greeting Fan Zehao with a smile.
"Elder brother, how have you been!"
The lively laughter suddenly became somewhat subdued due to his arrival.