Smiling and waving at the villagers, Yang Mengchen's eyes gradually became misty with emotion, feeling both happy and touched.

Sister Jin was particularly moved, a faint glow of pride radiating from her face.

Having had the honor to accompany the Empress Dowager and Emperor on their outings, she could tell that the common people's sentiments towards the Emperor and Empress Dowager were more of awe than the heartfelt respect and gratitude these villagers had for their own girl. Their girl was truly remarkable!

Before long, the group had arrived at the family doorstep, where, apart from those teaching or attending classes at the Academy, the rest of the family had received the message and were eagerly waiting, peering out. Even Lady Xiao had come out, supported by Xiao Wan Xue and Sister Ke, each with expressions of excitement and anticipation.

Xiao Guai pounced in front of Yang Mengchen, its tiger eyes brimming with a plaintive look.

Patting Xiao Guai's head, Yang Mengchen said in a soft voice, "The situation was sudden, and I didn't have time to notify you. I promise to take you with me next time."

Xiao Guai was satisfied and no longer clung to Yang Mengchen.

"I have returned."

Looking at the family members waiting at the door, tears of happiness whirled in Yang Mengchen's eyes, yet she held them back from falling.

Rushing forward and grasping Yang Mengchen's hands, Madam Yang Zhou and Old Lady Luo examined her thoroughly, relieved to see that she was unharmed, they tearfully repeated, "It's good that you're back! It's good that you're back!"

Lady Xiao and the other ladies discreetly wiped the tears from their eyes, looking at Yang Mengchen with gentle, joyful smiles.

Grandpa Yang, Old Master Luo, and the other men were visibly moved, nodding incessantly in response.

Weichi Kong and Old Shao looked on with admiration, "Jiujiu, well done!" There were very few in this world whom they truly respected, and Jiujiu was one of them.

"Both grandfathers flatter me too much," Yang Mengchen humbly replied, "I simply did my modest part. If it weren't for everyone's collective effort, and if Uncle Luo hadn't timely devised the remedy to eradicate the epidemic, the situation wouldn't have been resolved so quickly. The credit belongs to everyone."

The few who knew the real truth didn't break the silence, and they admired Yang Mengchen for not boasting about her achievements and even attributing the credit to others, which reflected her magnanimous spirit and her nature of not seeking fame or profit.

Most, however, believed that Yang Mengchen was a blessing star, bringing fortune to those around her as well. Without her, the Jinquan villagers would surely not have escaped this calamity.

"We welcome the young mistress home!"

Uncle Heng and Qiao Niangzi led the servants in kneeling together, feeling an immense sense of pride and joy in their hearts: Indeed, as the villagers said, the young mistress was a living bodhisattva, and they felt that serving her was the blessing of several lifetimes!

"Please, everyone, rise," Yang Mengchen gestured for everyone to get up, "You have all worked hard these past days, each of you will be rewarded with one month's extra salary."

The 'birdies' had told her everything, that Uncle Heng and Qiao Niangzi had organized people to urgently prepare the supplies she needed while taking even greater care of the family, strengthening the disease prevention and guard, and praying day and night for her safe return. All the servants had performed their duties without slacking or harboring ill intentions. She was very satisfied.

"We humbly thank the young mistress for the reward!" The servants were all grateful.

The masters of the house loved and cared for each other, without any of the backstabbing and dirty tricks that troubled other large households and fell upon their servants. Not only had they not been mistreated, but they also ate well, lived comfortably, and received higher monthly wages than elsewhere.

They cherished their current lives, and now with the young mistress rewarding them with an extra month's salary, who among them wouldn't be overwhelmed with gratitude?

Yang Mengchen smiled and then turned to the village chief and Lizheng, "Please convey my thanks to everyone on my behalf, and thank them for their care and love for me all this time." After speaking, she bowed deeply as a sign of respect.

"Of course, of course," the village chief and Lizheng said, waving their hands repeatedly.

The other villagers also either shook their heads or waved their hands, all a bit embarrassed; it was they who should be thankful to Jiujiu, as she led them to better days.

Knowing that Jiujiu had returned, the Yang family surely had a lot to talk about. The village chief and Lizheng greeted everyone and then led the villagers away, bidding their goodbyes.

Zhang family.

Upon hearing the news, Madam Zhang Liao sighed deeply, Zhang Meiju smashed everything in the house like a madwoman, while Zhang Meixing was scared and anxious.

"Please, may Lord Xiao, the second young master, and the young miss cross the fire basin for a life of peace and smooth sailing from now on!"

Qiao Niangzi directed the servants to place a small fire basin at the main entrance, with several other servants holding branches of pomelo trees on both sides of the door. After consulting with the old lady, she prepared these, as it was the local custom to cross the fire basin and use pomelo leaves to dispel bad luck.

Yang Mengchen gestured for Xiao Hongtao and Yang Chengning to cross the basin first, followed by herself. The maids used the branches to lightly sweep her whole body, and finally Sister Jin and the others did the same, before each returned to their own rooms to freshen up.

Soaking in a bathtub with just the right water temperature, Yang Mengchen sighed, feeling so good to be home.

When Yang Mengchen came downstairs to the living room after freshening up, the womenfolk of the Wu, Liu, and Shen families, who had heard the news and rushed over, crowded around her. With tears in their eyes, they asked after her well-being in a flurry of concern; Yang Mengchen answered each of them with a smile, her heart filled with warmth.

The men from the three families felt both relieved and proud.

By noon, Old Hai and others had also rushed back, leading to another round of sentiment.

Clinging to Yang Mengchen, Long Yingtong wept uncontrollably, her heart filled with waves of fear now past.

Yang Mengchen gently wiped away Long Yingtong's falling tears while softly persuading her, and finally managed to calm her down.

After lunch, Xiao Hongtao and his servants returned to the County Office.

The three families of Wu, Liu, and Shen also went back to their own homes.

Yang Mengchen instructed Yang Chengning to arrange for the delivery of cement to Jinquan villagers and then went with Sister Jin and five maids to inspect several factories.

The Wu Family Village's meat product factory had been completed a few days earlier. Engineer Luo led the craftsmen back to help Feng Gong and others build new factories. Since she planned to construct a cosmetics factory and a candy factory, she gave Engineer Luo the responsibility for the new factories. She also decided to guide the Wu family and workers in making meat products the next day.

This time the medicinal herb base had used up a lot of materials, so Yang Mengchen urged the workers to hurry and replant the medicinal herbs to avoid shortages when needed. The vegetables and fruits in the greenhouse were also growing well and looked like they could be sold in large quantities in at most a month.

"Sister, is there anything else?"

After dinner, Yang Mengchen began to study the sweet greens, and as it was getting dark, she instructed Sister Jin and the six others to rest. Hearing the door open now, she thought Sister Jin had come back and asked without turning around, only to be suddenly embraced tightly from behind.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.