Chen Zhiyi, handing out wedding sweets left and right, ensured that by evening, everyone in the village knew that Chen Zhiwei and Wang You were married.
The wedding banquet was set for three days later, but only a handful of people were invited: the five household workers at the Chen family, the village chief, and a few senior clan elders.
The banquet was to be held in Chen family’s small courtyard.
Though simple, Chen Zhiwei had done her utmost. The pork head was stewed until tender, the fish fried to golden perfection, a few seasonal vegetables lightly sautéed, a large bowl of flavorful tofu, along with plenty of coarse rice and homemade cloudy rice wine—by village standards, this was quite a respectable spread.
Chen Zhiwei wore a half-new lotus-colored outfit, her hair neatly tied with a plain silver hairpin, fully dressed as a bride. Her face bore a graceful, gentle smile as she greeted the guests.
Wang You, dressed in a brand-new cotton outfit, sat modestly, his bright eyes scanning the table full of dishes, occasionally glancing at Chen Zhiwei, worried about making a mistake.
After a few rounds of wine, the atmosphere became livelier. A few of the talkative aunts began teasing.
“Wang You, today’s your special day with the eldest girl—are you happy?” asked Aunt Zhao from the neighboring house, smiling.
Wang You nodded vigorously, a huge grin spreading across his face. “Happy! Happy to be with sister!”
“Being happy isn’t enough,” the quick-tongued Aunt Wang interjected, raising her voice slightly, “Wang You, you do know that after marriage, you’re supposed to enter the bridal chamber at night? Do you know how that works?”
The room erupted with laughter. Many eyes, playful and curious, turned toward Wang You. Chen Zhiwei, who had also been single all her life in a previous life, felt her face turn red with embarrassment.
Wang You, overwhelmed by everyone’s laughter, blinked his clear eyes, looking from one person to another, and finally sought help from Chen Zhiwei, shaking his head honestly: “Bridal chamber? Don’t know. Sister didn’t teach me.”
His pure, innocent, and perfectly justified answer made everyone laugh even louder.
Chen Zhiyi, afraid his sister would feel embarrassed, quickly stood up to smooth things over, raising his wine cup: “Uncles, aunts, thank you all for coming to celebrate my sister and brother-in-law’s wedding! I offer you a toast!”
Chen Zhiwei also took the opportunity to calm herself, lifting her tea cup and saying warmly, “Thank you to all the elders and neighbors for honoring us with your presence. Zhiwei offers tea in place of wine.”
Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the courtyard gate—mixed with the crisp sound of a bronze gong and hurried hoofbeats, growing closer and closer, heading straight toward the Chen family’s courtyard!
The laughter inside immediately stopped. Everyone looked toward the gate in confusion.
A government messenger, dressed in a black official’s uniform with a sword at his waist, strode in first, followed by four strong men carrying boxes, and finally a clerk holding a tray. The messenger’s sharp gaze swept over everyone in the courtyard as he loudly asked, “Is this the home of Chen Zhiwei, a farmer of merit in this village?”
The sight and authority of the group stunned everyone in the courtyard. The village chief, Chen Fugen, reacted first, quickly rising and bowing: “Yes, yes! This is indeed me, your humble village chief Chen Fugen. Messenger, what orders do you bring?”
The messenger’s expression softened slightly. He took from his bosom a scroll sealed with a vermillion imperial stamp, unrolled it, and solemnly said, “Chen Zhiwei, receive the imperial edict!”
Chen Zhiwei’s heart skipped a beat. Sensing what might be happening, she quickly took Wang You, still a little bewildered, to stand in the center of the courtyard, ready to kneel. Chen Zhiyi also quickly followed suit.
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:” The messenger’s voice rang out loudly, clear enough for even villagers outside the courtyard to hear, “Chen Zhiwei of Qinghe County, intelligent and diligent, skilled in farming, nurturing superior seeds to benefit the village and serve the state… The Emperor is greatly pleased! As a reward, ten acres of prime paddy fields and one hundred taels of silver are granted to encourage you! Furthermore, Chen Zhiwei is appointed as the Agricultural Promotion Officer of Qinghe County, receiving official pay and tasked with assisting in the promotion and education of farming practices within the county. By imperial order!”
When the decree was read, everyone in the Chen family courtyard—and even the villagers outside—fell completely silent. All were stunned by this unexpected reward and official appointment!
Ten acres of prime paddy fields! That was a lifetime dream for many families!
One hundred taels of silver—a huge sum!
Even more astonishing was the position of “Agricultural Promotion Officer”! Though minor and not ranked in official grades, it was still an official post! Historically, how many women ever received an official position, even one as small as this?
Chen Zhiwei herself was stunned. She had expected some reward but never imagined it would be so generous, nor that she would receive an official title!
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she respectfully kowtowed: “Your humble subject Chen Zhiwei thanks the Emperor! Long live the Emperor, long live, long live forever!”
Wang You and Chen Zhiyi, still a bit bewildered, followed suit.
The messenger rolled up the imperial decree, solemnly handed it to Chen Zhiwei, and had the silver chest and land deeds delivered. The clerk also presented a tray with a light green low-level official’s uniform and a small wooden seal.
“Congratulations, Officer Chen!” The messenger now smiled. “The county magistrate has asked me to convey this: may you not fail the Emperor’s trust, continue studying agriculture, and benefit the people.”
“Thank you, messenger, and thank you, honorable magistrate! Zhiwei will give her utmost effort!” Chen Zhiwei thanked them again, handing a few ingots to the messenger, as the visit had been unexpected and no red envelopes were prepared.
The messengers accepted the gift without refusal, offered congratulations, and departed.
As soon as they left, the courtyard erupted like a boiling pot!
“My heavens! Ten acres of prime paddy fields! One hundred taels of silver!”
“Agricultural Promotion Officer! Zhiwei girl has become an official!”
“Incredible! Our Chen family village has produced a female official!”
“Personally rewarded by the Emperor—this Chen family’s main branch is going to prosper!”
Envy, awe, and praise rang out nonstop. The earlier teasing about Wang You entering the bridal chamber was completely forgotten in the face of this astonishing news.
All eyes were on Chen Zhiwei, holding the imperial edict and official seal, calm in demeanor yet radiating brilliance.
Village chief Chen Fugen was so excited his beard trembled as he exclaimed, “Excellent! Excellent! This is a once-in-a-century honor for our Chen family village!”
“We must open an ancestral hall and record this in the genealogy.”
“Yes, record it in the clan register for Zhiwei girl.”
Amid everyone’s enthusiasm, Chen Zhiwei inwardly snorted: “There aren’t that many rules. It’s just that you weren’t strong enough. Look, a woman being recorded in the genealogy, and yet these men feel the need to insist on it!”