"What are you giggling about, you silly girl?" Land Officer Yang nudged Yang Chuxia. "Hurry up and thank Constable Hong."
Previously, Land Officer Yang mentioned that the County Magistrate had prepared a plaque for Yang Chuxia, and now Constable Hong had come to deliver it, along with a pair of couplets from the steward.
"Uncle Hong, thank you so much!" Yang Chuxia habitually bowed and clasped her fists towards Constable Hong.
"You should really thank me. Although I didn’t write these things, I brought them here," Constable Hong laughed heartily.
He then whispered, "We haven’t caught that wizard from last time, and we don’t know if he knows about you. So, the County Magistrate and I suggested using the pretext of catching a repeat thief to present the plaque. It’s better to remain on guard against that wizard in case he comes to take revenge on you. As for the writing on the plaque, I don’t know how Lord County Magistrate found out your family wants to open a carpentry shop, so he changed the original words to the name of the shop."
Yang Chuxia looked at the plaque again and saw that it read "Artistry Pavilion." She thanked and complimented him, "Yes, I will be careful about the wizard. But I must sincerely thank you, Uncle Hong, for the shop name. The name given by Lord County Magistrate is worlds apart from the one I came up with."
"Ha ha, you sure know how to flatter, you little girl."
"Uncle Hong, why don’t you and the other constables sit here for a while? I’ll go help my mother cook. Today, we have your favorite drunken crab and drunken shrimp for lunch, as much as you want."
"Ah, that’s great, I didn’t expect your family to have these delicacies this season. They are quite rare! Hurry up then!" Constable Hong really loved drunken crab. Upon hearing this, he couldn’t help but urge Yang Chuxia.
Yang Chuxia glanced at Ye Zi’an, who nodded in agreement. He, along with Yang Dachuan, Old Yang, and Land Officer Yang, accompanied Constable Hong in conversation and hospitality. Yang Chuxia went to the kitchen.
Land Officer Yang got the news when Constable Hong and the others carried the plaque into the village, and he rushed over.
As for the elders who hadn’t received the news, Yang Chuxia asked Fugui and the others to call them over.
"Xiaxia, will this food be enough for lunch?"
Yang Chuxia looked at the small table: there was a whole chicken, a bowl of uncooked meat, a large plate of frozen fresh crabs, and a large plate of shrimp. With the addition of drunken crab and drunken shrimp, there were six dishes. However, there were no fish, and Yang Chuxia’s mind wandered to the evil river.
She thought that since it was broad daylight, and she would carry some sleeve arrows for self-defense, there shouldn’t be any problems. It would be best if she could catch more fish this time so they could last longer.
"Mother, take out some of the dried scallops from home and stir-fry them."
"Oh, look at me, I was so busy I forgot about that. Spicy stir-fried scallops with bean paste make a great dish!"
"Yes, later I’ll have Fugui and Tieshu take the ox cart to Shopkeeper Li’s restaurant in town and order a few dishes. We’ll set up two tables, just in case one is not enough." As she spoke, Yang Chuxia went to fetch a large wooden barrel from her home, instead of using a small one.
"Alright," Ms. Wang was busy cooking and didn’t notice what her daughter was going to do with the barrel.
Fugui and the others had already called over the village elders in the front room, so Yang Chuxia waved at Fugui.
"Miss, you called me?"
"Yes, in a while, you and Tieshu will take the ox cart to town and order some dishes at the Jubilee Building. When the time comes, don’t say they were ordered by Yangshu Village."
"Yes, I’ll go immediately."