Transmigrated into a female county magistrate during a famine, leading her country to prosperity

Chapter 1281 Man Niang and Wei Jing's Good Fortune Is Imminent

Xin Ji was led by Wei Jing towards the guest room, chattering all the way: "Innkeeper, if anyone asks, please don't say that I was brought by Lord Shen. Just say... I'm only staying here tomorrow morning."

Wei Jing paused almost imperceptibly, then nodded slightly: "Don't worry, young master. Please come upstairs..."

"Oh, we have to go upstairs again?" Xin Ji took two steps up the stairs and added, "Also, innkeeper, I got these injuries from a horse-riding accident. If anyone goesssips, remember to explain for me..."

Wei Jing couldn't help but look up at his face.

His face was covered in bruises and was unrecognizable. Could he have fallen off a horse?

After a brief pause, Wei Jing secretly glanced at Shen Zheng. Seeing Shen Zheng nod in agreement, he followed suit, saying, "Don't worry, young master. This way, please..."

At this point, Xin Ji was completely relieved and swaggered into the guest room.

Inside the hall, Shen Zheng was about to turn and leave when she suddenly saw a hand lift the curtain of the back hall.

A person came out from the back room and met Shen Zheng's eyes.

"Manniang?" Shen Zheng's lips curved slightly.

It seems like the last time they met was in the spring.

Half a year has passed in the blink of an eye. The flowers in the front yard of the inn have bloomed and withered, but the old friends are still in the same place.

"Lord Shen?!" Man Niang rubbed her eyes hard, her sleepiness instantly gone: "Is it really you?!"

She jogged towards Shen Zheng, her skirt swaying back and forth with each step, like a blooming red chrysanthemum.

......

At the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), the night was cool as water.

With the double escort of Man Niang and Wei Jing, Shen Zheng boarded the carriage back to the county government office.

"Go back now." Shen Zheng waved to them, "After you set the date, don't forget my invitation."

Under the warm yellow light, Manniang's smile was gentle and happy, but Wei Jing seemed to suddenly remember something and strode over to the carriage.

"Lord Shen..." His voice was filled with obvious nervousness: "If it weren't for you, I might never have met Man'er in my life... Therefore, I have a favor to ask. If you are available on the wedding day, could you please be my and Man'er's witness?"

Shen Zheng's hand, which was lifting the carriage curtain, suddenly stopped, and surprise filled her eyes.

The officiant...

It sounds like a sacred task.

In the year or so that she has been in Dazhou, she has been a "question setter", a "test grader", and an "executor" countless times.

But she had never actually served as a "wedding officiant".

Seeing that she lowered her eyes and did not answer, Wei Jing took a step back and apologized, "It was my rudeness, I hope Lord Shen will forgive me..."

"What does the officiant need to do?" Shen Zheng interrupted him.

"Huh...?" Wei Jing was stunned for a moment.

Thinking that Shen Zheng was not yet married, he immediately sorted out the process in his mind and said: "Reporting to your Excellency, the officiant at a wedding is usually a respected elder or an official of prestige like yourself... Their primary responsibility is to verify the marriage certificate and confirm that there are no omissions in the three letters and six rites, and that there are no improprieties in terms of family background and etiquette."

He paused, his voice becoming slightly more steady: "On the day of the wedding ceremony, the officiant will read the marriage certificate and bestow blessings and admonitions upon the newlyweds... After the ceremony, the officiant will sign the marriage certificate, and thereafter become the most powerful witness to the wedding."

Shen Zheng roughly understood.

It's a wedding emcee with real power.

It's not that it can't be done.

After all... Manniang was the second friend she made after coming to the Great Zhou Dynasty—Xu Yunyan was the first.

“Alright, I’ll be the officiant.” Shen Zheng’s voice dispelled the unease in Wei Jing’s eyes. “Once the date is set, just have someone tell me so I can prepare in advance.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Jing's eyes widened suddenly. After realizing what he meant, he quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your permission, sir! Once the date is set, I will personally invite you with gifts!"

Shen Zheng nodded and waved to Man Niang, who was still in a daze, saying, "Go back quickly, it's cold outside."

Man Niang slowly came to her senses, her eyes slightly red: "With you as the officiant, this wedding can truly be considered a perfect ending..."

If asked who she most wanted to invite to witness her wedding, it would undoubtedly be the person right in front of her.

"How could your marriage not be perfect? ​​Don't talk nonsense." Shen Zheng looked at her and laughed, "Alright, I'm going back now. You guys should go in quickly too. By the way, keep an eye on that kid tonight... for me."

Manniang and Weijing nodded in agreement, watching the carriage slowly move away and gradually disappear at the end of the street.

......

The next day, Shen Zheng slept until the sun was high in the sky.

The county government office was closed today, but all the people who were supposed to be off were in the backyard of the county government office.

As Shen Zheng walked out of the courtyard, Xiao Yuan was holding a ceramic jar bigger than his head and said to Xu Yunyan, "Lord Xu, this is a nourishing soup that Shuang'er made for you. She specially asked me to bring it to you..."

As he spoke, a hint of sourness crept into his voice: "To be honest, I don't even know what this soup tastes like yet... Why don't you drink it and tell me?"

Zhao Xiu smiled and held up the food box in his hand, saying, "Lord Xu, this is Eight Treasure Cake that Hui Niang made for you. She said it has nourishing and invigorating effects. Would you like to try some now?"

Xu Yunyan immediately shook his head: "Let's eat together at noon."

God knows, from the moment he opened his eyes in the morning until a quarter of an hour ago, his mouth hadn't stopped.

Everyone claimed to have brought "medicinal cuisine" or "highly nourishing meals," insisting on seeing him eat them with their own eyes.

This was the first time he had received such care from the county government officials, and he felt too embarrassed to refuse.

He had been eating in silence until now... and he really felt like throwing up.

"Shen Zheng!"

Suddenly, Yu Shizhang, who was in the pavilion, spotted Shen Zheng and waved, calling out, "We're one short for mahjong! Come quick! Come quick!"

Shen Zheng glanced around and saw that Yu Shizhang, Li Shiyuan, and Shen Xingjian were staring at her expectantly.

Zhao Xiu and Xiao Yuan also looked over at the sound: "My lord, you've risen!"

Immediately, they stopped focusing on Xu Yunyan and surrounded Shen Zheng, chattering amongst themselves.

"My lord, you're up very early today!"

"Are you hungry, sir? I happen to have some food here!"

"grown ups......"

Shen Zheng looked at the food box in Zhao Xiu's hand and secretly swallowed.

Zhao Xiu understood immediately and ran towards the pavilion with the food box, saying, "This way, sir!"

What kind of nourishing and invigorating food is this for patients?

If adults like to eat it, then it's for adults!

Half a moment later, Shen Zheng finally got to eat the Eight Treasures Cake.

It has to be said that Hui Niang's skills are truly exceptional; each pastry she makes has its own unique characteristics, sweet but not cloying.

While eating, she asked Zhao Xiu, "Zhao Xiu, Hui Niang's cooking is so good, don't you support her starting a business?"

Zhao Xiu exclaimed in surprise, "My lord, you are truly a god..."

Shen Zheng understood: "They're plotting something?"

Zhao Xiu nodded, a hint of joy slowly creeping onto his face: "I've rented a small shop at the dock, registered under Hui Niang's name. I estimate it'll be open in about half a month."

"The dock?" Shen Zheng pondered for a moment, then offered, "If I'm in the county on opening day, how about I come and cut the ribbon for you?"

Zhao Xiu's eyes slowly widened.

A small pastry shop, barely big enough for a single table and chairs, opened for business, and the county magistrate, prefect, and assistant minister of the Six Ministries were invited to cut the ribbon...

In the past, he wouldn't have dared to dream of such a thing.