Jiayin quickly replied, "Auntie, you're too kind. It's just a small matter, and neither my family nor I have taken it to heart. She's just an outsider, and she was instigated by someone else, so there's no need to make a fuss about it."
"When you go back, please also persuade the Madam not to harm her health over such a trivial matter. The relationship between our two families cannot be strained by just anyone stirring things up."
"Good, good!" Madam Jia was overjoyed, especially when she heard Jiayin call her aunt along with Wan'er. It felt so intimate.
Jiayin asked Baozhu, "Baozhu went to visit relatives. When will she be back? I miss her so much. I'm waiting for her to come back so we can have a flower-viewing banquet and get together properly."
Madam Jia smiled and said, "If it were before, she would probably have stayed out for a few more days, but now that you've left the palace, she probably won't be back until the day after tomorrow, if not tomorrow."
"Oh dear, then I'll get a barbecue grill when I get back to Suijintan. I'll grill lots of the snacks Baozhu likes." Jiayin smiled, her eyes crinkling.
Everyone laughed, unable to help but envy the friendship between the little girls; it was so pure and joyful…
After talking for a while, Madam Liu and Madam Jia said their goodbyes and went home.
Madam Xing, on the other hand, had come all this way and wanted to stay with her daughter for a while longer.
Jiayin followed them out of the mansion. They parted ways at the intersection, and she took a carriage straight to Suijin Beach.
Wan'er had already sent a message back, and everyone in the old house was eagerly waiting.
After tidying up the princess, Granny He and her maids and servants tidied up the old house, wishing there wasn't a speck of dust left in the courtyard.
The village chief kept running to the old house, asking if they needed to kill chickens and sheep, and if they needed manpower.
Those elderly people who have nothing to do at home also unconsciously wander around the entrance of the old house.
Two old men even gave her several exquisite straw baskets, saying that the princess could use them when she returned to pick fruit...
And so, as soon as Jiayin's carriage turned off the side road, before it even reached the wooden fence blocking the way, the villagers from the second village ran out first.
"The princess is back! The princess is back!"
The women in the workshop didn't even have time to take off their aprons, and the boys were jumping and shouting.
The veterans rubbed their hands, wanting to say something but unable to, and could only keep smiling sheepishly.
Old Hei and the others shouted loudly, "Princess, you're finally back! When are you going to assign us tasks? We can't let this beautiful sunny day go to waste!"
Jiayin jumped off the carriage and didn't even use Shuiling to hold up an umbrella to shield herself from the sun.
She smiled and waved to everyone, replying, "Don't worry, everyone. I'll be staying in the village for a while from now on, so we can discuss things slowly. There's no time today, so please get the workshop and other things that need to be dealt with sorted out, and I'll come back tomorrow to take care of them."
"Great! It's wonderful that the princess is back. Now we have someone to take charge!" The women exclaimed all at once, their faces beaming with joy.
The host family is their backbone!
Without a master to oversee them, they acted hesitantly and lacked confidence in everything they did.
Now that their master is back, they have someone to back them up and someone to make decisions for them. All they have to do is work hard!
After exchanging a few words, Lao Hei jumped onto the carriage shaft and personally took the whip from the servant.
Jiayin got back into the carriage and headed towards the old house.
The villagers gradually dispersed, but they still had to do their work, only this time they had much more energy.
Jiayin rolled down the front window and asked Lao Hei and the others how they were doing and if they had any places they wanted to go.
Old Hei was quite frank and replied, "Princess, it's easy to go to the Sixth Young Master's place. A round trip will only take three or four days!"
"But if we're going to go to the young master's side, we need to make more preparations and bring more people. I heard that the drought in the south is even worse, and the roads are probably not safe. Many people are likely to take the wrong path in order to survive."
“Alright, Uncle Hei, you guys get ready. In two or three days, we’ll go to my sixth brother’s place first. Since you’re back, I’ll also get the things sent to my eldest brother’s place ready. We’ll talk about going to the southwest then.” Jiayin replied, “It would be best to inquire if there are any caravans going along the same route. That way, we’ll have more confidence.”
“Alright, Princess, don’t worry, I’ll go to the city to look for it tomorrow,” Old Hei readily agreed.
In the short time it took to exchange just a few words, the carriage entered the village.
The village chief, Uncle Zhao, and others who had been waiting under the big tree gathered around, and there was another round of pleasantries and friendly greetings.
It's hot, so Jiayin can't really eat much.
But the village chief and Uncle Zhao, along with other elderly people, were so fond of the pigs that they had already pulled out the fattest pig from the pigsty, ready to send it to the King of Hell.
Jiayin could only laugh and say, "It's been a long time since I've had a big meal with everyone. Why don't we cook more so that everyone in the village, young and old, can have a bowl and enjoy it together? Otherwise, it would be a waste if the meat didn't keep in this hot weather."
The village chief immediately agreed, "Alright, I'll do as the princess says. I'll have someone call Jing, the village head, and the others over. They come to check on things every few days, just in case the princess neglects the village!"
Jiayin was somewhat regretful, realizing that she had been focusing only on the city and neglecting the village lately.
So she said, "Since that's the case, let's make it even more lively. Let's slaughter a few more sheep and make some mutton soup to nourish everyone!"
After unloading the luggage, the carriage will return to the city again to pick up dozens of jars of wine. It would be even better if we could bring Uncle Er and Mr. Wen back; then we can drink to our hearts' content and reward everyone for their hard work lately.
Before the village chief could respond, the men who had been listening to the commotion with smiles cheered.
Actually, everyone is doing well, and if they want to drink, they can pour themselves a bowl anytime to relieve fatigue.
But this is completely different from the wine the host gave us!
Drinking alone is a pleasure, but serving wine to the host is a source of pride!
Soon, the news spread throughout the village and beyond.
The women and children quickly organized themselves and rekindled the large stove.
Some went to the fields to pick vegetables, some slaughtered chickens and sheep, some washed pig offal, and some cut meat and vegetables.
Everyone was busy, and laughter filled the air.
Granny He was still making arrangements to let the master take a nap, but it seems that's all going to fall through now.
After Jiayin returned to the Princess's residence for a visit, Granny He, along with her maids and servants, joined the team preparing the meals.
As the sun dipped below the western hills, the carriage returned from the city.
One truck was filled with wine, and the other truck was filled with Li Lao Er, Mr. Wen, Liu Zhiheng, plus Mao Ge'er, Zhi Min, Xiu Jie, and Guo Wenhao, packed to the brim.
It turns out the academy has been unsealed. Cat Brother, who is well-informed, and hearing that Steward Guli has become the Crown Prince, is itching to get in touch with the news. He can't wait a moment longer.
After lunch, he asked for leave to return to the Earl's mansion.
Zhi Min, Xiu Jie, and Guo Wenhao naturally followed.
It just so happened that the village was having a communal meal again, so they came back to join in the fun.
Seeing the once quiet and deserted old house now bustling with people, making it difficult to even step inside, the villagers were filled with emotion.
I wish I could preserve this moment forever.
Two updates today!
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