After finishing lunch, Xiao Yunying went back to her room to check on the things they had brought her.
After a rough inspection, it was found that most of the items were rare and precious ingredients, tonics, various fabrics, several sets of porcelain, a small number of ornaments, and a letter.
There are no fancy or impractical decorations; everything was chosen based on personal preference, and it's clear that careful selection was put into it.
Remembering Zuo Qingzhi's words that it was a thank-you gift from the two siblings for eating and staying here, Xiao Yunying didn't think about returning the things. At worst, she could just cook them for everyone to eat together in the next few days, so it wouldn't be considered that she accepted them alone.
She glanced at the unsigned envelope, opened it, and read its contents.
She had assumed the letter was written by the Minister's wife, but it turned out to be written by the Minister of Works.
The letter contained very little, just two thin sheets of paper.
The first part is to thank her for letting Luo Sheng mention to the emperor that he donated 50,000 taels of silver to buy medicine for the border soldiers, which earned him praise from the emperor and a lot of rewards.
Xiao Yunying looked up at Luo Sheng: "Did you tell the Emperor that the batch of medicinal herbs was donated by the Ministry of Rites?"
Luo Sheng glanced at the letter in her hand: "Didn't you say you didn't send the medicinal herbs? But this money has to have a source, so I'll just say it was donated by Minister Zuo."
It was also for show. Even if the Minister set a good example, the other officials, even if they didn't donate silver, would have to cooperate and submit a petition demanding severe punishment for those corrupt officials who embezzled military funds, just to put on a show.
Luo Sheng's words were reasonable and well-founded, but he would never tell Xiao Yunying that he only mentioned Minister Zuo because he didn't want to mention Chen Yuancheng.
Little did he know that Chen Yuancheng had taken extra money to send strong liquor and grain to the soldiers at the border, and this time he realized he had been narrow-minded.
Xiao Yunying muttered to herself, "I wonder how much reward they received."
Luo Yong said, "There wasn't much of a reward, just a jade ruyi. The Minister's mansion has many shops under its name, and the Minister is not short of money. What he values more is the honor that this jade ruyi represents."
Xiao Yunying asked curiously, "Is it the kind that can't be sold for silver?"
"That kind."
"All right."
That thing was useless to her, and she didn't need this so-called honor, so she didn't care much about it.
The second half of the letter tells her about her background.
They said they didn't search carefully at first because of time constraints. After finishing their important business, they sent people to look again, but they couldn't find out if anyone had taken in a child.
In addition, since the guard had been found to have bite marks from wild animals, everyone assumed that the child had been eaten by wild animals, and gradually gave up the search.
The letter concluded by saying that if she wished, she could resume her status as the eldest daughter of the Minister's household at any time; if not, he would advise the Minister's wife to minimize her disturbances to her life.
Unlike the Minister's wife, who was humble and remorseful, this letter was not overly emotional. It was calm throughout, yet one could feel the sincerity of the writer and did not perceive it as hypocritical.
Xiao Yunying felt a mix of emotions, so she could only put the letter away and start packing her things.
——————
Xiao Yunying felt that there was really nothing fun to do in the countryside of this society.
I don't know what's wrong with the Zuo siblings. Every day they just follow me around to the vegetable garden, the black-boned chicken farm, and the cattle farm, or they go to the foot of the mountain around the village to pick a few wildflowers and play with the village children. They have nothing else to do.
But they enjoy this routine every day without getting bored, and they are always excited.
Three or four days passed like this, and Xiao Yunying felt bored for them. She said to them, "The village is like this, day after day, tending to crops, doing farm work, chopping wood, cooking, and washing clothes. It's not as lively as the city. If you feel bored, you can go to the city for a stroll."
Zuo Qingzhi was weaving a wreath with wildflowers she had picked when she heard what she was saying and stopped what she was doing: "Big sister wants to send us away?"
"That's not what I meant. I was just worried you'd be bored here."
“That’s alright then.” Zuo Qingzhi continued weaving the flower wreath. “We’ve seen all the excitement in the capital, but the natural scenery here is quite unique. My brother and I find it very interesting. He even said he wants to paint all the landscapes here. We both have our own things to do, so we don’t feel bored.”
Xiao Yunying thought about it and realized that it made sense. From a young age, members of noble families had to abide by various etiquette rules and learn things like music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and the Eight Arts of a Gentleman. What they lacked most was freedom.
Now I can do whatever I want and see scenery I've never seen before. To put it bluntly, I'm enjoying a freedom I've never had before.
Thinking of this, she added, "It's springtime now, the mountain is overgrown with weeds, and all sorts of snakes, insects, rodents, and even wild beasts come out to hunt. You mustn't sneak up the mountain, understand?"
"I know, my second brother is watching me, I won't run around."
As she spoke, she looked up and winked at Xiao Yunying: "Although I have a lively personality, I won't cause trouble for others."
Zuo Ningyuan snorted from the side: "Haven't you caused me enough trouble since you were a child?"
Zuo Qingzhi said disdainfully, "It was just that one time I caused you trouble, why do you still hold a grudge? You're so petty."
Xiao Yunying asked curiously, "What is it?"
Zuo Qingzhi put down the wildflowers in her hand and just as she whispered in Zuo Ningyuan's ear, Zuo Ningyuan's expression changed: "Qingzhi, don't say it!"
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