A team of carriages and horses stopped and started, and three days later, they appeared in Yuehu Town.
Inside the teahouse where they were resting, Jiang Yushu, looking weary, suggested, "This is Yuehu Town! There's a small inn nearby. You two can stay overnight while I run some errands back to Liu Village. We'll meet at the ferry tomorrow. How about that?"
Wei Xu had just arrived and was completely clueless. He asked wearily, "How far is Liu Village from here?"
"Not far, about twelve or thirteen miles." Pei Wenfeng took a sip of tea. "The village is very close to the ferry. In my opinion, it would be better for us to stay in the village for the night so that we don't have to get up early and travel at dawn tomorrow."
After days of traveling, Wei Xu's eyes lit up when he heard this and he immediately agreed: "Good idea! I'm really tired from getting up early all day. If I take a boat across the river when I'm tired, I'm afraid I'll feel dizzy."
"What do you think, cousin?" Pei Wenfeng held the teapot and poured tea for his cousin himself.
Having said that, what else could she do? Jiang Yushu hurriedly thanked him and snatched the teapot, refilling her companion's tea. She smiled and replied, "I had intended to do so, but I was worried that in this rural area, I wouldn't be able to provide adequate hospitality and neglect our distinguished guests, so I held back. It's rare that you two don't mind. Please come with me to Liu Village and stay the night at my humble abode. We'll catch the boat tomorrow morning."
Wei Xu thanked him and nodded.
Pei Wenfeng sipped his tea, peered outside, and urged, "Since that's the case, it's getting late. Let's keep going. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can rest."
"Okay!" Jiang Yushu agreed happily. After quenching their thirst, the group continued on their journey and arrived at Liu Village in the evening.
It was the spring plowing season, and every household in Liu Village was busy farming, going out early and returning late. The fields were a busy scene. Suddenly, they saw strange carriages and horses, and they couldn't help but feel curious and talked about it.
Soon, the carriage stopped at the gate of the Guo family courtyard. When the elderly neighbors saw Jiang Yushu getting off the carriage, they were instantly excited. They immediately came closer with their young grandchildren in their arms or by their hands, and asked in a flurry of questions:
"Mrs. Guo!"
"Ah, long time no see, how have you been lately?"
"Your family had a full-moon banquet at the end of last month. It was really lively. Most of the villagers drank in the wedding wine, but it was a pity that you and your daughter didn't get to see it."
"Congratulations!"
"I heard that you became an official, the only female official in the world, right?"
"Where is the child? Is he in the carriage?"
…
Jiang Yushu was surrounded by the crowd. She answered the questions one by one as usual and said loudly, "The child is still young and can't stand the bumps. I dare not take him out for the time being."
"How could that be? I've lived in the village for several years and settled down here. How could I possibly 'never come back'? Look, as soon as I was able to move again, I rushed back to visit."
She glanced at the familiar faces and asked with concern, "It's spring plowing season now. How are things at home? Is farming going well?"
Indeed, after knowing each other for several years, the villagers have long regarded the Guo family as "one of their own," and are friendly and respectful. They rushed to answer, "We've almost finished planting, and everything is going well."
"The lady taught for several years, and even the dumbest lazy guy could learn it."
"My family had a good harvest last year. This year, we'll plant a few more acres of potatoes. My family won't have to go hungry anymore."
"Oh, thank God, we've finally gotten through those hard times! But ever since the young teacher went to the county town, the private school has been closed, and the children often miss him."
"Where's the young gentleman? Is he all right?"
…
Jiang Yushu listened attentively, nodded frequently, and answered, concluding with an apology, "Azhe is in the county serving his elders and can't get away. He's very concerned about the students, and asked me to tell the village head that he feels his talents are limited and is studying hard day and night. He suggests that the village hire a truly learned teacher for the children. Even if it's just to enlighten them, they will benefit for life."
"We understand, and we will definitely tell Sanping!" The villagers nodded in agreement. As their lives became better and their money became more comfortable, they no longer felt that it was a huge burden for the whole village to work together to hire a teacher.
The reunion after a short separation was filled with laughter and joy, and the atmosphere was very lively.
For a short moment, Wei Xu and his servant watched in amazement, almost dumbfounded.
Wei Xu examined the rustic villagers and couldn't help but whisper, "Master Pei, is it possible that Envoy Jiang—she—has such a close relationship with the villagers?"
Pei Wenfeng wasn't surprised at all. With his hands behind his back, he sighed, "My cousin has a miserable life. Shortly after getting married, her husband's family was convicted and they were exiled to this village to farm, where they endured immense hardship. Fortunately, she was tenacious and intelligent, managing to survive a desperate situation. If it were another woman, she probably wouldn't have been able to endure."
"It's really not easy." The servant sighed sincerely. Having witnessed it firsthand, Wei Xu also felt respect. "It's really not easy."
The next moment, a group of people suddenly came running from the right, led by Cuimei. She threw down her backpack and ran away, shouting, "Girl!"
Jiang Yushu turned her head at the sound, her face beaming with joy. "I knew it was you the moment I heard your voice!" She looked him over. "Just came down the mountain, right? Did you go digging herbs—Ouch!"
Cuimei rushed forward, unable to restrain herself, hugged the person, shook him, and shouted excitedly: "Finally, we meet! Why did you come back so suddenly? Where is the young master? Is he okay?"
Soon after, Xiao Tao arrived, panting and saying excitedly, "We just got down to the foot of the mountain and heard the noisy shouts of 'Madam' at the gate. We knew you were back!"
Soon, Fang Sheng and others arrived one after another, overjoyed and vying to greet each other.
Jiang Yushu smiled and answered one by one, "Okay, all good! Okay, okay, we have guests. Don't stand outside. Please invite them into the hall to sit down."
"Huh?" Cuimei glanced sideways and whispered, "One is my cousin, who is the other one?"
Jiang Yushu was surrounded by the crowd. "That's Lord Wei, my colleague." She squeezed out of the crowd and greeted him apologetically, "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you two. Please, come in."
Pei Wenfeng and Wei Xu nodded, climbed the stairs and walked into the courtyard.
Cuimei stood on the steps, her left hand on her waist, and with a wave of her right hand, she said loudly: "My wife just came back. She is tired from the journey and needs to rest for a while. Thank you all for coming to say hello. Thank you. We will talk again some other time if we have the chance!"
In a short while, everyone walked into the hall and took their seats one by one.
"Please sit down."
Jiang Yushu entertained everyone and took a moment out of her busy schedule to ask, "Why isn't Zhou Yan here?"
"Butler Zhou has taken people to the town to build a farm, and he is busy buying materials." Cuimei replied.
Jiang Yushu suddenly realized, "Oh." She sat sideways and whispered, "You have a distinguished guest. Please quickly arrange for someone to clean the guest rooms and prepare dinner. Don't be rude or neglectful. We're only staying one night. We have to catch a boat to Yongzhou tomorrow morning to do some business."
"Ah? So urgent?" Cuimei was stunned. "What are you going to Yongzhou for?"
Jiang Yushu replied simply: "Office work."
Cuimei could only nod and said, "I will immediately arrange the reception for the guests!"
When Mrs. Guo returned to the village, the news spread quickly, and familiar villagers came to visit one after another. Some came empty-handed, while others brought fresh fruits and vegetables. They also sent warm greetings and were all proud to be close to the Guo family.
So, as soon as one group of guests left, another group came. Jiang Yushu was very patient and never tired of it, and she repeated the same greetings more than ten times.
"Special Envoy Jiang is really popular in the village. Look, the door is almost broken down."
Wei Xu felt a strange feeling in his heart, and inexplicably his fighting spirit was high. He ordered the servant, "Pack your schoolbags. I need to read later!"
"yes."
Night. East Room
Cuimei packed her luggage quickly for the trip tomorrow morning, and Xiaotao helped her.
Jiang Yushu was exhausted, but she forced herself to look over the several invoices handed in by the housekeeper, occasionally writing and calculating. After a while, she stretched and said, "I've calculated it. After deducting various expenses, there are still two thousand taels left! Xiaotao, I've approved all the invoices and put them in the drawer. Give them to Zhou Yan tomorrow and ask him to find time as soon as possible to personally deliver the silver to the county and give it to the old lady for household use."
"Hey, I'll do it tomorrow morning."
Cuimei was very excited and said happily, "Butler Zhou has been running around lately, buying up a lot of land. Once he builds the farm, it will be spacious and we won't have to crowd dozens of people into one yard."
Jiang Yushu pondered silently, took a sip of tea, and slowly said, "Since we've decided to settle down in Heqin, we must make long-term plans. We should mainly grow crops in the fields and set aside a few acres to grow ginger. If nothing unexpected happens, we'll have no problem with food and clothing."
"Madam, you don't know," Xiao Tao said cheerfully after packing up her bag. "Since Yongzhou was taken back, the town has been getting busier and busier. Recently, several merchants have come to the village looking for ginger. When they learned that we were planning to plant some, they rushed to place deposits and were eager to buy!"
Jiang Yushu frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said calmly, "Scholars, farmers, merchants, and artisans. If no one in my family were an official, I would have many ways to increase my income. But now that two of my family are officials, and my third and fourth brothers are busy studying for their imperial examinations, the Guo family cannot engage in business. However, there is nothing wrong with buying land, building farms, and engaging in farming. The court allows it."
"Don't worry, we've always been law-abiding and well-behaved." Cuimei put the bag on the chair and clapped her hands, "It's packed!"
Jiang Yushu yawned, stood up, pounded her waist, and walked towards the bed. "Oh, it's been so long since we last traveled, my back and waist are sore. You've been working hard digging for herbs all day, so go to bed early. Hang in there a little longer, and when I get back from Yongzhou, I'll take you to the county town for a good stroll."
"That's great!" Cuimei clapped and cheered.
Xiao Tao smiled and said, "I have been curious for a long time. I really want to see the young master with my own eyes. Just listening to Zou Gui's gestures is not clear enough."
Jiang Yushu collapsed on the couch and said cheerfully, "Well, what's so difficult about that? You'll see enough then! Actually, I meant for you two to stay with Madam Pan, so you don't have to do farm work and have a peaceful and leisurely life. But Cuimei can't bear to leave her brother Rong, and I understand. But why doesn't Xiaotao go too?"
"No way!" Cuimei scratched her face, her mind twisted as she muttered, "Who can't bear to leave him? It's obviously because of the spring plowing, the village is short-handed, and I have to help with the work." After a pause, she winked, "As for Sister Xiaotao... she can't bear to leave her Brother Lin!"
"Cui Mei—" Xiao Tao blushed instantly, stamped her feet and said angrily, "Stop talking nonsense."
Jiang Yushu understood everything and asked in a deliberately puzzled manner, "Brother Lin? Who is that?"
"Lin Qin." Cuimei ran around the table, speaking rapidly, revealing: "Brother Lin was injured at the time and went home to recuperate. Sister Xiaotao felt sorry for him and showed kindness from time to time, making soup, boiling medicine, and mending clothes -"
"Stop talking!"
Xiao Tao blushed and chased after him, wanting to hit him. Embarrassed, she stopped him: "Little hoof, if you keep saying that, I'll be angry. Don't let me catch you."
Jiang Yushu pulled up the quilt and said seriously, "Men should get married when they are old enough, and women should get married when they are old enough. It's rare that both of you are satisfied with each other. You are both not young anymore, so we should start making serious arrangements. I have always treated you as my own family. Xiaotao, your dowry is the same as Cuimei's. It's left in the county and I will bring it to you another day."
Xiao Tao bowed her head deeply, extremely embarrassed. After a long moment of hesitation, she knelt down and said in a whisper, "Thank you, Madam."
The next morning
After breakfast, the group continued on their journey to the ferry to take the boat.
Everyone got off the carriage at the ferry. Cuimei followed Jiang Yushu closely, while Zou Gui trotted along, waving and shouting, "Boatman!"
The boatman, father and son, who had been hired in advance, came running up, bowed and smiled apologetically, saying politely, "We've been waiting for a long time! Please, gentlemen, come aboard."
Jiang Yushu raised her hand, "Cousin, Lord Wei, please."
Pei Wenfeng and Wei Xu politely gave way to each other and boarded the boat one after another.
After a while, the boatman pushed the oar, and the boat slowly left the shore and slowly drifted towards the other side.
The Cangjiang River has abundant water and a very wide surface. It is shrouded in white morning mist, making it impossible to see the scenery on the other side.
The boat swayed and the river wind was cold and strong, blowing everyone's clothes into the air.
Pei Wenfeng was from Jiangnan, so he was used to it. He asked in a low voice, "Cousin, are you used to sitting here? Are you feeling dizzy?"
Jiang Yushu smiled and replied, "It was very swaying, and I felt a little dizzy, but I can bear it."
"Ugh! Cough cough cough, ugh—" Wei Xu couldn't stand it anymore. He felt dizzy and pale. He clenched his teeth for a moment, but he couldn't hold it in any longer. He vomited because of nausea.
The servant patted his back worriedly, "Sir, are you okay? Just bear with it, we'll be at the shore soon."
Jiang Yushu was startled and said hurriedly, "Hold on tight, hold on tight! Hold on to him quickly, be careful not to fall."
Strange, a young man, but his body is weaker than Sister Shu? After observing for a few days, he is even more delicate than Sister Shu... Pei Wenfeng secretly despised him and said calmly: "Be patient, we are about to reach the shore."
Wei Xu vomited until his face turned pale as paper. When he was helped off the boat, he felt dizzy and almost fell down.
Jiang Yushu calmed herself down and said, "Rest here for a while. Give me the document and I'll exchange it for a warrant to enter the city."
"Sorry, I, I rarely take a boat trip—sigh." Wei Xu gargled, looking extremely embarrassed. He tilted his head and said, "Shi Tou, clerk."
The servant nodded and immediately untied the bundle and searched for it.
Pei Wenfeng, hands behind his back, strode towards the fortress guarding the riverbank and said loudly, "Cousin, take a break. Give me your documents. I can handle it alone."
Jiang Yushu nodded and replied, "Then I'll have to trouble you, cousin."
Without being told, Zou Gui quickly took out the document, trotted after him, and handed it to Pei Wenfeng with both hands.
However, the Wei mansion servant named Shitou searched through all the bundles but could not find the pass. He was sweating with anxiety and said nervously, "Strange, strange! I clearly remember putting it in this bundle. How, how could it be gone?"
"How could the pass be missing?" Wei Xu was very angry and kicked the squatting servant. "Hurry up and search carefully!"
"What?"
"Gone?" Jiang Yushu was stunned.
A few feet away, Pei Wenfeng heard the news and turned around, frowning and asking, "Yongzhou is currently heavily guarded. Without the pass, what can you use to exchange for the city entry permit? How could such an important thing be lost?"
"Impossible, it's impossible to be lost. Maybe, maybe - wait a moment, wait a moment." Wei Xu got anxious, kicked the servant again, squatted down and searched randomly.
As a result, the master and servant were busy for a long time but ultimately gained nothing.
"This... is it really lost?" Jiang Yushu rubbed his forehead, speechless.
Pei Wenfeng's face suddenly darkened.
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