Chapter 235 Occasional Good News
The winter sun peeked through the thin clouds, offering only a meager warmth.
Jiang Ling pushed open the wooden door of the general store, and a refreshing chill rushed in, invigorating her.
She glanced around as usual; after days of intensive construction, the new house had been topped out.
The blue bricks and gray tiles are clearly defined.
Grandpa Zhao was standing in the courtyard, directing two craftsmen to install window frames. When he saw Jiang Ling open the door, he smiled and bowed from afar.
However, there was an unexpected figure beside him.
Fang Shijie.
He seemed to be talking to Grandpa Zhao about something. When Grandpa Zhao turned around, he turned around as well and happened to see Jiang Ling just opening the door.
He smiled and said a few words to Grandpa Zhao, then walked towards Jiang Ling.
Jiang Ling remembered that he had mentioned last time that he wanted to ask Grandpa Zhao and these workers to help build a house, so perhaps they were just discussing the matter of building the house.
She didn't think much of it.
As the man approached, Jiang Ling greeted him with a smile, "Good morning, Young Master Fang!"
"Miss Jiang, how have you been?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Jiang Ling's shop and was somewhat surprised to see the general store piled high with various cardboard boxes and sacks.
Fortunately, he couldn't see what was inside.
"Is Miss Jiang going to buy some goods?"
Jiang Ling responded calmly: "A friend ordered this and will be picking it up in the next couple of days."
This was moved over from the warehouse next door by Jiang Ling last night.
Counting the days, ten days have passed since she sent the letter to Qin Qian.
The grain transport team arranged by Qin Qian should be arriving soon.
This time I didn't buy too many heavy whole grains, but rather more portable and durable compressed biscuits.
Fang Shijie had been waiting for Jiang Ling to invite him in for tea, but when he saw that the rest area was piled with goods, he knew it was hopeless.
Just as I was about to speak again, Aunt Zhao arrived with several women who were preparing lunch.
Good morning, Miss Jiang!
"Miss Jiang, look, these are the vegetables I bought at the market a couple of days ago. They're so fresh and the price is reasonable."
"Good morning, Aunt Zhao and all the ladies. I'm sorry to trouble you again."
Jiang Ling wanted to end the topic, so she turned and walked towards Aunt Zhao.
Several women were carrying meat, vegetables, pots, and pans. Jiang Ling was about to go up and lend a hand, but Aunt Zhao dodged her.
"Absolutely not! It's all greasy; it'll dirty the young lady's clothes."
Jiang Ling looked around: "Where are Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi?"
They always rush over the moment I open the door.
One of the older women who knew the inside story spoke up.
"Grandpa Zhao said the measuring tape he used was broken, and asked them to go to town to buy a new one."
Just then, the guard who had been standing by the carriage came over and whispered something to Fang Shijie.
Fang Shijie's expression suddenly changed, and he immediately took his leave.
Grandpa Zhao, who was some distance away, walked over, took out his account book, and reported the progress to Jiang Ling.
“Miss Jiang, the house is topped out! There are just some odd jobs left. The carpenters in the village are too busy to finish the furniture, so I asked the carpenters from Baiyang Village to help. They're working on it now. In another five or six days, we'll be able to move into our warm and cozy new home!”
Jiang Ling felt grateful and said with a smile, "Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Zhao and all the villagers."
"Oh, what are you saying! We're just doing our jobs for pay, so of course we have to do a good job. We're happy the houses are finished!"
After finishing his sentence, Grandpa Zhao glanced at Fang Shijie's departing carriage, his expression somewhat hesitant.
Jiang Ling followed his gaze and asked, "Uncle Zhao, is there something you're worried about?"
“A few months ago, this young master Fang wanted to buy land in the village to build a house. I privately asked someone to investigate his background and found that he associated with all sorts of people. I didn’t want to sell the land to him, but the county magistrate said that in these famine years, disaster relief funds and grain are tight, and it’s already a good thing that someone is willing to pay for the land…”
“He’s been coming to the village a lot these past few days, wanting me and these workers to build him a house after the New Year, and he promised to pay us according to your standards. But it’s freezing cold right now, and we don’t have any workers in the fields…”
Jiang Ling only realized what it was about after hearing this. Fang Shijie had told her about it before, so she already knew.
“In the dead of winter, it’s good for the villagers to have an extra source of income. Uncle Zhao, you don’t need to worry about me. Just agree with everyone else. If you have any concerns, you can refuse directly.”
Jiang Ling had thought that Fang Shijie would approach her to discuss the business of sourcing goods after returning from the capital, but he didn't seem to have this idea during their two meetings.
Although I don't know what Fang Shijie is planning, I can clearly sense that he has ulterior motives towards me.
Before achieving your goal, at least you won't hurt yourself or the people around you.
Grandpa Zhao's expression softened slightly. "I was just thinking about that too. In the dead of winter, it's a good thing to give the villagers an extra source of income. Since Miss Jiang has said so, I'll agree for now. But don't worry, Miss Jiang, we will definitely make sure your house is completely finished. I told Fang Shijie that even if we were to build a house, we could only wait until after the New Year."
"I naturally trust Uncle Zhao's character."
Just as she was about to turn around and go back to boil water and make tea, the sound of horses' hooves approached from afar.
A young man dressed in ordinary, close-fitting clothes dismounted nimbly, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting to Jiang Ling, and said:
“Miss Jiang, I have come to deliver a message on the orders of General Cheng Fang.”
Jiang Ling's heart stirred slightly, and she invited the person into the shop.
She recognized him; he was Cheng Fang's personal guard. Cheng Rao
Cheng Rao entered the shop, his gaze quickly sweeping over the piles of cardboard boxes and sacks inside. A hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it, took out a letter sealed with wax from his pocket, and presented it with both hands:
“Miss Jiang, the general instructed me to deliver this letter to you personally. In addition, the general’s message is: the case of Zhou Zhongliang has been decided by the emperor. Young Master Zhou’s innocence has been cleared, his merits have been restored, and he is now appreciated by His Highness the Crown Prince and is temporarily serving in the Eastern Palace. His future is limitless. The general can put your mind at ease.”
Jiang Ling took the letter and heard news about Zhou Zhongliang; a weight was finally lifted from her heart.
Although she didn't have a deep connection with Zhou Zhongliang, she had received favors from him and had personally asked Cheng Fang to help with the investigation.
She was genuinely happy to learn that he had finally received the justice and future he deserved.
"That's wonderful, thank you so much for informing me, General Cheng. It's also kind of you to make this trip." She paused, then asked,
"General Cheng... how have you been these days?"
Cheng Rao respectfully replied, "General, you are well. However, with the end of the year approaching, there are many affairs in the capital, and the resettlement of displaced people still requires our attention. Therefore, I could not come without permission."
Jiang Ling didn't reply, but silently unfolded the letter.
The letter was in Cheng Fang's handwriting and detailed the entire incident. He originally thought it was just a simple case of impersonation, but he never expected it to involve the imperial court, the harem, and even the princes.
Fortunately, the matter has been investigated and the court has punished Su Wenxuan and the forces behind him. Zhou Zhongliang's academic achievements have been restored, and he has been assigned to work under the Crown Prince.
The last few sentences unexpectedly mention Fang Shijie.
He said he had been investigating Fang Shijie recently, and although there was no obvious evidence against him, he was acting too suspiciously, and expressed his suspicions about Fang Shijie.
Finally, they asked Jiang Ling what her opinion of this person was...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com