Chapter 210 Jishui Village, It's Snowing
Cheng Fang had just come out of the palace and was walking through the alley when Ji Wensheng stopped him and asked in a low voice:
"Brother Cheng, have you heard about the Su family matter that's been making headlines? It's said that Zhou Zhongliang came to the capital to file a complaint with the emperor under the guidance of Goddess Jiang?"
Cheng Fang frowned, looking astonished.
He was aware of the rumors circulating in the streets and alleys of the capital, and had just discussed with the Crown Prince how to stop them.
But why would the matter of Zhou Zhongliang being impersonated bring up the rumors about Jiang Shennu, which had already faded into obscurity?
Apart from a few individuals, no one in the capital knew that Jiang Ling was actually the Goddess Jiang.
Who exactly is behind this?!
"Where did you hear such absurd remarks?!"
Ji Wensheng was startled by his seriousness and comforted him, "Don't be nervous, it's all over the streets and alleys now. The storytellers in those teahouses are still going on and on."
Cheng Fang's face turned ashen.
Ji Wensheng pulled him aside to a secluded corner. "Cheng Fang, as your brother, let me ask you a question. Is that Goddess Jiang...?"
Before he could finish speaking, Cheng Fang mounted his horse, gripped the reins tightly, and turned to head towards the Kyoto government office.
Not long after Cheng Fang entered the capital prefectural government, his yamen runners swiftly entered several related teahouses in batches.
The storyteller, who was still rambling on stage, was arrested on charges of spreading heresy and misleading the public.
When he returned to the villa, Jiang Ling had already packed her luggage to go back.
"Sister Jiang, are you really leaving? Can't you stay a few more days? I haven't taken you to see the street performances in the north of the city yet, and we haven't tried Li Ji's cherry pie yet!"
Cheng Jiaojiao held onto her reluctantly.
Jiang Ling gently patted the back of her hand and softly comforted her, "Jiaojiao, all good things must come to an end. I've been bothering you in the capital for so long, it's time for me to go back. There are still many things waiting for me to take care of at the shop. Besides, it's not like we'll never see each other again. If I have the chance, I'll come to the capital to see you again, or if you have time, you can come to Jishui Village to visit me."
The capital city may be wonderful and prosperous, but it is ultimately not where she belongs.
She missed the tranquility of Jishui Village.
More importantly, she promised Cheng Quan and Zhao Jingxing that she would prepare another batch of disaster relief supplies.
Winter is coming soon, so this matter should be addressed sooner rather than later.
"It's a deal! You have to come again!"
Cheng Jiaojiao sniffed, fighting back tears, then turned and took a heavy brocade box from the maid, placing it in Jiang Ling's arms.
"Sister Jiang, these are some snacks and trinkets from the capital that I prepared for you to eat on the road. Take them with you to keep yourself entertained."
Jiang Ling accepted it with a smile without refusing.
Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi also woke up early and quietly tidied up their little bundles.
Although Xiaoyi found the capital city novel and fun, wherever Sister Jiang was, that was home.
Xiao Ran had wanted to go back for a long time. He had only been in the capital for a few days and had already encountered so many things, which made him feel even more that the capital was a place of trouble.
Having no power or influence, there was nothing he could do here.
He couldn't even help Sister Jiang when she was in danger.
He hated his own powerlessness.
Just then, footsteps came from outside the courtyard.
Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing walked in together.
Both of them had clearly just returned from official business, and there was still a hint of fatigue between their brows.
"Miss Jiang, is everything packed?" Cheng Fang stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the carriage, which was already mostly loaded.
He really wanted to stay, but he also knew he couldn't.
He had promised to show her the sights of Beijing, but instead he put her in danger.
Now that rumors about Jiang Shennv are circulating again, leaving this place of trouble is the best option to avoid getting her caught up in the vortex again.
"Yes, I've troubled you for many days, it's time for me to go back." Jiang Ling replied with a smile.
Zhao Jingxing nodded silently and handed over a seemingly ordinary but sturdy wooden box: "Miss Jiang, the journey is long. This is some medicine and emergency supplies that you may need on the way. Please accept it."
He paused, then added, "I will send someone to inform the young lady as soon as there is any progress in the investigation of Black Wind Stronghold and its behind-the-scenes affairs."
Jiang Ling took the wooden box. "Thank you very much, Young Master Zhao. You've gone to so much trouble."
Cheng Fang also said solemnly, "Miss Jiang, rest assured, I have already sent people to investigate Zhou Zhongliang's matter in secret. If there are any leads, I will definitely not let him die with his name unjustly proven. As for your safety,"
He glanced at the significantly strengthened guards inside and outside the courtyard.
"I will send a reliable team to escort you back."
There have been many things happening in the capital lately, and Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing are so busy that they can't spare a moment to themselves.
Jiang Ling didn't want them to go to great lengths for her sake, so she refused their offer to escort her back.
The sun was high in the sky, the luggage was packed, and the carriage was parked at the entrance of the courtyard.
Cheng Jiaojiao held Jiang Ling's hand, tears still streaming down her face: "Sister Jiang, you must come to Beijing to see me next year! I'll take you to eat candied hawthorns and go to the temple fair!"
"Okay, I'll definitely come." Jiang Ling wiped away her tears, then looked at Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing.
"Send people over again in five days to transport grain and cloth. The number of people and wagons should be the same as last time."
This wasn't the first time; they were very experienced.
"Okay! We will definitely be there as promised."
The carriage moved slowly, and Xiao Yi leaned against the window, waving her little hand and calling out, "Goodbye, Sister Jiao Jiao, Brother Cheng, Brother Zhao!"
Jiang Ling also lifted the carriage curtain, watched the Cheng family mansion gradually disappear into the distance, and gently waved goodbye to this trip to the capital.
The carriage returned along the same route. The weather was getting colder, and almost all the leaves on the trees along the road had fallen off.
Only bare tree branches remained, swaying in the cold wind.
The number of refugees on the road is decreasing.
With the harsh winter approaching, they will freeze to death if they have no shelter from the wind.
The imperial court is taking in more and more refugees, and now food is scarce, with only one meal a day available.
But it's still better than the days when you can't even find grass roots to dig up outside.
The carriage traveled non-stop for three hours.
The days are unusually short now; the sun started setting as soon as we reached Ping'an County.
By the time we reached Jishui Village, it was completely dark.
Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi had taken a nap in the carriage and had already slowly woken up.
Lifting the carriage curtain, I could see several lit lanterns in the distance at the entrance of the grocery store.
Xiao Ran exclaimed joyfully, "It's Daddy, Mommy, and Xiao Qi!"
Xiao Yi rubbed his eyes and looked around. "And there's Grandpa Zhao too!"
Jiang Ling had told them yesterday that she would be returning today.
I didn't expect them to be waiting at the door.
After ten days, as we approached the shop, the outline of the new house was already visible.
Before the carriage had even come to a complete stop, Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi jumped off impatiently.
Jiang Ling seemed to feel something cold fall on her face. She reached out and a white snowflake landed in her palm.
Looking up again, I saw snowflakes dancing in the wind.
The first snow of this winter was exceptionally gentle, arriving a month late.
It seems that God is also giving these homeless people more time to survive.
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