Chapter 52: Suddenly Rich!
"Then I won't stand on ceremony, old man!"
Grandpa Zhao was the first to pick up a cup. The other villagers followed suit and picked up cups in turn.
"Ah! It's so delicious! So sweet!"
"Miss Jiang's tea is always exceptional!"
"One bite and I felt so good!"
After the adults finished taking theirs, it was the children's turn.
Only the children who help with the work get tea; this is an unspoken understanding among them.
The villagers drank it sip by sip, as if savoring it.
They chatted about what was happening in the fields while discussing the autumn harvest.
Suddenly, the conversation turned to Uncle Zhao Yin, who broke his leg while hunting in the mountains last night.
Grandpa Zhao spoke up: "Zhao Yin is really unlucky. He probably won't be able to work in the fields this harvest season. How about this, when the harvest comes, we'll all hurry up and finish our own harvests, then help him with his."
“No problem. He has two other boys, the older one is already eleven years old, so we can let him and his mother take care of them for now.”
"However, the doctor said his leg injury is quite serious. Even if he recovers, he'll probably be a cripple."
"Oh? What should we do? He's the best hunter in our village!"
"He hunts geese all day long, only to have his eye pecked by one! Alas!"
Jiang Ling also knows Uncle Zhao Yin; he lives next door to her, just a few steps away.
Uncle Zhao Yin's wife even brought her fruits, and his youngest son even ate candy given to him by Jiang Ling.
Unexpectedly, he suddenly broke his leg...
After the villagers finished their tea and thanked them, they left one after another.
By this time, the sun had completely set, leaving only a patch of rosy clouds on the horizon.
Judging by the time, Cheng Fang should have arrived by now.
Sure enough, just as Jiang Ling finished tidying up the table, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar.
"Miss Jiang!" Cheng Fang waved and rode Ta Xue ahead to clear the way.
Jiang Ling looked up and saw a familiar figure beside her—Jiang Yi, whom she had met once before.
A horse-drawn carriage followed behind.
Jiang Ling wondered: Could it be that Qin Zhao has come too?
"Drive!"
Cheng Fang nimbly dismounted, strode forward, and looked apologetic.
"Miss Jiang, I'm sorry I'm late!"
Jiang Yi also dismounted in front of the gate and gave Jiang Ling a standard bow.
"Jiang Yi greets Miss Jiang. How have you been? I have to slow down because of the carriages following behind. I apologize for keeping you waiting."
Jiang Ling glanced around and, seeing no one getting off the carriage, had no choice but to return the greeting to Jiang Yi first.
"Young Master Jiang, it's been a long time. I'm early. And what's this carriage?"
Jiang Yi bowed again.
“Miss Jiang, this is a return gift specially prepared by His Highness the Crown Prince in gratitude for your selfless donation of medicine. His Highness specifically instructed that this is a small token of his appreciation, and he earnestly hopes that you will accept it. His Highness said that your righteous act has saved countless lives, and this humble gift is truly insufficient to express even a fraction of His Highness’s gratitude.”
The crown prince specifically instructed him to say this because he did not want such a righteous act to be linked to a transaction.
To mention payment for the goods would undoubtedly be an insult to Miss Jiang's kindness.
"His Highness originally intended to come in person to express his gratitude, but due to the many affairs of the court, he could not spare the time. Therefore, he sent his subordinate instead. I hope you will forgive him."
Jiang Ling didn't expect the return gift to come so quickly.
For a crown prince to handle so many things every day, it's already quite impressive that he still remembers such a small detail about her.
"As the heir apparent, Your Highness should naturally prioritize the well-being of the nation. Please convey Jiang Ling's gratitude to Your Highness, Young Master Jiang."
Cheng Fang and Jiang Yi worked together to move the boxes from the carriage into the shop.
There were three large boxes and six small boxes, neatly stacked on the ground.
Even though Jiang Ling was mentally prepared, she still couldn't help but gasp when the boxes were opened one by one!
That's way too much!
Inside the three small boxes: one box contained neatly stacked, golden gold ingots; another box contained gleaming, substantial silver coins; and the third box contained pearls, each about the size of a thumb, with a soft, lustrous sheen.
The other three small boxes contained: one box of exquisitely carved, warm and translucent jade ornaments; another box of gold and silver jewelry inlaid with various gemstones and featuring intricate craftsmanship; and the third box, stacked inside, contained a set of shimmering brocade dresses inlaid with gold thread.
Then look at those three large boxes: one box contains exquisite porcelain from the official kiln; another box contains scroll-mounted landscape paintings by famous artists; and the last box contains top-quality ginseng, deer antler, donkey-hide gelatin, and other precious medicinal materials.
I originally thought that bringing over two boxes of gold was the limit.
The dazzling display of jewels and gold made Jiang Ling's breath catch in her throat, and she was speechless for a moment!
These things would be priceless in this era, but if they were brought back to modern times, their value would multiply many times over.
She traded a bunch of unsellable drugs for so much!
It turned out that Cheng Fang went to the palace to see Crown Prince Qin Zhao on the same day he bought the vase.
He casually mentioned that Jiang Ling had asked him to buy a vase.
In fact, after Qin Zhao returned to the palace, he had been preparing a thank-you gift for Jiang Ling.
Many of the treasures were personally selected and bestowed upon him by his father and mother after they heard about Jiang Ling.
The gifts are all ready and waiting to be given.
However, as the crown prince of a country, his every move affects the court and the public, and leaving the capital easily is no small matter.
He was unwilling to entrust this matter to others, yet he was also struggling to find a suitable opportunity to come in person.
That's why it's been delayed until now.
It wasn't until Cheng Fang told me that Miss Jiang could only afford a little over a hundred taels of silver to buy gifts for her elders.
He then realized how much trouble he had caused Miss Jiang by asking her for medicine but failing to deliver on his promise of gratitude!
This was by no means his intention.
Overwhelmed with guilt and urgency, he had no choice but to immediately order Jiang Yi to bring the prepared gifts and ride quickly with Cheng Fang.
Jiang Yi stepped forward and presented an envelope with both hands.
"This is a letter written by His Highness the Crown Prince to Miss Jiang. Please take a look."
Jiang Ling took the letter.
A bright yellow envelope, sealed tightly with sealing wax, the seal bearing a distinctive pattern clearly imprinted on the wax surface.
She carefully peeled off the sealing wax and pulled out the letter.
Qin Zhao's calligraphy is very beautiful. At only twelve years old, his strokes are already strong and firm, forming a well-organized artistic effect.
Miss Jiang's opinion:
Seeing this letter is like meeting you in person.
I, Qin Zhao, respectfully write this letter to express my gratitude once again for the young lady's kindness in providing me with medicine!
The medicine given by the young woman saved over a thousand innocent people and averted a major crisis. This kindness and virtue are heavier than Mount Tai.
I am deeply moved by this inscription; I will never forget it.
Upon returning to the capital, Gu Ben intended to personally deliver Xie Yi to thank the young lady in person.
However, as the crown prince, it is not easy for him to leave the capital. He is bound by court affairs and has been delayed until now, unable to make the trip.
Whenever I think about it, I feel truly uneasy.
The young lady acted with great righteousness, saving me and the people from suffering. Yet I delayed in expressing my gratitude, causing the young lady distress. This is truly my fault!
I am sending Jiang Yi to present this small gift. I earnestly hope that you will not find it too humble and will accept it with a smile.
The debt of gratitude for saving my life cannot be repaid even a fraction of what I could ever repay.
If the young lady ever needs anything in the future, I, Qin Zhao, will certainly do my utmost to repay her.
I wrote this hastily, and my words are incomplete.
I only pray that the young lady is safe and well.
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