Yan Qingqing was at home checking the accounts of last month's income when suddenly Ah Qi ran in, panting, and said, "Madam, quick, quick, Magistrate Ling is here."
Yan Qingqing paused in her reading of the accounts, then calmly put down the ledger and said, "Why is Magistrate Ling here at this time? And who came with him?"
Ah Da took a breath and replied, "Magistrate Ling came by himself. Oh, and he was accompanied by a steward-like person who came with the Second Young Master."
However, I heard from Ah Er that they met in the village, and Magistrate Ling said he wanted to come to our house to meet you.
Yan Qingqing nodded. In that case, Magistrate Ling probably didn't have anything serious to do; he was probably just strolling around.
However, since a county magistrate had condescended to visit their home, she naturally had to treat him with great hospitality.
Yan Qingqing changed into a more appropriate outfit, and after thinking for a moment, put on the rose crystal twin lotus peony jade phoenix hairpin that she had bought in the provincial capital.
Since arriving in ancient times, Yan Qingqing has never worn any precious or gorgeous jewelry, and she rarely even wears the velvet flowers made in the embroidery workshop.
Previously, she didn't wear jewelry for two reasons: firstly, her family wasn't very wealthy, and Yan Qingqing didn't find ordinary jewelry appealing. Secondly, Li Erniu and the original owner of this body had both passed away. Although she had no feelings for them, she was still in the body of the original owner, so she rarely dressed up.
Ruyi stared at Yan Qingqing's outfit for a moment, stunned. Her mistress looked so beautiful with just a little dressing up; it was impossible to look away.
It's not that Yan Qingqing is particularly beautiful, but rather that her demeanor is deeply admirable, as if she was born to be this way.
Yan Qingqing looked at Ruyi's silly expression and asked with a smile, "What's wrong? Is there something wrong with me?"
Ruyi turned around and quickly shook her head, saying, "No, this servant just thinks that Madam looks too beautiful. She doesn't look like someone who lives in a village at all."
Over the past six months, Yan Qingqing's skin has become increasingly fair and delicate, and her eyes, in particular, radiate a wise light that captivates all who look at them.
She was no longer the pale, thin, timid, and weak Yan Qingqing she once was.
Hearing Ruyi's praise, Yan Qingqing reached out and flicked her head, saying, "Well done, little girl, you've learned to flatter."
Ruyi covered her head and said aggrievedly, "Madam, what I said is true. I can swear to heaven."
Yan Qingqing looked at the girl's serious face and said, "Alright, I know you're loyal. Let's go quickly, don't keep Magistrate Ling waiting."
When Yan Qingqing arrived at the front hall, Li Xiang'an was having tea with Magistrate Ling. When Magistrate Ling saw Yan Qingqing dressed like this, a hint of amazement flashed in his eyes.
He felt that Yan Qingqing's demeanor was unlike that of an ordinary village woman; even the ladies of prominent families in the capital would find it difficult to find someone like her.
However, Magistrate Ling quickly withdrew his gaze. Yan Qingqing was a widow, and it was inappropriate for a grown man like him to stare at her.
Yan Qingqing bowed gracefully to Magistrate Ling and then smiled, "What brings you to Canghe Village today, Magistrate?"
Magistrate Ling replied with a smile, "I heard that a peony garden and a rose garden have suddenly appeared in Canghe Village, and many students are eager to visit them. That's why I came here out of admiration."
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "You flatter me, sir. It is the students who have honored us with their presence. It is an honor for Canghe Village and for me as well."
Magistrate Ling became interested and began discussing the peony garden and rose garden with Yan Buqing.
The two chatted happily, and Yan Qingqing didn't hide anything, telling them in detail the origin of her garden, her original intention, and the benefits it could bring to Canghe Village.
Of course, there was definitely an element of self-aggrandizement in this, but it left Magistrate Ling completely bewildered.
He really didn't expect Yan Qingqing to have such a broad vision, nor did he expect that the two gardens she visited could bring so many benefits to the villagers.
Finally, Magistrate Ling asked, "I wonder if I have the honor of visiting this garden?"
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Of course. It is an honor for these two gardens that Magistrate Ling would grace us with his presence."
After saying that, she and Li Xiang'an accompanied Magistrate Ling to the Peony Garden. Yan Qingqing certainly couldn't ask Magistrate Ling for the entrance fee, but she never did anything that would lose money.
After Magistrate Ling got tired from his walk, Yan Qingqing invited him to rest in the pavilion, which Magistrate Ling naturally accepted.
Soon Ah Da brought over tea, fruit, and snacks.
While drinking tea and admiring the flowers, Magistrate Ling smiled and said to Yan Qingqing, "Now I finally understand why those scholars like to come here and praise this place so highly."
Enjoying flowers while sipping tea is truly a pleasure.
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Actually, that's not enough. When those students come, they will definitely want to make friends through literature. Would you like to leave your own calligraphy as well?"
"If one day my garden really becomes popular, it will be good for students from all over the country to admire your knowledge and demeanor."
As soon as Yan Qingqing finished speaking, A'da brought over the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Magistrate Ling glanced at Yan Qingqing's overly clever servant. Everything was ready; even if he didn't want to write, he had no choice.
Magistrate Ling was a renowned romantic and talented scholar in the capital, and his knowledge was naturally extraordinary. So, after only a short while, he picked up his pen and wrote: "The students of Chengyang cherish the passing of spring and vie to admire the purple peonies of the Canghe River."
It has a unique charm, yet no one knows it's a fairy among flowers.
After finishing writing, he even took out his personal seal and stamped it on.
Yan Qingqing glanced at the seal and saw the three characters "Ling Ziyuan," which must be the name of Magistrate Ling.
Seeing that Magistrate Ling had finished writing, Yan Qingqing carefully picked up the poem and said with a smile, "What a beautiful poem! Magistrate Ling is indeed a man of exceptional talent."
Magistrate Ling waved his hand and replied with a smile, "It cannot compare to the madam's words, 'Only the peony is truly a national beauty, its blooming season stirs the capital with its stunning beauty.'"
Magistrate Ling already knew that those myths and legends were all fabricated by Yan Qingqing, so he naturally assumed that those poems were written by Yan Qingqing as well.
However, Yan Qingqing did not admit it. She always said that she had asked a master to write the story, but no one believed her, so she stopped explaining.
After admiring the peonies, Magistrate Ling inquired about the wheat harvest in Canghe Village this year. Yan Qingqing shared what she knew and then said, "Actually, I don't know much about it. How about I call the village chief over and ask him?"
Magistrate Ling waved his hand and said, "No need. He's terrified of me. It's better for him to understand things clearly from you."
Finally, they talked about how the potatoes and sweet potatoes would soon be ripe, which Magistrate Ling was quite looking forward to.
Magistrate Ling did not leave Canghe Village until it was almost dark.
As he walked, Magistrate Ling said smugly to his steward, "Others have to pay to visit the garden, but I've bullied them again today."
Steward Ling laughed and said, "Master, it's an honor for them that you, as the county magistrate, can go. Who would dare to accept money?"
However, what Magistrate Ling and his companions didn't know was that no sooner had they left Canghe Village than Yan Qingqing instructed Li Xiang'an to quickly find someone to frame the poem and then promote it extensively.
She wants to leverage the celebrity effect to further enhance the reputation of the peony garden; she never does anything that loses money.
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