Old Mrs. Shen had never met Zhui Feng before, but upon seeing his unique temperament and her beloved granddaughter's calm and composed demeanor, she immediately remembered that this was the young master Gu from the county magistrate's mansion!
"Young Master Gu?"
After giving Zhui Feng a warning look, Gu Ziyi turned around and politely greeted Old Madam Shen: "Old Madam Shen, both ladies."
Old Mrs. Shen was flattered and hurriedly said, "No, no, I'm just a farmer. Young master, you are of noble status. How can I accept your courtesy?"
Yang and Chen exchanged a glance and realized from the few words that this was the young master Gu that Shen Laoda had mentioned before.
Gu Ziyi retorted, "Madam, you are mistaken. Firstly, our country's granaries are maintained thanks to the continuous contributions of countless hardworking people like you. Secondly, you and the two ladies are elders, so it is only natural for me, as a junior, to pay my respects to you."
Old Mrs. Shen already knew that Gu Ziyi had excellent family upbringing, and this time her impression of him was elevated to a whole new level.
This was the first time Yang and Chen had met him, and they were surprised that the young master of a wealthy family would be so humble.
Lili pulled Shen Jialuo aside and explained for a long time before he understood that these two were good people.
Looking up, he saw that they were still complimenting each other, so he had no choice but to start the conversation: "Come here for a second."
Gu Ziyi looked at her questioningly, and after receiving an affirmative answer, he slowly walked over.
Although Gu Ziyi wasn't as arrogant and dissolute as the average young master, Old Lady Shen was still a little nervous about Lili's tone.
But soon Mrs. Shen realized she was overthinking things.
Gu Ziyi was not displeased at all. Instead, he took the initiative to squat down and listen to her talk.
Lili whispered a few words to him, and Gu Ziyi gave her a knowing smile, assuring her, "Of course, I won't let innocent people get into danger."
Lili trusted him a lot and didn't say much more, just said, "Then you can tell Uncle Wo. Please keep an eye on things, Brother Ziyi."
The little dumpling was unusually well-behaved, speaking to him with a smile, which actually made Gu Ziyi feel somewhat gratified.
"good."
Old Mrs. Shen was half-confused. She couldn't hear their whispers and could only guess from the last few sentences.
It seems like things have been settled?
Old Mrs. Shen tentatively asked, "Should we discuss this with her uncle? He's in the fields right now; I'll go and call him back."
Gu Ziyi looked at Lili and asked for her opinion.
Lili thought for a while and calculated that the rice should be heading by now, so she decided to go and take a look.
"Brother Ziyi, let me take you to see the rice fields, they're so beautiful!"
Gu Ziyi naturally agreed, chuckling softly, "Okay."
Old Mrs. Shen hesitated, wondering if this young master, no matter how approachable he was, had never worked in the fields before.
Isn't that a bit inappropriate?
Yang and Chen shared the same thought, but since Old Lady Shen didn't speak, they naturally wouldn't either.
The main thing is, why does this young master seem to listen to Lili so much?
Grandma, let's all come back for lunch together!
While the group was still in a daze, Gu Ziyi had already taken Lili's hand and left the house.
Shen Jialuo was furious when she saw another kid suddenly appear out of nowhere and take her sister away. She wanted to follow him, but when she saw Zhui Feng following closely behind with a knife at his waist, she chickened out and gave up.
Lili had already familiarized herself with all the winding routes in the fields and was skillfully leading the way.
This was Gu Ziyi's first time visiting such a small village, let alone a field.
The Crown Prince, who had been well-versed in military strategy and history since childhood, showed a rare hint of confusion, as well as a sense of novelty and curiosity when he saw the lush green rice paddies.
"Is this the first time Your Highness has seen these?"
Lili had already let go of Gu Ziyi's hand and was walking ahead on her own, habitually observing the rice paddies by the roadside.
Now that there were no outsiders around, the little dumpling was no longer afraid of revealing his identity and even started calling him "Your Highness".
Gu Ziyi lowered his brows and said softly, "Mm."
Lili turned and glanced at him: "Is this also Your Highness's first time leaving the capital?"
Gu Ziyi was taken aback, and Lili continued, "Are Your Highness's brothers and sisters all unkind to Your Highness? Does Your Highness's father dislike Your Highness? Is Your Highness's mother a lowly palace maid or a favored concubine?"
Lili asked three questions in a row, each one potentially capital offense. She brought up these royal secrets with ease, as if it were just out of sheer curiosity.
In reality, Lili was simply curious.
She could tell that Gu Ziyi was a good person, and she knew that he had temporarily come to Nanlin County to avoid trouble, but she didn't understand why he had come.
Last time at the county magistrate's office, Gu Ziyi did want to take the initiative to speak.
But she didn't listen because she wasn't interested.
However, when Gu Ziyi saw him again today, he noticed a golden dragon aura between his brows, a symbol of the future emperor.
This piqued Lili's curiosity.
As the crown prince, the heir apparent of the country should rightfully reside in the Eastern Palace.
Moreover, Gu Ziyi is so young. If there wasn't some special reason, why would he come to Nanlin County?
Will the future emperor, in his youth, fall into a pit and be bullied by dogs?
That's interesting.
Zhui Feng's expression changed first. He had already drawn his sword halfway when Gu Ziyi warned him to treat Lili with the same respect he had shown him. He then sheepishly put his sword away.
Gu Ziyi smiled calmly: "My father is very good to me, and my mother is the current empress. We can be considered brothers."
Lili stopped: "Then why did Your Highness come to Nanlin County?"
Gu Ziyi hesitated for a moment: "My maternal grandfather was a mighty general who guarded the border of Nanlin County. I came here to learn from him."
Lili gave him a meaningful look, pouted, and continued walking forward: "If you don't want to tell me, then don't. Anyway, it won't do me any good if you find out."
"I……"
Gu Ziyi felt inexplicably nervous, but Lili said, "Alright, there's still a chance to tell His Highness."
"ah?"
Gu Ziyi wanted to ask her what she meant, but Lili had already lifted her skirt and run forward.
"Father!"
The men of the Shen family in the fields are busy applying fertilizer for the first time to the rice during its heading stage.
Tomorrow, Shen Laosan will be going to the city to return to the academy, and he naturally came to help with the farm work at home for the last time.
Shen Laosan wiped his sweat and saw his little cotton-padded jacket running over cutely, lifting her skirt. The soreness in his body disappeared instantly.
Shen Laosan quickly washed his hands, walked to the side, picked up Lili, and wiped her little face: "Oh! My little Lili, why did you come in such the sun?"
Lili giggled and pointed to the two people behind her: "I've come to deliver someone to my uncle."
Only then did the group notice two men standing nearby who seemed out of place in the fields.
Old Master Shen was taken aback and blurted out, "Young Master Gu?"
Gu Ziyi bowed slightly in greeting. The others exchanged glances, and Lili spoke up, "Uncle, Brother Ziyi has come to discuss something with you."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com