Chapter 43 The young farming couple happily put on their clothes
No one was willing to cut back on food and clothing to pay rent, especially after hearing that the daughter of the head of Luo Village was of marriageable age and was looking for a husband, with a dowry that was astonishing.
When faced with the matchmaker, Madam Luo changed her tune from feigning poverty and declared that if she could find a educated family, the dowry would be negotiable.
The tenants were furious, but they couldn't find a way to remove the Luo family from power. Some of the more impulsive ones even came up with the idea of putting the Luo family members in sacks and throwing them into the mountains to be eaten by wolves.
Before we could even implement it, we received news that the host family had arrived.
Bai Yan actually remembered Luo Zhuangtou. He was picked up on the way from the Northwest to the capital. There were many such people in the princess's mansion. Those with strong abilities were appointed to the Ministry of Works, while ordinary farmers were assigned to manage the manor and fields.
My uncle's name is Huang Shan. He became more and more indignant as he spoke, and at the end he gulped down a mouthful of cold water.
Bai Yan promised him that the matter would be resolved within three days, but he would still need Bai Yan's cooperation.
Huang Shan nodded repeatedly.
After a short rest, Huang Shan put on a straw hat and personally went to the field to pick four or five melons, put them in a cloth bag and handed them to Bai Yan, but Jiang Yuzhi snatched them first.
They confidently assured me it would definitely be sweet.
Bai Yan then told him to go to the estate the next day to collect the money, and that the melons would be considered as something they had bought.
The melons that Sui Gu and the others picked in the cold melon field were originally meant to be paid to the tenants tomorrow.
Huangshan initially declined, but eventually agreed.
At the latest, it would be nighttime, and A-Zhao would bring the princess's accountant to check the accounts.
Besides sightseeing and escaping the summer heat, this trip also included the routine task of visiting various farms.
In the past, the people below were fooled by Luo Zhuangtou, but this time Bai Yan is investigating personally, so he will definitely not let him off the hook.
It was almost time for dinner, and the road back was much cooler. The Di Tings in the melon patch had already returned to the manor.
Bai Yan and Jiang Yuzhi said nothing, pretending nothing had happened, and calmly returned to the main room, where Di Ting and the others were also present.
Two melons were taken out of the cloth bag, but Di Ting didn't want to eat the ones that hadn't been peeled or cut.
Sui Gu indulged it, her delicate hand brushing over the two oval melons. A faint white light flashed, and in the blink of an eye, the neatly cut and arranged melons were piled on the plate.
At dusk, A-Zhao and the accountants arrived.
Luo Zhuangtou didn't care much; it wasn't like no one had ever come to check the accounts before, and he had never been caught doing so.
It wasn't that the previous people were incompetent; it's just that Qingyupu had never missed a year's rent payment, always submitting it on time. Naturally, the people who came to investigate only checked the estate's accounts with the princess's residence. As for the estate's accounts with the tenants, I'm sure that the head of the estate, Luo, must have prepared more than one account book.
In the dead of night, I listen intently and remain highly alert, with my ears closed, lest I hear any annoying noises from the dog that might disturb its peace.
As expected, Di Ting did not hear Luo Yundou's desire to live forever.
The mother and son talked for a long time inside the house.
Faintly, one could hear Luo Niangzi's voice from outside, first denying, "No, no."
Then came Luo Yundou's coquettish plea.
After a moment of silence, Lady Luo surprisingly agreed.
...
The tenants arrived around noon. Bai Yan figured that since he had dealt with the Luo family, he might as well treat the tenants to a good meal.
It's still some time before noon.
Last night, after thinking it over and over, Sui Gu was still furious and punched Fang Xiangshi hard. She didn't use any magic, but Fang Xiangshi was never on guard against her. Instantly, one of her eyes swelled up and she was completely stunned.
That night, Fang Xiangshi slept on the cold floor.
Di Ting was so frightened that he dared not leave. He suddenly realized that Jiang Yuzhi was right. If they stayed and did not let them out of the house, it seemed that these two immortals could really fight.
Although it was Sui Gu's side of the story, Fang Xiangshi never understood why.
When A-Zhao arrived, she brought a message saying that the Xiao Prince's residence was almost ready, and she subtly informed Bai Yan that the Emperor hoped he would return as soon as possible.
Bai Yan scoffed, unable to bear hearing others call him His Highness Prince Xiao, and even less willing to go back.
He hated the title his uncle had forced upon him.
The morning air was still damp, and there were still three melons left from yesterday's meal.
Jiang Yuzhi stood by the stone table outside the house, gently tapping a plump melon with her fingers, listening to the sound. "This one is ripe." She turned to Bai Yan, who had just come out of the side room, and smiled, "Your Highness, would you like to try some?"
Bai Yan was dressed in the simple attire of a farmer, wearing only a sleeveless cotton jacket on his upper body, with a thin layer of muscle covering his bare arms, brown wide-legged trousers on his lower body, and black cloth shoes on his feet. He was also holding a straw hat in his hand.
If it weren't for his fair complexion, he really would look like a farmer's son.
Bai Yan raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "Since Miss Jiang chose this melon, I, the King, will naturally have to taste it." He deliberately emphasized the word "the King," his eyes gleaming with a mischievous light.
"Hey! Your Highness Prince Xiao! Please don't touch those dirty things." A shrill voice interrupted, and Luo Yundou, lifting her skirt, came running from outside the courtyard like a butterfly, carrying an exquisite fruit platter in her hands.
With her mother's support, Luo Yundou was more like a wild pheasant that just wanted to display its plumage.
"This was specially prepared for Your Highness. It was chilled in the well, cut into small pieces, and served with silver skewers, befitting your status."
After saying that, Luo Yundou's gaze first fell on Bai Yan, and she froze. Then she subconsciously glanced at Jiang Yuzhi and couldn't help but mock her in her heart.
Jiang Yuzhi was dressed very simply today, wearing a pale yellow trousers and skirt, an ivory white cross-collar short shirt and a half-sleeved shirt. Her long black hair had long since turned back into braids hanging down in front of her chest.
This contrasts sharply with Luo Yundou's peach-colored silk dress.
Sui Gu and Jiang Yuzhi, who were sitting by the window watching, burst out laughing at the same time.
Sui Gu habitually turned her head and whispered to Fang Xiangshi, "Look, the head of the village is dressed just like a young lady from the city, but our Miss Jiang and Young Master Bai really look like a country couple today."
Fang Xiangshi: "Hmm? How is it similar?"
Remembering that she was still angry, Sui Gu tried to mimic the other person's expressionless face, "Not like it."
Fang Xiangshi was completely baffled.
Jiang Yuzhi pursed her lips, her mouth drooping as if she were thinking of something. Ever since this young lady from the Luo family met Bai Yan, her eyes have been glued to him. One minute she's offering him fruit, the next she's offering him a handkerchief, but Bai Yan refuses them all. However, her attentive attitude is really giving people goosebumps.
Bai Yan ignored her completely, walked straight to Jiang Yuzhi's side, put the straw hat on his wife's head, and patted the melon that was still covered in mud. "Miss Jiang has always had excellent taste."
Luo Yundou's face immediately fell, and she almost dropped the fruit plate. Jiang Yuzhi was inexplicably annoyed, but out of politeness, she kindly tried to help her out, "Miss Luo, this melon is indeed quite good. Why don't we try some together?"
"Who wants to eat with you!" Luo Yundou blurted out, then realized her rudeness and quickly tried to salvage the situation, "I mean, this crude way of eating is unworthy of Your Highness's status..."
"Mind your manners." Bai Yan's face darkened. "In the Princess's estate, Miss Jiang is the mistress."
Luo Yundou's face flushed red and then turned pale. The silver skewer in her hand clattered into the plate and bounced to the ground.
Before she could explain, Ah Zhao grabbed the account book and chased the guests away.
Luo Yundou had no choice but to leave unwillingly.
Jiang Yuzhi gave Bai Yan a subtle glare, "Wearing so little, what kind of appearance is this?"
Bai Yan was stunned for a moment, then happily went back to her room to change her clothes.
The tenants were seated at the same thatched hut they had been in the day before.
At that time, the three members of the Luo family will go to the fields with them, leaving only the people brought by A-Zhao and Di-Ting in the manor.
In the small thatched hut, only Bai Yan and Jiang Yuzhi were sitting, surrounded by A Zhao and several servants from the princess's residence.
The Luo family members dared not get too close, and could only stand under the scorching midday sun, sweating profusely.
It was still early, and the tenants gradually made their way over.
A cough came from the other end of the field. A dark-skinned middle-aged tenant farmer carrying a hoe came over and quickly bowed to the group.
"Uncle, you've come at the perfect time," Jiang Yuzhi waved and said, "Help us pick a couple of melons."
It was Huangshan. He nodded honestly, put down his hoe, and walked into the melon field.
Huang Shan moved swiftly, quickly picking out two ripe melons and carrying them over. Luo Yundou took two steps back in disgust, as if afraid of getting them covered in dirt.
"Thank you, Brother Huang." Jiang Yuzhi took the watermelon and handed over a piece of silver.
Huang Shan waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, it's our good fortune that Miss can eat the melons we grow. Besides..." He lowered his voice, glancing at the Luo family not far away, "If Headmaster Luo finds out, he'll charge even more rent..."
Jiang Yuzhi secretly admired Huang Dabo, thinking that he was quite convincing in his act.
Bai Yan immediately pressed, "Excessive rent? What happened?"
Huang Shan's expression changed, realizing he had let something slip, and he stammered, refusing to say anything more.
Seeing this, Luo Yundou hurriedly stepped forward to interrupt: "What nonsense are you talking about, you tenant! My father collects rent according to the rules!"
Luo Zhuangtou pulled his daughter behind him, forcing a smile, "Young master, don't listen to his nonsense. These tenants love to slack off and always try to pay less rent..."
Huang Shan seemed to blush with embarrassment and dared not refute, his calloused hands pinching his thighs hard, while he simply lowered his head and ground the clods of earth with his toes.
Jiang Yuzhi and Bai Yan exchanged a glance, understanding each other without saying a word.
“Uncle,” Jiang Yuzhi said softly, “the Prince and I are going to stay at this estate for a few days. If you have any difficulties, you can come to us anytime.”
Huang Shan nodded gratefully, and the servants took the opportunity to set up several simple cloth sheds to provide shade for the tenants.
Before Luo Yundou could say anything more, Bai Yan had already rolled up his sleeves: "Come on, Miss Jiang, let's go wash the melons ourselves. Ah Zhao!" He shouted into the distance, "Find someone to go to the manor and get the knife!"
A-Zhao responded and left. Luo Yundou stood there, watching the two walk side by side towards the irrigation ditch, stomping her feet in anger, but was restrained by Luo Niangzi.
Luo Zhuangtou had already sensed something was wrong, but with several people from the princess's residence watching him, he couldn't leave at all.
Jiang Yuzhi and Bai Yan used water from a ceramic jar to wash away the dirt, and then sat quietly by the broken wooden table.
The tenants had all arrived, along with the knife and the carefully wrapped account book.
Luo Zhuangtou was covered in sweat. He was a lean man in his early thirties with small, constantly darting eyes, and he always unconsciously rubbed his hands together when he spoke.
"Young Master, Miss Jiang, please forgive us for the simple conditions in the manor and the lack of hospitality." Luo Zhuangtou stepped forward and bowed to pour water for Bai Yan.
“Head of Luo Village,” Bai Yan interrupted him, “I remember Qingyupu is a property of the Princess’s residence. How come these past two days, the distinguished guests have all said it feels like we’ve arrived on your Luo family’s territory? Especially your daughter.”
Luo Yundou was about to break free from Luo Niangzi's embrace when she heard this, her body trembled, and both mother and daughter's legs went weak, and they knelt on the ground with a "thud".
Luo Zhuangtou's hand trembled, spilling a few drops of water onto the table: "Young master is too kind. My family and I are all working for the Princess..."
"Really?" Jiang Yuzhi slowly cut open a melon with a knife, juice overflowing. "Then why did the tenant say that you collected much more rent than the standard rate?"
"This, this..." Zhuangtou's forehead was covered in sweat. "It must be that Huangshan talking nonsense! I've always collected rent according to the rule of one-tenth, and I've never dared to collect more..."
"Oh?" Jiang Yuzhi raised an eyebrow, her slender hand gently pressing on the package. "Then how about asking the other tenant farmers?"
Luo Zhuangtou almost knelt down: "Miss Jiang, please be wise! These tenants are crude and ignorant, and they often make mistakes in their accounts..."
"Father!" Luo Yundou seemed to have made up her mind. She abandoned her mother and stood up. "His Highness Prince Xiao and Miss Jiang rarely come to the manor to relax. Why are you talking about such unpleasant things?" She turned to Bai Yan and said sweetly, "Your Highness, there is a patch of bougainvillea on the hill behind the manor. It's the perfect time to see them. Shall I take you there to admire the bougainvillea?"
Bai Yan didn't even bother to pretend anymore. "No need. I still need to check the estate's accounts with Miss Jiang."
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Author's Note: [Let me see][Let me see]
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