Three days later.
Jiang Shan bid farewell to Jiao's mother and the group from Guyang County, and returned home with Sanlang and his son.
Accompanying them was the newly appointed Chief Secretary of Chongqing.
This time, there was no reluctance to part. Even Sanlang felt that there was a bright future ahead and nothing to worry about anymore!
Aside from the slight regret that my mother isn't around.
Jiang Shan glanced at Jiang Huai, who was waving frantically at her from another carriage, pursed her lips, and pulled down the curtain.
She remembered that Fu Qiyuan had said he would personally see her and her child off once his injuries had healed, and she felt that it was a trap, waiting for her to fall into it.
It wasn't that she thought she was anything special, but with so many local officials in the world, why was Fu Qiyuan specifically transferred to Yuzhou to serve as an official? She would never believe it was just luck.
Underhanded dealings!
That must be it!
Look how happy those fake father and son are!
"Sister, don't worry, your brother will definitely take good care of Huai'er!" Sanlang noticed that Jiang Shan seemed unhappy and kindly stepped forward to comfort her.
Jiang Shan simply lay down and said half-heartedly, "There's nothing to worry about. I'm just enjoying the peace and quiet."
Sanlang picked up a book and flipped through it, saying, "From now on, when you're in Yuzhou, no one will dare to bully us!"
Jiang Shan stared at the tarpaulin on the roof of the car and said, "Even without your brother, no one would dare to bully you. I'm not someone to be trifled with!"
"But you were almost killed by the Pei family of Yuzhou when you were in Guxian Town! Huai'er almost lost her mother! Uncle Qiao almost perished in a fire! If these don't count as bullying, then what does it mean to commit evil?"
Jiang Shan suddenly sat up, staring in astonishment at Sanlang's cold eyes, unsure of what to say.
"You...you knew all along? Who told you?"
Sanlang lowered his head and continued reading, saying calmly, "My sister and mother didn't want me to worry, so they didn't mention it at all. But I'm not blind or deaf. Uncle Qiao has burn marks on his arm, and my sister-in-law also said that my sister is destined for good fortune after surviving such a disaster. I've asked the neighbors about it."
Jiang Shan stared blankly at Sanlang. The child in front of him had bright eyes and sparse eyebrows, but there was an indescribable coldness in his eyes, which was completely different from his usual liveliness.
No wonder she felt that Sanlang hadn't been as talkative and cheerful as usual these past few days. She thought he was about to leave Guyang County and would miss his family and friends. Turns out, that's where the problem lay!
Jiang Shan put her arm around Sanlang's shoulder and said softly, "Sanlang, I also hate the Pei family, but we must look forward. Let bygones be bygones. We must first make ourselves strong so that we can protect the people we want to protect without relying on anyone else. That way, we won't have any more regrets or hurt!"
Sanlang looked up at her and said, "It was my brother who avenged us. My brother is our family, and he will always be with us!"
No, that's not what I meant!
“Your brother… Lord Fu is an official, and there are rules in officialdom. He can’t abuse his power for our sake, or he’ll become a corrupt official. Besides, Lord Fu is an official of the imperial court, not an official of the Jiao family. They’re not the same.”
Sanlang's eyes flickered, and he lowered his head, whispering, "He's my older brother, I trust him!"
Jiang Shan wanted to say, "I believe him too, but child, after all, his surname is Fu, not Jiao!"
When the carriage arrived at Yuzhou City, a line of officials, led by Leng Shang, the governor of Yuzhou, stood at the city gate.
When Fu Qiyuan got off the carriage, he was still holding the sleeping Jiang Huai in his arms.
When Jiang Shan lifted the curtain and saw this scene, he was completely horrified.
Just as she was about to get out of the car to pick up Jiang Huai, a young man walked up to Fu Qiyuan and took Jiang Huai into his arms.
"This humble official greets Lord Leng and all the other officials. I am deeply grateful for your hospitality in coming out of the city to welcome me. I am truly unworthy of such hospitality!" Fu Qiyuan clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.
Leng Shang stepped forward and gave Fu Qiyuan a slight boost, stroking his beard and smiling, "Indeed, a handsome and promising young man, worthy of being the Emperor's favored disciple!"
The officials echoed and praised him, after all, Fu Qiyuan had made a great contribution to defeating the pirates in Yuzhou. They were able to keep their official hats only because of Fu Qiyuan.
Fu Qiyuan humbly exchanged a few polite words, then went on to praise each and every official present, from Yuzhou's economy and population to public security and environmental sanitation, from maritime transport to trading companies. Finally, he sincerely praised Yuzhou for creating a miracle: the city-state logistics!
The magistrate and his officials were so impressed that their legs left the ground and they seemed to float into the sky.
Only one official maintained a cold expression throughout, never once giving Fu Qiyuan a proper look.
"Lord Fu, I have reserved a table at a restaurant to welcome you. Why don't you come with us?" Prefect Leng said with a smile.
Fu Qiyuan glanced back at the carriage behind him and said with difficulty, "My lord, I still have family members to settle down. If you don't mind, I will host a banquet for you all at Jiang's private restaurant tomorrow. The invitations will be sent to your residences first thing tomorrow morning. I wonder if you would do me the honor of attending?"
Prefect Leng craned his neck to look at the carriage behind Fu Qiyuan, then turned his gaze to the child in the arms of the young man beside him. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Lord Fu already has a family? In that case, we will not disturb Lord Fu any longer. Please!"
Fu Qiyuan clasped his hands in a respectful bow, then took Jiang Huai in his arms and turned to get into the carriage behind him.
Several pairs of eyes, each with a different expression, watched Fu Qiyuan and his entourage's carriage disappear into the distance. One of the officials couldn't help but ask Leng Dashou, "Sir, I've never heard that this Lord Fu has a family!"
"Hmph, she's just a mistress, what family does she have!" another official said dismissively.
Prefect Leng glanced at the gossiping officials and said calmly, "Lord Pei, I don't care what grudges your Pei family has with Lord Fu. Now that Lord Fu has taken office as the Chief Administrator of Yuzhou, you are colleagues from now on. Don't cause any more trouble!"
Pei Guangji, the second son of the Pei family, said with aggrieved feeling, "My lord, I did not slander Lord Fu. I was just telling the truth and had no ill intentions!"
Prefect Leng ignored him, turned around with his hands behind his back, and got into his carriage.
But I felt a little uneasy.
This isn't right. He hasn't even had a chance to put in the effort yet, and this young man has already climbed to the fourth rank in Yuzhou on his own. What does he have to offer to curry favor with the emperor in the capital?
Inside the carriage, Jiang Shan said to Fu Qiyuan, "That must be the highest-ranking official in Yuzhou, right? You've finally entered the real officialdom and come into contact with the center of power. I wish you a smooth career!"
Fu Qiyuan enjoyed hearing Jiang Shan say things that seemed out of place with her status. He smiled and lifted the curtain of the car window, saying, "How do you know that my ambition lies in officialdom, not in worldly pleasures?"
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