Fu Qiyuan only learned of Jiang Shan's awakening two days later. The reason was simple: his family was so happy that they forgot to inform him.
As he stood at the entrance of the Jiao residence carrying large and small bags, he saw the landscape through the sunlight streaming into the courtyard.
The servants were all dressed in light clothing, but Jiang Shan was wrapped in a cotton-padded coat, lounging in a chair basking in the sun. The child lay on her lap, supported casually with one hand, while the other hand wiped the drool from the corner of the child's mouth, and she muttered something under her breath.
"Let me tell you, Jiang Huai, this drooling habit of yours is bad. Only lecherous men drool when they see a girl. I'm your mother, and no matter how beautiful you are, you can't act like this, understand?"
Jianghuai? Is that the name she gave her child? Jiangshan, Jianghuai, a mountain and a river, quite interesting... Fu Qiyuan thought to himself.
What can a baby less than a month old understand? He seemed dissatisfied with this position, kicking his little legs incessantly, especially the little foot that was pressed against Jiang Shan's waist and abdomen, which was particularly active.
"Save your breath, your mother is weak right now, and I'm not going to indulge your bad habits!"
Jiao's mother liked to hold and rock the baby, and once she got used to it, she couldn't stay still. After Xie Taiyi held the baby a few times, the rocking and rocking turned into lifting the baby high in the air, and the baby would get upset as soon as he stopped.
Just then, Physician Xie came out from inside, scooped up the child and lifted him up a couple of times. The little guy immediately showed an expression of enjoyment, stopped blowing bubbles, and grinned widely with his toothless little mouth.
"You're just spoiling him. Once he grows into a chubby little guy, I wonder who will still want to carry him!" Jiang Shan said, pouting.
Just as Physician Xie was about to speak, he noticed Fu Qiyuan standing at the door and asked in surprise, "When did you arrive? Why don't you come in?"
Jiang Shan turned around and his gaze met Fu Qiyuan's.
She sat up a little impatiently from the chair, tidied her hair haphazardly, wiped the area wet from her son's drool with a handkerchief, and glanced at Fu Qiyuan vaguely.
Fu Qiyuan's gaze never left Jiang Shan from the moment he entered. He handed the bags he was carrying to the butler who came out to greet him, and walked straight to Jiang Shan's side, saying softly, "It's windy outside, you can't stay out in the wind for too long, or you'll get a headache. Did you drink your medicine this morning? I brought some candied fruit, eating one while drinking the medicine will make it less bitter."
Jiang Shan tilted his head slightly, looking at the dazzling face in the sunlight, smelling the familiar scent on him, and his heart began to pound uncontrollably.
That's the voice, that's the taste; she'd encountered it countless times in her dreams.
Before Jiang Shan could react, Fu Qiyuan sat down next to her and said, "I've been in the county office these past few days handing things over with Lord Cao, and I'm already working on the case."
Jiang Shan froze for a moment, his expression changed drastically, and he abruptly stood up.
Unexpectedly, she exerted too much force, her head spun, and she fell into Fu Qiyuan's arms.
She didn't care about anything else and grabbed Fu Qiyuan's arm, asking urgently, "What do you mean? You...you're the new magistrate?"
Fu Qiyuan met Jiang Shan's clear black eyes and nodded heavily. "Shan'er, I said I would definitely seek justice for you, for the child, and for the Jiao family. Those who bullied you will pay the price!"
Overwhelmed with joy, Jiang Shan hugged Fu Qiyuan without thinking and stood on tiptoe to kiss him on the forehead.
In an instant, the air itself seemed to freeze!
Physician Xie couldn't bear to look anymore, so he picked up the child and left.
Jiang Shan finally realized what she had done. She glanced at Fu Qiyuan's slightly flushed face and lost the courage to stay with him any longer. Explaining would only be a cover-up; at this point, nothing was better than leaving.
Seeing Jiang Shan almost flee in disarray, Fu Qiyuan gently touched his forehead, a warm and tender feeling washing over him, and his heart beat faster and faster.
He was lost in thought for a while before he smiled foolishly.
Fu Shu was tidying up the boxes and bundles in the carriage when he entered and saw his master smiling broadly. He peeked out and asked in confusion, "Young Master, where is Miss Jiang? I just heard her voice."
Jiao's mother stood at a distance inside. When she saw Fu Shu, she waved and said, "Little Shu, come in and have some water!"
"Alright, ma'am!"
The living room was full of people. The housekeeper and servants had all come over, so Jiang Shan couldn't just hide in his room alone anymore. He had no choice but to stand behind Jiao's mother.
Fu Qiyuan, Physician Xie, and Jiao's mother sat down in order of guest and host. In front of everyone in the room, Fu Qiyuan stood up and gave Physician Xie a deep bow, solemnly expressing his gratitude.
Some people find Fu Qiyuan's actions questionable, and even Jiang Shan feels that something is amiss.
Although Physician Xie was a royal physician specially invited from the capital at his request, there was no need to perform such a grand ceremony to express gratitude. Those who had received such great favors had not yet expressed their thanks!
So Jiang Shan subconsciously looked at Jiao's mother.
However, Jiao's mother made no comment, neither stopping her nor offering any pleasantries.
Even after Fu Shudao revealed Fu Qiyuan's identity as the new county magistrate, she merely bowed slightly while seated.
The servants were both surprised and delighted. It turned out that this god-like young master was their new magistrate, and he had such a good relationship with the mistress and young lady of the master's house. Did this mean that they were also involved with the official?
Given the magnitude of the tragedy that befell the Jiao family, Fu Qiyuan, as the local official, had every right to visit and offer his condolences. This time, he not only revealed his identity but also delivered compensation for the burned-down shop to the Jiao family on behalf of the government.
The shop was rented by Jiang Shan, and all the decorations, furniture, ingredients, and cash inside were burned to ashes. The Jiao family even had to compensate the shop owner with three hundred taels of silver, bringing the total loss to over a thousand taels of silver. Moreover, Qiao Shi was still receiving treatment, using only the finest medicinal herbs. With the addition of consultation fees and medicine costs, Jiang Shan was back to square one overnight.
But she knew perfectly well that the government could not actually give them money as subsidies. This money could only be Fu Qiyuan's private property, but it was given the name of the government so that they would not feel guilty.
Before Jiao's mother could speak, Jiang Shan interjected, "We appreciate your kindness, sir, but we cannot accept this money."
She calmly analyzed, "Since you have just taken office in Guyang County, you are not yet familiar with the county's financial and material resources. The construction and development of Guyang County requires a large amount of financial support, and these resources are produced and created by all the people of Guyang County. Jiangshan has done nothing and cannot take this money for himself!"
Fu Qiyuan was greatly shocked and gained a new understanding of the country.
He then turned to Jiao's mother for help.
After a moment of contemplation, Jiao's mother said, "Shan'er is right. If we open one shop, we can open another. At worst, we can start over. No matter how hard or tiring it is, we can always get through it."
I'm afraid the servants in the house will have to suffer, and their monthly wages may be paid later.
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