Chapter Seventy-Two: The Sun Family Sends People
The next day, Jiang Mi got up very early.
After breakfast, he hurriedly urged his older brother to drive all the chickens and ducks to the fields.
These rice paddies were several acres that Su Yindi acquired at great expense after arriving in Hongyang Village, all to ensure they had enough food to eat.
As soon as the poultry entered the paddy field, they became active, constantly wandering around and pecking at the rice paddies with their long, flat beaks. If you looked closely, you could see locust eggs and larvae being swallowed.
Since it was still early, Jiang Mi decided to sit by the field and take a look.
Jiang Yan carefully picked up a small wooden stool, found a shady spot, and beckoned Jiang Mi over: "Little sister, come here to your big brother. The view is more open and it's cooler."
Jiang Mi obediently sat down and did as she was told.
After settling Jiang Mi in, Jiang Yan then thought about going to help in the sweet potato field: "I'll go help in the sweet potato field first. You stay at home for now. If there's anything you need, just ask your sister-in-law for help. Don't do it yourself."
Before leaving, she didn't forget to give Jiang Mi some advice.
The morning sun was warm and gentle, radiating down on Jiang Mi, making her feel a little sleepy and causing her to yawn repeatedly.
The rice ears in the fields are golden and sway in the wind; like a golden ocean, it is exceptionally beautiful.
To verify whether Jiang Mi was right, many village women also carried small stools and sat not far from Jiang Mi, carefully observing the movements of the poultry in the field. Sure enough, these animals really didn't eat the rice.
Feeling drowsy from the sun, Jiang Mi stretched and glanced at the village women observing the poultry. They were all intently focused, afraid of missing a single detail.
Seeing this, Jiang Mi smiled, her goal achieved.
[Task complete. The second method to suppress the locusts is to cook them; the cooking method has been added to the system inventory.]
Upon hearing this, Jiang Mi asked uncertainly, "These locusts are edible?"
This was the first time in her life she had ever heard of locusts being edible; they were known as pests!
Putting aside the issue of pests, locusts are so tiny, smaller than sparrows, and have almost no meat. It's no wonder they're hard to chew.
Deep-fried locusts: with tender meat, a flavor similar to shrimp, and a fragrant and crispy texture, they are a rare delicacy.
Jiang Mi frowned slightly, half believing and half doubting what the system said.
The people avoid locusts like the plague, which have plagued the rice paddies of Daqing Kingdom for years; wherever they go, nothing grows and no grains are harvested; is this really a delicacy?
Looking up at the blazing sun, Jiang Mi squinted her eyes.
Whether it was her imagination or not, she had a feeling that something big was about to happen and that it was related to locusts.
Just as Jiang Mi was lost in thought, a gentle voice suddenly asked her, "Miss, may I ask where the Jiang family is located in Hongyang Village?"
Jiang Mi snapped out of her daze and stared intently at the person in front of her who had asked the question.
This person was a gentle-looking old woman dressed in silk, followed by several maids dressed in the same manner; this old woman was no ordinary person.
The Jiang family?
Are you looking for her family?
When the old woman saw Jiang Mi's face clearly, she was somewhat surprised. In this remote mountain village, such a beauty could be born. She had seen many beauties, but none of them had eyes as clear and calm as this woman's, making her look exceptionally innocent.
Although this little girl has a lot of fat on her face, once she loses weight, her stunning beauty will probably shock the entire Great Qing Kingdom.
The old women not far away all craned their necks to watch the spectacle.
Jiang Mi looked at the old woman in front of her with a wary expression: "What important matter brings you to the Jiang family?"
The old woman laughed heartily and explained with a smile, "I am Granny Kong from the magistrate's mansion in this town. I have come here to inform the Jiang family of some great news."
A joyous occasion?
Jiang Mi's eyes lit up. Could it be that her second and third brothers had become the top scholars in the imperial examinations?
No, no, no! There are still two or three months until the test, so it's impossible that it has anything to do with my second or third brother. This sounds a bit suspicious.
But since the person in front of her was a maid from the county magistrate's residence, Jiang Mi couldn't refuse: "I'll take you there."
"Thank you for showing me the way, young lady." The old woman's smile remained unchanged. Ever since she saw Jiang Mi's appearance, she had been planning to take the girl back to her mansion and keep her there.
I'm sure you won't object, sir. I've long heard that the Emperor is fond of beautiful women. If we help you present her to the Emperor and she gains his favor, becoming a favored concubine in the palace, then their status will rise rapidly, and they won't have to continue living in this small town.
Granny Kong, with her own plans in mind, treated Jiang Mi with even more kindness and gentleness, subtly inquiring about her along the way.
Seemingly sensing that Granny Kong had ulterior motives towards her, Jiang Mi avoided answering most of her questions.
"She's actually the nanny from the magistrate's residence. Could it be that the Jiang family has prospered and gained the magistrate's favor?"
"We'll find out if we go and see for ourselves."
Upon hearing this, the women followed suit, keeping a certain distance so as not to bother Jiang Mi.
Before long, the person was brought to the Jiang family's door.
"This is the Jiang family you've been looking for." Jiang Mi glanced at the smiling Granny Kong.
Granny Kong smiled at Jiang Mi, then led a group of maids into the courtyard, her voice loud and clear: "May I ask which one of you is Jiang Xuan's wife?"
Upon hearing this, Liang Lan, the second sister-in-law, looked over, quickly put down the chicken feed in her hand, wiped the dirt off her body, and hurried to Granny Kong: "I am Jiang Xuan's wife."
Granny Kong carefully examined Liang Lan in front of her. Although her appearance was not outstanding, she was still pretty, and her eyes and brows carried a rare strength and straightforwardness for a woman.
Seeing this, Granny Kong frowned and became increasingly dissatisfied with the woman in front of her. If the young lady were to share a husband with this woman, she would probably suffer.
Containing her displeasure, Granny Kong smiled kindly and spoke gently: "May I borrow a book to talk?"
Liang Lan glanced at Jiang Mi subconsciously. Jiang Mi nodded to her, indicating that she could handle it and that they would take care of everything.
"Okay!" Liang Lan nodded in agreement, then gestured for Granny Kong to walk into the house: "This way, please."
"You all wait outside, and don't let any outsiders approach."
After leaving those words, Granny Kong followed Liang Lan into the room.
Jiang Mi was still worried. She glanced at the village women who were eagerly waiting to watch the show outside the courtyard and the two sisters-in-law inside. She tried to make herself inconspicuous and quietly crept to the back of Liang Lan's house. Luckily, a window there was open, and the conversation inside reached Jiang Mi's ears.
"I have come here today to inform you that Young Master Jiang and my young lady are in love. My young lady has learned that Young Master Jiang has another wife, so she asked me to come and tell you. My young lady is willing to share a husband with you and be Young Master Jiang's virtuous wife." Granny Kong sat on the couch, looking every bit the superior, staring intently at the petty Liang Lan.
Liang Lan's pupils contracted slightly, her eyes sharpening: "So, according to Granny Kong's meaning?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
