"Mother, I'll go with you."
Qingyao seemed to understand, but not quite. She didn't understand political intrigue, but she wanted to stand with her mother through thick and thin.
“No, Mother wants you to stay at home and learn how to manage the household from Aunt Ge. When Mother is not here, the household will be in the care of your sister-in-law and you.”
Jiang Yue patted the box, took off the keychain from her neck, put it around her daughter's neck, and said gently:
"Keep the key safe. Inside is your dowry left by your mother, as well as the family fortune for your third brother."
"Yes, daughter will not let mother down."
Qingyao nodded emphatically. Her mother trusted her so much, she had to protect the key!
But she still wanted to face everything new and unknown with her mother.
With that in mind, she decided to persuade Aunt Ge first.
Over the years, Aunt Ge has been a dutiful and responsible member of their family, treating her with the love and care of a nephew or niece.
If I can convince Aunt Ge, my mother won't refuse to let me follow her, right?
......
Once Lunar New Year's Eve is over, it's Lunar New Year's Day, a good day for visiting relatives and friends.
Jiang Nian and his wife came to deliver gifts and also brought their daughter home.
Xiaoyu was a little reluctant to leave, but it's hard to say who she was reluctant to leave behind.
Qingshan, along with his wife, daughter, and youngest son, went to his wife's family to pay New Year's greetings.
Jiang Yue carried gifts and went to the old house to offer New Year's greetings.
Then we went to the old village chief's house. Coincidentally, Wu Guanghua's whole family had returned. Since we've known the old village chief for so many years, this year has been the liveliest time for their family.
Only after asking did I learn that Wu Guanghua had resigned from his job and moved his entire family back to the village to care for his elderly parents...
The old village chief said it wasn't worth it, but he was secretly overjoyed.
When people get old, what they really want is for their children and grandchildren to be around them.
In the past, there was no choice; the son had to earn money to support the family.
Now, Wujia Village is a well-known village of gold nuggets!
Pharmaceutical factories, soap factories, sanitary napkin factories, medicinal herb fields—which one can't make money?
These factories recruit workers every year. As long as you are hardworking, you can make money anywhere.
Is it really necessary to work yourself to the bone and bow and scrape all the time outside?
Wu Guanghua realized that although being a manager outside was respectable, it only brought in fifty or sixty taels of silver a year.
The village is getting better and better. My parents are getting old, and we can't have no one to take care of them.
So he discussed it with his wife and eldest son, and the whole family packed up, quit their jobs, and went back to their hometown to find another way to make a living.
"When the factory starts recruiting at the beginning of the year, I'll have my father and son apply. I won't have to think about it; it'll all depend on their abilities. If they can get the job, they can; if not, they can stay home and grow medicinal herbs."
The old village chief confided in Jiang Shi in private. He said that the old couple were indeed getting old and could no longer do many things. Fortunately, their son, daughter-in-law, and the whole family had returned to the village.
My eldest grandson is getting on in years; we should find him a wife soon.
Jiang Yue didn't have much of an impression of You Jin. She only remembered that he seemed to have passed the imperial examination and become a Xiucai, but she hadn't paid attention to why he didn't continue his studies.
Only after seeing it this time did I suddenly realize...
He has six fingers!
In the thirtieth year of Yong'an, having six fingers was considered an ominous sign, indicating a physical ailment that disqualified one from taking the imperial examinations.
Based on this speculation, it's clear that Youjin was indeed unlucky.
"You've helped our family before, so if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know."
Jiang Yue knew the old village chief's character; the descendants he raised couldn't be too bad.
"Uncle, you won't stand on ceremony. If you find any suitable work, please keep an eye out for Youjin. This child has had a tough time. Because of his six fingers, he hasn't been able to find a wife even now that he's old enough. Now, out of filial piety, he's chosen to come back to the village with his parents..."
The old village chief, shamelessly continuing, replied, "There's nothing I can do. Compared to my younger grandson, my eldest grandson's fate is even more..."
"Yes, Uncle, don't worry. I'll keep an eye out for suitable jobs."
This wasn't a big deal, so Jiang Yue agreed.
To be honest, having six fingers is not an omen of bad luck; it's just a congenital deformity.
Although she had no real connection with Youjin, she showed him kindness because of the old village chief's past kindness.
"Then I can rest assured."
The old village chief's smile never faded after that. After seeing Jiang off, he went home and sat down. People kept coming to offer New Year's greetings...
The days that followed flew by, as if they were on fast-forward.
I was tired, but time flew by in the blink of an eye.
School matters will be handled by a few teachers and tutors; she probably won't have time to grade the winter break assignments.
The rewards were prepared in advance, and other matters were proceeding in an orderly manner.
The Qingsong family of three prepared to return to Jinling and hired bodyguards.
She packed her bags, took Manager Qian with her, and prepared to leave together. Yunshui County was determined to be taken over by her!
Although Qingshan was worried, he couldn't and wouldn't stop his mother from making her decision.
However, Qingyao persuaded Aunt Ge, and the two of them went to her together, proposing to go together to broaden their horizons. They also suggested that with Aunt Ge by their side, she could teach them about housekeeping at any time.
Jiang Yue knew that her daughter didn't want to be separated from her, so she deliberately followed her.
After thinking for a moment, he agreed.
She did want to keep her daughter at home and let her grow up under her wing.
But my daughter is growing up and has her own ideas. I want to face the storms of life with her, and I don't want to be a delicate flower in a greenhouse...
And so, the once empty carriage was filled with the daughter, Aunt Ge, and Xia Hua.
Xia Hua said that she was the young lady's maid and vowed to follow her to the death.
Jiang Yue agreed, feeling more at ease knowing that more people would be there to take care of her daughter.
Wenwan wanted to go, but her wretched father held her back, forcing her to watch helplessly as her grandmother and aunt left...
Waaaaah~
She hates her father the most and doesn't want to talk to him anymore!
Yunshui County is located a hundred miles away from the border of Ping'an County and Taohua County. It was once a prosperous county.
Later, natural disasters and floods, along with corrupt officials, led to the decline of this county.
However, its unique geographical location allows it to both attack and defend.
The county has a considerable population, numbering in the tens of thousands.
However, 90% of them are ordinary poor families, common people, who are severely exploited.
The other 10% consists mainly of corrupt officials who are extremely wealthy.
In the eyes of the nobles, Yunshui County was a barren land with little use for their talents.
The above is the analysis given to her by Manager Qian.
Jiang Yue had a map of Yunshui County, on which the County Lord's Mansion was marked in detail. Her assets were pitifully few.
The wealthy people in the county were divided into four major families. Of course, they couldn't compare to the four major families in Jinling, but they were still considered collateral branches, related by blood or marriage.
Since ancient times, officials have protected each other, and those who have been able to establish such deep roots are all shrewd and capable.
The bodyguard was driving the carriage, and Manager Qian was leaning against the outside, not daring to overstep his bounds.
When Jiang Yue occasionally encountered something she didn't understand, she would ask him. In a short time, she gained a general understanding of the internal forces within Yunshui County.
Is she sending herself into the lion's den?
He's still playing dumb to fool others.
Hmm~
Or perhaps we could go for something bigger and stir up the existing muddy waters of Yunshui County even further.
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