After the demonstration, Magistrate Duan looked at the mask in Jiang Ling's hand and praised it. He glanced at Jiang Yaojie and then at Jiang Suihe before saying, "Once the locust problem is resolved, I will reward you handsomely!"
After thanking him, Jiang Ling watched as Magistrate Duan left her home.
As soon as Magistrate Duan left, the village chief strode up to Jiang Ling and whispered, "Jiang! You! You! You scared me to death!"
Jiang Ling glanced at the village chief dismissively and asked, "Huh? How did I scare you?"
"How...how dare you speak to Magistrate Duan like that?" The village chief looked utterly shocked.
"It's not the first time. Village chief, are you hungry? Why don't you eat here?" Jiang Ling glanced at the sky; it was probably just noon.
"No...no! The old man is getting on in years, I'd better go back and rest!" The village chief wiped the sweat from his forehead, put his hands behind his back, shook his head, and refused Jiang Ling's offer.
"Oh my, Yaojie's new clothes must be very expensive!" As soon as the village chief left, Zhao Erleng's wife came to Jiang Ling's house with a smile, touching the fabric of Jiang Yaojie's clothes as she spoke.
Jiang Ling knew Zhao Erleng's wife's character, so she just smiled and didn't say anything.
Jiang Yaojie tugged at his clothes somewhat embarrassedly and whispered, "My previous clothes got torn on the way up the mountain, this set of clothes was a gift from the magistrate!"
"Oh my, that's amazing! At such a young age, you've already won the favor of the county magistrate. You have a bright future ahead of you! If you become successful, don't forget your Aunt Erleng!" Zhao Erleng's wife said jokingly.
Jiang Yaojie blushed at Zhao Erleng's wife's words, and Jiang Ling quickly came to his rescue, saying, "Sister-in-law, what brings you to my house?"
"Oh dear, look at my memory!" Reminded by Jiang Ling, Zhao Erleng's wife slapped her forehead and continued, "Well, Yaojie will be sixteen soon after the New Year. I was thinking that my niece is about the same age as Yaojie, and her parents are honest and law-abiding people. So I thought I'd ask for your opinion."
Jiang Ling was secretly shocked after hearing this. Although she understood that people married early in ancient times, she couldn't accept it when it happened to her. Thinking of this, she looked at Jiang Yaojie and asked softly, "Yaojie, your aunt is asking you a question. What do you mean?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yaojie's face flushed bright red. He fumbled with the hem of his clothes and stammered for a long time without saying a word. Jiang Ling turned to Zhao Erleng's wife and said in a slightly apologetic tone, "Erleng's wife, I'm so sorry, our Yaojie is still young."
“Oh dear, she’s already sixteen after the New Year, she’s still so young! Sister-in-law Jiang, don’t worry, my niece’s parents and family are all honest and upright people.” Zhao Erleng’s wife quickly added.
Jiang Ling had a headache and rubbed her temples helplessly, saying, "Sister-in-law Er Leng, I know you mean well, but this is a major life event for the child, so he needs to think it over carefully, right?"
“No, no, this has always been arranged by parents and matchmakers. As long as you think it’s good, then there’s no problem!” Zhao Erleng’s wife shook her head in disagreement.
Jiang Ling didn't want to become a mother-in-law so early, and of course, she didn't want Jiang Yaojie, who wasn't even an adult yet, to get married and have children so soon. She quickly dismissed Zhao Erleng's wife with a few words.
Turning to Jiang Yaojie, who was still clutching her sleeve, she asked, "Yaojie, do you want to get married so soon?"
"Marriage? I don't really want to. I've been following Magistrate Duan around these past few days, and I've learned a lot from him and his advisor. Mother, I'm thinking of going out and seeing the world after I get married. I think this world is really wonderful!"
Hearing Jiang Yaojie's words, Jiang Ling was very satisfied. She gently patted Jiang Yaojie's head and said softly, "Good! My good son, you will definitely have a bright future!"
For lunch, Jiang Ling prepared a very lavish meal. She specially went to the mall to buy five eggs and a piece of lean meat, made a four-happiness meatball, fried a large egg pancake, and made a wild mushroom soup with dried mushrooms from the mountain. Afterward, she cooked a pot of white rice.
When the food was served, Jiang Wenxi almost drooled. She looked up at Jiang Yaojie and said in a childish voice, "It's so good that big brother is back! There's so much delicious food as soon as you get back!"
Jiang Ling felt a little embarrassed upon hearing this. These words made it sound as if Jiang Ling was abusing her three siblings when Jiang Yaojie wasn't home.
During the meal, everyone ate in silence, slurping their food quietly.
"Ah, I'm full! That feels so good!" Jiang Wenxi said softly, leaning back in her chair and rubbing her round belly.
Seeing the satisfied expressions on her four children's faces, Jiang Ling felt happy too. As she put away the bowls and prepared to scoop water to wash them, Jiang Yaojie quickly came to Jiang Ling's side and took the bowls and chopsticks, saying, "Mom, let me do it! You've worked hard while I was away!"
"Here, take this from me, Mother." Jiang Yaojie said as he took out a hairpin from his bosom. Although the hairpin looked a bit old-fashioned, anyone with a discerning eye could tell that the person who chose it had put a lot of thought into it.
Jiang Ling's heart trembled slightly as she looked at the hairpin. Before she could ask, Jiang Yaojie continued, "Back then, you pawned your own hairpin for me and my sisters. When we were searching for water, Magistrate Duan rewarded you with one tael of silver. I searched all the places that sold hairpins but couldn't find the one Mother used to have, so I could only buy a similar one based on my memory!"
Jiang Ling felt a warmth in her heart. Her hands trembled slightly as she carefully took the hairpin and gently placed it in her bosom, saying with emotion, "My good son, you are so thoughtful!"
Jiang Yaojie scratched his head, smiled, and said to Jiang Ling, "Mother, I will definitely make sure you wear fine silks and satins and adorn yourself with gold and silver in the future!"
Jiang Ling smiled and didn't say anything more. After cleaning up the dishes, Jiang Ling began a busy afternoon making peppermint paste and thin syrup. After Jiang Yaojie returned, the speed at which she made these two things increased significantly.
Time flew by, and by the time they finished all their work, it was already 7 PM. Jiang Ling glanced at the starry sky and quickly said to Jiang Yaojie, "Yaojie, go and rest. You probably haven't had much rest lately, so don't overwork yourself."
Jiang Yaojie yawned widely, nodded, and walked towards his side room.
Jiang Ling carefully returned to her and her daughter's bedroom.
The night in Lujia Village was exceptionally quiet. Jiang Ling didn't know how long she had been asleep when suddenly she heard the sound of a stool being pushed over at the door.
Jiang Ling suddenly sat up in bed. In the bright moonlight, she saw a figure standing beside her bed.
Upon seeing the figure, Jiang Ling's heart pounded wildly, and a cold sweat broke out on her back.
"Hehehe, little beauty, you're awake?" The lewd voice set off alarm bells in Jiang Ling's mind. Jiang Ling tried her best to calm herself down, knowing that she still had her two daughters beside her.
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