The carriage curtain was lifted, and a boy of about ten years old, who had just finished school, hurriedly squeezed inside.
"Grandma, you've finally come back to see your grandson! I've missed you so much!"
The elegantly dressed old lady looked at her grandson with loving eyes and asked, "Ming'er, how are your studies lately?"
"Replying to Grandmother, this morning my teacher told me that after the New Year, he will recommend me to participate in the county examination."
When talking about his studies, the boy's childish face was filled with pride.
Upon hearing this, the old lady nodded in satisfaction, glanced at Liu Yingying and her daughter across the street, and instructed the maid beside her.
“Caixia, call that woman over there and tell her I want to buy the pastries she’s holding.”
Caixia responded with a "yes" and walked towards Liu Yingying, quickly bringing her over.
"Granny, the person has arrived."
"Madam, we have some new winter melon candy, twenty coins a pack. Would you like to try some?"
Outside the carriage, Liu Yingying stood holding Zhao Di's small hand, accepting the old lady's shrewd and discerning gaze without changing her expression.
At the same time, she discreetly observed the luxurious carriage in front of her and its haughty owner inside.
Zhao Di was clearly nervous, her small hands tightly gripping Liu Yingying's hand.
For some reason, even at such a young age, she instinctively felt that the old lady in the carriage seemed to have some ill intentions...
After observing for a moment, the old lady withdrew her gaze and slowly asked, "Can winter melon be made into candy?"
"Yes, you can. Would you like to try one first? I have some samples to try," Liu Yingying said enthusiastically as she tried to sell to her.
The old lady didn't seem to mind at all; she actually took the candied winter melon from her hand and put it in her mouth, her expression instantly softening.
"It tastes pretty good. Who taught you how to make it?"
"I developed it myself. My kids love it, so I decided to make more and sell it at the school gate to supplement our family income," Liu Yingying replied calmly.
"Oh!" This time, the old woman's face remained expressionless. She glanced at Caixia and gestured for her to pay.
"Take it!"
Caixia handed her twenty coins, and seeing that the mother and daughter were poorly dressed, she couldn't help but feel a little disgusted.
I don't know what's wrong with Granny Ning. She never buys these kinds of unlicensed snacks on the street...
Liu Yingying took the money and watched the luxurious carriage drive away into the distance.
Actually, she also felt a little confused. In just that short time, she had carefully searched through the original owner's memories.
It can be said with certainty that she had never seen the old lady inside the carriage.
But Liu Yingying couldn't detect even the slightest bit of goodwill in the old lady's gaze.
There was even a hint of apprehension in it?
Oh! Liu Yingying subconsciously slapped her forehead.
She must be too tired these days and is hallucinating!
She was just an ordinary citizen, not only with a rural household registration but also a widow.
The old lady was clearly no ordinary person, so why would she be afraid of me?
"Liu Niang, what are you thinking about?" Zhao Di couldn't help but worry when she saw that Liu Niang was lost in thought.
Liu Yingying suddenly came to her senses. "It's nothing, let's pack up and leave."
"But there's still a packet of winter melon candy left?"
Liu Yingying thought of Cheng Zhuo, the young constable who had escorted her back last time, and suddenly had an idea. She took Zhao Di's hand.
"Come on, let's go to the county government office with your mother!"
Today happened to be Cheng Zhuo's turn to be on duty, so when Liu Yingying and her daughter arrived at the county government office, they saw his handsome yet slightly immature face right at the entrance.
The sun was quite strong today, and Cheng Zhuo, holding his sword, leaned against the door frame, feeling drowsy.
Suddenly, a somewhat familiar voice reached my ears.
"Officer Cheng, we meet again!"
He suddenly opened his eyes and saw his idol, Liu Yingying, smiling as she walked towards him, holding the hand of a little girl.
"Madam Liu, what brings you here? Did something happen?" Cheng Zhuo asked, slightly surprised.
Ordinary people are most afraid of the government, and they would stay as far away from government offices as possible if there was nothing to do!
“A few days ago I found some wild winter melons on the mountain and made them into candied winter melons to sell in the city. I’ve left you a pack here as a thank you for taking me all the way back to my village last time.”
Sending her back last time was at Lord Shen's behest.
Cheng Zhuo was surprised that Madam Liu still remembered this, and suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
"That's all I should do, you don't need to be so polite. Also... I can't accept this winter melon candy..."
Yes, he's already seventeen!
How can you still eat these sweet and greasy things like a child?
But Liu Yingying shoved the packet of winter melon candy into his hand without saying a word.
"This is just a small token of my appreciation. If you don't like it, you can take it back to your family. If you refuse to accept it, then I'll take it as you looking down on us poor folks!"
"No, no! You misunderstood me!" Cheng Zhuo quickly explained.
He also knew about the disaster situation in the villages below, and that Sister Liu was selling these winter melon candies to supplement her family's income.
If she took one for herself, she would sell one less, and Cheng Zhuo naturally felt bad about it.
"If you don't mind us, then accept it!" Liu Yingying said with a playful smile, looking at him.
"Then...then I shall respectfully accept your offer!"
Cheng Zhuo took the packet of winter melon candy from her hand, put it away, and after thinking for a moment, said, "If Madam Liu encounters any trouble in the future, she can come to the county office to find me!"
Liu Yingying: "There are no troubles, after all, we are just ordinary people. But today I do have something I want to ask Constable Cheng."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Zhuo immediately perked up. "Oh, what is it?"
Liu Yingying: "Aren't there famines in the towns and villages under Furong County right now? I heard that yesterday, the village heads of several towns and villages came to the county government office together, requesting Lord Shen to open the granaries for disaster relief. I wonder what Lord Shen's intention is?"
This was a sensitive question, one that Liu Yingying shouldn't have asked, and one that Cheng Zhuo didn't know how to answer.
But who could blame her? After the battle at West Vulture Mountain, she had become her idol.
Cheng Zhuo thought for a moment, then leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Lord Shen is a good official. He couldn't bear to see the starving people everywhere and wanted to open the granaries to suppress the famine. However, his superior didn't agree. As you know, a higher-ranking official can have a crushing effect..." He sighed helplessly as he spoke.
"But don't worry, Lord Shen is currently discussing with several prominent families in Furong County about distributing grain for disaster relief..."
"Okay, thank you for telling me this, Officer Cheng!"
"Then my daughter and I will head back first!"
Liu Yingying said goodbye and left.
Shortly after they left, the wealthy families from Furong County who had come to drink tea also emerged from inside.
However, everyone's expression was rather unpleasant.
Cheng Zhuo quickly saw everyone off, but just as he finished, someone else came over to deliver a message.
"Cheng Zhuo, Lord Shen wants you to come over."
Shen Shangxu was still sitting in the flower hall where he had just been drinking tea with the merchants, leaning back in his armchair with his eyes closed, looking slightly tired.
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