Two more months passed, and Peach Blossom Garden became more and more lively, while the land that Youqing bought in Sanbo County transformed from desolate land into a riot of color.
On five hundred acres of land, You Qingzhong planted more than ten kinds of flowers. Now the flowers are just beginning to grow, and they are so beautiful that they seem otherworldly.
Such beautiful scenery naturally attracted the attention of many people.
For example, the high-ranking officials and nobles of Sanbo County.
Although the scenery in Sanpo County is beautiful, it is mostly mountainous. People rely on the mountains for their livelihood. Although they have enough to eat and wear, farming is not very good, so tax revenue is not very high.
The county magistrate also had annual performance evaluations. Since the harvest was low, he was unwilling to over-exploit the people, and he always fell behind in the evaluations.
The county magistrate, Shen Jia'an, was thirty-five years old. Last year, he passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). He came from a wealthy peasant family and his life was not particularly poor. He was already satisfied with passing the imperial examination.
He's a decent person, but having a conscience isn't enough! If he can't pass the test of having a conscience and doesn't meet the tax revenue target, he might never be able to advance further in his career.
As a man, he chose to become an official not only to bring honor to his ancestors, but also because he had ideals and ambitions, at least he still does now.
He didn't have such grand ambitions as to enable ordinary people to live a prosperous life, but he hoped that the people could have enough to eat and wear. He also wanted to go further and didn't want to spend his whole life in the position of county magistrate.
Just as Shen Jia'an was secretly worrying, his twelfth daughter, Shen Yuzhen, said during dinner one evening, "Father, Mother, Sister Wan'er invited me to go out to admire the flowers the day after tomorrow."
The sister Wan'er that Shen Yuzhen mentioned was Shen Yuzhen's betrothed sister-in-law, named Zhang Wan'er. She was the eldest daughter of the county magistrate of Sanbo County and would be turning fifteen in a few months. After her coming-of-age ceremony, she would enter the Shen family in about a year or two.
Zhang Wan'er was able to catch the eye of the county magistrate's wife, which was inseparable from her good relationship with Shen Yuzhen.
So, Zhang Wan'er heard from her cousin, who was a businesswoman, that someone had come to Sanbo County and planted many beautiful flowers, which made her want to visit.
Upon hearing this, Madam Shen asked, "To admire flowers? Where to?"
"Sister Wan'er said that someone recently planted hundreds of acres of flowers, and now the flowers are all in bloom. They are very beautiful, and many people have been there. My daughter also wants to go and see them."
I've never heard of this Madam Shen.
Where?
Shen Yuzhen mentioned a place.
Madam Shen then asked, "That flower field is quite far away, no matter how beautiful it is. If we go in the morning, we'll probably be back by noon. Let's just forget about it!"
"Mother, please let me go. The owner of the flower field has built many houses in the flower field and hired many excellent chefs to entertain visitors."
Madam Shen was surprised: "There's even a place to eat!"
"No, that's not all! Not only can I eat there, but I can even stay there for a few days without going back. Mom, please let me go, okay, Mom~~"
After thinking for a moment, Madam Shen nodded in agreement, and then said to her son Shen Yuzhe, "Your mother is busy, and your father is also unavailable. You will accompany your sister the day after tomorrow."
Shen Yuzhe smiled upon hearing this. Going to see his fiancée? Such a good thing! He naturally agreed: "Yes, Mother."
Shen Jia'an didn't talk much about this process, but she was very interested in the flower field her daughter mentioned.
Shen Jia'an is a rare good man in this era. He married his wife when she was still a scholar. The two were in love for many years. Later, she passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi. To this day, no one else has appeared between them.
Over the years, Madam Shen has given birth to two sons and a daughter for Shen Jia'an. The eldest son, Shen Yuzhe, is seventeen years old this year, the second daughter is Shen Yuzhen, and there is also an eight-year-old son, Shen Yujing.
Madam Shen made almost all the decisions in the household, so once she agreed, the matter was settled.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
Shen Yuzhe asked, "Go see why my little sister hasn't come out yet."
He had been waiting at the door for quite a while, but his sister still hadn't arrived. He was getting a little anxious, so he thought of sending someone to check on her.
No sooner had he finished speaking than Shen Yuzhe saw his sister appear from around the corner with two maids, before the attendant who had been ordered to go to the backyard could even take a step.
Now there's no need to ask.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, brother," Shen Yuzhen said, her face slightly flushed and a little embarrassed.
Shen Yuzhe smiled and said, "It's alright, but it's getting late, so we need to hurry."
The two boarded the carriage and headed together to the Zhang residence to pick up Zhang Wan'er.
When they arrived, Zhang Wan'er was already waiting in front of her house. After exchanging pleasantries, Zhang Wan'er got into her family's carriage, and then they set off together for their destination.
Upon arrival, as soon as the carriage stopped, someone came forward to greet them, showing great thoughtfulness and care.
There were people specifically assigned to park the carriages in designated areas, and others to escort them inside.
"Please follow me, gentlemen and ladies."
Such meticulous hospitality was unprecedented, and upon alighting from the carriage, one was greeted by an endless field of flowers, vibrant and colorful, as if transported to a fairyland—indescribably beautiful.
Along the way, the youngest member, Shen Yuzhen, couldn't help but exclaim, "This place is so beautiful! I've never seen so many flowers before!"
Zhang Wan'er chimed in, "It really is beautiful. I initially thought those people were exaggerating, but I never expected such a beautiful scene to actually exist."
The two chatted and laughed, while Shen Yuzhe smiled but remained silent.
The group followed the guide into the house.
"This is the estate built by our master, specifically to entertain guests who come to enjoy the scenery. I wonder if you gentlemen would like to stay overnight, or just have a meal?"
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