Ji Fengyao was very pleased with Su Rujing's heartfelt concern. She affectionately hugged Su Rujing's arm and patiently explained to her the experiences and current situations of Qian Yingying, Bai Rumei, and Shanyu Heye, who was not present.
Hearing that Shanyu Heye and Wushang were already in love, Su Rujing finally felt relieved.
Outside, there was a great commotion, with people making noise and chickens and sheep being slaughtered.
The mother and daughter couldn't stay in the tent all the time, so they changed into civilian clothes and came out to help.
Everyone was building stoves and starting fires.
Ji Fengyao and Su Rujing looked around and distributed the seasonings they had developed, and helped cook the dishes.
The unprecedented aroma of the food quickly filled the air around the camp, making everyone's mouths water.
The women, especially those from the mulberry grove, were all gossiping amongst themselves:
"I never imagined that the Ninth Princess Consort had such skills. She is truly unlike those pretentious daughters of officials."
"I heard that our princess is a former bandit!"
"Oh, don't you know? Those bandits have been staying at your house for days!"
"What? The people living in my house are bandits?"
"Didn't you hear what the Ninth Princess called them? Father, Mother, Uncle, Aunt, etc. If the Ninth Princess was a bandit, then aren't those people bandits too?"
“Oh my goodness, they’re nothing like bandits. They’re so generous and easygoing, and they’re just like my husband. All my men adore them.”
The women were gossiping on one side, and many of the men in the mulberry grove heard it too.
One of them patted Ji Chenhai on the shoulder and said, "Brother, so you used to be bandits."
Ji Chenhai didn't mince words and answered directly: "Yes, there are many corrupt gentry and officials in that area. Only by taking advantage of their resources can we support this group of orphans, widows, and children."
"If you ask me, those corrupt officials, even if they robbed us, it was because they were acting on behalf of Heaven. If it weren't for the fact that we're so poor here, and those yamen staff are still eating only vegetables and thin porridge, and there's really no one to rob, I would have gone and become a bandit myself, robbing the rich to help the poor," the group of mulberry officials around them laughed heartily.
Ji Chenhai clapped his hands and said, "Things will be better from now on. Now that our Xiao Jiu is here, everyone's life will definitely be easier. However, those corrupt officials in the capital will definitely not let our Xiao Jiu live a good life. They may come to harass us from time to time. Everyone should be more tolerant of them and not blame our Xiao Jiu."
Upon hearing this, the surrounding mulberry officials all said:
"No, Cangzhou is the fiefdom of the Ninth Prince, so he is our local official, and we are all one family!"
"I'm afraid he won't come. If those corrupt officials dare to come, I'll rob them one by one!"
"That's right. If we strip off just one piece of their clothing, it'll be enough for our whole family to eat for half a year. We'd be lucky to rob them to death!"
Ji Chenhai clapped his hands and laughed loudly, "Well said! That's exactly what I told them when I left the capital. If they want to cause trouble for us, tell them to bring more silver with them."
The man clapped his hands and shouted, "Since everyone is so in agreement, why don't we join your Vulture Stronghold and fight bandits together? What do you all think?"
The other mulberry officials immediately responded:
"Alright! Let's all join Vulture Stronghold!"
"Yes! Let's all fight the bandits together!"
Wei Shu passed by and, seeing this scene, his lips twitched.
This Lord Ji is truly a talent. If things continue like this, Cangzhou will soon become his den of bandits!
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