Chapter 280: Serving Again
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
After opening the letter and reading it, Xiaoxiao knew that Rong Yan and the others had already arrived at the Luo Prefecture a few days ago. She thought that they would be resisted by Yan Lu, but she did not expect the actual situation to be the complete opposite. Yan Lu surrendered and submitted obediently, making the imperial guards specially sent by the Emperor useless.
Things went smoothly. Rong Yan originally wanted to return to Fortune Village, but an urgent call suddenly came from the Imperial Capital and asked him to return to the capital immediately. Helpless, he could only send a message to Xiaoxiao to prevent her from mistakenly thinking that he had left without saying goodbye.
“When you received this letter, we were probably already on the way back to the Imperial Capital. We didn’t have the time to introduce you to a very important elder. After I bring Yan Lu back to the Imperial Capital, I will definitely officially visit with this elder again.”
Xiaoxiao’s face turned slightly red. Why did she have to visit him? It was not like she did not know him. Why was he talking so seriously?
Yun San said, “Master said to let me stay by Miss’s side in the future. If there’s anything in the future, feel free to instruct me to do it!”
Xiaoxiao asked curiously, “Didn’t we already leave a secret guard behind? If we keep you here, will there be enough people around Little Big Brother in the future?”
Yun San scratched his head. Aiya, Master even told Miss about Ying Zi. Since she was going to be his mistress in the future, he did not have to hide anything from her. “Master has done a good job in capturing Yan Lu this time. His Majesty will definitely reward him when he returns, so he won’t lack people around him. Moreover, the secret guard has already left with Master. He’s good at hiding and it’s inconvenient for him to follow Miss, but he’s more suitable to follow Master than me.”
Xiaoxiao fell into deep thought. “Left?”
If the secret guard had already left, who was the one who had appeared near her from time to time these few days?
Receiving Master’s question, the space immediately dutifully compared the data: [Master, my ingredient identification won’t be wrong. I can be sure that the ingredient, nope, secret guard is nearby.]
Xiaoxiao rested her chin on her hand and looked around fruitlessly before giving up for the time being.
Yun San’s left arm was still recovering. Xiaoxiao thought that she did not have anything to do for the time being, so she sent him back to look after the courtyard and continued to hide under the shadows of the trees.
During Little Big Brother’s absence, everything seemed to be normal, but it also seemed like something was missing. Xiaoxiao walked back and forth between her shop and Mrs. Shen’s elegant abode, and then walked a few rounds to the county. She felt that Xijiang County was much livelier than before.
Although she had lamented about the prosperity of the county when she first arrived, that was compared to Fortune Village. The streets were bustling now, and it was very different from before.
At the thought that she had contributed to this, Xiaoxiao felt proud. However, Xijiang County was only so big. Even if she had more ambitions, she had nowhere to show them for the time being. Thinking about it, some experts were really lonely.
At this moment, an imperial edict landed on Bowen Academy. The emperor ordered Chen Yong to head to Luo Prefecture immediately to deal with the repair of the dam. At the same time, he was also appointed as the new Luo Prefecture Governor.
After hearing this news, the students of the academy suggested holding a farewell party for Teacher Chen.
Shen Tianci, who came to “So It’s You” after school to drink milk tea, pursed his lips. “What are they talking about? There are only a few people in Teacher Chen’s law class. I don’t even know where one of them, Zhao Yan, is. The rest of them are not familiar with Teacher at all. Why are they pretending to miss him?”
Ning Anhui, who was already a mature shopkeeper, replied, “They’re just trying to get close to him. Isn’t it obvious? It’s not the teacher-student relationship that made them miss him, but as a potential connection.”
Her brother had indeed grown up. Xiaoxiao applauded and was flicked on the head.
Ning Ansheng glared at his younger brother. He lifted his sister’s bangs to see if her forehead was red. Ning Anhui felt very aggrieved. “I didn’t even use any strength!” It wasn’t like he was the only one who doted on his sister.
Ning Ansheng didn’t even look at him. He tidied his sister’s hair and said, “Teacher Chen is worried about the repair of the dam. We’ll set off tomorrow.” Xiaoxiao was a little surprised. “So soon?”
Shen Tianci added, “It’s more than that. Because I’m thinking about the dam, the official document for the government office’s recruitment has already been issued.”
Logically speaking, the government would not conscript them again so quickly after the canal was dug. However, special circumstances asked for special measures.
The Dusk River extended from north to south, and there were countless villages along the coast. If the dam collapsed, these commoners would be the first to suffer. Hence, the commoners responded positively. However, they could not help but secretly scold Prefect Yan, who had already been brought back to the Imperial Capital, as they packed their things.
To Xiaoxiao and the rest’s surprise, they heard that their father had also signed up when they returned home.
Ning Fengnian said, “Coincidentally, there’s nothing going on at home recently. One more person will have more strength to repair the dam.”
He was not the only one. Hunter Zhao, who was not at home all year round, was also on the list to go to Luo Prefecture. Xiaoxiao realized that the villagers of Fortune Village were quite enlightened. Other than a few hooligans, no one questioned the fact that there were two conscriptions in a short period of time. Xiaoxiao thought at home for the entire night and went to the houses of people she was familiar with the next day to buy a few sacks of green beans.
Ning Anhui asked her curiously what she wanted to do. Xiaoxiao answered with a bowl of sweet mung bean soup to relieve the heat.
“It’s too hot. I’m worried that everyone will get heatstroke.”
Ning Anhui felt that his younger sister was really the most considerate, kindest, and adorable sister in the world. He did not care if she was his biological daughter. Because he was too proud, he bragged to Shen Tianci. Then, County Magistrate Shen came to look for him before closing time that day.
County Magistrate Shen said that it was a good idea to prepare mung bean soup and other summer relief supplies for the commoners participating in the conscription, but he had to change her method.
Hence, when the commoners of Xijiang County who had volunteered to participate in the repair of the dam were ready to set off, the Ning Family siblings and Madam Song were added to their team.
County Magistrate Shen said that the Ning Family could not help for free, so the county office hired Xiaoxiao.
Actually, it was fine for others to do this, but Xiaoxiao and Madam Song could not bear for Ning Fengnian to be busy alone. After all, they were leaving their village this time. Hence, even if the remuneration was not much, the Ning Family volunteered themselves.
Xiaoxiao and Madam Song didn’t intend to let Ning Anhui follow them, but he, who was usually obsessed with earning money and couldn’t wait to save time to eat and sleep to do business, didn’t hesitate and closed his shop.
In his words, “Silver is nothing compared to family. Big Brother has to study and can’t leave, but I can’t let Mother and Sister work hard while I laze at home.”
Although Madam Song said that he was wasting his time, she actually enjoyed his considerations very much.
Lord Chen could ride a horse to take up his post first, but the citizens who applied could only walk. It was a hot summer day and they had to travel. It would have been miserable, but there was a supply of cold mung bean soup every once in a while. This made everyone look forward to the road ahead. Their heavy legs seemed to have strength again.
“Walk faster. There will be mung bean soup to drink if you go a little further!”
“To say that I’ve participated in so many conscriptions, this is really the first time I’m willing to run on the road..”
