When it was almost time, Jiang Yuqing found an empty alley and put Bai Xiaoshi into the Spirit Realm. She cast an illusion technique to disguise herself as a middle-aged man.
Following the directions from the man, Jiang Yuqing found the seed shop. Sure enough, in the corner by the door there was a sack, inside which were sprouted potatoes that were nearly all gone.
The owner of the seed shop saw “him” staring at that tattered sack for half a day and curiously came out to ask: “What’s the matter, is there some problem with that stuff?”
Jiang Yuqing looked at him profoundly: “Wasn’t there a man driving a donkey who delivered goods to your family this morning?”
Boss Chang was startled for a moment: “Yes, what about it?”
Jiang Yuqing said: “His donkey ate this stuff and was poisoned to death.”
Boss Chang was shocked: “You can’t just say things like that!”
Jiang Yuqing said: “I’m not making things up. That man took the poisoned donkey to the local clinic, but unfortunately he was too late and the donkey died. I heard it was from eating this stuff that it died, so I was curious and came to take a look.”
Boss Chang said: “This has nothing to do with me, it was that donkey's own choice to eat it. I won't pay compensation!”
Jiang Yuqing said: “I didn’t ask you to compensate. The clinic felt pity for him and already gave him money.” She paused and said: “Are you selling this stuff?”
Boss Chang said: “Didn’t you say this stuff was poisonous? Why do you want to buy it?”
Jiang Yuqing said matter-of-factly: “Naturally it has its uses. Don’t worry, it's not for anything bad.”
Boss Chang was relieved: “No need, I’ll give it to you.” He was afraid that if it was thrown out and killed something else, he would have to compensate them with his own pants. Now someone wanted it, so of course it was best to give it away as fast as possible.
Jiang Yuqing went into the shop and took a look. She saw they were all ordinary vegetable seeds. Thinking of the Spirit Realm where there was still a lot of empty space, she bought some of each kind, intending for Bai Xiaoshi to plant them.
She asked the boss: “Other than these, are there any more special kinds of seeds?”
“Special...” Boss Chang thought for a moment: “There really is a small pouch.” He said to his shop assistant: “Under the stairs in the backyard there’s a small compartment, go get that little cloth bag from it.”
The assistant responded and soon dragged out a dusty sack. Boss Chang untied the rope while saying: “This bag of seeds came from the south last year, mixed in with a pile of other seeds. No one knew what kind of thing it was, but the color looks quite nice.”
Upon opening it, the color was a lustrous yellow. Jiang Yuqing was immediately happy, wasn’t this corn! She really obtained it with barely any effort at all.
She immediately said she wanted all of it. After weighing, there was a total of eighteen catties and seven taels.
Boss Chang was also happy to sell off these goods that had been stuffed away, and he gave a price so cheap that Jiang Yuqing’s jaw dropped.
Until she finished the transaction and left, holding the corn and potato seeds in her hands, she felt as if she were dreaming.
That night when she returned home, Jiang Yuqing personally planted these treasures in the Spirit Realm. She watered them with the spiritual spring water, relying on them to propagate more.
In this way, two more types of summer high-yield grains would be added. For example, in some places in the northwest that were unsuitable for growing rice and sweet potatoes, corn and potatoes could grow very well.
After April, it was May.
In early May, Gongsun Zishu came to bid farewell to Doctor Qiu and Jiang Yuqing. It was because the young master of Wanjian Villa, Gongsun Zishu’s elder brother, was getting married.
After careful consideration, Lu Yisi decided to go back with her.
Although this was not his first time going to Wanjian Villa, it was his first time going there as a fiancé to meet the girl’s family. Naturally, the betrothal gifts could not be shabby.
Gongsun Zishu didn’t care, or perhaps even if she did care she was too shy to say it outright. This Lu Yi guy was completely oblivious. As their master, Doctor Qiu was also clueless.
In order to prevent this guy from being a lifelong bachelor, his senior brothers Tian Guang and Guo Jie, plus his junior sister Jiang Yuqing were truly racking their brains.
Right before these two set off, they barely managed to scrape together betrothal gifts that filled up an entire carriage cart that could not be considered shabby at all. This moved Lu Yisi to the point that he gushed nonstop.
After sending off these two, Jiang Yuqing started counting off the days on her fingers. Her father Jiang Wenyuan’s three year term was up, and it was time for him to go to the capital for his assessment.
Qingzhou.
On this day, May 18th, the newly appointed magistrate of Qingzhou arrived. The new magistrate was from this year’s top scoring new jinshi graduates. He was a few years older than Jiang Wenyuan. Having passed the exams late in life, he was rather arrogant.
But he was quite polite to Jiang Wenyuan. Jiang Wenyuan also implored him to be sure to keep the common people of Qingzhou in his heart.
The new magistrate readily agreed! Whoever caused trouble in his domain that was Qingzhou was seeking death!
Early morning, May 21st.
Jiang Wenyuan brought his wife and sons Jiang Yuchuan and little master Jiang, as well as his in-laws Old Man Hu and Madam Hu, and boarded the carriage heading towards the capital.
As for his two elder sons Jiang Wenkang and Jiang Wenxi, because they held official posts they were unable to leave casually, and thus did not accompany the traveling party.
When the convoy reached the village entrance, they saw the surroundings crowded with villagers who had come to see them off. Everyone chased after the carriage while some shouted: “Young master, travel slowly, safe journeys!”
Some of the older villagers also shouted: “Third son, come back and visit when you have time!” Even more villagers carried baskets to stuff the carriage full of food, boiled eggs, cakes and pastries, steamed cured meats and sausages, and so on.
In that moment, tears streamed down Jiang Wenyuan’s face as he continuously bowed in gratitude to the villagers.
When the convoy reached the three-way intersection at Xiushui bend, his father-in-law Old Master Lu brought his whole family and all the students from the academy to see them off.
The Jiang family quickly alighted to greet them one by one.
Lu’s Mother stroked her daughter’s face, tears brimming as she said: “You are fortunate, you must also live properly after getting to the capital. If you encounter any matters, discuss them carefully with your husband more, and be less temperamental.”
Lu choked back tears as she nodded: “Mm, Mother I will remember.”
After stopping for a while to bid everyone farewell, the carriage set off once more. The students enthusiastically waved towards the carriage: “Senior brothers and sisters, goodbye! Fair winds!”
They had assumed that was it, but it turned out to just be the beginning.
After the carriage left the village and got on the main road, all along the route everywhere they passed was crowded with people.
The common folk waved in farewell, loudly shouting “Magistrate Jiang, fair winds on your travels!” Even more people shouted “Magistrate Jiang, we cannot bear to part with you!” Some even shouted “Magistrate Jiang, stay here!”
When they reached the county seat gates, the newly appointed magistrate along with all the prestigious locals had come, as well as commoners from the whole city.
They had come of their own initiative, holding up a canopy that protected ten thousand.
Jiang Wenyuan received the ten thousand canopy with both hands, and deeply bowed to everyone: “Wenyuan is undeserving of such affection from elders and villagers. Wenyuan now travels far with winding paths between mountains and rivers ahead. I hope everyone will take care.”
An elderly granny said: “Magistrate Jiang, can you not go? We cannot bear to part with you. You were in Qingzhou for three years, allowing us to eat our fill and stand tall...” The granny was unable to finish as she started crying.
No matter how reluctant the commoners were, Jiang Wenyuan still had to leave.
The commoners followed the convoy all the way, sending them off five li outside the north city gates. Watching the gradually disappearing convoy, the commoners knelt in unison: “Long and winding paths between mountains and rivers ahead, we wish you safe travels sir! Take care!”
Inside the carriage, Jiang Wenyuan covered his face with both hands as tears rolled down his chin onto his clothes.
Choking back tears, Lu held her husband in her embrace, lightly patting his back in wordless comfort.
He had merely done what a county magistrate ought to do. How was he deserving of such deep affection from the common folk?
It was only after the convoy had traveled over ten li that Jiang Wenyuan finally regained his composure, hoarsely and somewhat ashamedly saying: “Letting you all see me like that, how embarrassing.”
Old Master Jiang chuckled: “My son being loved by the people, I am genuinely happy for you deep down. You kept the common folk close to your heart, considering them in everything, thus they will also keep you in their hearts. Us country bumpkins never care who becomes Emperor. We only care who can allow us to eat our fill, to not go hungry.”
Truly sincere words.
Traveling with fair winds day after day, after over twenty days they finally arrived at the southern gates of the capital city in the evening of June 15th. The southern gates of the capital city.
After receiving the news, Jiang Yuqing had already brought people here to wait for an entire day.
She now spotted in the distance a convoy of traveling carriages caked with dust heading over. That family’s carriage bore no insignia, yet she recognized the lead carriage driver as being her family’s.
Baby Dumpling immediately happily jumped up and pulled Doctor Qiu, saying, "Master, it's our family's carriage, it's my daddy and mommy who have come! They have come!"
Doctor Qiu chuckled and stroked the little disciple's little head. At such a young age, it was really difficult for her to be separated from her parents.
When the convoy approached, the coachman saw her from afar and cried out in surprise, "I see our family's little young miss and Doctor Qiu too."
Jiang Wenyuan was sitting in the second carriage and also heard the coachman's shout. He immediately lifted the curtain and looked towards the city gate. Sure enough, in the crowd he saw his precious daughter whom he missed day and night.
At this time, Baby Dumpling also saw him and waved hard to him, calling out loudly in her little girl's voice, "Daddy!"
The carriage rushed over, and before it even stopped, Jiang Wenyuan was the first to jump up and run over to hug up his daughter who was rushing towards him.
Baby Dumpling hugged her dad's neck and rubbed her little face against her dad's face over and over again, extremely happy.
After a while, her mommy and her big brother got off the carriage too, and Baby Dumpling gave them a good rub one by one as well. Then it was Jiang's elderly father and old Mrs. Hu.
Jiang Wenyuan stepped forward and bowed deeply to Doctor Qiu, "The esteemed doctor has had a hard time this past year, taking such good care of this well-behaved treasure."
Doctor Qiu waved his hand, "Oh, I'm her master, taking care of her is my duty. Not to mention, the good baby is naturally sensible. Having her by this old man's side, it is I who took advantage of your family."
On the other side, after Baby Dumpling was affectionate enough with everyone, Jiang's family also stepped forward to pay their respects to Doctor Qiu.
Jiang Yuqing also introduced his own family members to Nanny Yan and Er Yu, and the three hurriedly came forward to pay their respects.
After some small talk, everyone got back into the carriages and headed to the Marquis Estate.
Jiang Wenyuan and Lu had seen the blueprint of the Qingzhou Marquis Estate in the capital earlier, and knew that the estate covered an extremely vast area with more than twenty courtyards.
But seeing it on paper was always superficial, and actually seeing it now, they were still shocked. Let alone Jiang's elderly father and old Mrs. Hu, as well as Jiang Yuchuan.
These three people were like Granny Liu entering Grand View Garden, with endless exclamations all the way. Fortunately, the servants of the Marquis Estate had all been properly trained by people from the Eastern Palace, so no one looked down on them because of this.
Jiang Wenyuan and his wife lived in the main courtyard, Yin'an Courtyard. Jiang's elderly father and old Mrs. Hu lived in Jiale Hall behind Yin'an Courtyard. Jiang Yuchuan was arranged to live in Honghu Residence east of Yin'an Courtyard.
That night, Jiang Yuqing had people prepare a sumptuous banquet to receive his parents and relatives who had come from afar. Everyone chatted while eating, talking about things that had recently happened in the capital.
Because Jiang Wenyuan was going to the palace to give thanks tomorrow, Baby Dumpling was worried about her dad and gave careful instructions to her dad and brother.
On her mommy and granny's side, she specifically asked Nanny Yan to come and briefly teach some etiquette. Even if it was just a crash course, it was still better than doing nothing.
After learning for a while, Baby Dumpling decisively urged everyone to go wash up and rest. After hurrying on the road for so many days, they must be exhausted. Especially the elderly couple, who started nodding off after eating.
