Sun An reached out to hold Huang Sani’s hand and said softly, "The Commandery Princess stayed in Ye County for a few days, and your father did go to the county governnt."
"However, he didn’t even have a chance to make a fuss. As soon as he showed up, soone went to report to Chen Sheren. Chen Sheren ca out personally and gave him a severe scolding. He even had him chased away."
At this point, Sun An glanced at his wife: "I was there at the ti, but I didn’t say anything or acknowledge any kinship. Sani, do you bla ?"
Huang Sani’s expression was calm: "Acknowledge what kinship? That day when he drove out of the house, he no longer recognized as his daughter. Whoever I marry and how I live is my own business. You are not the son-in-law of the Huang Family; you are my husband. There’s no need to have any ties with the Huang Family."
Sun An sighed in relief and wrapped his arms around his wife: "As long as you’re not angry."
Huang Sani nestled in her husband’s arms, her right hand gently stroking her swollen belly. The child within seed to sense it and suddenly moved.
Huang Sani tenderly rubbed her bouncing belly and laughed softly: "The past is the past. Now I have a husband, and in the future, I’ll have my own child. Every day, I eat well and dress warmly, with a monthly allowance. Such good days, I didn’t even dare to dream of. I’m very content."
Sun An laughed, "If this child is a boy, I’ll teach him martial arts so he can grow up to continue serving as a trusted aide to the Commandery Princess."
"A daughter would be good too," Huang Sani dread aloud: "If I have a daughter, I’ll cherish and love her dearly, and never let her go hungry while weaving."
"Exactly," Sun An replied: "If we have a daughter, we’ll send her to the girls’ school in Ye County."
Huang Sani’s eyes lit up: "What’s this about a girls’ school? Quickly, tell all about it."
Sun An smiled and recounted the establishnt of the girls’ school in Ye County.
Huang Sani’s eyes sparkled with longing: "I never thought that girls could attend a school too. Our daughter must go and study."
The young couple whispered to each other, heads touching, and exchanged frequent smiles.
These days were full of flavor and hope.
...
Ti flew by, and two months had passed. It was now May, and the weather was gradually getting hot. Horse hooves clattered, kicking up dust on the official road.
Chen Jinyu coughed as she choked on the dust, and glanced up at the Commandery Princess, noticing worry on her face.
"In these past few months, Nanyang County has only had rain once," Jiang Shaohua sighed softly, "I rember it clearly, the last rain was over a month ago. Now is the crucial ti for the wheat seedlings to grow and spike; without rain, the fields are parched. So counties near the river can fetch water from it, while others that lack water can only dig wells. The people are having a hard ti. This year is destined to be a poor harvest."
Chen Jinyu’s heart felt heavy.
"The farrs rely on the whims of the heavens to farm," Ma Yaosong sighed, joining the conversation: "Fortunately, last year the Commandery Princess issued a decree for each county to stockpile grain. Now, with a considerable amount of grain stored, even if there’s a bad harvest this year, the people won’t go hungry."
Speaking of this matter, one could not forget to ntion the Commandery Princess’s almost legendary "prophetic dream," which had started to be fulfilled.
Lu Cong looked over with eyes full of admiration and respect: "The Commandery Princess is truly extraordinary."
Jiang Shaohua replied calmly, "This was all due to my grandfather’s warning in my dreams, to alert the people of Nanyang."
Lu Cong imdiately corrected himself, "Yes, I misspoke. The Prince’s spirit in heaven always protects Nanyang, ensuring that even in years of drought, Nanyang County remains safe."
Can it really remain safe?
Jiang Shaohua remained silent.
She had known this day would co and had been preparing for the drought for over a year. Yet, now that the mont had arrived, she felt a bit lost and afraid.
Human disasters can be anticipated; natural disasters are beyond control. Even with the utmost preparations, there was little confidence in her heart.
Noticing the Commandery Princess’s slightly gloomy expression, Lu Cong quickly added, "A few days ago, Mr. Cui sent word that the corn and sweet potatoes in the field manor are growing well. In two months, they’ll be ready for harvest. These new crops can be grown on dry land. It seems that heaven is still on Nanyang’s side."
Jiang Shaohua’s eyebrows finally relaxed, and she smiled: "This is all thanks to Mr. Cui’s credit—Commander Song did a great job purchasing seeds in Nanhai County. It has nothing to do with heaven."
Lu Cong laughed and said, "In my opinion, the Commandery Princess deserves the highest credit. Mr. Cui offered advice, and without hesitation, the Commandery Princess sent Commander Song to buy the seeds, allocated silver for Mr. Cui to build greenhouses, and even personally supervised seed selection and seedling cultivation at the manor. As a leader, with such vision and courage, there’s no fear of failures."
If praise could be graded, Lu Sheren’s level would be at the top.
Jiang Shaohua chuckled, "Lu Sheren is quite a talker."
Lu Cong laughed, "I may not be able to lift or carry, my riding skills are average, and I’m not as efficient as the younger people in work. So, all I have left is this thick skin and a heart dedicated to serving the Commandery Princess."
Jiang Shaohua chuckled softly.
Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong exchanged a glance, each secretly unimpressed.
This old fox is truly shaless. Over the months, he has gradually figured out the Commandery Princess’s temperant and preferences, and he accommodates her in everything he does and says.
Jiang Shaohua was aware of the subtle dynamics among the three housekeepers.
In the sa position, who wouldn’t want to take a step further to beco the head of the Commandery Princess’s attendants? The three were openly and secretly competing and vying for position, and she, as the Commandery Princess, could control the balance among them more effectively.
"My Lady, ahead is Zhi County," Chen Jinyu said, looking into the distance and spotting the city gate with his sharp eyes.
Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly and urged her horse forward.
She had already toured twelve counties, leaving only Zhi County and Wuyin County, and finally a trip to the Nanyang Army Camp, completing this year’s inspection.
Counting the ti, she would just make it back to Nanyang before June, in ti for the corn and sweet potato harvest.
Over these past six months, County Magistrate Lei of Zhi County had accomplished much, especially notable was the significant restraint White Cloud Temple had shown under the county governnt’s jurisdiction.
As long as one puts the heart into work, there will always be progress.
"Your servant welcos the Commandery Princess," County Magistrate Lei and a group of officials ca to greet her.
This ti, everyone from the county governnt was present, not one missing.
Jiang Shaohua glanced around and tugged at the corner of her mouth: "Everyone, please dispense with formalities."
Seeing the Commandery Princess’s eyes smile, County Magistrate Lei felt a weight lifted from his heart and respectfully welcod her entourage into the county governnt for resettlent.
County Magistrate Lei wanted to hold a banquet to welco the Commandery Princess, but Jiang Shaohua said, "No need for a banquet. Heaven doesn’t grant rain; the fields are dry, and this year’s wheat will surely be short in yield. If there’s money in the county governnt, stockpile more grain; don’t waste it on food and drink."
Knowing the Commandery Princess’s temperant, County Magistrate Lei dared not ingratiate further and quickly nodded in agreent.
The next day, Jiang Shaohua went to inspect the granary. To her surprise, she found the newly built granaries were full.
"The grain Tang Wu bought was first sent to Bowan County, then to the Personal Guard Camp and Nanyang Army Camp. I recall none was sent to Zhi County, so where did this grain co from?"
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