Chapter 1010: Chapter 1010: Discussing Marriage Matters Chapter 1010: Chapter 1010: Discussing Marriage Matters “`
The next day, before dawn had broken, Di Yelei, accompanied by Liu Sisi, set out for the county town of Macheng County with Di Xuan.
Waiting until the city gates opened, the carriage entered the city.
Hurrying toward the direction of the county governnt.
The streets of Macheng County’s town were still bustling with its usual comrce, but within the hustle, there was a touch of desolation. Most shops on the street had already opened, yet there were many more beggars with sallow and emaciated faces than before. Upon seeing passersby, they sward forward to beg.
“There are a lot more destitute beggars here, yet Macheng County is far better off than several large nearby counties; places like Yanbian, Daqing, and Liancheng have been hit hardest by disaster, almost nine out of ten hos are empty, giving the sense of a thousand miles without a soul in sight.”
As if understanding what Liu Sisi was thinking, Di Yelei spoke with a heavy heart.
Liu Sisi turned her head, putting down the sedan curtain she had lifted: “How did you co to know of this?”
“I am here precisely on imperial order to deal with these matters.”
Di Yelei turned to look outside the window: “Whether or not it is by imperial command, what Macheng County urgently needs now is a plan for how to deal with these refugees. In fact, County Magistrate Zhu had tried to expel these people from the territory, but it didn’t take long for them to return.”
“This matter isn’t hard to handle; why make such a hassle? Simply take a census of these itinerants, distribute wasteland for them to farm, and promise those willing to stay that, as long as they do, the land they till will be tax-exempt for three years, giving them ti to recuperate and multiply, wouldn’t that be good?”
Liu Sisi spoke off the cuff.
Stunned, Di Yelei faltered for a while before he finally sighed and shook his head.
“Sisi, you being a woman, it’s truly a pity!”
That such excellent strategies should co so easily from her mouth, was it not astonishing?
“If I were a man, then you’d definitely be a woman. What’s there to be so surprised about? If the adults outside heard this, wouldn’t they laugh at us?”
“You dare! If anyone dares to laugh at you, I’ll cut out his tongue!”
Di Yelei said seriously, but then he burst into hearty laughter.
Liu Sisi rolled her eyes repeatedly in response.
In the midst of their laughter and conversation, they soon arrived in front of the county governnt office. County Magistrate Zhu and other officials like him had been waiting there for quite so ti. Seeing the carriage stop in front of them, they hurried forward to pay their respects.
Di Yelei was the first to step down from the carriage, sweeping a glance around him; his facial expression dimd slightly. Then he turned to lift the carriage curtain and helped Liu Sisi out of the carriage.
“Princess Ruyu, Marquis Yongping, please co inside!”
County Magistrate Zhu was secretly surprised, never expecting that Marquis Yongping and Princess Ruyu’s relationship was so endearing.
“County Magistrate Zhu, to disturb you so early in the morning truly requires your forbearance. However, Prince Luo will also be arriving later, so I’m afraid you will need to prepare to welco him earlier,” Di Yelei stated, offering a fist greeting to County Magistrate Zhu.
Prince Luo is also coming? He hadn’t heard a whisper of this before. But since these words ca from Marquis Yongping’s mouth, it was certainly true.
“Your servant will definitely, certainly follow the instructions of the honored officials. I will entertain our distinguished guests well.”
But secretly, he began to sche all sorts of small plans.
Liu Sisi and he were welcod inside. It was clear that this County Magistrate Zhu had much more taste than his predecessors, even the arrangent inside the back office had changed a lot, appearing particularly elegant and unique.
Shortly, a few maids brought in a variety of snacks before withdrawing.
“`
“Princess, Marquis, please don’t be polite, have so snacks to fill your stomachs.”
County Magistrate Zhu greeted the two of them.
“County Magistrate Zhu, you eat too, please, don’t stand on ceremony.”
Just as the three of them were politely declining, a governntal office’s runner ca rushing in, “Old Master, Old Master, a carriage has arrived outside, please go and welco it.”
A pause ca over the actions of the three, indeed, a visitor had arrived!
Before County Magistrate Zhu could go out to greet the visitor, Prince Luo had already arrived at the governntal office’s door with a loud, hearty laugh.
“Princess, Marquis, I haven’t seen you both for many days, and you both seem to be in good spirits! Could it be that so joyful event has co to pass?”
Prince Luo was dressed in a robust outfit, with edges adorned with gold and silver threads, exuding an air of imnse nobility.
Seeing that both Liu Sisi and Di Yelei were present, and even Di Xuan had personally co, a flash of light quickly crossed his eyes—it seed the other party was also sincere in making this happen!
“Indeed, there is a great joyous occasion, and that is precisely why we have specially sent for you, to discuss this very matter.”
Liu Sisi just played along with a laugh, tacitly agreeing.
Di Xuan, with a slightly flushed face, stepped forward and respectfully greeted Prince Luo.
“Prince Luo, Di Xuan offers his respects.”
Conventionally, Di Xuan should be calling him ‘Great-Uncle.’ However, since both families were intending to bond through marriage, the titles naturally needed to change.
“Xuan’er, please rise, sit down, and we’ll talk!”
Prince Luo took a seat opposite Liu Sisi with great aplomb, picked up the teacup that the maid had just served, glanced at County Magistrate Zhu from the corner of his eye, and drank tea in silence.
County Magistrate Zhu was astute; noticing Prince Luo’s expression, he quickly took his leave from the three.
“I just rembered that there are so governntal matters I need to deal with, so I will take my leave first. There are special devices around here, so your voices won’t carry outside. You talk, take your ti talking.”
Everyone naturally did not retain him: “Then thank you for your efforts, County Magistrate Zhu.”
Waiting until only the group of four remained, Di Xuan also stood up wisely, “Dad, mom, Xuan’er heard that there’s a new pastry shop in the South City that makes exceptionally delicious pastries. Allow Xuan’er to go buy so to bring back, so that Prince Luo can also taste the freshness.”
“Hahaha… How thoughtful of Xuan’er, go ahead then!”
Before Liu Sisi and the other could speak, Prince Luo had already taken the lead. He watched Di Xuan with a slight inquisitiveness in his gaze.
Di Xuan’s cheeks were blushing as he bid farewell to the three of them and fled the governntal office as if granted a great pardon. Only after the burning sensation on his face had subsided considerably did he turn and head towards the South City. Indeed, the new pastry shop in the South City was quite good, but there was no need for him to travel such a distance to buy things personally.
It was rely an excuse to leave, they did not need to care about the particulars.
Walking leisurely as if he were riding in a carriage, he made his way towards the shop. Once inside, he purchased one pack of each type of pastry available, then strolled back towards the governntal office at a leisurely pace.
There were still so familiar faces among the constables in the governntal office, who approached Di Xuan to greet him as they ca near.
Di Xuan intentionally dawdled, chatting with the people about this and that. Only when he saw Da Niu coming out to look for soone did he finally bid them farewell and knocked on the door inside.
“Dad, mom, Prince Luo, Xuan’er thought that all these pastries looked very delicious, so I bought so of each kind. Please have a taste.”
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