Ch 66: The Regent’s Farmer Husband

Jiang Yan poured a basin of water and washed the watermelon clean. Lu Jiu looked curiously at the green, round thing. “Young master, what is this?”

“A watermelon.”

Jiang Xia had gone to the river to wash clothes. Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei were playing by the courtyard gate. Jiang Yan raised his voice and called out, “Jiang Nan, Jiang Bei, come back and eat watermelon.”

At that, the two of them shot back in a flash.

Jiang Nan said excitedly, “Brother Jiang Yan, is the watermelon ripe?!”

Jiang Bei’s eyes sparkled. “Can we really eat it now?”

“Mm, it should be ripe.” Jiang Yan nodded.

He put the watermelon on the chopping board, rinsed the kitchen knife, then cut the melon down the middle. Red flesh, plump black seeds, and the watermelon’s unique sweet, cool fragrance spilled out.

“Wow, it really is ripe!”

“That’s great, we can eat it!”

The two little ones were overjoyed, waiting for Jiang Yan to cut the melon into wedges. He handed each of them a slice, and they immediately started eating.

“So sweet!”

“So tasty!”

Tasting watermelon again made them ridiculously happy, bite after bite.

Jiang Nan grabbed another slice. “I’ll bring one to big brother.”

“I’ll do it. You eat yours,” Jiang Yan said, taking the slice from Jiang Nan and putting it on a plate. He added another slice, then covered two more pieces with a bowl to save for Jiang Xia and Zhao Ru.

Then he said to Lu Jiu, “Take these and share them with everyone. Only eat the red part. Don’t eat the green rind. Spit out the seeds.”

With that, Jiang Yan carried the plate into the room.

It was Lu Jiu’s first time eating this thing. He took a piece and cautiously bit into it.

“!” Lu Jiu’s eyes went wide instantly. “My heavens, this melon!”

Jiang Nan grinned. “Isn’t it really good?”

“It’s amazing!” Lu Jiu nodded excitedly.

Jiang Bei puffed out his little chest proudly. “My brother brought it back!”

Lu Jiu was startled again. “This was brought back by your brother too?”

“Mm! And lots of other things too. Sweet potatoes, corn, potatoes, all really good. Chili peppers too,” Jiang Bei said.

“Incredible!”

Lu Jiu put the watermelon on a tray and carried it off to share with Lu Wu and the guards.

Everyone reacted just like Lu Jiu had, full of surprise.

The texture was refreshing, sweet and juicy, with a cool sensation.

“What’s this melon called?”

“Watermelon!”

“So good!”

In the room, Jiang Ji lay on his bed gnawing on watermelon. “First time growing it. Not bad. Pretty sweet.”

Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei ran in and leaned by the bed, eating together.

Jiang Ji continued, “Later, while the sun’s not too strong, pick a few more and put them in the well to cool. They’ll taste even better, better texture too. Once we move to the new house, we’ll keep them cooled in the well.”

Jiang Yan liked listening to Jiang Ji talk about these things. Just hearing it gave him a sense of happiness.

Jiang Nan asked, “Brother Jiang Yan, are you going to pick more later?”

“Mm.”

“I want to go too!”

Jiang Bei said, “Me too!”

Jiang Ji reminded them, “You don’t know how to tell if they’re ripe yet. Don’t pick any yourselves. Only pick when Jiang Yan says you can.”

“Okay!” The two answered in unison.

Jiang Yan added, “The tomatoes aren’t fully ripe yet. They’re not very red. There’s still a big green-yellow ring near the stem.”

“Then wait a few more days.”

Jiang Ji went on explaining how to tell if a watermelon was ripe. “Another way is to look at the stem. If it’s straight, it’s usually not fully ripe. If it’s curved, it’s ripe. Whether it’s sweet or not, you can also tell by the patterns on the rind. See, the ones with clear, regular patterns are sweet. Messy ones aren’t as good…”

Jiang Yan memorized all of it.

Jiang Ji finished his watermelon and went biu-biu-biu, spitting the seeds into the plate. Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei stared, fascinated, then copied him, leaning their little heads over the plate to spit seeds. Some bounced out, some landed on Jiang Yan who was holding the plate.

Jiang Yan: “……”

Jiang Ji said in disgust, “You two, go spit outside.”

Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei giggled and ran out to the main hall doorway.

“Brother Lu Wu, look!”

After taking a bite, Jiang Nan pursed his lips and went biu-biu-biu. The black seeds flew four or five feet away.

“Oh, that’s far!” The guards clapped nearby.

Jiang Bei refused to be outdone. Biu-biu-biu.

“Not bad!” More clapping.

It inexplicably turned into a seed-spitting contest.

The doorway was full of laughter until Jiang Yan came out carrying two baskets.

Jiang Nan’s eyes lit up. “Brother Jiang Yan, are you going to pick melons?”

“Mm. Are you coming?”

“Yes!” Jiang Bei grabbed one basket. “I’ll carry this one!”

Jiang Nan grabbed the other. Lu Wu and another guard followed them.

The watermelon field covered four mu. Among the lush green leaves and vines, large watermelons appeared here and there.

Jiang Yan walked through the field with scissors in hand, occasionally squatting down to tap a melon.

Jiang Nan, Jiang Bei, and Lu Wu walked along the ridges. Jiang Nan asked, “Brother Jiang Yan, found one yet?”

“Mm. Come here,” Jiang Yan said, squatting in front of a watermelon about the size of a small pot.

Jiang Nan immediately said to Jiang Bei, “I’ll pick this one first. You pick the next.”

Jiang Bei nodded. Jiang Nan, carrying his basket, carefully stepped into the field, avoiding the vines and melons, and stopped in front of Jiang Yan, setting the basket down.

Jiang Yan handed him the scissors and pointed at the already curved stem. “Cut here.”

Jiang Nan gripped the scissors. Snip. The stem was cut. He stared at the watermelon and grinned foolishly, not sure why, just extremely excited.

“Hehe, Brother Jiang Yan, I cut it!”

Jiang Yan glanced at him. “Can you carry it?”

“I can!”

Lu Wu came in holding the basket. Jiang Nan set the scissors aside, wrapped both arms around the watermelon, and heaved.

“So heavy!”

The one he picked was at least twelve or thirteen jin. It was a struggle. Jiang Yan quickly reached out to support the bottom. Lu Wu took the basket, and only then did Jiang Nan manage to place the watermelon inside.

He even volunteered eagerly. “I’ll carry it.”

Lu Wu raised an eyebrow. “You sure you can?”

“I can!”

Lu Wu helped him sling the basket onto his back. His small shoulders sank at once. Jiang Nan quickly leaned forward to steady himself and trudged toward the field ridge, one foot deep, one foot shallow.

After a while, Jiang Bei also picked a watermelon and carried it out.

The third watermelon was carried out by Lu Wu himself. He looked at Jiang Nan. “Put the basket down.”

Jiang Nan nodded and squatted. The basket landed on the ground.

Lu Wu placed the melon inside. Jiang Nan tried to hoist it again. Heave. It wouldn’t budge.

Heave again… his little face turned red with effort. He swayed and staggered, about to fall.

Lu Wu reacted quickly, grabbing the strap and lifting it up with one hand. “That’s enough. I’ll take it.”

Jiang Nan had to concede. “…It’s too heavy.”

“You’re still so little.”

Lu Wu carried the basket with one hand. Jiang Nan’s eyes went wide. “Wow, Brother Lu Wu, you’re just like Brother Jiang Yan. You’re both so strong!”

“Mm. When you grow up, you’ll be able to lift it too.”

Jiang Yan came out holding another watermelon. Jiang Bei, very self-aware, immediately set his basket down.

Another guard came over and picked up the basket. The group headed back.

The village head happened to be coming over to look at the watermelon field. Seeing them carrying melons, he asked, “Jiang Yan, are the watermelons ripe enough to eat?”

“Mm. Some of the first batch are ripe, not many yet,” Jiang Yan replied. “Jiang Ji said that in a couple of days, once we’ve finished moving, we’ll have the restaurant people come pick some to try selling. Village head, you and Uncle Tugen can check yours too. I’ll tell you how to tell if they’re ripe.”

“Wait a moment.” The village head walked around, spotted Tugen in the tomato field, and called him over.

Jiang Yan explained how to tell if a watermelon was ripe. “You can pick one to try as well.”

Their three households had planted together, so the watermelons were at similar stages of growth.

“Alright. I’ll pick one later and take it home. This afternoon I’ll go ask Jiang Ji about how to sell them,” the village head said. Then he added, “The rice seedlings in the fields have grown a bit. Should we drain some water and let the field dry for two days?”

It was only the second time using this semi-dry, semi-wet seedling method. The village head was still not fully sure when to dry the field and when to flood it.

Jiang Yan nodded. “Mm. I just took a look. They’re growing faster than in spring. I’ll ask Jiang Ji when we get back.”

“Alright. Is he doing better?”

“The wounds are healing.”

“That’s good.”

Lu Wu watched his prince speak so naturally with the villagers. His feelings were complicated, all mixed together. If it were before, he would never have believed it even if beaten to death: his prince blending into village life this smoothly.

Not only could he light fires and cook, he could do all kinds of farm work.

He wondered what Lord and Madam would feel if they saw this.

When they returned, Jiang Ji was asleep.

Jiang Yan washed the watermelons clean and placed them in a bucket, cooling them with well water.

Jiang Xia finished hanging up the laundry and saw they had brought back melons. “They’re ready to eat?”

“Yes,” Jiang Nan reported happily. “We just ate one. Second sister, there are pieces left for you and Mom on the chopping board.”

“Alright.” Jiang Xia set the basin down. Sure enough, there were two slices on the board. She washed her hands and took one to eat.

Jiang Bei asked, “Second sister, isn’t it really sweet?”

“Mm.” Jiang Xia caught the seeds in her hand and nodded with a smile.

After Jiang Xia finished eating, Jiang Yan called Jiang Xia, Jiang Nan, and Jiang Bei into the main hall and taught them new characters.

On the days they weren’t attending school, Jiang Yan taught them new words according to the books.

Lu Jiu and Lu Wu looked at their regent and fell silent.

Jiang Xia was older than Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei, with better memory and self-discipline. After months of study, her progress was much faster. In addition to what was taught in class, Jiang Yan taught her twice as many characters as he taught Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei.

At noon, while eating, Jiang Yan discussed with Jiang Ji, “Xia’er learns quickly. Studying with Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei is a bit of a waste of time. After this year, let Xia’er go study with Master Wang instead.”

“Alright.” Jiang Ji nodded. “I was also thinking whether to send them to school in town. What do you think?”

“Do you want to move to town?” Jiang Yan asked.

Jiang Ji shook his head. “Not really. But the teachers in town are a bit better. It’s just that if they attend school in town, Xia’er and the others would have to live there. Otherwise it wouldn’t be convenient.”

Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei were still young. Jiang Ji wanted the family to stay together as much as possible.

Jiang Yan thought for a moment. “Or you could invite a tutor to teach them at home.”

“Invite a tutor?” Jiang Ji’s eyes widened. “Just three students? Private tutoring?”

Jiang Yan said, “Didn’t Lu Jiu say that big households with many children usually hire tutors to teach them at home?”

Jiang Ji thought it over. “That could work. There are also two other kids in the village who go to school with Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei. When they’re older, we can send them to town then.”

After the meal, Zhao Ru came to discuss the housewarming arrangements with Jiang Ji. Because Jiang Ji was injured and they still had to guard against bandits, and because there was so much to do on moving day, they decided to hold the housewarming feast after Jiang Ji recovered. However, on the day they moved in, they still needed to perform the house-entry rituals, which required buying many items.

The next day, the new house was finished. Master Zheng and the others began cleaning. Jiang Ji had someone go to town to inform the furniture shop owner and arrange for delivery the next day.

Jiang Ji also invited the village head over and made a list of items needed for the house-entry rituals. The next day, he had Uncle Tugen take a guard along to purchase them.

On the day before the move, Master Zheng and his crew had finished cleaning and withdrawn.

One person was left to watch the old house. Everyone else went to the new house. Jiang Ji sat in a chair, and Lu Jiu and Lu Wu carried him over to the new place.

Master Zheng and his crew had cleaned quite thoroughly, but Zhao Ru and Jiang Xia still brought people to go over everything once more, cleaning it spotless and bright in preparation for the house entry ceremony the next day.

While the others were cleaning the back courtyard, Jiang Yan supported Jiang Ji into the main residence. This was where they themselves would live: six bedrooms, three studies, and a central hall.

Room by room, Jiang Ji redeemed furniture from the system. All of it was top grade huanghuali wood.

Beds, wardrobes, dressing tables, desks, bookcases, luohan couches, tables and chairs. Everything was complete.

Looking at the neat row of huanghuali furniture, Jiang Ji broke into a grin.

“So pretty.”

Jiang Yan nodded as well, a smile in his eyes. “It really is.”

“Jiang Ji, the furniture shop people have arrived,” Lu Jiu reported from the doorway.

“Oh, let them in,” Jiang Ji said as he went out. “Have them set everything up in every room that’ll be lived in.”

The furniture shop owner from town brought over more than a dozen cartloads of furniture, borrowing several donkey carts. It took the entire day to finish installing everything, finally wrapping up this large order.

On the day of moving in, just as dawn was breaking, everyone in Jiang Ji’s household was already up and busy.

Jiang Ji led the family in offering incense to their ancestors, then went to the ancestral hall to inform them that from today onward, they would be moving into a new home.

After that, Jiang Yan carried a shoulder pole with rice containing gold and silver ingots. Jiang Ji held new clothes. Jiang Nan hugged a bundle of new shoes. Jiang Bei carried a small basket of fruits, vegetables, and meat. Jiang Xia carried two small baskets of new bowls and chopsticks. Zhao Ru carried two safes wrapped in red silk, filled with silver notes.

Lu Jiu, Lu Wu, and the other guards followed along carrying new quilts, pots, bowls, and other household items.

When they reached the gate of the new house, Jiang Ji saw the village head, Uncle Tugen, Aunt Xiufang, Tao’er, and several other villagers waiting with gifts.

Jiang Ji curved his lips, feeling a quiet warmth.

“Lu Jiu, light the firecrackers!”

“Got it!”

Lu Jiu and Lu Wu hung the firecrackers on both sides of the gate and lit them with a fire starter.

Crack crack crack.

Jiang Ji led the way into the new house. “May everything go smoothly!”

Jiang Nan followed with a grin. “Good fortune and prosperity!”

Jiang Bei stepped in. “Smooth sailing all the way!”

Zhao Ru said, “Peace and safety for the household!”

Jiang Xia said, “May wealth pour in!”

Jiang Yan said, “Happiness and good health!”

Each person entering added a line of auspicious words. Laughter and blessings filled the air.

Once inside, they set the items down. Zhao Ru and Jiang Xia went to the back kitchen to boil water for tea and cook sweet dumplings. Aunt Xiufang took Tao’er to help.

Jiang Ji and Jiang Yan greeted everyone in the main house. Lu Jiu and the others laid out tea and snacks as everyone toured the place.

“Wow, what kind of wood is this table made of? It’s so shiny!”

“The color of this wood is beautiful.”

“Hey, this is top grade huanghuali!”

“What? This is huanghuali?”

“My heavens, then this one too?”

“So pretty. No wonder it’s so expensive!”

“These east and west wings are really spacious, almost the same as the main house.”

“They’ve got the land for it, that’s why they could build it so big.”

Lu Jiu and Lu Wu were well traveled, but even they were surprised by the furniture in the main courtyard rooms.

All of it was top grade huanghuali.

So Jiang Ji’s family was actually quite well off.

The villagers continued touring the other rooms.

“So spacious!”

“So many rooms. Their family’s grown big. They won’t have trouble fitting everyone anymore.”

“Wow, look at the guest room furniture. That’s really nice too.”

Aside from the owners’ rooms, all the other rooms used the same materials and styles, still the best ordinary people could reasonably use.

“Hey, this wardrobe is great,” a villager said. “We should use this kind in the future. The style’s really nice.”

“This dressing table is pretty too.”

After touring the residence, they went to look at the livestock yard.

“Is this row for stables?”

“Must be. They’ve got a lot of horses now.”

“So spacious. A house really needs this much room to live comfortably.”

“Aren’t you building a new house too? Build it bigger.”

“Ah, that costs money.”

“What’s there to worry about? Grow rice and sweet potatoes another year or two and you’ll be able to build one. Jiang Ji said sweet potatoes, corn, and potatoes can be promoted nationwide. Everyone will need to buy seed from us.”

“Right. Next year we can grow chilies, watermelons, and the like too. That’ll make money.”

“Just follow Jiang Ji’s lead. Sooner or later everyone can build a big tiled house.”

“After I sell grain seed and sweet potatoes this autumn, I’ll probably be able to build too.”

“My family will build next year.”

After a good long tour, Zhao Ru and the others finished making the sweet dumplings. Today was just the house entry. The formal housewarming feast would be held in a few days.

Everyone shared the dumplings, sweet and symbolic of togetherness.

As the morning sun rose, everyone finished eating and went home.

Jiang Yan led the others back to continue moving.

After discussing it, they decided not to bring the old furniture. They carried the remaining items, led the oxen and horses, herded the ducks, and Uncle Tugen and the others helped move the threshing machine and wooden materials over.

It took about an hour to move everything, and another half hour to put things in order.

Zhao Ru and Jiang Xia took two rooms in the main house. Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei would live on one side and chose the west wing. Jiang Ji and Jiang Yan took the east wing.

The guards lived in the inverted rooms of the front courtyard. There were four rooms, just right for two people per room.

At noon, they cooked a full table of good dishes and held a small celebration first.

Just as they were about to eat, Chen Feng and Lu Wen returned.

The two of them went to the old house first. One look, and it was empty.

Both were stunned. How could everyone be gone?

After asking a passing villager, they learned that Jiang Ji’s family had moved into their new house today.

They hurried over, dusty from the road, and were taken aback by the scale of the new residence.

Chen Feng asked Lu Jiu, “Is this really Jiang Ji’s home?”

“Yes. Otherwise how could they move in?” Lu Jiu fully understood his confusion. “Didn’t expect it, did you?”

Chen Feng nodded. “Still, it’s a good thing. At least His Highness will be more comfortable here.”

Lu Jiu nodded as well. That thatched cottage had been far too shabby. His Highness had even had to squeeze into one bed with Jiang Ji.

Chen Feng and Lu Wen went first to see their lord.

They found him in the left room of the east wing, with Jiang Ji lying on the bed.

Seeing the two of them, Jiang Ji was startled. They were dressed in the most ordinary gray hemp clothes, unshaven, faces smeared with dust. They looked as bedraggled as could be.

Jiang Ji asked with concern, “Are you two alright?”

Chen Feng shook his head. “We’re fine. Just didn’t have time to wash up these past few days.”

“Oh, that’s good.” Jiang Ji let out a breath, then hurriedly asked, “How did it go? Did you find out everything? Did you get evidence?”

Chen Feng first saluted His Highness, then reported, “It’s all been confirmed.”

He took an account book and several small slips of paper from his chest and handed them to His Highness. “Hu Yuanwu does indeed have dealings with the mountain bandits. Every year the bandits give Hu Yuanwu fifty thousand taels of silver in exchange for protection. It’s been four years now. Your kidnapping was also based on information provided from Hu Yuanwu’s side.”

Jiang Yan looked at the ledger and notes, his brow knitting tightly.

“So it really was him.” Jiang Ji snorted coldly. “Anyone else involved? What about the lower county offices?”

Chen Feng replied, “The magistrate of Huawen County is one of them.”

Jiang Ji asked, “And the magistrate of Changping?”

“The Changping magistrate isn’t on the list,” Chen Feng said. “From what we overheard, they actually resent him. They tried to bribe him before and failed.”

Jiang Ji and Jiang Yan exchanged a glance, relieved.

Chen Feng continued, “Their leader has been captured, and the bandits are in chaos. They’ve split into two factions. One wants to storm the county office to rescue their leader. The other supports a different man as leader. Neither side will give in, so they’re at a standoff. For now, they don’t have the capacity to come here for revenge.”

Jiang Ji’s eyes lit up. “Isn’t that the perfect time to wipe them out?”

“Exactly.” Chen Feng looked to his lord. “Your Highness, we need you to handwrite a letter. I’ll take it to the provincial governor so he can dispatch troops as soon as possible.”

Jiang Yan nodded.

Lu Jiu hurried over to grind ink. Jiang Yan sat at the table and began writing.

Jiang Ji said, “You’ve worked hard. Go wash up and get ready to eat. Today’s our house entry.”

Chen Feng looked at His Highness. Jiang Yan tipped his chin slightly. “Go.”

“Yes.” The two followed Lu Wu to wash and rest.

After Jiang Yan finished the letter, Jiang Ji glanced at it and asked, “Do you need any token to go with it?”

Lu Jiu answered from the side, “No need. Governor Fan recognizes His Highness’s handwriting. He’s seen His Highness’s memorials. He can tell at a glance.”

“Aren’t you worried someone might imitate the handwriting?” Jiang Ji asked.

Lu Jiu said, “Chen Feng and Lu Wen are delivering it personally. How could it be fake? And besides, suppressing bandits is a good thing for the governor.”

Jiang Ji nodded. “True enough. It’s a major merit. If it’s done well, there’s nothing to lose.”

Lu Jiu smiled. “Exactly as Jiang Ji says.”

Jiang Ji sighed. “I just hope this gets resolved quickly and those tumors are cut out.”

Jiang Yan’s expression was cold and stern. “Mm.”

…

At noon, everyone ate together in a lively atmosphere.

After the meal, Chen Feng and Lu Wen took the ledger and letter, changed to fresh horses, and rode off at full speed.

That night, after Jiang Ji finished wiping down and lay back, Jiang Yan soon returned from pouring out the water and set his own pillow beside Jiang Ji’s.

Jiang Ji looked at him.

Jiang Yan lowered his gaze and said softly, “Your injuries aren’t healed yet. I need to keep an eye on you.”

Jiang Ji’s wounds were healing, and he could get out of bed and walk, but he still didn’t dare move too much, afraid the wounds might split. At the same time, they itched, making him want to scratch them.

This was when he needed Jiang Yan nearby to remind him and stop him.

Jiang Ji curved his lips slightly. “Mm. Thank you.”

…

The next morning, Zhao Ru went to wake Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei and discovered that Jiang Bei had run over to sleep with Jiang Nan.

They talked about it at breakfast.

Jiang Bei pursed his lips, fidgeted a little, and said shyly, “I just… I just woke up in the middle of the night. The room was too big, and I was alone. I got a little scared, so I went to sleep with Jiang Nan.”

Jiang Nan grinned. “I wasn’t scared at all. I didn’t even know you came over.”

“That’s because you didn’t wake up in the middle of the night,” Jiang Bei protested. “Try waking up and see.”

Jiang Nan shot back, “Why would I wake up in the middle of the night? Isn’t sleeping straight through till morning better?”

Jiang Bei fell silent.

Jiang Ji raised an eyebrow. “Weren’t you pretty happy yesterday, Jiang Bei?”

“I was happy,” Jiang Bei pouted. “But what does that have to do with being scared at night?”

Jiang Ji paused. “You’re right.”

Zhao Ru laughed. “Alright, alright. Since Jiang Bei is scared, let’s move his bed into Jiang Nan’s room and have you sleep together. How about that?”

Jiang Bei nodded. “Okay.”

“Jiang Nan, you’re willing, right?” Zhao Ru asked.

Jiang Nan thought for a moment, then sighed. “Alright. Guess I don’t have a choice, since I’m your older brother.”

Jiang Bei: “……”

Jiang Ji: “……”

Everyone else: “……”

After breakfast, the guards helped move Jiang Bei’s bed into Jiang Nan’s room.

…

Four days later, Hu Yuanwu, the prefect, was taking his midday nap in the rear residence, arms around a concubine, when the door was suddenly kicked open with great force.

“Which blind fool is this? Don’t you see—”

Hu Yuanwu jolted awake, sat up in anger, and met the sharp, disgusted gaze of Governor Fan.

“Y-Your Excellency?!”

Hu Yuanwu was so shocked he rolled off the bed, not even having time to put on clothes before hastily kneeling to salute. “This subordinate greets Your Excellency. I did not know you were coming. M-may I ask why you are here?”

“Hmph!” Governor Fan flicked his sleeve. “Hu Yuanwu, Prefect of Yunzhou, colluding with mountain bandits, accepting bribes, harming the people, and betraying your duty as a parent-official!”

“Men, seize him. Seal his residence. Once the facts are fully verified, send him to the capital for trial!”

Hu Yuanwu was completely stunned, then hurried to protest. “Your Excellency! I’ve been wronged!”

“Wronged?” Governor Fan snorted and took out a ledger, flipping it open and placing it before him. “This was personally investigated by the Regent. The evidence is conclusive. You think you can still claim injustice?”

Hu Yuanwu froze. “T-the Regent?” How could the Regent know?

“Hmph! Hu Yuanwu, you’d better confess honestly. Otherwise, you’ll only suffer more,” Governor Fan said coldly.

Hu Yuanwu’s body trembled. He still couldn’t understand why the Regent would suddenly investigate his dealings with the bandits.

“Your Excellency, I truly have been wronged. Could the Regent have mistaken the person?”

Governor Fan sneered. “The evidence is right in front of you. Where’s the mistake? Not only did you take bribes, you also instructed the bandits to kidnap Jiang Ji. You knew full well how important Jiang Ji is to us. Have you lost your mind?”

At the mention of Jiang Ji, Hu Yuanwu suddenly recalled a guess his advisor had once voiced.

The advisor had said that the man called Jiang Yan looked very much like the Regent.

Cold sweat instantly broke out on Hu Yuanwu.

Could it be… could it be that Jiang Yan really was the Regent? Otherwise, how would the Regent in distant Jing have known about the bandits?

With that thought, despair washed over him.

He looked again at the ledger. The pages clearly recorded year by year, date by date, how much silver had been delivered to Prefect Hu Yuanwu.

Hu Yuanwu’s eyes went wide. Those damned bandits, why keep such accounts?!

Utterly foolish!

In a sudden lunge, he tried to snatch the ledger.

Governor Fan quickly stepped back two paces. A soldier nearby kicked Hu Yuanwu hard, then rushed forward to restrain him.

Governor Fan waved his hand. “Take him away!”

Unable to seize the evidence, Hu Yuanwu was dragged off by the soldiers, his face ashen.

At the same time, the bandits of Skull Mountain were met by three thousand elite troops stationed in Linzhou. In a little over an hour, Skull Mountain was completely cleared. Of the more than two hundred bandits, most were eliminated; the rest threw down their weapons and surrendered.

Many innocent women were rescued from the mountain at last and could finally return home.

…

The next day, Jiang Ji and the others learned that the bandits of Skull Mountain had been wiped out.

Jiang Ji could already get out of bed. He hugged Jiang Yan and jumped in excitement. “That’s great, that’s great!”

“Double good news! Tomorrow we’ll hold the housewarming banquet and celebrate the bandits’ elimination at the same time!”

Jiang Yan looked at Jiang Ji clinging to him and shouting nonstop, amusement in his eyes. He steadied him with an arm and reminded gently, “Don’t jump. Be careful your wounds don’t split.”

“I’m just so happy, hahaha!”

The following day, Jiang Ji’s family hosted a banquet for the entire village. Jiang Ji Dining Hall closed for the day, and everyone came to help and attend the housewarming feast.

Magistrate Xu and Lord Chen from the county office came as well, along with Master Lin from the Lin household.

The courtyard was filled with tables, all laden with the most popular dishes from Jiang Ji Dining Hall’s menu.

With the threat of bandits gone, everyone drank to their hearts’ content.

Master Lin sighed to Magistrate Xu, “No more fear of being robbed by bandits on the road.”

Magistrate Xu nodded. “At last, the people of these two counties have their safety back.”

“And we don’t have to worry about bandits coming to the village anymore!”

Jiang Ji stood up boldly with a cup of tea in hand, planted one foot on a stool, and raised his cup. “Today’s a happy day. Everyone drink freely! Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

Wine cups were raised, wine bowls were lifted, and everyone drained them in one go.

Since Jiang Ji was still injured, no one tried to ply him with alcohol. He used tea in place of wine and drank his entire cup as well.

Jiang Yan: “……”

Jiang Ji poured himself another cup of tea and clinked it against Jiang Yan’s wine cup. “Cheers.”

Jiang Yan laughed softly and shook his head, but still raised his cup and drank.

After sitting back down, Jiang Ji leaned close to Jiang Yan’s ear and whispered, “Lu Jiu said your alcohol tolerance is pretty good. Turns out it’s true.”

Jiang Yan asked quietly, “What else did he tell you?”

These past few days, whenever Jiang Ji had time, he would corner Lu Jiu and ask about Jiang Yan.

Jiang Ji chuckled and replied, “He said that before, when a woman wrote you a love poem, you didn’t even read it. You sent it straight back. Not romantic at all.”

“You think that’s unromantic?” Jiang Yan asked.

“No.” Jiang Ji shook his head and smiled at him. “You handled it perfectly.”

He leaned in again and whispered, “That’s what I like about you. Clean, decisive, no dragging things out.”

Jiang Yan’s brows lifted slightly. His ear felt warm, tingling a little.

When Jiang Ji pulled back, he stared in surprise at Jiang Yan’s ear.

The tip of it was red.

🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾

Thandar: Lots of stuff going on with school. So sorry about the delay in new updates. I just managed to translate these few chapters 🥲