Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The effect of the notice was impressive.
Watching the female troops train while holding their breaths. Jiang Pengji raised her brows and secretly altered the training to make it more intense.
Almost ten days passed. The snow and ice melted. The land prepared for cultivation the previous year was ready to be used for farming.
Ploughing, farming tools, and the quality and variety of seeds had been allocated. Xiangyang district slowly became bustling with crowds. Everywhere one looked, the scenery was buzzing with activity. In the fields, one could see the hardworking farmers engaging in back-breaking work.
Luckily, the usage of improved farm equipment had been taught earlier, which saved them time. Using the enhanced tools, the people discovered that their ploughing efficiency increased significantly. After ploughing a field, they didn’t feel as tired as before and, no matter the depth of ploughing or other areas, it wasn’t inferior in any way to an experienced old farmer,
Even though the northern side was at war with swords drawn and bows pointed at each other, a prosperous and flourishing scene still unfolded. It brought emotions to people’s hearts.
During the spring ploughing, tradition required organizing a ceremony for the occasion. The organizer was the district magistrate.
She did her homework and meticulously noted the entire procedure. Initially, she only needed to put up a show. The rest of the process would be taken over by another. But, she had a stubborn personality and refused to fake it, so she was personally involved in the ceremony.
The people surrounding her were astounded and acknowledged her commitment. “The lord is still so conscientious when doing her work. There are no shortcuts…”
Xu Ke had already changed to formal, scholarly garments. He wore a brown, hemp garment. His trousers were rolled until they reached his knees. He seriously looked like a farmer.
Feng Jin was neatly dressed. He was the emcee for the spring ploughing event. He raised his brows and laughed as he asked, “How come I didn’t know that the lord’s workmanship in the field was so good?”
Changsheng came with her mother to watch the spring ploughing ceremony. She wore thick clothes and looked very much like a new year’s prosperous doll.
She saw her father’s shadow and mumbled, “Father.”
The little lady raised her small fat finger and pointed at Feng Jin. Saliva dripped from the side of her mouth as she shouted, “Cold, cold! Father! Father! Father!”
Wei Jingixan pursed her lips and smiled demurely while she carried Changsheng, who had recently got heavier, and walked toward Feng Jin.
“In the past at Hejian, the lord learned from an old farmer,” Xu Ke said. He turned his head and added, “Huaiyu, your daughter is calling for you.”
Feng Jin laughed as he said, “I will go see.”
Looking at the happy family, Xu Ke missed his dear wife far off in Hejian and was a bit envious.
After the ceremony and spring ploughing for the year was unveiled, the training for the soldiers became more intense. Going to war against Fengyi County to conquer the Tsing Yi army had been the plan for the past year. When the lord securely occupied and governed the northern realms, she would bring Xunmei over.
Jiang Pengji climbed up from the fields barefooted. As she raised her hands to wipe away her perspiration, she saw a soldier who reported messages from afar.
She wiped her sweat away with her hands. Disregarding the muddy water that splashed on her face, she asked the soldier, “What happened?”
The soldier replied, “My lord, there are more than 2,000 people at the east side of our city gates who hail from Hejian. They claim to be the lord’s trusted aide.”
Someone who hails from Hejian? More than 2,000 people?
Jiang Pengji’s eyes lit up. A deeply meaningful smile broke out across her face. She didn’t even take time to wash her feet before putting on her wooden clogs.
“Lead the way. It should be Nongqin and the rest who have arrived,” she said as she took long strides. It looked as if she was flying.
Xu Ke, who had yet to react, shouted “I will delegate the task of overseeing the field to you! I need to greet someone!”
Although he wanted to probe for more details, his lord had already speedily walked speedily off. The soldier who relayed the information had to run to keep up with her.
“It’s indeed Nongqin! You came just in time!” Jiang Pengji ordered for the city doors to be opened.
Jiang Nongqin had a wide smile on her face. She acknowledged her improvement over the years, as well as her contributions. Jiang Pengji was at ease to give her full reins over the women troops.
The viewers watching the livestream also hadn’t seen Jiang Nongqin in a long while. They had witnessed this young lady, who existed in ancient times, transform from a weak and humble girl to someone who embodied strength. Their emotions were like those of a family whose daughter had grown up.
Hearing that Jiang Nongqin finally left Hejian and reunited with the streamer, the live streaming room began rounds and rounds of rewards to celebrate her return to the team.
Except, they never imagined that in addition to Jiang Nongqin, there was an unexpected friend. A person’s shadow ran toward Jiang Pengji like wind. Because the other party didn’t have any evil intentions, she was close to capturing that person with her hands.
“Brother Lanting! Wan’er misses you so much!” Shangguan Wan cried out.
She stepped forward and gave Jiang Pengji a bear hug. Her laughter was boisterous, and her words bore a deep sense of missing someone dearly.
“Wan’er? Why have you come?” Jiang Pengji was briefly stunned. She raised her hands to hug Shangguan Wan to prevent her from causing the girl to fall.
The reporting soldier saw this and revealed an appalled expression. He suddenly thought of something and immediately lowered his head shyly. Yi, Did the lord’s fiancée come from afar to chase her husband?
Shifting his focus, the soldier used the remaining light in his eyes to focus on Jiang Pengji and Shangguan Wan, who were hugging each other tightly.
It wasn’t just the reporting soldier who was stunned. Many of the viewers in the live streaming room were also startled, wondering who the lady in the streamer’s arms was.
Zhuwei Dalao Qiufangguo: [No, are there any history experts here? Can you inform me of who this lady is?]
Jianguoyu Xiaobuding: “Dai, where did this little evil imp come from? Let go of my male goddess. Where are you placing your claws?]
In fact, Shangguan Wan isn’t just hugging her waist. She also buried her face in Jiang Pengji’s chest.
Yewu Yanling: [#digsnose, it is supposed to be female goddess. To the commoner above, do you wish to snatch with me?]
Toudu Feiqiu: [I searched within my head. After a long while, I remembered who this lady is. Here is an ancient lord that goes way back in time. I will explain her background to you. Shangguan Wan is an exceptionally pure and adorable young lady, the most favored, noble daughter of the Shangguan family. I recall she is rather reliant on the streamer, who spoils her.]
She is Shangguan’s most favored noble daughter? Such disposition?
Many of the viewers were confused. They had watched the livestream for years, so they knew that coarse clothing was worn by commoners. Shangguan Wan’s clothes were coarse, perhaps even more coarse others.
Don’t rich women wear clothes made of silk and satin? They wear beautiful makeup, and their hair is bundled up and adorned with jade accessories to manifest their subtle lavishness. This Shangguan Wan… However one sees it, she looks so much like a refugee who just escaped.
“Brother Lanting doesn’t welcome Wan’er anymore?” Shangguan Wan asked.
Jiang Pengji didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. “Those words inflict too much pain on the heart. Brother can be unwelcoming to anyone, but how can I allow Wan’er to be treated as such? I heard that you got married sometime back. Why are you not in your house assuming the role of the legitimate wife and enjoying the wealth and glory? Why have you come to Xiangyang district, this poor and desolate place? How would I not be surprised?”
