Upon learning that a golden goose… No, when she learned that Cheng Cheng had taken his entire family to seek shelter in Xiangyang County, Jiang Pengji felt as if she was still in a dream.
She looked at the messenger with a dumbfounded expression, then looked at the secret letter in her hand. It was an important letter that Xu Ke had dispatched someone to send with the utmost urgency.
“Who did you say has arrived?”
The messenger repeated what he had just said. Although Jiang Pengji had not completely lost her composure, one could guess from the smile that kept trying to form at the corners of her lips that this Cheng Cheng… was not an ordinary person… That was Yang Si’s assumption when he looked at Jiang Pengji’s expression.
“Congratulations, my lord.”
Someone had actively come to seek shelter with her, this was a good omen!
Yang Si tucked his sleeves and bowed, offering his congratulations in a clear and bright voice.
Wei Ci lowered his eyelids and said, “I’m afraid it’s not that simple. Cheng Wenfu was originally the magistrate of Sui’an County, which is part of Fufeng County in Haozhou. He wouldn’t have abandoned all that he had and taken his entire family to seek shelter with my lord unless he has run into some difficulties. I’m afraid there must be something serious going on.”
Hearing how Wei Ci spoke about Cheng Cheng, Yang Si raised an eyebrow in dissatisfaction.
“Do you know Cheng Cheng?”
Just listen to him, Wei Ci had directly called Cheng Cheng “Cheng Wenfu.”
To address someone by his courtesy name, was only something done by someone superior to the person in question, an older person to a younger person, or between friends who were from the same generation. What was the relationship between Wei Ci and Cheng Cheng?
The answer was that they were cross-generational friends.
“I know him. We have occasionally exchanged letters over the years. Cheng Wenfu is not reckless or hot-blooded. He must have encountered some problems if he’s willing to leave his native land and take his family with him.” To be friends with someone in this life meant that they must have had a friendship in their past lives too. Their relationship was not too bad. He also knew how important Cheng Cheng was. “I think that my lord should make an inquiry before making any plans. Cheng Wenfu is usually quite taciturn and doesn’t really like to interact with others… I am afraid that if my lord doesn’t get a clear understanding of the situation first, you might violate one of his taboos and accidentally offend him.”
Most of the talents had a temper. Jiang Pengji did not have to follow all their superstitions and taboos, but she also could not afford to offend them thoughtlessly.
Naturally, Jiang Pengji followed this logic.
If not, with her taunting expressions and skill at shooting her mouth off, the overtime team of today would never have been formed.
Learning that Wei Ci and Cheng Cheng actually knew each other, she said, “Although there was an incident that resulted in our current relationship, the time I spent with them was short and many details are unclear. Zixiao, you can tell me if you know anything. This way, I’ll be mentally prepared. We’ll talk about this in detail later.”
Wei Ci agreed calmly. Cheng Cheng should be dealt with carefully to avoid losing this talent.
If this had happened on a normal day, Yang Si wouldn’t have thought that there was anything to this conversation.
Now that he knew his lord was not male, he always felt as if the conversations between her and Zixiao… It was too horrible to contemplate.
He had probably been scared stupid. When he looked at his lord now, he always felt that she was trying to coerce Wei Ci in some improper way.
He gave Wei Ci a “take care of yourself” look, causing Wei Ci to be confused.
Yang Si still wore an “I didn’t hear anything” expression as he ignored everything going on around him.
Nothing had happened recently. The images in the livestream were basically all about Jiang Pengji working overtime with her staff. The content was a bit boring.
The livestream viewers did not mind. They were the best at “finding joy in sorrow.” They were good at discovering cute content and ideas from the details which they used to create various memes.
For example…
The handsome Wang Jiexi: If there was a social media platform like “Baidu Knows” in this era, maybe Yang Si would cry for help in the ask section. I’ve even thought of the topic title – Seeking urgent help from everyone. My boss is trying to coerce my terrible friend into improper actions. What should I do?
The innocent and kind Zhang Xinjie: Does this even need to be said? Let’s stand in a circle and watch!
Lucky goddess Zhang Jiale: Does this even need to be said? Assist with the attack!
Jiang Pengji pursed her lips. What coercion? Was she really so bad?
Host V: I’m afraid you’ve all forgotten that Zixiao was the one who threw himself at me.
After she sent out that message, it was answered with messages like, “More power to you” and “Host, you are black-hearted and shameless.”
Jiang Pengji did not forget about proper business after making the joke. She retrieved the memories of Cheng Cheng whom she had met many years ago and carefully reviewed him.
Wei Ci privately asked her, “My lord, are you thinking of putting Cheng Wenfu in an important position?”
Jiang Pengji said, “Unless they are family members. I’ve always disliked keeping idle people around.”
Wei Ci was silent.
“I’ve read Xu Ke’s letter carefully and have reached a general understanding. Huang Song’s power in Haozhou is expanding. He wants to use Sui’an County where Cheng Cheng is located as a springboard to reach Fufeng County. This is nothing. Who let Cheng Cheng’s fifth uncle, Cheng Jing, work under Huang Song? Benefits should be kept in the family. Hence, an outsider has taken advantage of Sui’an County, or more accurately, Huang Song has taken advantage of Sui’an County. However, Cheng Cheng didn’t stay in Haozhou with peace of mind. Instead, he left with his entire family. It’s most likely because he doesn’t want to serve Huang Song. In other words, he doesn’t like political infighting.”
Huang Song was currently short on manpower too. If Cheng Cheng went under Huang Song’s thumb, he would have to serve him with all seriousness. In that case, he would inevitably be drawn into the infighting between the various forces. That was what Cheng Cheng hated the most. Alternatively, Cheng Cheng could lower himself and make a compromise by trying to resign.
However, based on Huang Song’s temperament, would he let Cheng Cheng go so easily?
Obviously, this was impossible.
Even if he agreed to Cheng Cheng’s resignation, it was likely that he would find ways to restrict the personal freedom of Cheng Cheng and his family. He would restrict them from working for others.
According to Jiang Pengji’s understanding of Huang Song, it was very likely that he would do that, especially after the incident with Yang Si!
Wei Ci said, “Then… my lord, you mean…”
Based on Jiang Pengji’s words, Wei Ci knew that she would not force Cheng Cheng. However, if she did not force him, wouldn’t it be a waste of manpower?
Jiang Pengji scoffed and secretly laughed at Huang Song for his terrible luck.
Losing Yang Si was one thing, but now he had also lost Cheng Cheng, who was comparable to a golden goose.
She said, “Let Cheng Cheng do what he likes to do. It’s not as if he’s ignoring his proper occupation.”
Wei Ci was astonished. This tone was not like that of a younger person speaking about an older person. Instead, she was treating Cheng Cheng as the younger person by spoiling him.
But then again, he was an “old child.” Wasn’t an “old child” meant to be coddled? Even though Cheng Cheng was not that old yet.
Jiang Pengji’s eyes seemed to be full of stars. “Master Cheng has tens of thousands of books in his house, most of which are precious books without any copies. I was not sensible in those years, and using bamboo paper as remuneration for his literary efforts, asked him to copy a book for me. He did not quibble with me and instead delivered what he had promised. Now that I think about it, I feel quite ashamed. I think that he must be a very virtuous literary man who does not stoop to politics and material pursuits. He once said that he did everything possible to collect these sole copies so that future generations could see the glory of their predecessors. It was not for any selfish motive or profit. In that case, why not fulfill his wish?
Wei Ci did not say anything else.
Through this conversation, he knew that Jiang Pengji would not lose Cheng Cheng. On the contrary, she would “make” Cheng Cheng serve her and fight for her his whole life.
Hadn’t this also been the case in Wei Ci’s previous life?
It was no more than a few days from when the army would have to depart to rescue the Emperor, but Cheng Cheng’s affairs could not be delayed.
What would they do if Cheng Cheng thought that Jiang Pengji had neglected him? He might run away again with his entire family in tow.
Therefore, Jiang Pengji rode out on Little White that very day and rushed to Xiangyang County overnight.
They were covered in dust from the journey. Even an excellent horse like Little White that could travel thousands of kilometers every day was utterly worn down by the end.
She instructed the stable lad, “Prepare the best feed for Little White and serve him well.”
After speaking, she went back to her county residence, washed her face, and changed her clothes, washing away all her signs of tiredness.
