Chapter 329: Red Dowries (II)

Langye County was not far from Hejian County. Although there were thieves who were thinking of stealing from them upon seeing their goods, Jiang Pengji led her people and killed all of them before the mob could get close to their carriage. Other than those small disturbances, it was rather peaceful.

It was even safer in Hejian County.

In the years when Jiang Pengji pursued her studies in Langye County, the bandits near Hejian County did not have an easy time.

They were either caught and killed, or were secretly taken in by Jiang Pengji’s troops. Therefore, Hejian County had been peaceful for many years.

“Langjun, we’re home…”

Looking out of the window, Taxue saw the urban areas from afar. It was difficult for her to suppress the joy and excitement in her heart.

Jiang Pengji held the reins and replied softly, “Yes, we’re home.”

Hejian County was the first place she had been after she woke up in the current world. Even if she did not have a sense of belonging, after so many years, she vaguely felt that things had remained the same, while the people had changed.

“Let’s go!” After overcoming her emotions, and after the carriage had been reconditioned, Jiang Pengji waved her whip and continued her journey.

The Liu residence had already ordered someone to wait outside the city long ago because someone had informed them in advance.

Jiang Pengji had excellent eyesight. Of course, she could see who was waiting at the forefront. A sincere smile hung on the corner of her lips.

She made White go faster and shouted at Xu Ke, “Xiaoyu!”

Xu Ke bowed towards Jiang Pengji with his hands folded in front of his chest. He smiled a little and greeted her. “Welcome, Langjun.”

Xu Ke, who was already 20 years old, had grown significantly. His shoulders were wider and his face was more masculine. The youthful look had disappeared, and he looked more mature. Perhaps, it was because joy put heart in a man. He actually looked like he was in high spirits.

Xu Ke had accompanied Jiang Pengji to pursue her studies in the Langye Academy. Although he was a boy servant attending to her studies, he was no different to the ordinary students at Langye Academy. He was even taught by Master Yuan Jing. Two months prior, in order to prepare for the marriage of Liu She’s daughter, Jiang Pengji sent Xu Ke back to Hejian County to help with the preparation. Looking at him, he handled everything well.

“Let’s not have empty talk. I haven’t been eating well along our journey. I’m so hungry.” Jiang Pengji threw the reins to a servant.

Xu Ke replied, “Madam Hu has already prepared a feast at home. She’s just waiting for you.”

Madam Hu? “What about Mother?” Jiang Pengji asked.

Xu Ke answered, “The First lady has been busy with the marriage the last few days. She caught a mild cold this morning, so she asked Madam Hu to treat you to a feast upon your arrival on her behalf.”

“Oh, I see.” Jiang Pengji pointed at the carriage behind her and said, “Get someone to deliver all these to the residence and count them according to the list. If there’s any problem, you must let me know right away… I’m so tired. I’ll go back and get changed first.”

The pace of life in the ancient times was pretty slow. Even if one did not go back to his or her hometown for a few years, Hejian County still stayed the same.

She could not help but frown when she saw that there were many more ragged beggars in the city.

Xu Ke saw her reaction and promptly explained, “There were several counties near Hejian last year and the year before that did not have good harvests. Especially during the autumn harvest last year, the fields were attacked by locusts. The farmers reaped next to nothing at the time of harvest… If the county chief did not open up a granary and borrow some food from a few households, there would be more victims than what you see now… Hejian is still considered to be doing fine. The situations in the other counties are even worse…”

Even if Jiang Pengji helped Hejian County solve the evil of banditry and avoided the man-made disaster, God did not do her any favors. The natural disasters would still cause people to suffer.

Jiang Pengji’s facial expression turned gloomy. She could not help but turn her head and look at the carriage behind her.

These dowries were arranged almost entirely by Jiang Pengji. She knew how much money was used.

Those were just the dowries for the daughter born of a mistress of the Liu residence… But there were countless people around who did not have enough food to eat.

Jiang Pengji’s heart wrenched at the sight of such a sharp contrast. She looked more and more somber.

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“What about the tenants outside?” Jiang Pengji was asking about the several farms owned by the Liu family.

“The First lady has forked out her own money and made the decision to exempt the commission of the tenants. She has even helped with the grain tax and distributed some money to every household.”

The other tenants became destitute and homeless and had little food to eat. The tenants of the Liu residence were not affected much. At least they did not become refugees.

As they talked, they soon arrived at the Liu residence.

The concierge saw Jiang Pengji and did not know how to react for quite some time. Then, he shouted hastily, “The Second Langjun is back!”

After a short while, the old and clumsy butler came running. He could not help but shed tears upon seeing Jiang Pengji, who was already 15 years old.

“It’s a good thing to be home. Why are you crying? Don’t cry. I’ll greet Mother first.”

The butler wiped his tears and replied, “The First lady has just taken her medicine and has already fallen asleep. Why don’t you wash up first?”

“Okay then.” Jiang Pengji went back to her courtyard. The servant girl had already prepared a hot bath and some clean clothes for her.

The servants were still the same. The inside and outside of the courtyard were kept tidy, as if the owner never left.

“Xunmei? What are you…”

Jiang Pengji was very familiar with the slender figure. She only then remembered who she was after being startled for a while.

“I heard Xiao… Xiaoyu said that you were coming back today, so I made the decision to clean your bedroom without your permission.” Xunmei blushed with shyness. Even if she did not apply any blush on her cheeks, she still looked stunningly beautiful. She looked gentler and more mature than before. “Please forgive me.”

Hearing how she addressed Xu Ke, Jiang Pengji turned her head and glanced at Xu Ke. She snorted. “I hear wedding bells.”

Xu Ke felt a bit uncomfortable. Xunmei saved him from embarrassment and said, “We originally wanted to tell you about this when you were free…”

“What is there to avoid? He has not responded to your feelings for so many years and he has finally opened his mouth. Of course, you have to make a quick decision,” Jiang Pengji teased them. Xunmei blushed. She gathered her sleeves and left, giving space to the two of them.

Seeing that Xunmei had left, Jiang Pengji asked, “Have you made up your mind?”

Xu Ke knew what she was talking about. He nodded and answered, “Yes.”

“Don’t let her down then. Xunmei is a decent girl.” To be honest, Jiang Pengji was not very optimistic about Xunmei and Xu Ke. Xu Ke had great ambitions and he would soar to great heights sooner or later. In contrast, Xunmei was just a normal girl.

It was very hard for her to imagine if Xu Ke would still treat Xunmei the way he did currently when he became successful in the future.

In Jiang Pengji’s opinion, according to Xunmei’s conditions, she would live a happier life if she picked a man who was steadier and more ordinary.

However, those were just her observations.

Their future would only depend on how the two of them lived their lives in the future.

Xu Ke sensed Jiang Pengji’s warning. He could not help but promise solemnly, “I’ll never let her down.”

Jiang Pengji patted his shoulder. “Remember what you said.”

Xu Ke responded, “I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Have a seat. I want to know about the changes and everything that has happened in Hejian County over the past few years. What’s the condition of the troops?”

When Jiang Pengji lived in Langye County, she would receive some news once in a while. However, due to the inconvenience of communication, all the information had been simplified and it was not detailed at all. She managed to come back, so of course she had to find out about it again.

Speaking of business, Xu Ke straightened his posture and sorted out his thoughts. “According to your orders…”