Chapter 162: Chapter 162: Not Inferior to Men

His words revealed a sense of injustice and anger, but they were also filled with sympathy and understanding for Jiang Qishan’s circumstances.

"Dad and Mom were helpless..."

Jiang Qishan hurriedly defended his parents, fearing that Song Junde would misunderstand that his parents were ignorant, inconsiderate of their child’s future.

His words carried both a consideration for the hardships of his parents and a deep sense of helplessness about his own situation.

In Jiang Qishan’s eyes, there was a thirst for knowledge and a deep love for his family; between the two, there lay his most genuine struggle and conflict at the moment.

Song Junde’s gaze was profound as he looked at Jiang Qishan, as if he could see the persistence and struggle of a filial son in those slightly anxious eyes.

Jiang Qishan’s eyes were full of longing for the future, yet bound by the opposition of his family, a dilemma that couldn’t help but command Song Junde’s silent admiration.

He could feel that this young man did not harbor resentment because of his family’s misunderstanding. That respect and understanding for his parents added even more weight to his request.

"Don’t worry, I will do my best to persuade them, to give you a chance to participate in the autumn provincial examinations."

Song Junde’s words were gentle yet firm, like a pill of reassurance, which allowed Jiang Qishan’s tense heartstrings to relax slightly.

Gratitude was written all over Jiang Qishan’s face as he bowed repeatedly in thanks, his eyes twinkling with hope.

"Thank you, Master Song! I will keep your kindness in my heart," he said.

The carriage meandered into the village, its light clatter over the pebble road as if heralding an extraordinary arrival.

A few young and strong villagers, with their agile skills, were the first to arrive, panting with excitement as they rushed to the village chief’s home to spread the news of the distinguished guest’s imminent arrival like a spring breeze throughout the village.

Upon hearing the news, the village chief immediately dressed and stepped out, his pace slightly hurried, but his smile unable to hide the inner excitement and nervousness.

Had it not been for the villagers informing him in advance that the County Magistrate was coming to commend his work on pest control, he might have been at a loss.

To welcome the esteemed guest, the village chief had specially put on clean clothes that he usually couldn’t bear to wear, taking each step with extra care.

The accompanying constables remained alert, surveying their surroundings as if forming a human wall, blocking the curious villagers who tried to approach, to prevent any possible mishaps.

Each person’s gaze conveyed a sense of duty, guarding the County Magistrate who represented authority and dignity.

The County Magistrate stepped out of the carriage, distinguished in appearance, his demeanor exuding a natural authority.

"The pest eradication method of Willow Village has been remarkably effective, and I have come to see for myself. If it truly works, it must be promoted to benefit more citizens."

His voice was steady and strong, full of recognition and appreciation for the villagers’ wisdom.

The village chief hurriedly agreed, leading the way with his body slightly leaning forward, showing both respect and eagerness.

"Yes, yes, Master, please follow me to have a field inspection."

Seeing this, Su Yu realized there was no need to follow and thus left the group on her own.

As noon approached, her stomach protested right on time, and she couldn’t help but laugh to herself, as it seemed a hearty lunch was more attractive than the excitement of the crowd.

But then she thought again, Master Song also needed to eat, and as a member of Clear Water Town, if she could use this opportunity to become acquainted with such an important figure, the road ahead might be much smoother.

However, the family’s circumstances were limited, with only a few juvenile chickens and ducks, and the household was not well-off financially.

How to entertain a County Magistrate under such conditions had become a headache.

But soon, Su Yu had a moment of clarity, realizing that it was more important to be sincere and do as much as she could afford, maintaining true to oneself rather than acting out of pretense.

Eager to return, Su Yu hurried back home.

Jiang Ziling and Xixi greeted her with warm and welcoming smiles when they saw her return.

"Did you encounter any trouble?"

Jiang Ziling asked with concern, his eyes filled with worry.

Su Yu gently shook her head, "Everything is fine, it’s just that it’s a long story, I’ll explain in detail tonight."

After briefly recounting today’s events and her idea of inviting the County Magistrate over, she quickly arranged for Jiang Ziling to prepare the rice, waiting for her to buy some ingredients before they could all enjoy this rare family feast together.

Hefting a heavy wooden bucket, the clear water inside rippled, reflecting the gentle morning light, while the fork clutched in his hand sparkled with a simple sheen. Song Junde, with a hint of contentment and anticipation, stepped out of the house with a brisk pace.

The river meandered, carrying the stories of the village, with the occasional fallen leaves on the water surface seemingly whispering of peaceful times.

Indeed, regarding this river that winds around the village, the abundance of fish is what the villagers most commonly boast about—almost no one can outdo them.

The rich taste of the fish flesh, once placed on a banquet table, is undoubtedly the best delicacy, sufficient to make a banquet appear dignified and affluent.

After a whole night of tranquility, the river was like a weary traveler who had shed the worries of the world, once more revealing its pure and transparent countenance, like a piece of jade uncarved.

Below the mirror-like clear water, the fish as if sensing the call of the new day, swam lively among the aquatic plants, occasionally leaping out of the water to stir up ripples upon ripples, adding a vibrant breath to the serene morning.

The village chief, full of pride, slowly led the County Magistrate along the rice paddy path by the river, where the golden rice swung gently in the wind, like a golden ocean signaling the forthcoming harvest.

As they planned to continue exploring the next scenic spot, Song Junde’s gaze inadvertently swept across a scene in the distance: by the riverbank, a woman with an agile figure was using amazing eyesight and accurate judgment to repeatedly drive her fork precisely into the water, each time securing a fish for her catch.

That woman, upon closer inspection, turned out to be the well-known Su Yu from the village.

Su Yu was not only skilled at pest control, but her talent for fishing with a fork was equally admirable.

"Miss Su is indeed no less than any man, skilled in pest control and protecting the fields, and her technique in capturing fish from the river is truly astounding,"

The words of praise came naturally, an acknowledgment of her abilities as well as an appreciation of her independent character.

Hearing this, Su Yu turned with a gentle smile, graciously responding to Song Junde’s compliments and taking the opportunity to extend an invitation for dinner, her demeanor exuding sincerity and warmth that seemed to instantly melt away the chill of early winter.

However, as soon as these words were spoken, the village chief’s expression involuntarily became solemn.

In his view, such an important guest should be personally entertained by him, the village chief, to avoid any breach of etiquette. How could he let a woman take the lead? The subtle shift in his feelings made his eyes flash with an imperceptible dissatisfaction, concerned that Su Yu’s behavior might be interpreted as an overly obvious attempt to ingratiate herself.

Before the County Magistrate could respond, the village chief hastily interjected, his words betraying a sense of wanting to preserve his own status.

Tip: You can use left, right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.Tap the middle of the screen to reveal Reading Options.

If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.

Report