She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 392 - 391 Letter from the Capital City

Chapter 392: Chapter 391 Letter from the Capital City

Lady Han, while regretting her past actions, did not forget to complain about how each branch of the family ran their own businesses within the same household. Qi Dagen had only been listening on the sidelines but spoke up seriously to warn her when he sensed things were amiss, making it clear he would not allow her to trouble his elder brother and sister-in-law after they had caused so much hardship for the adults and children.

Now that Lady Han had no authority over her children, she dared not stir up trouble. Mumbling a few words in private to satisfy her urge to complain was all she could do. There was no way she would dare instigate something overtly.

The cattle farm had been operating normally since the beginning of the year. Not only were young, weaned bulls being sold, but as the number of dairy cows increased, some that produced less milk and were not worth the investment also began to be culled by the farm. These cows, although not sufficient milk producers, were otherwise without problems. They could be sold to farmers who could use them for labor, breeding, and propagation.

The oxen market, which had almost been bought out by the cattle farm’s mass purchase, gradually recovered.

Spring plowing is different from autumn harvesting, with oxen playing a more vital role. The cattle farm’s rental oxen provided great benefits to Clear Water Village and the surrounding areas. Previously, families poured their blood, sweat, and tears into their work and still could not thoroughly till all their land; now they simply needed to cut more grass and pre-sell the straw from the autumn harvest to the cattle farm in order to rent oxen.

Everyday, some farmers would deliver fodder to the cattle farm or spend several tens of coins to rent oxen for plowing new fields. The farmland around Clear Water Village was quietly expanding, and the manure and straw waste cleaned out daily by the cattle farm became a sought-after commodity. The manure, mixed with debris and after fermentation, could significantly improve the soil quality.

The agricultural affairs of Qingyuan County, with Clear Water Village at its center, were gradually flourishing. Land and tax revenue both increased, and with the opening of a major road that had already won accolades last year, it was no problem for Know County Jiang Yifan to be honored for two consecutive years.

Jinrong had been extremely busy this year. He often had to visit the newly built garden, and the second cattle farm located in the southern part of Yuyuan Prefecture was also starting up. Although it would be handed over to Ye Xinyan eventually, he was deeply involved with the construction work initially managed by his own estate, which also required his attention.

Moreover, cheese and butter sent to the imperial city were gradually being accepted by the wealthy and powerful, but since their supply was not abundant, they could only deliver cheese to the imperial city every two months. Once the goods arrived, they could not be sold openly but had to be pre-ordered and sold in limited quantities each day. Fortunately, this also resulted in high prices for the cheese, and despite the modest quantity, the profits were substantial.

Jinrong had planned to stay in Yuyuan Prefecture a while longer, at least to enjoy the garden in Yuyuan City to his heart’s content before considering returning to the imperial city.

However, at the end of September, just as Qi Younian had finished the final touches on the other mansion’s garden and officially completed the work, a letter arrived from the imperial city at the end of October. His Majesty the Emperor ordered the Sixth Prince to return to the imperial city before the end of the year.

Jinrong sat in his vibrant courtyard and read the letter again, unable to suppress the frustration and helplessness in his heart. The letter, marked with the Emperor’s private seal, was very decisive in its wording. Moreover, even if the wording was not decisive, a letter with the Emperor’s seal was an irrevocable edict.

Jinrong walked around the newly completed garden that had yet to fully integrate the vegetation and water features and felt even more regret. It is said that a garden can reflect the owner’s temperament, but even though this garden did not match his temperament, he truly liked it. This was the scenery freshly constructed, without the passage of time to blend it. If the master and his servants had immersed themselves here for a few years, the garden’s charm would become even richer.

Leaving Yuyuan Prefecture and Qingyuan County was difficult for him; he was not at ease and could hardly bear to leave Ye Xinyan behind in Qingyuan County.

Jiang Yifan, who had been busy all year, had just begun to rest and had not had the chance to savor the fruits of his year-long efforts when he learned of the letter His Majesty sent to Jinrong. The sense of achievement he already had was bolstered by a greater joy, making him unapologetically happy.

This year, he was busy with the affairs of the county and seldom had the opportunity to be in touch with Ah Yan, but Jinrong, that fellow, took advantage of the opportunity to build another cattle farm and dairy product workshop, going out with Ah Yan quite frequently. Although Anshun’s household led four maids with them each time, he still felt uneasy.

Every time they went out, he was on tenterhooks until they returned. Seeing Ah Yan still looking as carefree and muddled as always, he could finally relax.

Now everything was fine, His Highness Prince Yu was going back. Ha, at this harvest time, was there anything more delightful than this? It felt somewhat inappropriate to think like this, but good news was ultimately good news. Even if he pretended to be unhappy, it wouldn’t change the course of events, would it?

Jinrong sat in the top seat of the back hall at Clear Water Village County government office, looking at Jiang Yifan’s glaringly happy expression, unable to hold back, he said, "Yuanfan, it’s not that I want to criticize you, but you’re supposed to be a man of strategies. How is it that after experiencing so much, you’re regressing with age? Can’t you tone down that schadenfreude on your face a bit? People might think you’re a foolish boy."

The smile on Jiang Yifan’s face widened as he replied, "I’m simply unwilling to be insincere in front of Sixth Master. In front of Sixth Master, it’s easy to put on a sad face but it would seem like deceiving Sixth Master. Such a breach of trust with Sixth Master is something I cannot do."

Jinrong snatched the letter from Jiang Yifan’s hand, angered, he said, "I shouldn’t have let you see this letter." As he folded the letter, he added, "I’ll head back and talk to the Ministry of Personnel, to see if there’s a vacancy in the capital. There’s no escaping your consecutive excellent evaluations for two years; you deserve a premature promotion back to the capital. After the new year, when I return, to take care of my business and live in my garden, you should just dutifully serve as an official in the capital."

Jiang Yifan opened his mouth but in the end begrudgingly reigned in his expression and picked up his teacup.

"I’ve just begun to make some progress here, and the rewards are still to come. Don’t you think you’re at a disadvantage?" Jiang Yifan said.

Jinrong replied with pride, "The achievements of Qingyuan County, no matter when, are yours. Who knows, once you return to the capital, you might be able to do even more? I, Sixth Master, have always had confidence in you."

Only then did Jiang Yifan completely fall silent.

Jinrong felt a bit more relaxed, and remarked, "Why are you looking so smug? It’s as if once I return to the capital, Ye Zi will start to see you differently."

This was also Jinrong’s most vexing issue. Ye Xinyan, that girl, was just too difficult to win over. In her world, there seemed nothing that required a man’s intervention. If everything could be done by herself, why be a woman at all? Wouldn’t it be easier to gain a prominent status as a man?

Jiang Yifan pulled at the corners of his mouth with indifference. Indeed, he couldn’t make Ah Yan see him differently in a short period of time, but he and Ah Yan had their own understanding that didn’t involve others—a natural outcome once things fell into place. With Jinrong looming around, he could hinder the smooth progress of events, serving as a variable.

That Ah Yan unexpectedly became fond of Wong Qiao—who knew if she might suddenly take a liking to Sixth Master because of some incident? He knew himself well enough to realize the probability of Ah Yan suddenly developing a fondness for him was slim.

It was better to remain cautious in such matters.