Chapter 283: Poverty so dire it worries one

The weather is splendid today.

The two stared at each other; one's expression almost overflowed with longing, the other......

One rubbed his forehead, almost splitting with headache.

At that moment, with no one around and blocked before the room, unable to advance or retreat, Chen Weifang could only sigh helplessly:

"When you first arrived from Qiongzhou, I noticed you didn't mention that matter, and I thought you had finally changed your ways......"

Who would have thought that, when no one else is around, this brat still looks utterly bewitched by him......

He is now about thirty, already past the age of a woman past her prime.

With so many beauties out there, why must Chunri Jian cling to him alone?

Chen Weifang's head was pounding, yet it truly made her happy that Chunri Jian could see this beautiful teacher again.

He originally had an ordinary, square face and narrow eyes, but upon seeing Chen Weigang, his eyes widened considerably, his expression earnest:

"Before, it was naturally because there was someone beside the teacher, lest I sully the teacher's reputation, so I did not reveal my true feelings."

"Heaven and earth as my witness, my devotion to the teacher is steadfast and unchanged over the years; should it ever change, may the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder strike me down so I never attain rebirth......"

"Stop—stop—stop!!!"

Chen Weifang could bear it no longer and shouted:

"You are no longer a child, already past the age of twenty; don't you know this is improper? From now on, do not say it again!"

"The Wise Lord sent you to monitor Cang Cheng; why have you abandoned Cang Cheng to come to Dun Cheng? If it's only to see me, you not only betray my earlier expectations but also the Wise Lord's trust in you."

Chunri Jian blinked, his previously slightly widened narrow eyes returning to their dazed state, and his new attire dimmed a little.

Following Chen Weifang's meaning, he steadied his somewhat aching body, stepped back, then bowed deeply and said respectfully:

"...... I have come here at the Wise Lord's behest."

"Before night fell last night, I suddenly received a handwritten letter from the Wise Lord, saying he hoped I would swiftly settle the affairs of Cang Cheng, bring my servants to take charge of Cang Cheng, and temporarily assume the teacher's post; thus I hurried day and night, arriving at Dun Cheng before dawn to await orders."

The Wise Lord said, let Chunri Jian come in his place?

What does that mean?

What does that mean?

No longer want to use him?

No, impossible.

The Wise Lord is now pregnant, and his handwriting is atrocious; any handwritten note must go through Chinu.

Even if he doesn't know why he offended the Wise Lord, and the Wise Lord refuses to employ him, Chinu will always speak up for him.

If Chinu does not speak for him, then there must be......

Is there a reason?

Chen Weifang frowned slightly; Chunri Jian took two letters from his bosom, respectfully bowed and handed them to the teacher, then said:

"This is the stationery I received; one copy is for me, already opened, the other is for the teacher."

"I originally thought the messenger had delivered it wrong, and after opening the copy meant for me, I realized the Wise Lord intended for me to convey it on his behalf...... and to act first, report later."

Cang Cheng is farther from Dun Cheng; if each received a single letter, he would surely get it later than the teacher.

Although I don't know why the Wise Lord suddenly wants him to stand in for Mr. Ren, nor where the teacher is to go......

But since the Wise Lord intends this, to prevent the teacher from resisting, it is only proper to let him finish his current affairs before coming over.

Once the person has arrived, bringing the Wise Lord's letter, it is already as good as an arrow on the string......

The Wise Lord's doing this is indeed without any problem.

It will merely make the teacher feel a bit uncomfortable.

Chunri Jian's gaze flickered faintly over the teacher's downturned lips, then quickly lowered his eyes, daring not to look further.

Even before hearing that Chunri Jian would stand in for Ren, Chen Weifang felt a sudden surge of indignation; she frowned, took the two letters, examined them closely, and then discovered that Chunri Jian's letter, just as he said, urges swift settlement of one's affairs before coming to Dun Cheng, and to bring the other letter to him.

And his own letter, then, is......

【Afang, the child misses you, come quickly.】

Chen Weifang's previously furrowed brows smoothed completely upon seeing those eight characters.

He could not believe it, turning the paper over and over; after confirming it contained only those eight words, his mind was a utter mush——

What does it mean for the child to miss him?

Could this child be the Wise Lord's unborn baby?

Isn't that child only three months old?

No, that's wrong; regardless of the child's age, the key is how the child could miss him?!

He remains a pure Daoist cultivator, and with the Wise Lord as clear as scallions mixed with tofu!

If the Wise Lord and Chinu's child misses him, that truly isn't a problem, right!!!!

Chen Weifang was bewildered.

Chen Weifang could not believe it.

Chen Weifang......

Chen Weifang finally put the letter away and decided to go personally to Zhoufu to see what that young couple is up to!

He also somewhat understood.

In this life, he fears he is destined to a hard fate, forever running errands for those two.

However, knowing he is useful, that the Wise Lord and Chinu both need him, and never forgetting to bring him along wherever he goes......

That is indeed quite pleasant.

The previously downturned corners of his mouth turned into an irrepressible upward curve.

Chen Weifang carefully slipped that eight-character note into her sleeve, then returned Chunri Jian's letter.

This time, there was a light smile on their lips that wouldn't fade:

"Since this is the Wise Lord's will, very good."

"From now on, Dun Cheng will be entrusted to you to manage; besides, you have brought capable servants here, so handling miscellaneous affairs should be easier for you than for me."

Chun Ri Jian lowered their head in assent, and Chen Weifang seemed to suddenly recall something, opening her mouth to ask:

"You have come to Dun Cheng to take over; who was originally handling the secular affairs of Cang Cheng?"

Chun Ri Jian lowered their brows and eyes, answering honestly:

"All matters of public order, grain and horses, and drilling troops are entirely entrusted to County Magistrate Yu Lve, while civil affairs and accounts are partly entrusted to Ouyang Yan."

"Previously, the Wise Lord also sent letters to Cang Cheng several times, inquiring after the student Ouyang Yan's recent situation, wanting to know if they had admitted fault and accepted punishment... The students each clearly stated as much, and the Wise Lord gradually eased their confinement, though still not allowing them to correspond with their younger brother Ouyang An, yet permitting them to move about within the Xian Xie."

"The student thought they indeed had some talent for accounts, while Yu Lve is clearly a military officer, unfamiliar with civilian livelihood, so they still decided to reinstate them."

"Perhaps fearing Chen Weifang's reproach, Chun Ri Jian pondered briefly and added:"

"However, sir, rest assured, it is not a full reinstatement; rather, the student has left two capable servants in Cang Cheng to handle most governmental affairs, and only when there are truly difficult decisions to make or daily accounts to be done will they seek them."

"When the student arrived, they had already sent a letter reporting this to the Wise Lord; this time, they gave Ouyang Yan no actual authority, and I suppose the Wise Lord would be willing."

"No wonder they added so much; it is indeed because the circumstances forced them."

"They also weren't particularly patient with Ouyang Yan; rather, throughout Cang Cheng there are only so many people, and finding another capable person is practically impossible."

"The Young Emperor can sleep ten double-hours a day; A Chou, a martial exam graduate, is usable, yet unwilling to leave the Young Emperor's side even half a step."

"Yu Lve surpasses A Chou without falling short; that foul temper of theirs seems to have inherited their father's bearing, being hard and obstinate, they pay no heed to any social dealings, straightforward and direct, aside from drilling troops and building up strength, they cannot be relied upon for anything else....."

"I heard that last year there was still a great flood; now almost all of Cang Cheng consists of the old and weak—who could still be usable?"

"There simply isn't anyone left!"

"Chun Ri Jian, who passed the examination as a youth, usually keeps their emotions hidden, rarely showing such a troubled expression."

"However, Chen Weifang was truly not at all surprised——"

"Because they have been troubled by this for a long time!"

"Wise Lord, truly is genuinely 'poor'!!!!"

"?? come come||ヽ(*￣▽￣*)ノミ|Ю"