Chapter 145

You...

"You..." Jiang Yunchu had just said a word when Zhang Zhi sprang up as if there were a spring under his buttocks, his legs went weak and he fell to his knees.

You don't need to be so nervous; just answer my questions. She didn't mock him, just shook her head lightly.

Zhang Zhi nodded immediately, "Okay, okay."

He sat down again, but it felt as if something were under his buttocks, making him uneasy.

"Have you found the manor?" Jiang Yunchu asked.

Found it, it's not far from Jingdu, less than ten li away; the two manors are adjacent, and the owner insists on selling both together or not at all. When talking about the deal, Zhang Zhi wasn't nervous and answered right away.

Jiang Yunchu nodded; the two manors being adjacent would save a lot of trouble.

"Did you bring the manor's information?" Jiang Yunchu asked.

I brought it, and I even sketched a map on the spot, though it's just a simple version due to the rush. Zhang Zhi handed over the paper and information.

Jiang Yunchu looked at the information and was quite satisfied, then at the map and the surrounding terrain: the two manors lie deep in the mountains, not lacking water; on the contrary, a river runs between them, more like a mountain spring flowing down.

"Would riding a horse be convenient?" The location and water supply are suitable.

Moreover, the place is like a secluded utopia; I just don't know if the transportation is suitable.

"It's fine; the previous owner opened a narrow road for convenience, but a carriage can still pass."

"These two manors are deep in the mountains, with no outsiders coming and going except the manors' own carriages, so there's no crowding."

Zhang Zhi had already gone to see it; regardless of whether she was truly the Princess Consort, he felt responsible to both parties in the transaction.

If he praised it without even seeing it, how would he differ from the previous host?

Alright, I'll send someone to check the situation; if it's suitable, I'll have them find you to sign the contract.

By the way, keep my purchase of the land and manor confidential.

Now the sandy fields and paddy fields are already in hand, but it's best to keep the news confidential; who knows what might happen later, she doesn't need extra trouble.

"I wouldn't dare," Zhang Zhi hastily replied.

All right, go back, I'll keep these. Jiang Yunchu pointed to the manor's information and sketches, glanced at them, and was actually satisfied.

We still need an on-site inspection, but it's only ten li away; she can't leave the manor now, so she'll have someone else go check.

Princess Consort, I've looked at that manor; the sandy ground and water source are only three finger-widths apart—though the road is narrow, a carriage can pass.

The manor's owner probably already wants to sell; there are no tenants or farmers left, and the people inside have been cleared out.

Jiang Yunchu nodded. "I know, you've worked hard; go rest."

The guard bowed and left the Rhyme Courtyard.

Zi Su, go to the broker tomorrow and tell them to handle the transfer.

Yes.

These days, those kids are hardly ever home; aside from a few girls, the boys are clearly sun‑tanned.

Although the girls didn't get tan, they also rush back and forth daily.

Zhiqiu, is the mung bean soup ready?

It's ready.

Zhiqiu quickly ladled the mung bean soup into a bucket and covered it.

Kang Ziwei also brought several food carriers, saying the meals were ready.

I'll take them over.

"Hold on!" Just then, a pretty girl ran in from outside.

"Yue Yue?" Kang Zhi Chun rubbed her soft hair; ever since she started a toddler class, Yue Yue has been away and is seldom seen.

I got Mother to buy candied hawthorn for the brothers. The little girl pointed behind her; Zhi Dong came running, still holding a candied hawthorn.

Kang Zhi Chun couldn't help laughing. "All right, I'll pass along your kindness, sis."

She also picked up another item, set the candied hawthorn down, and had a servant load it onto the carriage.

"Thank you, Sister Zhi Chun." The little girl beamed a sweet smile; her adorableness charmed everyone.

"You're welcome." Kang Zhi Chun hurried onto the carriage; the others were still waiting for her to bring the food.

These days, the boys stay in the fields while they send the girls home to prepare meals.

Meals are easy—they're prepared in the canteen—but the soup, since they're out in the heat, they need to simmer their own cooling broth each day.

The manor's doctor also sent some medicine packets to clear heat and improve eyesight, said to be from the Princess Consort; each day at noon when they simmer soup, they also simmer a packet.

"Sis, you're finally here." Kang Zhi Xia was about to die of heat; this midday is no place for a person.

His handsome young master now looks like a soot‑covered kitchen maid, his face completely black; if he went home now, his mother might not recognize him.

But seeing the few people behind him, his heart felt balanced, after all he isn't a ……

"Is the manor all right?" Ning Hanmo asked instinctively.

Actually they arrive at the fields before dawn each day and return after dark; at mealtime he always asks.

Mainly because he worries about his mother.

"Nothing's wrong, it's fine." Kang Zhi Xia was already used to it; a few days ago she still wondered what could happen.

These days she realized Ning Hanmo just asks; if she says it's fine, he stops worrying.

"These days I suddenly realized farming is really exhausting." Kang Wen swallowed a mouthful of steamed bun, looked over at the man chewing on those rock‑hard cornbread, and felt moved.

"My mother once said we should be able to eat white flour buns as well as cornbread; no matter what situation we face later, we can persevere." Ning Hanmo recalled his mother's words from the beginning.

Back then he still didn't understand.

Now looking at those farmers, their daily work and meals.

The Regent Prince's Manor means more than just guarding Da Ning's gate; it also protects these people so they can have ample clothing and food.

"The common folk merely seek ample clothing and food."

They all remembered that when the Dean was teaching the agriculture class, he had once said a sentence.

They never spoke of fine clothes and food, but how could they ever have lacked three meals a day? Yet now they realize that people like them are, after all, only a minority; many more people are starving, living in a numb state.

They dare not get sick, dare not skip work; if they stop working, the elders and children at home cannot survive; if they fall ill, the household loses its labor force, and the family collapses.

One week — to call it a lot isn't much, to call it a little isn't little.

On their ever-darkening faces, their inner selves were gradually becoming full.