Chapter 287: with translation of chapter title

Chen Dafu's eyes lit up, "That place isn't far from our village; coming and going is convenient, only..."

He felt a bit awkward saying, "I've only ever farmed all my life; I've never managed anything outside my own home."

"I would like to do more for the master, but I'm afraid I lack the ability."

Gu Xixi's eyes held a smile, yet she spoke solemnly, "Uncle Chen, saying that is selling yourself short."

"These hired workers, you know each person, you know their difficulties and also each person's strengths; when working each day, if someone hasn't done something properly, you attentively help them correct it, so you always end up doing extra work that isn't originally yours."

"Over the past year, everyone has genuinely respected you; whenever there's a matter, they come to you first to discuss."

"Also last time, I needed to make a batch of cloth bags; thanks to you finding those people, from task allocation to paying wages, there wasn't a single hitch."

"Uncle Chen, given that, do you still think you only know how to farm?"

Chen Dafu's face turned red, he scratched his head and said, "These are just ordinary human conduct. Master praising me so seriously makes me embarrassed."

He raised his head, cleared his throat solemnly and said, "However, since the master thinks I'm suitable for this steward role, I'll take it."

"Taking responsibility without hesitation—that's right." Gu Xixi said satisfied, "We still need to find someone here in the village to substitute for you; you can take your time choosing."

Chen Dafu grinned, regaining his usual straightforwardness, "Fine! If there's nothing else, I'll head back first."

Time flew by, autumn passed and winter came.

In Huachi Du Cun, a mule-drawn flatbed cart moved through the endless early snow.

Zhang Shen had already gone back and forth outside the door several times; seeing her family's mule, she waved happily and trotted over in small steps.

"Seeing the snow this morning, I thought you'd stay at the farm and not come back today!"

Gu Xixi pulled the reins to slow down, "Run slowly, the ground is slippery, watch out for falling!"

But Zhang Shen ran up to it without a care, walking alongside the cart back, smiling and looking up at Gu Xixi as if she were looking at a lively treasure.

"It must be cold on the road—hurry inside and get warm on the heated brick bed! I heated the heated brick bed early this morning and stewed a pot of hot mutton soup, just waiting for you to come in so I can pull some noodles for you to eat something hot."

Gu Xixi chuckled and muttered, "You say you thought I wouldn't come back, yet you've prepared all the good stuff."

While speaking, they stopped the cart at the doorway, first unloading and leading the mule into the courtyard.

The mule's wooden shed had been upgraded in autumn, with a surrounding windbreak added to keep out the cold and retain warmth.

Gu Xixi personally put the mixed-bean feed in, deliberately adding warm water to the trough.

She patted the mule's back, "You've worked hard this year, hauling wheat and then millet; take advantage of winter to eat and drink more, fatten up well."

Lai Fu seemed to understand, letting out a loud snort, lowering his neck to gulp down the feed.

Gu Xixi came out and locked the door.

Zhang Shen had already unloaded everything from the cart bed, laughing, "You came back from the farm, why did you detour into town to buy so much stuff?"

Gu Xixi said, "Wu Niangzi is looking after the farm, so I don't need to go there these days."

"Thinking that buying things would be inconvenient in the snow, I bought extra meat and froze it in the courtyard so it'll last a while."

"The household oil and salt, the snacks we usually eat, and the sugar cubes are also running low."

"And there's a basket of honey tangerines, a southern specialty, rare to come by."

The two carried things inside while talking.

Pushing open the door into the main hall, there were two layers of thick cotton curtains; lifting them, a wave of warmth hit the face.

Gu Xixi couldn't help but blurt out, "Nothing beats being at home for comfort."

She took off her cloak, only seeing Xiao Hua curled up comfortably in the warm corner of the heated brick bed, then asked, "Where's Shitou?"

Zhang Shen said, "Old Madame Zhou west of the village is quite ill; her family came to fetch Old Gingerhead, and seeing the snow, I let Shitou go along to help support her on the way."

Gu Xixi nodded, "Indeed, the master is old; he mustn't fall."

Zhang Shen had Gu Xixi rest on the heated brick bed while she went to the kitchen to cook noodles.

Soon after, a bowl of steaming hot mutton soup with pulled noodles was placed on the heated brick bed table.

Smelling the aroma, the sleepy lazy cat woke up, stretched, and sauntered over to the table.

Zhang Shen amusedly tapped the cat's head, "When I stewed the meat I tore off some bits for you to mix into your cat food, so don't be greedy now."

Xiao Hua raised her head and meowed, seeming a bit displeased, but she didn't flop onto the table; instead she lay down close against Gu Xixi.

Zhang Shen sat on the edge of the heated brick bed, picked up a half-stitched shoe sole, and said somewhat wistfully, "Jing Lan left our home seven or eight days ago; I don't know if she's made it home."

"If she hasn't arrived yet, hopefully she didn't run into snow on the road."

Gu Xixi took a sip of the hot soup, her brows relaxing, "Her carriage is fast; even if she hasn't arrived, at most there are only two or three days of travel left."

When Jing Lan left, it was He Jinghui who personally sent people to fetch her.

At the end of autumn, the Northwest Army reached the capital, and the city's officials opened the gates to welcome them.

Three days later the new emperor ascended the throne, the court cleared away chaos and restored order, ending the turmoil of the empress's clan controlling the young emperor's rule.

The Northwest Army's general Huo Jiang was rewarded according to his military merits, also granted the title of Defending Distant General, hereditary for three generations.

As the He family's chief civil merit, He Jinghui naturally rose three ranks, attaining the rank of senior third grade.

The rest received various enfeoffments and rewards according to their achievements, needless to elaborate.

Only one person was ennobled, shocking the world.

The new emperor actually personally conferred the title of Regent Prince upon a person of the Mu surname, and also granted a mansion for residence.

This is not only the first Regent Prince of the Great Undertaking Dynasty, but also the first prince of a different surname.

The populace debated this endlessly, even creating various plays and storybooks about it.

Some say the new emperor was not favored in his youth, not even ennobled as a Prince, thanks to the Regent Prince's discerning eye that nurtured him all the way.

Some say the new emperor had long been the late emperor's secret choice, known only to the Regent Prince. The former emperor, knowing his days were numbered, consulted with the then-close minister Regent Prince and deliberately fabricated the appearance that the sixth imperial prince was unfavored, in order to protect the new emperor.

Some say the new emperor and the Regent Prince have known each other since childhood, already being bosom friends, though others are unaware.

There are also claims that the Regent Prince's power dominates court and countryside, perhaps destined to become the next Grand Empress Dowager…

These bizarre or legendary rumors were so rampant in the streets and alleys that even the tiny Huachi Du Cun had heard of them.

Zhang Shen stopped her needlework and asked, "When Jing Lan left, I only then realized she was truly a young lady from a respectable family."

"Since her family are officials, just how high an official position is that? Is it higher than a county magistrate?"

Gu Xixi paused her noodle-slurping, propped her chin on her chopsticks, thought for a moment, and said, "It's like comparing the sesame seeds stuck on a pastry to the pastry itself—it's that much bigger."

Zhang Shen widened her eyes in surprise and said, "An official that big, and in the capital—could one possibly see the Regent Prince?"

Gu Xixi choked on a mouthful of soup, "Pfft!"

She fumbled in a panic to pull out a handkerchief to cover her mouth, coughed a few times, and her face turned red from holding her breath.