Chapter 425: Ideal Is a Good Word

As the newly appointed Parent Official, Jiang Mingyuan was eager to go deep into the fields to learn the villagers' lives.

He readily accepted Gu Xixi's invitation.

Thus Gu Xixi and Lv Jing served as guides, taking Jiang Mingyuan out for a walk.

Wheat fields, orchards, the great mountain behind Flower Pool Ford, the irrigation canals used by generations in the village…

Jiang Mingyuan saw them all.

He saw the splendid scene of a bumper wheat harvest in Huachi Du Cun and heard the villagers' joy.

He saw intercropping in the orchards, with different models to choose from, each planting household finding its suitability.

He stood at the mountain's base, admiring the abundant mountains, and listened to Gu Xixi's plan to reform the irrigation system.

Jiang Mingyuan's heart also surged with excitement.

"Little Sis Xixi, these scenes are still only within this one Huachi Du Cun village."

"If we expand to the surrounding ten-li eight villages, if we extend to the whole northwest, even to the entire Great Undertaking Dynasty…"

His voice trembled slightly.

Lv Jing laughed and said, "What Lord Jiang said is exactly what we Xixi want to achieve, uh… called…"

She struggled to recall, "Oh, it's called ideal!"

Jiang Mingyuan gazed at the distant golden wheat waves, his face showing a hopeful smile.

"Ideal…"

"A fine word."

"Then let me accompany you to achieve it."

At least he still had the qualification to do these for her.

Gu Xixi nodded with a smile, "I wish to repay in kind, helping Brother Zi Chu achieve your ambitions in the northwest."

With Jiang Mingyuan's talent and ability, serving as a minor county magistrate in Qing Tian County would certainly be only the first step.

Qing Tian County cannot contain him.

Perhaps even the northwest will not be able to hold his wings in the future.

So what Gu Xixi can promise for now is only the present.

Who can say for sure how vast the future will be?

Final stop, Fragrant Orchid Residence.

Jiang Mingyuan himself proposed wanting to visit Old Master Song Qingshan.

First, as fellow scholars, Song Qingshan is also a locally renowned teacher.

Second, Song Qingshan once served at the Qing Tian County school, thus holding an official position.

Now that Jiang Mingyuan has assumed the post of county magistrate, it is rare for him to come to Huachi Du Cun; both sentiment and reason dictate that he should pay a visit.

As they stepped onto the field ridges, Gu Xixi stumbled and nearly fell.

Lv Jing and Jiang Mingyuan instinctively reached out to help.

Jiang Mingyuan acted a bit faster, his arm propping from behind Gu Xixi's back to give her leverage to stand steady.

During this, his palm remained unopened, and his body kept a slight distance.

His conduct was thoroughly that of a gentleman.

Yet from a distance behind, it looked as if Gu Xixi had fallen into Jiang Mingyuan's embrace, while he reached out to draw her into his arms.

Lv Jing patted her chest to calm herself, "Thank goodness she didn't fall; you scared me, thanks to Lord Jiang's keen eyes and quick hands!"

Gu Xixi also breathed a sigh of relief, thanked Jiang Mingyuan, and said, "It's getting late; let's hurry over."

They walked onto the firm earthen road.

Gu Xixi suddenly felt a chill behind her back.

She abruptly turned her head to look, but still saw nothing.

How strange…

At Fragrant Orchid Residence, Mr. and Mrs. Song Qingshan warmly welcomed the guests.

The group entered and closed the main gate.

By then the sun was already setting westward.

A man in dark clothes stood with his hands behind his back under the dense shade, his gaze not directed at Fragrant Orchid Residence.

Instead, it sharply aimed at the concealed corner beside the Tudimiao…

Jiang Mingyuan and Song Qingshan conversed happily, finding it hard to refuse the hospitality, so they stayed for dinner.

However, lately night has fallen late. When he left the village, the sky had just turned dark.

Gu Xixi and Lv Jing returned home feeling somewhat weary.

Zhang Shen and Shitou were not at home.

A note was left on the table, written by Shitou.

Having learned in advance that they would not return for dinner, it so happened that Lao Langzhong had a patient with an unfavorable condition needing overnight watch, so he also did not come back.

Zhang Shen then took Shitou to pay a visit to Qin Dasao's home.

Lv Jing said, "The clothes I collected this morning aren't folded yet; go take a shower first, I'll take over later."

Gu Xixi is not good at speaking to begin with; having spoken too much today, she now does not want to speak.

She nodded.

The undershirt she took off yesterday, after Zhang Shen washed it, was hung on the line.

After being sun‑dried all summer, it was naturally completely dry.

Gu Xixi, too lazy to go back inside for another, simply grabbed it and walked into the bathroom.

The water warmed by the sun during the day is warm and hot, washing with it is very comfortable; a simple rinse is enough for the whole family.

After rinsing, Gu Xixi felt much more comfortable.

When she came out, it was already pitch black; there were no lights inside the house, and everything in sight was dark.

However, her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, so it wasn't a problem.

Gu Xixi casually put the outer clothes she had worn today into the basin and headed toward her own room.

Lately it has gotten hot; her inner clothing is also summer style: a sleeveless top and short pants that only reach the knees.

The fabric is white thin silk; although not see-through, its soft smoothness reveals her figure completely when she moves, sits, or lies down.

Normally Shitou is at home, so Gu Xixi certainly could not dress like that in the courtyard.

Only at night, in her own room, would she dare to do so.

But today is special, giving her a chance to be lazy.

Gu Xixi entered the room, closed the door, and walked loosely toward the table, preparing to light a lamp.

The light by the window was brightest, and she easily found the matchstick.

The oil lamp lit up, and in the blink of an eye illuminated the interior.

Gu Xixi relaxedly exhaled, looked at the things on the table, and decided to rest first today.

She turned toward her bed, and her pupils suddenly contracted.

"You!"

"Mu Nan Zhao?"

Perhaps because she had some vague expectation in her heart, Gu Xixi was merely surprised and not frightened.

She walked toward him, complaining, "When did you come back?"

"You sneak in silently again, and you didn't even utter a sound when I entered the room."

"Good thing I'm bold; if it were Aunt Zhang, you'd surely have frightened her badly."

Mu Nan Zhao was sitting on the stool beside the bed.

But for some reason, his expression was strange; he turned his face away and refused to look directly at Gu Xixi.

"Who would have thought that as soon as you got home, you went to rinse off before even entering the house? And..."

"And you're dressed like that... and you just ran out like this."

Although he was in the darkness, Mu Nan Zhao still vaguely sensed the seriousness of the problem.

Just as he was caught in a dilemma, hesitating how to speak, Gu Xixi had already lit the lamp.

Gu Xixi froze.

Instinctively lowering her gaze, she saw the two little rabbits on her chest outlined clearly through the thin fabric.

She gasped and quickly crossed her arms to cover herself.

Lv Jing faintly heard the movement, came out from the west room and asked, "Xixi, did you call me?"

Gu Xixi feared Lv Jing would come over, making her even more embarrassed.

In a panic she shouted toward the window, "No, I just accidentally kicked the stool."

Lv Jing didn't suspect anything, "Oh, then be careful."

Gu Xixi responded again.

Outside finally quieted down.

Gu Xixi's heart pounded wildly, her face flushed like fire, and she dared not look at Mu Nan Zhao.

She tried to calm herself, opened the chest, pulled out a garment and put it on, actually not even seeing its color or style.

"You... you..."

Gu Xixi gritted her teeth and finally said angrily, "You noble young masters aren't supposed to value upbringing, are you?"

"This is a young lady's boudoir! You entered without invitation, and you sat here silently without even lighting a lamp!"

"And you still have the nerve to complain about what I'm wearing?!"

Seeing Mu Nan Zhao still turned sideways.

Gu Xixi exhaled, "You actually didn't see anything, right?"

Mu Nan Zhao hesitated a moment, "... Hmm."