Chapter 451: line with translation of chapter title

Lv Jing was full of doubt.

Isn't the Regent Prince not the type to get jealous?

Could it be that she has been mistaken all along?

Actually, no one would know what the Regent Prince has experienced inside beneath his calm exterior.

He picked the topic that Gu Xixi is most concerned about and interested in right now to attract attention—Jiang Mingyuan really has scheming!

What? Gu Xixi and Jiang Mingyuan exchanged smiles again and again?!

I didn't hear anything funny!

Is it necessary for you, Jiang Mingyuan, to constantly show concern for Gu Xixi just because of a distant cousin relationship?

A mere trick, and Gu Xixi actually admires it? And she even said she'll listen to Jiang Mingyuan from now on?!

: ……

Never mind, anyway it's all for Gu Xixi's benefit, and the final benefit is also our own.

That's right, there's no need for us family members to quarrel with an outsider like Jiang Mingyuan.

Even if the Regent Prince were to quarrel over favor and jealousy like the consorts in the harem, Mu Nan Zhao wouldn't care about so-called face; after all, his face has always been self-given.

He has never crafted a gentleman's persona.

Just……

The only concern: Jiang Mingyuan's actions are flawless; if he were to embarrass Jiang Mingyuan here, Gu Xixi would surely, definitely get angry!

The Regent Prince drew a suffocating deep breath to ease his feeling of oppression.

Immediately after, Jiang Mingyuan led Gu Xixi to inspect various parts of the tea plantation construction site.

The two walked and talked, both very serious.

Mu Nan Zhao naturally refused to walk side by side with Lv Jing and Shitou, obediently following behind.

He stepped forward to walk at Gu Xixi's right side, step for step.

It might be that the earlier mental constructions have taken effect.

It might also be that walking beside Gu Xixi naturally improved his mood a bit.

As Mu Nan Zhao walked, he truly became calm and composed.

Not flustered, not hurried, not anxious.

Even in Jiang Mingyuan and Gu Xixi's occasional conversation, he had no interest in participating.

After the inspection round ended.

It let everyone present recognize who the true boss of the tea plantation is.

The first day's wages were also officially paid out.

They returned to the original place.

Gu Xixi said satisfied, 'For now everything seems smooth; with the County Office assigning supervisors, I also feel at ease.'

I feel there's nothing that needs to be changed.

Jiang Mingyuan said, 'Then that's good,'

The upcoming responsibilities will all fall on your side.

He stared into Gu Xixi's eyes, lowered his voice, 'Regarding funds…… do you have any difficulties?'

Gu Xixi smiled brightly, 'Just now Brother Zi Chu told me not to worry about you.'

How did you forget so suddenly?

Jiang Mingyuan stared, then quickly realized and gave a helpless laugh.

Alright, you trust me, and I trust you.

We'll just each do our own work in our own territories.

No matter what the Qing Tian County Office was like in the past.

From the day Jiang Mingyuan took office as county magistrate, he already had an inner realization.

Rectifying the root and clearing the source is his duty.

If he cannot do it, then it is his own incompetence.

The same principle applies to Gu Xixi as well.

Lv Jing and Shitou, one an intern, one a curious baby, stared wide-eyed and prick-eared the whole time.

No matter how much they could understand, they simply didn't want to miss a single word.

Only when they heard Gu Xixi say 'Preparing to go home' did those two confirm the trip's goal was accomplished.

Shitou immediately reverted to being an untamed little colt.

Gu Xixi elder sister, can I go again to look at the highest slope?

The tea plantation site selection area is large; from the highest slope within it one can overlook the whole panorama.

Although no tea trees have been planted yet, looking out and imagining that this whole expanse will someday be a tea plantation.

Even Shitou couldn't help feeling excited.

Gu Xixi permitted Shitou's request, 'Okay, go look, walk carefully, don't rush.'

We'll go down first to prepare the cart, drink some water and wait for you.

Shitou cheered and ran off.

Lv Jing wiped her sweat and sighed, 'A child's energy is truly beyond ordinary people.'

Gu Xixi couldn't help laughing, 'You're only a few years older than Shitou—how can you talk like you're an old lady?'

Lv Jing said earnestly, 'Don't underestimate these few years.'

'As the saying goes, even dogs dislike seven- or eight-year-olds; kids of this age playing with dogs tire even the dogs out!'

Jiang Mingyuan laughed and said, "It's hot today; we've been walking almost all morning, so we should be tired."

Several people chatted and laughed as they walked outside.

Just as Mu Nan Zhao had earlier secretly sized up Jiang Mingyuan.

At this moment, Jiang Mingyuan glanced at Mu Nan Zhao, also full of doubt.

When the Regent Prince first arrived, seeing him speak still carried a hint of sarcasm.

How come he stopped speaking later?

Moreover, the Regent Prince not only remained silent the whole time, but his expression also seemed……tranquil from inside out?

Something's off!

Given the Regent Prince's scheming and intelligence, he surely has another trick up his sleeve!

The flatbed cart stopped under a patch of shade.

When they stopped in the morning, Lv Jing guessed this trip would take a while, so she wanted to let Lai Fu loosen up.

She then untied the rope from the cart, found a shady spot with lush grass, and tethered Lai Fu under the tree to rest.

Thus Lv Jing went first to lead the mule, leaving Gu Xixi, Mu Nan Zhao, and Jiang Mingyuan.

Gu Xixi felt no discomfort; she plopped down on the cart seat from exhaustion, then turned and picked up the water jar.

"The cool boiled water I prepared this morning—would you two like some?"

Since it's inconvenient to bring a bowl on the road, this jar is clearly for the two girls and a child to drink directly from.

How could the men possibly feel proper accepting it?

Jiang Mingyuan politely said, "Thank you, I drank tea when I left this morning, so I'm not thirsty."

Mu Nan Zhao said lightly, "You go ahead and drink; I'll wait until we get home to have some."

The three words "our home" he seemed to especially emphasize.

Then he handed over an envelope with a backhand motion.

Gu Xixi took it habitually, then asked, "What is this?"

Mu Nan Zhao said, "He Jinglan asked me to bring this to you; she said you'd know at a glance."

The envelope felt thin; one couldn't tell what was inside, and the opening lacked any wax seal.

Gu Xixi lowered her head to open it; out of familiarity with her close friend, she cautiously pulled out just a bit of the paper inside.

As soon as she saw the pattern showing through the back of the paper, she startled and immediately pushed it back into the envelope.

Just a glance, and Jiang Mingyuan also saw it.

That was the distinctive anti-counterfeit pattern of the Great Undertaking Dynasty's circulating gold notes, and it was a large-denomination gold note.

Gu Xixi slipped the envelope into her satchel, then lifted her head to look at Mu Nan Zhao, "Jing Lan had you give this to me?"

"Why didn't she mention it in the letter?"

The most recent letter arrived just three days ago.

Logically, He Jinglan had plenty of time to give advance notice of this.

Mu Nan Zhao said, "How would I know what she's thinking?"

"Rest assured, there's no money of mine inside."

"It's all from your close friend; I've brought the items, how to use them is up to you two."

Jiang Mingyuan watched from the side, a flicker of smile flashing in his eyes.

No wonder the Regent Prince remained so composed today.

He actually brought such a heavy gift.

But this way, it can ease the financial strain and surely relieve much of Gu Xixi's pressure.

Timely rain, a good thing.

On the way home, halfway there, the clear sky turned cloudy.

Lv Jing drove ahead without looking back, and unlike before, she didn't keep chatting with Gu Xixi.

Shitou was utterly exhausted; he got onto the cart and fell asleep as soon as he lay down.

Only Gu Xixi and Mu Nan Zhao remained awake, facing each other.