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Upon learning about the situation, Wang Jinhe didn’t say much. They would be living here for a long time, and how they managed their daily lives was their concern. Wang Jinhe refrained from getting too involved, allowing them to take charge.
However, their attitude indicated a sincere desire to live well and treat this place as their own home.
It was great to see them treating this place with care, as treating it as their own would lead to more dedicated efforts.
Within a day, they filled the woodshed to the brim. The next morning, they rose early to prepare the land for cultivation. Having experience nurturing seedlings for two years, they knew how to go about it and worked skillfully.
Wang Jinhe stood by, watching them work swiftly without needing much direction. Their proactive approach brought Wang Jinhe great joy.
It seems she can relax a bit now.
After spending four to five days preparing the land, they began cultivation once the land was ready.
Once the cultivation was complete, Wang Jinhe handed over everything to Little Liang and headed to Ning’an County.
Upon arrival in Ning’an County, Yuan Lin had already purchased two thousand acres of land from the magistrate. They swiftly acquired the land and began constructing the compound, hiring laborers for work.
When Wang Jinhe arrived, they had finished preparing the land and were getting ready for planting.
“You’ve arrived, Madam.”
“You’ve been quite fast; it’s only been a few days since the situation in Ningshui County. Here, everything is almost done,” Wang Jinhe remarked, feeling impressed.
Su Yu’s capable men indeed put Wang Jinhe at ease.
Yuan Lin handled everything efficiently, leaving Wang Jinhe with no worries.
“Madam, things are nearly wrapped up here. After we finish planting, shall we return to Fu’an County?” Yuan Lin inquired.
It had been almost a month since they left, and Master Su Yu might not be pleased if they delayed further.
Wang Jinhe shook her head, “Not yet. We’ll visit Ning’an County and Ningshui County first.”
Yuan Lin found it curious why Wang Jinhe was reluctant to return.
“Do you have some matters to attend to here, Madam?” With the planting nearing completion, he was unsure of what else needed attention.
“I do have a few things to take care of here. Please don’t worry,” Wang Jinhe reassured him.
Yuan Lin felt helpless; he wasn’t worried, but he was concerned that staying away for too long might upset Master Su.
Considering their master’s concern for Madam’s well-being, if anything were to happen to her, there would be no way to make amends, even with his own life.
Most importantly, if Madam continued staying outside for an extended period, Master Su would undoubtedly come looking for her directly, and they would bear the consequences.
“I want to see how the common folk are faring here. After all, these two counties are also part of my fiefdom. I’ll see if I can help them find ways to earn a living and improve their quality of life,” Wang Jinhe explained.
It was essential for the residents of these counties to live well; there was no reason they should not while the people of Fu’an County did.
Yuan Lin was surprised that Wang Jinhe’s decision to stay was driven by this reason.
“All right then.”
Since Madam had spoken this way, what else could he do? He could only follow her lead.
After waiting a few more days following the end of planting, Wang Jinhe left Liang’s apprentice in charge and took Yuan Lin and the others around for a tour.
In Ning’an County, Wang Jinhe felt that things were quite satisfactory, and the residents seemed to be managing reasonably well.
As Wang Jinhe prepared to leave with her group, a sudden group of yamen officials emerged. The townspeople who were selling goods at the side stalls began to flee upon seeing them.
One elderly person, moving slower than the rest, was caught by the pursuing officials and toppled to the ground with a kick.
Wang Jinhe’s gaze turned cold as she watched the officials.
“The magistrate said no street stalls here. Can’t you hear?”
No street stalls?
Wang Jinhe’s brow furrowed slightly. What was the point of not allowing street stalls in a place like this? Were they meant to be just decorations?
Shouldn’t it be expected for the people to make and sell goods at the market themselves? What’s the matter with these yamen officials?
“Please spare me, my lord. I have a grandson to support at home.”
“We don’t care who you need to support. If the magistrate says no street stalls here, then there are no street stalls.”
Observing the menacing yamen officials, Wang Jinhe glanced at Yuan Lin beside her. Yuan Lin nodded, indicating to step forward and push the official who had kicked the elderly person.
“Who dares to obstruct official business? Do you want to die?” the official threatened.
“You have quite the audacity. Since when did Ning’an County prohibit even the common folk from setting up stalls? Who made this decision?” Wang Jinhe inquired as she approached.
“Our magistrate made the call. He’s the county magistrate of Ning’an County. Whatever he says goes. If he says no street stalls, then there are no street stalls.”
Wang Jinhe’s gaze turned slightly cold, realizing that some places and individuals were not as favorable as she had hoped.
“If I recall correctly, isn’t Ning’an County also under the jurisdiction of The County Princess? Does she have no say against your magistrate?”
“The heavens are high, and the emperor is far away. She’s just a woman; what can she do against our magistrate?” the official retorted.
“Our lord is the older brother of Concubine Xian.”
Concubine Xian?
That name sounded familiar, like it was heard somewhere before.
“It seems like I’ve heard the name before. Yuan Lin, Have we crossed paths somewhere?” Wang Jinhe asked.
“She is the mother of Princess Xuan Mengya, who was previously sent to the cold palace by the emperor,” Yuan Lin reminded.
With Yuan Lin’s prompt, Wang Jinhe suddenly recalled, “Ah, now I remember.”
“So, she’s the Concubine Xian who allowed Princess Xuan to harm her siblings and was subsequently sent to the cold palace. I almost didn’t remember her.”
The yamen officials were taken aback by Wang Jinhe’s revelation.
Concubine Xian being sent to the cold palace? That seems quite unbelievable.
“Nonsense, Concubine Xian, who was in favor, couldn’t possibly have been sent to the cold palace.”
“Yuan Lin, gather the group. Let’s head to the county yamen. I want to see what skills this brother of concubine Xian possesses.”
“It’s Wang Jinhe.”
The yamen officials who were just challenging Wang Jinhe were left dumbfounded upon hearing “Wang Jinhe.”
“Wang… Wang Jinhe?”
This person is actually the Princess, the county princess?
Why would she suddenly leave Fu’an County and come to Ning’an County?
“What’s the matter? Surprised?”
The yamen officials were completely flustered, “Forgive us, Your Highness.”
Ignoring them, Wang Jinhe walked over to the elderly person and helped them up, saying, “I am The Princess, also the County princess Changning. If anyone here has suffered any injustice, feel free to speak to me.”
The elderly person was astonished to have the opportunity to meet The Princess. She appeared so approachable.
Overwhelmed with emotion, the elderly person knelt on the ground, tears flowing, and pleaded, “Please, Your Highness, speak up for us common folk.”
“Gather the others who have suffered injustice, and follow me. I will ensure justice is served,” Wang Jinhe earnestly instructed the elderly person.
The elderly person wiped away tears and nodded repeatedly.
With The Princess’s arrival, they believed their days would improve.
“Let’s go.”
The elderly person went to gather others who had suffered.
Those who were often mistreated by the yamen officials were delighted upon hearing that the Princess had arrived in Ning’an County.