Early this morning, before daybreak, Su Nianyuan was already out of bed. Because people from the city were coming to help work today, everyone in Qingzhu Village rose early as well.
The porridge cooked in the morning smelled wonderfully fragrant. Although it was old rice, it was not moldy; a single mouthful refreshed both body and mind.
Both Qu Hu and Lin Shoufeng were scheduled to oversee tasks today, so Su Nianyuan was carried to the county town by Li Si, who had volunteered himself.
A steed could be changed daily, after all.
Plus, holding the waist token in her hands, Li Si experienced for the very first time what it felt like to ride on someone else’s coattails.
Right now, he was even being served tea by the servants of the magistrate’s manor.
Taking a sip of hot tea, Li Si narrowed his eyes in pure bliss.
Back then, he must have had water in his brain to ever consider going against the Little Village Chief.
Meanwhile, in the rear courtyard, Su Nianyuan lay propped on the edge of the bed, chuckling as she looked at Zhou Qiyuan, who was dripping wet all over his bed, her smile looking utterly harmless: “Godfather, did you have a nightmare? How come even the bed is soaked?”
Coming to his senses, Zhou Qiyuan reached up and touched his head—sure enough, it was drenched.
He had actually broken out in so much cold sweat! Recalling the nightmare he had just experienced, he let out a long breath and looked at the girl before him with immense gratitude: “Thank you, A-Yuan.”
She truly was sent by Emperor Zhenwu to save him.
Su Nianyuan giggled, her small hand pushing the teapot off to the side, completely out of Zhou Qiyuan’s line of sight from his angle.
Once Zhou Qiyuan finished washing up, he regained his usual dignified appearance.
Reaching out, he scooped Su Nianyuan up in his arms, his fond affection for her genuinely deepening by quite a bit: “You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Why did you come so early today?”
“I heard all about yesterday’s events. I am very satisfied with your arrangements.”
When news from the city reached Zhou Qiyuan’s ears yesterday, it was full of praise for him from the common folk.
An envoy sent to save the world, indeed.
Tsk, merely hearing it made Zhou Qiyuan feel refreshed in mind and spirit. If word of this reached the capital, His Majesty would surely view him in a whole new light as well.
At the thought of this, Zhou Qiyuan hurriedly instructed a servant: “Go prepare breakfast, and prepare extra delicacies that my goddaughter loves to eat.”
A table of sumptuous, exquisite dishes was served shortly, and even Li Si received a large bowl. Swallowing his saliva, he stole a cautious glance at the County Magistrate sitting nearby.
How long had it been since he last ate such a lavish meal?
It truly was all thanks to the Little Village Chief!
For Su Nianyuan, however, this table of dishes was somewhat ordinary, and being small, she felt full after just a few bites.
At five years old, she could already hold chopsticks herself and eat on her own, her table manners remarkably refined.
The more Zhou Qiyuan looked, the more pleased he became. No wonder the Emperor had chosen her as the intermediary; this child was indeed out of the ordinary.
Having come to the county town this time, Su Nianyuan naturally had other plans. Once she finished eating, she raised her head, putting on a look of helpless reliance: “Godfather, last night the Great Immortal gave me quite a few new tasks again, but…”
Her little head drooped down. Zhou Qiyuan’s heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly pressed, “What did the Great Immortal say to you?”
Su Nianyuan spoke in a soft yet clear voice: “The Great Emperor said we need to overhaul the ground of the entire Cangwu County. He taught me a new method, but that requires quite a bit of money. Godfather, my heart aches for you!”
The more she spoke, the sadder Su Nianyuan appeared. Her small hands clutched Zhou Qiyuan’s sleeve, her big eyes brimming with tears, filled entirely with heartache for him.
She choked back a sob: “Godfather works day and night for the people of Cangwu County, suffering nightmares night after night—it’s already hard enough. Why must you bear everything on your own?”
“If Cangwu County wants to develop, shouldn’t everyone work hard together? It’s not your county alone, after all!”
The more she spoke, the more emotional she grew, bursting into tears with a loud wail.
Li Si, who was squatting by the doorway, snapped his head up, his mouth still stuffed with food, staring at Su Nianyuan in shock.
Was the Little Village Chief wronged? Why was she crying?
Should he rush up to give the Little Village Chief a hand?
Li Si tightened his grip on the chopsticks, a flicker of murderous intent flashing in his eyes as his body leaned forward slightly, ready to spring into action.
Su Nianyuan lowered her head and wiped her tears and snot onto Zhou Qiyuan’s sleeve, while glaring back at Li Si with a warning gaze.
Li Si instantly cowered and sat back down.
Got it—it was an act.
Looking at the tiny girl wiping her tears, Zhou Qiyuan’s heart softened completely. She was actually aching for him.
Thinking back on his own actions over all these years, Zhou Qiyuan felt a pang of self-pity as well. Truth be told, when one first became an official, who wouldn’t want to build a great career?
Without a backer, however, doing so was truly difficult.
The more he thought, the sourer Zhou Qiyuan’s heart felt, as if all his years of grievances had finally been noticed. He reached out and gently patted Su Nianyuan on the back.
“I never imagined the person who understands me best would be you.”
“Daughter, from now on, you are my own biological daughter. Whatever you want to do, Godfather will defer to you!”
Simply because Su Nianyuan was the only person who didn’t judge him by his appearance and truly understood his inner heart, Zhou Qiyuan was willing to let her become his most favored daughter.
Su Nianyuan’s head remained bowed, the corners of her lips curling upward. You’re so easy to fool, Godfather.
When she raised her head again, her small face was red from wiping too hard.
“Godfather, I think you are still far too gentle toward the wealthy merchants in town. They only care about their own enjoyment and have never considered your plight.”
“Look at Yifu Temple—every corner reeks of wealth. I know it’s because of your kind heart, but if the Regional Inspector truly intends to impeach you, the consequences would be unimaginable! Only when the common people are prosperous will it seem natural for you to live well, isn’t that so?”
Zhou Qiyuan pondered, feeling that this was indeed the case.
In the past, he hadn’t cared, but thinking about it now, if the people were living in misery while he was eating and drinking luxuriously, how would those above view him?
The common folk were His Majesty’s subjects.
To put it plainly, if I take good care of His Majesty’s children, could His Majesty fail to view me in a special light?
Zhou Qiyuan clapped his hands together: “You’re right! They truly deserve to die—not giving a thought to me at all! Daughter, tell me, what should Godfather do?”
Having achieved her goal for this visit, Su Nianyuan wiped away her tears, tugged at Zhou Qiyuan’s sleeve, and whispered her plan into his ear at a rapid pace.
The more he listened, the brighter Zhou Qiyuan’s eyes grew.
Finally, slapping his knee, he couldn’t help exclaiming in admiration, “A-Yuan, this tiny brain of yours is simply too brilliant! We will do exactly as you say.”
“Wu Kun! Lin Wenbin!”
The two who had been waiting outside for a long time answered and walked inside. Upon seeing Su Nianyuan sitting right beside Zhou Qiyuan, their expressions differed completely.
Lin Wenbin was undoubtedly happy.
However, Wu Kun’s eyes held a hint of scrutiny.
When Su Nianyuan came yesterday, and later when Lin Wenbin was organizing the commoners to work, he had not been around; he was drinking in the rear courtyard of a wealthy merchant’s home at the time.
Having drunk too much, he only heard the news this morning.
Earlier at the doorway, he had been constantly pressing Lin Wenbin for details, yet a man who was normally honest and plain had refused to utter a single word today. There had to be a master advising behind the scenes.
Was this “master” a five-year-old toddler?
Is this a joke?
Zhou Qiyuan was in a splendid mood, his tone brimming with smiles: “Wu Kun, you weren’t here yesterday, so let me introduce her to you. This is my goddaughter, Su Nianyuan. You must obey her from now on.”
Wu Kun felt disdain in his heart, yet maintained an attitude of utmost deference on the surface: “Greetings, Miss Su! If you have any orders in the future, please feel free to speak!”
Su Nianyuan looked at Wu Kun. This man was the County Assistant of Cangwu County, a official of the lower seventh rank.
Yet the fabric he wore, the shoes on his feet, and that jade thumb ring on his finger were certainly not things a County Assistant’s salary could afford.
Standing next to Lin Wenbin, the contrast was like that between a master and a servant boy.
Su Nianyuan suddenly flashed a grin, speaking in a childish tone: “Is Master Wu my godfather’s most capable subordinate?”
“Naturally!”
“In that case, let’s start by donating a thousand taels to see.”
Wu Kun was stunned: “What??”