Chapter 589 - 361: Time to Confess

Chapter 589: Chapter 361: Time to Confess

The small plot of black soil next to the yard is fully planted, and the remaining seeds have also found places to be planted.

Cotton can actually be self-seeded. Although it might not grow as well as it does on the black soil, it will certainly grow better than it does outside, and you can harvest quite a few seeds.

Speaking of which, cotton is actually very valuable.

Not only cotton itself, but cotton seeds can also be pressed for oil. Although it’s not edible, it’s quite good for lighting.

After sorting things out in the space, Xiaomi finally felt at ease.

But because of this, indeed there wasn’t much mood for traveling around. Only when something happened, and when Mother felt better, did everyone set off for home.

This time, staying in Nanyang Prefecture was quite a long stretch. Previously, it didn’t feel that way; it was only when preparing to depart that the homesickness truly hit.

No matter where their ancestral home truly is, the place where they lived peacefully for so long is their real home.

On the road, Xiaomi and Wei Ziang naturally couldn’t miss hunting every day to improve everyone’s meals.

This time returning, there were no Government Officials accompanying them, but there were many merchant caravans along the way, so there was no need to worry about safety.

Even if there weren’t other merchant caravans, having Xiaomi and Wei Ziang there meant it was actually very safe.

They even secretly agreed to take turns keeping watch at night and didn’t let others know.

Whether in terms of hearing, vision, alertness, or the newly learned "Qi Sword" by Xiaomi, the two of them could completely protect the other family members.

Because the weather is cool, they didn’t need to specifically find shade to rest at noon, shortening their return time by several days. By the time they reached Cheng County, it was just the beginning of February.

This time, they directly bypassed Cheng County and returned to Xiangmu Village. As soon as they tidied up and settled down, the constable from the yamen came knocking.

After Jiang Hu opened the door, the constable clasped his hands and bowed slightly, saying, "Is this the home of Scholar Jiang?"

Jiang Hu was momentarily stunned before realizing the constable meant his son Jiang Yu.

Nodding repeatedly, he said, "Yes, yes, Jiang Yu is my son. We just got back today. Constable, please come inside. He’s still freshening up, let me get you some tea first."

However, the constable shook his head and didn’t enter the door.

"So this is Mr. Jiang. No need for tea; this is an invitation from the County Magistrate for you. Anyone who passes the Scholar exam is invited by the County Magistrate, who also rewards them with twenty silver. Jiang Yu hasn’t been home, and today we learned he has returned."

"What’s more, the County Magistrate instructed that, since Jiang Yu became famous at such a young age, he truly honors our Cheng County. Therefore, please bring the whole family."

Saying this, he took out the invitation from his chest, "Mr. Jiang, you’ve been journeying and must be tired, I won’t disturb you further."

He really handed off the invitation and then rode away.

"Dad, who was that?" Xiaomi stretched and came out, having just bathed too. Traveling made everything inconvenient, especially bathing and washing one’s hair.

"It was the constable from the county. The County Magistrate invited our whole family to dine and also wants to reward your eldest brother twenty silver."

Jiang Hu closed the door, clutching the invitation, still somewhat in shock.

"But, why only Yu’er? Ze’er’s rank isn’t bad either."

He was even a little discontented.

Though Liu Ze isn’t his son, he’s raised him for several years and views him completely as a son.

Now, when another ’son’ is treated differently, of course he feels discontent.

Xiaomi’s focus was elsewhere, expressing her surprise, "What? The County Magistrate invited the whole family?"

Jiang Hu was pulled back to reality by his daughter’s voice, "That’s about it."

Xiaomi muttered to herself, "You planning to confess?"

"What are you talking about? I still don’t know how to tell your Ze brother about this. It’s absurd that the County Magistrate sent only one invitation."

Xiaomi rolled her eyes and quickly snatched the invitation from Jiang Hu’s hand.

"Dad, worry less about that and go bathe. You’re smelly. Ze brother definitely had his invitation sent to his own house, we’ll just bring him along tomorrow."

Having said this, she curiously examined what the official invitation looked like.

Jiang Hu then had his realization: Oh, right, how could the County Magistrate forget Ze’er? At the exam, Ze’er filled out the address for his own home, so his invitation must have reached his house too.

Thinking this way, he immediately felt relieved.

"Great, they can come together tomorrow. Ze’er... Xiaomi, be careful not to damage the invitation."

"Don’t worry Dad, hurry and wash up, you’re really smelly."

Being disliked by his daughter, Jiang Hu could only sulk and head to the backyard.

Soon everyone in the house knew about the matter, and it wasn’t just their family; very quickly the entire village found out.

In no time, nearly the whole Xiangmu Village was thrilled that Jiang Yu and Liu Ze were making Xiangmu Village proud!

That afternoon, the village chief even personally found some skillful cooks to make glutinous rice cakes to send to Jiang’s home.

The glutinous rice cakes, also called Scholar’s Cakes, even though neither of the two is a top scholar yet, it represents the village’s well-wishes for them!

Jiang Hu and Second Aunt were both delighted.

Previously in Nanyang Prefecture, maybe because many others also passed the Scholar exam, aside from initial visits from matchmakers, there was no particular difference, so they felt quite calm.

Now returning to Cheng County, they first received the County Magistrate’s invitation and then blessings from the villagers.

The kind of excitement like glorifying one’s ancestors finally crept into their hearts, making the couple radiant, and unable to contain their excitement while speaking.

The village chief, having delivered the cakes, didn’t rush to leave, and several village dignitaries also came over.

After chatting for a while, the village chief suddenly brought up a matter.

"Hey Xiao Jiang, with Jiang Yu and Liu Ze passing as Scholars, not to mention with such high ranks, shouldn’t we host a few tables to celebrate?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuan quickly turned his head.

"I definitely think we should. Our village coming out with two Scholars is certainly worth celebrating well, and we should let the whole region know."

In the inner courtyard, a few aunts who were close to Second Aunt were there too, with Second Aunt obviously unable to hide her smile. They talked about whether to hold a banquet to celebrate.

Upon hearing this, Xiaomi directly made a decision in place of her parents.

"Of course, we must, and we should celebrate grandly, let the entire region know. I’ll foot the bill, let’s throw a hundred-table banquet for my two brothers!"

"Wow, Xiaomi’s amazing, earning so much money from hunting?" Yang Xiuyun was playfully admonishing Xiaocao not to roam or touch anything in Jiang’s house, and she joked upon hearing this.

Nearby, Xiaomi seeing her turn her head, quickly grasped Xiaocao and ran, really, Auntie talks even more than her Mom.

"It’s true, but not tomorrow, since the County Magistrate’s inviting us for dinner. The day after tomorrow, we’ll host!"

Having said this, she pulled Xiaocao and raced off.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiuyun wanted to reach out to stop them, but by the time she moved, they had turned a corner and disappeared, so she could only give up and turn to talk about organizing the banquet.