The Comeback of the Charming Farmer's Wife

First, Ye Er and the others stepped forward to help a group of villagers who had come to see them off to their feet, and after soothing them with a few words, Ye Zi’an then turned around to speak with First Old Master Li.

"Old Master Li," he said, "as for the sugarcane matter, I’ve handed it over to the new County Magistrate. He will promote it in Mianyang. If you wish to purchase sugarcane plants, you can directly seek him out. However, I’ve heard that a family can only buy one mu of sugarcane plants. If First Old Master Li wishes to purchase more, I’m afraid you’ll still need to look elsewhere."

Upon hearing this, First Old Master Li laughed and said, "Lord Ye, we are aware of the news you mentioned. We won’t compete with the poor villagers for the supply from the county office. It’s just that we heard Lord Ye’s hometown has an abundance of sugarcane, and we would like to purchase from there. I wonder if that would be possible?"

Yang Chuxia, from inside the carriage, upon hearing this, laughed loudly and said, "First Old Master Li, that’s naturally not a problem. However, this year, all the sugarcane plants in Funan have been allocated elsewhere. If you wish to purchase some, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until next year."

"Next year, eh?" First Old Master Li muttered to the person beside him after hearing that, then said, "Next year will do."

"In that case, when you return, seek out the owner of the fruit wine shop. He is our Chief Steward and will be delayed in Mianyang for a while. Whatever quantity you want, you can discuss all such matters with him."

The Chief Steward Yang Chuxia spoke of was none other than Fugui. He and Ming Liu would not be leaving yet, as they still needed to oversee the local distilleries and taverns. Once someone took over, the couple would head directly to Shandong to meet up with them.

"Thank you so much, Madam Ye!"

After finishing the official business, First Old Master Li no longer delayed Ye Zi’an’s journey and merely chatted idly for a while.

As the carriage set off, the voices of those behind could still be heard from afar, all of them expressing their gratitude.

For an official to achieve this level of public gratitude was the highest form of recognition for their service.

Yet Ye Zi’an, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but feel bittersweet, because some families had lost their daughters. Although he had shut down the Fancy Red Pavilion, the culprit behind the scenes had not been caught. How could he consider this revenge? He felt unworthy of their thanks.

"Mother, I want to ride a horse," Yangyang said inside the carriage, looking at Ye Zi’an and the others atop their majestic horses, looking so dashing that he couldn’t help but be envious.

"You?" Yang Chuxia looked at his small frame and shook her head, "You are too little, and it’s too rough for you."

"Can’t Stepfather take me?" Yangyang pouted, appealing to Yang Chuxia’s sympathy when he saw her refusal, "Mother, mother, please talk to Stepfather for me, ask him to take me."

"No, you’re still too small. We can talk about horse riding when you’re six or seven years old."

"Ah..." Yangyang cried out, "Mother, are you sure we have to wait until I’m six or seven years old? By six or seven, I’ll be old, and old people can’t handle the jostling even less."

"Ha ha..."

Yang Chuxia and the people on both sides of the carriage were all amused by him.

"..." Yangyang, speechless, lifted the carriage curtain to look at the people riding horses on either side, feeling rather dejected, thinking to himself, why is everyone laughing?

Not being allowed to ride a horse made Yangyang unhappy. Even by lunchtime, he was still sulking, eating his food in a gloomy mood. It wasn’t until Ye Zi’an promised to take him horseback riding in the afternoon that he finally cheered up.

"Stepfather, when can I ride a horse by myself?" Sitting on the magnificent horse and looking down from a great height, with the sensation of galloping, it felt so wonderful that he excitedly waved his hands.

"You rascal always wants more. You’ve just mounted a horse and now you’re thinking of riding solo. What’s next? Wishing to fly to the heavens?"