Chapter 246

......0

The tree branch snapped with a crack as Mianmian broke it off.0

Early morning in Jiangzhou, out for a spring outing - no, not quite a spring outing, it was winter.0

Not a snow excursion either, as there was no snow.0

Perhaps it could be called surveying the territory.0

Uncle Gong was extremely fond of giving land deeds as gifts.0

With the newly acquired land deed, Mianmian went out with Father and Elder Brother to familiarize themselves with the place.0

Jiangzhou was not far from the Capital City.0

A day's journey on foot.0

Half a day if one moved quickly.0

Jiangzhou was a land of fish and rice.0

Gong Qichi was very thoughtful, giving Mianmian a land deed for the location of the Jiang Family Ancestral Home.0

He knew that although Brother Jiang deeply resented the Jiang family matriarch, he was still very dependent on and admired his father, Grand Preceptor Jiang.0

If one were to say who Jiang Changtian's every move resembled, those who had seen Grand Preceptor Jiang would realize that he was very much like him. Their faces might not look alike, but their mannerisms were extremely similar.0

In his youth, Grand Preceptor Jiang was also known as a talented and handsome scholar, with every gesture exuding the grace of an aristocratic family.0

The phrase "as bright as the wind and clear as the moon" seemed to be welded to Grand Preceptor Jiang.0

Jiang Changtian was also striving to develop in this direction.0

Those who didn't know him well would think he was as bright as the wind and clear as the moon, while those familiar with him thought he was crazy about the moon - wild during the day and even wilder at night.3

After Grand Preceptor Jiang's incident, the Jiang Family fell apart and was quickly divided up.0

For a large family, without a strong authoritative figure at the top and lacking robust strength of their own, it was basically impossible to hold on to everything and could only be eaten away piece by piece.0

Mianmian looked at the vast fields before her, with houses, rivers, and trees - this was where the Jiang Family once lived.0

It was a very peaceful place, and one could see its prosperity.0

So much land could support many people.0

But prosperity is like clouds and mist, dissipating.0

Gong Qichi didn't immediately go to welcome Jiang Changtian, but he had done the work of redeeming, buying back, and reclaiming the Jiang Family Ancestral Home and the land, painstakingly connecting it into one complete piece.0

Originally, the ancestral home's land wasn't this intact.0

Now Mianmian, Father, Elder Brother, and Uncle Gong had climbed to the top of the mountain, where there was a four-story small pagoda.0

There was incense burning.0

And green pine trees.0

The view was extremely vast.0

When Uncle Gong pointed to a whole area below the mountain, saying this was the range covered by the land deed, Mianmian was so surprised that she broke off a pine branch.0

It was fortunate that Mom didn't come; if she had seen this expanse of land, she might have uprooted the entire pine tree.3

"This village has one side bordering the river. I had a large port rebuilt there. With a boat, you can reach the Capital City very quickly by water."0

"This area is just behind the mountain and can be used for military training."0

"This area is rich in paddy fields, completely self-sufficient, secluded, yet with convenient transportation."0

Gong Qichi spoke with slight excitement.0

He didn't know why Grand Preceptor Jiang had originally chosen such a place for the ancestral home, but when he bought it back and connected it all, he discovered that this place was perfect for training troops and staging a rebellion.0

It had both natural and geographical advantages.0

Gong Qichi came to Jiangzhou intending to give Brother Jiang a gift.0

He had always known that Brother Jiang had no ambition. Whenever Brother Jiang had free time, he would stay at home with his wife and children, rarely going out to socialize.0

Time had not been kind to him.0

He had aged very quickly.0

......0

Returning to the inn, the group set off for the Capital City.0

Lord Jia came in a hurry to see them off.0

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Lord Jiang. Today Governor Lu suddenly fell seriously ill and needs to take a long leave. Many of his tasks have been transferred to me. I was originally idle, but now I've become busy too. I had planned to take you sightseeing for a few days."0

"It's alright, Jiangzhou is very close to the Capital City. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future."0

Jiang Changtian left Jiangzhou with his family.0

They were about to reach the Capital City, and the most nervous was Elder Sister.0

Although Jiang Yu was now undoubtedly a great merit to the Meng family, she had never met her in-laws and elders, so she was still somewhat anxious. Moreover, if they entered the capital, would she have to live in the Meng family's house from now on? Suddenly she realized that she was married; before, while staying at her maiden home, she hadn't felt like she was married.0

However, Great-aunt said she would accompany her for a while, which made her feel a bit more at ease. As long as Great-aunt was there, it seemed like everything would be fine.0

Her husband also said that she could return to her maiden home anytime, and that his mother often went back to her maiden home too. They wouldn't have as many rules as the scholar-official families.0

Mianmian was also looking forward to it.0

They were finally reaching the imperial capital.0

Soon she would be able to see Zi Xiaochong.0

And help the stargazer send him a letter.0

A letter that could have been sent long ago but wasn't.0

After all, it was the prosperous imperial capital, so there was some anticipation.0

She had left Jingzhou earlier than Miss Wu Yi'an, but arrived later.0

Wu Yi'an had left her half a book, which she had given to her nephew to read, without memorizing it herself.0

She didn't know if her little nephew had memorized it.0

Uncle Gong had come to Jiangzhou specifically to acquire land for their family, and then return to the capital together.0

This was probably the sentiment of the ancients. Without real-time communication, even letters were hard to receive on time, maybe just one or two letters a year.3

Then, knowing you were coming, he would cross a city to wait for you.0

Preparing gifts for you with all his heart.0

Not worried about changes in people or things, just doing it.0

At this time, people's feelings seemed more sincere.0

They traveled quickly.0

When they reached the Capital City, it was truly at the time of the evening glow.0

The city gates were majestic, with a red background.0

Each soldier's face was unclear, like a silhouette.0

Because it was evening, there were fewer teams entering the city and more leaving, so they didn't have to wait long.0

Jiang Feng sat on horseback, looking at this city.0

As a youth, he would wander the streets every day, listening to passing merchants boast about how grand the Capital City was. Just listening made him feel like he was gaining knowledge.0

Now, at the foot of the city gate, his heart was both excited and nervous.0

He had left Jingzhou, left that burial ground, and come to the Capital City to see new sights.0

It was wonderful.0

The young man dared to pursue his future now, because his whole family was with him.0

The young man had finally arrived in the Capital City.0

......0