Zhong Ruying glanced at the flower petals in the bathtub, reached out to stir them and smiled: "It's quite interesting, so let's stay a few more days."

  "General!" The attendant sword looked at Sa Hong with some urgency.

  "General, it's getting too late and it wouldn't be good if we're delayed any further. Why don't you draft a memorial to the Emperor requesting leave? Just say that when you met Lin Guizhu in Suzhou, you felt like old times and stayed for a few more days."

  The sword-wielding guard nodded repeatedly, "His Majesty will surely agree, he's fond of you."

  Zhong Ruying waved her hand and said, "Then write it."

  He nodded his chin at her, indicating for her to continue speaking.

  Scan the red nodded and said: "Some people say that Lin Junzhu is like her father, it's a rebirth of Tao Zhu Gong. When Mr. Lin left, apart from this piece of land, she only had two villas and a bookstore with four bookstores. I heard that even half of the family's silver was donated, but look at how well she planned this land now?"

  Zhong Ruying asked, "The Lin family's main branch only has these two aunt and niece, while the side branch lets them live here as they please?"

  Xuan Hong smiled and said, "I heard that when you first came back, there was a commotion, but it calmed down later. After Lin Guizhu moved here, the Lin family didn't dare to disturb her again. However, I heard that the head of the Lin family and several nephews from the side branch have been coming over recently to help with errands and show their filial piety."

  Zhong Ruying said faintly: "She's lucky, with many people in the clan and so many nephews and nieces, there must be someone who can use her."

  Scan Hong and Shi Jian heard the envy and regret in Zhong Ruying's words, lowered their heads and did not speak.

  The Zhong family has few descendants, and now that they are at the old general's place, there is only the general himself. Originally, he wanted to hand over the Zhong family army to his brother-in-law, but unexpectedly, his brother-in-law died in battle.

  The Zhong family's remaining side branches didn't have any other tricks up their sleeves, and they only thought of sucking blood from the general. As for Auntie's family, it goes without saying that Old Lady Qi couldn't wait for the general to die immediately, so she could adopt her nephew's child under Auntie's name.

  But she didn't understand why Zhong Jiayun recognized the general, and how his nephew, who had no blood relation to the Zhong family, could inherit the Zhong family's legacy?

  It turns out that General Shuo's situation is somewhat similar to that of Lin Junzhu, both are young widows with no children, and there are no legitimate nephews in the clan who can help.

  Lin Jun mainly raised his niece and supported the main branch of the Lin family. They also had to support the Zhong family army, as their general was also a member of the Zhong family.

  No wonder the two of them had a bit of a rapport as soon as they met, and General Hong couldn't help but say in a low voice: "General, we're not in the military anymore, you should restrain your temper a bit, don't be like an old soldier, or you'll scare people off, and then we won't be able to be friends."

  Zhong Ruying raised an eyebrow, "Does she look like she's been scared?"

  "How did the general know she wasn't scared?" Zhen Hong said in a low voice, "You didn't see it, but Lin County's mistress has been secretly glancing at you."

  Zhong Ruying hummed a smile and muttered: "She's not scared of me, I think she likes it very much."

  Because there were guests, considering that Zhong Ruying was a soldier, he must have liked meat, so some meat dishes were added to the dinner table.

  Zhong Ruying, although appearing bold and unrestrained, was actually very meticulous. Seeing that the dishes on the table were a mix of meat and vegetarian options, but Lin Qingwen and her two companions didn't eat any of them, she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and ask, "Is your family currently observing a vegetarian diet?"

  Lin Qingwan smiled and said, "We are copying scriptures, so we have been vegetarian recently. Sister, don't worry, eat whatever you like, if the taste is not suitable, just tell me, I'll let the kitchen staff make it according to your taste."

  Zhong Ruying nodded and didn't ask again.

  After dinner, Mrs. Xie bid farewell and returned to her room. Zhong Ruying then pulled Lin Qingwen to play chess, and Lin Yubin was very curious about Zhong Ruying, so he followed them.

  Zhong Ruying handed over the white chess piece to Lin Qingyuan, who accepted it and said: "I concede."

  Zhong Ruying leaned back on the couch and said with a relaxed tone: "I also like to make the first move when playing chess, that way I can always gain the upper hand."

  Lin Qingyan then pushed the white chess piece towards her.

  Zhong Ruying shook her head and leaned against the couch, saying with a charming smile: "Sister is different, I'd be happy to let sister go first."

  Lin Qingwan smiled and took back the white chess piece. Lin Yuhong, on the other hand, was stunned, his face slightly red as he looked at Zhong Ruying.

  Lin Qingwan made the first move and said, "Actually, I'm just the opposite of my sister. I like to make a late move, although the person who makes the first move may gain an advantage, they also reveal their weaknesses first."

  "How did you get the white piece?"

  "It's because my sister handed it to me," Lin Qingyan blocked her way, raised her head and smiled: "After all, I'm not very familiar with my sister, I'm afraid my sister doesn't know what kind of person I am, so in order not to push back and forth, I just accepted it."

  Zhong Ruying's smile deepened on her face, "Doesn't little sister usually get pushed around by others?"

  "It depends on who you're with."

  It means she wasn't on her opponent's list of people to push around, and Zhong Ruo Ying was even more delighted, even if she lost in the end, she still lost very happily.

  She gazed at Lin Qingwan with a tinge of regret and said, "Sister's body is recovering well, perhaps on the battlefield she can also achieve great things."

  Lin Qingwan shook her head, "Sister overestimates me, I don't have that kind of skill."

  "She's being too modest."

  Lin Qingwan shook her head again, generals were never that simple, especially in this era.

  Zhong Ruying didn't say anything else, but instead asked: "I heard that someone in the court impeached your sister, do you need my help?"

  "It has been resolved."

  Zhong Ruying burst out laughing: "Those people are so narrow-minded, sister has taught them a lesson, they may not say anything on the surface, but who knows how much they hate you in their hearts, be careful that they might impeach you in the future."

  "What's the worst that could happen?" Lin Qingwan said nonchalantly, "I won't die, and I might not even lose my position as county mistress. What do I have to fear?"

  Zhong Ruying couldn't help but burst out laughing, nodding her head, "Not bad, what are we afraid of? Although there's no harm done, it's still quite annoying."

  Lin Qingwan just smiled and didn't speak. She had been through a lot of unjust criticism, basically as long as it wasn't said in front of her face, she could usually ignore it.

  Grandfather used to say that their insults only exposed their own foolishness and bias, they were already so miserable, just let them be if they could.

  Although she hasn't reached her grandfather's level yet, basically when not in front of her, she can pretend to be unaware, but if it's in front of her, then it depends on her mood.

  Zhong Ruying shook her head, Lin Qingwen was still too gentle, if it were her, she would not let them off so easily and they would be afraid to commit the crime again.

  So every time someone accuses her, she has to confront those people and determine who is superior.

  Lin Qingwan looked at the hourglass, picking up the chess pieces one by one. "Sister, it's getting late, you've had a long journey, why not go back and rest first?"

  Zhong Ruying endured her temper and accompanied her to pick up a few more, glanced at the hourglass and no longer bothered to be polite with her, stood up, clasped his fists in farewell.

  Lin Yuheng saw her off, and Lin Qingwen saw her standing at the door to see her off. She couldn't help but walk forward and tap her forehead lightly, "Snap out of it, you've been staring blankly for so long, are you interested in her?"

  Lin Yuhong's face turned red as he followed his aunt and said, "Zhong Junzhu is indeed formidable, I really like her, but the one I like the most is still my little aunt."

  "This mouth is really sweet, like it's been smeared with honey."

  Lin Qingwan sat back in her seat and continued to pick up the chess pieces, while Lin Yuhong sat across from her, propping his chin with his hand and saying: "What I said is true, Princess Zhong is very formidable, but Auntie is also very formidable. You are my own aunt, so naturally I like you more."

  Lin Qingwan smiled and asked, "Then tell me, how is Zhong Junzhu so formidable, and how am I formidable?"

  Lin Yuhu lowered his head and thought for a moment before saying, "Just like the name suggests, Princess Rong is indeed full of heroic spirit. Her military achievements are impressive, and it's remarkable that a woman can achieve such feats. However, she's too flashy. Auntie is also formidable, supporting an entire family on her own. If Princess Rong is a sharp sword unsheathed, then Auntie is like a pool of water - calm yet capable of moving mountains and rivers when the situation calls for it, or slowly seeping in without anyone noticing."

  Lin Qingwan couldn't help but laugh, "You might as well just say I'm a fierce beast."

  "Auntie!" Lin Yubin said with a serious face: "I'm telling the truth."

  "Alright, so I'll ask you, do you want to be a sharp sword or a calm lake?"

  Lin Yuhuan bit her lip and didn't speak, actually she also felt that her aunt seemed to be wronged all the time. It's naturally more comfortable to be a person like Lady Ying, especially when you can speak out freely without having to hold back and feel uncomfortable in your heart.

  But she vaguely felt that Miss Ying seemed even more tired than her aunt, and it was clear that wielding this sharp sword wasn't easy.

  Lin Qingwan put a handful of white chess pieces into the chess box, "Foolish child, why do you have to be me or Zhong Junzhu? You can just be yourself."

  Lin Yuhong pouted, "Didn't Aunt ask me that?"

  "I asked you whether you want to eat duck eggs or celery for dinner, which one would you choose?"

  Lin Yuhong opened her mouth wide, but she didn't like eating either of these two things.

  "You can answer me that you want to eat both, and at home there are not only two dishes."

  Lin Yuhu silently stared at his aunt, feeling intuitively that he had been bullied.

  Lin Qingyan smiled and pushed her gently, "Alright, go to sleep quickly, you still have to go to school early tomorrow."

  They decided to set off for Yangzhou in five days, so she still had to go to school for four more days.

  Lin Yuhu walked back with her head down, still thinking about those two questions.

  Zhong Ruying slept well and after getting up, she first practiced sword in the yard, then went back to her room to wash up before going to the backyard with a beautiful appearance.

  Bai Mei saw her and immediately said: "The county master is awake, why don't we have breakfast first?"

  Zhong Ruying looked up at the sun in the sky and asked: "Where is your county master?"

  "Our aunt is in the vegetable garden at the back... Ah, young lady, you haven't had breakfast yet..."

  Zhong Ruying quickly walked to the backyard and saw Lin Qingwan squatting in the vegetable garden, pulling out weeds in a simple linen dress. She didn't mind getting dirty either, and strode forward with big steps, laughing and asking, "The noble young mistress is still planting vegetables?"

  Lin Qingwan raised her head and smiled: "The dignified county master relies on the income from the fields to support the family, so she is not afraid of growing vegetables."

  Zhong Ruying squatted down beside her, took a look at the vegetable field and nodded: "Not bad, it's been taken care of very well."

  She pointed to the paddy field not far away and asked, "Did you plant that too?"

  Lin Qingwan nodded, "In the Zhuangzi, everyone would think you're strange and come to watch, so I might as well open up a piece of land here in this big yard with a small river running through it."

  Zhong Ruying walked to the edge of the field and squatted down, observing for half a day before saying: "It's growing well."

  "Being close to the river, there's no lack of water, the soil is fertile and thick, fertilizer is sufficient, and the seeds are good too. How can it not be good?" Lin Qingwen walked up to her side, "Sister also understands farming matters?"

  "The national treasury is empty, and military salaries are often not paid on time. Some years, even food and grass for the horses were in short supply. With no other choice, my father had to lead the soldiers in opening up new land for farming. When we weren't fighting battles, we would cultivate the land, at least that way we could have some grain." Zhong Ruying sat down on the ground, pulled out a blade of grass and put it in her mouth, saying nonchalantly: "Now I'm the general of the Zhong family army, even if I don't need to personally work in the fields, I still need to understand something about farming."

  Lin Qing nodded her head.

  Zhong Ruying asked, "Do you think this year's harvest will be good?"

  "As long as the weather is favorable for the next two months, this year's harvest will definitely be good."

  "I hope heaven will give us a smile."

  Lin Qingwan nodded. In a chaotic world, grain can easily be exchanged for money, but money cannot buy grain. She has such a large piece of land and now she is looking forward to good weather every day.