Returning to Pasture Manor

Hooves clattered as they exited the west gate of Songhe Prefecture and continued westward.

Nourished by the spring rain, everything was recovering, and the grass was a vibrant green in the distance.

It was on this very road that he had entered the city in the snow, falling on his backside many times.

Now, however, he was riding a tall horse, with not only a saber at his waist but also... Of course, he didn't have much money, but he could already borrow some based on his old connections.

He urged his horse to go faster and arrived at Pasture Manor before noon.

The dogs in the manor still remembered the grudge of having their eggs taken and barked incessantly when they saw Meng Yuan arrive.

"I even dealt with demon wolves, why would I be afraid of a few dogs?" Meng Yuan just glared, and all the dogs quieted down.

The villagers saw a young man riding a horse. Although his clothes were ordinary, his complexion was rosy, and he was very handsome. They thought he was the son of some noble family. When they got closer, they realized it was the Little Gelder and greeted him one after another.

Poverty in a bustling city goes unnoticed; he never had this kind of treatment in the manor before.

Meng Yuan exchanged a few polite words and came to the front of the manor hall. Manor Head Sun had already come out to greet him.

After a few pleasantries, Meng Yuan took out the note approved by Xun Mei.

Manor Head Sun took it and saw that it stated Meng Yuan was already a Royal Residence Guard and had performed meritorious service, and wanted to bring his family back to the city to live.

He glanced at Meng Yuan and saw that the young man was tall, clean, and capable. Not only had he made a name for himself, but he could also benefit his family. But this child had only been in the city for a few days, right? He must have climbed a high branch! He just didn't know if it was Xun Mei.

Manor Head Sun wiped the sweat from his forehead and thought to himself, Fortunately, I didn't mistreat Old Man Jiang and his granddaughter, otherwise, if he went back and whispered in her ear, life would be unbearable!

"I've met countless people in my life, and the first day I saw you in the manor, I knew you would definitely achieve something!" Manor Head Sun stroked his beard and smiled, looking familiar. "See, I was right!"

After a casual compliment, Manor Head Sun was about to take Meng Yuan to find Old Man Jiang.

Leaving the main hall, they saw several villagers, as well as Zhao Datou, already surrounding Jiang Shuanyou and Jiang Tang.

After not seeing him for nearly two months, Old Man Jiang looked even older, slightly hunched over.

Jiang Tang, however, had a rosy complexion. Although she wore coarse cloth clothes, her youthful charm was hard to conceal.

Her hair was tied in two pigtails behind her head, and her two dark eyes looked at Meng Yuan. After not seeing him for nearly two months, there was both the hope of reunion and the shyness of a young girl.

Meng Yuan stepped forward and took her hand. Jiang Tang then happily said, "Brother!"

Her voice was clear, with a hint of shyness.

However, she was still a twelve-year-old girl, without any hint of charm, only pure brightness, like the spring sun. Meng Yuan was truly unmoved, only feeling heartache.

Jiang Shuanyou saw that Meng Yuan didn't hesitate to hold his granddaughter's hand and knew that his intentions hadn't changed. He couldn't help but shed tears. He didn't have many years left, and the only thing he was worried about was his granddaughter.

Now it seemed his granddaughter had found her place.

During the escape before the New Year, Jiang Shuanyou was helped by this young man, which saved his life. Later, he saw the young man bury the old man who had spoken up for justice, and he knew that the young man was a kind person, worthy of trust.

That's why he passed on the gelding technique and even somehow arranged the marriage.

Jiang Shuanyou looked at the young man again and saw that he had a good appearance and his temperament had changed. Everything was good, but it was also a little too good. His granddaughter was young and couldn't have children yet. It was possible she wouldn't be able to keep him and he would be taken by another family.

"Everyone, disperse! Go back to work!" Seeing the villagers crowding around, Manor Head Sun quickly invited Old Man Jiang and his granddaughter and Zhao Datou into the main hall to talk.

Upon entering the main hall, Manor Head Sun knew that Meng Yuan would definitely have some private words with Old Man Jiang and his granddaughter, so he smiled and said, "I'm also familiar with Xun Mei, we're not outsiders. You all sit for a while, and we'll have lunch here. I'll go arrange some food and drinks."

"Then I'll trouble the Manor Head." Since the other party wanted to show goodwill, Meng Yuan had no reason to refuse and immediately agreed.

After Manor Head Sun left, Meng Yuan still held Jiang Tang's hand and didn't let go.

The chilblains on her hands had gradually subsided, but they were still a bit rough.

"Are you used to living in the city?" Old Man Jiang asked with concern.

"Everything is fine." Meng Yuan gently rubbed Jiang Tang's hand and asked with a smile, "How has the manor been recently? Has anyone bullied you?"

"Everything is fine, the Manor Head is a kind person," Old Man Jiang said.

"How's your health recently? Are you still coughing at night?" Meng Yuan asked again.

"It's better in the spring. But when you get old, you have more ailments," Old Man Jiang said.

"I've already arranged with Manor Head Sun. I can pick you up and take you back to the Royal Residence today. There's a place to live there, and the work isn't tiring. You can slowly recuperate," Meng Yuan said.

Jiang Shuanyou was completely relieved when he heard this and cautiously asked, "Little Meng, what's your situation in the Royal Residence now?"

"I'm already a Royal Residence Guard. Xun Mei specifically approved a place to live. I don't have to worry about food and drink, and I get ten taels of silver a month," Meng Yuan didn't hide anything.

"Good, you've really made something of yourself." Jiang Shuanyou was extremely emotional. "Ten taels of silver a month, we wouldn't even dare to dream of that!"

"It will be more in the future." Meng Yuan smiled, squeezed Jiang Tang's little hand, and said, "I can afford to feed you meat every day."

Jiang Tang lowered her head, her face red, not knowing what she was thinking.

"Little Meng, how is Tie Niu?" Zhao Datou saw Meng Yuan and Jiang Tang looking like a young couple reunited after a long time and thought of his own son.

"It won't be long before Tie Niu can also bring Uncle Datou to live in the city." Meng Yuan was very certain, because Tie Niu was indeed diligent. Even if he wasn't quick-witted, he would definitely enter the ranks not too late.

"Little Meng, what will happen if I leave and there's no veterinarian in the manor?" Jiang Shuanyou was still worried about the manor's affairs.

"Just find another one, hire someone with money." Meng Yuan was very serious. "You're old and have suffered disasters. Before, you didn't have money or time to see a doctor. Now that you have time, go back to the city and find a doctor to see and recuperate your body."

"Grandpa, my brother is right!" Jiang Tang also said.

Jiang Shuanyou had already regarded Meng Yuan as the head of the family. Seeing his granddaughter echoing her future husband, he quickly agreed.

Before long, Manor Head Sun had prepared the meal. There was freshly killed chicken and duck, as well as some homemade preserved wine.

After eating, Manor Head Sun brought over a bowl of deer blood. "Freshly drawn, good for boosting yang energy."

Pasture Manor raised deer, but Meng Yuan had never actually tasted it.

Meng Yuan didn't really want to drink it; after all, he didn't need this sort of thing to supplement his energy. But Jiang Shuanyou and Zhao Datou kept urging him, so he pinched his nose and downed it in one gulp.

He had to admit, it was quite beneficial. It felt warm entering his stomach, and his Essence Flame grew slightly stronger.

After chatting for a while, Manor Head Sun arranged for Zhao Datou to drive a donkey cart to see them off.

The Jiang family grandfather and granddaughter didn't have much in the way of belongings, so they packed up quickly and set off.

"Brother, this little red horse is so pretty. Is it bumpy to ride?" Jiang Tang asked, her big round eyes wide, when she saw Meng Yuan riding the horse.

Meng Yuan glanced at her, then leaned down and reached out his hand.

Jiang Tang quickly stepped forward and was pulled onto the horse.

The two of them rode the same horse, with Meng Yuan sitting behind, one hand around Jiang Tang's waist, while teaching her how to control the reins and how to urge the horse forward.

Zhao Datou drove the donkey cart, following slowly behind with Jiang Shuanyou.

"Once they settle down and have another child, Old Jiang, all you'll have left is to enjoy life!" Zhao Datou said enviously.

"Indeed." Jiang Shuanyou was also very satisfied, watching the two on the little red horse with a smile.

The spring afternoon sun was warm, the horse's hooves clip-clopped, gradually becoming more cheerful, and Jiang Tang's laughter was like silver bells.