Returning to the Herd Manor

Hooves clattered as they left Songhe Prefecture through its west gate and continued westward.

Nourished by spring rain, all things revived; in the distance, the grass shimmered green.

He had once braved snow into the city on this very road, taking many a hard fall on his backside.

Now, though, he rode a tall horse, with not only a blade at his waist, but also... Well, he did not have much money, but he could at least borrow some on the strength of his old face.

Urging his horse onward, he reached the Herd Manor before noon.

The manor's dogs still remembered the grudge over their stolen eggs. The moment they saw Meng Yuan, they barked furiously without pause.

"Even wolf demons have been dealt with by me. Would I fear a few dogs?" Meng Yuan merely shot them a glare, and every dog immediately lowered its banners and silenced its drums.

When the tenants saw a young man riding in, his clothes ordinary but his complexion rosy and his bearing exceptionally handsome, they assumed he was some family's young master. Only upon drawing close did they realize he was Little Gelder, and they all greeted him.

When you were poor, no one asked after you even in a bustling market. He had never received such treatment in the manor before.

After exchanging a few polite words, Meng Yuan went to the Great Hall, where Manor Head Sun had already come out to receive him.

Following a few pleasantries, Meng Yuan took out the note Xun Mei had approved.

Manor Head Sun accepted it and saw that it stated Meng Yuan had become a Prince's Manor guard, had rendered meritorious service, and was to bring his family back to the city to live.

He glanced at Meng Yuan. The youth stood tall, neat and capable; not only had he made something of himself, but he could even benefit his family. Yet had this boy not gone to the city only days ago? He must have climbed a lofty branch! He just did not know whether it was Xun Mei's branch.

Manor Head Sun wiped the sweat from his brow, thinking, Luckily, I never treated the Jiang grandfather and granddaughter harshly. Otherwise, if he went back and whispered a few pillow-side words, life would become impossible!

"This old man has recognized countless people. The first day I came to the manor and saw you, I knew you were bound to prosper!" Manor Head Sun stroked his beard and smiled as though they were old acquaintances. "See? Wasn't I right after all!"

After casually praising him, Manor Head Sun was about to lead Meng Yuan to Old Man Jiang.

Upon leaving the Great Hall, they saw several tenants, along with Zhao Datou, already escorting Jiang Shuanyou and Jiang Tang over.

After nearly two months apart, Old Man Jiang looked several years older, his back slightly stooped.

Jiang Tang, on the other hand, had a rosy complexion. Though dressed in coarse cloth, her girlish prettiness could no longer be concealed.

Her pigtails were braided behind her head, and her two jet-black eyes watched Meng Yuan. After nearly two months apart, she was filled both with hope for their reunion and a young girl's timidity.

Meng Yuan stepped forward and took her hand. Only then did Jiang Tang happily call out, "Brother!"

Her voice was clear and bright, yet touched with a hint of shyness.

Still, she was only a twelve-year-old little girl, with not a trace of seductive charm. All she had was pure brilliance, like spring sunlight. Meng Yuan truly felt no ripples in his heart; he merely pitied her.

When Jiang Shuanyou saw Meng Yuan openly take his granddaughter's hand, he knew the young man's intentions had not changed. Tears welled in his old eyes. He had few years left, and the only person he worried about was this granddaughter.

Now, it seemed his granddaughter had someone to rely on.

Before the new year, when they had fled disaster, Jiang Shuanyou had survived only because this youth had helped him. Later, he saw the youth bury the old man who had spoken up righteously for them, and he knew Meng Yuan was a kind-hearted person worthy of entrusting someone to.

That was why he had taught him the gelding trade and, in a muddled way, even settled their marriage.

Looking at the youth again, Jiang Shuanyou saw that Meng Yuan was handsome and his temperament had completely changed. Everything about him was good, but perhaps too good. His own granddaughter was still young and could not yet bear children; perhaps she would not be able to hold on to him, and another family might pluck him away.

"Disperse, disperse! Get back to work!" Seeing the tenants crowd around, Manor Head Sun hurriedly invited the Jiang grandfather and granddaughter, along with Zhao Datou, into the Great Hall to talk.

Once inside, Manor Head Sun knew Meng Yuan surely had private words to share with the Jiang grandfather and granddaughter. Smiling, he said, "Xun Mei and I are familiar too. We're all our own people here. Sit for a while first; you'll eat lunch here. I'll go arrange some wine and dishes."

"Then I'll trouble you, Manor Head Sun." Since the man wished to show goodwill, Meng Yuan had no reason to refuse and readily agreed.

After Manor Head Sun left, Meng Yuan still did not release Jiang Tang's hand.

The frostbite on her hand had gradually faded, but her skin was still somewhat rough.

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

"Everything is well." Meng Yuan gently rubbed Jiang Tang's hand and smiled. "How has the manor been lately? Has anyone bullied you?"

"Everything is well. Manor Head Sun is a kind man," Old Man Jiang said.

"How has your health been lately? Do you still cough at night?" Meng Yuan asked again.

"It improved somewhat after spring arrived. But when one gets old, having more ailments is only natural," Old Man Jiang said.

"I've already spoken with Manor Head Sun. I can take you back to the Prince's Manor today. There's a place to live there, and the work isn't tiring. You can slowly nurse your health back," Meng Yuan said.

Hearing this, Jiang Shuanyou finally set his mind entirely at ease and carefully asked, "Little Meng, what position do you hold at the Prince's Manor now?"

"I'm already a Prince's Manor guard. Xun Mei specially approved a place for me to live. I need not worry about food or drink, and I receive ten taels of silver each month." Meng Yuan did not hide it.

"Good. You truly have made something of yourself." Jiang Shuanyou was deeply moved. "Ten taels of silver a month... We wouldn't even dare dream of that!"

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

Jiang Tang lowered her head, her cheeks flushed red. No one knew what she was thinking.

"Little Meng, how is Tie Niu?" Seeing Meng Yuan and Jiang Tang looking like newlyweds reunited after a brief separation, Zhao Datou thought of his own son.

"Before long, Tie Niu will be able to bring Uncle Datou to the city to live as well." Meng Yuan was utterly certain, because Tie Niu truly worked hard. Even if he was not quick-witted, he certainly would not take too long to reach the rank.

"Little Meng, if I leave, what will the manor do without a veterinarian?" Jiang Shuanyou was still worrying about the manor's affairs.

"They can find another one and pay to hire him." Meng Yuan was very serious. "You're old, and you have suffered disaster. Before, you had neither the money nor the time to see a doctor. Now that you have time, return to the city and find a physician to examine you and nurse your body back to health."

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

Jiang Shuanyou already regarded Meng Yuan as the head of the family. Seeing his granddaughter and future grandson-in-law sing in harmony, he hurriedly agreed.

Not long afterward, Manor Head Sun had prepared the meal. There was freshly slaughtered chicken and duck, as well as Agricultural School cured wine.

After they finished eating, Manor Head Sun brought over another bowl of Deer Blood. "Freshly drawn. It replenishes your vital yang."

The Herd Manor raised deer, but Meng Yuan truly had never tasted it.

Meng Yuan had not wanted to drink it, since he did not need such a thing to replenish himself. But Jiang Shuanyou and Zhao Datou both kept urging him on, so he pinched his nose and drained it in one gulp.

It truly was effective. It went down warm, and his essence fire grew faintly stronger by another thread.

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

The Jiang grandfather and granddaughter did not have much in the way of possessions. After casually packing up, they set out.

"Brother, Little Red Horse is so pretty. Is it bumpy to ride?" Seeing Meng Yuan on horseback, Jiang Tang asked with her round eyes wide open.

Meng Yuan glanced at her, then bent down and extended a hand.

Jiang Tang hurried forward and was pulled up onto the horse in one swift motion.

The two rode one horse together. Meng Yuan sat behind her, one arm around Jiang Tang's waist as he taught her how to control the reins and urge the horse forward.

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

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

"Isn't that so?" Jiang Shuanyou was also exceedingly satisfied, smiling as he watched the pair on Little Red Horse.

The spring afternoon sunlight was gently warm. Hooves clattered, gradually growing more cheerful, while Jiang Tang's laughter rang out like silver bells.