After much effort, the whole family was cleaned up and changed into new clothes. A maid came to invite them to the main hall in front to eat.
As they went out, they happened to meet Dalang and the others.
Erlang and Sanlang were walking with Cheng Sinian, their faces full of smiles, looking like they were adapting quite well.
Dalang and Mrs. Su were also adapting well.
The maid led the family and Cheng Sinian to the dining hall, where Magistrate Cheng, Mrs. Cheng, was already waiting.
After some pleasantries on both sides, they took their seats.
Mrs. Cheng picked up her chopsticks and personally served dishes to Chen Yuezhi and Jiang Wan. "Sister-in-law Jiang, Wanwan, these are a few specialty dishes I had specially prepared for you. They taste very delicious. Do you think they suit your taste?"
"A'luo, I've asked the kitchen to stew some bird's nest for you. It's good for pregnant women, so drink more."
"Dalang, Erlang, Sanlang, help yourselves. Just take what you want to eat."
Magistrate Cheng, meanwhile, pulled Jiang Pan aside for a drink. "Brother Jiang, words cannot express my gratitude. Come, I'll toast you."
It is said that men's friendships are forged over drinks. By the end of the meal, both Jiang Pan and Magistrate Cheng were tipsy. Now, they were holding each other by the shoulders, calling each other brothers, acting as if they had known each other for a lifetime.
Jiang Pan said he would teach Magistrate Cheng farming and hunting, while Magistrate Cheng said he would teach Jiang Pan to read and write.
Mrs. Cheng and Chen Yuezhi, amused and exasperated, separated the two men and sent their respective husbands back to their rooms.
The next morning, Jiang Pan woke up with a headache. A maid immediately brought him hangover soup.
Jiang Wan felt the soup was working too slowly, so she used her special ability to help Jiang Pan recover.
Jiang Pan suddenly felt a lightness in his body. Not only was his hangover headache gone, but the fatigue from the days of travel had also vanished. In high spirits, he reached out, pulled Jiang Wan into his arms, and kissed her on the cheek. "My Wanwan is truly a little lucky star."
Jiang Wan turned her head away in disgust. "Stinky!"
A drunk person, after sleeping for a night, the taste in their mouth could practically send someone away on the spot.
Jiang Pan laughed heartily, then deliberately turned Jiang Wan's head back, pretending to attack her with his bad breath again. Jiang Wan, scared, quickly pushed her father's face away and struggled to escape with a stern face, but her father stubbornly held onto her.
Chen Yuezhi, both amused and annoyed, stepped forward and patted Jiang Pan's shoulder, finally rescuing Jiang Wan.
"If you're not feeling uncomfortable, get up quickly. You're the village chief, after all. You should go and see how the villagers are doing."
Jiang Pan, unfazed by the pat, nimbly got up, changed his clothes, tidied himself up, and carried Jiang Wan out.
"Let's go, come out with Dad."
Chen Yuezhi said, "You go ahead. Mrs. Cheng and I made plans last night to go sightseeing in Yaoxian City today."
So, Jiang Pan called for the Dalang brothers, brought Jiang Wan, and left Cheng Residence, heading towards where the villagers had stayed the night before.
The place Magistrate Cheng arranged for the small mountain village was the Charity Hall in Yaoxian. It was spacious, and although a little crowded for over three hundred people, it could accommodate them.
On their first night in Jiangnan, the villagers were so excited that they couldn't sleep, chattering and making noise until the middle of the night before finally falling asleep.
When Jiang Pan arrived with his children, the villagers had just finished breakfast. Magistrate Cheng had made very thoughtful arrangements, with dedicated staff to cook for everyone. The villagers all had smiles on their faces.
"Village Chief."
"Dapan."
The villagers ran over to greet them.
Jiang Pan asked, "How did you sleep last night?"
Zhang Tieniu smiled and said, "I feel like I've never slept so soundly!"
Although the conditions at the Charity Hall were not particularly good, compared to their previous exposure to the elements, everyone felt exceptionally secure. They no longer had to worry about unexpected situations in the middle of the night, nor did they have to worry about their stored grain being stolen by sticky-fingered neighbors.
After chatting with them for a while, Jiang Pan went to find the old village chief.
"Uncle, are you getting used to it?"
The old village chief smiled and said, "What's there not to get used to? By the way, has Magistrate Cheng said how he plans to settle our villagers?"
This was also what the villagers were most concerned about.
Jiang Pan said, "Magistrate Cheng told me last night that this matter needs to be discussed with other county officials first, and then a letter needs to be sent to the prefect. Only after receiving approval can we determine where to settle us."
The old village chief's heart sank. "What if the higher-ups don't agree to let us settle here?"
The villagers also became nervous.
Jiang Pan smiled reassuringly at everyone. "Magistrate Cheng said this matter is not difficult to handle, so just wait with peace of mind."
The old village chief said, "This is indeed not a small matter. It will take time to negotiate."
Only then did everyone feel at ease.
Jiang Wan was not interested in these matters. She got down from Jiang Pan and ran to find Zhang Qiaoxiu.
"Sister Qiaoxiu, how are you feeling? Are you uncomfortable?"
Zhang Qiaoxiu's injury had actually almost healed. "Wanwan, I'm fine. Don't worry."
Seeing that her complexion was good, Jiang Wan smiled with pursed lips. "You should come with me to Aunt Cheng's house later and stay with us."
She had gotten along with Zhang Qiaoxiu for over a month and quite liked this gentle and kind girl. The conditions here were really ordinary, and it would be inconvenient for a young girl to live here alone.
Zhang Qiaoxiu quickly waved her hands. "No, no, I'm quite comfortable living here." She was very sensible. The Jiang family had healed her injuries and taken care of her parents all the way. She felt she had repaid the Jiang family, and if she clung to them any further, it would be taking advantage.
Moreover, Mrs. Cheng's family was not an ordinary family. Mrs. Cheng was good to the Jiang family because the Jiang family had saved their lives, and it had nothing to do with her, Zhang Qiaoxiu.
If she were to go there without knowing her place, Mrs. Cheng would not only look down on her but might even have opinions about the Jiang family.
Jiang Wan felt she was overthinking. Although she wasn't particularly good at judging people, she had gotten along with Mrs. Cheng for several months, and Mrs. Cheng was not someone who was two-faced.
However, since Zhang Qiaoxiu refused to go, she didn't force her.
After chatting with Zhang Qiaoxiu for a while, Jiang Wan prepared to go back to find Jiang Pan.
As she stepped out, she bumped into Zheng Cuier.
When Zheng Cuier saw Jiang Wan, her expression was very complicated: fear, shame, and a bit of helplessness.
She opened her mouth and whispered, "Wanwan, I... I want to see your second brother."
Jiang Wan sneered. "What, you haven't finished your family's medicine yet? Also, didn't your family get kicked out of the city by Magistrate Cheng? How did you sneak in? Believe it or not, I'll expose you right now!"
Zheng Cuier's face turned pale, and she quickly explained, "Wanwan, don't misunderstand me. I have no ill intentions. I only sneaked into the city to apologize to him. I..."
"Save it." Jiang Wan looked her up and down. "You're covered in schemes from head to toe right now. I may be young, but I'm not foolish."
Zheng Cuier still wanted to say something, but Jiang Wan lost her patience. "Put away your dirty thoughts. If you dare to have any more ideas about my second brother, I'll reveal what you did, and you'll never be able to hold your head up again!"
After speaking, Jiang Wan turned and left.
She truly hated the Zheng Dayou family. What a bunch of rotten apples from top to bottom!