When Xie Jiang returned to the county town, she brought back not only Yi Yan Gen but also the Old Duke of Qin.
The Old Duke of Qin was already in poor health. He had followed the group of elders all the way from the capital to Ninghe, and the arduous journey had taken a significant toll on him.
Upon their return to the Xie residence, Lou Yi An examined the Old Duke of Qin.
After taking his medicine, the Old Duke of Qin went to sleep. By the time the elders returned from the fields that evening, ready for a hearty meal, he had still not woken up.
The evening banquet received not a single complaint.
Besides the excellent cooking skills of the Xie residence's chefs, it was also due to the homemade wine. The elders declared it even more potent than their usual strong liquor!
Accustomed to military life, these elders had never disliked strong spirits; their only fear was that the alcohol wouldn't be strong enough.
The sweet potato harvest was exceptionally good, exceeding all expectations, which made everyone overjoyed.
The elders were all thoroughly drunk.
Only Xun Geng remained sober. He planned to return to the capital first thing in the morning, intending to bring some sweet potatoes to show His Majesty.
Xu Heng Yan had the entire inn booked and was busy settling everyone in until past midnight.
The next day, the elders finally managed to get out of bed when the sun was high in the sky.
They were unwilling to eat the meals provided by the inn and, once again, formed a group and headed to the Xie residence to feast.
On their way from the inn, the elders discussed and decided to spend another day digging sweet potatoes, finish early in the afternoon, then go to the Xie residence for another banquet, and finally depart for the capital the following morning.
After dinner, Xie Jiang was nowhere to be seen. The Duke of Qian asked Luo Tie, "Where is your young master?"
"He had matters to attend to at the factory and left early this morning," Luo Tie replied, the well-rehearsed excuse finally proving useful.
As the Duke of Qian left, he muttered, "I wonder if this kid is just being lazy."
Luo Tie pretended not to hear.
The Old Duke of Qin had stayed overnight at the Xie residence. He had slept from yesterday afternoon until dawn and was now feeling quite energetic. However, the elders insisted he rest and volunteered to dig his share of sweet potatoes for him.
Luo Tie overheard this and couldn't help but murmur to himself, "What do you mean 'your share' and 'his share'? The elders aren't hired laborers; who's assigning them tasks?"
It wasn't until the next day, when the elders were packing their belongings, that Luo Tie finally understood. The elders were indeed digging sweet potatoes with a purpose!
At their advanced age, they were personally working in the fields, digging sweet potatoes under the hot sun for two full days. How could they return to the capital without bringing some local specialties?
They didn't ask for anything else, just some sweet potatoes.
Xu Heng Yan had anticipated this. It was unlikely that the elders, who had made such a grand journey from the capital to Ninghe to dig sweet potatoes, would return empty-handed.
Xie Jiang also planned to accompany everyone back to the capital. After the elders, happy from their meal and drinks, returned to the inn, Xie Jiang finally found a moment to go to the rear office alone.
The lights in Xu Heng Yan's study were still on.
Xie Jiang no longer needed to announce herself to enter Xu Heng Yan's study.
A head rested on her arm. Xu Heng Yan turned his head and realized it was her. "What brings you here?"
The elders had spent the day digging sweet potatoes, and Xu Heng Yan had to accompany them in the fields. He only had time to deal with other matters at night.
Xie Jiang yawned, feeling sleepy. "Each of the old men took a jar of wine and returned to the inn contentedly to rest."
"Isn't Young Master Yi still with you?"
"Yi Yan Gen is playing chess with the Old Duke of Qin."
"Returning to the capital tomorrow morning?" Xu Heng Yan put down his brush.
"Tomorrow morning will be too crowded with people, so I came tonight to say goodbye. I'm a little reluctant to leave so suddenly," Xie Jiang leaned against his arm.
After this trip back to the capital and meeting with His Majesty, she would likely not return to Ninghe. Xu Heng Yan also felt a sense of reluctance. "Who stays together all day long?"
Xie Jiang said, "Once you marry Shen Qing Huai, you'll be able to stay together all day. No matter where you are assigned as an official, she can accompany you."
Xu Heng Yan looked at her deeply, unsure if she was merely speaking casually or…
"I'm a little envious of Miss Shen." The marriage between the Xu and Shen families had already been arranged. Because Madam Xu was eager, and the Shen family was understanding, the wedding was set for the end of the year.
Xu Heng Yan said, "It's not like we won't see each other anymore. I'll be returning to the capital myself in a few days."
They both had their own responsibilities and couldn't spend all their time together. He wasn't seeking mere fleeting pleasure either.
He considered her a confidante, yet closer than a confidante.
In the remaining years of their lives, they would walk side-by-side.
Xie Jiang stared blankly at the ceiling beams. Xu Heng Yan sensed that her mood was a little low.
Every time his marriage was mentioned, every time Shen Qing Huai was mentioned, she seemed unhappy.
Yet, it was she who had initially insisted on matchmaking him and Shen Qing Huai.
Now that his marriage to Shen Qing Huai was settled, she was instead…
Xu Heng Yan also knew that times had changed. Back then, they had only known each other for a short time and were just ordinary friends. But now…
Even if he had never explicitly stated it, she was confused.
He knew she had developed different feelings for him as well.
Xu Heng Yan had considered remaining unmarried for her.
However, after his conflicts with his family escalated, his family would inevitably become suspicious of him.
He feared that at that point, all their accusations would be directed at her.
He feared for her…
His marriage would actually protect their special relationship.
There would be no need to worry about whether this nominal relationship was unfair to Shen Qing Huai.
The alliances between noble families were never about romantic love. Noble families were bound together for mutual advancement, for the sharing of interests.
Shen Qing Huai had stayed in Ninghe for a period. Before Shen Qing Huai returned to the capital, Xu Heng Yan, in an unprecedented move, went to see her.
He clearly stated to Shen Qing Huai that he had no objections to the marriage alliance between the Duke of Wei's mansion and the Duke of Liang's mansion. However, if they were to marry, he could offer her all the respect due to the wife of the Duke of Wei's heir, but he could not offer her his affection.
Shen Qing Huai stated that she didn't care about that ephemeral romantic affection.
Xu Heng Yan was not surprised.
The legitimate daughters of noble families also bore their own responsibilities.
However, Xu Heng Yan confirmed it with Shen Qing Huai once more.
The two of them reached a consensus.
Only then did Xu Heng Yan send word back to the capital agreeing to the marriage.
"When you return to the capital this time, His Majesty will likely summon you soon. It's fine for you to be unrestrained in your daily life, but it's always wise to be cautious in front of His Majesty."
"Do I look like an idiot?"
Did she need to be reminded of such things? Of course, she would behave herself in front of the Emperor.
It wasn't just in front of the Emperor that she would be well-behaved; she was even being cautious around the elders.
Xu Heng Yan said, "I'm afraid you might momentarily forget yourself, and your dog-like temper might just explode."
Xie Jiang sat up abruptly, glaring at him. "Xu Heng Yan, who are you calling a dog?"
Xu Heng Yan asked with a smile, "Are you staying here tonight? It's already late."
"I..."
Just as Xie Jiang was about to agree, she suddenly remembered that Yi Yan Gen was still at the Xie residence. A shiver ran down her spine.
"Uh, I'll go back to sleep in a bit. I still have some things to explain."
If she stayed at Xu Heng Yan's place tonight, what awaited her would be a storm of jealousy. How much effort would it take to appease Yi Yan Gen?
Enjoying the blessings of two women was not that easy.