Yun Erman brought over a ladder, and the villagers also stepped forward to help.
A golden plaque was soon hung above the door.
In the sunlight, the four characters 'Yao Men Zhi Jia' were dazzling and eye-catching.
It was as if the Emperor himself had graced the scene and personally inscribed these four characters...
The work of digging ditches and building waterwheels did not stop due to the Yun family's good news.
With Governor Qin supervising the work, no one dared to slack off.
The people of Dashui Village had to take care of their own fields while also working by the lake.
Therefore, Governor Qin turned a blind eye and did not impose too many restrictions on them.
That evening, the Yun family courtyard was filled with laughter and joy.
Madam Xue and Madam Huang came to the Yun family, and Madam Gu naturally had to entertain them well...
During the day, Yun Daman went to the county town and bought two roast chickens, a rack of pork ribs, and two catties of lamb offal.
The vegetables were all at home, but the dining table couldn't be all vegetarian; there had to be some meat.
The ribs were directly stewed with pickled vegetables, and the roast chicken, when pulled apart, could fill two plates.
The lamb offal could be stir-fried with green peppers or made into a lamb offal soup.
After cooking, a handful of chopped scallions and cilantro were sprinkled on the milky white broth, making it fragrant but not greasy, and very satisfying.
"Brother, at the current pace, the waterwheels will be ready in another ten days to half a month!"
Governor Qin took a gulp of his own sorghum wine, his face flushed.
His injuries had almost healed, and he had been watching Old Man Yun and Daman and Erman drink every meal for the past few days.
He was drooling with envy...
Old Man Yun smiled and said, "This is all thanks to Governor Qin. Without you stationed in Dashui Village, the progress of building the waterwheels would not have been so fast."
"Oh, I dare not accept such praise!" Governor Qin repeatedly waved his hands and looked at Little Xi Tian.
"If Little Tian Bao could not design the waterwheel blueprints, I would live in Dashui Village for a lifetime, and it would be all for naught!"
Thinking of the 'Yao Men Zhi Jia' personally bestowed by the Emperor, Governor Qin's face also shone with pride.
After all, official residences in the capital were everywhere, more numerous than cow hair.
But the families that could receive imperial commendation were few and far between, perhaps even none...
The old Yun family must have saved the world in their past lives to have such a good daughter as Little Tian Bao.
Governor Qin had a premonition that this young daughter was no ordinary person.
She was a golden phoenix full of radiance, destined to soar to the nine heavens one day.
"Hahaha, thank you, Governor Qin, for your praise. Come, come, let's drink!"
Old Man Yun beamed with joy, unable to close his mouth.
"Drink!"
Under the large willow tree at the head of the village.
Two figures, one tall and one short, stood there.
"Uncle, since you're here, why don't you stay at the residence for a few days?"
Xiao Jin Heng looked at Gu Ming Yan, his face full of curiosity.
His uncle was very cautious in his actions, otherwise, he wouldn't have survived in the imperial court for so many years without incident...
Gu Ming Yan smiled and said, "There are too many eyes and ears; one must be careful."
He was sent by the court to protect the agarwood forest. If he were to visit Xiao Jin Heng's courtyard, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.
Xiao Jin Heng hummed and nodded gently, asking, "How are the Emperor and Empress doing?"
"They are all well, Heng'er need not worry."
Gu Ming Yan looked up at the crescent moon in the night sky. "This Dashui Village is blessed with natural treasures and outstanding people. It was a blessing in disguise for Heng'er to settle here back then."
"I heard that the old Yun family in Dashui Village has an extraordinary young daughter. Is she as remarkable as the rumors say?"
Xiao Jin Heng hadn't expected his uncle to shift the topic to the little village girl.
After a moment of thought, he nodded, "Xi Tian is an unusual person..."
He could only describe her that way.
Thinking about it, he and Little Xi Tian were childhood sweethearts, growing up together.
After all, the two large residences were connected, and they had grown up together.
Even Da Hei and Xue Ling had their own puppies.
Gu Ming Yan listened and pursed his lips into a smile. "Since it is the 'Yao Men Zhi Jia' personally bestowed by His Majesty, this little girl is bound to soar in the future!"
Xiao Jin Heng hadn't considered this. What he hoped for was for the little village girl to grow up happily.
As for those empty titles and rewards, they had little to do with a person's happiness...
He knew that the little village girl was not someone who coveted fame or was greedy for wealth and possessions.
"It's getting cold, Heng'er. You should go back. After I finish my business here, I will also return to the capital to report!" Gu Ming Yan said lightly.
Xiao Jin Heng smiled and said, "Okay!"
Gu Ming Yan escorted his nephew to the entrance of the large residence, then flashed into the Yun family's home.
After several rounds of wine, Governor Qin embraced Madam Xue and went to rest.
Suddenly, he heard a 'tap-tap' sound from the windowpane.
Governor Qin sat up, rubbing his eyes.
Who was so idle?
Not sleeping in the middle of the night and tapping on his window for fun.
"Master, go and see!" Madam Xue nudged him.
"Mm!"
Governor Qin put on an outer robe, pushed open the door, and walked out.
Standing outside the door was a handsome man, none other than Marquis Pingyang, Gu Ming Yan.
Governor Qin's face showed some apprehension, and he quickly stepped forward to pay his respects, "Lord Gu!"
Gu Ming Yan did not beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose.
"Governor Qin, you should know why I have come to Dashui Village, right?"
"Yes, yes..." Governor Qin nodded repeatedly.
"I have already erected a fence and built dwellings on Camel Peak Mountain for the agarwood forest. From now on, it will be managed by the county yamen!"
"Please inform Prefect Chen to harvest with moderation and cultivate appropriately, but not to carelessly damage that forest!"
It was already incredible that agarwood trees could grow in the north.
If they continued to be logged and destroyed, Prefect Chen and Governor Qin would bear full responsibility.
Governor Qin cupped his hands, "Your subordinate obeys!"
After finishing his instructions, Gu Ming Yan looked around and surveyed the Yun family's courtyard.
In such a simple and barren place, a little prodigy had appeared.
In the vast imperial palace, there were layers of buildings and numerous grand halls.
He couldn't even count the number of princes and princesses, yet not a single one was remarkable...
This was the gap between people.
Gu Ming Yan sighed slightly and left with his retinue.
The next morning, everyone came to the main hall for breakfast.
Madam Huang had dressed up meticulously, and she also had Chen Xiao Ran change into a new dress and sit next to Yun Jin Shan.
While the Yun family was present, she intended to finalize the marriage between the two children.
Governor Qin took a bite of his steamed bun, then lifted his soup bowl and slurped a couple of times, his eyes scanning Madam Huang.
He had already told Madam Xue last night that he wanted to propose to Yun Jin Shan for Qin Yiyi.
But looking today, Madam Huang seemed to have the same intention.
"That, Sister-in-law Gu, Brother Yun."
"Cough cough..."
As Madam Huang was about to speak, Governor Qin coughed and nudged Madam Xue under the table.
Madam Xue understood. Such matters were best done sooner rather than later.
She couldn't let Madam Huang get ahead of her.
So, under the curious gaze of the Yun family, the two ladies glared at each other...