As dusk settled, Pinxiang Tower concluded its day's business and closed its doors after tidying up.
Little Bao drove the carriage out from the backyard and sat on the shafts, shouting loudly, "Mom, Auntie, hurry up!"
Jiang Wan and Jiang Xiao, after finishing their arrangements with the shop assistants who stayed to watch the store, walked out hand in hand. Jiang Wan smiled and chided, "If only you were this enthusiastic when going to school."
Little Bao's small face immediately scrunched up, "Oh, can't we not bring this up? I'm simply not cut out for academics!"
Jiang Xiao, exasperated, gave him a light rap on the head, "Can't you learn from your maternal uncle and Yan'er?"
Little Bao said righteously, "Is this something that can be learned just by trying? It's like learning martial arts; they can't learn from me either, can they? Mom, the teacher said, every person has their strengths and weaknesses, and we don't need to force things. I'm going to be like my second uncle, fighting on the battlefield in the future. What's the use of academics? Practicing martial arts well is the proper thing to do!"
Jiang Xiao, angered, rolled up her sleeves and was about to hit him, startling him into dropping the reins and jumping off the shafts.
Jiang Wan watched this scene, which played out almost daily between mother and son, shaking her head with amusement and helplessness, making no move to intervene. In fact, her sister had long known that Little Bao was not suited for studying. Moreover, her sister was quite happy that Little Bao was not suited for it.
Perhaps due to the heavy shadow left by past events, Jiang Wan was very afraid that Little Bao would turn out like his biological father. Little Bao's dislike for studying and love for martial arts made Jiang Xiao incredibly happy. This indicated that Little Bao had not inherited anything from his biological father and instead resembled his second brother, Erlang, greatly.
It's just that parents always like to deliberately create some pressure for their children, lest they become too complacent.
Jiang Wan whistled, and Little Pony swooped down from the nearby willow tree.
Little Pony had now doubled in size, its coat black and shiny, and even a feathered crest had grown on its head. Jiang Wan had been channeling her abilities into it for years, causing its genes to change, effectively turning it into a unique breed.
Little Pony was now very intelligent. If not for the desire to avoid attracting too much attention, Jiang Wan would have even wanted to use her abilities to develop its linguistic talents.
However, her communication with Little Pony was not limited by language, which was why she abandoned that idea.
Little Pony landed steadily on Jiang Wan's shoulder, nuzzled her affectionately several times, and then delivered good news.
Erlang had sent a letter.
Jiang Wan immediately urged Jiang Xiao, "Sister, are you done fighting? Finish quickly and let's go home, Second Brother seems to have sent a letter."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiao immediately dropped Little Bao, "I'll deal with you when we get home!"
Little Bao rubbed his sore backside and head, then, as if nothing had happened, jumped onto the shafts and let out a long cry, "Hold on tight, here we go~"
The carriage rumbled towards the medical clinic.
Chen Yuezhi's medical clinic was not built within the city but next to their courtyard in the small mountain village.
The clinic was not large, but not small either, capable of housing thirty inpatients at a time.
It was almost dark, but there were still quite a few people queuing for consultations.
These people had come from various places. Chen Yuezhi, pitying these patients who had traveled from afar for medical treatment, had specifically built a simple shed next to the clinic, furnished with many long benches for the waiting patients to rest.
Thanks to the medical clinic bringing economic prosperity, coupled with the villagers' diligence, the small mountain village was now very wealthy. Every household had brand-new, magnificent tiled houses, and there were even inns opened, showing no trace of the poverty-stricken village of thatched huts from years ago.
The small mountain village was no longer the village of refugees that no one looked down upon when they first settled; it had become the preferred place for young men and women from neighboring villages to marry.
The Jiang family had originally chosen this most secluded location, but it had now become the liveliest place in the village. Besides the medical clinic, Wang Hongye's new residence was also built here.
Wang Hongye was no longer the pitiable woman she was seven or eight years ago. Now, she had numerous servants and was blessed with both a son and a daughter, a proper general's wife, and the highest-ranking woman in Yao County.
The second highest-ranking woman was Zhang Qiaoxiu.
Erlang had been in the army for seven years and had now become General Han's most capable副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general), the general's most trusted confidant.
However, Zhang Qiaoxiu was very low-key. She now managed Yao County's largest embroidery and fabric shop with Su Shi, and their business was thriving.
When Jiang Wan arrived home, her two sisters-in-law were already there.
Seeing her return, Zhang Qiaoxiu smiled and said, "Did you hear that your second brother sent a letter?"
Jiang Wan smiled and nodded, "Little Pony told me."
The fact that Jiang Wan could communicate with Little Pony was no longer a secret in the Jiang family. After all these years, even if they were slow to notice, they could tell something was up.
However, no one found it strange. Little Pony's status in the Jiang family was no lower than that of the family members.
As servants were bringing dishes to the table, Chen Yuezhi finally finished seeing her patients and walked in with eight-year-old Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao was now studying medicine with Chen Yuezhi. The little girl had not inherited Su Shi's dexterity at all; instead, she was very interested in various herbs, so Chen Yuezhi took her under her wing to teach her. Although the little girl was only eight years old, she had already learned quite a bit.
As the dishes were almost ready, the sound of a carriage was heard from outside the main gate.
This was the young men of the Jiang family returning from school.
Seven-year-old Jiang Yan ran to the front, calling back, "Uncle, Heng'er, hurry up!"
Jiang Yan was Zhang Qiaoxiu and Erlang's son. Jiang Heng, on the other hand, was Dalang and Su Shi's son, who was five years old and very intelligent.
Third Brother looked at his two nephews, who were like monkeys, and couldn't help but shake his head.
When he went to pick them up earlier, the private tutor had kept him for a long time, complaining that these two had colluded to cause trouble at the school, making the teacher puff his beard in anger. He had to apologize profusely to the teacher and promise repeatedly that he would teach them well upon their return.
Before he could even report them, his father returned.
As Jiang Pan entered the house, Jiang Yan and Jiang Heng ran to him, acting spoiled and fawning, saying, "Grandfather, you've worked hard."
"Grandfather, I'll rub your shoulders."
"Grandfather, I'll massage your legs."
Jiang Pan was completely charmed by his two grandsons, praising them continuously, his eyes crinkling into a smile.
Third Brother rolled his eyes, "Well, it would have been useless to report them anyway."
Jiang Wan smiled and pulled Third Brother aside, "It's okay, I'll deal with them later."
Third Brother nodded, "Only you can do it! I've realized it now, you're the only one who can keep them in line in this family."
Jiang Wan smiled and gave him a sidelong glance, "As if I'm that fierce!"
As the family was laughing and joking, a servant came to report, "Master, Madam, the meal is ready."
Jiang Pan held a grandson in each hand and waved his large hand, "Let's go, eat."
The family entered the dining hall and sat together. Over a dozen people, young and old, made for a lively scene.