"Your Ladyship, you might not know it, but the people of Ninghe all love Lord Dai Xu. Lord Xu personally handles everything, and Ninghe County is governed by Lord Xu so well that no one picks up anything dropped on the street, and doors are left unlocked at night..."
Xie Jiang deliberately chose to say pleasant things, though she wasn't sure if she was exaggerating. Xu Hengyan had indeed done a good job.
Old Madam Xu said proudly, "With my Hengyan's talent, governing a mere small county is a bit of a waste of his abilities."
Then, Old Madam Xu sighed again, "But since ancient times, the common people have suffered the most. Their lives have always been difficult. If he can make the people of a county live a little better, it's not burying his abilities and talents."
Xie Jiang strongly agreed with this statement. "Your Ladyship speaks truly. Truly talented people, whether in a nation or a county, are not hindered from displaying their capabilities."
Second Madam Xu also chimed in, "Our Hengyan is still young. Gaining experience outside is beneficial."
Old Madam Xu worriedly rambled on, "He works so hard out there. I wonder if he's gotten tanned or lost weight? He was injured before, I wonder if he's recovered? Hengyan, this child, has always been worry-free since he was young, but he doesn't like to talk about his troubles, keeping them all inside..."
Xu Hengyan did get tanned. He was out in the sun and wind every day, and his skin became rough, but it didn't affect the feel of his hands at all.
"Xu Hengyan got tanned but didn't lose weight. The weight he lost from his previous injury has been slowly regained by me."
"But I've returned to the capital now. Whether Xu Hengyan loses weight in the future will depend on Guang Bai and the others. When Xu Hengyan returns to the capital in a few days, we'll inspect him together."
She wanted to inspect him inch by inch.
She just didn't know if Xu Hengyan would agree.
"It's good that he didn't lose weight. With you accompanying him in Ninghe these past few months, I haven't worried at all."
Old Madam Xu then looked at Xie Jiang with a kindly expression. "You are also a capable person. So many generals couldn't deal with the bandits in Huanglan Mountain, yet you easily wiped them out."
"And the mountain dwellers who hid in the deep mountains during times of war, the court has been unable to do anything about them. Yet you have now persuaded tens of thousands of mountain dwellers to voluntarily submit to the court. Many people look at you with newfound respect."
Second Madam Xu sighed, "At such a young age, you've become a marquis through your own efforts. If you had come from my womb, I would have laughed myself awake in my dreams."
Xu Hengyi, who had been quietly finishing his apple, looked up and met his mother's gaze, which was cast his way intentionally or unintentionally.
"..."
Xu Hengyi dejectedly lowered his head and gnawed on the apple core.
"Hengyan always returns to the capital for my birthday. Has Hengyan said when he plans to set off back to the capital?"
Old Madam Xu asked Xie Jiang.
It was widely known that Xu Hengyan and Xie Jiang were sworn friends.
The entire Duke of Wei's mansion also knew they were close friends.
The time when Xu Hengyan exchanged himself for Xu Hengyi and was kidnapped by Lu Baohong, Xie Jiang, disregarding her own safety, chased after him, vowing to share his misfortunes.
After Old Madam Xu heard about this, her eyes turned red, and she kept telling everyone that her Hengyan had never made a mistake in choosing his friends.
Xie Jiang said, "Xu Hengyan probably won't return to the capital too early. He's likely extremely busy lately."
Old Madam Xu asked, "Shouldn't the sweet potato harvest be finished by now? Why is he still so busy?"
Xie Jiang replied, "I've been summoned back to the capital by His Majesty. All matters concerning the resettlement of the mountain dwellers have fallen to Xu Hengyan. He'll likely be very busy with this for a while."
Although the mountain dwellers had submitted to the court, they didn't have much trust in the court. They only trusted Xie Jiang.
Originally, the resettlement of the mountain dwellers should have been handled by her. However, the Emperor had summoned her back to the capital, and the envoys from Lan Yong were also arriving in the next few days. It was unlikely she could return to Ninghe again in the short term.
Her relationship with Xu Hengyan was almost universally known. It would be much more appropriate for Xu Hengyan to handle the resettlement of the mountain dwellers than to hand it over to other officials.
Never before in the past decades had such a large number of mountain dwellers submitted to the court, so the court attached great importance to this matter.
If this batch of mountain dwellers was resettled well, it would set an example for the entire country and attract more mountain dwellers to submit.
Besides his official post as the Magistrate of Ninghe, Xu Hengyan also held the distinguished title of the Duke of Wei's heir, which would make his work more convenient.
Old Madam Xu could only sigh upon hearing this, "This is the downside of being an official posted outside; it's hard to see each other even once a year."
Xie Jiang smiled and said, "Aren't I often coming over to freeload meals? Your Ladyship, look at me, can I be considered half of Xu Hengyan?"
Old Madam Xu laughed heartily, "You can! Of course, you can! Little Xie is even more likable and cherished than Hengyan."
As she spoke, she took the opportunity to complain about Xu Hengyan, "Hengyan has been like a little adult since he was young, always serious and not smiling much. His younger siblings are all intimidated by him. Look at Hengyi, when he sees his second brother, he's like a mouse seeing a cat..."
Xu Hengyi: "..."
He was already invisible, yet he was still being stepped on at every opportunity. Didn't he have any dignity?
"Only you aren't afraid of Hengyan and have become such good friends with him," the Old Madam continued cheerfully.
"Isn't there also Lu Zhiheng? I met him in Ninghe before, and Lu Zhiheng even came to Ninghe to see him."
"Lu Zhiheng is about the same age as Hengyan, and the Duke of Qin's mansion and the Duke of Wei's mansion are of comparable standing. Their ages and temperaments are also similar, so they naturally have more in common."
"But Little Xie, you're different. You're such a likable child, yet you can also get along with him. That's what's truly rare."
Second Madam Xu said, "Little Xie is such a likable child, who wouldn't like her? Our Hengyan naturally likes her too."
Old Madam Xu nodded, "Yes, yes, that's exactly the case."
Xu Hengyi could barely listen anymore. If one didn't know better, they'd think Xie Jiang was Xu Jiang. These two women were praising each other.
Xie Jiang, who was being praised to the skies, didn't show any embarrassment.
Why would Xie Jiang be embarrassed?
Weren't Old Madam Xu and Second Madam Xu stating facts?
~
The elderly have limited energy. After lunch, Xie Jiang had a cup of tea with Old Madam Xu and then took her leave.
When she arrived, she brought two large boxes of gifts. Of course, she couldn't leave empty-handed when she departed. The two boxes she brought were filled, and in addition, three more large boxes were packed full.
There was everything from food and clothing to necessities and toys.
Besides Old Madam Xu and her three daughters-in-law, who each packed quite a few good items, the young ladies of the Xu family also sent gifts back to Xie Jiang. After all, Xie Jiang had brought gifts for each of them. Moreover, Xie Jiang had been granted the title of Marquis of Nanxiong and acquired a new residence, marking two joyous occasions. It was only fitting for them to send gifts to congratulate her.
The rest were packed in by the maids, wet nurses, and governesses from various courtyards.
Xu Hengyi saw six pairs of shoes with different stitching alone.
How many feet did Xie Jiang have?
Even the little maid who swept the courtyard of his grandmother's residence secretly stuffed a sachet into the box!
Women!
Xu Hengyi suspected Xie Jiang had come to his home to stock up.