Mo Lingxi found Sheng Lengshuang’s demeanor amusing. “Are you afraid of geese?”
Sheng Lengshuang watched the large white geese strutting about like lords of their domain. She replied to Mo Lingxi, “You haven’t experienced being chased and pecked by a big white goose.”
“Moreover, big white geese are the pride of the village. Many villagers use them to guard their homes; they’re far better than dogs.”
Although Mo Lingxi had spent a few years in the village, he hadn’t encountered the might of the village bullies. After all, no one in Shili Slope Village raised geese; they only raised chickens, ducks, pigs, and dogs.
“I can see you’re quite afraid of big white geese.”
Sheng Lengshuang, hearing his teasing, didn’t mind. “There’s no shame in that. Once you understand how imposing and terrifying big white geese are, you’ll understand my feelings.”
“Shall I try, then?” Mo Lingxi asked, full of curiosity.
Sheng Lengshuang retreated to a safe distance and gestured for him to proceed.
Seeing her reaction, Mo Lingxi glanced at the geese. “Alright.”
Then, Prince Mingrui, who had challenged the geese’s leader status, experienced the sensation of being chased and pecked by dozens of them.
Sheng Lengshuang watched with a pained expression as dozens of flapping white geese pecked at him, tutting to herself, but she followed closely to watch the show.
Looking at Mo Lingxi covered in goose feathers and being pecked by several geese clinging to him, especially since none of the geese seemed to fear him, one could tell how ferocious they were.
Truly worthy of being the fiercest and most brutal in the village.
Mo Lingxi truly felt the ferocity of the village’s bully geese. He leaped onto a tree, thus avoiding further pecking.
However, the geese stood beneath the tree, flapping and honking incessantly, as if they wanted to kill Mo Lingxi.
If the village manager hadn’t driven the geese away, Mo Lingxi wouldn’t have been able to get down from the tree today.
After he descended, Sheng Lengshuang unceremoniously mocked him, “Look at Prince Mingrui. Where does he look like a dignified God of War? Hahaha, it’s hilarious.”
Mo Lingxi was covered in goose feathers, which continued to fall with the slightest movement. He looked both disheveled and comical. “Now I truly understand why you’re so afraid of geese. They are indeed the most ferocious beings in the village.”
Sheng Lengshuang wiped away tears of laughter. “Didn’t I just tell you? Geese are the most brutal beings in the village. Even the other two village bullies, the dogs and the roosters, run away with their tails tucked when they see the geese.”
Mo Lingxi lightly tapped her head, a hint of helplessness in his voice. “It was certainly a new experience.”
Seeing his state, Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi returned to the estate to clean themselves up.
After they were tidied, as they prepared to explore further, they saw Xiao Feng running back as fast as a firecracker.
“What’s wrong?” Sheng Lengshuang asked.
Xiao Feng ran up to her and whispered, “Mother, while I was wandering earlier, I accidentally overheard some tenant farmers talking about a woman in their village who was exceptionally beautiful and dressed ordinarily.”
“That woman was very generous, but she bought rice, flour, chickens, and ducks. She didn’t buy much, but she insisted on the best. Mother, do you think it might be a ghost?”
Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi exchanged glances, both sensing something amiss.
“Xiao Feng, which village do those tenant farmers belong to?” Sheng Lengshuang asked.
Xiao Feng replied, “I heard from the long-term workers in the mountains that they are from the farther village of Liba Village. They said these families have no land and their lives are difficult, which is why they came so far to be tenant farmers.”
Sheng Lengshuang pondered where Liba Village was. “It seems Liba Village is more than an hour’s walk from here; it’s quite a distant village.”
Mo Lingxi summoned a hidden guard to investigate the matter. He said to Sheng Lengshuang and her son, “It’s unclear what this is about. We’ll wait for the hidden guard’s report. However, it’s good that Xiao Feng is so vigilant. He deserves praise.”
Xiao Feng grinned, holding his head high. “It’s all thanks to Mother’s good teaching. With such a capable mother, Xiao Feng won’t be too far behind.”
Saying that, he gave himself a thumbs-up. “Xiao Feng is awesome.”
Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi chuckled at the child.
Even with such an incident, it didn’t affect Sheng Lengshuang’s mood for exploring with the two of them.
After the trio finished their exploration, Sheng Lengshuang went to attend to matters concerning the two mountains, while Mo Lingxi checked Xiao Feng’s studies and martial arts, also waiting for the hidden guard’s return.
In the main hall.
Sheng Lengshuang listened to the steward report on the affairs of the two mountains and the estate, contemplating how to arrange the two mountains and best utilize the estate to ensure no waste.
As the steward was about to finish his report, he remembered something. “Miss, recently many villagers have come seeking work. Some ask for very little money, some only ask for food, and some linger at the foot of the mountain without leaving.”
“If not for those few masters keeping watch, who knows what trouble would have arisen.”
Among these villagers, some were lazy and looking for a place to freeload, some were looking for work, and some were greedy for benefits.
Having lived in the village for many years, Sheng Lengshuang understood the mindset of these villagers perfectly. “If these people cause trouble, just report them to the authorities. For now, there’s no need to hire more people… Oh, and if those who are working exhibit any bad behavior, deal with them as you see fit.”
The steward acknowledged her instructions.
After the steward finished his report, Sheng Lengshuang made arrangements and gave further instructions before the steward withdrew.
Sheng Lengshuang looked down at the ledger, contemplating whether to plant anything else in the mountains, when she heard a faint sound of footsteps.
She looked up, raising an eyebrow in surprise. This was truly interesting.
“Who are you?” Sheng Lengshuang asked the woman standing before her, who was dressed and looked exactly like her, as she sat calmly.
The ‘Sheng Lengshuang’ covered her mouth and chuckled. “I should be asking you. Who are you, and why are you impersonating me?”
Hearing a voice so similar to her own, Sheng Lengshuang looked the imposter up and down. “This trick is quite interesting. I’m curious, will anyone mistake us for each other?”
“If they do, what will become of me?”
Seeing her composure and her ability to joke, the ‘Sheng Lengshuang’ frowned slightly. “You are truly detestable. You’ve impersonated me, and now you dare to say such things.”
Sheng Lengshuang gave her a mocking glance and stopped speaking, returning to her ledger.
Her attitude made the ‘Sheng Lengshuang’ feel inexplicably uneasy. She carefully examined her own attire and appearance, confirming everything was in order, and breathed a sigh of relief. There shouldn’t be any problems.
Sheng Lengshuang’s peripheral vision caught her actions, and her eyes darkened slightly. Was this a scheme by a hidden enemy, or someone else’s game?
“Mother, are you finished?” At this moment, Xiao Feng entered, pulling Mo Lingxi along.