Gentleman Beard Smith accompanied Isabel all the way from the direction of Sharif Hatton Castle, and when a procession of two wagons full of goods and a dozen retinues on horseback or foot arrived at the village of Schindby, east of the Barony of Walton, it immediately caused a sensation among the villagers of the village.

As it is a festive season, villagers who do not have to work can enjoy one of the few leisure moments of the year by living in a humble room or going to the church to participate in mass and prayer services. Therefore, when they heard that the lord's daughter, Miss Isabel, was passing through the village, they left the house and came to the side of the road, and welcomed her with great enthusiasm. The villagers were so loyal to the lord's blood relatives that the village officials and tax collectors of Sindebi Village naturally did not fall behind, and they also came to the sides of the road to show Isabel their respect from the bottom of their hearts.

Isabel Walton, who was walking slowly on her horse, had a reserved smile on her face, smiling as she swept her gaze over the faces of the villagers on both sides of the road. When she saw the village official and tax collector standing on the left side of the road bowing to her, she smiled and nodded, and whispered, "Village officer, how is the Ascension Day of Jesus Christ today?" ”

As soon as the village official heard the lord's daughter speak to him, he hurriedly ran forward and looked up at Isabel who was sitting on the horse excitedly, "Miss, since we became the subjects of your father and mother two years ago, the various religious festivals every year have been very happy days for me and the villagers. Therefore, this year's Ascension Day will be no exception. ”

The gentleman who rode his horse to the side smiled and stroked his beard and glanced at Isabel, "Miss, it seems that your father and mother have a high status in the hearts of the subjects of the realm. ”

Isabel smiled and nodded, but said helplessly, "Mother has always been very kind to her subjects in her territory, and she will probably give them alms on Catholic holidays. ”

The tax collector, who was unwilling to be left behind the village official, also hurried to Isabel's horse, and as he walked forward with the moving horse, he smiled at her and said, "Yes, miss. As long as it is a holiday, my wife will give us alms at the door of the church. ”

"Tax collector, how much does my mother give you each time?"

"Miss, every man can get a penny at a time. In addition to the alms, the lady would often give us some bread, cured meats and vegetables. ”

"Mademoiselle, Madame's kindness will even be touched by God." The gentleman said flatteringly.

"Yes, in addition to God, there are also civilians who are moved." Isabel glanced at the village of Kirrington, which was already faintly visible in front of her, and glanced at the gentleman and whispered, "I don't think there is much to be gained by my mother's doing this, except to increase the family's prestige in Yorkshire." ”

"Hahaha... Miss, the only role of alms is to gain the support of the people. The gentleman laughed, stroked his beard and looked at the fields of land on both sides of the road, "Miss, you see, your father's land still needs to be cultivated by the people. ”

In less than a moment, many villagers were concentrating on the two wagons in the procession. While following the carriage, he curiously guessed the contents of the carriage. There were also some young male and female villagers who took a great interest in Rose, the maid sitting in the car.

A young woman dressed in a plain, very cleanly washed leotard walked up to the carriage where Rose was sitting, put her hand on the carriage and looked at her and asked curiously, "Hey, who are you?" How did you come back with Miss? ”

The maid Rose listened to the other party's strong northern accent and smiled politely, "My name is Rose, and I came back from Plymouth with Miss. ”

"What do you say? Li... What is the mouth? ”

"Well, Plymouth is a town in the south, on the edge of the sea."

The young woman who was born and raised in the country was unlikely to know what Plymouth was like, but she nodded and smiled softly, "Uh, Rose, I see how you dress, you're going to work as a maid at the lord's manor, right?" ”

Rose nodded, and the young woman looked at her with envy, "You're a lucky girl." You know, I actually wanted to go to the lord's manor as a maid. ”

"Oh, you can tell your lord's housekeeper what you think. In our case, the housekeeper has the right to hire a maid. ”

"Rose, you probably don't know yet." The young woman stole a glance at Isabelle, who was riding in front of her, and whispered, "Mademoiselle is often absent from the lord's manor. So, the lord and the lord's wife will not hire too many maids. ”

As the party followed the road to the village of Kirklington in the heart of the Walton Barony's Domain, more and more villagers stood on both sides of the road to welcome Isabelle's return, and even some villagers who lived in Sutton Hograve, south of the Barony's Domain, joined in. Isabel looked at the many men, women, and children on both sides of the road who were constantly bowing to her, and was amazed.

casually asked the gentleman riding beside him, "Old Beard, I remember that when my father was made a nobleman two years ago and got this land, the population of the village was probably not that large. But now, where did these farmers come from? ”

The gentleman laughed, "Miss, there has been no war in the north all these years, so more and more children have been born. And since many people are reluctant to leave the North, it is natural that your father's subjects will be numerous. ”

By this time, some of the villagers had spontaneously run to the lord's house in the heart of Kirklington Village, and excitedly reported to the manservant who was guarding the gate the good news of the young lady's return. As soon as the manservant heard that the lord's daughter had returned, he hurried into the house and walked through the corridor to the outside of the hall.

At this time, Baron Walton and the Baroness were sitting in the hall to meet the noble guests who had arrived today. Mrs. Walton rose with tears in her eyes when she heard the news of her daughter's return, and walked out of the hall with her personal maid in farewell to her husband and the noble guests. As soon as he walked out of the hall, he hurriedly asked the manservant on duty at the gate, "Where is the young lady?" Isn't it already at the door? ”

The manservant bowed his head slightly and replied respectfully, "Madam, it was some farmers in the village who told me the news of Miss's return. I think Mademoiselle is still on her way back to the manor. ”

Mrs. Walton laughed when she heard this, and Chrissy, the valet beside her, said softly, "Madame, this is good news that your kindness has brought back to you. However, the young lady finally returned from the south. ”

"Chrissy, be sure to pray to God a few more times tonight." After Mrs. Walton finished speaking, she ordered the manservant again, "Let the butler take someone to wait for the young lady outside the door." ”