、、、、、、、、、、 There was a torrential rain overnight, and the water, which had been muddied by the widening of the river, became more and more muddy, and as a result, two groups of people came to Fang Yuan in one day.

The first group turned out to be a steward surnamed Deng on Ning Wangzhuang. When the people came, they happened to be in Gorou to supervise the work, so they had to receive him personally.

When Steward Deng saw Peony at first glance, he was a little stunned. But he quickly suppressed that kind of surprise, and took out the habit that most of the stewards in the elite had when facing ordinary old surnames, with a proud expression, nostrils facing the sky, sleeves and hands, not accepting the tea soup handed by A Tao, squinting at the peony with his eyes, and saying in a tone of voice: "Are you the owner of this garden?" ”

Although Peony was annoyed that he was rude, she also knew that these people would be her neighbors in the future, not to mention that he had Ning Wangfu behind him, and he couldn't easily offend and fall out, so he couldn't help but smile patiently: "Exactly." Dare to ask Steward Deng what is the matter here? ”

Before Steward Deng came, he had already found out the identity of the owner of this Fangyuan, and knew that Peony was just a rich daughter. Therefore, as soon as he heard Peony's words, he was immediately unhappy, and he went to the village of other people with heads and faces, and the housekeeper asked him like this, which made a little sense. is clearly such a businesswoman with a few stinky money, how dare she hold it up in front of him! At that moment, he said coldly: "Don't dare!" It's just a small stream in our village, and the good ones are getting muddy and yellow, so I'll see what's going on. ”

He's like that, like a peony who has some great murder and arson. Peony secretly thought to herself, these days workers have been widening the river and digging around, presumably the river has become less clear than usual when it flows downstream. However, Ningwangzhuang is so far away here, is it really so muddy when it flows there? I didn't hear about it two days ago, but it rained like this, maybe it's because of the rain?

Let's not talk about the truth of the matter for the time being, let's just say that this river, when the Zhou family sold their house and land to her, they clearly said that this river was the water that the Zhou family spent a lot of money to attract by themselves, and she also inquired about the village afterwards, which proved that this was the case. But what does it have to do with this Ning Wangzhuang? Could it be that Ning Wangzhuang was actually stained with the light of this river, so he led this water to use? Not to mention the purpose of this Deng steward, it is not unreasonable for this person to chase after the master to settle accounts without asking for any reason.

However, he was not welcome, she should still be reasonable first. Peony said: "Our river has also been muddy these days, but it is because I ordered someone to widen the river." After these days, nature is fine. I didn't know that this river was connected to the creek on your village, and I didn't expect the water to flow so far and the water was muddy, but the first two days were fine, I think it was because of the heavy rain last night? But anyway, I didn't think about it well and didn't say hello beforehand. ”

Seeing that she was young, beautiful and soft, and there was no man around her to help her, she became more and more colorful, and said, "When did this river become your home?" Joke! Rain? Hum! Before you started construction, you didn't even rain every day and night, but now you do this kind of thing, but you are afraid to take responsibility? ”

Encountering such a fox and a fake tiger and an unreasonable wealthy slave, Peony blamed himself for not sending someone to say hello to the downstream village first, but he also turned into anger at this moment, so he also sank his face, but did not answer his words, only turned his head to Ah Tao, who was frightened and white on the side: "Ah Tao, go and call your father." ”

Steward Deng just sneered to see what Peony wanted. He has seen a lot of this kind of little person, as long as he puts up the shelf, brings out the reputation of Ning Wangfu, and presses it casually, he will be frightened, and when the time comes, it will not mean where it is, where do you dare to say half a "no"?

Less leaning, Hu Dalang came, stood under the curtain in a proper manner and said, "I don't know what my mother commands?" ”

Peony smiled: "I'm just asking, when I bought this land, the old steward of the Zhou family made it clear that this river was brought by the previous Zhou family who spent money to go to the Yellow Canal, but is there such a thing?" ”

Hu Dalang had already heard Ah Tao say a few words briefly, so he replied seriously: "There is indeed such a thing." Many of the surrounding farmers were Witnesses. This river belongs to this village. The land where the river was dug was all paid for. ”

Peony glanced at the steward, and saw that he was already angry, so he smiled slightly and continued: "Then let me ask you, where does this river pass downstream?" But whose manor did you pass by? ”

Hu Dalang said: "This river channel has made a bend and flows into Qujiang Pond again. However, at that time, several villages in the vicinity had come to greet the first owner, borrowed the light of the river, and dug another ditch around it to introduce it to their respective villages. If there is money to give, the owner first said that it is convenient for others, and he has never received money from anyone. ”

I didn't expect that Hu Dalang, who was silent and wilted that day, was actually coherent and reasonable when he talked about this, and every sentence was said in the key points. Peony was satisfied with this remark, and couldn't help but look at Hu Dalang a few more times, and said with satisfaction: "Got it, you go down first." ”

After Hu Dalang retreated, she turned around and smiled seriously and sincerely at Steward Deng: "It was my negligence, it turned out that Guizhuang had also led the water of this river to use." Then my upstream construction will really affect the downstream, although it is ten miles away, it is still not as clear as before. She paused, saw that Steward Deng's face was getting worse and worse, and said with a smile: "Neighbors, neighbors, this kind of thing happened, I'm also embarrassed, it's a woman's family, I don't know how to deal with it." What are the stewards' plans, and please give me some advice. I'll just let them do it. ”

If you are a person who knows the truth, you should restrain yourself and send it away in two sentences at will. Steward Deng was a fierce and brutal person, and he felt more and more that Peony was weak and bulliable, so he stood up abruptly and said in a fierce voice: "What should I do?" Immediate stoppage, of course! ”

But a slave in the palace dares to bully people like this! Peony held a breath of anger in his throat, rushed up several times, and finally held back easily, and said lightly: "Although the idea of managing things is wonderful, I am afraid that it is unreasonable." All the acres of land in my house were declared in the yamen and recorded in the file, and I dug my family's land and expanded my family's river in my family's land, which is a matter of course. ”

Yes, in this era, the status of a merchant was low and she was looked down upon, and she was the daughter of a merchant, so she suffered a lot. But so what? She never thinks that she is inferior, nor does she think that those so-called emperors, grandsons, and eunuchs are much higher than herself. She will try her best to adapt to the rules of survival in this era, but that is to live a good life and get better and better, it does not mean that she has to grovel when she is reasonable, and she dare not speak out when she is bullied by others.

Seeing that she was a little girl, Steward Deng didn't eat hard and was not afraid of being scared, hehe sneered twice, and said in a weird way: "Okay, you are digging your family's land on your family's land and expanding your family's river." But do you know that His Royal Highness King Ning has been in the village these days, and he has to sit by the stream every day to study, what kind of crime should you be guilty of disturbing his purity! Then his fingers dug into Peony's face.

As soon as the ordinary old family members heard this kind of words, when they saw this posture, they were all frightened and let it be handled. Partial peony is not the kind that can be handled arbitrarily, not only did she not retreat, but she quietly took a step forward, pushed away Aunt Feng and Yuhe, who had already blocked her in front of her, stared at Steward Deng and said: "It's a coincidence." My cousin happens to be the chief of the palace, and my family has also begged His Royal Highness for grace, and a few days ago I also knew that Princess Ning and Xiao Shi were unfortunate, and His Royal Highness was sick, but I didn't know that His Royal Highness had come to Zhuangzhong. If I really made a big mistake, I should go and ask for it. The steward is accustomed to seeing big scenes, and knows a lot, and he asks me, what crime have I committed? I might as well not make a mistake next time. ”

Steward Deng was speechless, and his mind turned several times in a moment, but he didn't know whether what Peony said was true or false, but Princess Ning was sick, and King Ning was not in the village when he was sick. Because he couldn't get it right, he didn't dare to force him, so he had to sneer in a bluff: "I'm afraid that there are some sins, and it's too late for you to change it!" Little lady, listen to the old man's persuasion, it's better not to be arrogant! With that, he shook his sleeves and left.

What an old man, the old dog is almost the same! Peony didn't bother to look at him, and said lazily: "Go slowly!" The annoying lady helped me deliver the guests. ”

Aunt Feng silently sent Steward Deng back, and said sadly: "Danniang, what's going on?" He was so angry, although this time he drove away, but he was afraid that he would design other excuses to find trouble when he turned around. ”

Peony sneered: "He was angry at the beginning, probably because I didn't be a servile face, nodded and asked him what the steward of the palace had to order, but asked him what was the matter, and he felt offended him." But even if I pretend to be holding him, I still can't hide from him to find trouble, and he didn't have a good heart when he came to the door. Auntie, do you really believe that this river will be yellow after ten miles and a few turns? It's clear that they are deliberately looking for trouble. I'm not saying that the river is mine and I don't care about the people downstream, but what about negotiating a charter? Tell me to stop working, why should he! If I take a step back like this, how will I gain a foothold here in the future? I'm afraid that any person can be bullied. ”

Gorou got the news and rushed over, and when he heard what Peony said, he thought it was true: "I'm afraid that there is something hidden in it, so go back and let people find out what the reason is, and take precautions in advance." ”

"I made a reliable farmer and asked him to go down the river to see what it was like when he got to the vicinity of Ningwang Grange. Whether it is really as the steward said, so that he can know in his heart. Peony blinked, smug: "Is it because this land occupies a good place, no one bought it before because of that rumor, and I was blushing when I bought it easily?" Does this mean that the price of my land has risen? Maybe when you sell it, it will be far from the original price. ”

Gorou was made to smile slightly by her, and couldn't help but flick her forehead: "I just bought it and remembered to sell it, where is this kind of reason?" But it's possible what you're talking about. But it won't be King Ning's intention, he doesn't have the heart to fight for this land now, it should just be the people below who are making trouble. ”

Peony sighed softly: "I don't want to touch the light of the Li family anymore, but I still have to touch this light." If I hadn't brought out my cousin, the man wouldn't have gone so fast. ”

Wulang glanced at her sympathetically and said with a smile: "It's just that he happens to be from King Ning's Mansion, in addition to the Li family, my father also knows others." You don't have to take it to heart. ”

Cooking was made in the large kitchen that was temporarily set up for dinner, and Yuhe sent the meals of Peony and Gorou and others, Peony was busy for most of the day, and he was already hungry, and he used half a bowl of rice more than when he was at home in the past. Seeing that she was eating sweetly, Gorou said with a smile: "You have to come out and move often, and you have to do something to have energy." ”

Peony said: "Fifth brother, don't say it, I really feel that I am much stronger during this period of time than I was some time ago." In the past, when I rode a horse from here to home, and then walked a little bit, my legs would be sore, but now I can't do it at all. ”

Gorou smiled, thinking that a large number of materials would be sent in a few days, so it would be more convenient to open the peony branch, so he said, "Aren't you still going to prepare the peony seedlings to be used this autumn?" These days are not the time to matter, you just have to work with your sixth sister-in-law, continue to inquire about what should be inquired, continue to book when you should book, and I am here for me. ”

Peony responded, the brother and sister put down the bowl, and Ah Tao came to report anxiously: "There is another guest outside, I heard that someone said that he swam by the river a few times before someone came to report." ”

What is this sacred? Could it be that the pollution of this river is so impactful? Gorou and Peony glanced at each other and asked, "What kind of person is it?" ”

Ah Tao said: "It's a black-faced man in his teens, and he said that he was a servant of the manor surnamed Jiang in the neighborhood, called Wu." Ah Tao's heart is full of worry, just came to the steward of the palace manor, and there is such a person, I don't know which powerful family? What's the trouble you're looking for? If this village and this land are not used, do you have to resell it again?

Peony heard that it was Wu, a servant of the Jiang family, and hurriedly said, "Please come in." He also explained the identity of this Wu to Wulang: "It is probably a servant of Jiang Changyang's family." ”

When Gorou heard that he was Jiang Changyang's servant, he was puzzled: "What is he here for?" ”

While speaking, Wu Wu, who was wearing a gray round-necked robe and a robe with a crotch on his face, walked in with a smile on his face, Gorou hurriedly invited him to sit down, asked Yuhe to serve tea, and Peony thanked him for sending medicine last time, and said a few words of greeting: "I was going to visit the door after I got it done, and I will be a neighbor in the future." ”

Wu smiled: "Don't dare, don't dare." The villain came today for the sake of the river. ”

Peony hurriedly said: "But the water in your village is also muddy?" Hu Dalang said that when several families came to discuss the use of this river water, could it be that the Jiang family was also one of them? The more she thought about it, the more she felt that it was possible, after all, Wu said that day to send the eaves over, and they didn't wait long, so it can be seen that the Jiang family is not far from the village of Ning Wangfu, and it may not be in the lower reaches of this river.

Wu smiled: "The villain can be said to be here for this matter, or it can be said that he is not here for this matter." ”

Peony seemed to have ulterior motives when he heard what he said, but thinking that just by virtue of Jiang Changyang's personality, he would definitely not come to trouble himself because of this kind of thing, since he came, there must be other reasons, so he said: "Please also ask Steward Wu to explain it in detail." ”

Wu smiled slightly: "The origin of this river, my father-in-law and villain also know." Originally, it was a matter for everyone to get wet, and it was understandable that the master's house would start construction, and no one on the left and right would drink this water, and it would not be muddy for two days, so it didn't matter; Besides, the river has made a few bends below, and the water is drawn from a ditch on the side, so it will not be so muddy. So it doesn't have any impact on our banker. ”

Speaking of this, Wu glanced at Aunt Feng and Yuhe, and Peony understood, and motioned for Aunt Feng and Yuhe to go out to see the door. Seeing that the idlers and others had retreated, Fang smiled and said, "It's not a big deal, but it's good that there are few people who know." Suitable, there is a steward surnamed Deng in the manor of King Ning's Mansion to look for trouble? ”

How did he find out so quickly? Although Peony was very surprised, she still replied with a smile: "Exactly." He said that the water on the village of King Ning was completely muddy because of us, and he wanted us to stop working, or else he would punish me. I've just arranged for someone to see if this is really the case, and then try to deal with it. This also blames me, I didn't inquire clearly in advance, and I didn't know that there were other people downstream who were using this water, and it wouldn't have been possible if I had prepared in advance. ”

Wu glanced at the peony and said, "Our village is in the middle of Guizhuang and Ning Wangfu Village." Steward Deng went out from your village and went directly to our village, meaning that we would come with them to find your troubles. There are several other families in the lower reaches of the river, all of whom are powerful, and he will probably go back to those people. He got his wish and saw that Peony and Goro's faces suddenly became solemn.

It seems that it is not just for the sake of a river to find trouble, Peony got up and thanked Wu: "Thank you for the reminder of Manager Wu, so that we will not be caught off guard when the incident happens." ”

Gorou also said: "Thank you, but Steward Wu should go back earlier, if that person knows that you came to report the news, maybe he will come to make things difficult for you again." ”

But a little minion, what's it? Wu smiled and said slowly: "You don't have to worry, and listen to the villain." At that time, my father-in-law happened to be there, and he had already replied to the steward of Deng, in fact, our village was also widening the canal, trying to divert the water more so that we could dig a pool. The muddy water in King Ning's Mansion should be because of our village. He has already told Na Deng that he will send people to each family to apologize, and the villain has come to apologize because he has been wronged by implicating your mansion. As he spoke, he really got up and saluted the peony.

Peony's mouth opens into an O-shape, which is what it is. She is not a stupid person, how can she not understand the meaning of this Wu dividing a good thing into two parts, and still hanging her appetite in the middle? What's more, where is there such a coincidence, she started to widen the river here, and Jiang Changyang's village also happened to widen the river? She is the mainstream, it makes sense to affect the tributaries, and that tributary also affects the mainstream, something is wrong. It is clear that Jiang Changyang means to help her.

Peony hurriedly motioned to Wulang to hold Wu and said, "I really can't afford this ceremony." I caused trouble to Jiang Gong again, he was warm-hearted and helped me several times, I really don't know how to thank him. But in the end, it's my business, and I can't always cause trouble to Jiang Gong for no reason. I'm discussing with my fifth brother about going back and talking to my family about dealing with this matter as soon as possible, no matter what, there is always a way to deal with it. "It's not enough to rely on people for a while, not to mention that it's not always so lucky, she has to deal with these situations as soon as possible to gain a foothold.

Wu was very satisfied with her reaction, but said with a smile: "Little lady is too worried, my family is really digging a canal, and I want to build a water pavilion and plant heavy Taiwan lotus and white lotus." Just because the water is small, it is a coincidence that Guizhuang has widened the canal, and it is said that we have benefited. According to what you say, we should also pay the money to the government when we get the light of this canal. ”

Peony smiled: "That's not ...... say"

Wu couldn't help but say: "If this place is changed to others, I'm afraid that the water of the people below will not be able to use, and we are also for our own convenience, so you can say more." Just know what you know. After saying that, he didn't say much, and he was about to resign.

Peony had no choice but to thank him again and send him out with Gorou. After the brother and sister discussed, because they were afraid that the people of Ning Wangfu Manor would take advantage of the fact that no one was looking for trouble, they decided to let Wulang stay here and hold on, and Peony led Aunt Feng, Yuhe and two powerful family members to return home together, and went to He Zhizhong to discuss countermeasures.

When it is nearly dusk, the sky is full of colorful clouds, the seedlings on both sides of the road are verdant and lush, the peony beats the horse and walks slowly, but the eyes are full of verdant, many birds are flying and jumping in the field, chirping, occasionally you can see a few white water birds standing in the field, and the smoke curls in the village in the distance, so the scenery of the countryside and the field.

Aunt Feng and Yuhe saw that she could see that she was fascinated, so they didn't urge her, and a few people walked slowly, occasionally making a few jokes with each other, but they were also relaxed. Suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves behind him, Peony turned around, and saw that the horse in front was very eye-catching, the whole body was black and shiny, only the forehead and four hooves were white, tall and fit, looking very beautiful and majestic, and the person on the horse was wearing a black gauze head, wearing a royal blue robe with a lack of crotch, and a black horizontal knife hanging from his waist, with a resolute expression, it was Jiang Changyang. The black-faced man in the gray robe who followed behind him was not Wu who had gone to Fangyuan to report the news?

Peony didn't expect to be so coincidental that he would meet his master and servant here, so he stopped at the moment, looked back at Jiang Changyang, and said with a smile: "Jiang Gong'an is good." ”

Jiang Changyang didn't expect to meet Peony here, raised his eyebrows in surprise, and then smiled heartily, revealing a mouthful of snow-white and neat teeth, and also hugged his fist and returned the peony salute: "He Niang is well." Are you going back to the city? ”

Peony smiled: "Exactly." ”

Jiang Changyang looked at the sky, glanced at the peony's face that looked radiant in the sunset, and said: "I have something to go back to Beijing, it's getting late, if you don't dislike it, you might as well do the same." ”