Chapter 538 – The Winds of the World (Part 8)
“Wei Ci said, ‘This matter is my oversight. My Lord, please wait a moment. I will go and greet Jing Rong now.'”
“The earlier you go, the earlier you return.”
Jiang Pengji buried herself in her desk, the towering stacks of bamboo slips and documents completely engulfing her figure.
The Messenger traveled quite fast; the news was delivered without delay, and Yang Si’s Master and Servant did not have to wait long outside the city.
When Wei Ci arrived at the city gate, he spotted Yang Si sitting on the edge of a carriage, curiously watching the line of refugees.
“Jing Rong—could it really be you?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Yang Si turned around, only to see his friend clad in heavy clothing that made one feel a rush of warmth.
Yang Si smiled and stepped down from the carriage, the two of them exchanged bows and greetings.
“Zixiao, I have come to seek refuge with you. I hope you can take me in for a while.”
Wei Ci felt a surge of joy in his heart, his smile growing even brighter and more sincere as he teasingly said, “You and I are close friends; no need for formalities. Even if you were to stay for thirty or fifty years, I wouldn’t throw you out…”
Several Female Soldiers nearby exchanged glances, initially thinking this was all just a joke, but to their surprise, Yang Si really was Wei Ci’s friend.
Listening to their conversation, the Female Soldiers revealed a knowing look, as if they shared an unspoken understanding.
Yang Si replied without holding back, “Wei Zixiao, you can’t be serious. Staying for thirty or fifty years, wouldn’t your future sisters-in-law cause an uproar?”
In this world, the trend leaned heavily towards men keeping their distance for the sake of family harmony, especially among those with close relationships.
Otherwise, who knows what misunderstandings might arise, just like with those Female Soldiers.
Except when facing Jiang Pengji, Wei Ci was quite relaxed in front of friends, especially with someone as unrestrained as Yang Si.
He chuckled, “To have a friend like Jing Rong is worth not marrying for thirty or fifty years! What’s the harm?”
Yang Si abruptly sobered, shaking his sleeves.
“Tsk, tsk, it’s been a few years, and you’ve truly become brazen. You dare say such things out loud.”
Wei Ci shot him a glance.
“Not as shameless as Jing Rong.”
A beauty, with every move—every frown and smile—radiating charm.
Yang Si felt like he couldn’t take it anymore, while his Book Boy seemed entranced by Wei Ci’s face.
Seeing this, Yang Si discreetly tapped the Book Boy on the back of his head.
Wei Ci was indeed beautiful, but also had a black heart—wasn’t he afraid of being secretly schemed against?
After exchanging a few jokes, Wei Ci enthusiastically welcomed Yang Si into the city, his attitude warm and attentive, which put Yang Si on edge.
How could he not be tense? How long had he known Wei Ci?
Once that guy smiled brightly, it was never a good sign!
As they moved in close, the Female Soldiers at the city gate quietly watched the two leave, with the Book Boy steering the horse from behind.
Female Soldier A: “Could that person… be the teacher’s wife?”
Female Soldier B: “Why do I feel like… the teacher is more like the wife?”
Once inside the inner city, the surrounding Common People were few and far between, the houses dilapidated and tattered, a scene of desolation.
Yang Si followed Wei Ci for a while and finally saw some people dismantling ruins, revealing more holes than solid ground.
He collected his thoughts and solemnly asked Wei Ci, “Initially, I heard the one in charge of Cheng’an County was Zixiao, and I thought it was just a name coincidence. After all, given Zixiao’s nature, it was unlikely he’d get involved so early. The Lord you now serve—this person has grand ambitions…”
Wei Ci’s lips carried a slight smile, “Yes, no one has greater ambitions than her.”
Yang Si looked puzzled, his eyes roaming over Wei Ci’s face, feeling his old friend didn’t quite feel like himself anymore after so many years.
Wei Ci laughed to dispel his doubts, “Jing Rong should know my aspirations. The moment I met her, I realized she could do it; perhaps she’s the only one who could. Since I’ve met the right person, why should I care about the timing?”
A good bird chooses its tree to rest in; a wise minister selects his ruler to serve.
Having found the right person to work with, he naturally had to seize the opportunity.
Yang Si knew of Wei Ci’s ambitions; he was stunned, “You’re serious about this?”
“My heart is not a stone, it cannot change.”
Seriously committed, no less.
Yang Si was at a loss for words for a moment, pointing to the scene of devastation, “This? Are you sure?”
Wei Ci replied, “Within three months, Jing Rong will see. Today’s ruins—who knows, they might become a capital-like existence?”
The more he said that, the more curious Yang Si became.
He said, “It’s because of what you said that I have to linger at your place for three to four months to see what this place can transform into.”
Wei Ci smiled knowingly; that was exactly what he wanted to hear.
If he could pull the hermit who fully commits to his wife onto his side, what trouble could he have with Yang Si?
Zhang Ping, with his indifferent disposition, was still being worked to the bone, whining about lacking proper rest, yet once his head hit the pillow, he would fall fast asleep… Yang Si was nothing like Zhang Ping; it’d be too easy to pull him in.
Yang Si scrutinized Wei Ci’s smile and suddenly shivered, feeling a chill run down his spine.
He bluntly said, “Don’t smile at me like that; it’s kind of creepy.”
When Wei Ci heard this, his smile only grew wider.
The burden of official duties mostly fell upon Jiang Pengji’s shoulders. Wei Ci, as this “minor” recovered patient, wasn’t required to do much.
There were not many habitable places in the county, and with the full renovation underway, Wei Ci was settled in a courtyard near the county office.
He heard the previous owner of the courtyard was a wealthy merchant, but their entire family was wiped out by the Green Garment Army, leaving it abandoned and taken over by the state.
Wei Ci brought Yang Si and his Servant into the house. He didn’t deliberately inquire about Yang Si’s purpose for coming to Cheng’an County but maintained normal exchanges.
He understood Yang Si; his methods and strategies were like those of a cunning snake, patient and waiting to strike.
However, no one is perfect; Yang Si’s particular fondness was a fatal flaw.
This person loved food, particularly delicacies, yet was incredibly picky—extremely picky!
Given the chance, he would absolutely choose meat over vegetables, and would drink alcohol instead of soup.
Wei Ci, with his past life’s experience, was all too aware of how Jiang Pengji had conned Yang Si before.
The black-hearted Jiang Pengji lured him with food, sowing discord between Yang Si and his Lord, causing misunderstandings.
Once or twice, it was fine, and Yang Si would clear things up, but what if it happened frequently?
Little by little, it would pile up.
Remember, Yang Si’s Lord, Huang Song, was inherently suspicious; though he wouldn’t say it, he’d definitely be keeping score in his heart.
Ah, Yang Si had fallen victim to his greed for food in his past life.
In his previous life, while Wei Ci and Yang Si exchanged weary words, Yang Si had poured out his grievances about Jiang Pengji with scorn.
Change the landscape, but not the nature.
If Yang Si had fallen into the trap of his gluttony in his previous life, it was bound to happen again this time.
To care for the recovering Wei Ci, Jiang Pengji had assigned him a chef from the county’s kitchen.
One could only imagine what the daily meals at Wei Ci’s residence would taste like.
Yang Si wouldn’t hold back discussing things with Wei Ci as if he were ordering his own Book Boy.
After just seven or eight days, the Book Boy tragically discovered that his master’s face had plumped up quite a bit.
“Master, you should take it easy. At this rate, your face might soon rival a full moon!”
