Chapter 1, An Unexpected Encounter at the Field's Edge

In this day and age, landlords can seize land, but tenants can also resist eviction! They are left with nothing but orphans and widows, yet despite all the turmoil, they ultimately did not create a major disaster. The situation in the village has steadily improved, and they truly are fortunate!

The child, adorned with delicate makeup and jade-like features, the graceful young man, the distinguished handsome uncle, the charmingly dignified old gentleman... Of course, this also includes the straightforward and beautiful woman. In short, as long as one is a beauty, they can expect to receive kind treatment from her right from the start.

Moreover, it just happened to follow Zhu Gongquan's advice, which left him speechless!

As a member of the Zhao royal family, Zhu Jing was left in the capital to assist in managing internal and external affairs. Today, he accompanied Zhu Ying to the countryside to visit her so-called fiancé's family. Zhu Gongquan never expected that his casual comparison to a peasant would lead to others mocking him for his lack of education. Furthermore, Zhu Ying unexpectedly sided with others, which infuriated him in a moment of embarrassment and anger

Even though Zhang Shou originally did not want to quarrel with strangers, at this moment he could no longer hold back

Her catchphrase is, "A gentleman of elegance, a lady of virtue."

Zhang Shou, standing on the edge of the official road beside a field ridge, joyfully gazed at the scene of abundant harvest, holding a handful of rice ears in his hand, smiling as he looked at the several farmers gathered around him

Hearing the surrounding agreement, he recalled the time when he discovered that the water systems near the village were abundant and very suitable for rice cultivation. Even though his mother, Mrs. Wu, hesitated before ultimately agreeing to try and reduce the rent by opening a canal, the scene of these tenants still being unwilling was truly lamentable.

The curtain of the carriage was lifted high by a delicate hand. Although it was merely a glance from the side, he could still vaguely see that it was a young girl. Aware that the current times are not like those of later generations, he quickly averted his gaze after just a fleeting look and continued to discuss with several farmers how to replant in the future, turning his back to the official road. Who would have thought that in an instant, he would overhear a conversation between two people in the carriage

If it weren't for the fact that this peasant has such good looks, he wouldn't be so unfortunate... Zhu Ying has always loved beautiful people

As their gazes met, he noticed that the young girl suddenly stopped laughing and was staring at him intently. He then responded with a broad smile. After he smiled, the other party appeared noticeably taken aback.

After listening to the first half, Zhang Shou secretly sighed, thinking that such a noble-born young lady could also be forced into marriage, truly unfortunate. However, upon hearing the young lady's final bold statement, he couldn't help but feel that she really did not need anyone's sympathy

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a burst of clear laughter, which caused him to pause slightly, and then he took off his hat and turned around.

As for what will happen when she grows old after marrying a handsome man, her answer is quite simple—a true gentleman is refined and cultured, and his appearance and character must be in harmony. Even as time passes, he will still be a charming uncle or a handsome elder. If he cannot achieve this, then he is unworthy of the title of gentleman! Moreover, if women can take care of themselves, how can men not treat their own faces well?

The harvest two years ago was not as good as planting wheat, but last year was already slightly better than previous years. Looking at the current situation, as long as we hurry to finish the harvest, it seems that we might achieve an increase of sixty percent compared to the harvest from three years ago. Who says rice cannot be grown in the north?

I know that the young lady looks down on the pampered son of the Minister Lu's family, but can one really believe the so-called engagement mentioned by the matriarch? The master has always cherished the young lady; how could he betroth you to a person of unknown origins raised in the countryside? Moreover, the matriarch holds the marriage certificate but does not allow the young lady and the second young master to see the main text, so its authenticity remains uncertain

Complementing her exquisite attire and beautiful accessories is her strikingly radiant face

Preserving the family business? When he used to fight chickens and walk dogs, did he ever think about the concept of striving for progress? Whether my father is truly defeated is still uncertain, and my elder brother is merely temporarily out of contact, yet he dares to set his sights on me!

The pig-headed Lu Jia is neither cultured nor martial, yet he is quite skilled at flirting. Every time he sees me, he reveals a foolish look of drooling desire, and I can't help but wish to kick him over and give him a good beating! He even wants to say "Marry me..." Bah, a toad wishing to eat swan meat! Moreover, I never promised my grandmother that I would marry according to her marriage contract; I merely came to take a look!

She came to her senses and smiled, saying: "Young sir, I apologize for the earlier offense; it was my family’s Mr. Zhu who spoke carelessly and offended you. If you recite another verse from 'Shuo Shu, Shuo Shu, No Food for My Millet,' he would surely find a crack in the ground to burrow into!"

He said without turning his head: "Farmers have no stable property, and indeed cannot afford to study, so most people can only be illiterate, toiling under the sun every day, with sweat dripping into the soil beneath the crops, content with just having enough to eat. Yet some people, while enjoying their meals, do not realize that every grain comes from hard work, and they look down upon farmers. Have they never heard that those who eat meat disdain the laborers, and fail to plan for the future?"

The sky is a clear blue, and the golden rice ears undulate like waves under the gentle breeze

Over the past three years, he has seen this kind of scene many times, and having become accustomed to it, he simply smiles without speaking, only giving a slight nod.

The farmers in the fields are working tirelessly to harvest, yet not to mention singing a mountain song, most of them do not even have the time to catch their breath and speak. Apart from the occasional noisy bird flying by, there is only the rustling sound of the harvest.

She wore a magnificent bright red gauze dress adorned with colorful embroidery, and amidst her glossy black hair, a golden hairpin trembled gently with her laughter. The butterfly made of golden leaves seemed to frolic among the golden flowers, chasing after the shimmering South Sea pearl at the end of her hairpin

While others traverse with high configurations and starting points, this young master from a small landlord's family struggles to make ends meet. If it weren't for this year's bountiful harvest, considering all his efforts in the village—digging irrigation ditches, planting rice, experimenting with cotton cultivation, expanding the rearing of silkworms, and persuading others to allow their children to follow him in reciting poetry and recognizing characters—he would likely be scorned behind his back by the local farmers.

However, these two individuals spoke without the slightest regard for others overhearing, probably thinking that in this rural area, no one would understand matters concerning the noble families.

Zhang Shou knew that the young girl in the carriage came from a noble family. At this moment, seeing her speak to him in a way that was clearly helping him, he did not need to think to understand that it might be due to her words, but more likely it was because of his current appearance.

This time, he finally saw clearly that a girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old was sitting on his side of the carriage

However, it is easy for him to take revenge for this arrow, as long as he can prove that this farmer's son has a poor character and a bad temperament. After all, the reputation of the young lady is well-known, and there are many suitors who, relying on their looks, develop inappropriate thoughts, only to be exposed and end up in misfortune.

I remember my father often reminiscing about the hardships of the past, saying that our ancestors came from the fields

Zhu Ying truly could not help but be lost in thought. During her time in the capital, she had encountered everyone from the depths of the imperial palace to the residences of the powerful, and even disguised herself as a man to experience the brothels and pleasure houses. She was accustomed to galloping through the streets on horseback, having seen countless people. She could guarantee that among all the young men of suitable age she had encountered, none could compare to the remarkable youth before her.

Miss, look at this young farmer's son, raised in the countryside, illiterate, completely ignorant of poetry and literature. His daily interactions are with farmers and villagers, peddlers and laborers, and he will be content if he can secure a modest living, spending his entire life in the fields. He is a farmer's son, his son is also a farmer's son, and his grandson will be a farmer's son as well. Growing up among such farmers, how can he not be mediocre?

When Zhang Shouzheng was enraged, that man directly pointed the spearhead at him

However, in the next moment, he found himself devoid of any sympathy for others. This was because he suddenly realized that the sound of hooves seemed to have stopped, and the man among the two who were speaking was actually using them, these country folk, as a metaphor!

Even if the marriage certificate is genuine, the master has not mentioned it for many years, perhaps he has long regretted it in his heart. The young lady was once so precious and esteemed in the mansion, could it be that she will have to live in this countryside in the future, managing a bunch of rural peasants outside, and then dealing with a group of illiterate farm women every day

A pair of red jade bracelets on her wrists accentuates her fair skin, making it appear as smooth as congealed fat

Although he was merely dressed in an ordinary blue cloth robe and wore a pair of black cloth shoes that were even speckled with dirt, he had a clear and bright expression, exuding an elegant and refined demeanor. At first glance, she felt that he possessed an unparalleled grace

Miss, you should be aware of the recent situation in the residence. The master is facing unfavorable circumstances in the war, and the eldest young master and his troops have lost contact. Many adversaries in the court are sharpening their knives. The second young master, in order to preserve the family business, has no choice but to gather support. Now he wishes to form a marriage alliance with Minister Lu of the Ministry of War, which is also...

At that moment, he, wearing a bamboo hat, caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye of a group of seven or eight brightly dressed mounted guards, who were leisurely surrounding a carriage drawn by a clear oil vehicle, slowly making their way along the broad avenue a few steps away.