Chapter 10, Little Parrot Island

Xiao Yingyu Island is the ancestral estate of the Gao Suoning family and also the burial place of the family heads throughout the generations

The young man beside her was dressed in a white cloud-patterned silk robe and a long gown made of fine silk. He used a finely carved silk from Dingzhou, had his hair tied up, and wore a cap made of white deer skin. In his left hand, he held a small cup, while in his right hand, he held chopsticks, exuding a leisurely demeanor as he chatted and laughed with his sister

Ning Jiang said, "Xiao Meng, come with me!" He led Xiao Meng away from the tomb group, through a thicket, and arrived in front of a small hill

At this moment, the tide of money has risen, and in the distance upstream of the great river, a rumbling sound is heard, growing ever closer, like thousands of troops and horses thundering down.

The busyness of the day has finally come to an end, and at this moment, the siblings finally have some leisure time. For Xiaomeng, she no longer has to live in fear, and she has become much more lively. As for Ningjiang, after his rebirth, he no longer holds much regard for the meager assets of the Gao family. However, anything that belongs to him, even if it is just some discarded items lying around, he will never allow anyone to take it away casually. Moreover, bringing this matter to a close is also to provide some comfort to his sister. He truly does not think much of the Gao family's assets, but anything that belongs to him, even if it is just some discarded items lying around, he will never allow anyone to take it away casually. Furthermore, bringing this matter to a close is also to provide some comfort to his sister.

These red invitations contain the birth dates of several distinguished young ladies from the county. In fact, given Ning Jiang's age, he could have been engaged two years ago and married directly after the coming-of-age ceremony. However, due to the three years he spent in mourning, during which marriage discussions are not permitted, he has yet to have a marriage proposal. Today, as he officially inherits the position of head of the Ning family, he is considered a prominent figure in Gao Su County. Naturally, many people are eager to engage matchmakers and seek connections, hoping to marry their daughters into the Ning family, each one anxious not to be outdone by others.

She merely expressed her discontent casually, but upon hearing this, Ning Jiang felt a stir in his heart... Should he let his sister learn martial arts?

Ning Jiang took a look at the red paper and exclaimed, "Damn, it really is his mother!"

Xiao Meng said, "Brother, what do you want to do?"

And now, having gone through the fright of the past few days, her brother is safe and sound, and she is also safe and sound; for her, this is the greatest happiness

A few days later, under the pretext of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, he took his younger sister to the ancestral land of the Ning clan, Xiaoyingwu Island, to pay respects to their parents

The chaos in the world is inevitable, and in such turbulent times, it is also good for my sister to have a means of self-defense

Ning Jiang personally swept away the fallen leaves in front of the grave, standing before the tomb of his parents in this lifetime. Looking at the tombstone, which was as tall as a person, with his parents' names inscribed on it, he softly said: "Father, Mother... I have returned"

At present, after the banquet, Ning Jiang returned to the room, took out his brush and ink, pondered for a long time, and wrote down phrases on the paper in a vigorous and elegant manner

Although it would not be difficult for him to simply abandon this place and take his sister to explore a broader world, the fifty-six years of wandering in his previous life had allowed him to witness a truly vast expanse. For him, this place, Gao Suo, felt too small. However, for his sister, this is still their home; as long as the home remains, their hearts will find peace.

However

He said: "Xiao Meng, wait for me here first"

On the other hand, regarding the internal industries of the Ning family, he implemented a thorough reorganization with decisive measures, and then established a management system akin to a "board of directors" from another world. After appointing a general manager, he selected several respected elders from the clan to regularly receive reports and oversee the operations of the industries. He set down good rules that prevented others from monopolizing power for personal gain. Consequently, he largely relinquished control over specific affairs and continued to spend his days writing and drawing in his room.

Immediately shaking the red paper, he said: "No, no, I must marry his mother. Considering that he had the courage to send it over, I must marry his mother, just so that he will call me father, I must marry his mother"

What? Ning Jiang was taken aback, "His mother?"

At this moment, the girl is wearing a pomegranate red narrow-sleeved, front-opening skirt adorned with moon motifs, lined with a verdant green bustier. Her hair is styled in a split floral bun, exuding charm and beauty. Although she is still young, she already displays a remarkable grace.

A maid was called over to collect all these red invitations, and they were to be returned tomorrow. The siblings continued their conversation, and before they knew it, they had talked about the events of the past two days. Xiaomeng said resentfully, "Yesterday, they really went too far, actually pushing you into the lake, brother. It's a pity that I don't know martial arts; I truly wish I could draw my sword and kill them."

Yes, he has returned

However, regardless of the circumstances, he has returned; he has come back here once again. Whether it is luck or a miracle, it matters not. Since he has returned, he will firmly seize this life.

In the midst of the flowers, there stands an octagonal rain pavilion, with a large red lantern hanging high in front of it. The candlelight within the lantern casts a faint red glow through the thin red paper. In the distance, the stream flows beside the artificial hill, producing a soft gurgling sound. The crescent moon hangs high, and the stars are not overly dense. The planet Mars, also known as the Wandering Star, has begun to move westward. The westward movement of Mars signifies that the weather has reached its hottest period, yet it also indicates that the weather is about to start cooling down. The ancient saying "July flows with fire" refers to the planet Mars, with the character "fire" representing the Wandering Star. The westward movement of Mars signifies that the weather has reached its hottest period, yet it also indicates that the weather is about to start cooling down. The ancient saying "July flows with fire" refers to the planet Mars, with the character "fire" representing the Wandering Star.

There is a tributary of the Changhe River called Qianchao River, and Xiaoyingwu Island is located in the "great gap" of this Qianchao River

These two great rivers are known as the Huanghe River and the Changhe River

On that night, lanterns were hung throughout the garden, and a firefly danced in the dimness of the flower bushes, its faint glow flickering and then extinguishing.

In the following days, Ning Jiang first visited the heads of the Duan, Hua, and Lu families, repeatedly expressing his gratitude for their support on that day. In reality, these families had merely come to 'watch the spectacle' as the situation escalated, and their subsequent support was merely a matter of going with the flow. However, Ning Jiang's repeated expressions of thanks made them feel that he had truly relied on them to regain his position as the family head, unconsciously treating him as one of their own. Ning Jiang's true intention was simply to bind himself to these families, ensuring that Cao Kai would not dare to act recklessly.

In early August, it is the time of the tidal surge of the Qiantang River. Every year during this season, many literati and poets come to witness the tide. The tidal wave rushes down from upstream with magnificent momentum, crashing against the shore and causing people on the banks to flee in panic, which is a remarkable sight of the Qiantang tide. Xiaoyingwu Island is located downstream of the Qiantang tide. As the tidal wave rushes down from upstream, it splits into two currents due to the presence of Xiaoyingwu Island, flowing left and right, and converging below the island. The two tidal currents collide with each other, forming a cross tide in the air, which is also a rare spectacle. Xiaoyingwu Island is located downstream of the Qiantang tide. As the tidal wave rushes down from upstream, it splits into two currents due to the presence of Xiaoyingwu Island, flowing left and right, and converging below the island. The two tidal currents collide with each other, forming a cross tide in the air, which is also a rare spectacle.

Xiao Meng tightly grasped his arm: "Brother, you must think clearly, you absolutely must not give up on yourself, you absolutely must not..." Before she could finish her sentence, she was already laughing so hard that she almost crawled under the table

Within the territory of Huaxia, in the land of the Great Zhou, there are two major rivers, which are the source of Huaxia civilization

A sister who is just over thirteen years old is indeed at the best age to begin martial arts training. Considering the tradition of the Zhou Dynasty, which favored males over females and even stated that "a woman's lack of talent is virtue," no matter how well she excels in literature, she cannot participate in the imperial examination. Moreover, once the Emperor's star falls and chaos ensues in the world, what use is there in studying literature?

However, Ning Jiang was aware that this Little Parrot Island was not merely a "treasure land"; it was also the "crime of possessing a gem" that had nearly brought misfortune to him and his sister this time

Xiao Meng held a stack of red invitations, pulling out each piece of red paper to examine: "This one is the daughter of the Qian family from the Ning Li residence, this one is the daughter born to Uncle Lu's second wife from the Lu family, this one is the sister of Scholar Quan, and this one is the... mother of Zhang Baihu from Beixian?"

In fact, according to the principles of Feng Shui related to geomancy, Xiaoyingwu Island is not suitable for a family ancestral grave, primarily because it is too close to water, surrounded by water on all sides. Generally, the locations chosen for ancestral graves of prominent families are those that are not prone to water seepage. However, for some unknown reason, the hill in the center of Xiaoyingwu Island has dry land, completely unaffected by the tides, and has been recognized by the ancestors of the Ning family as a piece of valuable land, thus becoming the burial site for generations of clan leaders

"Father... Mother..." Xiao Meng softly called out beside him. For her, she had never known what her mother looked like, and when her father passed away, she was only ten years old. Although the Ning family was a prominent household in Gao Suo, the feeling of relying solely on her brother had accompanied her through the three years following her father's death

At this moment, Ning Jiang and his sister Ning Xiao Meng are on Little Parrot Isle, paying their respects at their parents' graves.

No one knows how long he has been gone this time, nor does anyone know how much suffering he has endured and how many hardships he has faced

Between the stone pavilion and the rockery, there is a red-painted wooden table, one foot wide and three feet long, upon which dishes are placed. The young boy and girl enjoy the flowers and chat together under the moonlight.

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