HCB Chapter 175 Avoiding Suspicion
Chapter 175 Avoiding Suspicion
The next morning, Ning Shi went to the county government office to work, and Ning Ziqing also went to the Tianshi Pavilion to report for duty.
The old farmer that her brother found was very reliable. He came early in the morning to check the land in the garden and even brought his wife to talk to Ming Luoying. They were both very well-behaved people.
Ning Xiaoxi watched her mother and her mother-in-law gesturing and pointing at each other in the courtyard, while the old farmer stood by, turning over the soil every now and then and giving his mother-in-law a few pointers.
After looking at it for a while, I felt that I didn't quite understand it. I went back to the house and put the flower seeds and several bushels of grain that I had bought in Panhou Mountain City on the kang in my parents' room. I looked at them and realized that I still hadn't taken out the wheat seedlings, but I did take out some other kinds of flowers that I had collected on the way.
After coming out, he quietly said a few words to Ming Luoying and then went out.
I strolled towards the east side of the city, intending to check out my second cousin's shop; it was opening today. However, judging from my father and mother's attitude, it seemed they were right—a quiet opening, nothing big. My second cousin was quite similar to my eldest uncle, not only in appearance but also in personality and behavior.
The eastern part of the city isn't like the western market district; it's not a concentrated area of shops, and there's not much foot traffic. The shops here don't primarily do small-scale business; they mainly collect goods for easy transport to the capital for sale. Further south, the temperature is higher, so the demand for furs is much lower.
The quality of furs from the North is undeniable, with many top-quality goods. Along the way, she cultivated good relationships with the local constables, making caravan travel much easier. Thinking of caravans reminded Ning Xiaoxi of bodyguards. Previously, her maternal family's bodyguards were all kept by her own household, which was somewhat expensive, but most importantly, they were reliable. What if she opened a security escort agency? She hadn't seen any along the way; she could discuss it with her father and brother.
After a few days of calm, people have overcome their fear of the war, and there are more people on the streets.
Tree branches along the streets in the city began to sprout, some even showing hints of green. People's clothing consisted mainly of thick cotton coats, and fur was gradually decreasing.
After walking through several streets, Ning Xiaoxi noticed that people in the north generally had an advantage in height. Not to mention herself, her father and brother were only considered average height here, just passing average. Those tall, broad-chested, robust men definitely gave people a sense of security.
"Officer Ning!" Shang Wu ran after Ning Xiaoxi and saw the slightly lewd smile on her face that she hadn't yet managed to hide. Shang Wu paused, stopping about two meters away from Ning Xiaoxi.
"Captain Shang!" Ning Xiaoxi quickly straightened her face and greeted him warmly.
"Minister Ning, Lord Liao requests your presence." Shang Wu found himself increasingly unable to understand Ning Xiaoxi. She was clearly short, thin, and a little girl. Was it because she was a Celestial Master that she was so unfathomable?
Ning Xiaoxi thought for a moment, "Captain Shang, could you go to the barracks and see if Liu Xing's subordinate is there? Tell him I'll be waiting for him at the barracks gate."
"Okay." Shang Wu nodded and turned to run towards the Celestial Master Pavilion's residence.
Ning Xiaoxi strolled leisurely, intending to follow Liu Xing to the entrance of the barracks.
However, she miscalculated the distance between Shang Wu and Liu Xing, so when she arrived at the gate of the barracks, Liu Xing was already waiting there.
"Oh dear, Officer Liu, I'm not familiar with this road, so I'm walking slowly and have kept you waiting!"
Seeing Ning Xiaoxi speaking in an official tone, Liu Xing echoed, "Not at all, not at all. It's not hard on you, Ms. Ning. It's only right that I wait."
There was still no one leading the two into Liao Wenju's tent.
Ning Xiaoxi spoke first, "Lord Liao, this time I went out of the city to scout two hundred miles outside the city and found no enemy activity. I deliberately stayed an extra day to confirm that there was no situation before returning."
When Liao Wenju saw that Ning Xiaoxi had brought Liu Xing in with her, he knew that the girl was trying to avoid suspicion. "I heard from the guards on the city wall that Officer Ning had left the city. I was thinking that it was thanks to Officer Ning that we were able to prepare and withstand the attack by the enemy at an abnormal time. I am here to wait for Officer Ning's news and to thank him."
"Lord Liao, you're too kind. Actually, it's all thanks to Lord Tianji. When Lord Tianji left the city, I, as his subordinate, naturally followed. As for delivering the message, I was just running an errand for him." Ning Xiaoxi wasn't going to accept the credit. The words that the Celestial Master couldn't participate in the war were still ringing in her ears. Would reporting her credit be like putting poison on her head?
"Lord Tianji has already spoken to King You about Ning Shuguan in Youdu. The King is very pleased to know that Ning Shuguan will be stationed in Fufang. After all, the Earthly Fiends are all very busy and have other regions to attend to."
Ning Xiaoxi smiled brightly, "Lord Liao, you're too kind. With Lord Di Kui here, Fu Fang is naturally as secure as ever." Don't try to trap her; she can't afford to fall into a trap.
Liao Wenju's smile made the scars on his face practically glow. "Well, I believe that with Lord Di Kui and Officer Ning here, Fu Fang has nothing to worry about!" With that, he picked up the teacup in front of him.
Ning Xiaoxi and Liu Xing clasped their hands in a salute at the same time, "Then, sir, we shall take our leave."
Stepping out of the barracks, Ning Xiaoxi politely clasped her hands in greeting to Liu Xing, saying, "Officer Liu, please take good care of my brother in the future."
Liu Xing didn't dare to underestimate this young and short Tiangang official at all. "Official Ning is too polite. Your brother is a gentle and courteous young master. I still have a lot to learn from him!"
After parting ways with Liu Xing, Ning Xiaoxi felt that she and her second cousin's shop didn't get along, as she was always interrupted whenever she wanted to go and check on it. Just as she was hesitating whether to continue to her second cousin's shop, she saw groups of people going in and out of the county government office across the street, carrying something.
There were also some strong-looking men walking towards the county government office, carrying thick logs in pairs or groups, all with smiles on their faces.
Ning Xiaoxi looked at the crowd with curiosity, walked over to a vendor selling candied hawthorns, bought four candied hawthorns, and asked the vendor, "Old man, what are all these people doing at the county government office?"
The old man was also very enthusiastic, smiling as he said, "Young lady, you're not from Fufang, are you? It's time for spring planting. In three days, it will be the day of the start of planting. The county magistrate will hold the planting ceremony on the official fields outside the south city. This is a ceremony held simultaneously in all ten border cities. The altar for the ceremony is built by each family bringing their stored logs. Today is the day to start building." As he spoke, the old man looked enviously at the men carrying the logs. "The logs for building this altar are passed down through each family. As long as the family doesn't commit any crimes, this honor will continue to be passed down."
"Spring plowing!" Ning Xiaoxi looked at the excited people. The county government didn't have to provide materials or pay wages, yet they could still get these people to work voluntarily and happily. Amazing!