Chapter 137: Amnesty
In childhood, every time night fell, it was a time for the family to reunite, and one would feel that the night was exceptionally peaceful.
Tonight, everyone seemed to sense that Father was different.
He was very happy.
If one had to describe it, it was that he had a bit more of Sister Yu’s vibe.
It felt like Sister Yu, talkative.
During the meal, Father spoke a lot.
Some of it was aimless. One moment he was talking about the pastries Sister Yu made, saying he had eaten several kinds in his childhood and that she could try making them. The next moment, he was saying Mother’s hair ornament was beautiful and that he could design one for her, as he was good at drawing too. Then he asked about Elder Brother’s studies, where he had read up to recently, and said it would be best for Elder Brother to have a teacher. Then he asked Great-Aunt if she was used to life here; if there was anything she wasn’t accustomed to, just say so, as we are all family. Then he asked Mianmian what other gifts she wanted, saying Father would find them for her.
Father was extremely talkative, as if he had been drinking.
But he hadn’t; we all knew Father’s tolerance for alcohol was poor.
Jiang Mianmian felt that Father was in a great mood, which was why he was so talkative. When he was talkative, he was a bit like those men who bragged, a little fond of boasting.
No one believes a plain-looking man who brags, but when a very, very handsome man brags, people nearby just want to help him make his boast come true.
I don’t know what Father did. It probably wasn’t finding money; Father didn’t value money as much as Mother and the others did.
Could it be that the rebellion was succeeding? Achievement at work should also make one happy.
If it was rebellion, it was probably like the Snake game—eating one more piece, then another; it should make one a little happier, then a little happier still.
But Jiang Mianmian didn’t understand this. Her life still mainly revolved around eating and drinking, and secretly making small improvements to make life more convenient and enjoyable.
When Father was happy, the whole family was very happy.
At night, Jiang Mianmian couldn’t help but eavesdrop on Father and Mother.
There was nothing inappropriate for children, but Mother asked: “Husband, what did you do last night? Why are you so happy today?”
Jiang Changtian didn’t say, only hugged his wife, hugging her very tightly.
He thought, tonight, he could sleep peacefully.
He wouldn’t suddenly wake up in the middle of the night, finding himself in endless darkness.
How does one take revenge on those who have deeply hurt you in the past?
His heart was full of hatred.
He wanted to kill whenever he thought of any detail.
When Sister Yu was young, she was greedy and drooled while staring at the food Jiang Wan was eating. Jiang Wan put the food down, and the maid took it away, yet they falsely accused Sister Yu of stealing food. Sister Xia didn’t understand the situation and even hit Sister Yu.
Sister Yu cried heart-rendingly and hid away by herself. They thought Sister Yu was lost and went looking everywhere.
Sister Xia didn’t believe she would steal food either; Sister Xia hit Sister Yu because she was staring at Jiang Wan.
Every time he thought of these things, he felt that one day, he must live very, very well, reaching heights unattainable, letting Sister Yu eat one portion and throw away another.
His heart was filled with endless malice.
It had nowhere to be vented.
Last night, he just tried making them experience a small step of what he had gone through. Watching them wail in pain, it seemed his illness got a little better.
It was more satisfying than killing them directly.
Death is easy; living is hard.
Why should they live on high? He wanted them to struggle and crawl for survival in the mud for the rest of their lives.
He wanted them to think they were sitting securely on a high platform, only to fall down time and time again.
He wanted them to be filled with hope time and time again, only to return in disappointment.
Jiang Changtian thought, he was sick, and not lightly so, and they were his medicine.
Perhaps one day, when he was cured, they could go die.
Jiang Mianmian didn’t wait for Father’s answer; she yawned and fell asleep.
If she knew what Father was thinking, she would probably think that solving psychological problems required psychological output, and killing them directly would be a bit of a pity.
The next day.
Early in the morning, magpies chirped.
Jiang Yu looked at the tree, thinking that roast bird was really delicious.
Hindered by Great-Aunt’s fierce glare, she didn’t dare to knock the bird down.
Now she didn’t even climb trees herself; using stones to throw, she could actually knock them down.
Mother saw the magpies and said: “There should be guests coming today.”
Sure enough, while the family was eating breakfast, Mr. Gang actually arrived, travel-worn and with a full beard.
At first, Jiang Mianmian didn’t even recognize him.
She remembered when she first saw him, his beard was trimmed very neatly, a standard six-shaped mustache.
Now, he looked weathered, with many more wrinkles on his forehead and much deeper nasolabial folds.
He looked like he had aged ten years all at once.
Compared to Father, Father looked ten years younger.
It was shocking.
Gong Qichi was also stunned when he saw Jiang Changtian.
Both were rebelling, why was Brother Changtian getting younger and younger?
Yet he was running around day and night, aging rapidly.
“Brother Yehang, you came in such a rush, is there something urgent? Sit down quickly, eat something first, let’s talk while we eat.”
Gong Qichi was about to refuse, wanting to say he had already filled his stomach on the road and eaten dry rations, but looking at the table full of steamed buns shaped like flowers? White fine flour, clear noodle soup with green scallions, long pastries? All sorts of things, a whole table, food he had never seen before.
He still shamelessly sat down. He even washed his hands before eating; he was a rather particular person.
Gong Qichi first took a sip of the noodle soup; the soup was clear and sweet. Then he picked up a chopstick of noodles; the noodles were chewy and had a wheaty fragrance. He took another big gulp of soup, and the green onions went down with the soup; it was a little spicy, but the soup was even more fragrant.
With three bites of noodles and three sips of soup, he finished the bowl of noodles.
His eyes turned red.
The noodles of home reminded him of his Mother.
“These noodles are made extremely well. I wonder what master chef Brother Changtian hired?” Gong Qichi said, wiping the soup stains off his beard.
Jiang Mianmian:… The cause of rebellion makes people weathered; this uncle was so refined the last time he came.
Jiang Changtian laughed and said: “This was made by my young daughter. There are no servants in the house. There is a female teacher, who was recommended by Commander Zi. My Sister Xia has recognized the teacher as an aunt, and they address each other as aunt and niece; we are all family.”
Only then did Gong Qichi notice the woman in the corner.
He had heard Commander Zi mention this, but hadn’t paid attention. Looking now, he discovered that this person was older and plain in appearance, but her temperament was extraordinary.
He had actually completely ignored her just now; it was very strange.
After eating a bowl of noodles, Gong Qichi wasn’t full.
He didn’t have a big appetite when he was a scholar, but now he could eat a lot, especially after having been hungry.
He drank another bowl of fine grain porridge, accompanied by small round steamed buns.
Jiang Changtian introduced: “This is a Xiaolongbao, named by my youngest daughter, because it is steamed in a small basket, four to a basket, extremely delicate.”
Seeing him pick up the long pastry, Jiang Changtian continued to introduce: “This is a Youtiao, the whole thing is deep-fried in oil. It’s crispy and refreshing when it first comes out, and a bit chewier if left for a while, but it’s still very fragrant to chew. Dipping it in soup to eat, the taste is especially good.”
After finishing breakfast, Jiang Changtian handed him a pot of digestion-aiding tea, and the two sat under the tree drinking tea.
Jiang Mianmian successfully became a pendant in Father’s arms, obediently listening to the gossip.
“If I didn’t know that Ming County was governed extremely well, and that refugees and scholars from the surrounding areas were all coming to you, looking at your style, I would have thought you had also become a lord who exploits the common people.”
Gong Qichi looked at the other person—clean clothes, long hair, fair face, fair hands, and the child in his arms was even fairer; he was living a very carefree life, and couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
Jiang Changtian said: “Brother Yehang has worked hard. Without you running around in the front, Changtian could not be at peace in the rear. However, as for exploiting the common people, Changtian would certainly disdain to do such a thing. I have struggled at the bottom, I understand the bitterness of life. The common people ask for very little; eating a little better, dressing a little better, is very good. My life now is just an improvement in food and clothing, and the whole family feels very happy.”
“My Sister Yu spends all day pondering delicious food; she was also scared by hunger.”
Gong Qichi nodded; that was the logic.
“What is the reason for Brother Yehang’s hurried visit this time?”
“Someone complained to Commander Zi, saying you were exploiting the common people and amassing wealth, but Commander Zi didn’t believe it. I came this time to tell you that the imperial court is offering amnesty, and Commander Zi’s intention is to accept the amnesty first.”
Gong Qichi drank a sip of the post-meal digestion tea; he had accidentally eaten too much just now and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
The feeling of running around made his body weak. He looked at Brother Changtian with envy; he didn’t have a single drop of sweat.
Jiang Changtian was slightly stunned for a moment, then laughed: “Amnesty is also fine. The climate this year is not good either; it is time to rest and recuperate for a while. The rice seedlings were only planted not long ago, and we will only have a harvest in the autumn.”
Gong Qichi slapped his thigh; this was the reason he liked Brother Changtian.
When talking about amnesty with others, the first reaction was all kinds of fuss and opposition, asking what benefits or positions they could get from the amnesty. Only Brother Changtian considered Commander Zi and considered the common people.
“Commander Zi said that the amnesty is actually no different from before. Even if people come from the imperial court, they wouldn’t dare do anything. You just need to deal with them.”
After Gong Qichi finished giving instructions and left the gift from the Young Master for the little girl, he hurriedly rushed to the next place.
Before leaving, he was stuffed with a large bag of dry steamed bun slices, and packets of powdered things.
While on the road at noon, in the dense forest, Gong Qichi, following what Brother Changtian said, boiled water and mixed it with the powder.
It actually turned into a bowl of red and green vegetable soup. It tasted like fresh vegetable soup, and even had a meaty flavor. Paired with the dry bun slices, it was fragrant and delicious.
Gong Qichi sat on the dead wood under the tree, sighing that there are thousands of delicacies in the world, none better than the soup Brother Jiang gave me.
When I go back, I must tell Commander Zi that Brother Jiang is a rare talent and should be given more heavy responsibilities. One Ming County is really too easy; Brother Jiang has even gotten fat, and the skin on his face is so smooth and tender…
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