The two people bought a large pile of New Year's goods, and naturally, they didn't have to carry these big bags themselves. The accompanying guards would help carry them.

At this time, the population of Pingting County had already reached a staggering seventy thousand, which was quite large. Due to the impact of the war in Fengzhou, more and more people from Qingzhou came to Pingting County, but the population of Pingting County was already nearing saturation. The city could no longer accommodate so many people for development, so Geng Songfu transferred these refugees to Qingtian County.

At present, Qingtian County is in full development, building and repairing houses or shops, adopting a method that still uses work-for-relief, creating a flourishing and thriving scene.

The two women walked down the street and came to a quieter alley entrance, where they could hear the sound of reading coming from within the alley.

Under Geng Songfu's leadership, the county town established a county school, which of course was not free, but the tuition was relatively cheap, and most importantly, included job placement.

The county school's academic programs range from one to three years for students to choose from.

The one-year program mainly focuses on literacy, enrolling some children from the county town.

The three-year program has teachers teaching professional skills.

For example, Geng Songfu would invite doctors, carpenters, and blacksmiths to the county school to be teachers and teach students various types of knowledge.

Thus, those enrolling in the three-year program are generally adults, and the tuition is correspondingly more expensive.

However, this is currently a trial run, and the number enrolled is not large.

"It's almost New Year's, why hasn't the county school closed for vacation yet?" Han Anniang asked in bewilderment, as village schools had already closed for vacation earlier in the month.

"It seems that County Magistrate Geng set some tasks a few days ago, and they can't go on vacation until tomorrow if those aren't completed," Yi Shiyin said. "County Magistrate Geng places great expectations on the students of the county school."

Han Anniang nodded.

Their carriage stopped at the city gate, and as they passed by the government office, the two women suddenly saw an exceptionally beautiful lady walking towards them.

The lady was dressed in a peach-red jacket and skirt, her hair piled high with a cloud bun, adorned with green and crimson, and her soft, plump, beautiful face was vibrant like a blooming peony of national beauty.

Draped in a white cloak, her bright eyes were as luminous as water, her figure slender and graceful, walking gracefully, even more of a genteel lady than Yi Shiyin, with elegance and composure in every movement, exuding the poise and bearing of a magistrate's daughter.

Seeing Yi Shiyin, the lady visibly paused, and those following behind her, including Chunhong, quickly stepped forward, greeted Yi Shiyin with a salute, and respectfully said, "Madam."

Han Anniang rarely came to the county town and had never been to the government office, so Chunhong did not recognize her and simply paid a brief salute without speaking.

"Madam Yi." Xia Zhiqing gave a standard curtsey.

"And you are?" Yi Shiyin's lively big eyes carried a hint of confusion.

"I am Xia Zhiqing," Xia Zhiqing replied.

"It's you?!" Han Anniang exclaimed.

"Does this lady know me?" Xia Zhiqing asked, looking at Han Anniang.

"I've heard my uncle mention you," Han Anniang surveyed Xia Zhiqing with a slight frown before pulling Yi Shiyin away under Xia Zhiqing's puzzled gaze.

…

"Sister-in-law, you know her." On the way back to the village, in the carriage, Yi Shiyin asked Han Anniang.

Han Anniang nodded: "Uncle mentioned before that he took in two maidservants to warm his bed, they are twins, and one is named Xia Zhiqing."

"Bed-warming maidservant?" Yi Shiyin's eyes flickered; though inexperienced, she understood quite well what tasks a bed-warming maidservant had to perform.

"My husband never told me this," Yi Shiyin said with an air of melancholy.

Feeling Yi Shiyin's faint disappointment, Han Anniang immediately grasped her small hand, gently stroking it comfortingly, and said, "Uncle didn't explain it to me either, he only mentioned it briefly. At the time, I didn't pay attention, didn't expect her to be so… beautiful."

Unlike the lively and adorable Yi Shiyin, who is easy to like.

Xia Zhiqing is too beautiful, coupled with an air of elegant composure, which inevitably breeds envy and dislike in other women.

Moreover, despite being a bed-warming maidservant, Xia Zhiqing dressed more lavishly than Yi Shiyin, creating a sort of disruptiveness.

"Indeed, quite beautiful…" Even Yi Shiyin had to admit, adorned in that white cloak, she looked like a snow fairy, but the name Xia Zhiqing seemed vaguely familiar.

Hence, Yi Shiyin pondered over this matter all along the way.

After lunch, Han Anniang taught Yi Shiyin how to make dumplings, and Yi Shiyin got her hands and face covered in flour, yet the dumplings she wrapped were of various odd shapes.

Suddenly, Yi Shiyin stood up sharply, dropping the dough skin into the filling bowl, exclaiming, "I remembered!"

"Remembered what?" Han Anniang was startled by Yi Shiyin's sudden outburst.

"The eldest daughter of Qingzhou Prefect Xia Liangqing is named Xia Zhiqing. She is the number one talented young lady in Qingzhou. I have learned her composed tune — Ni Changyin," Yi Shiyin said. "Moreover, I heard that Xia Zhiqing and her sister are twins."

"Magistrate's Daughter?" Upon hearing this, Han Anniang couldn't help but be surprised, raising her hand to cover her mouth, fully displaying a little woman's demeanor.

In her eyes, the county magistrate was already a significant official, let alone the prefect.

No wonder she's as beautiful as a fairy.

Whether it's due to this identity, realizing she couldn't compare, the envy in Han Anniang's heart suddenly dissipated.

Instead, she felt a bit pleased, happy for Chen Mo.

Even the magistrate's daughter had to serve as Uncle's bed-warming maidservant.

Thinking this way, Han Anniang's mood improved considerably, saying, "Xiaolu, how about inviting her and her sister to join us for New Year's Eve dinner? Xiaoling could join us too."

In her view, Xiaoling, as Xiaolu's personal maid, would likely be taken in by Uncle in the future too, as part of the family.

"Ah." Xiaolu was startled, then softly said, "Has Sister-in-law already accepted her?"

"We'll be living together from now on, it's good to get acquainted early." Han Anniang replied.

"Alright, but should we discuss it with Husband? After all, there's still a month until the New Year." Yi Shiyin said.

"Yes, it's necessary to talk with Uncle."

...

As time moved into December, the temperature plummeted once more, and large snowflakes began to fall from the sky, making it feel even colder than last year.

On December 2nd, Chen Mo arrived within the borders of Pingting County.

Seeing that it was still early, Chen Mo sent Han Wu with two riders ahead to Fu Ze Village to deliver the news, while he took Xia Zhining and the others straight to the county town.

On the way to the county town, Chen Mo saw multiple sentry posts, each with ten to twenty Divine Martial Guards soldiers on duty.

Upon seeing Chen Mo, every soldier's face was lit up with smiles.

...

Outside the city, Zhang River led the Divine Brave Guards on patrol.

Outside the city, there were many civilian houses, initially set up by Chen Mo as a refugee camp to accommodate refugees. Later, as the county town developed and its population saturated, many people still wished to become residents of Pingting County, so they set up houses outside the city on their own.

For easier management, Geng Songfu allocated one li of land outside the city, allowing villagers to build their own houses.

In Geng Songfu's plan, if funds permitted, he planned to build an outer city wall around these civilian houses outside the city.

Zhang River was patrolling outside, and his life was getting better and better. Last month, he took in a concubine from the Wang Family, even though she was illegitimate and a widow, he wouldn't have been able to reach such a match in the past.

Zhang River also knew that the reason she was interested in him was because of his relationship with Chen Mo.

A few days ago, the doctor diagnosed that the concubine was pregnant.

Zhang River felt as if his life had reached Perfection.

"Da-da-da..."

At this moment, a horse raced toward them from a distance.

Seeing the rider so hurried, Zhang River asked, "Fusheng, what's happened, why the rush?"

"The County Magistrate and others have returned, I must go to the Government Office to inform County Magistrate Geng." Zhang Fusheng replied.

"Brother Mo has returned."

Zhang River's face was filled with excitement, and he immediately told the patrolling soldiers, "Continue your patrols."

After saying this, Zhang River ran back to the army camp alone, calling the Divine Brave Guards to go out of the city to welcome them.

...

In the wing room of the backyard of the County Government Office.

Xia Zhiqing lay on the bed wearing only a thin silk robe, two buttons of her lapel undone, revealing a glimpse of snow-white skin beneath her collarbone and the edge of her undergarment. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed lightly like the moon, her cheeks had a slight sheen of sweat, and her body was so languid she hardly had the strength to turn over.

Her cheeks flushed red, she hurriedly took a handkerchief from the side to wipe her sticky fingers, and a subconscious regret arose in her heart.

She had actually done such a shameful thing again.

She propped herself up, put on the cloak beside her, got out of bed, and poured herself a cup of tea, taking a small sip.

Just then, the door knocked, and Chunhong's voice sounded, "Madam, the County Magistrate has returned, and County Magistrate Geng has already gone out with Chief Clerk Zhao to welcome him."

Upon hearing this, Xia Zhiqing's teacup fell to the ground with a clatter, splashing tea.

Hearing the noise, Chunhong thought something had happened and wanted to push the door open to enter, but Xia Zhiqing stopped her, "I... I know, don't come in, I'm... changing clothes."

After saying this, she hurriedly tidied up the messy bed, took the jade hairpin from her head, and put it together with the pearl necklace she had worn for more than two months back into the drawer of the dressing table.

Only then did she start dressing and putting on makeup.

Having done all of this, Xia Zhiqing patted her chest, feeling the tension of having done something wrong.

...

At this moment, Chen Mo and Geng Songfu were happily shaking hands outside the city, surrounded by Zhao Daoxian, Zhang River, Lu Yuan, and others.

"Has County Magistrate Geng had a breakthrough?" Chen Mo asked, looking at the '103' on Geng Songfu's forehead.

"I was originally a Seventh Grade, but I had fallen. Thanks to the County Magistrate for taking me in, allowing me to continue to do some small deeds for the people. A stagnated breath in my chest was released, and I returned to the Seventh Grade a month ago. However, I have an illness in me and can only reach this level in my lifetime."

Geng Songfu said, "County Magistrate, is the front-line situation still going well?"

Chen Mo shook his head, then looked at a stranger behind Geng Songfu and said, "And who is this?"

"County Magistrate, this is Li Yunzhang, the former Captain of the Second Battalion of the Qingzhou Army." Hu Qiang stepped forward to say.

"Subordinate Li Yunzhang, greets the County Magistrate." Li Yunzhang stepped forward and cupped his hands.

"So it is Captain Li. I'm very glad Captain Li trusts us." Chen Mo understood that Li Yunzhang had come over from Gaozhou.

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