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"Without waiting for Xia Zheng to speak, Hua Hui rushed to say, "I know, I know. As a Lizheng, one must always consider the welfare of the common people."

"And how do you consider their welfare?" Xia Zheng pinched Lin Yuan’s little finger and asked nonchalantly.

Hua Hui’s throat moved, and he said in a strained voice, "This, considering their welfare, is, is. Oh right, it’s protecting them from being bullied by bad people, and, and protecting their silver, yes, not letting others steal their silver."

"It seems that the esteemed Lizheng does not only know how to sell land!" Lin Yuan said with a cold laugh.

Xia Zheng also nodded and said, "Exactly. Actually, these matters should not be of my concern, but since I happen to come across this today, I shall say a few more words. Hua Hui, since you are the Lizheng, you must make the protection of the villagers’ property and safety your top priority."

Xia Zheng was bestowed the title of Commandery Prince at birth, but he has always preferred freedom and did not want to be restrained by this title, so he never allowed others to call him Commandery Prince.

Yet today, facing the Lizheng, he used the term "this prince," which indicated that he was truly angered by Hua Hui.

Lin Yuan subtly squeezed his palm, placing her gentle hand into his.

Xia Zheng glanced at Lin Yuan, gripped her hand tightly in return, and continued to address the Lizheng, "Today, the land in He family village was sold for a lot of silver taels, and it will certainly be known by the surrounding villagers soon enough.

There are many with ill intentions. Lizheng, do you understand what needs to be done? "

The Lizheng wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, not daring to utter a word of dissent.

He repeatedly nodded, emphasizing again and again that he would take good care of the several villages and protect the silver of the villagers in He family village.

In fact, on the way back, he had already harbored evil thoughts, planning to secretly find some strong men to rob the village of its silver.

Who knew how Xia Zheng had seen through his intentions?

Before he had a chance to find people, he had been harshly rebuked.

It seemed that Village Chief He really had good fortune to be under the protection of Xia Zheng like this.

Village Chief He, however, was looking at Xia Zheng with immense gratitude, almost overwhelmed by his feelings.

If they hadn’t encountered these two nobles today, who knows how much more their land would have been undersold for, and how much longer the villagers of He family village would have suffered.

"Young master, I, I..."

Knowing that Village Chief He was the least articulate, Lin Yuan did not let him continue, as today’s events were but a simple effort on their part.

"There’s no need for more words, Village Chief He. I have another matter to trouble you with."

"Tell me, Miss. I, He Guangming, will certainly get it done," He Guangming promised, thumping his chest in assurance.

Lin Yuan smiled behind her hand and said, "It’s not very difficult.

It’s just that my manor currently has no residents, and at the earliest, people will not come until next month.

I hope the village chief can continue to manage this vineyard for me during this time, and tidy up the manor. Would that be convenient for you?"

"Convenient, very convenient," He Guangming nodded repeatedly, thinking it was going to be a difficult request, but it turned out to be similar to what he’d been doing before.

Lin Yuan continued, "Oh, and I would like to change the bedding in the manor for some new ones. As for the old bedding left here, I’ll leave it to you, Village Chief He, to handle."

Upon hearing Lin Yuan say she did not want the bedding anymore, He Guangming was momentarily stunned, but then quickly realized that what was comfortable and soft to them was second-hand to people like Xia Zheng and Lin Yuan, and therefore not suitable for reuse.

However, their rejection was a boon, as there were plenty in He family village with poor living conditions who could use the bedding. The village women, skilled and frugal, could take apart and wash the bedding, air out the cotton, and when restitched, it would be as good as new.

Lin Yuan also thought about taking the bedding apart and remaking it, but firstly, currently, no one at home had the time for such tasks. If they were still in Zhuma Town, Lady Liu and Lin Wei could have had it done in a few days.

But now, not only did Lady Liu have to look after Xiao Yongyan, but she also visited the General Mansion from time to time to chat with Princess Anle, in addition to supervising her daughters’ etiquette lessons—how could she spare time to make quilts?

Even if she took these bedding items home, who knew how long it would take to get them washed and restitched.

Secondly, they were not in need of silver, so rather than taking the bedding back to the mansion to mildew, it was better to leave them for those who truly needed them.