Is the beginning of a catastrophe? The little farm cook is raising a family with a full warehouse.

The road was repaired and the news was delivered smoothly.

Cheng Yuntao spread out the letter paper, and the tip of the ink-dipped pen trembled slightly as it hung on the letter paper. She tucked the loose hair on her forehead behind her ears and told Shen Shulan and Xu Ranyuan word by word everything that had happened recently in Junhua City, from how to solve the material difficulties, to leading the people to resist Shen Linfeng, and then to persuading the bandits to join in the road construction.

"I wonder how things are going over there? Is everything okay? I look forward to seeing you soon." She wrote this at the end of the letter. Her handwriting was neat but could not hide her eager anticipation.

After finishing writing, Cheng Yuntao carefully blew the ink dry, folded the letter carefully, put it into the envelope, and sealed all her concerns in this small letter.

She called the messenger, solemnly handed the letter to him, and repeatedly reminded him to make sure it was delivered to him. The messenger took the letter, nodded solemnly, turned around, mounted his horse, and rode away in a cloud of dust.

In the following days, Cheng Yuntao took care of the trivial affairs of Junhua City while eagerly awaiting Shen Shulan's reply. Whenever she took a break, she would unconsciously gaze into the distance, imagining the scene when they received the letter.

Finally, on a sunny afternoon, the messenger returned with a reply.

She couldn't wait to open the envelope and unfold it. It read, "Yun Tao, I'm glad to hear from you. We're very pleased to hear that everything is going well in Junhua City. Although the cold weather in Yaowang Valley was severe, it's gradually recovering. We'll set off immediately and arrive soon."

Cheng Yuntao leaned against the door frame, the letter trembling gently in her palm. When her fingertips stroked the four words "will arrive soon", a smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of her lips. The golden light in her almond-shaped eyes was full of joy at the upcoming reunion, and even the black hair hanging down by her temples was tinged with excitement.

She walked through the corridor, her skirt lifted, her embroidered shoes making a rustling sound on the bluestone slabs. From a distance, she saw Jiang Yu busy in the yard and immediately called out, "Jiang Yu, stop what you are doing. I have good news for you!"

Jiang Yu looked up at the voice, a puzzled expression visible beneath his dew-soaked forehead. Seeing the unconcealed joy in the visitor's eyes, he stopped what he was doing and asked, "What good news is this that makes you so happy?"

Before he finished speaking, Cheng Yuntao had already stuffed the piece of thin paper into his palm which was stained with grass debris.

"Sister Shen has replied!" She squatted down next to Jiang Yu, her slender fingers poking at the ink marks on the letter. "The cold weather in Medicine King Valley is gradually dissipating. Sister Shen and the others have already set off. I estimate they will arrive in the next few days."

The ending note of joy suddenly rose, startling the two bulbuls on the bamboo frame so that they fluttered into the blue sky.

Jiang Yu took the letter, quickly glanced through it, and a pleasant smile instantly blossomed on his face. "I haven't seen Xu Ranyuan for a long time. I actually miss him a little. It just so happens that the city is short of doctors right now. If he comes, he can help treat more people."

Cheng Yuntao couldn't hide her joy. She stood up and said cheerfully, "I'll go clean the house and put in new bedding. When they arrive, they can rest right away."

……

The next day, the sun was high in the sky, and Cheng Yuntao gathered with the people outside the city by the fields to discuss farming matters.

Everyone was either squatting or standing, holding hoes and seeds in their hands, discussing what crop varieties were suitable for planting this year and how to plan the fields reasonably to achieve a better harvest.

At this moment, a child in the crowd suddenly jumped up excitedly, pointed at the end of the road and shouted: "Look, what is that!"

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked in the direction the child pointed. They saw two small black dots appearing in the distance. As time passed, the black dots got closer and their outlines became clearer.

Cheng Yuntao's heart suddenly tightened. She tapped her toes on the bluestone and leaned forward, staring intently at the front. When she saw the figures clearly, her eyes instantly lit up with surprise and she blurted out, "It's Sister Shen and Doctor Xu!"

At the same time, Shen Shulan also saw Cheng Yuntao standing at the front of the crowd. An irrepressible joy flashed in his eyes. He waved his hands and shouted her name loudly: "Yuntao! We are back!"

The voice drifted slowly in the wind, carrying with it the deep feelings accumulated during the long separation and the full longing before the reunion.

Soon, two men came up on horseback.

Shen Shulan was agile. He flipped over neatly and jumped off the horse lightly. With the wind under his feet, he took a few steps to Cheng Yuntao and hugged her tightly.

"Yun Tao, long time no see."

Cheng Yuntao was startled by the sudden hug, and the familiar scent instantly lingered on the tip of her nose. Her eyes turned slightly red uncontrollably, but the corners of her mouth were raised high, and the joy in her heart was about to overflow.

"Sister Shen, long time no see."

Xu Ranyuan over there could no longer contain his excitement and suddenly pounced on Jiang Yu. The two of them collided heavily, and their laughter echoed in the air. Even the old locust tree by the road was shaken by his heroic spirit and its leaves shed.

……

Some time later, news came from Qijing that the foolish and tyrannical monarch who had brought suffering to the people of the world had died suddenly without any warning.

The news spread and shocked everyone. Although the people did not dare to talk about it loudly, they were secretly speculating in their hearts, hoping for a new turn of events.

As expected, the new emperor ascended the throne smoothly and quickly.

As soon as the new emperor ascended the throne, he showed extraordinary courage and decisiveness. He acted decisively and swiftly and launched a comprehensive overhaul of the court.

In the court, those parasites who had been in office for a long time, only caring about corruption and enjoyment, and completely ignoring the country's wealth and the suffering of the people were singled out one by one by the new emperor, and were either dismissed from office or severely punished according to law.

For a time, the atmosphere in the court changed, and the previous chaos gradually dissipated.

The new emperor understood that agriculture was the foundation of the nation, crucial to the well-being of the people, and that a secure border defense was crucial to the peace and tranquility of the state. Consequently, he issued a series of decrees vigorously promoting agricultural policies. Agricultural officials were sent to the countryside to instruct the people on improving crop cultivation, reclaiming wasteland, and developing water conservancy projects. At the same time, he strengthened border defenses, dispatched skilled generals, bolstered military equipment, and constructed fortifications to closely guard against foreign invasions.

In just a few months, the country's atmosphere has been completely renewed, just as the haze has dissipated, the clouds have cleared, and the sun has risen, and the bright and clear world has reappeared on earth.

In this era of renewal, Shen Shulan successfully restored her status as a member of the Shen family, overcoming worldly prejudices to become the first female mayor of Junhua City. She immers herself in the streets, understands the people's sentiments, and recruits talented individuals. Under her meticulous governance, commerce flourishes, the people live and work in peace, and all affairs are in perfect order.

Xu Ranyuan, once a free and unrestrained roamer, has changed his mind after experiencing the ups and downs of life. He is well aware of the heavy responsibility Shen Shulan shoulders, and is moved by her perseverance and commitment. He chooses to marry into the Shen family and work hand in hand with Shen Shulan to protect Junhua.

After hearing this, Jiang Yu teased Xu Ranyuan with a hint of sarcasm: "Hey, Mr. Xu, you don't want to live a carefree life in the martial arts world anymore. Why did you marry into the family?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Ranyuan glared at Jiang Yu in feigned dissatisfaction and retorted, "Things change. Who knows, one day you might end up on my path. Who knows who'll laugh at whom then!"

Jiang Yu didn't care at all, his expression was calm: "For the sake of the one I love, marrying into the family is fine, I am willing to do it, I couldn't ask for more~"

As he was speaking, Cheng Yuntao's clear voice came from a distance: "Jiang Yu, come home for dinner!"

Jiang Yu heard the voice and immediately responded: "I'm coming!"

Then he turned around, waved to Xu Ranyuan, and said goodbye with a smile: "I won't say anymore, I have to go home and eat something delicious."

After saying that, he walked quickly towards Cheng Yuntao.

When Cheng Yuntao saw Jiang Yu coming, her eyes curved and she naturally reached out her hand to hold Jiang Yu's. The two of them strolled on the bustling street. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on them, outlining two warm silhouettes.

The noise in the long street suddenly receded like the tide, leaving only two sets of footsteps knocking on the bluestone slabs, one short, one long, gradually blending into the twilight filled with the aroma of rice.

"Jiang Yu."

"Ok?"

"We will have many, many meals together in the future."

"A word is settled!"

"Yes! It's a deal!"

^

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