The abandoned concubine who transmigrated woke up shouting "Long live the widow!"

Old Ma replied, "Yes, Your Highness! Some of the stewards from the manor have been taken away, and the rest, including Commander Zhang, have been taken away with his men!"

Ye Muchen took a sip of tea. "Old Ma, from now on, I will entrust the management of the estate to the Princess. Just follow her orders!"

"Yes, Your Highness! Your subordinate will obey the Princess's orders!" Old Ma glanced at Jingxue hurriedly and replied. This is the daughter of Marshal Jing, she has an extraordinary bearing!

He had also heard about the matter concerning Commander Jing. Although he did not believe that the commander-in-chief would rebel, this matter was taboo and he could not mention it.

"Mazhuangtou, how does the drought situation in Yangshu Village compare to that in Dashan Village?" Jingxue asked.

"Your Highness, the situation in the two villages is similar. Fortunately, there is this great river. However, it's hard to say what will happen next year. Hopefully, the weather will be favorable!" Old Ma replied.

In ancient times, people relied on the heavens for their livelihood, and favorable weather was merely a wish.

"Master Ma, are you managing these 200 mu of land all by yourself?" Jingxue asked.

"During the busy farming season, the steward of the manor will send people to help the subordinates!" Old Ma, being a soldier by origin, didn't speak like a servant.

“Ma Zhuangtou, next year I’m going to dig drought-resistant wells in the fields of Dashan Village, and I’ll also plant drought-resistant crops suitable for the north. At that time, the two villages will be managed in a unified manner, and I will send people over to help you!” Jingxue said.

Upon hearing Jingxue's words, Old Ma smiled and said, "That's wonderful! I will do my best."

Seeing that the house was very clean, Ye Muchen asked, "Old Ma, are you always alone?"

Jingxue was surprised that Ye Muchen was quite gossipy, and unconsciously glanced at him.

Old Ma said somewhat embarrassedly, "Yes! I'm still single. To be honest, Your Highness, some people have proposed marriage to me, but I have a disability and don't want to wrong anyone, nor do I want to be a stepfather. Being single is just fine!"

"Whatever you want! I think you won't be lonely if you have someone to keep you company! When you're not feeling well, there's not even anyone to bring you tea or water," Ye Muchen said with concern.

"It's alright, I'm used to it!" Old Ma patted his thigh and said.

After hearing Ye Muchen's words, Jingxue suddenly felt that this guy was actually quite down-to-earth!

"Will the villagers in Yangshu Village have enough grain stored up to last until the new grain harvest next year? Will they run out of food?" Ye Muchen asked.

Old Ma seemed to be calculating something: "A large number of families will definitely run out of food, such as those with many members, many children, and few able-bodied people. It will be too difficult for them to hold out until the new grain comes in!"

At this point, Ye Muchen didn't know how to continue.

“It’s not easy for anyone in a year like this. There’s a type of potato that I’m going to promote tomorrow. Have you heard of it, Ma Zhuangtou?” Jingxue asked.

"It seems someone in the village bought some a while ago, saying it could be used as a vegetable or a meal!"

"Yes! This potato will mature in 60 days!"

"Really? That means we can harvest in June, which is more than two months earlier than other grains!" Old Ma asked in surprise.

Jingxue knew that people in ancient times used the lunar calendar, and the June that Lao Ma mentioned was July in the Gregorian calendar.

Although Ye Muchen had eaten potatoes before, he didn't know that potatoes had such a short growth cycle.

Jingxue looked at Ye Muchen and said, "How about this? I think it would be better to let Ma Zhuangtou stay at my estate for a while. It just so happens that Lord Tang and Lord Liu are there too."

Ye Muchen nodded.

Old Ma looked at the two of them, puzzled.

"Old Ma, I've built 20 greenhouses over in Dashan Village!"

"I've heard about it, but all I know is that they grow vegetables there. Do they also grow the grains Your Majesty mentioned?"

“Yes! Not only potatoes, but also other crops. You can go and learn about the habits of these crops with them so that you can guide the farmers in planting next year!” Jingxue said with a smile.

"Good! Good!" Old Ma nodded repeatedly.

"Then I'll trouble Your Highness and Your Highness to wait for me. I'll pack up and find someone to help watch over the estate! Although the two villages aren't far apart, the days are short in winter, and going back and forth will waste time. I'll stay there!" With that, Old Ma limped out the door quickly.

Jingxue couldn't help but laugh at Lao Ma's appearance; this man was so energetic and impulsive.

Ye Muchen felt that Jingxue was his lucky star; whatever he entrusted to her, she could easily solve it.

Before he had even finished his cup of tea, Old Ma returned carrying a small package.

"Your Highness and Your Highness, everything is arranged! Let's go!"

Ye Muchen and Jingxue got up, and the group boarded the carriage and headed back.

As they approached the intersection of Dashan Village, they heard Gao Chi outside the carriage say, "Your Highness, it seems the manor's secret guards have arrived!"

Ye Muchen lifted the carriage curtain, and a man dressed in black shorts was pulling on the reins. The horse trotted a few times and then stopped.

The man dismounted and bowed. "Your Highness, we have received His Majesty's decree that the Second Prince arrived in the capital yesterday. Tomorrow morning, His Majesty has something to announce, so all officials are required to attend court. The steward has sent me to inform Your Highness!"

"Very well! I understand!"

The man did not retract his hand, and continued, "Also, this morning the Second Prince sent someone to our residence with a young lady, saying she was looking for the Prince!"

"Looking for me? Miss?" Ye Muchen asked, somewhat bewildered.

"Yes! The Second Prince rescued her on his way back. The girl said her surname was Feng and she came from Huaizhou. The girl was also carrying the Prince's jade pendant!"

Upon hearing "surname Feng" and "Huaizhou," Ye Muchen immediately looked at Gao Chi, and Gao Chi also looked at Ye Muchen; neither of them had a good expression.

"Okay, you can go back now!" Ye Muchen lowered the carriage curtain.

The man mounted his horse and galloped away.

Inside the carriage, Old Ma tentatively asked, "Your Highness, could it be a member of Guard Feng's family?"

Ye Muchen frowned slightly and said, "Maybe! We'll know when we get back."

When Jingxue saw this, she felt there must be a story behind it, but she wasn't interested in gossip and didn't ask any questions.

Soon the carriage arrived at the manor, and Jingxue first took the old horse to the greenhouse.

Ye Muchen went directly into the main hall of the manor, and Gao Chi followed him in.

“Gao Chi, three years ago, when I sent you to Feng Yi’s house in Huaizhou, who was still in his family?” Ye Muchen asked.

“An elderly mother and a younger sister! I gave her 200 taels of silver and your jade pendant as you instructed, saying that she could come to you with the pendant if anything happened. However, I don’t know her sister’s name.” Gao Chi scratched his head.

Ye Muchen sighed, "Could something have happened to his family?"

Feng Yi, like Gao Chi, was Ye Muchen's close bodyguard. Four years ago, when Ye Muchen was injured, it was a chaotic battle with Cangbei. Feng Yi blocked a cold arrow shot by the enemy for Ye Muchen. The arrow hit Feng Yi in the back and he died on the spot.

Many people in the army knew about this incident. Ye Muchen was heartbroken. After collecting Feng Yi's body, he asked Gao Chi to send him back to his hometown.