Farming with kids: My deceased husband returns and I spoil him rotten.

Jiang Yingyue pulled Gu Tianyou to her side, then smiled and apologized to Meng Fengzhu: "I'm so sorry, Lord Meng. You've had to trouble yourself with our affairs. Actually, you don't need to take those words to heart at all. We were just joking."

Meng Fengzhu murmured, "When you return to the village, will you still tell these jokes to others?"

Jiang Yingyue shook her head repeatedly, afraid of being caught red-handed. Even setting aside the fact that they had just been released from prison, Jiang Yingyue knew she couldn't say anything reckless for Gu Tianyou's sake.

Most importantly, Shang Qing and Meng Fengzhu seem to have a good relationship.

"Don't worry, I was just joking with Shang Qing. Also, we've been very grateful for your care lately, sir. If there's nothing else, we'll be going now."

After Jiang Yingyue and Gu Tianyou left, Shang Qing finally felt much more at peace.

"I'm so sorry, Lord Meng, I made you laugh just now."

"There's no need for such formality between us..." Lord Meng looked in the direction Jiang Yingyue had left and said, "However, there are still many things going on in your village, so you should be careful in the future."

Shang Qing nodded thoughtfully, then changed the subject, saying, "By the way, I came here today for another matter. A few days ago, I went up the mountain to work, and when I came down, I found locust larvae in the fields. I explained the situation to the village chief at the time, but I wasn't quite sure if it was them. When I went to check again these past two days, they were gone."

Meng Fengzhu's expression turned serious again.

"Locust larvae, this is not a good thing, it can seriously damage a lot of crops."

Meng Fengzhu glanced meaningfully at the sky, then continued, "Actually, ever since you told me those things last time, I've been keeping a close eye on things. According to reports from several villages nearby recently, some land has dried up, which is not a good sign. It might be related to the locust larvae you saw."

Shang Qing also vaguely sensed something was wrong.

"If that's the case, then the only thing we can do is find a water source as soon as possible, or develop a water source ourselves."

At this point, Meng Fengzhu sighed deeply and said, "Shang Qing, some things are indeed simple to talk about, but incredibly difficult to do. Take this water development project, for example. I have made plans for it, but it is really difficult to implement."

Not only is it difficult to find water sources, but there is also a severe shortage of funds to develop them.

Shang Qing had guessed some of the truth, and all he could do was comfort Meng Fengzhu and tell him not to be too anxious.

“I know, these things can’t be rushed. Don’t worry, I’ll report this to the court and see if there’s any way to resolve it. We can’t just sit here and wait to die.”

The two chatted for a short while before Gu Yu came out from inside.

Meng Fengzhu's expression changed from sorrow to joy. He stepped forward and patted Gu Yu's shoulder heavily: "Young Master Zhao, I've heard from the constables these past two days. They say you're very experienced and manage these constables like you're training soldiers, showing a real general's demeanor."

Gu Yu was taken aback, then smiled awkwardly: "Lord Meng, you flatter me. I only did what I should do, it's really nothing."

General's demeanor... Shang Qing saw him last time and he was indeed as dashing as Meng Fengzhu had said.

"Hey, Young Master Zhao, please don't stand on ceremony with me. My constables all say your agility is common in the military. Were you a soldier before?"

Meng Fengzhu asked bluntly.

Gu Yu subconsciously glanced at Shang Qing, and seeing that her expression hadn't changed much, he breathed a sigh of relief. It wouldn't be good if he made her overthink things.

"Uh...yes, I used to be a soldier. Lord Meng's men are all very skilled in agility, and I'm not much better than them."

Meng Fengzhu greatly admired Gu Yu's personality; she never expected him to be such a humble person.

“I see that the constables also enjoy being with you…” Meng Fengzhu smiled deeply and continued, “How about this, Young Master Zhao, I think it’s quite troublesome for you to run back and forth like this every day. Why don’t you just live in the yamen? That way you’ll have more time to properly instruct them for me.”

But to everyone's surprise, as soon as Meng Fengzhu said those words, Gu Yu immediately rejected them.

"Let's forget about that, Lord Meng. I'm afraid I'm not up to the task."

Meng Fengzhu looked astonished, after all, he couldn't think of a reason why Gu Yu would refuse.

As for Shang Qing, she gave Gu Yu a rather meaningful look.

Gu Yu's eyes were slightly panicked, and his tone sounded the same.

"It's like this, I was fleeing at first, and it was Shang Qing who saved me. That's why I've been staying at their house, just to repay their kindness. So... I hope Lord Meng will grant me this little wish."

Meng Fengzhu looked at Shang Qing, who nodded slightly: "Lord Meng, what Young Master Zhao said is indeed true."

She paused intentionally for a moment, then continued, "As for repaying a debt of gratitude, I think Young Master Zhao has already done enough. Of course, I still respect his choice in this matter."

Meng Fengzhu glanced at Shang Qing, then at Gu Yu, a smile playing on her lips, but said nothing more.

Everything is unspoken.

Meng Fengzhu didn't try to keep them. Seeing that it was getting late, she said, "Alright, you should go back now. Be careful on the road."

After Meng Fengzhu left, Shang Qing asked with a puzzled look, "Young Master Zhao, did you really stay with our family to repay a debt of gratitude? I think you should tell me about this."

Gu Yu replied vaguely, "There's no other reason. If I had to choose one, besides repaying a debt of gratitude, it's that I can't bear to part with those three children. They're so adorable."

Is it really just such a simple reason? Shang Qing always felt that there was more to it than met the eye.

However, Gu Yu showed no intention of saying anything more, so she had no choice but to give up.

The two walked back until Gu Yu passed a small shop.

"Shang Qing, look how beautiful these velvet flowers are!"

Shang Qing followed Gu Yu's gaze and saw a dazzling array of beads and velvet flowers.

"Why are you looking at these?" Shang Qing asked casually.

Gu Yu replied firmly, "What else can we do with it? Of course, we'll buy it for the children."

Upon hearing Gu Yu's words, the shopkeeper immediately launched into a conversation: "Sir, you mentioned earlier that you're buying this for your child, right? I wonder how old your child is? I can recommend some items to you."

Gu Yu immediately took a liking to three identical begonia-shaped velvet flowers.