She's skilled in medicine, martial arts, and even understands animal language—the abandoned dau

The carriage rumbled along the official road, the copper bells on the carriage shafts mingling with the clamor of the market, until it finally stopped at the border town government office.

Lanxiang lifted the carriage curtain, gazing at the red ribbons hanging high along the street, her eyes crinkling with a smile: "Man'er, we've finally arrived."

Shen Man leaned out, and all she could see were familiar sights, yet everything was decorated with the festive spirit of her wedding.

"Lord of the City, you've finally returned! Merchants in the city, having learned of your upcoming marriage to His Highness the Crown Prince, have sent you many congratulatory gifts, piling them up all over the backyard of the government office!"

When the steward of the government office saw Shen Man, he immediately came up to her and greeted her with a smile.

"These vendors are all struggling, how can I accept their gifts? Manager, all the gifts are registered, right? Please return them to me one by one!"

The merchants in the prefectural city were not like the villagers in Xiaoyao Village, which was her native place, and she treated them all as family.

The steward looked troubled. "Lord, this... these merchants have given us their best wishes. If we return them, they might think you are displeased."

Shen Man pondered for a moment and said, "Then let's register the gifts. Afterwards, I will take out a sum of money to give back to everyone according to the value of the gifts." The steward then nodded in agreement.

The steward accepted the order and left, and Shen Man and Lanxiang stepped into the inner courtyard of the government office. The lanterns under the eaves were all brand new vermilion, and even the pillars were wrapped with gold and red silk. The once solemn government office was now filled with joy.

Lanxiang gazed at the mountain of gift boxes piled up in the corner, the brocade embroidered with gold thread wrapping delicacies from land and sea, the sandalwood boxes faintly gleaming with the luster of jade. She couldn't help but sigh, "These merchants certainly put their heart into it."

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

Shen Man turned around and saw Ji Qiuniang walking in, holding a baby in her arms and covered in sweat.

Zheng Chi followed behind her, carrying a large gift box: "Man'er, I heard you're marrying into the royal family. I didn't know what to give you, so I brought a newly embroidered 'Hundred Sons and Thousand Grandsons' painting from my shop. I don't know if you'll like it..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shen Man raised her hand to interrupt him.

“Sister Qiu Niang, I can’t accept this gift.” Shen Man said with a smile, “We are sisters, and our friendship cannot be measured by this gift.”

Besides, you have a child, and life isn't easy for you. We can't let you spend money on us.

Upon hearing this, Ji Qiuniang became anxious: "Man'er, you're being too polite. If it weren't for you, how could An'er and I be where we are today? This is just a small token of my appreciation. If you don't accept it, I'll feel bad."

Just as Shen Man was about to try to persuade her again, the little child suddenly reached out and grabbed Shen Man's sleeve, calling out in a childish voice, "Auntie, Auntie."

Shen Man's heart softened immediately. She patted the little baby's head and said helplessly, "Alright, Sister Qiu Niang, then I'll accept your kind offer." Ji Qiu Niang then smiled.

Lanxiang, who was standing nearby, joked, "Look at this little one, she's quite good at speaking up for others." Everyone laughed.

Zheng Chi put down the gift box and said, "Lord of the City, this 'Hundred Sons and Thousand Grandsons' painting has a very auspicious meaning. May you have a happy and fulfilling married life and have a son soon."

Shen Man blushed slightly, thanked everyone for their blessings, and then invited everyone to come inside and sit down to reminisce.

Knowing that Shen Man's wedding was approaching and there was a lot to do, Ji Qiuniang stayed at the government office for about half an hour before taking her leave.

When Shen Man opened the gift box she had sent, she discovered that inside, besides an exquisitely embroidered painting depicting a hundred sons and a thousand grandsons, there was also a ten-thousand-tael silver note that could be exchanged nationwide.

"This is... ten thousand taels? Why did Qiu Niang give you so much money!" Lan Xiang was stunned when she saw the silver notes.

Just as Shen Man was about to suggest sending it back to her, she noticed a letter left underneath the banknote.

Shen Man opened the letter with trembling hands. Ji Qiuniang's slightly crooked but carefully written handwriting came into view: "Man'er, the capital is not like the border town. Everything requires bribery. Take this money and don't deprive yourself. You protected us, mother and child, and now it's my turn to protect you."

The edges of the paper were stained with faint water marks, as if they were traces left by tears.

Lanxiang's hand trembled slightly as she held the silver note: "Qiu Niang has been running her embroidery shop for years, and while it looks glamorous, she's actually earned her money through hard work... This ten thousand taels of silver is probably the culmination of several years of her efforts."

She turned to look at her daughter, her eyes filled with heartache. "Man'er, this gift is too heavy."

Shen Man gently put the silver notes and paper back into the gift box. Her fingertips traced the fine stitches on the "Hundred Sons and Thousand Grandsons" embroidery, as if she could see Ji Qiuniang in front of the embroidery frame, coaxing her crying child while her needle flew across the paper.

“Mother,” Shen Man’s voice was hoarse, “I can’t return this money. Qiu Niang is strong-willed; if I insist on returning it, she’ll probably be upset for a long time.”

She gazed at the darkening sky outside the window, the evening breeze lifting the red silk beneath the eaves. "But I will remember this kindness. After we are married, I will find Qiu Niang a shop in a good location in the capital, so she can expand her business there."

Lanxiang sighed softly, slowly reached out and gently tucked a stray hair behind her daughter's ear, and said softly, "That's good. She is affectionate, and you are loyal. Only such affection can last."

The mother and daughter were talking when they suddenly heard a commotion outside the door.

Shen Man walked down the corridor and saw a large group of people gathered at the entrance of the government office, carrying various items. They were the merchants who had been refused gifts during the day.

"Lord Ding!" Manager Wang of the silk shop squeezed to the front, carrying several bolts of shimmering brocade in his arms. "We know you are considerate of us, but this is everyone's heartfelt gift!"

Behind him, Zhao Niangzi, who sold rouge, held up a box of newly made lip rouge. "Lord Ding, this is made according to the style in the capital. You must use it on your wedding day!"

As Shen Man looked at the sincere faces of everyone, her eyes gradually welled up with tears.

She turned and went back into the house to retrieve the booklet for registering gifts, and said loudly, "I have noted down everyone's kind intentions! It's just that the journey from here to the capital is too long, and I really can't bring that many things."

Rest assured, even if I leave the border town, nothing here will change. I will have His Highness the Crown Prince select a person of both talent and virtue to take over all the affairs of the government office.

Furthermore, after I get married, I will open a shop in the capital, specializing in selling local specialties from the border region. Half of the profits will be donated to the elderly living alone in the city, and the other half will be used to support small businesses.

She paused, her gaze sweeping over Ji Qiuniang in the crowd, "Consider it as His Highness the Crown Prince and me doing our part for everyone."

A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted from the crowd. Ji Qiuniang held An'er in her arms, tears silently streaming down her face.

As dusk deepened, Shen Man stood at the entrance of the government office, watching the merchants carrying their undelivered gifts gradually disappear into the distance, clutching Ji Qiuniang's letter tightly in her hand.

She knows that no matter where she is in the future, the friendship of this land will always be her strongest support.