FID – Chapter 562

The ship sailed smoothly.

The cabin was spacious and elegantly furnished, with several small compartments separated by screens. Each compartment had a soft couch for resting, providing excellent comfort for pregnant women and elders.

At the rear of the cabin, there was even a small kitchen stocked with fresh rice and other ingredients, with a cook responsible for preparing three meals a day.

Feng Qingbai’s arrangements were exceptionally considerate.

Chen Hai entered from outside, carrying a plate of freshly washed fruits, which he placed on the low table. “Elder Master, Elder Madam, Nannan, if you need anything, just call for me. I’m in the small compartment next to this one.”

“Thank you, Brother Haizi,” Liu Yusheng quickly said.

“These weren’t prepared by me. If you want to thank someone, you should thank His Highness,” Chen Hai said teasingly.

“Haizi, are you working for Feng Qingbai now?” Liu Zhixia asked. He was familiar with Haizi, but since Haizi had left Cangwu Town, they hadn’t seen each other for many years.

Both had changed significantly over time.

Chen Hai nodded with a smile. “You could say that. His Highness is an esteemed guest of Canal Guild (formerly translated Cao Bang), and the entire guild prioritizes serving him.”

In the future, Nannan would be the Princess of Nanling. Helping Feng Qingbai was, in a way, helping Nannan.

After exchanging a few more words with the elders, Chen Hai took his leave.

Liu Zhixia helped Fu Yuzheng into a compartment to rest, while the elders sat in a corner of the cabin, chatting leisurely.

Liu Yusheng and Qian Wanji were enthusiastically discussing their plans for the distillery upon their return, completely immersed in the conversation.

Meanwhile, Xue Qinglian was left utterly bored. He picked up a fruit and took a bite, feeling like he had forgotten something important.

After a long moment—

“Damn it! My carriage didn’t board the ship! Feng Qingbai, screw you!!”

“Pfft! Hahahaha!”

……

The ship sailed smoothly over the water without any noticeable bumps or jolts. In just ten days, they would arrive in Yunzhou—a much more comfortable journey compared to the usual month-long trip. Since it was a private passenger boat, they could dock at ports along the way, allowing the Liu family to explore the towns and purchase fresh ingredients.

Right on schedule, they reached Yunzhou in exactly ten days.

Since Liu Zhixia carried official appointment documents, he had to report to the government office first for his job transition.

At the dock, they bid farewell to Chen Hai.

“I have people stationed in the Yunzhou Canal Guild. If you ever need to travel by boat, just send a message there, and I’ll receive it.”

“Brother Haizi, you’ve worked hard on this trip. Thank you.”

“Nannan, if you say that to me, you’re treating me like an outsider. My promise to you will always stand.”

With one last deep look at Liu Yusheng, Chen Hai steered the boat away.

The Liu family, witnessing the cryptic exchange, was left utterly confused.

“Nannan, what exactly did Haizi promise you?” Grandma Liu asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Haizi remembers kindness. He said if we ever need help, we can find him.” Liu Yusheng brushed it off lightly.

She didn’t want to bring up what had happened in Xuzhou back then—it would only make her grandparents and parents worry unnecessarily.

“As long as you ask, I’ll go through fire and water for you.”

That was Chen Hai’s promise, and he said it would always hold true.

Liu Yusheng kept his sincerity in her heart. Whenever she thought about it, she couldn’t help but smile.

Her grandfather had taught her since childhood: Build good relationships, and you will always be rewarded.

He was right.

The government office handover was quite complicated and took considerable time.

As soon as Qian Wanjin arrived, he rushed off to Wanjin Restaurant to check on the accounts. He wanted to get it sorted now rather than making another trip later.

The others accompanied Liu Zhixia to the government office.

Since he would be working here, his residence was in the inner courtyard of the yamen, and it needed to be rearranged to suit his needs.

Hou Deye was still waiting at the yamen. Once the handover was complete, he would have to take his family to Guinan, where he would assume his new position.

The demotion from a fourth-rank prefect to a seventh-rank town magistrate—only he could truly understand the bitterness of that fall.

When he saw Liu Zhixia again, his emotions were incredibly complex.

The last time they met, he had been the high-ranking prefect presiding over the court, while Liu Zhixia was the defendant standing trial.

Now, their positions had completely reversed.

Though he was not a criminal, he had still fallen to the point where he had to bow and scrape before Liu Zhixia.

Liu Zhixia, however, showed no particular reaction upon seeing him again. He did not mock him for the past, nor did he say a single unnecessary word. 

He handled the handover strictly as a matter of business. Once everything was done, he simply said a calm farewell and turned to leave for the inner courtyard.

“Lord Liu, congratulations,” Hou Deye called from behind.

Liu Zhixia turned back and gave a slight nod. “Thank you. I also wish Lord Hou a smooth journey ahead.”

His tone carried no mockery, yet it made Hou Deye feel utterly ashamed.

One wrong step, and the whole game was lost.

In the inner courtyard, after packing their belongings, members of the Hou family left one after another with their valuables. In front of the Liu family, the former prefect’s wife and concubines no longer dared to act arrogant or put on airs. They had lost that privilege.

When they left, they did so with their heads down, utterly dejected.

The reason the Liu family had been firmly labeled as a branch by the capital’s Liu family was, in part, due to the efforts of these very people. If they dared to stir up trouble now, those in power could crush them effortlessly.

At this point, if they didn’t keep a low profile, would they think they weren’t miserable enough already?

The Liu elders, and Liu Dalin and his wife had already inspected the various courtyards and rooms within the inner residence. The largest and most comfortable master bedroom was in the main courtyard, and the furnishings in the yard were the finest. 

As the elders, they decided that Liu Zhixia and his wife would reside there.

The two courtyards adjacent to the main one were set up as guest residences, providing a place for their family to stay when they visited.

A long-term stay wasn’t an option—age made them prefer the comfort of familiar places for their retirement.

They still loved Xinghua Village, loved the people there.

Even just hearing the crow of a rooster or the bark of a dog felt incredibly heartwarming.

The scent of Xinghua Village’s soil was more fragrant than any perfume.

Once everything was arranged, Fu Yuzheng instructed the servants to purchase new bedding and household items to refurbish the sleeping quarters.

Most of the servants in the residence had been left behind by the previous prefect, making them long-time members of the yamen’s household. They were already familiar with the daily operations of the residence. As long as they remained loyal, Fu Yuzheng saw no need to replace them—it would be far more efficient to work with people who already knew the ins and outs of the place.

After finishing the government affairs, Liu Zhixia took his family by carriage back to Xinghua Village.

No sooner had he left than various prestigious families of Yunzhou arrived at the yamen upon hearing the news. Unfortunately, they were a step too late and missed the opportunity to meet the new prefect.

Meanwhile, the Liu family was already on their way home, completely unaware that the upper circles of Yunzhou were frantically digging into every detail of Liu Zhixia’s background.

A newly appointed official always stirred things up, and as the prefect overseeing all of Yunzhou, even the most influential figures in the city had to consider his authority. Naturally, they were racking their brains trying to find ways to establish a good relationship with him.

In Xinghua Village, Liu Zhiqiu had gone to town early in the morning and bought half a carriage’s worth of firecrackers.

After returning, he and the villagers worked together to hang the firecrackers using bamboo poles, then waited by the ancient pagoda tree at the village entrance. The moment the new official arrived, they would set them off in celebration.

Today, Xinghua Village was unusually lively.

Xiapo Village, just across the river, had people who were working in the fields that morning. When they heard the commotion from Xinghua Village, they quickly finished their tasks and rushed over to join the excitement.