Li Zhidao, a trusted subordinate of Gu Zhongxun, promptly reported everything he had seen and heard upon returning to Songzhou City.
“My lord need not worry. County Princess Linghui purchased the coal mine to burn materials for making a substance called cement, which is used for road construction.”
“When I arrived at Suining Prefecture, the main road leading to the government office was already completed. The road was both smooth and hard, even surpassing the stone-paved streets of the capital in quality.”
He clasped his hands in a salute and proposed: “In my humble opinion, we should have Song Qiming transport all the cement to Songzhou City. If roads are to be built, we should build ours first.”
Gu Zhongxun asked skeptically, “Is the cement road really that good?”
Li Zhidao patted his chest in assurance: “It’s only slightly inferior to the white marble roads of the imperial palace.”
Gu Zhongxun’s curiosity was thoroughly piqued.
“The grain tax reported by Song Qiming is half a percent higher than last year, and commercial taxes these past few months have also seen noticeable growth. Perhaps I should visit Suining City by the end of the year.”
Li Zhidao’s eyes lit up like two sparks of candle flame.
“They plan to complete eight main streets before winter sets in. If you go then, the changes will surely be even more significant.”
“County Princess Linghui said that cement production is insufficient this year; surpluses won’t be available for sale until next year. My lord could ask for it when you visit.”
Gu Zhongxun shook his head with a laugh.
“Since the County Princess Linghui intends to sell it, she won’t give it away for free. By then, we’ll certainly have to pay silver for it.”
Li Zhidao’s lips moved hesitantly, but he swallowed his words after a long pause.
Some things were better left unsaid. If the County Princess Linghui found out and grew angry, even Lord Gu might not be able to protect him.
Gu Zhongxun finally decided to leave for Suining City in early November. Any later, and the snow would make travel difficult.
…
Gazing at the courtyard filled with red lacquered chests, Song Qiming opened one at random and found a pair of exquisitely crafted famille rose vases with double ears.
The contents of the other chests were all equally valuable.
“What are all these things?” he asked the maidservant.
His elder sister never bought so many impractical decorative items at once; these must have been gifts.
Could the wealthy merchants of Suining City have come bearing gifts?
The maidservant curtsied slightly and replied: “They were brought by someone from Panzhou. The County Princess is receiving the guests in the main hall.”
“Why wasn’t I informed?” Song Qiming asked, his eyes full of surprise.
Someone from Panzhou had arrived, and he, as the prefect, knew nothing about it.
The maidservant replied: “The visitor requested to see the County Princess and Second Miss Song. The gifts were brought in through the side gate, and you were not at the government office at the time.”
Song Qiming walked into the main hall with a serious expression and found the visitor dressed in the attire of a steward, neither a civil nor military official.
Upon seeing Song Qiming enter, the steward guessed his identity and bowed.
“Your humble subject, Yang Mo, pays respects to the Prefect.”
Song Jinzhao gestured for Song Qiming to sit down.
The man was dressed as an ordinary commoner and carried household registration documents from Suining Prefecture, which had prevented the city gate guards from immediately identifying his status.
“What official position do you hold in Panzhou? Did Third Young Master Yang send you, or was it the Pacification Commissioner?”
Yang Mo maintained a faint smile, displaying three parts respect, but mostly calm composure.
“I hold no official post; I am merely the steward of the Yang estate.”
“I was sent by the Pacification Commissioner to thank County Princess Linghui and Second Miss Song for saving our Third Young Master’s life.”
A steward was a trusted confidant, and the gifts were substantial, showing genuine sincerity.
Song Jinzhao asked, “How is Third Young Master Yang’s recovery?”
Yang Mo replied: “His body seems largely healed, but his face often remains cold, and he’s frequently downcast.”
“Before I came, the Pacification Commissioner specifically instructed me to ask the County Princess: Can Third Young Master’s face truly not be restored to its original state? Also, his stutter and slowed reactions—are they normal compared to before?”
His voice dropped even lower, and his expression became slightly cautious.
“Is there anything else wrong with his health, such as his ability to produce heirs?”
Song Jinzhao shook her head helplessly. “The chances of his facial reactions fully recovering are slim. At most, his expression will be somewhat muted.”
“As for the stutter and slower responses, there is a strong possibility of recovery through rehabilitation therapy.”
“Third Young Master Yang is physically robust, with no other issues. His ability regarding heirs is completely unimpaired.”
It seemed Yang Ruiping still valued Yang Cenan most as a son, or he wouldn’t have sent someone specifically to inquire about heirs.
Yang Mo felt both disappointed and relieved.
A few fewer expressions was tolerable; as long as he could produce heirs, that was what truly mattered.
