It rained heavily overnight, and the river water that had become muddy due to the widening of the river channel became even muddier. As a result, Fangyuan received two groups of visitors within one day.

  The first one who came was surprisingly a steward with the surname Deng from Ning Wang Zhuang. He arrived just as Wu Lang had gone to supervise the work, so he couldn't help but receive him personally.

  Deng Guanshi was taken aback when he saw Peony, but he quickly suppressed his surprise and brought out the arrogant attitude that most officials had when facing ordinary people. He looked haughty, with his nose upturned, his hands clasped behind his back, and refused to take the tea offered by Ah Tao. He glanced at Peony sideways and said in a condescending tone: "So you're the owner of this Fragrant Garden?"

  Although Peony was annoyed by his rudeness, she also knew that these people would be her neighbors in the future, not to mention that there was the Ning Wang Fu behind him, and she couldn't afford to easily offend them. She had to force a smile: "That's right. May I ask what brings you here, Manager Deng?"

  Before Deng Guanshi arrived, he had already investigated the owner of this garden and knew that Peony was just a rich man's daughter. Therefore, as soon as he heard Peony's words, he became unhappy. He went to other wealthy families' estates, where the managers would ask him questions with some reason. Obviously, she was just a merchant's daughter with some money, how dare she be arrogant in front of him! He coldly said: "I don't dare! It's just that our estate's small stream has become murky and I've come to see what's going on."

  He was like a peony, as if he had done something remarkable by killing and burning. Peony thought to herself, these days the workers have been widening the river channel and digging everywhere, it's likely that when the water flows downstream, it won't be as clear as usual. But Ning Wang Zhuang is so far away, will it still be so muddy when it gets there? The past two days didn't hear anything, only after the rain did it become like this, perhaps it's because of the rain?

  Let's not talk about the truth of the matter for now, let's just say that when the Zhou family sold their house and land to her, they clearly stated that this river was water brought in by the Zhou family at a great price. Afterwards, she also asked around among the villagers and confirmed that this was indeed the case. But what does this have to do with Ning Wang Zhuang? Could it be that Ning Wang Zhuang is also taking advantage of this river's presence and diverting its water for their own use? Not to mention what kind of intentions Deng has, but even if we don't consider that, the fact that these people who are taking advantage of the situation are coming to the door, demanding an explanation from the owner without asking any questions, is also quite impolite.

  However, she should have spoken reasonably first. Peony said: "Our family's river has been muddy for a few days, but it's because I ordered people to widen the river channel. After these days, it will naturally be fine. I didn't know that this river and the small stream on your noble estate are connected, nor did I think that the water would still be muddy after flowing so far. But in any case, it was my fault for not thinking ahead and not going to inform you in advance."

  Who would have thought that this Deng was a person who wouldn't give in, seeing her young and beautiful and soft-spoken, with no man by her side to support her. He became even more arrogant and sarcastic, saying: "When did this river become your family's? What a joke! It's raining? Hmph! Before you started working on it, not even the torrential rains at night could overflow it, now that you've done something like this, are you afraid to take responsibility?"

  Met with such a domineering and unreasonable rich family's servant, Peony previously blamed herself for not sending someone to notify the downstream village in advance. However, at this moment, she also turned her anger into fury, and her face sank as well. She didn't respond to his words but instead turned her head towards Atao, who was standing aside with a pale face: "Atao, go call your father."

  Deng Guanshi just coldly smiled, looking at Mudan to see what she wanted to do. He had seen many small characters like her, as long as he put on a stern face and brought out the reputation of the Ning Wang Fu, he would be able to intimidate her with ease, and in the end, she wouldn't dare say no.

  Shao Qin, Hu Da Lang has arrived and stood under the curtain in a dignified manner: "I don't know what orders you have for me?"

  "Wasn't I just asking? When I bought this land, the old steward of the Zhou family clearly stated that this river was diverted from the Huangqu River at the expense of the Zhou family. Is this true?"

  Hudarang had just heard Atao's brief words, and replied seriously: "Indeed, there is such a thing. Many of the surrounding villagers are witnesses. This river originally belonged to this village. When the river was dug, everyone contributed money."

  The peony glanced at the busybody with a look, saw that he was already furious and his hair was standing on end, then smiled slightly and continued: "Then I'll ask you, this river flows downstream, what places does it pass through? Is it also passing through whose manor?"

  Hu Dalang said, "This river actually flows back into Qujiang Pool after making a turn. However, at that time, several nearby villages had come to visit the previous owner and borrowed the light of this river, digging canals around it to lead water into their own villages for use. Some wanted to pay money, but the previous owner said it was convenient for both others and himself, and never accepted any household's money."

  It never occurred to her that on that day, the usually dull and stupid Hu Daren would speak with such logic and precision, hitting all the right points. Peony was delighted by his words and couldn't help but take a few more glances at him, nodding in satisfaction: "Alright, you can go now."

  After Hu Dalang left, she turned back and sincerely smiled at Deng Guan Shi: "It was my mistake. I didn't know that your estate had also diverted water from this river for use. So, if we start working upstream, it will indeed affect the downstream, even though it's ten miles away. It seems that it won't be as clear as before." She paused and saw Deng Guan Shi's face getting worse, then smiled again: "As neighbors, I feel embarrassed about this situation. Being a woman, I don't know how to handle it properly. May I ask if you have any clever ideas? Please advise me. I'll let them do it."

  If he knew the truth, he should have restrained himself and just dismissed it with a couple of sentences. But Deng was a fierce and overbearing person who thought Peony was weak and easily bullied, so he suddenly stood up and said sternly, "What to do? Of course, stop work immediately!"

  But a slave in the palace, how dare you bully people like this! Peony's anger was stuck in her throat, and she rushed up several times before barely holding back, saying lightly: "Although the steward's idea is clever, I'm afraid it doesn't make sense. All my houses and land have been registered in the government office, recorded in the files, I am digging my own land on my family's land, expanding my family's river course, this is reasonable."

  Yes, in this era, merchants are looked down upon and have a low social status. She is the daughter of a merchant and has suffered greatly because of it. But what does that matter? She never thought she was inferior to others, nor did she think those so-called nobles and officials were superior to her. She would adapt to the survival rules of this era in order to live a good life, but that doesn't mean she would compromise her dignity and let others bully her without speaking out.

  Deng Guanshi saw that she was just a little girl, yet she didn't eat hard food and wasn't afraid of being scolded. He sneered coldly twice and said in a sinister tone: "Well, you're digging your own family's land, expanding your own family's river course. But do you know that the Ning Wang is staying in the villa these days? Every day he sits by the creek to read books. You've disturbed his peace, what crime should you be punished for?" Then his hand pointed directly at Peony's face.

  Normally, the old surname of a humble household would be intimidated by such words and the situation, but Peony was not one to be easily intimidated. She didn't retreat, instead she took a step forward, pushing aside Feng Dainiang and Yuhe who had already stepped in front of her, and stared at Deng Guan with a firm tone: "It's quite coincidental. My cousin is actually the chief historian of the Wang Mansion, and my family has also asked for favors from Your Highness before. I recently heard that Ning Wangfei and Xiaoshi passed away, and that Your Highness was ill, but I didn't know you had arrived in our village. If I really committed a grave mistake, I should naturally go to apologize. As someone who is familiar with grand scenes and knows many things, please enlighten me, what crime have I committed? So that next time I won't make the same mistake."

  Deng was speechless, his mind racing in circles for a moment, but he didn't know whether Peony's words were true or false. However, it was indeed true that the Ning Wangfei had passed away and the Ning Wang was ill and not at the manor. Since Deng couldn't be certain, he also didn't dare to press further, so he could only pretend to be stern and coldly laughed: "I'm afraid you have some guilt, and even if you want to change now, it's too late! Young lady, listen to my advice, it's better not to be arrogant!" After finishing speaking, he turned around and left.

  She spat, what an old man, an old dog would be more like it! Peony couldn't be bothered to look at him and lazily said: "Take your time! Thanks for the trouble, madam, helping me see off this guest."

  Dang's wife silently sent Deng back, and anxiously said: "Dan Niang, what's going on? He suddenly got so angry out of nowhere, although this time he was driven away, I'm afraid next time he'll come up with another excuse to cause trouble."

  "From the start, he was furious, probably because I didn't fawn all over him, bowing and scraping to ask what instructions this king's steward had. Instead, I asked him what business he had, which he took as an affront. Even if I had sucked up to him, he would still have come looking for trouble - his intentions were never good from the start. Mother, do you really think that a river that has flowed ten miles and changed course several times will still be murky? Clearly, he's just looking for trouble. I'm not saying this river is mine alone, but why can't we discuss terms? What right does he have to tell me to stop work? If I back down now, how can I stand my ground here in the future? It'll be open season on me - anyone will be able to bully me."

  Wulang received the news and rushed over, listening to Mudan say this, deeply agreeing: "I'm afraid there's another hidden reason, go back and have someone investigate thoroughly what the reason is, also good to make preparations in advance."

  "I've just sent a reliable farmer to go downstream and take a look, whether the water is really muddy near Ning Wang's farm. Whether it's true as that official said, I'll have an idea in my mind." Peony blinked her eyes, looking pleased with herself: "Is it because this land has a good location? Because of that rumor earlier, no one wanted to buy it, but now they're envious after seeing me easily buying it. Does this mean the price of this land has gone up? Maybe if I sell it, it won't be at the original price anymore."

  Wulang was led by her to smile slightly, and he couldn't help but tap her forehead: "Just bought it and already thinking of selling, where is the logic in that? However, what you said is possible. But it definitely can't be Ning Wang's intention, he doesn't have the mind to fight for this land now, it should just be the people below causing trouble."

  "Peony sighed softly: 'I don't want to be involved with the Li family again, but I have no choice. If I hadn't brought up my cousin, that person wouldn't have left so quickly.'"

  Wulang looked at her sympathetically and smiled, "It's just that he happens to be from the Ning Wangfu, apart from the Li family, Father also knows others. You don't have to worry about this matter."

  In the temporary kitchen set up to provide meals, Rain He brought Peony and Gorō's food, Peony had been busy for half a day and was already hungry, she ate more than usual at home. Gorō saw her eating with relish and smiled: "You should come out and move around more often, having something to do is what gives you energy."

  "Brother Five, I'm telling you, I really feel like I've gotten stronger over this period of time compared to before. In the past, riding a horse from here to home and back again, and then walking for a bit more, my two legs would ache unbearably, but now it doesn't happen at all."

  Wu Lang smiled and thought that a large batch of materials would be delivered in a few days, so it's better to let Peony take care of it. He said: "Aren't you going to prepare the peony seedlings for this autumn? These days are not urgent, you just go with your sixth sister, continue to inquire about what needs to be inquired, and book what needs to be booked, I'll take care of things here."

  Peony nodded, and the two siblings finally put down their bowls. At this time, Ah Tao came to report again with a nervous look: "There is another guest outside, I heard that he had been strolling along the riverbank several times before letting someone come to inform us."

  What on earth is this? Is the pollution of this river really so severe? Gorō and Botan exchanged a glance, asking: "What kind of person is it?"

  A Tao said: "He is a black-faced Han in his early teens, he says he is a servant of the Jiang family's estate nearby, named Ou." A Tao's small heart was filled with worry, just when a manager from the Wangfu estate came, another person arrived, who knows which noble family it is? What trouble are they looking for again? If this land can't be used anymore, will it be sold again?

  Peony heard that it was a servant of the Jiang family, and hastily said: "Please come in quickly." He also explained to Wu Lang: "It's probably a servant of the Jiang Changyang family."

  Wulang heard that he was Jiang Changyang's house servant and was puzzled: "What did he come here for again?"

  As they spoke, Wu, wearing a grey round-necked robe with a big smile on his face, walked in. Wulang hastily invited him to sit down and asked Yuhe to serve tea. Mudan first thanked him for the medicine he had sent over last time, exchanged a few pleasantries before saying: "I was planning to tidy up before coming to visit, but from now on we'll be neighbors."

  Wu Xiodao said: "I don't dare, I don't dare.Today, a humble person has come, but it's about the matter of the river water."

  "However, the water used by your estate is also muddy?" Hu Dalang said that when several families came to discuss diverting this river water, wasn't the Jiang family one of them? The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. After all, on that day, Wu said he would send someone over with the eaves, and they hadn't waited for long, which meant that the Jiang family's estate was not far from the Ning Wang Fu estate. Maybe it was even downstream of this river.

  Wu Xiao said: "It can be said that I came for this matter, and it can also be said that I did not come for this matter."

  Peony heard his words seemed to have other intentions, but thinking that Jiang Changyang would not come to find trouble for this kind of thing, since he came there must be other reasons, so he said: "Please, Wu Guan Shi, explain clearly."

  Wu Weiwei smiled slightly: "The origin of this river, my husband and the little ones also know. It was originally a matter that everyone benefited from, and it's not unreasonable for the master to start working on it. There's no one drinking this water around here, and after a couple of days, it will settle down anyway, it's not a big deal; besides, this river flows downstream, winding around several bends, and is also diverted by a lateral canal, so it won't be that severe. So for our village, there's no impact at all."

  Wu swept a glance at Fang Dainiang and Yuhe, and Mudan understood, gesturing for Fang Dainiang and Yuhe to go out and guard the entrance. Wu saw that all the idle people had retreated, then smiled and said: "It's not a big deal, but it's better if fewer people know about it. Just now, was there someone from Ning Wangfu's estate, surnamed Deng, who came looking for trouble?"

  "How did he find out so quickly?" Peony was shocked, but still smiled and replied: "Yes. He said that the water in the Ning Wang Fu village has all been affected because of our project and wants us to stop work, otherwise he will punish me. I just arranged for someone to check if this is true and then figure out a solution. This is also my fault, I didn't investigate clearly beforehand and didn't know that there were other households downstream using this water. If we had prepared ahead of time, it wouldn't have come to this."

  Wu looked at Peony and said, "Our village is located between your village and the Ning Wang Fu village. Just now, Deng the manager left your village and went directly to our village, meaning that he wants us to join forces with them to cause trouble for you. Downstream of this river, there are several other families who are also powerful, he will probably go to find those people as well." He was pleased to see Peony and Wu Lang's faces suddenly turn serious.

  It seems that it's not just a simple matter of making trouble for a river. Peony stood up and thanked Wu: "Thank you, Director Wu, for reminding us, so we won't be caught off guard when something happens."

  Wulang also said: "Thank you, but it's better for Wu Guanshi to return earlier. If that person finds out that you came to report the news, he might come to make things difficult for you again."

  However, a small servant like me doesn't count for much. Wu smiled and said slowly: "You two don't have to worry, just listen to me finish speaking. At that time, my master happened to be there and had already answered Deng the manager. In fact, we were also widening the irrigation canal in our village, wanting to divert more water to dig a pond. The Ning Wang Fu's water chaos should be due to our village's fault. I've already told Deng the manager, he will send someone to each household to apologize and compensate. I'm here specifically to apologize because my family was involved and your esteemed mansion suffered unjustly." As he spoke, he actually stood up and bowed to Peony.

  The peony's mouth was shaped like an "O", and that was it. She wasn't a fool, how could she not understand that this would divide a good thing into two parts, with a pause in between? Moreover, where was there such a coincidence, that here they were expanding the river channel, and Jiang Changyang's estate just happened to be expanding the river channel too? This was the mainstream, influencing the tributary made sense, but that tributary also influencing the mainstream didn't add up. Clearly it was Jiang Changyang trying to help her out.

  "Peony hurriedly gestured to Wu Lang to hold onto Ou, saying: "I really don't deserve this kindness. I've caused trouble for Director Jiang again, he's a man of great virtue and has helped me several times, I truly don't know how to thank him enough. But after all, it's my own affair, I can't keep causing trouble for Director Jiang without reason. I was just discussing with my fifth brother, planning to return home and discuss with the family how to resolve this matter as soon as possible, no matter what, there will be a way to deal with it." Relying on others is only temporary, let alone not every time being so lucky, she must quickly learn to handle these situations in order to stand firm.

  Wu was very pleased with her reaction, but smiled and said: "The young lady is worrying too much, my family is indeed digging a river ditch, the public wants to build a water pavilion, plant heavy lotus and white lotus. I just think the water is small, but coincidentally, the noble Zhuang widened the river ditch, it's also beneficial for us. According to your way of speaking, we should pay money to the government for taking advantage of this river ditch."

  "Peony smiled and said: 'It's not like that...'"

  "Wu said, 'If someone else were to take this land, I'm afraid the water for the people living below would be affected. We're doing this for our own convenience, so let's just keep it in mind.' With that, he didn't say much more and was about to leave."

  The peony had no choice but to thank him again, and with the fifth brother, he sent him out. After discussing with his siblings, they decided that Wu Lang would stay here to defend against the Ning Wang Fu's people who might come to make trouble when their family was not around. The peony led Da Niang, Yu He, and two strong men from the Kong family back home to discuss countermeasures with He Zhi Zhong.

  As the sun approaches dusk, colorful clouds fill the sky. The wheat on both sides of the road is at its most lush and green. The horse carriage moves slowly forward, with nothing but a sea of green in sight. Many birds are flying and jumping about in the fields, chirping away. Occasionally, a few white waterbirds can be seen standing still in the fields. In the distance, village smoke rises gently into the air, creating a picturesque rural landscape.

  The Peony and the Rain Lotus saw that she was in a daze, so they didn't urge her on. The few of them walked slowly, occasionally exchanging a few playful words, and it was quite relaxing. Suddenly, they heard the sound of horse hooves behind them. Peony turned around and saw that the horse in front was very eye-catching, with a shiny black body, only its forehead and four hooves were white, with a tall and beautiful physique, looking very majestic. The person on the horse wore a black veil hat, a blue robe with a missing sleeve, and a black horizontal knife at his waist. His expression was firm and resolute, and it was precisely Jiang Changyang. The man following behind him, wearing a gray robe and having a dark face, wasn't he Wu, who had gone to the Fragrant Garden to deliver a message earlier?

  "Peony didn't expect to run into him so coincidentally, and here he was with his two servants. He immediately reined in his horse, turned around, and saluted Jiang Changyang with a bow, saying: 'Greetings, Mr. Jiang.'"

  Jiang Changyang didn't expect to run into Peony here, and he raised an eyebrow in surprise. He then smiled brightly, revealing a set of snow-white teeth, and returned Peony's greeting with a bow: "Greetings, Madam He. Are you heading back to the city?"

  "Exactly," said Peony with a smile.

  Jiang Changyang glanced at the sky, then looked at Peony's face, which was radiant in the sunset, and said: "I have something to attend to in the capital too. The sun is setting, if you don't mind, why not go together?"