Peaceful Farm Life

Chapter 1197: Chapter 1198: People Are Greedy

An Jing immediately smiled, ”Surely, Lie Qi, serving around the Prince and Princess so much has sharpened your tongue. You’re even more decisive than when you work.”

The four maidservants in front of her were those often serving in the main courtyard; An Jing and Xiao Changyi needed less serving, as their main duty was to attend to the four little ones. Each was particularly nimble at their tasks and adept at reading people’s moods.

Baoqin was rather poised.

Lie Qi was extremely fiery-natured.

Shi Hua was exceptionally gentle.

Ting Shu was very compliant, hardly ever voicing her own opinion, even among the maidservants.

Lie Qi respectfully said, ”The Princess is too kind with her praise.”

An Jing then asked, ”It’s said raising troops for a thousand days comes down to using them at one critical moment. Joining the army might soon bring you to the battlefield, are you not afraid?”

Baoqin, Lie Qi, Shi Hua, Ting Shu promptly chorused: ”We are not afraid! We maidservants are willing to shed our heads and blood for Xiyun!”

”Good!” An Jing was very pleased. ”Then the Princess will grant your wishes to join the army. Later, you can go to the housekeeper to get your servitude contracts, and tomorrow you shall register with the Princess at the city gates to join the army.”

”Thank you, Prince, Princess!” All four once again kowtowed to An Jing and Xiao Changyi. ”For the great kindness of the Prince and Princess, we maidservants have no way to repay—”

Before they could finish speaking, An Jing said, ”Once you’re in the army, do well as soldiers, do not disgrace Prince Yi’s Mansion nor yourselves. That will be the best way to repay us.”

The four firmly responded, ”We are from Prince Yi’s Mansion, we will certainly make a name for ourselves and not bring disgrace to Prince Yi’s Mansion nor to ourselves. Please be assured, Prince, Princess!”

”Very good.” Seeing that they understood her hope that they would strive harder, An Jing was very satisfied.

...

The next day, at the appointed time, Baoqin, Lie Qi, Shi Hua, Ting Shu reported to the female soldiers’ recruiting station in the Imperial Capital with their families in tow; An Jing personally registered them.

Their families’ eyes were red and swollen, clearly having cried, not wanting them to join the army.

Afraid for their safety.

However, they had convinced their families because through joining the army, they could retrieve their servitude contracts and escape the status of being maidservants. Additionally, they harbored the heart to serve the nation, so even if they died on the battlefield, they would have no regrets and would consider it an honor.

After Baoqin and the others finished registering and left, Ye Zhi looked at the red handprints on the register and sighed, ”Counting Wild Goose Jade, now five people have joined the army. I’m not asking for much, just ten would suffice.”

An Jing couldn’t help but laugh, ”Didn’t you say you were already fully content when you recruited Wild Goose Jade?”

Ye Zhi playfully smirked, ”People are always greedy, aren’t they? Now that there are registrations, of course I hope for more.”

An Jing just shook her head and smiled.

”Sir, Madam.” Suddenly, from behind, Meng Zhuqing stepped forward, pointing to a luxurious sedan approaching them, drawing An Jing and Xiao Changyi’s attention.

Beside the opulent sedan were guards, eight before and after, in total sixteen guards safeguarding this luxurious sedan.

Moreover, the sedan’s canopy was trimmed with yellow, a color only the royal family could use, indicating that the owner of this luxurious sedan was a member of the royal family.

”Who might that be, dear?” Since the sedan’s curtain was drawn, An Jing didn’t know who was inside, so she asked Xiao Changyi to see if he could recognize whose sedan it was.

Xiao Changyi did not immediately respond, but as the sedan drew closer and he saw the beaded emblems on the carriage, Xiao Changyi finally said, ”That’s a Princess’s carriage.”