Chapter 114: Born Under the Sign of the Rabbit

Magistrate Chen climbed out of his carriage with great effort. Seeing that Village Chief Jiang recognized him, he waved his hand dismissively and asked, "Where does Jiang Cai live?"

Village Chief Jiang hurriedly pointed the way, saying, "It’s that gate right there. He’s currently living with his son, Jiang You. You can just head straight in."

Without another word, Magistrate Chen led his men toward the house.

"My lord, has Jiang Cai committed some offense?" Village Chief Jiang asked, thoroughly alarmed.

"No offense at all. He served in the military when he was young, and the imperial court is issuing subsidies now," Magistrate Chen replied casually, already stepping into Jiang You’s courtyard.

"Your father is going to be so smug he’ll be walking on air," Mrs. Zhao remarked with a click of her tongue.

"That’s none of our business now. Weren’t we going to buy green rice cakes? If we go too late, they’ll all be sold out," Father Jiang said anxiously.

Hearing this, Mrs. Zhao turned to see the little girl she was holding by the hand looking at her with wide, expectant eyes. Forgetting everything else, she hurried off with Bai Yan to buy the cakes.

News that the Jiang family was about to strike it rich soon spread throughout the entire village.

Zhao Chujiu found Jiang Chengyan sitting quietly under the large tree, his hands full of various bags and parcels.

"Hey, big brother, is your grandfather’s family really about to hit the jackpot?" Zhao Chujiu asked, chewing on a stalk of foxtail grass and looking full of gossip.

"I don't know," Jiang Chengyan answered decisively.

"Why would the imperial court suddenly start giving things to people who served in the military so long ago?" Zhao Chujiu wondered aloud.

Back when Grandpa Jiang was young, every household was required to provide service, yet for all these years, the court had never shown any sign of compensation.

"The current ruler has no interest in state affairs and is obsessed with achieving immortality. He likely views the recent earthquake in Yuzhou as a punishment from the heavens, so he wants to offer some reparations. That is how this came about," Jiang Chengyan said in a flat tone.

"Then your grandfather's family is truly in luck," Zhao Chujiu said, bobbing the foxtail grass in his mouth.

"Husband, carry this," a voice called out. As Zhao Chujiu spoke, Bai Yan came huffing and puffing toward them, carrying a basket of goose eggs.

As Jiang Chengyan stood up to take the basket, he reached out and shoved the foxtail grass directly into Zhao Chujiu’s mouth.

Zhao Chujiu nearly choked to death. *What was that for? What did my foxtail grass ever do to him?*

Bai Yan handed the basket to Jiang Chengyan, then spotted Zhao Chujiu. She peeked out from behind Jiang Chengyan’s back, staring at him with curiosity.

"Let’s go home," Jiang Chengyan said, patting Bai Yan’s head and leading the little girl away.

"Hey, what happened to his foxtail grass?" Bai Yan asked curiously.

Behind them, Zhao Chujiu sat stunned. *Damn it, I finally figured out why.* Jiang Chengyan was a ruthless man.

The rabbit had a strong ability to imitate. She had seen Zhao Chujiu with the grass earlier and was planning to copy him.

"Why don't you learn anything when I'm reading books? You only pick up the bad habits!" Jiang Chengyan grumbled, pulling the rabbit along toward home.

"Husband, I want to learn that thing!" Bai Yan suddenly thought of something, her eyes brightening.

"What thing?" Jiang Chengyan asked, still hauling her along.

"The trick that scares away the puppies. Why do they run away the moment you glare at them?"

Jiang Chengyan: "..." Your husband has disconnected.

"Have you heard? The Jiang family is going to be rich! Not only does Jiang Cai get money, but Jiang You does too! It’s a pity about the eldest son of the Jiang family; he cut ties with them at just the right time. Otherwise, he would have definitely been on the list."

"Jiang You really has good luck—he’s destined for wealth!"

People were whispering as they walked along the road.

As Bai Yan was being tugged along by Jiang Chengyan, she asked curiously, "Husband, does being 'destined for wealth' mean having money? Does that mean you are destined for wealth too?"

"No, I am destined for a rabbit."