Journey to the West: The Immortal Clan Begins by Feeding Monkeys at Five Elements Mountain

Chapter 90 Obtaining an Overseer
Seeing that the documents and seals were complete and the signatures were secure.

Jiang Yi then stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said with a smile, "I'm sorry to have bothered you."

As soon as I stepped out the door, there was already someone waiting for me.

Wearing a plain gray short robe, with unremarkable features, yet bowing deeply, speaking softly, and displaying impeccable manners:
"May I ask if you are Master Jiang Yi?"

Jiang Yi nodded slightly.

The servant's eyebrows immediately lit up, and his smile became warmer.

"I am a servant of the Li family. I have come on the orders of my master to invite Master Jiang to come and have a chat."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi remained expressionless, simply bowing to Instructor Lin in farewell and saying with a smile, "Now that the matter is settled, we can talk again another day."

After speaking, he boarded the carriage prepared by the Li family.

The carriage rumbled southward, the sounds of the street outside the curtain gradually fading into the distance, leaving only the low thud of wheels rolling over bricks, which surprisingly brought a sense of tranquility.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the carriage had stopped in front of the Li residence.

The carriage had barely stopped when a figure emerged from the mansion to greet them.

The man was around fifty years old, dressed in simple clothes, with a gentle face, yet possessing a calm and composed demeanor.

The servant boy quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said respectfully:
"This is my master, Li Yunyi, the head of the Li family."

Li Yunyi smiled warmly, clasped his hands in greeting, and addressed him with great familiarity and gentleness, speaking in a calm and unhurried manner:
"Brother Jiang has come from afar, I am so sorry for not welcoming you properly."

Before he finished speaking, another young man walked up behind him. He had clear features and his clothes, though simple, were neat and tidy.

Upon approaching, he cupped his hands in a respectful bow and said with a smile:

"Uncle Jiang, my name is Li Wenxuan. I used to be in the same camp as Jiang Liang."

His voice was gentle, his manners were impeccable, he spoke steadily, and his demeanor was neither humble nor arrogant.

After exchanging only a few pleasantries, he followed Li Yunyi into the mansion.

Upon entering the main hall, the banquet was already prepared, with neatly arranged cups and plates, and the aroma filling the air, clearly showing that great care had been taken.

Not long after taking his seat, Li Yunyi raised his glass and said with a smile:

"Brother Jiang has done a good job in raising his son. Your son has made military achievements at a young age and has now been granted a title. It is truly enviable."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi simply smiled and raised his cup, his tone extremely humble:

"My son only got lucky and was protected by the head. If it weren't for the support of several elders, he wouldn't have had the chance to show his face in public."

He then changed the subject, retorting, "Your son Wenxuan is also quite handsome, with an extraordinary demeanor and a composed and steady manner; he is a promising talent."

They got along quite well in their interactions.

You praise my family for its potential, I praise your family for its solid foundation; the conversation flows gently over drinks, and the atmosphere naturally becomes familiar.

The matter of marriage was not mentioned at all.

But their words and glances during the meal already hinted at their mutual attraction.

Li Yunyi abruptly changed the subject, speaking casually as if it were a casual conversation:

"I heard that Brother Jiang has already secured that plot of land for his house. If you're considering building a house there, I know a few skilled craftsmen in my household."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi smiled and waved his hand:
"I can afford a house, but I've been too busy with other things lately to find the time."

"Such an important matter, if no one is watching over it, I will always feel uneasy, and I am afraid it will be delayed for some more time."

Several days before the document arrived, Jiang Yi had asked Liu Family Manor to help him find some medicinal seedlings and spiritual seeds of good quality.

Such spiritual creatures require special care the first time they are placed in the ground. Only someone like Jiang Yi, who understands some pharmacology, can take good care of them so that they can survive.

Jiang Ming was completely absorbed in his books, and every day he had to go up the mountain to fetch water and take care of about a hundred fruit trees. How could he easily leave the village?

This house is something I want to move, but I can't.

Before the words were even finished, Li Wenxuan, who was standing to the side, had already stood up, bowed respectfully, and smiled:

“Wenxuan has been idle lately. If Uncle Jiang doesn’t mind, I’d like to make this trip for you and help oversee the craftsmen building the house.” He spoke naturally, his posture was ramrod straight, and his face showed the enthusiasm that a young man should have.

Li Yunyi nodded in agreement, his tone amiable:
“This child has often received guidance from Jiang Liang before, and he would often talk about it when he returned home. Now that he has a chance to repay the favor, it can be said that he is sensible.”

Jiang Yi listened and knew in his heart that the father and son had no ulterior motives and were quite considerate in everything they did.

After all, if this marriage were to actually take place, this wouldn't be him overseeing the construction, but rather him looking after his own family.

Jiang Yi held the wine cup, pondered for a moment, and neither declined nor agreed.

Li Wenxuan then laughed and said:

"I've just hit a roadblock in my boxing practice lately, and I haven't quite mastered a few moves. When Brother Jiang returns, I'll have to trouble my uncle to make arrangements and urge him to teach me a few more times."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi smiled and nodded, saying:
"Okay, if he dares to keep it a secret, I'll teach him for you."

This was considered an agreement.

The atmosphere at the table became even more lively, with the three of them exchanging pleasantries about the details of building a house and laying the groundwork.

As they talked, the sky grew dark.

Li Yunyi glanced out the window; the sky was just beginning to darken, and the wine in his cup was half-cold. He smiled and said:
"It's getting late, Brother Jiang. Why don't you stay at my humble abode for the night? I'll send a carriage to take you back to your village tomorrow, so you can avoid a bumpy ride."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi smiled and waved his hand, his tone not harsh, but very measured:
"I appreciate your kindness, but I really don't dare to bother you."

Although we are sitting together and talking about the same thing, even the hottest wine should be drunk at different times.

Right now, it's just that the younger generation is getting closer; it's not advisable to overstep boundaries rashly.

Li Yunyi understood and stopped trying to persuade him. He simply called a servant to bring a wooden box that had been prepared beforehand.

Li Wenxuan accepted it personally, presented it with both hands, and said with a smile:
"This is a congratulatory gift that I prepared for Brother Jiang Liang. He is not home, so please accept it on his behalf, Uncle."

The box was wrapped very tightly, the seal was neat and opaque, with only a faint medicinal fragrance wafting out from the gaps, warm and slightly cool.

Jiang Yi took it, and when he felt the weight, he knew it was quite heavy.

Since it was a gift for his son, he, as the father, couldn't refuse. He just smiled, nodded, returned the gift with a cupped hand, and thanked the father on behalf of his younger son.

After leaving the Li residence, we walked along the streets and alleys and found a clean inn to rest.

Although it cannot compare to the splendor of the Li family mansion, it is clean, quiet, and comfortable to live in.

The next morning, before the light had fully covered the roof tiles, the streets were still quiet.

Jiang Yi got up early and took a detour to the west of the city.

I walked over the field and house site I selected yesterday.

He felt the soil to see if it was dry or wet, soft or hard, scooped up a handful of mud, picked up a few grass seeds, and tested the wind direction. He already had a good idea of ​​what was going on.

It is indeed a good place.

The terrain is flat, the waterways are cleverly arranged, the fields and houses are adjacent to each other, and there is room to move left and right.

Spring plowing, summer planting, autumn harvest, and winter storage—no need to travel far and wide.

Jiang Yi nodded secretly, said nothing more, and carefully put away the wooden box that the Li family had given him that day.

Instead of taking a carriage, he took a deep breath, and as if a breeze was rising beneath his feet, his movements became lighter.

Following the official road, we made our way back to Liangjie Village.

When I arrived home, there was still smoke rising from the chimneys, and lunch had not yet been served.

He carried the tea box inside, took a sip of tea, and moistened his throat.

But then they heard light footsteps outside the courtyard, and two figures strolled leisurely from the direction of the village entrance.

They are from Liujiazhuangzi.

Each carried a basket of lush greenery, revealing vines entwined around tender buds, the earthy scent mingling with the fragrance of leaves, waving as they approached his house from afar.

(End of this chapter)