Hearing An Jing’s decisive two words, Gong Juechen initially ruffled his hair in irritation but then calmed down. He stopped dissuading An Jing and Xiao Changyi from going to the Imperial Capital, and instead asked with a smile full of profound meaning, "Aren’t you curious why I hate the Capital so much, why I don’t want to go there at all?"
An Jing replied, "You’re such a pretender. For all we know, your hatred for the Capital could all be an act. Why should we waste our time being curious? It’s settled, my husband and I are definitely going to the Capital, whether you like it or not."
Gong Juechen maintained his smile, but sighed inwardly: Perhaps, this was destiny...
No matter how he avoided that place or how he left it, in the end, both he and his sister would still go there, return there.
Before leaving for the Imperial Capital, An Jing visited the Agricultural Institute in Qilin County again and handed over all her duties there to Master Zhou.
The Emperor of Xiyun had An Jing’s best interests at heart; even without her asking, he had truly issued her a transfer order, moving her from Qilin County to the Imperial Capital. Therefore, the people at the Agricultural Institute also assumed that An Jing had been transferred to the Capital.
Not only had An Jing, a woman, been specially appointed as an official, but she had also risen through the ranks so quickly, and now, she was even being transferred to the Capital... Master Zhou and the others couldn’t even begin to envy her undreamed-of fortune.
"Lord, Lord An," Master Zhou hesitated for a moment after An Jing finished handing over her duties and was about to leave. Nonetheless, he plucked up the courage to call out to her, his old face turning red.
An Jing turned around, looking puzzled at Master Zhou: "Master Zhou, do you have something else for me?"
Master Zhou was exceedingly uncomfortable but still clasped his hands and said, "Lord An is beyond our compare. I could only wish Lord An a future as glorious as a brocade here."
Not only was he not suppressed, but he had also been promoted. Lord Zhang had also told him in private that the position of manager at Qilin County was thanks to this lady’s recommendation, allowing him to assume the role. To be honest, he truly admired this woman named An Jing.
He admired her talent.
He also admired her magnanimity and breadth of vision.
And he felt deeply ashamed.
Upon hearing Master Zhou’s words, An Jing smiled, clasped her hands towards him, and said, "Thank you." She paused, then continued, "Previously, under Official Liu’s oppression, Master Zhou wanted to carry out many beneficial projects for the people but couldn’t accomplish them. Now that you are the manager of the Agricultural Institute and can make your own decisions, I hope that Master Zhou will continue to uphold your original aspirations to do good for the people and not fail the imperial grace."
Master Zhou immediately straightened up and bowed in the direction of the Son of Heaven, saying respectfully and with a firm voice, "I, your servant, will most certainly not fail the imperial grace!"
After leaving Master Zhou, An Jing was ready to head home.
But before she could leave the Agricultural Institute, she encountered Li Jifan in the corridor.
Li Jifan was clearly waiting there for her. Upon seeing her, he courteously clasped his hand and said with a smile, "As colleagues, Lord An is heading to the Imperial Capital, and I specially waited here to see you off."
An Jing had been promoted, and now she was of higher rank than him. Li Jifan wouldn’t dare to reveal even the slightest ulterior motive he had.
Seeing that Li Jifan’s gaze held no other meaning, as if they truly were just ordinary colleagues, An Jing was quite satisfied and did not reject him. She allowed Li Jifan to escort her to the gate of the Agricultural Institute.
Then, they parted ways on the steps of the Agricultural Institute; one turned back inside, and the other got into a carriage to go home.
But that was the beginning.
For An Jing and Xiao Changyi, a new journey in life would soon commence as they set off for the Imperial Capital.