Jiang Ping’an, who had gone to ask about Fang Baicao, didn’t return until the afternoon.
"Brother Fang, there’s something strange about all this!"
Jiang Ping’an came rushing in, plopped down, and made himself at home by pouring a bowl of water. He took a large gulp before speaking. "After I left your place this morning, I asked around to get the details—where your father is, what mission he’s on..."
"I had to pull a lot of strings and finally found a high-ranking leader in the Rebel Army. But the moment he heard what I was asking, he turned hostile and nearly had me arrested."
He still looked shaken as he spoke of it. "Luckily, my conscience is clear. I explained my connection to you, Brother Fang... They investigated, confirmed everything... and only let me go a short while ago..."
"But they also warned me not to investigate this matter any further."
"It’s that serious?!"
Fang Rui frowned. ’The secrecy is this tight? It seems that urgent mission Dad mentioned in his letter is no small matter. The implications must be huge!’
’A mission like this is almost always dangerous!’ He suppressed the flicker of worry in his heart.
"So be it!"
Fang Rui sighed, not wanting to put Jiang Ping’an in a difficult position. "My father must be on a secret mission for the Rebel Army. He’ll probably be back once he’s finished. Just keep an eye out, Brother Jiang. Don’t go out of your way to ask about it again."
Changing the subject, they discussed the situation in the city. Jiang Ping’an began to speak with enthusiasm. "The higher-ups in the Rebel Army want us to root out lawlessness, to investigate the thugs and gangsters who were running rampant the other day... They also hinted that we should search for evidence of crimes committed by the great families... I’m afraid they’re about to make a move on them!"
"They’re also telling us to get ready to open the granaries and distribute grain, to set up soup kitchens... They aren’t forcing conscription, either. If you join the army, they’ll give your family a stipend, and you even get a monthly salary... Outside the city, they’re distributing land... It looks like the Rebel Army actually has what it takes to govern!"
As a constable for the Rebel Army, a low-level official like him would be on the front lines of implementing their policies, so it was no surprise he knew about these things in advance.
"If these policies are actually implemented, they’ll surely win the hearts and minds of the city’s people quickly. But saying and doing are two different things. We’ll just have to wait and see."
Fang Rui nodded slightly, offering a casual comment as he refilled Jiang Ping’an’s bowl.
"Huh," Jiang Ping’an said suddenly, "Brother Fang, you seem a little different!"
"Oh?"
Fang Rui narrowed his eyes and looked at him.
Different?!
’The only thing different from yesterday is that I broke through to the Fifth Grade. Could he have seen through that? Impossible!’
"Well,"
Jiang Ping’an chose his words carefully as he explained, "In the past, my impression of you, Brother Fang, was that you were always exceptionally cautious and wary, almost like you were afraid someone was out to get you."
"It’s not that that’s a bad thing, but you were a little too tense, too guarded."
"But now?"
He looked at Fang Rui with astonishment. "It’s like... your whole being has just settled. You have this air of... how do I put it? The kind of calm where you wouldn’t flinch even if a mountain collapsed in front of you. An air of having everything under control... Yes, that’s exactly it!"
"A tranquil air?!"
Fang Rui was taken aback for a second. After a moment of thought, he understood.
’In the past, even after reaching the Sixth Grade, I never felt completely secure.’
’But now... I’ve lived through the chaos of the Taiping Bandits’ siege and the fall of the city... I’ve broken through to the Fifth Grade, truly entering the upper echelons of Changshan County... and on top of that, I have my connection with Brother Jiang, a channel for information...’
’The three months of accumulation since I transmigrated have finally led to a massive payoff!’
All of this gave Fang Rui an unprecedented sense of security.
One’s position nurtures one’s spirit. Long-term material and spiritual contentment can cultivate a noble bearing—one of leisure tinged with a faint languor.
Likewise, the sense of security born from one’s own experiences, personal connections, and formidable personal power can cultivate a tranquil air.
Fang Rui himself hadn’t really noticed this calm, unhurried tranquility, perhaps because you can’t see the forest for the trees.
Instead, it was Jiang Ping’an, who had spent the most time with him recently, who perceived it most clearly.
"Perhaps it’s the changes in the outside world, my own growth, and the news about my father..."
Fang Rui said vaguely, then looked at Jiang Ping’an with admiration. "Brother Jiang, you have a subtle mind and keen powers of observation. I am no match for you!"
"Not at all,"
Jiang Ping’an shook his head, knowing his own limits. "It’s not that you’re no match for me, Brother Fang. It’s just that it’s hard for a person to see themselves clearly."
"Take me, for example. Even though I can recognize this tranquil air about you, I can’t replicate it or learn it myself. It’s easier said than done!"
...
Jiang Ping’an had only just become a constable for the Rebel Army today and had a mountain of work to do. If not for his promise to ask about Fang Baicao, he would have been run off his feet all day.
Thus, he didn’t stay for long before hurrying off.
After seeing Jiang Ping’an off, Fang Rui turned and went into the inner room.
By the window, in the dappled golden light, fine motes of dust danced in the air. Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family and Third Lady were doing needlework, sewing clothes.
In fact, the new clothes for Fang Rui, Fang Ling, and Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family were already finished. It was just that Third Lady’s and Nannan’s were not, so it wouldn’t be right for the others to wear theirs first.
The two women spoke in low voices, chattering about household matters.
Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, in particular, was smiling much more. Knowing that Fang Baicao was safe had put her heart at ease.
At the doorway, the two little girls, Fang Ling and Nannan, were playing Animal Chess—a game Fang Rui had made and taught them.
At that moment, Fang Ling saw Fang Rui approaching. She was just about to lose, so she petulantly swept the pieces aside, grabbed Nannan’s hand, and stood up. "I’m not playing anymore, I’m not playing! Come on, Nannan, let’s get our brother to tell us a story!"
"Brother, I want to hear a story!" Fang Ling chirped, darting over to him like a little swallow.
"Me too!" Nannan added in her small, quiet voice.
"Ugh..."
Fang Rui put a hand to his forehead.
’I’ve already finished *Journey to the West* and I’m in the middle of *Gods’ List*. What’s next, am I supposed to tell them *Dream of the Red Chamber*? I’m going to end up raising two little Lin Daiyus!’