“When did that kid appear? Who saw him first? From which direction did he enter Tian City? Did he have any companions?”

Meng He Ze rushed straight to the registration table outside the Immortal Official’s Mansion. With a loud bang, he slammed his sword down in front of Xu Kan Shan and Qiu Da Cheng, firing off more than ten questions in succession.

He grew increasingly irritated. When he had left, Senior Brother Song had personally gifted him a sword, how glorious that was; upon his return, a Wei Ping had appeared out of nowhere, stealing all the limelight.

Xu and Qiu knew nothing when questioned. Meng He Ze paced back and forth, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration: “Ji Chen will know. I’ll find him!”

Ji Chen managed Qianqu’s grand formation and had secretly installed recording devices at all four city gates of Tian City, which could trace back images at the gates within a month, allowing him to clearly see all visitors. This measure was implemented because Qianqu’s new immigrants were gradually increasing, with a mix of good and bad.

“You think that kid is suspicious?” Xu Kan Shan asked.

Meng He Ze’s expression turned fierce: “His name is Wei Ping, and his background is likely questionable. I’ll investigate. Be extra cautious when I’m not around!”

Xu Kan Shan thought to himself, wasn’t it you who personally brought him in? But outwardly nodded vigilantly: “Alright.”

Qiu Da Cheng said: “Rest assured, Senior Brother Meng, this is Qianqu County, our territory. He won’t be able to cause any trouble!”

The competition for the position of steward at Song Manor was fierce, with each candidate having their own unique skills.

The reason Wei Ping was successfully selected owed half to his thousand skills, and the other half to Meng He Ze’s unintentional help.

After all, before his arrival, Song Qian Ji had eaten too many bowls of noodles.

If those noodles were connected, they could circle Qianqu County a hundred times.

Song Qian Ji had originally practiced abstention from food, but Meng He Ze had habituated him to eat.

Wei Ping’s arrival let Song Qian Ji experience the most simple and unpretentious joy of rice and stir-fried dishes. The Qianqu Nine-Palace Grid was indeed the healthiest diet.

When the other returned, he actively put down his hoe to greet him: “Still getting used to things?”

Wei Ping looked up, timidly glancing at him.

Song Qian Ji frowned, quickly stepped forward, and pointed at the other’s neck: “What happened to you?”

After going out just once, he had not only suffered physical injuries, but his clothes were also somewhat disheveled and torn.

Wei Ping touched the bruise on his neck, let out a light “Ah” as if just waking from a dream, and said softly: “Senior Brother Meng didn’t mean it!”

Song Qian Ji was bewildered: “You’re saying Meng He Ze hurt you?”

How could that be? Little Meng wasn’t that kind of person.

“He just used a bit too much force while playing around.” Wei Ping smiled bravely.

Song Qian Ji changed the subject: “Oh, did Little Meng introduce you to all the cultivators in Qianqu?”

“Not yet.” Wei Ping’s eyes shifted, his voice growing even lower, answering a different question: “So many people want to be by the Immortal Official’s side but don’t have the opportunity. I just arrived and received this honor. No wonder they don’t like me.”

Song Qian Ji felt a strange sensation. He had never heard similar statements or tones elsewhere.

This Wei Ping was too timid, lacking any savior qualities whatsoever.

Even if Wei Zhen Yu had initially concealed his abilities and quietly sought advantages, he was still a child of destiny—free-spirited, unrestrained, and uninhibited. How could he willingly subordinate himself to others, becoming a groveling servant?

Wei Ping also thought that Song Qian Ji was too ordinary.

How could an Immortal Official who planted crops and watered flowers possess everything? He was hiding his true nature very deeply.

“It’s alright,” Song Qian Ji comforted the pitiful little steward. “Tomorrow you’ll accompany me for a round of visits. Once everyone gets to know you, they’ll accept you.”

Qianqu’s population was increasing, and official duties were becoming increasingly burdensome, but Song Qian Ji only enjoyed farming. He decided to first let the other participate in supervising the waterways, gradually tempering him and letting him take on greater responsibilities over time.

Wei Ping was deeply moved: “Thank you, Senior Brother Song. I will serve Senior Brother well.”

“You’re not here to serve me,” Song Qian Ji smiled.

When he smiled, the cold autumn wind transformed into a gentle spring breeze. Wei Ping couldn’t help but close his eyes for a moment.

The sunlight was too dazzling.

…

The autumn air was clear and crisp, and the fields were golden.

By the waterways, shouts echoed to the heavens as workers with bare upper bodies swung iron shovels, sweat flowing down their chests. Whenever someone started a song, others would immediately join in, creating more excitement than boiling water.

Wei Ping walked along this waterway, deeply puzzled.

Why could they be so happy doing such hard labor? Not only happy, but they worked with dedication, earnestness, and enthusiasm.

Did Song Qian Ji truly possess some evil art for controlling people’s hearts?

One mystery after another emerged, spinning rapidly in his mind.

He had traversed thousands of mountains and waters in the mortal world but had never seen a place like Qianqu County.

And Wei Ping enjoyed solving puzzles.

He carried a food box to a thatched shed, delivering it to Qianqu’s chicken delivery team.

“Greetings, fair ladies. I am Wei Ping, the newly arrived steward. Is there anything I can help with here?”

Zhou Xiao Yun took the food box: “No need for formalities. I am Zhou Xiao Yun, and she is Ji Xing. There’s nothing requiring assistance at the moment, so please just keep Senior Brother Song company.”

Wei Ping was unfazed by this polite rejection and formally bowed before taking his leave: “If the ladies need anything, please call for me anytime.”

Ji Xing watched Wei Ping’s retreating figure, clicking her tongue in wonder:

“My brother is already quite peculiar, Senior Brother Meng is becoming increasingly fierce, and Senior Brother Song is unapproachable. Heaven have mercy, this little Wei Ping arrived all gentle and soft, following behind Senior Brother Song every day with eager eyes, like a rain-drenched puppy just waiting for Senior Brother Song to look back at him once—it makes one’s heart ache!”

Xu Kan Shan covered his mouth, muttering indistinctly: “Don’t let your maternal instincts take over! Senior Brother Meng already said that kid might be problematic!”

Zhou Xiao Yun sneered: “Then don’t eat the pastries and desserts he sent.”

Ji Xing picked up a piece of pastry: “Someone who can make such delicious harmonious pastries must not be a bad person.”

Qiu Da Cheng was too busy eating to raise his head: “We can eat the pastries and still be wary of the person—they’re not mutually exclusive!”