At the third quarter of the Mao hour, amidst the morning mist of Suzaku Avenue in the Capital, flower girls' bamboo baskets swayed with faint, delicate fragrances, the sound of horse hooves treading on bluestone slabs intertwining with the calls of peddlers. Jiang Wan leaned against Lu Jingyuan, watching Cheng'an ride a little pony and frolic ahead, the silver bells on the saddle jingling with the jolts. "Jingyuan," she pointed to the newly erected banner arch of the community school at the street corner, "this year, the literacy rate in every ward is likely to exceed sixty percent."
Lu Jingyuan's fingertips brushed against the silver threads at her temples, the hem of his armor swaying lightly in the morning breeze: "Thanks to your insistence on setting up the community schools back then, even Old Zhang the vegetable vendor can read the official notices now." He suddenly reined in his horse, looking at the figures of Cheng'an and Zhinuan chasing ahead, a soft gleam in his eyes. "Cheng'an said yesterday that he wants to open a medical clinic in West City."
At the first quarter of the Si hour, the Prefect of Shuntian hurried over carrying an account book, dew still clinging to his temples: "Princess, the usage records of the Fairness Scale across all wards have been completely verified, and merchant complaints have dropped by seventy percent compared to last year!"
Chapter 288