BDSMST -Chapter 104 Plans to Expand the Secluded Paradise

The carriage rolled into the territory of Woniu Village, and even the bumpy roads suddenly felt familiar and welcoming.

The paved official road gave way to well-trodden dirt paths, and the air—once heavy with the capital’s mixture of spices and dust—was replaced by the pure fragrance of soil and greenery. A corner of the carriage curtain was blown aside, revealing endless fields neatly trimmed after the harvest, with the familiar silhouette of green hills in the distance.

Gu Xuan could no longer contain his excitement. He leaned out of the window and shouted loudly, “Uncle Fu! Huzi! I’m back!”

His clear voice carried far across the open fields.

When the convoy stopped at the village entrance, Woniu Village erupted in celebration. Uncle Fu led villagers of all ages in a throng to greet them. There were no kneeling ceremonies or formalities—just genuine joy on every face.

“Marquis! Madam! Little Marquis! You’ve finally come back!” Uncle Fu wept tears of happiness, words stumbling out in his excitement.

“Good, you’re back, that’s good!” The farmers crowded around, chattering and greeting them.

Jiang Suisui stepped down from the carriage, her feet touching the solid earth, a sense of stability spreading through her. Looking at the simple, honest faces before her, all the lingering sorrow of parting vanished.

“We’re home,” she said, a smile in her voice.

Gu Yan followed behind, tucking her stray hair behind her ear that the wind had loosened. Watching the lively scene and the relaxed expression on his wife’s face, the stern lines of his own face softened.

The old Marquis and Marchioness were even more at ease. The old Marquis was immediately whisked away by a few familiar farmers, shouting about drinking until they could drink no more that evening. The Marchioness, surrounded by a group of village women, cheerfully made her way to the rear hill’s livestock area to inspect her chickens and ducks.

The rigid rules and grandeur of the Yongning Marquisate in the capital naturally dissolved here. They were simply the Gu family of Woniu Village—part of the land and its people.

Returning to their familiar courtyard, everything was as it had been when they left, only cleaner and tidier. Jiang Suisui, ignoring fatigue, changed into a simple cloth dress and pulled Gu Yan into the study.

This was where she had done her research and planning, the walls still adorned with maps of Woniu Village she had drawn herself.

“Look,” she said, pointing to the map, her eyes bright, “our lands are mainly concentrated in this river valley. The greenhouses, fertile fields, orchards—they’re already taking shape. But this isn’t enough.”

Her finger traced a large area of uncultivated land and hills on the west side of the village.

“This area,” she said, “the terrain is higher and not suitable for crops, but it can be used. I want to build a new living area here.”

Gu Yan followed her gaze. The land was overgrown with weeds, scattered with stones—seemingly worthless.

“A living area?” he asked, puzzled.

“Yes.” Jiang Suisui unfurled a new set of blueprints on the table. The plan was more detailed and ambitious than any before, depicting a village layout unlike anything seen before.

“See here,” she pointed to the center of the blueprint, “we’ll build a new residential area. Not scattered earthen houses like now, but unified blue-brick and tile homes. Arranged in rows, with wide alleys and proper drainage channels. Every household will have its own small yard for vegetables and flowers.”

“Next to the residential area, I’ll build a large granary square, also serving as a gathering place for villagers. At the square’s edge, there will be a school and a clinic.”

“Further west, near the mountain base, the terrain drops. I want to channel mountain spring water down to power a mill, making grain processing easier for the village. The water will collect in a pond for fish and along the pond we can plant mulberry trees and bamboo.”

“Fertile fields, beautiful ponds, mulberry and bamboo,” Gu Yan whispered, reading the eight characters aloud. He understood her intention. She didn’t want a simple farm.

She wanted to create in Woniu Village a truly self-sufficient, orderly, secluded paradise.

“This is a huge project,” Gu Yan said, stating the obvious. “Clearing land and building houses alone will require immense manpower and resources. We don’t have enough hands in the village yet.”

“People can be recruited, and money is not a problem,” Jiang Suisui looked at him firmly. “Between the confiscated wealth from the Anyuan Marquis case, the Emperor’s reward, and our village profits over the years, we have enough to fund this plan.”

She gazed at the grand blueprint, her voice resolute.

“The capital made me realize something: high walls and grand estates cannot lock a heart. True stability doesn’t come from power or wealth, but from a home where you can live and willingly dedicate yourself.”

“I want Woniu Village to be that kind of place. Not just for us, but for everyone willing to live here.”

Gu Yan said nothing further. He simply watched his wife. Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing her in a warm glow. Her face radiated an energy he had never seen in the capital—a creator’s brilliance.

He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

“Good,” he said simply.

If you want to build it, I’ll be with you.

If you want a secluded paradise, I’ll lay the foundation for it.

Jiang Suisui leaned against him, feeling the warmth and strength of his chest, her heart at peace.

She picked up her pen and drew a heavy circle around the area designated for the school on the blueprint.

Everything begins here.

Setting the pen down, she held Gu Yan’s hand and stepped out of the study, standing in the courtyard. The fields stretched into the distance, the nearby village houses basked in the glow of sunset, calm and beautiful.

“Tomorrow, we start recruiting people,” Jiang Suisui looked up at Gu Yan, announcing her first decision.