Xu Mo was quite reasonable. Beans can't grow right away. After planting, you can return to the prefecture city. The workshops in the city can't be opened right away either, because you haven't decided what to do yet. Brother and sister hit it off again and became intimate again.
"Second brother, after buying the land, we will be landlords." Jiang Sheng jumped up and down excitedly.
Zheng Ruqian bared his big teeth and said, "When the beans make money, then we'll be real landlords. I'll buy you firecrackers for New Year's, lots of them."
Zhang Qiquan saw it and couldn't help but smile and shake his head. After all, they were still children.
Out of the blue, Jiang Sheng looked at him and said, "Uncle Zhang, are you coming back to Xieyang County with us?"
Him...
Zhang Qiquan hesitated a little. He had never planned to go back to Shili Village since he came to the prefecture city, let alone get involved with that family again.
But after all, he was a native of Xieyang County. After being away from his hometown for half a year, he inevitably missed it.
Moreover, he missed his friends and other relatives he got along well with, even if he didn't miss his parents or anyone from the Zhang family.
His steadfast mindset started to loosen.
Zhang Qiquan said hesitantly, "I'll discuss it with your Aunt Cui."
"No need to discuss." Liu Cui, who didn't know when she had walked over, said, "We'll go back and take a look."
It was just a family visit, no big deal.
Some things can't be broken in half a year, or even in a lifetime.
"Are you going back, sister?" Liu Cui looked at Auntie Zhang.
With the six children going back, Zhang Qiquan and his wife were also going back, leaving Zhang Xianglian alone in the Hairpin Courtyard. She would inevitably feel lonely.
But they couldn't force her to go back either. After all, not everyone has the courage to face the past and the scoundrels.
Zhang Xianglian's heart shuddered.
If it was the former her, it would have been very difficult to muster the courage to escape, let alone go back to face the scum. She'd rather be dead.
But after working busily in the workshop for half a year, and seeing all kinds of people and watching the children go through all kinds of difficulties, even the most fragile person should have awakened.
No matter how difficult the problem, it must be faced in the end.
Zhang Xianglian clenched her fists. Under Jiang Sheng's bright eyes, she trembled and said, "I'll go back."
With these words, everyone started busying themselves, packing up, and returning home with great enthusiasm.
Even Xu Mo was invigorated. He finally didn't have to deal with trivial matters across cities.
Only Wang Fufeng frowned with distress. He followed Xu Mo around for half a day weakly like a willow in the wind. Finally, he couldn't help but say, "You all are leaving?"
Xu Mo was slightly surprised. "Yeah, we siblings have always been inseparable."
Wang Fufeng pursed his lips. The usually frank and straightforward him was somehow reluctant to speak his mind. "...I want to go too."
Hmm?
Xu Mo raised his eyebrows and looked up and down at Young Master Fufeng, who had a weak body but an extraordinary mind, guessing his intentions.
Wang Fufeng took out the remarks he had long prepared. "...I've had Dr. Wen take care of me recently. I'm afraid it would be inconvenient to leave him. Plus, I've been weak since birth and have never seen any sights outside of Anshui Prefecture. I heard that Xieyang County has a wide variety of artifacts and I want to take this opportunity to take a look."
Right then, Wen Zhiyun walked over with a medicine box and said earnestly, "When you get to Xieyang County, please ask Dr. Wu to examine and treat you. His medical skills are much better than mine."
Wang Fufeng nodded, a flush rising to his pale cheeks.
Xu Mo had no reason to refuse, so he acquiesced.
In a flash, everything was packed up. Those taking carriages took carriages, those driving donkey carts drove donkey carts.
Thanks to Wang Fufeng, the six siblings also got to ride in the Wang family's custom-made coach, experiencing stability and luxury.
From the outside, the Wang family coach was twice as big as their ordinary small carriage, pulled by three sturdy horses.
The interior was even more spacious.
Their carriage had just wooden boards on the bottom, with wooden planks built up high around to form the seating area.
The Wang family coach had the same structure, but the seats were all wrapped in soft cotton. In the middle was a small tea table with tea sets on top and candied fruits and fruits inside when you pulled it out.
If you looked further down the seats, there were even small quilts hidden inside that could be pulled out and used as blankets.
It was even more luxurious than Wang Mingyu's carriage.
Zheng Ruqian stared at it greedily, wishing he could own one immediately, but he didn't have extra money.
This was what it meant to be poor.
When you don't have money, you covet expensive items. But when you finally save up enough, you become reluctant to spend it. Instead, you think of buying more practical things - food, clothing, shelter, transportation - or using it to earn more money.
Because of poverty, and lack of foundations, money had to be spent on the essentials.
No matter how covetous Zheng Ruqian was, he could only look left and right, then pretend to be familiar as he introduced Jiang Sheng, "This carriage can't be bought without fifty taels of silver."
Jiang Sheng cooperated very well by opening his mouth wide to show surprise.
Zheng Ruqian became even more proud and patted his chest to say, "In the future when Second Brother earns money, I'll buy you an even bigger one."
Jiang Sheng nodded vigorously, his eyes full of admiration.
Zheng Ruqian chuckled and looked at Wen Zhiyun sitting steadily and said, "Little Four, Second Brother will also buy you one in the future."
Finally looking at Chang Yan who showed no signs of dizziness or nausea, "Little Five, Second Brother will also buy you one."
In this short time, he had promised away one hundred and fifty taels.
Jiang Sheng held in his laughter and looked at the real owner of this carriage to ask, "Brother Fufeng, how much money is needed to acquire a carriage like this?"
Wang Fufeng's lips moved as if debating whether or not to say before finally reporting a discounted price, "Three hundred taels."
In fact, it was much more expensive.
But to Zheng Ruqian's ears, it was still like thunder on a sunny day.
He thought he had just promised away one hundred and fifty taels, but it turned out to be nine hundred taels of silver.
This, this, this...
"Second Brother, remember to buy them for us," Jiang Sheng mischievously made him confirm.
Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan beside all nodded in agreement.
Zheng Ruqian's brain spun rapidly, wondering what he should do now - deny it or grit his teeth and acknowledge it.
Oh well, just pretend to be dead.
The already twelve-year-old Zheng Ruqian, with a tall frame, suddenly went limp and collapsed onto Fang Heng.
Before Fang Heng could push him away in disgust,
Jiang Sheng rushed over with a laugh and tickled his armpits.
Zheng Ruqian couldn't stand being tickled and rolled over to Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan.
The few children either romped together or sat quietly. Accompanied by a little girl's silvery laughter.
So this was what it felt like to be with family.
Wang Fufeng watched them in a daze.
After rushing for five days, they finally arrived at Xieyang County.
Bian Wenxuan had gotten the news early and was waiting at the gate with a group of yamen runners.
He had complaints and cursed, "One hundred taels a year! This Magistrate actually spent four months away from the county seat. Too unqualified! I'm deducting his pay, deducting!"
"Sir, although Magistrate Xu was away, everything was handled without fail." Wang Xihao kindly reminded him.
Bian Wenxuan glared back murderously, as if asking: Who are you working for?
Wang Xihao shrank his neck: I'm on the side of justice.
Bian Wenxuan rolled up his sleeves, ready to have a good fight with Wang Xihao, when the chaotic sound of horse hooves came from afar.
A smarter yamen runner listened on the ground and quickly reported, "Sir, the approaching sounds vast, at least fifty people I'm afraid."
Bian Wenxuan's heart lurched.
It's over, it's over. Someone is attacking Xieyang County!
