After lunch and a few more words of conversation, Li Laosi and Li Yong each carried a large willow basket and set off for the army camp.

Two palm-width cloth bags were added to the wicker basket so that it wouldn't hurt your shoulders when you carried it.

The basket was lined with several layers of cotton cloth, which was breathable and kept warm, preventing the buns from becoming damp from being piled together.

The two men rode their horses at full gallop, and the heat emanating from behind them resembled white wings, creating a very festive scene.

The group, who had been standing at the village entrance seeing each other off with some reluctance and sadness, couldn't help but laugh at the sight of this scene.

"Why do they look like two birdmen riding horses?"

"Haha, that's what I wanted to say too!"

"Hopefully, the steamed buns won't get too cold when we get to the camp."

"I'm not afraid of it getting cold, it's much warmer now."

After exchanging a few words, everyone dispersed to continue their busy work.

Li Lao Er didn't want to delay the children's classes the next day, so he asked his mother to go to the city immediately.

Grandma Li didn't stop her, and said, "Go to Mr. Wen's place first, and bring him and Wen Hai some pork stew and meat buns. They probably don't cook often and just make do with what they have."

Soon, the pork was tied with hemp rope, and the food was packed. Madam Cui then ordered Sister Qiong to bring two cloth bags, one large and one small.

The old lady smiled and helped sort the ingredients, then carefully gave her son a few instructions.

The family's carriage was ready, and Jia'an and Jiaxi insisted on going to the city together. Li Lao Er simply picked up Mao Ge'er as well, leaving Jiayin as the only child in the family.

It wasn't that Li Lao Er didn't love his niece; it was just that she was too young, and it was difficult for a grown man like him to take care of her.

Fortunately, Jiayin was thinking of her mother and obediently accepted her second uncle's promise to buy her some snacks. She waved her little hand and saw them off.

Tao Hongying's eyes were red; she really couldn't bear to part with her husband, but with so much work to do at home and her daughter always around, she had no time to be sad.

Meanwhile, Li Lao Er led his nephews into the city and unexpectedly encountered the Liu family's carriage at the city gate.

Liu Zhiheng had just returned from Xianhe Town when he heard that Li Lao Er was going to look for Mr. Wen, so he handed the basket that Li Lao Er had brought to Chang Sui.

"Tell Madam that I'm going to visit Mr. Wen too, and I'll go home tonight."

After saying that, he switched to the Li family's carriage and they left together.

Chang Sui could only smile bitterly. The master hadn't returned for half a month, and the madam must have been waiting anxiously at home. In the end, she just passed by the house without even entering!

The year's plan starts in spring. At this time of year, whether it is ordinary people or the imperial court, the most important thing is the upcoming spring sowing.

Even the most diligent censors kept their mouths shut at this moment, not daring to speak carelessly, for fear of causing trouble and disturbing such an important moment.

Therefore, after the morning court session, the Censorate was almost deserted in the afternoon, with officials and clerks alike slacking off.

Mr. Wen is currently reading at home the books that were sent from Luoan College.

Jiaren was a meticulous child. Even after he had copied a copy of the Guo family's collection of books and left it at the academy, he did not stop writing. He continued to copy while reading, and then brought the extra copy to the courtyard.

Mr. Wen understood that this was his disciple's way of showing concern, fearing that if he had free time, he would be saddened by being kicked out of his home.

He simply filled his books with his insights every day, and once he finished one, he would have Wen Hai deliver it to Jia Ren.

Although the teacher and student hadn't seen each other for a long time, they were closely connected in this way.

Mr. Wen was both surprised and delighted to see Li Lao Er and Liu Zhiheng arrive with their three children.

"What brings you all here? Aren't you busy at home?"

Li Zhiheng waved his hand, "I ran into Second Master at the city gate, so we came together."

Li Lao Er also laughed and said, "We slaughtered a pig at home today, and my mother was thinking of sending me to bring you some pork so you can have something fresh."

Wen Hai took the food and saw that the pork stew and steamed buns were still warm. He smiled and said, "Second Master, you've come at the perfect time. My husband and I were worried about what to eat. My cooking skills are terrible. After practicing for so long, the best I can do is cook porridge without it burning."

Everyone laughed and quickly helped set the table.

Liu Zhiheng hadn't eaten either, so he decided to mooch a meal off them.

Li Lao Er sipped his tea and chatted with Liu Zhiheng and Mr. Wen.

Wen Hai took two steamed buns and was about to take the children to play in the alley.

Li Lao Er took out his purse and handed it to him, "Brother Hai, these lads want to buy sheepskin balls. If you know where they are sold, take them there. Also, there's something else. It would be even better if you could ask around for me on the way."

Wen Hai took the purse and said with a smile, "Please give your instructions, Second Master."

Li Lao Er briefly recounted what had happened in the valley that day. Wen Hai accepted the order and quickly left with his three boys.

Liu Zhiheng, munching on a steamed bun, said, "Your valley is always bustling with people. Whose business are you stealing? Are you trying to sabotage us behind our backs?"

Mr. Wen nodded, "I'm afraid it's probably related to the restaurants and similar establishments in the same city."

Liu Zhiheng shook his head. "I think it has more to do with those flower-viewing villas outside the city. You know, they all attract customers with their scenery, and their business used to be very good. But after the opening of Suijintan, it has suffered a great loss. This year, seeing that the orchards at Suijintan are about to bloom again, many literati and scholars in the city have been talking about it, which made those villas anxious, right?"

"Never mind, we'll know everything when Wen Hai gets back. Let's eat. This pork stew is really delicious; your northern traditional cooking is truly authentic. I've had it twice in city restaurants, and the taste was very strange."

"Yes, why is the family thinking of slaughtering a pig again? It's not a holiday or festival, is it?" Liu Zhiheng asked Mr. Wen while eating.

Li Lao Er said, "This fat pig is unruly. It jumped over the wall and fell half to its death, so we have to kill it. Coincidentally, Lao Si and Li Yong came back from the military camp, so we treated them to a good meal and took more than two hundred steamed buns with them."

"Old Fourth and Li Yong are back? They haven't had much of a treat lately. How's the dock? Is the training tough?"

Mr. Wen and Liu Zhiheng were practically from the same village, so they knew something about Young Master Yan's alias and military service. They then said, "I heard the Yan family is making a big fuss and searching everywhere for him. Li Yong is really bold; it will be troublesome if he is discovered."

Li Lao Er laughed and said, "Lao Si and the others came back before dawn this morning, had lunch, and then left again. They didn't run into any outsiders, so they weren't afraid of being discovered. Lao Si and Li Yong have both become much stronger, especially Li Yong. I'm afraid even his own mother wouldn't recognize him."

"Oh, I see. The army really does toughen people up. The Marquis has a knack for leading troops. The same soldiers guarding the riverbank are like tigers in the Marquis's hands, fighting the barbarians to a standstill, but in the Marquis of Dingbei's hands, they are retreating one after another." Liu Zhiheng couldn't help but complain, showing his disdain for the Marquis of Dingbei.

Mr. Wen nodded in agreement, “In every battle, the Marquis always leads from the front and fights bravely against the enemy. But the Marquis of Dingbei hides behind his soldiers, afraid of being hurt by the barbarians, which lowers morale. How can he possibly win a battle?”

Amidst laughter and conversation, they finished their meal, cleared away the dishes and chopsticks, and replaced the tea with fresh tea, all while waiting for Wen Hai to return.

Wen Hai didn't delay; he returned with the children in less than an hour.

This is the latest update! My darlings, please use your lucky hands to give it a five-star review and a thumbs up to encourage your hard work on writing even during the holidays!