Chapter 1000 Brothers and Sisters

"The court is full of talented people, is there really not a single one?"

Master Zhang asked the question seemingly casually, then sat down and scratched the clingy little lamb.

The little lambs have curly, white, and docile fur, and they love to suckle from people.

Lord Zhao laughed, “The whole court is full of bald men who have shaved their heads, yet they insist on finding someone with hair. Isn’t that just demeaning themselves?”

Master Han raised an eyebrow. "Are you bald too?"

Lord Zhao then came to his senses slightly, frowned, and looked back and forth between the two of them.

What do you mean?

Zhang Chengxuan held the lamb in his arms, showing no disgust at the fact that it came from a dirty sheepfold.

“Since we’ve already waded through this mess, why not be a little more ambitious and push things forward? Senior Brother’s status is extraordinary; you are the son of the Princess. Even if the Emperor doesn’t like you, as long as he doesn’t fall, he won’t touch you.”

Lord Zhao nearly dropped his teacup. "If you don't touch me, then my entire Zhao family..."

"Didn't you transfer them to the water towns of Jiangnan a long time ago, and secretly raise several hundred soldiers, while also having a close relationship with the bandits in the nearby mountains? I don't believe that Senior Brother is completely unprepared?"

Zhao Jin pondered for a moment, then stroked the teacup and looked at Master Han.

"Is this your idea, Uncle-Master?"

He hissed, "Don't you hate getting involved in these things the most? Interfering in other people's cause and effect has unpredictable consequences."

Master Han leaned casually against a brand-new quilt, which was the bedding that Alai would use when he got married. It had been prepared for many years, but he probably wouldn't need it anymore.

Song Chunlian then brought it out for them to use.

There are also pillows embroidered with mandarin ducks, which look exquisitely made and extremely festive.

Dressed in dark blue robes, Master Han leaned against a red quilt, the stark contrast highlighting his fair skin.

Lord Zhao was somewhat jealous. Why was this thousand-year-old snake demon the youngest and most eye-catching among their elders?

These past few days, whenever a woman from the village passed by Song Zhizhu's house, she would find various excuses to come in and see the Taoist priest from the capital.

However, nobody wants to be treated like a monkey.

He had met Master Han a few years ago, but back then Master Han would often go to the homes of worshippers to perform rituals with the Taoist priests of Baiyun Temple. Later, for some reason, he stopped wanting to go back.

Zhao Jin couldn't figure out what kind of personality this snake had. One moment it was unfathomable, and the next it was like a young man like Tu Dan'er, acting on a whim.

Rather than being mysterious and aloof, he felt that his composed and steady demeanor was more like a disguise.

Song Chunxue said that when she first met Master Han, he was wearing a black and white Taoist robe with a Bagua pattern, and looked like a naive young man in his early twenties.

Why would someone like that, who has lived in the capital for so many years, suddenly appear before him and befriend him in the last two years?

Compared to Zhang Chengxuan, he must be more skilled in divination. Could all of this be a setup to incite him to help someone usurp the throne?

Although he had such thoughts when he was young.

For a moment, Lord Zhao was lost in thought, and his gaze toward Master Han became more inquisitive.

Master Han seemed to have guessed what Lord Zhao was thinking. He closed his eyes and lazily said, "Forget it. After all these years of indulging in wine and women, his brain has long since rusted. How could he still be strategizing and making profound plans? He's not cut out for it."

"It is said that the various factions in the court have been locked in a tug-of-war recently. Prince Xuan has passed away, but Prince Rong has climbed up and is now among the fourth princes, fighting against the Crown Prince's faction. He is vying for power quite fiercely. If Lord Xie and his group of loyal ministers were to take the side, the Crown Prince might be deposed."

Lord Zhao looked on incredulously, "You want to stir up trouble? Aren't you afraid..."

"Just saying, don't take it seriously." Master Han raised his chin casually. "Go to the kitchen and get a bowl. I feel like the sweet fermented rice on the kang (heated brick bed) is ready to eat."

Master Zhang stood up. "I'll go get it."

Song Chunxue helped in the kitchen, and lunch was quite lavish.

Lamb stew with bread, and radish and chive buns, with chive sprouts just emerging from the soil, barely showing any greenness.

Fortunately, there were still dried amaranth and lamb's quarters available, which tasted quite good when mixed together. In addition, my third sister made some very delicious potato chips, and the two large plates were quickly emptied.

After dinner, everyone went to rest first, and Song Chunxue called her older brothers and sisters to the main room.

These days are the busiest for farmers, and she has already been delayed for two days. She knows that her second and third sisters must be anxious to go home and work.

After that, they stopped inviting the Li family to the village.

Song Chunxue took out the cloth bags that had been prepared in advance. "Same as always, one for each of you. Don't refuse."

Third Sister Song Chunmei picked it up first and weighed it in her hand. "Fifth Brother, you don't even give stones away like this. Are you trying to scare us to death?"

“I may not have many opportunities to come back in the future, and I won’t be able to send it even if I want to. I came here mainly because I thought I could take advantage of this opportunity to send you the things I’ve always wanted to give you.”

Song Chunxue looked around and said, “I’ve given Fourth Sister gifts and money before, but you still won’t buy her a new bronze mirror, and you won’t even lay bricks on the ground. On the other hand, A Lai’s room has been renovated a lot.”

"Sister, and second brother, you should be willing to spend money on yourselves. The children have their own ideas, and they can work hard on their own. I hope you eat well and dress warmly. If you leave everything to them, it will only make them lazy and feel at ease thinking about what you have."

Song Zhizhu nodded, "That's the truth. That's why I've bought a lot of good things for myself these past two years. When I had a sore throat in the fall, I even bought a 300-cash coin for 100 grams, without telling your sister-in-law."

Second Sister-in-law looked at Song Zhizhu, "Three hundred coins per tael?"

Song Zhizhu felt guilty, "Dried chrysanthemums are light, but an ounce would be a lot."

"That's right. He even bought two piglets this year, and he also called a carpenter to make a new cart. He's even planning to build a new house, make a table out of pine wood, and live in the gatehouse. He'll also build a new outhouse." Second Sister-in-law looked at Song Chunxue. "Don't worry, your second brother knows how to enjoy life now. He always buys a few pounds of pastries when he goes to the market, and he even buys me a box of rouge."

At this point, the second sister-in-law rolled her eyes helplessly, "Tell me, which of us farm women needs that kind of thing?"

This remark made everyone burst into laughter.

"Fifth brother, we don't want the money, you can take this silver back." Fourth brother pushed the bag in front of her. "The things you gave us this time will make us rich for the whole year. We are especially happy that you came."

"I know, but I definitely kept some for myself. The key is that we're getting old, and our legs and backs hurt, so it's not easy for us to get better. We have to be willing to buy some." As she spoke, she took out some trauma pills that she had picked up at the clinic. Knowing that they wouldn't want to see a doctor even if they were in pain, she took two bottles for each of them.

The second sister rubbed her eyes. "Fifth sister, to be honest, I feel that my health is not as good as before. It is more important than anything else that we sisters have the opportunity to get together because of you. The eldest sister passed away at my age. You are the youngest, but you are the most worry-free."

"We're getting old, we'll get old eventually, and we'll be gone eventually, but you must take care of yourself. I see you guys with your swords and knives, it looks quite dangerous."