Chapter 129 A Year of Peace "No." ...

"No."

His mother fiddled with the fire and said loudly, "What? Do you dislike me? Ahem... Even if I am old, I will stay in my own yurt. There is no reason for me to stay in someone else's nest!"

When she got angry, Geerle didn't dare to speak. The child playing with sheep ankle bones in the corner was frightened by the sound and started crying.

The wife hurried to hug the child, and Gerile's mother, feeling bad, also moved over to comfort the child.

"I'm not talking about you, don't cry, dear."

The wife patted the child on the back and frowned, "It has nothing to do with disdain. I just want you to have a better winter. If you don't consider yourself, you should at least consider the child."

This was their second child. The first child was two years old when he fell ill in the winter pasture camp due to the cold weather. Outside the tent, it was covered with snow. Inside the tent, she held the child who was getting colder and colder, and her heart seemed to be frozen.

When talking about the little life that had returned to the embrace of Changshengtian, the adults fell silent.

The wind blew past, and the tent swayed slightly.

Geerle's mother bent her waist like a bow, looked at the child, and suddenly said: "Well, let's go and see it when we have a chance."

In the early morning, when it was just light, Geerile rode to the nearest post station. The grassland was vast, and even if the horse ran fast, it would take an hour to get from their yurt to the post station. He wanted to see what this so-called "warm shed" looked like with his own eyes, and buy some things from the merchants and vendors who stopped at the post station. It would be best if there was medicine for sale, so that he could bring it back to his mother.

Turning from the grassland to the post road, the population gradually increased. There were tracks of cars and many footprints of cattle, sheep and camels on the post road. It seemed that a caravan passed by. Occasionally, there would be another horse next to it. It was another herdsman who also went to the post station to buy things. They greeted each other politely and exchanged a few words.

Knowing that Geerile wanted to see the greenhouse, the herdsman curled his lips and shouted, "I went to see it before and asked, and they said that not everyone can live in it. Humph, they will probably charge money. They will never do business at a loss."

"Is there such a thing?"

"Of course..."

We chatted randomly along the way, and the post station was in sight. Next to the post station, there was a small area of ​​felt houses, which seemed to be a mixture of felt bags and mud walls. It was not yet fully completed, and a tall and thin Han man was directing the craftsmen to add felt to the top.

Geerile led the horse and stretched his neck to look around.

"Do you have elderly people or children at home?"

A voice came from behind, and Geerle was caught off guard and jumped, his beard trembling. Turning around, he saw a young woman with a round face, wearing a Mongolian robe, Aya, one of the stewards sent by the princess's mansion.

"I...my mother is old, and the child is only this tall..." Geerile felt a little embarrassed and spoke vaguely.

Aya was very patient. She listened to him and asked him questions at appropriate times. Finally, she said, "Your family's situation meets the requirements for living in a greenhouse in winter. Let me show you around."

Geerle followed behind her.

As we got closer, we saw that the earthen wall was very thick and solid and windproof. We went into a greenhouse and found that the wind from outside could not blow in, so it was a little warmer. As for the top of the head, it was a double layer of felt with straw in the middle to keep warm.

Geerile touched the wall and looked at the felt roof, and had to admit that it was much better than the felt tent they had in the winter pasture.

"How is it? Not bad, right?" Aya said, "It's right next to the post station, and there are people watching over it all the time. There are doctors in the post station. If you have a headache or a fever, it's convenient to see the doctor. After review, your old lady and children can live here, and the accommodation is free. But you still have to pay for food and other things yourself."

That's fair, but Gerile's mind is mainly on the "doctor".

"Is there really a doctor?"

"Yes, one is for treating humans, and the other is for treating animals. Merchants who come and go on weekdays may need them sometimes. By the way, if your livestock are not well, or someone is sick, you herdsmen can also come and take a look."

These were arranged according to the princess's wishes. Many of the doctors were Qiuhua's apprentices, and there were also some Mongolian doctors who were stationed at the post station. Their monthly wages were higher than those in Guihua City.

Geerile rubbed his hands: "If there is a doctor, do you have medicine?"

"Come with me."

The doctor at the post station asked about the situation, prescribed medicine, and asked the young apprentice to get it. Worried that he didn't know how to take it, he explained it in detail.

Geerile packed the medicine solemnly and rode back to give it to his mother.

The medicine had some effect, and after his mother took it, her cough was slightly relieved.

"I'm fine now," said Gerile's mother. "Save the remaining medicine. Give it to Xiaobao if he feels unwell in the future."

Geerile hesitated and said, "Well, the post station next to the warm shed has doctors and medicine, even in winter."

Gerile's mother put away the medicine in silence and said, "I want to live in the greenhouse with Xiaobao, but I don't know if it will work."

After reaching a consensus, Geerile immediately rode to the post station and signed up to live in the greenhouse. After review, he finally got a place.

A few autumn rains fell and frost began to form on the grassland.

The migrating teams set out one after another, heading for the winter pasture. Gerile's family also took down their felt tents and packed them up, and put them on the horses along with other belongings, ready for the migration.

Before going to the winter pasture, Geerile led the horse and took his old mother and child to the warm shed next to the post station.

There were already a few people living in the greenhouse, all of them old and weak. Someone led Gerile's mother and children into a felt house, found a bed and settled down.

There was a fire burning in the yurt, making it warm and cozy. After settling everyone down, Gerile said softly, "Eji, I'll come pick you up in the spring."

His mother straightened the old fur hat on his head and said, "You have to be careful not to catch a cold. I will take good care of Xiaobao, don't worry."

Geerile nodded, looked at the child lying on the mat, turned and walked out of the tent.

This winter should be better.

As the snowflakes fell slowly, Dorji returned to Muxue and prepared for the New Year.

When I came back this year, I immediately noticed something was different. Little Gege could run and jump, and could talk with his little mouth.

I don’t know where she gets so much energy, she jumps up and down like a naughty monkey. Even our dog Qiuqiu can’t stand it sometimes and hides away pretending not to hear.

When Mu Xue's ears were buzzing because of the little girl's noise, she said seriously, "Let's see what Ama is doing." Then she took the little princess' hand and brought her to Dorji, letting her torment her father.

At first, Dorji thought she wanted him to get closer to his daughter, but when he heard "Let's see what Ama is doing" the second time, he realized something was wrong. He knew what was going on but didn't say anything. He continued to play with the little princess with a smile. He only went to Muxue at night to ask for "compensation".

This time, when he saw Muxue bringing the little princess over, he understood without saying anything. He squatted down and stretched out his hand to the little princess: "Come, Ama will hold you and ride on the high horse."

The little princess smiled and threw herself into his arms, then rode on his shoulders with familiar movements.

Dorji stood up, carrying his daughter steadily on his back. His sight suddenly became higher, and the little princess's laughter became louder.

Seeing that the little devil was coaxed, Mu Xue heaved a sigh of relief and ordered the kitchen to prepare a fruit table for the prince consort and the little princess to eat when they were tired of playing. She went to the east warm room to listen to the subordinates.

The greenhouse project in Mobei was progressing smoothly. It was said that some families who did not meet the requirements had negotiated with the post station to set up their felt tents next to the greenhouse for the convenience of their families, and paid some rent.

When the farmland near the post station was first built, Mu Xue had people discuss with the taijis along the way, either to offset debts or to exchange cattle and sheep, in any case, it belonged to her. So the post station had a little more income, which could barely cover the cost of taking care of the people living in the greenhouse.

Everything was going smoothly in Guihua City. The people in Yanzhidi were rehearsing for the Spring Festival Gala. Dashengkui and Fanji had also prepared their own programs. There was nothing to worry about.

As for the capital, the people in the pawnshop passed on news about the prices of goods and rice in the capital. As for the government affairs, there seemed to be no major events and everything was going on as usual.

As for the year-end gifts for the Emperor, Empress Dowager Yi, and the princesses and princes, they had already been brought to the capital by the people of Dashengkui - they took the Taiji on duty to the capital and took them all with them.

All in all, everything is fine.

After hearing this, Muxue thought that she could have a peaceful and stable year this year.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the weather was sunny and golden. Mu Xue wrote the word "Fu" and distributed it to her subordinates. She took Dorje and the little princess to the Lama Temple to burn incense. When she returned to the mansion, officials from the Dutong Mansion, garrison officers and soldiers, and Taiji from nearby tribes had come to pay New Year's greetings.

Knowing that there was a little princess in the Fourth Princess's mansion, several Taijis brought their own little girls. The little princess suddenly met many playmates and had a lot of fun.

Seeing her so happy, Mu Xue felt better. After entertaining the guests and seeing them off, she leaned back on the soft pillow and said to Duo Erji, "Children are more happy during the New Year."

"Why, do you feel tired of entertaining people?" Dorji sat down next to her, put his arm around her shoulders and let her lean on him.

Mu Xue leaned against him and closed her eyes to rest: "Yes, a little, but it's still better than being in the capital."

She was the number one master here. Except for kneeling when worshipping ancestors and Buddha, she had to sit upright and receive gifts at other times. If it were in the capital, there would be no such good thing. At that time in the Forbidden City, the first day of the New Year was like a crucifixion. She knelt from the Empress Dowager's Palace to the Emperor, and then to Concubine Yi. Kneeling so many times that her knees were numb.

She whispered to him the New Year's customs of the past, and Dorji hugged her a little tighter.

"With so many rules, no wonder you were unhappy at that time."

Mu Xue opened her eyes: "You know I'm unhappy?"

"Of course," Dorji said, "When I first saw you, you looked unhappy. I thought at the time, you are a good girl, but why do you look a little sad? Then I deliberately teased you--"

Mu Xue sat up and glared at me: "I knew you were teasing me on purpose!"

Dorji laughed, his chest trembling slightly: "When I tease you, your expression immediately comes alive."

Mu Xue went to hit him, and Duo Er Ji pretended to hide, but let her hit him appropriately, and the two played around for a while. Duo Er Ji hugged her tightly and said, "Are you happy now?"

Mu Xue gently stroked his face and curled the corners of her mouth: "Yeah, happy."

"You are the best gift I have received since I came here."

Dorji rubbed his face against her palm: "I think so too."

There was no choice in marriage, but meeting her was a pleasant surprise.

We spent the New Year together happily, and when the Lantern Festival came, heavy snow suddenly began to fall.

Eating Yuanxiao during the heavy snow was something I had experienced before, and I didn’t think it was anything special. On the contrary, watching the lanterns and snow during the Yuanxiao is a special kind of fun.

But the heavy snow continued to fall for several days, which was a problem.

On the 20th, the snow finally stopped and Mu Xue breathed a sigh of relief.

But they didn't feel relieved for long, as people from the north came over with difficulty and reported to Dorji and Muxue.

The snow in Khalkha is heavier than here, it's already a white disaster.