The Qiao family's several outbuildings, warehouses, vacant rooms, old houses, and various shops in the county town were all crammed full of rice, fertilizer, and medicinal herbs, ensuring a supply for more than a month.
The Qiao family added many more shops and warehouses, which was more than enough to sustain them for such a long time.
The carriage procession disappeared in the direction of the village entrance. Ten of the best mounted guards and twenty highly skilled bodyguards made them a reassuring sight.
Nevertheless, the two elders of the Qiao family still lit an incense stick in front of the shrine.
"Thanks to the ancestors of the Qiao family, all the children have returned safely."
"I hope everything goes smoothly for them in the capital and that they don't encounter any trouble."
After placing the incense sticks in the incense burner, Old Man Qiao said, "When we get back, we'll arrange a marriage for Dacheng. Da Yong's child is about to be born, and Dacheng should go too, since he's seventeen years old."
Xi'er's marriage is arranged. We'll wait until August this year for the provincial examination. Whether Mu Xinghe passes or fails, we'll let them get married.
Da Meng is not yet sixteen years old and still has some childishness left, so we can wait a year.
Grandma Qiao said, "Why don't we start making arrangements at home? Once Dacheng returns home, we can hold the banquet in no time."
"Good idea." Old Man Qiao agreed: "Given our family's current situation, we can choose someone with good conditions, preferably someone who is literate and well-mannered."
Yes, the Qiao family is different now than before; they can be more discerning when it comes to their grandchildren's marriages.
Of course, the most important thing is character; only good character is the way to establish oneself and manage a family in the long run.
Spring was in full bloom, and everything was thriving. The three siblings enjoyed the scenery along the way.
They traveled through mountains, plains, hills, and basins, experiencing the unique characteristics and customs of different cities along the way.
With enthusiasm and a sense of adventure, even traveling for days on end, I didn't feel tired.
Traveling 200 li a day, after half a month, they finally arrived in the capital.
Although they had seen countless great cities along the way and were amazed by their prosperity and vastness, they were still shocked when the capital city appeared before them.
The wide streets are interconnected, wide enough for ten large carriages to travel side by side. The tall teahouses and taverns are crowded together in a chaotic and bustling manner, and many are connected by sky bridges, adorned with lanterns and colorful flags, creating a magnificent sight.
The market and residential areas are separated, with large areas of residential buildings arranged in an orderly manner according to the plan. The market is bustling and prosperous, with a wide variety of goods for sale. Many novel items have never been seen before. There are shouts and the lively atmosphere of folk life everywhere. Pedestrians on the street are leisurely and relaxed, and many people are strolling around with fans, clearly not having experienced the hardships of life.
Every now and then a magnificent carriage would pass by, bearing the banner of some powerful family, and pedestrians would quickly make way for it, their expressions already accustomed to it.
Most importantly, what sets the capital city apart from other major cities is that the entire city exudes an air of nobility and majesty, as if it has been steeped in a thousand years of history and possesses an essence that is irreplaceable and unshakeable.
Qiao Zhizhi clicked her tongue in amazement: "Lian'er, the people living here are so happy, they must have no worries."
"How can there be no troubles?" Qiao Lian'er smiled. "Everyone has troubles. Some people and some things may seem magnificent from afar, but are unbearable to look at up close."
The capital city is the seat of the nation's core power, where countless power struggles occur, and people die every day in the turbulent currents.
In such places, many people live a leisurely life, but others live in constant fear and trepidation, as if walking on thin ice.
Qiao Zhizhi didn't quite understand these things. Da Cheng seemed to be deep in thought. He thought of the Qiao family in the capital this time. They looked respectable, but in reality, they harbored such shady schemes, gambling their family's future for military merit. He must not be sleeping well at night either.
However, being new to the capital and in a good mood, he changed the subject.
"Lian'er, where are we going to settle down?"
Qiao Lian'er took out a letter from her sleeve, placed her hand on it, and said telepathically, "Young Master, we have arrived."
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