In early November, Jiang San, weary from their journey, returned to Fengjing with Gao Yan. Compared to when they met Fang Heng in the northern frontier, the two had not only not lost weight but had actually gained some weight, indicating that they had rested well in Anshui County.
The entrance to the second courtyard.
Seeing all those familiar faces, Jiang San almost burst into tears.
Long journeys are truly arduous; you only know the true feeling after experiencing it yourself.
Although he was happy to see the young master and his brothers, what Jiang San wanted to do most right now was to hug Jiang Si and cry his heart out.
"Thanks for your hard work."
Looking at Jiang San and Jiang Si embracing each other, Zheng Ruqian suddenly thought of Fang Laosan and asked, "How is my brother?"
As soon as he said that, everyone looked over.
Jiang Sheng's eyes sparkled, Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan were engrossed in their studies, and even Xu Mo showed the same seriousness as when he was studying.
Jiang San quickly released Jiang Si, cleared his throat and said, "The Third Young Master said he is doing well and that he has already obtained the position of squad leader. Now he has eight people under his command. Although the Northern Frontier is cold, the people here are very nice. It's just that he is not used to the food and misses his aunt's cooking. He only hopes to return in triumph soon and raise a glass with his brother and sister."
The siblings hadn't reacted yet.
Aunt Zhang suddenly burst into tears, “Why did such a good child have to go to such a harsh and cold place as the Northern Frontier to suffer? Aheng is usually so quiet and reserved, but for him to say that he wants to eat Aunt Zhang’s cooking means he really wants to eat it.”
Jiang Sheng tiptoed to present the handkerchief, her eyes welling up with tears.
She missed her third brother so much.
“The word ‘triumphant’ is so difficult to utter,” Xu Mo said in a deep voice. “The friction between the Tartars and the northern frontier has lasted for nearly ten years. Even with Generals Jiang and Fang in charge, wars still broke out frequently. After General Fang passed away, the Tartars became even more arrogant, continuing to burn, kill, and plunder. To date, they have destroyed hundreds of villages.”
But they still had to hope, hoping that the Dayu Dynasty would become prosperous and strong, hoping that the soldiers of the northern frontier would return in triumph, and hoping that their brothers would return safely.
"The Third Young Master wrote you a letter." Jiang San took something out, but a pile of envelopes fell to the ground.
There were letters from Fang Heng, Wang Fufeng, Zhang Qiquan, Pang Dashan, and Liu Cui to Zhang Xianglian.
They each picked them up.
Fang Heng, who was the first to write, sent a letter. Seeing the familiar, sharp handwriting, the kind and earnest instructions, and the description of life in the northern frontier, both brother and sister couldn't help but have tears in their eyes.
When Xu Mo opened Wang Fufeng's reply, it was written in delicate, small regular script. The comments and doubts he expressed about Zhu Sihuan's poem made Xu Mo's lips curl into a smile.
Brother Fufeng is always so intelligent and perceptive; he even realized that the original author of the poem was not Zhu Sihuan. It's just a pity that this matter is destined to be buried forever, and the truth will never be seen.
Zhang Qiquan's envelope was full of the workshop's bills for the year, and it was handed to Jiang Sheng, because she was the owner of the workshop.
Pang Dashan's letter also contained accounts, but at the end he awkwardly requested a raise.
It is now early November. It would take more than a month to travel from Anshui County to Fengjing by carriage during the day and rest at night, but Jiang San and Gao Yan worked day and night and only took half a month.
The actual timeframe of the bill should be ten months, with a net profit of over nine hundred taels of silver. This might not seem like much in Fengjing, but it was enough to solve the siblings' immediate crisis.
Zheng Ruqian was all smiles as he put the silver notes into his pocket. Suddenly, he felt a burning sensation. He turned his head and saw Jiang Sheng looking indignant.
"Second Brother dared to rent a shop for eight hundred taels of silver, did he already know that Third Brother Jiang could bring back the profits from Anshui County?" the little girl asked angrily.
Zheng Ruqian had a premonition that if he nodded in agreement, his sister would definitely explode.
But that's what he really thinks.
Sure enough, as he bobbed his head up and down, Xiao Jiang Sheng rushed over angrily, "You brat, you're so stingy with the family's money! Aren't you afraid that if you don't have a penny, you won't even have food to eat, and Auntie will make you drink the dishwater tonight..."
The brother and sister chased and played as they entered the yard.
Zhang Xianglian and her other brothers followed closely behind, while Jiang Si mysteriously pulled Jiang San away.
The bustling courtyard entrance fell silent again. Gao Yan silently picked up the reins and was about to enter the courtyard when he noticed Wang Xiaozhu standing timidly at the gate.
Compared to the warmth of Jiang San and Jiang Si, the liveliness of the host siblings, and the touching moments of Aunt Zhang and Aunt Cui'er, Gao Yan and Wang Xiaozhu seemed to belong to another world.
They remained silent, calm, and uttered not a word; they were the ones who ultimately cleaned up the mess.
Gao Yan was a stutterer and didn't like to talk since he was a child. His older brother, Gao Dawan, from the same village, was also working for the master's family and didn't greet him at the door.
Wang Xiaozhu was feeling lonely. She outwardly disliked her brother, but inwardly she cared deeply for him, and he hadn't even sent her a message.
When you meet someone for the first time, you always feel a little sorry for each other.
“Your brother will be back tonight,” Wang Xiaozhu said, pursing her lips. “The master is opening a new shop, and he went to help out.”
Gao Yan nodded without saying anything.
"Have you seen a boy of sixteen or seventeen in Anshui County?" Wang Xiaozhu gestured with a hint of anticipation. "He looks tall and thin, with dimples when he smiles, thinning hair, and a bit frail."
Gao Yan seemed to be thinking seriously, then quickly shook his head.
Wang Xiaozhu sighed, completely giving up. "Thank you. My name is Wang Xiaozhu. I'm going to the clinic with Dr. Wen to help out. You can come to me if you have any minor ailments."
She smiled, turned and walked into the courtyard.
A hint of doubt appeared on Gao Yan's face, as if he had remembered something. He hurriedly chased after him, only to see the fourth young master of the main family blocking Wang Xiaozhu at the corner.
"Just now, Jiang Santai was so excited that he left a letter in his pocket." Wen Zhiyun remained as gentle as ever. "He just handed it to me, and I apologize on his behalf. I hope Sister Xiaozhu won't be angry."
He stretched out his hand, and in his palm was a letter addressed to his younger sister, Xiaozhu.
It turns out her brother hadn't forgotten her; it turns out he had written her a letter.
Wang Xiaozhu was both surprised and delighted, her heart filled with indescribable emotions. She took the envelope, clutched it tightly to her chest, and after a long while said, "Thank you, Dr. Wen."
Wen Zhiyun waved her hand and turned away gracefully.
Third brother brought a lot of local specialties from northern Xinjiang. My sister and second brother were tired from playing around and kept asking to eat. They're probably dividing up the food now. I wonder how much they'll give him.
Wen Zhiyun's eyes showed anticipation, and her pace quickened slightly, but she still maintained a steady and composed demeanor, unaware of Xiaozhu's gaze behind her.
Just as Wang Xiaozhu didn't notice Gao Yan's gaze behind her.
The next day.
With 900 taels of silver as a backing, the two shops began renovations and decorations in full swing. In just over half a month, the signboards were completed and the interior renovations were finished.
Aunt Zhang even laid out a dazzling array of pastries in the second courtyard, which Jiang Sheng and his sister tasted and selected the best ten or so as their signature dishes, while the rest were improved upon.
Everything seemed to be going in the right direction, and all that was left was for the two shops to open successfully.
Just then, the Zhu family arrived.
Two stern-looking servants, holding paper and pen, inquired, "There are eleven people in this courtyard. Last time we checked, only nine were listed. Have the other two returned?"
They still haven't given up the search for the person behind the scheme that harmed Zhu Zhi.
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