The next day, Zhen Wanwan got up very early.
Yuan Huizhou had also asked Qu Huaiyuan for leave in advance. He stood at the courtyard gate holding the gift he had prepared for Xiao Yizhi.
Zhen Wanwan assumed the child was simply missing his friend and didn't stop him.
There was still no news from outside the courtyard. Zhen Wanwan's legs were aching from waiting, so she turned around and went back into the house.
Let's finish breakfast first.
"Zhou'er! Let's go back and have breakfast first. We'll have the energy to wait for you after we eat."
Yuan Huizhou pursed his lips, took a deep look at the scene outside the courtyard, and followed Zhen Wanwan back to the main room.
After breakfast, Zhen Wanwan helped the children teach them to walk.
There was no movement outside until evening.
Looking at the pitiful little figure at the door, Zhen Wanwan sighed.
The messenger was rather unreliable, only saying that the person would be delivered today, without giving a specific time.
They waited from morning till night, and Yuan Huizhou was especially anxious. After finishing his meal, he sat on the doorstep to wait.
As darkness fell and red lanterns lit up the streets, Zhenwan stepped forward and embraced Yuan Huizhou.
"Zhou'er, why don't you go back and rest first? I'll have a servant inform you when the others arrive."
Yuan Huizhou's face showed obvious disappointment; he was very worried about Xiao Yizhi's safety.
They've known each other since childhood and consider each other like brothers.
Xiao Yizhi risked danger to come to him, so how could Yuan Huizhou not befriend him?
"Auntie! I want to wait a little longer!"
Yuan Huizhou tilted his head back and made a soft request.
The light shone on Yuan Huizhou's face, and Zhen Wanwan could clearly see his appearance.
Despite his young age and youthful appearance, the determination in his eyes was unmistakable.
Zhen Wanwan paused for a moment, then nodded helplessly in agreement, and stayed by Yuan Huizhou's side.
At the same time, a question arose in her mind: it seemed that Yuan Huizhou did not have a role in the original book.
There's no mention of the male lead having a close confidant like Yuan Huizhou.
Zhen Wanwan spent a long time trying to figure it out, but still couldn't come up with a solution, so she decided to just take it one step at a time!
There are still more than a decade or so before the story begins!
The female lead is still a baby who has just learned to walk, and the male lead is still a little kid who has run away from home.
What she needs to focus on now is how to solve the current social problems.
Zhu Yuan has already revealed his ambitions to her; all she needs to do is assist him and work together to conquer the world.
Zhen Wanwan initially planned to assist a prince in becoming emperor, but later realized that this was inappropriate.
After all, in the original book, her sweet little girl was a vicious supporting character who took advantage of someone else's good fortune.
The female lead is protected by her aunt who is a royal concubine, doted on by her whole family, loved by the male lead of high status, and protected by several well-matched men.
With such a chosen one, it's really hard for her to guarantee that, even a decade or more later, the story will still unfold according to the original plot.
Unfortunately, fate seems determined to make her daughter the supporting character, which will likely make Zhen Wanwan furious.
Instead of hoping others will protect them, they should seize power and control them themselves.
Zhen Wanwan was filled with thoughts, and images flashed through her mind.
"Madam! Look! A carriage is coming!"
Rou'er leaned closer to the door frame and saw the shadow of the carriage in the distance.
She excitedly ran back to tell Zhen Wanwan and Yuan Huizhou.
When Zhen Wanwan came to her senses, she saw a carriage slowly approaching from the end of the street.
Yuan Huizhou saw it too, and he excitedly tugged at Zhen Wanwan's finger.
"Auntie! It really is Xiao Yizhi! Xiao Yizhi has returned safely."
Before the carriage had even stopped outside, Yuan Huizhou and Rou'er had already jumped to the side of it.
Zhen Wanwan smiled helplessly, "Why run so fast? He's right here, there's no way he can escape."
After teasing the two children, Zhen Wanwan turned her attention back to the carriage.
The carriage curtain was lifted by a very beautiful hand. He peeked out and looked around before jumping off the carriage with a thud.
Zhen Wanwan stared in disbelief at the person in front of her, who was none other than Siqin, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.
Zhen Wanwan was stunned for a moment before she regained the piece of her lost soul.
"Siqin, what brings you here? Where is your wife? Where are Prefect Fang and your young master?"
Siqin slightly raised her chin, strode confidently to Zhen Wanwan, and greeted her with a smile, "Madam Zhen! It's been a long time!"
Zhen Wanwan smiled and nodded, then turned around to give Siqin her seat.
"Siqin, come in and sit down! Let's have a drink of water first, then we can chat."
Siqin didn't stand on ceremony and followed Zhen Wanwan inside, with her maid carrying a pile of gifts.
Zhen Wanwan's eyes flashed; this was too much.
Upon entering the main hall where guests were received, Zhen Wanwan had someone serve them a cup of milk tea.
The milk tea was at just the right temperature, the perfect time to drink it.
Siqin stared at the milk tea in her hand, her mind filled with questions.
She bit the straw and took a small sip of milk tea, instantly filling her mouth with a sweet and fragrant milky aroma.
Siqin's eyes widened as she looked at Zhen Wanwan with delight: "Madam Zhen, this milk tea is really delicious. I've never had it before."
Zhen Wanwan chuckled and explained, "This isn't tea; it's a beverage. Because I added some goat milk, I call it milk tea."
"Really? Zhen Niangzi is truly skillful."
Siqin took two more sips of her milk tea; the taste was just right for her.
Zhen Wanwan sighed inwardly, "Girls back then really couldn't resist milk tea!"
"By the way, Miss Siqin, what brings you here all of a sudden?"
Siqin put down her milk tea and gestured to the maid beside her to bring out a gift box for Zhen Wanwan.
"I've come here to ask Lady Zhen for a favor."
Zhen Wanwan looked at her in surprise. Madam Fang came from a noble family and had everything she wanted. The matter that she came to ask her for must not be a small one.
She secretly wondered what important matter could warrant Siqin's personal trip.
Zhen Wanwan put away her smile and asked solemnly, "Does Madam Fang have something important to discuss?"
Upon hearing this, Siqin gave her maid a look, who understood and left the room, casually closing the door behind her.
Seeing this, Zhen Wanwan's eyelids twitched; this was a big deal.
“Madam Zhen! This matter is very important, I hope you won’t take offense.”
Siqin stood up and bowed respectfully to Zhen Wanwan.
Zhen Wanwan hurriedly helped her up, trying to appear calm, and said, "Siqin, get up quickly, let's talk things over."
Siqin stood up following Zhen Wanwan's hand and pushed the gift box to Zhen Wanwan.
“Madam Zhen, look at what’s in this gift box.”
Zhen Wanwan was stunned. This gift box must be very important, otherwise the other party would not have mentioned it once or twice.
She opened the box in front of Siqin.
When Zhen Wanwan saw what was inside the box, she opened her mouth in surprise.
A black sign with the word 'order' written on it.
"What is this?"
Zhen Wanwan pointed to the black sign and looked at Siqin with a puzzled expression.
Please forgive her for being a country bumpkin; she really doesn't know what this thing is for.
Could it be worth two million taels of gold, just like the jade pendant of Zhuyuan?
Zhen Wanwan's eyes lit up. If that were really the case, she would never be foolish enough to put it back into her space. If she wasn't careful, Tmall Genie would take advantage of her.
Siqin was surprised that Zhen Wanwan didn't recognize this thing.
She explained softly to Zhen Wanwan, "This is a mobilization order! If you have it, Lady Zhen, you can mobilize 50,000 troops at the border!"
Fifty thousand troops!
Zhen Wanwan opened her mouth wide in surprise; this thing was far more precious than gold and silver jewelry.
In today's turbulent world, having military force is like having an extra lifeline.
Zhu Yuan needs manpower to accomplish that task.
The token given to them by Siqin was an irresistible temptation.
But... why would Siqin give her such an expensive gift out of the blue?
Seemingly noticing Zhen Wanwan's confusion, Siqin took out a letter and solemnly handed it to her.
Zhen Wanwan carefully took it and began to read it word by word.
After reading her, she remained silent for a long time. Madam Fang wanted her to help treat her family members.
It is said that because of the turmoil in Kyoto, the Zhang family wanted to seek refuge with Madam Fang.
However, they encountered Yang Wang's men on the road. The whole family was either dead or crippled, leaving only a few people.
Among these people are elderly mothers and infants.
Because of her advanced age, Zhang's mother was paralyzed after a shock, and the rest of the family members all had some kind of illness.
After listening to Siqin's explanation, Zhen Wanwan remained silent for a long time. She hadn't expected things to develop this way.
"Siqin, where are Old Madam Zhang and the others now?"
This means that Zhen Wanwan agreed.
The heavy burden that Siqin had been carrying has finally been lifted.
"My grandmother and the others have already set off from Leling Prefecture and will arrive in Anqing Prefecture in a few days."
Zhen Wanwan gave Siqin a meaningful look, they were sure she would agree to this favor.
However, Zhen Wanwan was still very curious as to why Madam Fang would think of using military power to ask her for help.
Given the bond they formed while fleeing famine together, even if Madam Fang hadn't given her such a valuable gift, she wouldn't have refused to treat the Zhang family.
"Siqin, may I ask why Madam Fang would think of using this to ask me for help?"
Siqin knew that Zhen Wanwan would ask this question, so she told Zhen Wanwan everything she knew.
“Madam Zhen must still remember that the strategist came to Leling Prefecture to see my master earlier. One reason was to eliminate the spy that Prince Yang had planted in Leling Prefecture, and the other was for this token.”
When Zhen Wanwan recalled that when they first arrived in Anling Prefecture, Zhu Yuan did indeed frequently visit Prefect Fang's residence.
Later, Zhu Yuan explained to her that the Liang family were Yang Wang's moles planted in Leling Prefecture.
Now that the Liang family has been eliminated, the matter has caused a great uproar, and everyone knows that the Liang family was guilty of treason.
However, Zhu Yuan had never mentioned the black token to her.
"Was this token originally in the possession of Prefect Fang?"
Siqin shook her head upon hearing this: "I don't know who has this token, but I do know that when the strategist was still in Leling Prefecture, this token was definitely not in my master's possession."
If Prefect Fang had it, he would have given it to Zhu Yuan long ago. How could she have gotten the chance to ask Zhen Wanwan for help with this token?
Zhen Wanwan sighed; her brain felt like it was about to explode.
"I understand! Siqin, you can stay here for the time being! We'll make further plans after Madam Zhang arrives."
Siqin agreed, and she traveled day and night until she was completely exhausted.
Once you've rested, go out and find a house closer to Zhenwanwan.
Zhen Wanwan went downstairs to have the guest rooms tidied up. After Siqin had washed up and rested, she stayed in Guabao and Tianbao's room to keep watch.
It was already late at night, and Xiao Yizhi had not yet been escorted back.
"Squeak..."
The door was pushed open from the outside, and Yuan Huizhou's small body peeked out.
Seeing this, Zhen Wanwan looked puzzled: "Why isn't Zhou'er asleep yet?"
Yuan Huizhou came in, closed the door, and walked slowly toward Zhen Wanwan.
"Auntie! I can't sleep!"
Zhen Wanwan picked him up with a pained expression.
Are you worried about Xiao Yizhi?
Yuan Huizhou nodded. He and Xiao Yizhi had always had a very good relationship, like two brothers.
"The constables said yesterday that Xiao Yizhi would be brought back today, but we haven't seen him yet. Zhou'er is afraid he might have encountered danger on the way."
Seeing such an obedient yet sensitive child, Zhen Wanwan's heart softened.
"Nothing will happen. Don't you trust your uncle's abilities?"
Zhen Wanwan directly used the way Yuan Huizhou used to call Zhuyuan, and sure enough, Yuan Huizhou breathed a slight sigh of relief.
In his mind, Zhu Yuan was a super hero who could save him from the sea of fire.
"Auntie! I believe in my husband!"
Yuan Huizhou responded obediently, without calling back his uncle, Zhuyuan.
His uncle told him that he could no longer use the name Yuan Huizhou, and that they were no longer uncle and nephew.
"My wife! Is my wife asleep?"
Zhang Mama's anxious voice rang out from outside. Zhen Wanwan and Yuan Huizhou exchanged a glance.
The two of them got up together and walked towards the door.
Zhen Wanwan opened the door and saw that it was indeed Granny Zhang.
"Granny! Has Xiao Yizhi been sent back?"
"Indeed! I've already had someone take him back to his room! My lady, please go and see him!"
Zhen Wanwan took Yuan Huizhou's hand and went directly to Xiao Yizhi's room.
A row of officers in military uniforms stood outside. When they saw her, they saluted respectfully.
"Brothers, you've worked hard! Granny, please take the brothers down to rest, and have someone cook some noodles to treat them well."
Granny Zhang agreed and then everyone left.
Zhen Wanwan then entered the room and saw Xiao Yizhi, a small child, lying on the bed, fast asleep.
Yuan Huizhou knelt down beside Xiao Yizhi's bed first: "Xiao Yizhi! Xiao Yizhi! Are you alright?"
After calling for a long time, Xiao Yizhi didn't respond at all, which was not normal.
Zhen Wanwan walked closer and examined him carefully. She found that he had been given medicine, and then she felt relieved.
"Zhou'er, don't worry! He's just tired. He'll wake up tomorrow."
Yuan Huizhou breathed a sigh of relief and then obediently stood by her side, saying, "Auntie!"
Zhen Wanwan checked Xiao Yizhi over from head to toe and, seeing that he was not injured, her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.
She said to Yuan Huizhou beside her, "It's getting late. You should go back to sleep first, and we can talk about other things when you wake up tomorrow."
Yuan Huizhou knew he couldn't help here, so he agreed and left the house, looking back every few steps.
After thinking for a moment, Zhen Wanwan fed Xiao Yizhi a little of the cure-all medicine.
This drug is not good for the child's health.
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