Li Laosan probably heard it, but turned his head and added, "Remember, you don't need to prepare Mr. Tang's meals anymore!"
Da Zhu's wife was filled with more questions, but before she could ask any more, Li Laosan had already left...
The mornings in Xindu are much more lively with the arrival of spring.
The diligent farmers planted small green vegetables in their gardens early in the morning, or went up the mountain to pick some wild vegetables, washed them clean, tied them neatly, and then squeezed in as soon as the city gate opened. When they handed them to the buyers, they were even still covered with glistening dewdrops!
Jiayin suddenly dreamed of toon leaves last night, thinking that this season is just right.
So, she got up early, changed into a cotton dress, and took Shui Ling with her, planning to go to the market to buy some wild vegetables.
Not far from the back street of the Earl's mansion, there is a small market. Shui Ling and Mischievous often stroll there, so she knows the place well.
At this moment, she was leading the way, skipping and hopping, shouting, "Princess, hurry up! If you're late, you might not be able to buy anything good."
Jiayin was infected by her cheerfulness and took a few quick steps. When she pushed open the back door, Shuiling cried out in surprise.
Jiayin went up to take a look and found that her third uncle was standing outside the door, his clothes damp with the morning mist.
"Third Uncle, when did you get back? Why didn't you knock on the door?"
Li Laosan looked a little embarrassed and quickly smiled, "I came in as soon as the city gates opened. I was worried that my family would be worried, so I took a detour here."
Jiayin immediately asked, "Is something wrong at the academy? I asked Shuiling to call Second Uncle, but he hasn't left yet!"
Li Laosan quickly stopped him, "No need, I'll go to the front yard myself. Are you going out to play? Then go ahead, but be careful and come back soon!"
Jiayin noticed that his expression was off and his eyes were darting around, so she vaguely guessed what was going on. She smiled and said, "Third Uncle, I'm going to the market to buy some toon leaves. I'll stir-fry some toon leaves with eggs and millet porridge later. You must stay for breakfast!"
"Okay, Uncle San doesn't have anything important to do, so I'll definitely eat before I leave." Li Laosan quickly agreed and then went inside.
Jiayin closed the door casually, and no one saw her throw the little fox inside.
The little fox was sleeping soundly in its space when it was suddenly woken up by its owner, who assigned it a task. The fox was still a little confused.
But it dared not slack off or disobey orders, after all, it couldn't afford to lose its long-term meal ticket.
Jiayin had something on her mind, so she hurriedly bought a few bundles of toon leaves at the market and returned to the Earl's mansion.
As soon as they returned to the courtyard, they saw their sister-in-law directing the maids and servants to carry things.
She asked, "Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"
Wan'er gave a few instructions to the maid, then stepped forward to greet her and said, "Third Uncle just returned. He said there's a large merchant caravan heading to the southwest, departing today. He wants your eldest brother to travel with them."
"This is great news! The journey is long, and I was worried that Uncle Hei and the others wouldn't be able to protect our eldest brother. With such a good opportunity, hundreds of people traveling together, it couldn't be safer," Jiayin comforted her sister-in-law, smiling. "Our eldest brother is leaving soon anyway, so a day or two won't make a difference."
Wan'er was initially reluctant to part with him, but after hearing these words, she came to terms with it.
"Yes, your older brother and the others are in the study. Go and check on them. I need to double-check my luggage."
"Okay, sister-in-law, I've also prepared some food for my brother to eat on the road. I'll have Shuiyun bring it over right away," Jiayin said, and then hurried to the front yard.
Upon seeing Jiayin arrive, everyone, whose expressions were not good to begin with, lowered their heads and drank their tea.
Jiaren called his younger sister over and said with a smile, "Fu Niu'er, your older brother is going to take up his post. You'll have to take care of things at home from now on!"
"Don't worry, brother. As long as I'm here, I won't let anyone in the family suffer any injustice." Jiayin looked at her steady and refined brother, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart.
Growing up is a process of constant parting.
In recent years, her beloved brothers have all passed away one after another, and the house is no longer as lively as it was when she was a child.
But she should be happy, because her brothers are heading towards a bright future!
"Brother, don't worry about me. Just take good care of yourself while you're away. I'll send caravans over often, and I'll write to you about things at home, just as if you've never left."
Jiaren's eyes reddened as he hugged his sister and gently patted her shoulder.
Li Lao Er sighed and said from the side, "Fu Niu'er, your brother has gone too far this time, I'm still worried. I heard that Guard Mu lived in the southwest for a few years before, could we ask him to escort your brother?"
Jiayin's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously looked at her third uncle.
Li Laosan kept his head down, looking very guilty.
Just when everyone thought Jiayin was about to ask a question, she readily replied, "Alright, Second Uncle, I'm either in the palace or at home, there's no danger, I don't need any guards. But my elder brother's journey is long, the more people who accompany him, the better."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that if they continued talking, they would give themselves away, so they all told Jiaren to be careful on the road.
Jiayin went to the kitchen and met a little fox on the way. She hugged it and chatted with it for a long time before personally frying scrambled eggs with toon leaves and making two side dishes that her older brother liked.
Once the breakfast table was set, the family sat around it, enjoying hot porridge, steamed buns, and side dishes—this was Jiaren's farewell feast.
In front of the mansion gate, more than a dozen carriages were lined up, busy loading luggage boxes, half of which were various books.
The servants, attendants, and veterans who accompanied him to the southwest were all carefully selected by his family, totaling more than thirty.
In addition, the advisor that Old Master Liu helped find was in a county town that they passed through on the way.
Old Master Liu has already written a letter, so it will be convenient to bring it along when you go to your new post.
Wan'er suppressed her heartache as she busied herself with tasks, tears welling up in her eyes.
Jiaren sighed inwardly, and taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, he took her hand and said, "I'll leave the family to you. Don't worry about me. I'll bring you over as soon as possible in the autumn."
"Yes, my husband... please take care! Don't get so caught up in official duties that you forget to eat and sleep." Wan'er choked up, tightly gripping her husband's hand.
Jiaren opened his arms and hugged her, then strode out the door.
Zheng Yi, holding a riding whip, sat on the carriage shaft, while Mu Xu, who looked unwell, sat on the other side.
Zheng Yi, used to Mu Xu's playful demeanor, found this rather unusual and whispered, "Brother Mu, it's just a trip to the southwest, you'll be back in a month or so. Why... are you unhappy?"
Mu Xu waved his hand, saying nothing, and it was unclear what he wanted to say.
The Third Master suddenly returned from the academy, and the Li family immediately sent him on a trip to the southwest. Their intentions were all too obvious.
It must be that Third Uncle ignored his warning and did something on his own that angered the Li family.
Only then did the Li family decide to temporarily transfer him away!
In this way, the matter will be suspended to prevent the Third Uncle from continuing to cause trouble and ruining the Princess's reputation.
Even worse, he could be left in the southwest until the northern expedition ends and the Marquis returns, at which point he will have no chance.
No, we can't give up like this!
Mu Xu's fist, clenched tightly in his sleeve, cracked loudly!
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