At this moment, Tao Hongying brought in a large earthenware bowl of dumplings, filled with pork and cabbage, and said with a smile, "Come on, Young Master Yan, eat your fill first. There's also some porridge and boiled eggs in the pot. Hui Niang can eat them anytime she wakes up."
Relieved, Young Master Yan thanked him and then began to wolf down his food.
Seeing that the earthenware bowl was empty, everyone was relieved; being able to eat was a good thing.
Soon, everyone dispersed.
That night, the old lady stayed with the couple in the east room so they could look after each other if needed.
Jiayin ran off to share a bed with her mother.
She was also curious about how her parents had discussed it and whether her father could go to war.
Unfortunately, Li Laosi called his son Jia'an again, and then the father and son lay on the kang (a heated brick bed) riding horses, carrying their daughter in a sedan chair with both hands, rolling around like roly-poly toys, their crazy laughter shaking the heavens, which even attracted Mao Ge'er to come and play with them.
Jiayin had a great time and slept soundly, so she didn't see her parents' hands clasped together all night, holding onto so much reluctance to part...
The Yan family's carriage was hidden by Uncle Zhao and the others, and Young Master Yan and his wife did not go out. The villagers had long since developed the good habit of keeping their mouths shut.
So, Young Master Yan and his wife Huiniang stayed in the village for seven or eight days without anyone finding their way here.
Young Master Yan's external wounds had scabbed over, and he could walk under the eaves.
Hui Niang was also able to sit up and take care of herself, including eating, drinking, and using the toilet.
She has a quiet and gentle temperament, and what's rare is that she's diligent and has excellent embroidery skills.
The old lady would occasionally do needlework and chat with her, and she would help her choose the embroidery thread.
If the old lady was busy doing something, she would pick it up and sew a few stitches or embroider a piece, which the old lady and Tao Hongying both praised highly.
She also sews small things herself, which not only fills her spare time but also keeps her from getting tired.
In just a few days, Jiayin received two pretty purses and a small cloth bag for carrying snacks, which made her smile from ear to ear.
That afternoon, the Marquis, who had been in the city for many days, finally returned.
Jiayin was riding on her father's shoulders, wandering around the yard and basking in the sun.
The Jiangnan region is vastly different from the northern frontier.
At this time of year, people in the northern border regions can freeze to death, and they can't leave their heated brick beds or go outside all day.
But in Jiangnan, it's warm outside but cold inside; even sitting on a heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed), you still need a quilt to cover your legs.
Hearing the commotion, Li Laosi carried his daughter out. Ye Shan was carrying things to the neighbor's yard when the Marquis waved two boxes at Jiayin, saying, "Fu Niu, I brought you some good stuff!"
Jiayin clapped her hands with joy and almost fell off her father's shoulders.
Li Laosi quickly helped his daughter up and asked in a low voice, "My lord, has the date for the expedition been set?"
The Marquis nodded and replied with a smile, "It's settled, it'll be the day after tomorrow. But if my aunt doesn't agree, I dare not take you with me."
After being reminded by the Marquis, Li Laosi looked miserable.
His mother had been giving him the cold shoulder these past few days, refusing to speak to him. He was really worried and couldn't figure out what she was thinking...
Soon, they entered the courtyard. The old lady came out to greet them upon hearing the commotion, and Young Master Yan followed behind. The Marquis exchanged a few pleasantries with him.
At this moment, the village chief and Uncle Zhao and the others, knowing that the Marquis had returned, gathered together to chat.
Everyone was curious when they heard that they would be setting off on a campaign the day after tomorrow.
"So, those petty officials in the imperial court have finally realized they're scared?"
The Marquis nodded, and said with a rare joking tone, "The barbarians attacked the docks twice. The second time, they almost crossed the river. Those old guys in the court were so scared that they almost wet their pants. The Marquis of Dingbei also used the excuse of being sick to refuse to go to the docks to oversee things."
"The Emperor has taken back all military power and given it to me, putting me in charge of 50,000 troops to defend and counterattack. We're setting off the day after tomorrow, so I came back today to see everyone. Tomorrow I'll be heading back to the capital!"
Everyone applauded and cheered.
"Good, good, that's how it should be! Those good-for-nothings can talk big, but when things really get tough, they're all scared like turtles!"
"At crucial moments, we still need someone with real skills like the Marquis!"
Li Laosi stared longingly at his mother, wanting to ask her a few questions, but he didn't dare.
The old lady didn't see her son acting like this; she just held her granddaughter and talked to her.
Tao Hongying, however, couldn't bear to see her husband wronged, and quietly pleaded for him on his behalf.
“Mother, please let the fourth son go to war with the Marquis… He’ll probably be all smiles if he stays at home. It’s better to let him do whatever he wants.”
The old lady sighed and pulled her daughter-in-law to sit down. "You're just too soft-hearted. Now that your fourth son is gone, you probably can't eat or sleep well. You'll be thinking about him day and night."
Tao Hongying's eyes reddened. "Mother, a woman should follow her husband wherever he goes, whether he's a chicken or a dog. But who told me to marry a wolf? He can keep her for a while, but not forever. Besides, he's been very good to me all these years. Now I have children to rely on, and I have a mother's love. Let him... go wherever he wants to go!"
The old lady remained silent for a long while before asking Jiayin, "Has Fu Niu been spending time with her father these past few days? Has she let her father share in your good fortune?"
"Yes!" Jiayin nodded emphatically, "Fu Niu'er has given her father a lot of good fortune."
Sure enough, the old lady smiled, kissed her granddaughter, and then said, "Fourth son, get ready and go to war with the Marquis. But remember, you must never act rashly while you are out there. You must listen to the Marquis and come back safely..."
"Mother!" Li Laosi was overjoyed and knelt down with a thud, kowtowing to his mother. "Thank you, Mother. I promise I won't cause any trouble and will come back safely."
Old Mrs. Li waved her hand weakly.
At this moment, she was extremely grateful that she had sent Jiayi to the south with the eldest son so early on; otherwise, she would definitely have made a scene and followed the Marquis to the battlefield.
The Marquis then instructed Ye Shan, "Bring the box over."
Ye Shan responded and went to carry over a long box.
Jiayin quickly jumped off her grandmother's lap and ran to the Marquis's side.
The Marquis hugged her, and the two of them exchanged a glance, understanding each other without saying a word. "I found some good materials and made some weapons for the fourth prince."
The Marquis pointed to the box, "Fourth Prince, take a look, is it suitable for use?"
Li Laosi rubbed his hands excitedly and quickly opened the box.
Inside the box was a two-foot-long saber, entirely black except for its gleaming blade. The hilt was wrapped with a special leather strap that was sweat-absorbent and slip-resistant.
Li Laosi held it in his hand and weighed it. It was very heavy. An ordinary person might find it a burden, but it was just right for him.
He waved it twice, and the length was just right.
The knife, though lacking any ornate patterns, was nonetheless terrifying, clearly a weapon for reaping heads.
"What a fine knife! What a fine knife!" Old Li's smile stretched from ear to ear.
The Marquis nodded, “The materials are rare, otherwise I would have equipped the entire army with them, but unfortunately there is only one. With the remaining scraps, I had the craftsmen make two daggers and twenty arrowheads for you. I also got a longbow for you from the Imperial Treasury. Equip them with whatever you have free time and practice diligently.”
"Thank you, Lord Marquis!"
Li Laosi quickly rummaged through the box again, finding that he was more comfortable using a bow and arrow than a saber.
Now that he has a good bow and sharp arrowheads, it's like adding wings to a tiger!
No man can resist the temptation of a good weapon. The village chief, Uncle Zhao, and others also stepped forward to touch the saber and examine the arrowheads, showing great interest.
Taking advantage of this moment, the Marquis opened the two small boxes and whispered to Jiayin, "There are many good things in the inner treasury. Your godfather also gave you some jewelry. If you can't wear it for now, just leave it. You can wear it when you grow up."
Jiayin beamed with joy, gave her godfather a big kiss, and quickly slipped away to find a secluded spot to put the box into her spatial storage.
Her secret stash of money has grown even larger!
The old lady and Tao Hongying both saw the little guy's little tricks, but they just didn't want to expose him.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law spoke in hushed tones, pondering how to pack their fourth son's luggage.
If there's anything the Marquis might need, prepare an extra copy.
At this moment, Young Master Yan, who had been silently listening to the commotion, suddenly stood up and knelt before the Marquis...
The third update is here today~ Happy Children's Day, my darlings~ And now, I'll continue to urge you to vote, update, and give good reviews (five stars or "good"). Waaaa, lately there have been so few good reviews and requests for updates, please don't overfeed me, my darlings! I'm really updating very frequently~
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com