Even without Li Laosi, the Li family compound is still quite lively.
But everyone, young and old, is worried about it; when something is on their mind, they can't eat or sleep well.
The reason why Jiaxi and Jia'an were both happy was unknown, but children are very good at reading people's expressions, and they were careful even when they were being naughty.
On this day, Jiaren returned home from his day off, finally bringing some joy to the family.
Tao Hongying cheered herself up and cooked several delicious dishes.
Grandma Li pulled her eldest grandson aside and asked him all sorts of questions, worried that he might be suffering at the academy.
Jiaren felt warm inside, and gently smiled as he teased his younger sister and talked to his grandmother.
When he first entered the college, he was indeed ostracized and ridiculed because of his family's poverty.
Especially the time when Wu Ergou went to ask for the money, it made a very ugly scene.
But as time went on, he studied diligently and assiduously, and he also showed talent, which pleased his teacher, who often praised him.
Most of my classmates who lived in the college were from farming families. After getting to know them, I made a few friends with similar temperaments.
His student life was much better because of these things.
During this year's severe drought and difficult times, his family never stopped providing for his expenses, and even often brought him food.
You should know that when the sky is blazing, the academy has no shortage of water, but it's not so extravagant as to irrigate the vegetable garden.
Therefore, the vegetables delivered from home were simply too precious.
He gave half to his teacher as a token of respect, and had the kitchen prepare the other half for his classmates to eat together.
This made his classmates even more amiable towards him, and they got along more harmoniously.
Whenever someone brings him some delicious food, they'll invite him to eat with them.
Grandma Li was delighted to hear this, and Jiayin was also satisfied, no longer having to worry about her brother being bullied at school.
Jiaren's chubby little sister couldn't resist kissing her small, lotus-root-like arm and asking.
"Grandma, my little sister will be turning one year old at the end of the month. Are we going to have a banquet at home?"
Grandma Li nodded and casually took out her granddaughter's small jewelry box.
The gold necklace that Madam Sun sent over has been polished by her several times.
When the time comes, I'll put it on my granddaughter, set up two tables for a feast, and invite everyone in the village to come and have a drink.
But thinking of her son who was still away, she sighed, wondering if her fourth son could make it back in time.
He wasn't home when his granddaughter turned 100, and it would be such a shame if he missed her first birthday too.
Jiaren didn't know where his uncle had gone, but escorting goods was never without danger.
He wanted to say something, but worried that his grandmother would be even more distressed, so he changed the subject.
"Grandma, our academy has opened a new elementary school class, and we'll be recruiting students soon. Do you have any plans for Jiaxi and Jia'an?"
These words were a powerful stimulant, immediately pulling the old lady back from her wandering thoughts with her youngest son.
"A preschool class? That's wonderful!"
Grandma Li was overjoyed. She took her eldest grandson's hand and asked him questions carefully.
"How many children will the primary school enroll in total? Is there a selection exam beforehand? What is the tuition fee? Can students live at the academy?"
Jiaren was worried about his younger brother at home, and he only brought up the matter after finding out the truth.
He said, "The tuition fee is 500 coins a month, not including room and board, and you need to commute. The selection will begin in early August, and there will be a test, but it shouldn't be too difficult."
Grandma Li frowned. Both of her grandsons were in school, and their monthly tuition was one or two taels of silver, which the family could afford.
I'm not afraid of the teaching exam, after all, I've been studying at home for more than half a year.
The problem is that commuting to school is a bit troublesome. It's not practical for the family to pick up and drop off the child every morning and evening, so we'll have to find a solution.
"It's still almost a month away. Let me discuss it with your father and your uncle."
Jiaren nodded and didn't try to persuade him further.
He's now being supported by his family, and he already feels really bad about it.
With two more younger brothers going to school, the family's burden is too heavy.
Jiayin fiddled with the purse on her elder brother's waist, listening to the whole story, and also became worried.
I bought over a hundred taels of vegetables earlier, which I initially thought was a lot.
But there are so many people in my family, and the expenses are just too high.
I have no choice but to find a way to continue making money.
The land will be harvested in less than two months, and the grain cannot be sold.
The fruit in the small courtyard can be picked again; I'll figure out a way to send it to Kyoto then.
I just don't know if I'll be able to find a sucker like last year and sell it for a few dozen taels.
Without mentioning the trivial matters at home, they only talked about how Li Laosi and Liu Biaotou had been traveling at full speed for three or four days.
Seeing that they were still a hundred miles from their destination, the two of them breathed a sigh of relief.
Looking into the distance, Liu Biaotou spotted a teahouse at the crossroads of a small town not far away and said...
"Let's rest for a bit, eat some dry rations, and then run all the way there in one go."
Li Laosi licked his chapped lips and nodded.
The two arrived at the teahouse, tied up their horses, and a friendly young waiter came to greet them.
"Esteemed guests, please come in and have a seat. The sun is too strong here."
As he spoke, he pulled a cloth from his shoulder to wipe the table.
"Give us a pot of cold tea, no dry food."
Liu, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), looked around and, seeing that there were no other guests, didn't suspect anything.
After all, it's too hot at noon, and everyone stays at home to cool off; nobody wants to go out.
The waiter responded loudly and quickly brought over a pot of iced tea.
Liu, the镖头 (bodyguard), sniffed it, tasted it, and nodded.
Li Laosi then drank two large bowls of water, and then let out a long breath, finally relieving some of the summer heat.
Liu Biaotou had drunk quite a bit, and when he wanted to ask for another pot, the waiter brought out a bowl of cold noodles, added minced garlic and soy sauce, and stirred it.
The jelly noodles were probably made from rice flour paste; they looked clean and white, and paired with blanched greens, they looked and tasted delicious.
Liu, the镖头 (bodyguard), swallowed hard, wanting a bowl, but Li Laosi instead brought out dry biscuits and meat sauce.
"Let's eat all the meat sauce, or it'll spoil."
Liu the镖头 then turned his gaze away and began eating with Li Laosi.
Tao Hongying's cooking skills are exceptional. The meat pieces are fried until slightly dry and fragrant, and the sauce is also salty and savory. When mixed together with a flatbread, it's a dish you'll never tire of.
The young waiter, perhaps drawn by the aroma of the meat sauce, stepped forward and smiled.
"Where did you two buy this meat sauce? We've recently added cold rice noodles to our menu, and this meat sauce might make them even tastier."
Old Li laughed and said, "It's something I brought from home; there's nowhere to buy it outside. Young man, you're going to be disappointed!"
The waiter sighed, and then quickly served two bowls of rice noodles.
"Please have these rice noodles, gentlemen. We haven't had many customers today, and they'd go bad if left out. If you like them, please come back and patronize our business again."
Liu the镖头 and Li Laosi exchanged a glance and both shook their heads.
"Thank you, sir. We brought a lot of dry food, it would be a waste not to finish it. We'll definitely come back to try this rice noodle next time we pass by."
The waiter, somewhat embarrassed by the rejection of his offer, awkwardly took back the bowl.
Liu the镖头 and Li Laosi ate quickly, soon finished packing up, paid for their tea, and continued on their way.
Not far from there, there is a small hill with a small river at its foot.
The two horses were thirsty, so they ran straight over and drank the water.
Li Laosi and Liu Biaotou simply jumped down to wash their hands and faces to cool off.
"This escort mission was tough, but thankfully the drought is over, otherwise finding a drink of water on the road would have been a problem."
"Yes, it's all thanks to God's mercy."
After exchanging a few words, the two men grabbed their horses and prepared to continue their journey.
Just then, an unexpected change occurred.
An arrow shot out from the forest, heading straight for the two of them.
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