Li Yong refused, saying, "How can that be? Our child can't be wronged. Don't worry, I have silver on me. Besides the pay, I also got a hundred taels from killing two barbarian leaders. That's enough."
Hui Niang then fell silent, but the shopkeeper became very excited when Li Yong talked about killing the barbarians.
"Sir, you just returned from the campaign with Marquis Xinting. I heard you won a great victory, slaughtering the barbarians until they were crying for their fathers and mothers?"
Li Yong found it amusing and replied, "We did win the battle, but whether the barbarians cried out for their parents is another matter, because we can't understand their language!"
The shopkeeper, the young assistant, and the customers buying things inside all laughed.
The shopkeeper enthusiastically offered, "Sir, whatever you buy today, I'll give you a 10% discount! My family also came from the north. We were chased by barbarians on the way, and my mother couldn't take the torment and passed away. I truly hate barbarians! Thank you, sir, for killing the barbarians and avenging us all!"
Li Yong quickly declined, saying it wasn't necessary, but the shopkeeper insisted, and the other customers chimed in. In the end, the couple managed to save four or five taels of silver before leaving.
Hui Niang's usual gloom vanished, her eyes shining brightly. She reached out and took her husband's arm. "Before, I didn't like you joining the army. It wasn't that I thought being a soldier was bad, but I was worried about your safety. But I won't anymore! My husband, you fight on the battlefield to protect our country and ensure the peace and prosperity of the people of Tianwu. You are the pride of me and our children!"
Li Yong smiled brightly, revealing a set of pearly white teeth as he basked in the sun. "Don't worry, your husband will become a great general in the future, and he will definitely win you a title of Lady of the Imperial Decree!"
The couple's similar smiles, radiating sweetness, drew the attention of passersby.
Fortunately, Hui Niang noticed in time, quickly withdrew her hand, blushed, and urged her husband to go home quickly.
The young couple bought two more roast chickens, two boxes of pastries and sesame candy along the way before getting into the carriage and heading back to Suijintan from the city.
The village's mischievous boys skip school in the afternoons, each taking a slingshot and running around in the orchard.
They called it chasing away birds, but it was really just playing around and being mischievous.
Seeing the horse-drawn carriage returning to the village, they all ran down the mountain to see what was going on.
Li Yong took some sesame candy and a box of pastries and handed them to Jia An and Jia Xi, instructing them, "You guys share these. Don't worry about Fu Niu. I've saved an extra box for her."
Jia'an and Jiaxi thanked them with the boys, and then ran off like a swarm of bees.
Li Yong helped Hui Niang into the Li family home. The old lady was chatting with Madam Cui, while Jia Yin lay on a mat to the side, lost in thought.
She turned the big red brocade over and over, examining it carefully for a long time. She couldn't figure out that it wasn't expensive; it could be bought for a few hundred coins in a shop. There was no reason for her brother Jia Huan to try to hide it from the family.
Is there something special about this sash?
But it's just that the craftsmanship is exquisite, the design is good, and the weaving is done with care.
With care?!
She sat up abruptly.
Jia Huan blushed terribly at the time. Could it be that he asked some woman to make this brocade?
Does Jia Huan have a girl he likes?
She couldn't resist hugging her grandmother's leg and crying, "Grandma, I want to go to Luo'an!"
The old lady was both amused and exasperated. She pretended to slap her granddaughter and scolded her, "Your third uncle and the others have only been gone for two hours. What's wrong with you?"
Jiayin was deflated; this path was a dead end...
She was just making wild guesses. What if she told her family and caused a huge uproar, and they found out that she had wronged her brother?
Seeing her granddaughter looking listless, the old lady felt a pang of sympathy and coaxed her, "In a few days, when the fruit on the mountain is ripe, Grandma will take you there again. We'll bring a few baskets of fruit to your third uncle and the others, okay?"
"Alright," Jiayin had no choice but to agree.
She thought about it carefully; Jia Huan's brother had always been honest, so he probably wouldn't cause any trouble. She decided to go check on him again in seven or eight days and ask him properly; it should be enough time.
At this moment, Hui Niang and Li Yong entered the room.
"Fu Niu, come quick! I've bought you some snacks!" Hui Niang smiled and waved to Jia Yin, who immediately ran over excitedly. "Master, you're back!"
Afraid that Jiayin might bump into his wife's stomach, Li Yong quickly stepped forward and picked her up, saying, "Uncle has some good stuff here too!"
As they talked, they reached the eaves. The old lady quickly offered up a large and sturdy rattan chair and helped Hui Niang sit down. "Hui Niang, you must be tired. Sit down for a while! You're carrying two babies. Doctor Zhang said he's worried about premature birth and told you to be careful."
"Auntie, I know. We've been on a horse-drawn carriage all the way here, we haven't walked more than a few steps." Hui Niang sat down and handed the snack box to Jia Yin.
Jiayin opened the box, selected some soft and easy-to-eat pastries, first gave one to her grandmother, then shared some with Madam Cui, Huiniang, and Li Yong before holding the box and eating with a smile.
Who wouldn't love such a sensible and filial child?!
As everyone ate their snacks, their smiles were warm, but their hearts were even sweeter.
Li Yong took out the string of golden fruit beads and said, "Fu Niu, your uncle isn't as good as your father. I didn't get anything good to give you as a birthday gift, so I could only buy you this little thing. Wear it and play with it."
Old Mrs. Li felt sorry for him because he worked so hard to earn money, so she complained, "Hui Niang has already made dresses for Fu Niu, why are you spending money to buy this!"
"Hehe, all the city kids are wearing them, so our Fu Niu can't be left out either," Li Yong said with a smile, handing one to Jia Yin.
Jiayin looked at her grandmother with bright eyes, which made the old lady tap her on the forehead. "Take it. I can't refuse. Your eyes are glued to it."
Jiayin quickly thanked him and then hung it on her waist.
The shiny golden fruit skewers make a crisp sound when they shake, which is both fun and beautiful.
Jiayin ran around happily, making everyone laugh, and the afternoon became even more lively.
That night, Lord Hou and Li Laosi stayed in Yunhe Town and did not return.
Li Yong slept through the night, and when he got up early, he saw that Hui Niang's belly didn't look like she was about to give birth, so he decided to go back to the dock to deliver some food and drink to his close brothers and check on how things were at the camp.
Although the Marquis has just won a battle and is renowned in the army, there's no guarantee that someone won't try to sabotage him. It would be wise to provide him with more eyes and ears!
Before leaving, Li Yong went to the Li family's house to say goodbye.
Upon hearing this, Old Lady Li insisted on giving him fifty taels of silver and instructed him, "The roast chicken you bought in town yesterday was delicious. Buy a few more and send them to the army. No matter how capable you and Fourth Brother are, you'll still need the brothers' care on the battlefield. Consider these roast chickens as my token of gratitude!"
Li Yong was touched by this, took the money and smiled, "Don't worry, Auntie, I will definitely pass on the message. I still have to go to the city, so I'll be going now!"
"Go ahead, and next time you're back at camp, be sure to let us know earlier. It's always better to have some food prepared at home than to buy it outside."
"Okay, Auntie."
Li Yong rode his horse and quickly arrived at the city gate. After parking the horse, he went to buy roast chicken.
The roast chicken shop encountered a big customer, and all fifty freshly roasted chickens were bought up immediately.
Seeing that he hadn't spent all fifty taels, Li Yong bought another basket of steamed buns and dumplings, finally collecting two baskets. He then left the city, retrieved his horse, hung the saddle on both sides, and rode towards the dock.
He was preoccupied with the camp and had no idea that he was being watched from afar as he went in and out of the city.
Just as he rode away, two carriages sped off aggressively toward Broken Gold Beach...
Here's the latest update, everyone! Just a few more words about the update time. I'm a stay-at-home mom, and I have to pick up my child in the morning, noon, and evening. I usually write in the morning and revise, check, and update in the afternoon, so the update time is almost never very early. From now on, I'll set it for 5 PM. That way, you'll definitely see it when you check back after get off work. Thanks everyone! Hugs and kisses!
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