Chapter 249 Finale
Zhang Dequan and Zheng Bolu, along with the Xiao family, had already left the capital on horseback when the state banquet was in progress. Although the lights outside were bright and bustling, these were no longer important to them. Zhang Dequan was always thinking about his wife and children at home. The familiar smile and call always touched the softest part of his heart.
He was not interested in power in the officialdom, and was concerned about his wife and children at home. In his opinion, although the struggle for power in the court seemed to be glamorous, it was far less real than the warmth and peace when the family sat together. Especially when he thought of the innocent smile of his children and the gentle eyes of his wife, his desire to return home became even more urgent.
The state banquet started in the afternoon, and it was almost dark when they left the city gate. The change from day to night was not only reflected in the change of the sky, but also foreshadowed the change of mood as the group got closer and closer to their hometown. The night was as dark as ink, and only the sound of horse hooves echoed in the silence, which made people involuntarily speed up their pace.
They rode non-stop all the way and arrived at the gate of Yunzhou before dawn. However, the gate was tightly closed. In the dim morning light, the whole city was still asleep, and it seemed particularly quiet. At this time, their destination was so close yet so far away, which made people feel anxious.
Zheng Bolu got off his horse and looked at the path next to him. The path didn't look wide, but it was still discernible in the dim sky, and it led to a promising direction. This was a shortcut that could take them directly to their destination without wasting precious moments waiting for the city gate to open.
Zhang Dequan also looked over there. This was the road leading to Xiaoshadi Village. When he set out for the battlefield, it was a muddy path. Now it has been paved into a smooth gravel road. Although it is not wide, it is enough. The muddy path in his memory has now been transformed into a pretty good one, which shows how significant the changes and development in the past year have been.
"Dad, do you think Xue'er and the others will be waiting for us in Xiaoshadi Village?" This sentence is full of expectation and uncertainty, and also expresses the eager desire for the moment when family members will meet.
"With the whole year last year, Xiaoshadi Village should have been built long ago..." The answer contained affirmation, as if it was a vision of a better future. After saying these two sentences, the two men mounted their horses again and galloped towards the path. The team behind them also hurriedly followed. Everyone knew in their hearts that the distance to home was getting closer and closer.
"You stink!" Zhao Chunhua scolded. She was obviously caught off guard by this sudden intimate action, and even had a bit of a coquettish tone.
Little Shibao joined in the fun, shouting happily: "Stinky daddy, stinky daddy!" The child's voice was clear and pleasant, adding a bit of fun to the originally tense atmosphere.
"I stink? I don't stink!" This man must have stayed in the barbaric places in the north for too long. He actually bent down and kissed her, which scared her and made her scream. This frankness and enthusiasm made her difficult to adapt to for a while, but also brought unexpected sweetness and warmth. "There are children next to us!" Zhao Chunhua reminded the other party to pay attention to the occasion with a little embarrassment.
"He is still young and doesn't understand!" Zhang Dequan defended himself, revealing an indifferent attitude. Little Shibao grabbed Zhang Dequan's clothes and continued to yell: "Daddy stinks! Daddy stinks!" The child's laughter fell with the first ray of sunshine in the morning, bringing hope and vitality to the new day.
Zhang Dequan came back, and the whole Zhouzhuang was in excitement for several days, as if the entire village was celebrating the return of this important member.
Every day was as festive as the Chinese New Year. Every household's dining table was filled with all kinds of delicious food: chicken, duck, fish, and all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables were also in sufficient supply.
The couple sat side by side by the lake, the breeze gently blowing across their faces, they quietly looked at the sparkling ripples on the water, enjoying the peace and harmony. This is a beautiful home they created together.
When the village was first built, Zhao Chunhua specifically instructed the workers to build a secret courtyard for her. Once you enter the gate of this mysterious courtyard, you will enter a space full of fantasy - of course, this is only possible when Zhao Chunhua decides to open that space.
Almost everyone who lived in the Zhou Mansion had been to this strange place. At first, they were full of curiosity and doubts about those wonderful things, but as time went by, everyone seemed to have gotten used to the unusual things happening around them, and felt that in such an extraordinary family, all the incredible things could become commonplace.
Today, this special space has undergone tremendous changes. The area of land that can be used to grow crops is only about ten acres, and other than that, it is all covered with lush flowers, plants and trees. The air is filled with the fresh and sweet fragrance of flowers and the moving melody of birdsong, as if you have come to a real paradise.
Clear and pure water is drawn from the large vat in the courtyard through special pipes to flow into the fields to irrigate crops, and a pond with sufficient water storage capacity is specially dug to store water. Whether it is daily drinking water or for growing crops and raising livestock, the water used is all from the spring here, and its quality is far superior to any other place outside.
Looking at all this prosperous scene, Zhang Dequan couldn't help feeling a little regretful and helpless, because he missed a whole year and was unable to personally participate in the construction process.
Noticing her husband's slightly disappointed expression, Zhao Chunhua gently pointed to the huge row of warehouses that were originally built and said, "Look, dear, these buildings are actually reserved for future expansion. Now that there are abundant wood resources accumulated in the space, we can start new projects at any time."
After hearing his wife's explanation, Zhang Dequan smiled with satisfaction, and then he took his wife's hand and walked towards the wooden hut not far away.
"Wife, I feel a little sleepy again."
Zhang Dequan said this in a tone that was full of affection yet also a little teasing.
This sentence made the usually dignified and steady Zhao Chunhua grit her teeth involuntarily, muttering to herself: "This is the bad thing about men. They always think about those things in any situation!"
But she soon calmed down, and when she turned around and looked at the mirror-like lake in the distance, she couldn't help but smile. Although life sometimes encounters some challenges and difficulties, as long as the two of them know each other and go hand in hand, the future must be full of infinite hope. In the days to come, there will be many new things worth exploring and discovering waiting for them to experience together; every day in the future will be fulfilling and meaningful, and the pace can be more leisurely...
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