On the way to the Prince's Mansion, Jiang Zhi waited until she rode past Nie Fantian and said, "Xiao Tian, I'm going back tomorrow!"
Nie Fantian said calmly, "You can stay here for the New Year!"
Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "Er Rui and the others are waiting for me to go back, so I won't keep them any longer."
Nie Fantian nodded: "In that case, I'm leaving Jincheng Prefecture. I can't see you off, so I'll just hire someone from the Jincheng Escort Agency!"
Jiang Zhi said "okay," turned around and took a few steps, then seemed to remember something, turned back and took out a purse and handed it to Nie Fantian: "Old Master Nie gave me five hundred taels of silver, saying it was for the cost of raising you."
I won't take it; keep this money with you! From now on, you'll be all alone out there. Take good care of yourself, spend what you need, and be generous with your friends when you have money to spare.
This money belongs to Nie Fantian, so we can't take it. Now is the perfect time to use it to our advantage!
Nie Fantian took the purse with great surprise: "You need this money too, why are you giving it to me?"
Five hundred taels of silver—not just five taels, but an amount that a farmer could never earn in a lifetime. Even if the Nie family were merchants, it would take several branches of the family to raise that much.
He couldn't help but recall that when he left Xujia Village, there were copper coins and dry food in his bundle, which represented half of his family's savings.
Back then, a string of coins was a considerable sum, even compared to five hundred taels of silver today, but my aunt gave it to me because she said so.
It was all thanks to that string of money that he was able to secure a small position in the army at such a young age.
Jiang Zhi smiled faintly: "I have no worries about food and clothing in the countryside, and I can make a living. This money is not important to me. Xiao Tian, I used to have a bad temper, back then..."
Nie Fantian shook his head: "Aunt, the mistakes of the past were not your fault or mine. I was young and ignorant back then."
He himself did not realize that his voice had become gentle when he said those words.
Some things are best left unsaid, and Jiang Zhi didn't bring up the past again: "I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning. I'll go to the Nie family today to help hire people and say goodbye to them."
"Xiao Tian, you're leaving Jincheng Prefecture too. Come with me to offer incense to your mother!"
Nie Fantian froze instantly, clutching his purse tightly, before nodding after a moment: "Okay!"
He knew in his heart that he would have to go to the Nie family sooner or later, and the fact that Old Master Nie was willing to give his aunt five hundred taels of silver to repay her for raising him meant that he valued him very much.
The news that Nie Fantian was going to the Nie family to burn incense was quickly relayed to him by Li Laoshi.
The three branches of the Nie family were immediately mobilized and quickly began preparing a family banquet.
So when Jiang Zhi and the other two arrived at the Nie family home with Nie Fantian, the whole family, young and old, had already gathered there.
Of the three branches of the Nie family, apart from Old Master Nie, who had only one daughter and only gave birth to Nie Fantian, the other two branches were thriving with many members.
Nie Fantian has six maternal uncles, three aunts, fifteen male and female cousins, twelve female cousins, plus all the uncles, aunts, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, and nieces—a truly massive group of people.
But these people looked at Nie Fantian in military uniform with awe and dared not come forward to get close.
Jiang Zhi was somewhat speechless. Apart from seeing Nie Fantian in military uniform and cloak on the first day in Xujia Village, he had always been in civilian clothes when traveling to the city, even when he beat Du Baolin.
But then, he put on that dark, murderous outfit again, scaring everyone in the room into the fright of quails.
Seeing the somewhat fearful Grandpa Nie and the old lady, Jiang Zhi could only help explain: "Xiao Tian is now a junior general in the Tian Teng Army. He came here in his military uniform to make his mother in the afterlife happy."
The Nie family only knew that Nie Fantian had joined the military, but they did not know that he was a general in the Tianteng Army, so they were both surprised and delighted.
No wonder the government office was able to imprison Du Baolin and his companion so easily; after they caused a scene at the teahouse, no one came to their aid. It turns out they were from the Tian Teng Army.
Jincheng Prefecture is a cultural and economic center, and its people are well-informed. Everyone has heard of the Tian Teng Army's bravery and skill in battle, and no one expected that it would be one of their own.
They were happy, but Nie Fantian was not excited. He only said to the dozens of Nie family members in the hall, "I didn't want to trouble you all before, so I didn't introduce myself. I'm in military uniform now, so it's inconvenient for me to salute. Please forgive me!"
The people in the hall looked at each other in bewilderment. These were Nie Fantian's aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters, yet he didn't even greet them.
When they meet their maternal grandparents, they only address them as "Grandpa" or "Grandma".
Jiang Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. Being the male lead's relative is not easy. It's actually a good thing that they're still distant. As long as they know each other in their hearts, that's enough. After all, they didn't know such a person existed before, so it would be awkward to get close to each other.
However, this minor unpleasantness soon passed. The elders of the Nie family took Nie Fantian to the place where the ancestral tablets were placed to offer incense to the ancestors and also to his mother, Nie Shi.
Before this, Nie Fantian took off his military uniform and put on plain clothes prepared by the Nie family to show his filial piety.
As soon as Nie Fantian left, the rest of the Nie family immediately surrounded Jiang Zhi, asking her all sorts of questions about Nie Fantian.
Qin and Li Laoshi also came over. Qin, who was usually fierce and talkative, became an honest person at this time.
Before speaking, one must first observe Li Laoshi's expression; only speak when permitted, otherwise remain silent and grin foolishly.
With Xiaoman coming and going from the Nie family these past few days, the Nie family already knew everything about Xiaotian's upbringing in Xujia Village.
Knowing that although it was the countryside, Xiao Tian was favored by the Xu family elders and had a better life than the Xu family's actual grandson.
Knowing that Qin had once breastfed Xiaotian, who had no milk to drink, the Nie family gave Qin a red envelope to thank her for her kindness in providing milk.
This prompted Madam Qin to recount a couple of mischievous incidents from Nie Fantian's childhood, which immediately filled the room with laughter, creating a joyful and festive atmosphere in the Nie family.
After Nie Fantian came out of the back hall to worship, the family banquet began. The meal lasted for two hours, and Nie Fantian gradually integrated into this large family.
Jiang Zhi was about to return to Xujia Village. The Nie family sent her a carriage and hired two bodyguards.
Nie Fantian personally escorted her to the outside of the city: "Xiaoman, why don't you stay and serve in my army to make a name for yourself!"
Nie Fantian had previously told Xiaoman that he would join the army with him, but Xiaoman had not agreed. Now, on the eve of parting, he couldn't help but ask again.
Xiaoman, riding on her horse, laughed and said, "Brother Tian, I have to take care of Grandpa and Grandma, as well as my brother and sister-in-law Nini. Tao'er is also engaged to me, so I won't be going out anymore. But you should remember me when you get promoted and become successful in the future."
Nie Fantian punched him lightly: "Look at you, so pathetic. Fine, you're my brother in life and death, of course I'll remember you."
Jiang Zhi took out the medicine bag she always carried with her.
This was prepared by Qiaoyun for her, because she was worried that she might get sick or injured while traveling, so she kept all kinds of medicines at home.
"Xiao Tian, there are some pills and powders here. They can be used for colds, flu, and diarrhea."
There's also alcohol, which is more effective than the strong liquor used in the military for cleaning wounds, and it reduces the likelihood of suppuration and fever. "These are absorbent cotton balls and gauze, both boiled, which are more convenient than plain white cloth..."
Jiang Zhi showed Nie Fantian her simple first aid kit one by one.
Nie Fantian carefully and repeatedly inquired about these items and learned that the fever and diarrhea pills previously used in the army came from Qingquanwan Pharmacy. He immediately put away the precious first aid kit.
He fought on the battlefield and knew the importance of this first aid kit.
On the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, Jiang Zhi finally embarked on her return journey, heading straight for Xujia Village.
Once she returns to her own world, the male lead will no longer be a threat!
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