Xu Zhi's marriage was arranged in a very rushed manner. Although she bought the best things, she still couldn't start preparing her dowry early like many other girls, which was one of Xu Zhi's regrets.
The next day, Xu Zhi bid farewell to her family and embarked on the journey to Liaodong with her third uncle, Chen Zhaozhi.
It was already late autumn, and the further north we went, the lower the temperature became. When we reached the nearest post station to Liaodong City, snowflakes began to fall from the leaden sky.
Xu Rao and Chen Zhaozhi had already tidied up the backyard of the mansion and sent people to guard the post station outside the city every day. When they received Xu Zhi and her party, some rode back to the city to report the news, while others arranged for people at the post station to help the group, who had endured wind and rain all the way, to wash up and rest.
Seeing that it was still early and only half a day's journey from this post station to Liaodong, Xu Zhi insisted on continuing her journey.
Chen Zhaozhi naturally had no objections. After a simple meal, he led his men towards Liaodong City.
They rode at breakneck speed all the way, and by the time they reached Liaodong City, dusk had fallen. It was cold, and night fell early. From afar, they could see many lanterns lit up in Liaodong City.
Liaodong City is not only the largest city in the northeast of Daliang, but also a place where many nomadic peoples in the vicinity exchange various goods. Over the years, Liaodong City has become very prosperous. The curfew is also relatively late at night. If it is late when you arrive at the city gate, Chen Zhaozhi will not agree to let Xu Zhi continue to go forward. He will rest at the post station for one night before leaving. Once the city gate is closed, it will not be opened easily.
The mansion had already sent people to wait at the city gate. Upon seeing the young lady and her in-laws' uncle, they naturally rushed to greet them and led them to the Xu family's temporary residence.
Xu Rao and Chen Zhaoci, along with Xu Di, Chen Yuyuan, and the well-recovered Qingqing, were waiting at the second gate. When Xu Zhi stepped down from the carriage, Chen Zhaoci didn't even have time to look at Xu Zhi's expression before stepping forward and hugging her, her eyes filled with tears. Xu Zhi, however, after a moment of heartache, first bowed to Xu Rao and Chen Zhaoci before taking Chen Zhaoci's hand and gently coaxing her, "Mother, look at you, I'm here now. Your behavior makes me feel bad."
Chen Zhaoci quickly wiped away the tears in her eyes with a handkerchief and said, "Mother is just too happy. Our Xiao Jiu has been away from home for more than half a year. It's good that he's back, it's good that he's back."
Because they were waiting for Xu Zhi to come over for dinner, Xu Zhi fell asleep and, after a quick wash, was pulled by Chen Zhaoci to eat in the backyard.
Xu Bai and Chen Yuyuan accompanied Xu Rao in the front hall to keep Chen Zhaozhi company, while Chen Zhaoci and Qingqing accompanied Xu Zhi in the backyard. Chen Zhaoci was so busy that she didn't even have time to eat herself, constantly ladling a bowl of soup for Xu Zhi and bringing her favorite dishes to her.
Chen Zhaoci placed one of Xu Zhi's favorite dishes in front of her. Xu Zhi said shyly, "Mother, look at you, this will make Qingqing laugh at me."
Chen Zhaoci had already explained Qingqing's background to Xu Di and Xu Zhi in a letter. Xu Zhi saw Qingqing sitting with her and thought the little girl was quite cute.
After this period of recuperation, Qingqing's injuries not only healed, but Chen Zhaoci also prescribed several medicines for her to regulate her body. With good food and good medicine, Qingqing's health improved a lot. Her face also looked a bit fuller, and when she smiled slightly, two shallow dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth, making her even more lovable.
Chen Zhaoci continued working with his hands and said to Xu Zhi, "Qingqing won't laugh at you. Qingqing is currently taking a prescription and has to avoid many things. These are all foods that Qingqing can't eat. You should just eat yours."
Xu Zhi acted coquettishly towards Chen Zhaoci because she was afraid that Chen Zhaoci's enthusiasm would upset Qingqing. Who knew there was such a reason? Xu Zhi stopped worrying about it and quickly picked up her bowl to eat heartily. They had to travel quickly, so the meals were simple. Back home, there would be hot soup and rice, and most importantly, her family would cook her favorite dishes. Also, Xu Zhi was at a crucial stage of growth, and with the physical exertion of the journey, she ate much more heartily than before.
Chen Zhaoci was naturally very sad. As parents, they were happy to see their children succeed, but when they thought about the efforts and hardships their children had endured to achieve this success, they felt very sad. Chen Zhaoci herself felt that she was really conflicted.
After finishing her meal, Xu Zhi lay back on the kang (a heated brick bed) by the window, gently rubbing her stomach. Chen Zhaoci, seeing this, knew that Xu Zhi had eaten, so he quickly brewed a pot of herbal tea to invigorate her spleen and stimulate her appetite, and poured a bowl for Xu Zhi.
After Qingqing finished eating, she was about to return to her room when Xu Zhi quickly called out to her, saying, "Qingqing, I brought you a gift. It's getting late, so I won't bother you any longer. I'll bring it to you tomorrow after I've packed all the luggage."
Qingqing was flattered that the older sister who had come from afar would bring her a gift. She quickly thanked her. Qingqing had been staying in the Xu family for quite some time, but she had heard from several of the older sisters of the Bai generation that the most favored of the three children in the Xu family was this young lady who had married early. Although the seventh young master was the youngest child in the family, in terms of the degree of pampering, he really couldn't compare with this young lady.
Living under someone else's roof, even with all the extra care others gave her, Qingqing still felt somewhat uncomfortable and inferior. But when she heard Xu Zhi say that she had gone all the way to bring her a gift, her mood immediately improved.
Xu Zhi saw Qingqing's face light up and said with a smile, "It's not just your sister who brought you a gift; your older brother and sister-in-law also asked me to bring you two gifts."
Chen Zhaoci nodded after hearing Xu Zhi's words and said, "That's exactly right. From now on, you will be brothers and sisters, and you should help each other."
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