Chapter 542: Carrier Pigeon
Fubao was very happy as long as there was delicious food.
"Then Fubao is willing to go, but Fubao still has to go back to the inn today."
"Why?"
"Because Daddy said that it's not convenient for us to live in the Duke's Mansion since there are only Aunt and Sister Rou in the Mansion, so it's more convenient to stay in an inn."
Zhao smiled and said, "What does it matter? We have many unused courtyards in the Duke's Mansion, and we just need you to liven it up. Besides, isn't there your brother Xingchen at home? How can there be only women? I'll have the servants tell your father later that you can stay with your sister Rou tonight, okay?"
"Okay, as long as Daddy is willing to move in, I have no problem with that." Fubao blinked playfully.
It has been a long time since Zhao had such a young child around her, and Fubao is so cute, she really likes him from the bottom of her heart.
Zhao immediately ordered someone to go to the front to inquire and pass on the message.
In the front yard, Wan Xingchen happened to be on vacation today. He and Wan Laoer were reminiscing about the time they were exiled at the border.
After talking for a long time, the two finally got to the point.
"Second Uncle, you said you came to the capital this time to look for my eldest brother, but he has now been sent by the emperor to guard the border at Shanhaiguan. But you came so far from the border and walked for several months. It must be something important, right?"
"Yes, I do have something important to discuss with your eldest brother, but he is not in the capital, and I don't know who to look for."
Wan Xingchen comforted Wan Laoer and said, "Second Uncle, if you have any problem, can you tell me? I can help you solve it. If you don't trust me to do it, I can send a pigeon to my eldest brother for you, but it will take a few more days to go back and forth. You can stay at my house for a while, and I can treat you well."
As Wan Lao Er looked at the talkative boy now, he couldn't help but feel emotional. It's true that the climate and soil of the capital city nurture people. This child is completely different from when he was at the border.
"It's not that I don't want to tell you, it's that your eldest brother said that this matter cannot be told to others. If he writes back and says that he can tell you, then I will tell you."
Wan Laoer speaks straightforwardly and treats Wan Xingchen as his own child, so he feels there is no need to beat around the bush.
Wan Xingchen nodded. "Since it was Big Brother who instructed him to do so, he must have his own considerations. Then Second Uncle can just write the letter himself and I will pass it to Big Brother for you?"
"Thank you so much, Xingchen."
"Uncle, you don't have to be so polite. We are a family that has been through thick and thin together. To be honest, it is our family that has caused you trouble. Now that our family has returned, your family is still at the border. Uncle, have you ever thought about moving to the capital? Our family can help you buy a house so that we can take care of you."
Wan Lao Er shook his head, "No, your eldest brother told me about this a long time ago, but your grandmother Wan disagreed. She is old and doesn't want to make any more trouble. She also feels that living in the border area is pretty good. She just got familiar with the whole village and is going to move. She is a little reluctant. In addition, I bought a lot of land in the border area, opened a shop, and did some small business, which is considered to be a family property. Your grandmother is even more reluctant to leave. She said that the border area changed the fate of our family. The feng shui there is good."
Wan Xingchen laughed after hearing this. "That really sounds like something Grandma Wan would say. Okay, since Second Uncle doesn't want to come to the capital, then when you want to come, just tell me and I will definitely pick the largest courtyard for you."
What Wan Laoer said was half true and half false, and it was also to politely reject Wan Xingchen's kindness.
To be honest, if he could buy a house in Beijing, he would certainly like to buy it there, but Beijing is a place where every inch of land is valuable, and they don't want to owe anyone a favor. Besides, what can they do in Beijing?
Wan Laoer felt that he could not live without the land, and it was not possible for him to farm in the capital, so he felt more comfortable staying in the village.
"Okay, I'll let you know when I want to come to the capital. I'll also need your help in finding me a place to stay."
"Then let's make it a deal."
Wan Lao Er was taken to the study by Wan Xingchen.
"Uncle, here are some ready-made pens and ink. Just write directly. When you are done, call me and I will deliver it to you."
"Okay, thank you for your help."
Wan Xingchen left the study and saw a maid standing in the yard. She was from his mother's room.
"Second Master, Madam asked me to tell you whether Master Wan is willing to stay at the Duke's Mansion. She wants to keep my cousin at the Duke's Mansion for a while, but my cousin wants to see Master Wan's decision. She asked me to find out what Master Wan thinks."
"Okay, I got it. Go back and tell my mother to let Sister Fubao stay. I'll talk to you here."
"Yes." The maid bowed and left.
Soon Wan Laoer came out with a letter.
"Xingchen, I've finished writing the letter. Please help me send it out as soon as possible. I've been out for some time. If I don't go back, I'm afraid my family will worry."
Wan Laoer handed the letter to Wan Xingchen, feeling somewhat anxious. The closer it got to New Year's Eve, the more he missed home.
This is the first time since he was a child that he has been separated from his family for such a long time.
"Uncle, don't worry. I'll send the letter to you right away. Do you want to go with me and take a look?"
"Carrier pigeon?" Wan Laoer had a curious smile on his face.
Wan Xingchen also smiled and nodded. The sunlight shone on his face, making his already handsome face even more sunny and handsome.
"Well, I haven't seen what a carrier pigeon looks like yet."
Wan Lao Er followed Wan Xingchen, smiling as he walked.
"Actually, they look just like ordinary pigeons, but they have been specially trained."
The two soon came to a side yard, which was a yard specially used for raising homing pigeons, and the houses inside were also specially for the people who took care of these pigeons.
As soon as the two stepped into the courtyard, Wan Laoer heard bursts of "cooing" sounds.
He looked up and saw rows of pigeon cages not far away. There was a pigeon in each cage. Some were eating in the yard, some were standing outside the cages flapping their wings to bask in the sun, and some were standing on the corrugated iron, flying up and down from time to time.
"So many carrier pigeons?!" Wan Laoer's eyes widened.
"Not all of them. Some are still in training, and some are raised by my mother to replenish their bodies. These people are earning their monthly salary to raise pigeons anyway, so why not raise more? My mother is very frugal in managing the household expenses."
"Greetings, Second Young Master." An older man came forward to greet him.
Wan Xingchen handed him a letter.
"Send this letter to my eldest brother, and if there is a reply, send it to me as soon as possible."
The old man took the letter with both hands and answered yes.
Wan Laoer saw the old man take a pigeon out of a cage, feed it some food, put the letter into a small bamboo tube, tie it to the pigeon's legs, pat the pigeon's head a few times with his hand, and then let it fly away.
The pigeon fluttered out, circled in the sky, and then flew towards the northeast.
Wan Laoer was amazed. This was the first time he saw someone use a carrier pigeon to send messages. It was so convenient. If he also had a carrier pigeon, wouldn’t it be much more convenient?
However, Wan Laoer felt that his pigeons were of little use and there was no need to raise them specifically.
"Uncle, my mother just sent a servant to tell me that she wants Sister Fubao to stay at my house for a while. Sister Fubao wants you to stay at my house as well. We are neighbors at the border. Now that you are in the capital and don't stay at my house, if it gets out, people will laugh at us for not remembering our friendship."
Wan Laoer was a little hesitant, "Xingchen, your father and brother are not at home, is it inconvenient for me to stay at your house?"
"So this is what Second Uncle is worried about? That's easy. You can live in the yard next to mine, and we'll live in the front yard, which has nothing to do with the women."
Wan Lao Er thought about it and said, "You saw it yesterday. I have a friend there. He is Fu Bao's husband. I don't want to leave him alone in the inn. Can he live with me?"
"Of course, no problem. How about we move your things here right now? Anyway, I have a day off today, so I can take you and Sister Fubao out for a good stroll this afternoon. It's almost New Year's Eve, and the capital is very lively."
"That's great. We are unfamiliar with the place and are afraid of getting lost. It would be great if you can lead us. Fubao will surely jump for joy."
Wan Xingchen immediately ordered someone to go to the backyard to inform Zhao that Wan Lao Er had agreed to live in the Duke's Mansion.
At this time in the backyard, Zhao had ordered someone to measure Fubao's size and make a set of clothes for Fubao overnight so that he could attend the banquet with Wan Yirou tomorrow.
Wan Yirou also looked at Fubao's clothes and frowned slightly. What she was thinking was: Uncle Wan is so casual when taking care of the child. How did he get the clothes to fit him?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
