Chapter 965 Fleeing Famine? There's No Way to Escape (12)
The situation in the south is a bit better because there is no shortage of rain and it is relatively stable. However, once all the refugees flock here, chaos is inevitable.
He had foreseen the impending chaos and, to avoid being recruited by certain individuals with ulterior motives, had sent everyone to Jiangnan early on…
As for wives, everyone has their own fate; once you've made your choice, don't regret it.
But now, his son is insisting on having a "mother," and his wife's position will inevitably be coveted sooner or later. Rather than that, marrying a wife with whom he has no connection is a better choice.
...
Back in his room, Xiao Bao seemed a little downcast. Ning Yan noticed and naturally asked, "What's wrong? Why are you unhappy after just going out?"
Xiao Bao looked up at Ning Yan pitifully, "Sister, I don't want to be separated from you, but Father said we'll be in Yuecheng soon..." As he spoke, Xiao Bao hugged Ning Yan and started crying.
It was unclear whether he was genuinely heartbroken or afraid that his crying would upset his father, who might then chase his sister away like he had blamed the nanny. His crying was extremely suppressed, with only soft sobs heard, a completely different style from the loud wailing he had when he first met Ning Yan.
"Sweetie, don't cry, okay? Your crying makes your sister want to cry too."
"Sister, will you be my mother? If you become my mother, we'll never have to be apart again. You raise me when I'm young, and I'll take care of you when I'm old. I'll give you all the good food I have, buy you pretty dresses, and I'll keep an eye on Father so he doesn't take a concubine. You can spend all my monthly allowance..."
Ning Yan had almost cried just now, but she burst out laughing.
"Stop it, sister, your sister and your father can't be together..."
Xiao Bao suddenly raised his head. "Why is it impossible? Do you think my dad is too old?"
Ning Yan: ...Kid, if your dad hears you say that, you're going to get a spanking!
"no."
"What is that? Is it because of me? Does my sister think I'm naughty, or do I eat too much...?"
In short, he looked for reasons in his own father and in himself, but never considered looking for reasons in his own sister.
Ning Yan hugged the child to her arms and patted him gently. "No, in my heart, Xiao Bao is the most beautiful, the best-behaved, the most sensible, the most considerate, and the most, most, most intelligent baby in the world..."
"So my sister thinks my dad is too old!" Xiao Bao was furious. Why was his dad so old? Was he delaying his search for his mother?
"I'm going to find my dad and make him younger; he's too old for that!"
Ning Yan really couldn't hold back this time, and she laughed so loudly!
Suddenly, the door slammed shut, and the two looked towards the doorway. Good heavens, there stood Master Lu with a dark expression.
Lu Chengwen was originally worried about his son who had left in anger, and wanted to come over and coax him again.
When he got to the door, he heard the two people inside talking and mentioning him. He, right? He had just gotten a little interested and wanted to hear what Miss Ning was thinking, so he stood at the door and listened for a while. As a result, he heard his son say that he was too old for that!
This is truly his eldest son!
When Xiao Bao saw his father's expression, he immediately became obedient. He was very good at reading people's expressions. "Dad," he said, then quickly hugged his sister tightly and turned his head away, refusing to look at the man.
Lu Chengwen: Good grief, weren't you just going to have a word with me? Now you're scared?
"Master Lu."
“Miss Ning, please change your form of address. After all, I am only a few years older than you. You can just call me Brother Lu.”
Ning Yan: ...What do you mean? We're almost at Moon City, and you're suddenly changing how you address me...
She carefully observed Lu Chengwen's expression, only to find that he was also looking at her, as if carefully observing her reaction. His gaze was different from when he looked at her before, as if it had a touch of tenderness.
Goodness, could Xiao Bao's outburst today be something he planned with his dad?
No, she must be overthinking it, otherwise Lu Chengwen's face wouldn't have been so dark just now.
“Master Lu, I am just a peasant girl. If it weren’t for Xiao Bao, I wouldn’t even have the right to speak to you. I dare not overstep my bounds.”
That's what she said, but there wasn't a hint of humility in her tone. Lu Chengwen raised an eyebrow; this girl seemed to have seen through his thoughts, but she emphasized her status because she was afraid of him...
"Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—young lady, your social status is quite high. Or does Miss Ning think that I am merely a merchant?"
Lu Chengwen was indeed a businessman, but the Lu family was not just a merchant family; their family had produced high-ranking officials.
However, Lu's father, a high-ranking official of the second rank, passed away five years ago, and Lu Chengwen disliked the corrupt court and did not enter officialdom, even though he himself had the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations).
"No, no, I won't stand on ceremony, Brother Lu."
Lu Chengwen smiled. He believed that she understood what he meant, and that her willingness to call him Brother Lu meant that she had agreed to their relationship.
"Well, we still have to travel tomorrow, so you should all get some rest. If you need anything, just let the servants know."
Xiao Bao finally lifted his head from Ning Yan's arms. "Take care, Daddy." He felt that his father and sister had just said something very interesting. He didn't understand it, but he could tell that it wasn't anything bad.
"Hmm." He gave him a look that said he'd settle the score with him later, letting him figure it out himself, before turning and leaving.
...
Seven days later, the two families finally arrived in Moon City.
The Lu family members, who had been sent back to Yuecheng by Lu Chengwen in advance, were waiting at the city gate early to welcome the arrival of their patriarch.
The two families entered the city, and Lu Chengwen hadn't wasted these past few days. He knew the Ning family's plans, but now that he had other ideas, he naturally wanted to take better care of them. Therefore, he had specifically sounded out the Ning family's intentions beforehand, asking whether they wanted to stay in the city or settle in the countryside.
Thanks to the famine relief system, Ning Song spent over three hundred taels of silver along the way. After deducting the expenses, he still had over two hundred taels left. Of course, the biggest expense was the entrance fee he paid to each major city.
With money, you can live well anywhere.
The Ning family were farmers by origin, and they had no idea how to do business. Moreover, Old Master Ning was afraid that his family would become merchants, so he did not want to live in the city. Therefore, Lu Chengwen suggested that they settle down in the suburbs of Yuecheng, and Old Master Ning agreed.
Yuecheng is mountainous, and without connections, those officials might send them to some remote mountain village, making it difficult for them to even come out.
After spending half a day completing the household registration process, the Ning family headed to Xiaoyu Village, their registered residence.
Xiao Bao watched his sister's retreating figure without turning back and cried loudly, the kind of crying that couldn't be comforted no matter what.
Lu Chengwen was truly impressed; this kid was sent by heaven to torment him.
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