When Elder Shan found him, he naturally brought up the matter of going to Suijin Town to fetch the bride and complained about the maids sent from the capital.
They say those women are useless except for their pretty faces, which can please men.
Unable to ride a horse, unable to travel far, and even by carriage, the journey is slow and arduous.
Song Liyun felt a little embarrassed and annoyed that he had seen through her thoughts: "Who's jealous? When your mother wants to reward you with a maid to serve you, you'll happily accept it."
"Don't worry, the nanny sent by the garrison commander's wife taught me many manners for being a wife, the most important being to be magnanimous."
A wife should not be jealous, but should manage the household affairs well for her husband.
Ultimately, it's all about the trivial matters of concubines, maids, legitimate sons, and illegitimate sons.
Song Liyun recalled what she had said at the garrison commander's residence, and how she had been scolded by Commander Zhao for "not being a virtuous woman".
Although Granny Xu said she wouldn't make things difficult for Song Liyun, she still had her duties to perform.
Although she was nominally a governess, she still had to say what needed to be said.
She was sent from the palace, but her words and actions always mentioned the wife of a garrison commander. I wonder whose idea it was to tell me not to be a jealous woman.
When the topic of taking a concubine came up, Zhao Tingduo snorted twice: "How dare I! You've forgotten what you said, but I still remember that taking a concubine will get you beaten!"
This refers to what he said at the Hecheng Garrison.
Song Liyun blushed slightly: "You're asking a question you already know the answer to. If you really want to take a concubine, who can stop you!"
She's not a shrew; it was just a matter of speaking in the heat of the moment. Zhao Tingduo had already stated that she needed a chance to speak her mind openly.
However, although she spoke frankly at the moment, she still harbored resentment in her heart.
The two maids at the garrison headquarters were a gift from Zhao Tinglei.
He was just the eldest brother; Zhao Tingduo could refuse him based on tribal rules.
Furthermore, given that he had just rendered meritorious service, even if he was impolite, Commander Zhao could not simply abandon him after he had served his purpose.
But things are different now. On the road, these maids used their own names, but once they arrived at the tribe, they became Lady Uya's servants.
If the lady were to bestow these women, who are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, upon Zhao Tingduo, he would truly have no reason to object.
Suppressing her unease in Suijin Town, Song Liyun finally had the idea of not getting married when Zhao Tingduo's delayed arrival finally erupted.
Women! Once they're truly in love, they can't think things through calmly anymore.
Although Song Liyun's words were spoken out of spite, they ultimately revealed her weakness.
Zhao Tingduo put down her teacup and sighed, "It seems you won't believe anything I say now."
Song Liyun didn't say anything, she just looked at him.
Zhao Tingduo grinned, then suddenly leaned closer, gently kissed her ear, and whispered, "I only like you!"
Those maids were a gift from his father. Although they were inappropriate, a son shouldn't speak ill of his father, so he couldn't return them.
I've said everything I can say; now I just need to prove myself through my actions.
Beside her, Yun Niangzi began to cough violently.
Logically speaking, couples who haven't yet gone through the wedding ceremony shouldn't meet, but this closeness is due to special circumstances.
Halfway there, Zhao Tingduo kissed the girl, which was already against the rules. Now, Yun Niangzi couldn't let Zhao Tingduo continue to act recklessly.
"Young master! It's late, and we have a long journey ahead tomorrow. Miss, you should get some rest!"
Zhao Tingduo knew that Yun Niangzi was trying to get rid of her, so she reluctantly got up and said to Song Liyun, who was smiling, "I'm next door. Just call me if you need anything."
Song Liyun nodded and saw him out. When Zhao Tingduo saw that Yun Niangzi hadn't followed, she quickly grabbed Song Liyun's hand and said, "You can't say you're going back to Suijin Town. I don't care about those maids. With Abu there, he'll send them to Kara Mountain."
Tomorrow I'll take you to meet those tribal chiefs. You're the master; you'll only know them after we meet them now.
Seeing that he was still trying to prove his sincerity, Song Liyun was both touched and relieved.
If a man attracts many women, why should I care about other women?
If a man builds his own defenses, he doesn't need to care about other women.
She's not someone who can't live without a man, so to start worrying now is really overthinking it!
The next day, Zhao Tingduo took Song Liyun to meet the tribal chief.
The tribal chief was still quite nervous after the relocation of their camp.
The headman, despite his advanced age, still respectfully kowtowed to Song Liyun, acknowledging her as his master.
Song Liyun didn't bother to consider how much of it was genuine.
At least until Zhao Tingduo's military deterrence fails, these tribes will behave themselves.
Song Liyun asked a few questions about the tribe and learned that the small tribe had more than 30 people and was a large family, with the chief being the grandfather.
In addition to adults, there were five children under the age of ten.
Song Liyun didn't give him any food, only two packets of candy and a packet of salt.
Feelings need to be cultivated slowly; you can't give too much at once and make the reward indiscriminate.
Moreover, these supplies are very rare on the grasslands.
Sure enough, the tribal chief's face was full of surprise, and he thanked Song Liyun again.
With the tribe nearby, Song Liyun no longer needed to retract the prefab houses into her spatial storage.
Only the stables and one room were given to them for use; the rest had to be carefully looked after so that they could be used by someone traveling.
The chieftain naturally agreed immediately.
Over the next few days, Song Liyun and Zhao Tingduo traveled together, visiting all the other tribes in the surrounding area as hosts.
Song Liyun inquired about their living conditions and then gave them some daily necessities such as salt and tea.
A few days later, as they were slowly walking and about to reach Kara Mountain, Abu and Granny Xu finally caught up with them.
Elder Shan, his face dark, said to Abu, who had hurriedly dismounted, "You brat, you've been neglected these past few days, have you gotten too cocky? You can't even walk properly anymore."
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