Huo Xiaolong was overjoyed holding the little bear cub. After discussing it with Cen's mother, He Yi decided to take her children to choose a house. Huo Xiaocheng didn't care where they lived, nor did Erhei, so this house selection was basically for the little girl and her mother. The father wasn't picky either, as long as he could sleep with his wife at night.
"Long'er, we're moving. We're moving next to Fengyue Tower. Do you have any rooms you like?"
"have!"
The little boy held the bear cub under his armpit with one hand, wrapped his arms around it to keep it from falling, and led He Yi to the backyard with the other hand.
The Huo family and she went to the backyard, where a side gate led to a house. No one lived in the house; the little girl always went there to play, at least that's what the people at the brothel thought.
But Huo Xiaolong is different. At least she's an adult at heart. That house is just a place for the wood she's tinkered with.
The little dumpling was hidden under the wall. Although she was in unfamiliar territory, she still maintained a sense of vigilance. She couldn't let all the hardships she endured in her past life go to waste. This was the age of cold weapons; if they could build war chariots, even if the Xiongnu attacked, they could at least protect the Fengyue Tower. Even if they couldn't win, they could at least hold out until reinforcements arrived. Huo Xiaolong had already inquired; fifty li east of Pingyang County was the border army's garrison. If the Xiongnu wanted to advance on Great Yan, Pingyang County was a strategic location, but the garrison there wasn't large. Fifty li east was the Xiongnu border; if the Xiongnu gathered a large force, they would definitely enter from there. If a small force raided Pingyang and seized the border army's supply route, the Great Yan army would be like a cornered beast, and the Xiongnu's chances of winning would be ninety percent.
The little girl led the Huo family to the house, stomped her feet, and said...
"I'll stay here!"
This is a small courtyard with two sections, four brick and tile houses, and a well in the yard. Apart from a lot of dead leaves, the yard is quite complete. Since it was the first time her daughter had asked her for something, He Yi had no reason to refuse.
"Okay, this is fine. Parents, move over as soon as possible."
As soon as possible! I'll go home today and pack my things. I have to move in the day after tomorrow! She's been longing for this family reunion for far too long and doesn't want to wait any longer.
The Huo family bid farewell to Mother Cen and hurriedly went home to pack their things.
The girls in the building had been eavesdropping upstairs, and when they heard that the little girl could stay, they all breathed a sigh of relief. When Cen's mother carried Xiaolong back to the front hall, she saw the girls standing there waiting.
Cen's mother put her down, and Chunying immediately hugged her, pinching her cheeks and saying...
"Oh, our little girl isn't leaving! She can stay with her big sister, that's wonderful!"
Liu Xu, standing nearby, covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed.
"Absolutely! Now that you're gone, all the girls in the building are going to be lovesick."
"None of you gentlemen have made you fall in love!" Madam Cen joked.
She was genuinely happy today. Cen Ang never expected that the Huo family would keep Xiao Long. The child she had raised for a year felt like a piece of her heart had been ripped out at the thought of him being taken away.
For once, she smiled at the girls today.
"We're happy today, so we won't open the door tonight. Ah Cai, go and turn on the dim lights," Madam Cen instructed.
"Old Zhang, take some men to the county gate and buy four sheep, and a lactating ewe. We're having hot pot today, a treat for my girls. Everyone in the building, from top to bottom, gets a share!"
As soon as Madam Cen said this, it meant that even the lowest maids and waiters would be able to eat today. The girls in the brothel smiled broadly, curtsied, and said in unison.
Thank you, Mom.
Cen Ang waved his hand, signaling them to get up.
The little dumpling just emerged from the flower bushes.
"Are we having hot pot tonight?" the little girl asked.
"Yes! Let's eat hot pot," Cen's mother replied.
"Could Aunt Zhang bring back some sesame seeds?"
Huo Xiaolong only ate hot pot at Fengyue Tower once. That time was for Sister Chunying's birthday. A wealthy gentleman treated everyone in the tower to a meal and brought jeweled jewelry, all to make Sister Chunying smile.
When my sister was happy, she would dance a sword dance for that rich man. But that day, she didn't dance; she wasn't happy.
As she was closing up shop that night, she leaned against the railing and cried. By the moonlight, the little girl could see clearly that there was a pot of wine beside her.
She came out to find Cen's mother to go back to sleep. When she saw Chunying crying, she used all four limbs to climb up the stairs and came to Chunying's side.
"Sister, why are you crying?"
Do not lean on the railing alone, for the boundless landscape is easy to leave but hard to meet again.
Looking at Chunying leaning against the railing, this line of poetry popped into Huo Xiaolong's mind.
The beauty, bathed in moonlight, was intoxicated and her eyes, like spring peach blossoms reflecting red, brimming with tears, were captivating.
"I miss my mother," Chunying said, her pale lips slightly parted.
"Your mother?"
"I've never even met her, but for some reason, I just miss her today."
The little dumpling didn't know what to say, and she wasn't good at comforting people. Looking at the time, it was almost 3 a.m. This was probably what they called midnight emo from a past life. Today was also her birthday, so thinking about it, her mother was perfectly normal.
The little girl didn't say anything, leaning against Chunying and reminiscing about the hot pot they had for dinner. The lamb was good lamb, but there was no sesame sauce. A hot pot without sesame sauce is soulless.
Cen's mother always granted Huo Xiaolong's every wish. Why couldn't she satisfy his desire for food? It's not like the family is so poor that they can't afford to eat.
"Okay, Lao Zhang, buy ten catties of sesame seeds."
The girls in the building need these to make desserts, so it's a good time to buy more. For the past few days, the girls in the building haven't had much of a chance to get close to the little girl, and everyone thought she was going to leave, so Cen's mother has been keeping a close eye on the child.
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