Grandpa Wu was homesick, missing his great-grandson, his son and daughter-in-law, his grandson and granddaughter-in-law, and his old friends.
No matter how good Nanjing is, it can't compare to Wujia Village, where he spent most of his life.
"Old man, what are you spacing out for?"
Old Mrs. Zhou came out of the house and handed him the cane with the handle wrapped around it.
Old Master Wu turned around, smiled, took the cane, tapped it on the ground a few times, and sighed:
"I must say, these walking sticks from Jinling are really well-made. When I get back to the village, I'm going to show them off to the old folks."
"A conspicuous bag, I knew you were up to no good."
Old Mrs. Zhou gave a reproachful look, then happily chatted with her husband:
"That's great! Our Wu family has produced a successful son who has become an official."
"When I talk to our ancestors about this during the Lunar New Year, they'll definitely praise us for being so successful!"
"Look at how happy you are! Now that you're back in the village, stop showing off, it'll only annoy people!"
"So what if I'm showing off? Hmph."
"Alright, go back inside and lie down for a while. It's chilly outside. If you catch a cold, it'll be me and our children and grandchildren who suffer."
"Okay, I know, stop nagging."
"As if you don't ramble on at all~"
......
Jiang Yue originally intended to return to her son's home after leaving the Xu residence, but she met Manager Liu on the way. So, the two of them came to the teahouse, booked a private room, and started talking about trade.
"Manager Liu, let's not beat around the bush. Last time you said the Shangguan government had already secured priority in trade, so I thought I'd just stay out of it. After all, things are complicated here..."
Jiang Yue didn't think that Manager Liu would go back on his word. There must be a reason why he suddenly came to her again.
She got straight to the point, wanting to see what the other party's intentions were.
"Your Excellency is too kind. I was ignorant of your greatness before. Now it seems that if we can cooperate with you, there may be unexpected gains..."
Manager Liu was extremely humble, clearly adopting a more modest attitude than when they last met.
After a moment's thought, Jiang Yue guessed that this person must have known that her family had two promising talents and was eager to surrender.
But after calming down, she suddenly lost interest in trade.
She was incredibly wealthy, if not richer than a country, but certainly very rich in her region.
She was, after all, a county magistrate.
She was a woman who sought neither profit nor stability.
Now that Qingyun and Changjun have both entered officialdom, as their elder sister, she cannot leave any potential problems for them!
So she took a sip of tea, carefully considered her words, and said:
"Manager Liu, to be honest, after our last conversation, I gave up on trade. Now my son and nephew have just entered the Hanlin Academy and have bright futures. If I, as their mother and elder, make a mistake in business, it will not be good for their reputation or their future."
"Therefore, thank you for your kind offer, Manager Liu. Let's call this trade off."
"It's a pity. After my last conversation with the county magistrate, I thought about it at home for a long time and felt it was a pity. That's why I sought out the county magistrate this time to discuss the matter again."
Since Your Excellency has made up your mind, I dare not continue to bother you with this matter. Let this matter rest here, and I beg Your Excellency's understanding.
Upon hearing this, Manager Liu understood the situation and offered a respectful apology.
Then he took out a jade pendant from his sleeve and presented it, saying:
"This is a token of our Hu Xuan caravan. With this token, you can purchase all items at a 40% discount in any Hu Xuan caravan shop. Please accept it, Your Excellency."
"In that case, I shall respectfully comply."
Jiang Yue did not refuse Manager Liu's kindness and accepted the jade pendant, considering it a way to make a friend.
After a brief conversation, the two parted ways...
Not long after she left, another beautiful customer arrived at the teahouse.
The cloaked guest, familiar with the place, arrived at the second floor and knocked on the door—
"Knock knock knock~"
"Go in!"
"It's me, Manager Liu. Long time no see."
"Miss Dong, it's been a long time!"
......
This teahouse is Shangguan Xian'er's private property.
It wasn't just a teahouse; it was also a place for gathering information!
But Manager Liu's true identity is not simply that of a merchant from the Western Regions...
"They're gone?"
"Yes, no agreement has been reached."
"Never mind, one more friend means one less enemy."
"Miss is wise."
"How are the preparations going with Tsukihime?"
"Don't worry, boss, everything is ready. We're just waiting for the fish to bite!"
"Alright, a generous reward will be given after the deed is done."
"I would gladly die for my master."
......
When Jiang Yue returned to her son's house, it was just in time for dinner.
No one asked her why she came back so late; everyone was very understanding.
After Qingyun and Changjun took off their official robes, they were just like they used to be in Wujia Village, enjoying a happy and harmonious time together.
But they've already spent quite a bit of time in Nanjing, and it's time to head back to their hometown.
"Mother, the Lantern Festival is in two days. The Lantern Festival in Jinling is so beautiful. You, Grandpa, Grandma, Wan'er, and Hao'er have come all this way. You should see the Lantern Festival and have fun before you leave."
Qingsong was reluctant to see his mother leave so soon, so he did his best to describe to everyone how wonderful the Lantern Festival was that night.
Forget the dazzling fireworks, forget the twinkling lights, forget the street performers, the fire-breathing, the chest-breaking boulders...
"Grandma, I want to see."
"Third Grandma, I want to see it too."
"Ahem, third brother's wife, can we postpone our departure by a couple of days?"
"Third son's wife, your mother has never seen lanterns before, she really loves them!"
"Mom, Daxue and I have never seen a lantern festival before!"
"Mother, it's me~"
"Mother, my husband has always wanted to take you and the family to see the lanterns every year, but unfortunately..."
"Mother, I also want to see the lanterns, and I also want to see people break stones on their chests."
"Master, we'd like to see the lanterns too!"
"Ahem, Your Highness, we brothers are also..."
Well, from top to bottom, from old to young, almost everyone has "betrayed" us.
It seems these lanterns are something you really can't miss!
"Alright, you can watch, but don't let them get separated, especially Wan'er and Hao'er, He'er and Hua'er. You sisters keep a close eye on them!"
There's no need to say anything about the others; the sons should protect their wives, and she and her daughter should protect her parents-in-law.
Entrusting the two grandchildren to He'er and Hua'er is equivalent to entrusting them to Han Shu and Xie Fang. With four people who have martial arts skills, they should be able to take good care of two little kids, right?
"Yay!"
The two younger ones clapped their hands, and everyone laughed...
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