One afternoon two weeks later, Manager Hua sailed his large boat back to Peach Blossom Spring.
Han Mingjiang, Xue Bao, and the other young men unloaded everything from the boat and, following Hua Zixi's instructions, carried it all into Li Lanzhen's courtyard.
Li Lanzhen glanced at the dozen or so boxes of various sizes laid out in the yard.
He said this to his boss, who was standing next to him and acting all lovey-dovey.
"Han Minghai, have you brought the whole capital here? How come you bought so much stuff?"
“Mother, some of these are gifts from your son to show his respect, and some were bought by my master.”
Hua Zixi did not enter Li Lanzhen's courtyard, but followed several people carrying boxes down to Xuan Shen's courtyard.
"Alright, leave it here for now. Go call your master and the others. We'll go have dinner first, and then we'll talk again."
Li Lanzhen glanced at Han Minghai, who followed her closely as soon as they got off the boat, calling her "Your Majesty" repeatedly, being incredibly clingy.
Han Minghai agreed and saw his youngest son standing next to him in his wife's arms.
She took him with both hands and placed him on her neck, then quickly ran to the back courtyard of Xuan Shen.
Even though the person was gone, you could still hear Han Minghai and Tan'er laughing.
After dinner, Xuan Shen, along with Hua Zixi, the Crown Prince, Su Chen, and the others, went to Li Lanzhen's courtyard.
Sitting in the main room, I brewed tea, brought over snacks, and exchanged a few pleasantries.
Han Minghai then took out what he was carrying and handed it to Li Lanzhen.
“Mother, this is what my master managed to buy after several months of pulling strings. It’s the deed to two houses and a manor.”
Li Lanzhen happily accepted it, glanced at Hua Zixi, and said with a smile as she opened the contract in her hand.
"Thank you very much, Manager Hua."
Hua Zixi smiled gently, "Madam Li, please don't stand on ceremony. There is a house near the Imperial Academy, but it is very small."
Another three-courtyard house is located on South Street.
Zhuangzi lived 20 li outside the city.
"Mother, you'll definitely like that village."
My master took me to see it.
Nestled against a large mountain, the village also includes a small hill with a stream flowing at its foot, and covers more than 100 acres of land.
Inside, a large courtyard with two sections was also built.
"Madam Li, the original owner of that estate was also a kind and hospitable man."
When he bought this estate, he asked me not to drive the people away, and he gave me their deeds along with it.
As he spoke, he took out a thick stack of papers from the bundle beside him and gave them to Li Lanzhen.
“Madam Li, the head of this estate is an honest man, so I will continue to ask them to grow grains and vegetables as usual.”
Li Lanzhen took the indentures from these people and put them aside. She looked up and chuckled as she spoke to Hua Zixi.
"Okay, I understand. Thank you. If I have time to leave before the New Year, I'll take the eldest brother over there to take a look and make arrangements."
Hua Zixi was also very happy to see that Li Lanzhen was very satisfied with the two houses and the estate.
"That would be best. Madam Li, you should go and see for yourself. You can come back with peace of mind once everything is settled."
After seeing that Hua Zixi had explained everything clearly, Xuan Shen stood up and spoke.
"Auntie, we're going back now. Your brother just got back, you two should have a good chat."
Li Lanzhen knew that Hua Zixi must have something to say to the Crown Prince and Xuan Shen, so she spoke to Han Yuemei.
"Daughter, go and get a bowl of the sweet potato cakes your mother made, and let them take some to try."
After they left, Han Mingxiang, Han Mingjiang, and the others came over with their wives and children.
Han Minghai told them in detail about his experiences traveling with Hua Zixi, including who he visited and what he saw in the capital.
Finally, he whispered to them that he had seen the Empress.
Adults and children alike listened intently as Han Minghai recounted his experiences with great enthusiasm.
When they heard him say that he had met the Empress, they all looked at him with envy.
Seeing that Han Minghai was getting a little cocky and was about to describe in detail his meeting with the Empress, Li Lanzhen immediately spoke up and stopped him.
"Boss, let's not talk about these things. We all know you met the Empress."
He then turned to the children and instructed them, "Don't tell anyone when you leave. Just know that."
The children all nodded; though they were young, they understood perfectly.
Family matters should not be discussed with outsiders; they can only be spoken to within the family.
Li Lanzhen opened the small wooden box that the Empress had given her.
It was filled with women's jewelry.
There are six ordinary-looking gold hairpins, a pair of gold bracelets, and a pair of white jade bracelets.
There are also more than a dozen white jade "peace and safety" plaques, and hair ornaments worn by little girls.
These hair ornaments are all exquisitely made. Some are butterflies, trembling as if they want to take flight at the slightest movement, while others have little bees on them.
She knew it as soon as she saw it; the Empress is very perceptive.
These gold hairpins should be one for each of the women in the family.
As for the "Peace and Safety" plaque, it should be given to the children and grandchildren of the family.
Fortunately, she took out gold hairpins, one for each of her three daughters-in-law and daughter.
Each of the sons and grandsons received a plaque sign that read "Peace and Safety".
My granddaughter Miaomiao gave me a pair of butterfly hair ornaments and a pair of pink velvet flowers.
Finally, Li Lanzhen saw several silver notes laid out flat under the small box.
She didn't take it out in front of everyone, but glanced at them and gave them a reminder.
"These are all gifts from Her Majesty the Empress. Use them well, don't lose them, and don't show them off outside."
"Yes, Mother!"
"We know, Grandma, don't worry!"
Han Minghai told his two younger brothers to open several large boxes and take out the gifts he had brought for the whole family.
When Li Lanzhen saw the wide variety of gifts, including clothes, jewelry, toys, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, she was amazed.
"Hmm, boss, you can open a general store now."
"Hehe, Mother, there are many delicious things in the capital, but the journey is too far, and I'm afraid they'll spoil by the time they get home. Otherwise, I could buy some delicious food to show my respect to you."
"It's alright. Once the crops in the fields are harvested and we're not in a rush, our whole family will go to the capital before the New Year. I'll treat you to a good meal then."
Li Lanzhen's words were like pouring a ladle of cold water into a frying pan.
The explosion excited everyone, and they chattered and made a lot of noise.
"Han Mingxiang, did Master Xu tell you how confident you are about participating in the imperial examination next autumn?"
"Mother, Master Xu said that as long as I don't get sick, I can pass the exam."
However, the results might not be high. If you want to get good grades, it's best to wait another two years.
"So what do you think?"
"Mother, I want to give it a try. Teacher Xu said that my studies have improved very quickly in the past six months!"
"Alright, don't put too much pressure on yourself. If you're confident, take the exam. If not, we can wait another two years."
"Your wife is pregnant now, so the baby will be born in two years."
Han Mingxiang looked at his wife, whose belly was already protruding, sitting beside him.
She smiled gently, then said firmly.
"Mother, I still want to give it a try."
Li Lanzhen nodded, then tapped the table as she watched the family still immersed in their joy.
"Since we're all gathered here today, I'd like to talk to you about our family's future development direction."
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