After enjoying the Lantern Festival dumplings, we returned to the inn at midnight.
Hong Xiaoduo told everyone that if they go to bed late, they don't need to get up so early to leave tomorrow, and they don't need to rush to get going.
Everyone else headed upstairs, except for Tian Shu, who went to the stables at the back. Hong Xiaoduo knew he was going to check on them, so she smiled helplessly and shook her head without stopping him.
When he only had Little Grey's carriage and there wasn't much good stuff in his luggage, he was always worried. When he stayed at the inn, he didn't want to stay in a room, but slept in the stable. He needed to watch over the horses with his own eyes to feel at ease.
As his living conditions improved and he acquired more and more things, he became increasingly uneasy.
Even knowing that both Little Gray and Little Black have the ability to protect their belongings, he is the same.
On many occasions when they stayed at inns, Tian Shu didn't even want to go shopping with everyone, but Hong Xiaoduo told him not to worry about losing anything.
Because if there were thieves who stole their belongings, she would lead them to retrieve them.
Hong Xiaoduo asked him, "What, do you not believe she has that kind of ability?"
Tian Shu certainly wouldn't question her abilities and skills, and from that day on, he didn't mention guarding the carriages and luggage again. However, Hong Xiaoduo knew that he was still worried.
When they stayed at the inn, Tian Shu would often knock on the stables in the middle of the night to check on them. When he returned from the street, the first thing he would do was go to the stables. Hong Xiaoduo knew all of this; Quan Jinghuai had told her.
However, Hong Xiaoduo pretended not to know and let the child do as he pleased.
After lying down in her room, Hong Xiaoduo thought, since she was here and could use the weather forecast and eat all kinds of modern food, she should also be able to install a security system and surveillance cameras, right?
In the stable, Tian Shu, who had added some hay for Xiao Hui and the others, turned to look at A Ping, who was lost in thought while carrying a lantern, and said, "You seem so absent-minded. What's bothering you? You can tell us, and we'll help you solve it."
Upon hearing this, Aping quickly replied, "No, it's just that I just remembered something terrible that happened on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month one year. Thank you for your concern. I'm fine, I'll be alright after a good night's sleep."
Seeing that he said that, Tian Shu didn't know what else to say and nodded to indicate that he should go back.
I asked him to come with me just now so I could talk to him alone and ask him what happened.
...
At the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), only watchmen walked by on the street, but in a courtyard not far from the Duobao Pavilion, there were still rooms with lights on.
"Just bring the money. You can buy whatever you need anywhere. Don't bother with that. Get some rest. You'll be setting off back in a couple of days. I'm not some child who's never been on a long trip before. There's no need to worry so much, is there?" Lan Zechen said with a smile as he watched his wife, Madam Peng, checking the luggage that the maid had already packed.
Upon hearing this, Madam Peng looked at him and said, "You? What do I have to worry about? In all these years of marriage, you've been on many long trips. However, what I'm worried about now is how to tell Father when we get back."
Just you wait and see. If he finds out what you've done, he'll definitely scold you for being so old and still acting recklessly.
"Ahem, just don't tell him when you get back," Lan Zechen said guiltily.
"Don't tell Father? Have you forgotten what our family does for a living? You can hide it for a while, but can you hide it forever? Just wait, even if it's over, you can't escape this nagging and scolding."
"Actually, even if Heng'er and the others knew, they would think your trip was absurd," Madam Peng couldn't help but say.
Upon hearing this, Lan Zechen immediately glared and said, "They dare not? I am their father."
Madam Peng didn't respond to that, but hesitated for a moment and said with great concern, "You know best the rules of our Duobao Pavilion. We don't ask or inquire about the buyer's identity, but you're going to follow them this time. Aren't you worried that this will break the rules of our Duobao Pavilion?"
"I just wanted to find an opportunity to get some good things from her again, I had no other intentions. However, my wife, I am very pleased that you did not think too much or misunderstand me when you learned that I went with a young lady. As for my father and those boys, I don't care what others think."
"If I'm really misunderstood and break the rules of Duobao Pavilion, then I'll just quit being the pavilion master." Lan Zechen didn't seem to care at all.
"We've been husband and wife for many years. Do you think I don't know you? You've been married for so long and I'm the only one by your side. You don't take concubines in the mansion, and you don't have any extramarital affairs."
Even when your mother suggested adding another person to your life, you refused.
"It's impossible that someone this age would suddenly become lustful," Madam Peng said with a smile.
Hearing his wife say this, Lan Zechen smiled and said, "I only need you as my wife. Besides, we have many children and a harmonious marriage. Isn't that good enough?"
Adding concubines is easy; I could easily afford to support eight or ten. But look at those families with concubines and mistresses—how many of them live peacefully? The underworld is constantly in turmoil in the inner quarters; I don't want to live that kind of life.
"Don't rush back after you go back this time. I'll come and pick you up when I return."
None of the children lived here, so when Peng heard that he was going on a long trip, she thought about it and said that she might as well go back to her hometown for a while to see the elders and also to see the new granddaughter that her third son's family had just given birth to.
"Alright, you'll be following them on this trip, so be careful what you say," Madam Peng said with some concern.
Her husband showed her the two things he had received during the day, and she could tell he was not just a little happy, but rather quite excited.
He doesn't gamble or visit prostitutes; this is his only little hobby, and it's really hard to stop him.
Lan Zechen nodded repeatedly and said, "I know, I know."
...
After having breakfast, Hong Xiaoduo and her group set off at a leisurely pace.
On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, people go out on the third, sixth, and ninth days of the lunar calendar. After the Lantern Festival, more people go out.
On the official road outside the city, amidst the bustling traffic, Hong Xiaoduo and her companions paid little attention to the carriage that was not far from their own convoy.
After passing several forks in the road and intersections, the pedestrians dispersed. By evening, only one carriage remained behind Hong Xiaoduo and her companions, with a coachman and a mounted guard by their side.
Tianxuan found a suitable place, parked the car, and prepared to spend the night there.
The carriage behind them also stopped, and the people inside got out, stretching their arms and legs. They 'casually' looked over at Hong Xiaoduo and exclaimed in surprise, "Hey, young lady, it's you! What a coincidence to meet you here!"
A group of people, large and small, who were busy setting up tents and gathering firewood, all looked towards Hong Xiaoduo when they heard the greeting. Was she an acquaintance...?
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