Lan Zechen's intention in saying this was to tell them frankly and openly that he didn't care if they thought he was cowardly and wanted to go back.
He was actually thinking that he already knew Hong Xiaoduo's reaction, and he also wanted to see how the others would react, whether they would look down on him.
As it turned out, apart from Hong Xiaoduo's two adults and six children, no one seemed very surprised after he said that, as they had just confirmed from his words, he would no longer be going to Huazhou with everyone.
"Ah, Uncle Pavilion Master, we're still quite far from where the battle is going to take place. Won't you stay with us for a few more days?" Yao Guang asked with some reluctance.
"No, your uncle can't bear to part with you. Besides, I'm not afraid you'll laugh at me. I'm not going to Huazhou with you for two reasons: first, I'm afraid of dying, and second, I'm afraid I'll be a burden to you. So, since I've decided not to go with you, I'd better go back soon."
"However, just as your mother said, once you've settled your affairs in Huazhou and left, if you still don't despise me for being a cowardly merchant, send me a message, and I'll come looking for you." Lan Zechen replied to Yaoguang.
He had already seen that none of them looked down on him when he decided not to continue going to Huazhou with them, and he felt quite relieved.
"Uncle Pavilion Master, don't talk about being afraid of death. Your life is not your own. You have elderly parents and young children to support. Cherishing your life is also a responsibility to your family."
"If you don't mind our noise, we can travel together again in the future," Tian Shu said.
“Uncle Pavilion Master, if you’re returning tomorrow, I’ll make some extra shepherd’s purse buns and pies tomorrow morning. With the current temperature, we can eat them for two or three days without any problem,” Tianxuan said.
Tianxuan's actions were partly genuine; the three members of the Lan Pavilion were truly kind, and she even remembered how much they had given them for food along the way—that was an affirmation of her culinary skills.
Another reason is that the ingredients I used didn't cost much money in total, and I felt a bit guilty if I didn't prepare some food for them to take with them when they left.
"Alright, alright, then I'll trouble you, Tianxuan. You two, Jingui, should take a good look at what shepherd's purse looks like later. When we get back, if we crave it, we can go find some in the wild." The children's words instantly brightened Lan Zechen's mood, which had been somewhat uneasy.
After dinner, Lan Zechen went to Hong Xiaoduo's side and said, "I have already sent a message by carrier pigeon to the people who are nearby. When the time comes, whether you need news or manpower, just write the words 'Ge Bao' in a conspicuous place, and someone will come to you. They will be at your command."
Hong Xiaoduo was surprised that Pavilion Master Lan had gone to such lengths for them, so she didn't refuse and nodded her thanks.
That evening, Hong Xiaoduo searched through her space and took out ten cans of Maltesers, a solar-powered flashlight, and a music box, which she personally delivered to Lan Zechen.
Music boxes existed in this dynasty; Hong Xiaoduo had seen them before, except that the music boxes here truly only had eight different sounds.
These musical instruments, made from eight materials—gourd, clay, leather, wood, stone, metal, silk, and bamboo—can produce a variety of beautiful sounds, encompassing almost all the musical elements of this dynasty.
The one that Hong Xiaoduo found in the space is a top-of-the-line custom model that can produce 156 notes, thanks to the continuous increase in the number of notes it can produce as technology has evolved.
The original name "music box" has been preserved and has become a tradition.
Inside the tent, Lan Zechen was stunned when Hong Xiaoduo took out the gift she had given him and taught him how to use it.
A handheld lamp that only needs to be exposed to the sun to keep it lit, and a music box that produces pleasant music when wound up, with many more different tones than the one he collected.
"This, this is too much trouble. I, I'll give you silver." Lan Zechen said embarrassedly as he took out a stack of silver notes from his pocket. He didn't count them and just put them directly in front of Hong Xiaoduo.
Hong Xiaoduo pushed the silver notes back to him: "Lord Lan, these are gifts from me as a friend, so there's no point in taking any more of your money."
Since we're friends, you don't need to say anything. Just give me some silver. Although no one dislikes having too much silver, I'm not as rich as you are, but I don't lack silver.
"How about this, if I ever run out of money in the future, I'll just ask you for more, Master?"
"Okay, it's settled then. But, Xiaoduo, since you've said we're friends, then in the future, if you need anything else from your old friend, besides money, you must come to me."
"At my age, although I have countless business associates, I really don't have many friends as compatible as us." When Lan Zechen heard Hong Xiaoduo say that the gift was given from a friend's perspective, he was immediately overjoyed.
After a brief chat, Hong Xiaoduo left the Lan Pavilion Master's tent. Seeing Quan Jinghuai standing not far away, seemingly wanting to say something to her, she walked straight over.
"Big brother, are you trying to persuade me not to go to Huazhou yet?" Hong Xiaoduo asked with a smile, even though she knew it wasn't true.
Quan Jinghuai looked at her helplessly and said, "You know perfectly well that it's not true. Besides, with your stubborn temper, who can persuade you to change your mind?"
After saying that, he glanced at the tents of the Lan Pavilion Master and the others, and then whispered, "Since there is a war over there, we certainly can't go on the same way as before. There are some valuables in the car that we don't need for the time being. Should you put them away first?"
This will reduce the weight and increase the speed of travel.
"Oh, so you already figured it out, big brother," Hong Xiaoduo chuckled.
“I’m not some brute who only knows how to fight. If those little brats noticed, how could I not have noticed?” Quan Jinghuai glanced at her and said.
He had already discovered that no matter how much stuff was added along the way, there was always room for it.
Sometimes, things mysteriously disappear, only to reappear when you need them.
There were four cars in total. Even if he was oblivious, he couldn't possibly miss them!
Since she has the ability to produce things that they don't know or see where they came from, it's not surprising that she can use her special ability to put them away.
"Hahaha, actually, this is a secret technique passed down from my ancestors to deceive people. Although my memory has not fully recovered, some things are slowly coming back to me."
"But this secret technique can't be told to others. It must be because our ancestors put some kind of silencing spell on us. So, big brother, please don't blame your little sister. Not telling you the truth is because I don't consider you family." Hong Xiaoduo said with a half-hearted smile.
"I understand. You don't need to explain. Those little brats won't misunderstand or overthink it. Am I not as good as them?" Quan Jinghuai didn't think Hong Xiaoduo was talking nonsense to him; he genuinely believed her.
"Alright, I've remembered what Big Brother reminded me of. It's not urgent, and we're still a long way off. We can pack and hide it slowly along the way." After saying this, Hong Xiaoduo went to look at the younger children huddled together, whispering amongst themselves...
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