Fan Xudong naturally thought, "Can I, sister-in-law? The place I stay in the capital is still relying on you and elder brother, if there are more people..."
"Stop talking nonsense. Even if you are useless now, our family can afford to support great-grandpa and uncle. Why do we need to say such useless things as a family?"
He was reprimanded but still managed to smile happily.
Fan Xudong, clad in armor and riding a stout, well-fed horse, exuded an aura of nobility.
Upon entering Nanling Village, he immediately became a striking sight.
In recent years, the villagers' lives had improved, and the frequent presence of carriages in the village was no longer uncommon. However, the arrival of a soldier in armor was a first.
Someone recognized the person on horseback at a glance: "Ah, isn't that Fan Lao Er, the brawling kid from Fan Biao's family, Fan Xudong?"
"Let me see."
The villagers rubbed their eyes and were astonished: "It really is that silly boy. Quickly, go inform Fan Biao, his son is back!"
The village chief, drawn by the commotion, saw that Fan Xudong was not only burly but also wore armor, exuding considerable presence. He patted his shoulder heavily.
"Well done! Our village has two generals. Your Fan family has truly brought honor to our village!"
Xudong blushed and chuckled awkwardly, "All my abilities are taught by my brother. I'm just riding on his coattails."
Li Wencai wanted to ask about Li Chuang and Si Si's matters. Before he could open his mouth, he saw the people disembarking from the carriage behind.
He immediately cast Xudong aside, hurried to Zhao Jiaqi, rubbed his hands, appearing somewhat reserved and excited.
"Madam, you've returned too?" Li Wencai seemed to be speaking to her, but his eyes were already scanning the carriages behind. Alas, there were no carriages or people to be seen.
Zhao Jiaqi carefully observed the village chief. He had aged considerably in the more than a year since they last met. In his eyes, she could feel his longing for his children.
The anticipation and the subsequent disappointment created a stark contrast.
"Chuang brother and Si Si haven't returned. I'm back from the border and passed by our town, so I came to see you!"
Li Wencai finally understood and hurriedly invited her into his home: "Come home and rest. Elder uncle has many things he wants to ask you!"
"Alright, but you must provide dinner tonight."
They joked their way to Li Wencai's house, while Xudong, having completely forgotten his brother's instructions to take good care of his sister-in-law, cheerfully followed the crowd home.
Upon returning home, Li Wencai immediately closed the door, shutting out the villagers.
Now, no one was more anxious to know the situation in the capital.
The letters from his son and daughter always spoke of good things, and they worried that they were only reporting the good news and hiding the bad.
Wang Qian held Zhao Jiaqi's hand, wiped away tears, and asked, "I heard from Chuang that you opened a noodle shop for him and a milk tea shop for Si Si, and that business is very good. But you didn't take any money."
"They are my younger siblings. It's only right for me, their sister-in-law, to help. Chuang brother is willing to learn and work hard, and the money he earns is his due. If I were to take his hard-earned money, what would that make me!"
As for Si Si, although she had a share of the earnings, it was money she intended to keep for Si Si's dowry.
Her words were truly heartwarming, moving Li Wencai and Wang Qian deeply.
She patted Zhao Jiaqi's hand and said, "Only you, child, are so sincere and willing to help them. Even his own cousin-in-law isn't as helpful as you. Knowing that the children are doing well puts our minds at ease."
Zhao Jiaqi looked at the tearful elders and sighed, "Uncle, Aunt, Li Chuang and Si Si are both in the capital. Have you considered going to the capital as well? When I left the capital, Chuang's shops were very busy. Would you like to help him out?"
Li Wencai and Wang Qian exchanged glances and nodded frantically, like little chicks pecking at rice. "We want to! We've asked, but this child said he's living in the general's mansion now and that if we went, he'd be worried about disturbing you. He said after the New Year, when he's saved enough money to buy a courtyard house, then he'd let us go."
Li Chuang had become much more mature, understanding how to consider others' perspectives.
"It's going to happen sooner or later. Let's spend this New Year together. After the New Year, we'll look at houses together. If you're short on money, I'll cover it. You can pay me back when you earn more."
Why miss another reunion during the New Year?
Li Wencai smiled and waved his hands. "No, no. I've earned quite a bit of money these past two years, enough to help my son buy a house. It's just that I'm afraid my extremely proud son will feel ashamed if I offer."
Speaking of money, Li Wencai remembered the greenhouses he managed for her last year, which had earned a considerable amount.
Last year's earnings had been settled, but this year's vegetables had only just begun to be sold and weren't all gone, so the money hadn't been fully accounted for.
He went inside to get some bank notes and handed them to her. "Jiaqi, this is from the vegetables sold this year. Two thousand three hundred taels. The rest are still in the fields."
Zhao Jiaqi glanced at the bank notes. If this village chief went to the capital, the fields would have to be managed by someone else, but she didn't trust anyone else. It would be better to hand it over to Song Mingliang.
"Uncle Li, please send someone to town to invite Song Mingliang. I need to speak with him!"
Li Wencai's mind was quick, and he understood her meaning immediately. He said, "I'll go myself. I'll also go to the town mayor's office. I'm leaving, so the village chief position will have to be passed on. I've had enough after all these years. I'd rather farm; it's more profitable and less troublesome!"
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled. At his age, he finally understood.
Watching the village chief stride away, she and Wang Qian exchanged smiles and chatted for a while before she prepared to leave.
"I'm going to see great-grandpa and uncle!"
Wang Qian, who had been smiling, immediately lost her smile upon hearing that she was going to see the Fan family patriarch. All that remained was regret.
"Your great-grandpa passed away last year. We didn't tell Xiaofeng and Xudong at the time because there was a war at the border."
"Mei Chen's child is even more unfortunate. The day after your great-grandpa died, her betrothal was broken off by her husband's family. He then married the landlord's daughter. That's not all; he even spread rumors everywhere that Mei Chen was seducing people and was indecent. Such a person is not fit to be a principal wife, only a concubine. This immediately..."
After Wang Qian finished speaking, Zhao Jiaqi's heart sank.
"Oh no," she said, and immediately grabbed her skirt and ran out. "Aunt, I'm going to Uncle's house right away."
She hoped that Fan Er Lengzi wouldn't do anything drastic. If he caused a death, he would carry a stain on his life forever.
Jun Jun, playing in the courtyard, saw her mother running out in a hurry and immediately followed her with her small body. This scene surprised Wang Qian.
When did another child appear in the house?
Where did this child come from?
Why was she following Zhao Jiaqi!