Chapter 1322: Chapter 1230: Return to Hometown
If there is war, no matter how messy or unpleasant the clan is, when faced with a common enemy, we must stand united. Wealth is important, but in the face of life and death, it’s insignificant.
This is a principle Old Madam Liu taught them from a young age.
Manbao nodded, indicating her understanding.
From Longzhou to Mianzhou, they passed through Qinzhou, then Xingzhou and Lizhou before arriving in Mianzhou.
Zhou SiLang parted ways with them in Mianzhou. He split his caravan and said to Manbao, "Before the new year, we must sell all these furs. I’ll take Liwei to Maozhou and Yizhou. You head home first."
Manbao had no objections. Seeing that he hadn’t tidied himself up—his beard was unkempt—she asked, "Fourth Brother, do you still have money on you?"
Zhou SiLang shook his head gravely.
Manbao softened a little and handed him a small money pouch, saying, "There are twelve taels of silver scraps inside. Remember to return it to me when you get back."
Zhou SiLang took it and asked, "Do I really have to return it?"
Manbao replied, "I won’t charge you interest."
Zhou SiLang tucked the pouch into his chest and sighed, "Alright then. I had thought it was out of pity for me."
Manbao simply stared at his collar without saying a word.
Zhou SiLang laughed, his eyes narrowing with warmth, and reached out to ruffle her hair. "Alright, Fourth Brother is just teasing you. It’s closer to get home from Mianzhou. Don’t go digging randomly on the way."
Throughout the journey, Manbao alternated between sitting in the carriage and riding a horse. Whenever she was on horseback, she carried a small basket on her back, galloping ahead and occasionally jumping off to dig things up. The flowers and plants she collected—some she carefully nurtured, while others were discarded at some unknown point.
The discarded ones were fine, dismissed as simple childhood whims. But the ones she nurtured caused quite a mess for his carriage.
Now, Zhou SiLang had moved all the plants wrapped in leaves onto Manbao’s caravan, forcing the three of them to travel on horseback.
As Manbao mounted her horse, she said to Zhou SiLang, "Fourth Brother, don’t dislike these plants. They are medicinal herbs and can be cultivated."
She planned to bring them home and have Eldest Brother and Third Brother plant them, while the plants discarded along the way had been cataloged by Keke.
Zhou SiLang waved his hand and urged them to leave quickly.
After their caravan departed, Zhou SiLang and Zhou Liwei took Sanzi and the rest, driving the mule carts down another path to Maozhou. Their plan was to sell the furs in Maozhou first before heading to Yizhou.
Over the past two years, Zhou SiLang had met many people selling medicinal herbs and grain seeds. Though none were extraordinarily wealthy, they had broad connections. His confidence in selling these furs stemmed from these networks.
With the two groups splitting paths, Manbao and her companions remained ahead on horseback. Luojiang County was still some distance away from Mianzhou City.
They set out in the morning and didn’t arrive at Luojiang County until nearly dusk. The three of them headed straight for Qian’s Restaurant, which was already bustling with patrons enjoying dinner. Inside, there were three occupied tables. Junior Ms. Qian was busy working alongside Daya, San Tou, and Sanya, while Sanya, at the counter tallying accounts, looked up and froze as she noticed the six horses outside the shop.
Manbao leapt off her horse and, still wrapped in her cloak, ran inside and called out, "Sanya!"
Sanya’s eyes widened in surprise as she exclaimed, "Auntie!"
The two embraced, cheering loudly. Manbao asked, "Where’s Sister-in-law?"
"Eldest Sister-in-law and Eldest Sister are in the kitchen," Sanya replied.
Manbao dashed toward the kitchen like a whirlwind...
Junior Ms. Qian was cooking when Manbao’s sudden appearance startled her; she nearly dropped her ladle. She embraced Manbao, tears nearly spilling out as she exclaimed, "You’ve grown taller, so much taller! It feels like you grew up overnight."
She reached out to touch Manbao’s hands. "Are you cold? When did you come back? By carriage?"
Manbao snuggled against her, chattering away, "We just entered the city. Mr. Zhuang and the others are slower in their carriages and fell behind. We rode into the city on horseback. Sister-in-law, I missed you so much."
Junior Ms. Qian expressed her mutual longing, hugging her tightly and rubbing her affectionately before turning to Daya. "Go tell the customers that tonight’s dinner is on us. Don’t take in any more guests. Once they finish eating, clean up, and we’ll head home."
Daya happily agreed and rushed out.
The meals for the three tables of guests were quickly served. Afterward, Junior Ms. Qian and her team began packing up to head home.
The restaurant’s ingredients were all brought along. Concerned that it might not be enough, she handed money to San Tou to buy additional meat.
Manbao offered, "I’ll go buy it. I can visit Mr. Zhuang’s house on the way to deliver the news."
Though reluctant to let her go, Junior Ms. Qian ultimately agreed and reminded her, "Come back quickly, okay?"
Manbao nodded, grabbed her horse, and left with Bai Shan and the others.
Watching them ride off, Junior Ms. Qian finally felt a tangible sense that Manbao had truly grown up.
Inside the restaurant, the patrons craned their necks to watch them depart and couldn’t help but ask Junior Ms. Qian, "Sister-in-law Zhou, who was that?"
Junior Ms. Qian snapped out of her daze and smiled, replying, "She’s my aunt."
Luojiang County was poor, though in recent years, thanks to Yang Heshu, life had improved somewhat. Even so, not many in the county owned horses.
Everyone in the county knew that the owners of Qian’s Restaurant were the Zhou Family from Qili Village. Once Junior Ms. Qian said this, the patrons understood immediately and asked, "Is she the little fairy under Heaven Master’s protection?"
"That must be her. She’s so beautiful, truly deserving of being called a fairy."
Junior Ms. Qian’s face lit up with a smile, and she nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes, she’s my aunt. She’s back now. We’re closing early today to go home, so..."
The patrons hurriedly finished their meals, expressing their understanding.
The dinner was on the house, courtesy of Junior Ms. Qian, prompting waves of congratulatory remarks from the diners before they departed.
Manbao and the others went to the butcher’s stand and bought a significant amount of meat, dividing it up so Daji could carry part of it while they kept the rest themselves.
They then set off for Mr. Zhuang’s house.
Zhuang Dalang and his family were preparing their own dinner when there was a knock at the door. Sister-in-law Zhuang shouted from the kitchen, "Ji An, go see who’s at the door."
Zhuang Ji’an ran to open the door and was momentarily startled to find three young figures outside. Hesitating, he called out, "Bai Shan?"
Bai Shan smiled, greeted him, and said, "We’ve returned from the capital. Mr. Zhuang took a carriage and fell behind, so we came ahead to deliver the news."
Zhuang Ji’an hurriedly welcomed them inside.
Sister-in-law Zhuang heard the commotion, wiped her hands, and came out of the kitchen. Upon seeing them, she couldn’t suppress a smile, though she looked slightly flustered. "Young Master Bai, you’ve returned?"
Zhou Man bowed and addressed her, "Sister-in-law, is Senior Brother not at home?"
Sister-in-law Zhuang breathed a small sigh of relief and corrected herself, smiling, "He’s still at the shop. Ji An, quickly go call your father back."
She then invited Zhou Man and Bai Shan to sit inside.
Bai Erlang handed her the meat he carried, which she accepted while glancing outside. "What about your tutor?"
"Mr. Zhuang is in the carriage behind us. We rode ahead on horseback because we thought the house might not have prepared for his arrival, so we wanted to notify you in advance," Bai Shan explained with a smile.