"Jinxiu? What do you need Jinxiu for?"
Following Aunt’s gaze, Ruan Mao was seen playing excitedly with a few children, a tall lad, laughing while chasing a bunch of kids all over the street with a sandbag in hand.
Ruan Mian smiled and said honestly, "Cousin Jinxiu is talented, he helped make nurous farm tools last ti. Now I’ve improved the spinning wheel used for weaving and want Cousin Jinxiu to make so more."
"I plan to transport a batch to Tunan City for my cousins to use. Moreover, the quantity needed is large, and cousin alone might not suffice, so I’m thinking of hiring a few apprentices in the village to assist him."
Aunt imdiately understood his intention upon hearing this.
"There are several able-bodied n in our village, and now that the road construction is almost complete, they have more ti. Your idea is quite good. I’ll talk to Jinxiu later, just give the drawings."
Aunt then updated her on the dicine shop’s situation during this ti.
Luckily, following the last event, she has secured business with the shopkeepers of several cities outside.
Just waiting for Ruan Mian to supply: "Mianmian, your space grows herbs quickly, stabilizing our supply chain. Every month, I’ll inform you of the needs, and you can provide them for to have people transport out."
"I also agreed to share profits with Wang the Second and the City Lord, giving them so incentive to stabilize our supply channel."
"Now Wang the Second is practically dancing to my tune, doing whatever I say; our business prospect is sky-high! We just sit back and collect money each month!"
They already earned quite a bit this month alone, and Aunt is in high spirits.
The dicine shop doesn’t need Ruan Mian’s extra attention, so she can think about other matters.
Seguing into a ntion of Xie Huai’an: "Why haven’t I seen Mr. Xie today? You two being freshly wed, must be in Tunan City like a house on fire, what..."
"Aunt, look at what you’re saying."
Ruan Mian laughed at her jest: "He had an urgent task to attend to in Xingjia."
"Xingjia? What’s he doing there? Wasn’t he demoted to Wuheng? Now that Wuheng has no battle, how can he leave his station for such a distant place?"
"Besides, Xingjia has been unrestful lately; it’s King Jin’s fiefdom, and with King Jin gravely ill, many people are visiting him."
This ntion of King Jin made Ruan Mian recall certain settings from the original story.
In the original story, there is a setup of King Yan engulfing King Jin’s fiefdom and winning over King Jin’s people.
Capturing these allowed King Yan’s faction to grow significantly, later combined with the court’s fostered powers to successfully launch a rebellion.
King Yan’s eldest son was raised under Princess Jin’s care due to his frail health since childhood, and King Jin and King Yan shared a close brotherly bond.
Once the young princely heir fell gravely ill, a wise monk revealed the secret to the longevity of King Yan’s son was to find a family with matching astrological signs for foster care.
Princess Jin and King Jin were the best candidates, childless themselves, allowing King Yan to adopt his son under their care.
Treated as a biological son, loved dearly.
Ruan Mian had not reached the later parts of the book, thus unsure of its developnt.
However, in fragnted mory, she recalled this side story of Xingjia.
Xie Huai’an traced King Yan’s clues all the way to Xingjia State, and ended up injured.
While Ruan Mian wished to recall more plot lines, she found her mories gradually blurring.
"Mianmian, what’s wrong?"
Aunt noticed her distress, pouring her a pot of tea.
Just as the teacup reached her, Ruan Mian suddenly stood up, facing Aunt: "Aunt, I might have to head to Xingjia too."
"Ah? You just returned from Tunan City and now need to leave again?"
"Xingjia isn’t like Liao Lie Pass City or such; it belongs to Da Jing, and as an exile, even with registered residence, it might be hard for you to leave Wuheng."
"I must figure sothing out; there could be danger for Huai’an in Xingjia, and my intuition tells trouble is brewing there."
She didn’t want to see Xie Huai’an injured, nor see the hard-earned peace shattered if King Yan’s rebellion succeeded.
Once King Yan’s rebellion thrived, Wuheng would certainly fall into chaos again.
Besides, the gold mine was no longer a secret known only to her.
Though she warned those enslaved before, there was no guarantee the secret wouldn’t leak.
Jiang Zhen, after all, had sohow discovered the secret.
Considering these possibilities, Ruan Mian decided to find Xie Huai’an.
As an exile, she’d likely require General Huo’s help to leave Wuheng.
Aunt, seeing her resolve, knew the matter was significant, firmly patted her shoulder.
"In that case, go, and return as soon as you can. I’ll handle things at ho; no need to worry."
To avoid arousing family suspicion, Ruan Mian returned to the valley to sleep overnight, leaving again under the pretense of working for the General.
This ti, Ruan Qing followed behind her, looking at her eagerly, cautiously speaking up.
"Sister, can I accompany you to the military camp? I... want to see General Huo."
Seeing her cheeks flushed, recalling how she risked everything to save Huo Zong that day, Ruan Mian called her over.
"Do you like General Huo?"
Ruan Mian asked so bluntly that Ruan Qing’s face turned red at a visible speed.
She opened her mouth to quickly explain: "Sister, it’s not what you think, I just... I just want to send sothing to General Huo and his n."
Ruan Mian smiled, fully aware of what the box contained.
Ruan Qing was of age for marriage now, and there was nothing wrong with eting soone she likes.
Yet, this era imposed many constraints on won, restricting freedom in many aspects, leading to even love becoming sothing to evade.
Ruan Mian held her hand, looking at her aningfully.
"General Huo is a good man, responsible and brave, dedicating to the nation without regard."
"As a man, he’s worth admiration and affection. Liking him isn’t anything shaful, for a man should wed, a woman should wed, and if you think this relationship is worth pursuing, then pursue it."
"But sister..."
"There’s no ’but,’ don’t think you’re unworthy of him. You are a cherished daughter of the Ruan Family, with a loving family and ample love, and sister can ensure you live well."
"Moreover, you have skills like no other won. If General Huo marries you, it’s his blessing too."
"After all, he roams war-torn battlefields, hos unsteady, parents deceased, having you by his side would be his fortune."
Reviews
All reviews (0)