At the city gate, a carriage slowly approached. The carriage was large, similar to a cart, pulled by an old horse with its clippity-clop footsteps as it entered the city.
The carriage was very plain, adorned with just a few tassels, and the body of the carriage bore the marks of ti, mottled and disorderly.
The curtain was made from coarse burlap, dull and even older than the carriage body.
Suddenly, the curtain was lifted, and a small head peeked out, looking at the outside scenery in amazent.
"A Yin, look, it’s Shengjing City!"
The little head revealed a slightly round face, looking delightedly at the bustling scene of Shengjing City.
"Hey, behave, behave, we’re here to settle, not to sightsee. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to see it until you get tired of it. Acting like this now will make people laugh."
The speaker was Father Xiang, petting his breath, looking very content.
"Ah—"
Then ca a soft yawn, and the little child in Father Xiang’s arms yawned and then giggled at him.
"Dad, this child really is fond of you!"
"Hahaha, little sprout, co on, give Grandpa another smile!"
"Old man, what do you an another smile? You don’t know how to talk. Soone might think it’s a courtesan from sowhere!"
"Ah—"
"Hahaha..."
The carriage was filled with laughter and joy.
Suddenly, with a "squeak," the carriage stopped.
It turned out that there were two more people at the city gate.
Long Yue and Li Qingmu!
The one driving the carriage was the Xiang family butler. Long Yue used to frequent their house, so he knew them. He turned back and said, "Master, Madam, it’s Mr. Li and his wife."
"Brother Li? He actually ca here to et ?"
Xiang Yin’s joyful voice sounded, and then he lifted the carriage curtain.
"Brother Xiang!"
Li Qingmu stepped forward to greet him.
"Qiao’er!"
Long Yue also stepped forward, helping Qiao’er off the carriage. The two won held hands, spinning around to look at each other.
"Qiao’er, you’ve gained a lot of weight, and your skin has lightened. It seems your husband takes good care of you. How nice!"
Chai Qiao’er used to be slender and sowhat dark-skinned, but now? She was fair and plump, like a lady of high standing.
Chai Qiao’er’s face imdiately turned red at the words, shyly saying, "No, not at all... That rascal is always bullying !"
"Oh, really?"
Instantly, Long Yue’s glance at Xiang Yin was filled with amusent.
Xiang Yin’s face reddened, and he smiled awkwardly, scratching his head, "Qiao’er is just making a fuss, she likes to act spoiled around you."
"Hahaha..."
Father Xiang and Mother Xiang burst into laughter.
"Hehehe..."
The little sprout ran into Mother Xiang’s arms, giggling along with everyone, looking utterly adorable.
"Is this your child? So cute! Is it a boy or a girl?"
"A little noble indeed! Qiao’er, this girl, has a wide hipped, perfect for childbearing. Look, she’s already added to our family lineage!"
Mother Xiang held the little sprout tenderly and was very content with this daughter-in-law.
"Yue’er, you’ve been married for two years, it’s about ti you had a child too. Boy or girl?"
Chai Qiao’er teased her own child for a mont, casually asking.
Long Yue’s expression slightly stiffened, her smile froze.
Qiao’er’s question was unintentional, but it touched Long Yue’s sore spot.
Li Qingmu was right beside her, imdiately saying, "We just arrived at the Capital City, and there are too many things to do, having a child would be inconvenient. Yue’er and I decided to wait until we’re settled before thinking about having children."
"True, at least to provide a stable environnt for the children. You’ve just arrived in Capital City, and it’s unfamiliar, so it would be inconvenient."
Qiao’er didn’t think any more of it, as Li Qingmu’s words made sense to her, she smiled and said, "Yue’er, if you get pregnant next ti and don’t know sothing, you can co to , I’m experienced now!"
"Alright, I will!"
"Let’s head into the city!"
"Mm!"
Long Yue and Li Qingmu got into Xiang Yin’s carriage. Long Yue curiously asked, "Why did you get such a rundown carriage?"
Xiang Yin: "It’s safer this way. Along the way, we inevitably had to travel through mountainous areas, afraid of encountering bandits."
"Very true, a dilapidated carriage indeed discourages robbery intent."
It’s undeniable that Xiang Yin’s mind was quite sharp.
"Housing prices in Shengjing City are very high. Since you’ve just arrived here, why not stay at my General Mansion for a few days?"
"General Mansion?"
Xiang Yin was startled, evidently shocked by the na.
"Yes, my grandfather is General Xiping, and he has a mansion granted by the Emperor in Shengjing City. We’re temporarily staying there."
"Haven’t you bought a house yourself?"
"It’s too expensive, I’ve looked around nearby. A place with good surroundings costs at least several thousand taels of silver, sigh..."
Long Yue let out a sigh; poverty had limited her imagination. She wished for a private residence, but... she was currently too poor to afford it.
Xiang Yin nodded: "In that case, we’ll... intrude for a few days first. anwhile, my father and I will look around the neighborhood for a suitable house."
"Okay!"
A newly bought house would still need repairs and decoration and wouldn’t be ready to move in right away.
Li Qingmu, standing nearby, smiled slightly, thinking that while Xiang Yin was under his watch, they could have a good talk.
The carriage followed Li Qingmu’s directions to the General Mansion entrance, where the Xiang family moved in.
The General Mansion was large enough that even more families could move in with no trouble. Long Yue was in charge of arranging their quarters, while Cao Xiao went to socialize with the new guests, and Li Qingmu was pulled aside by Shi Qin.
"Who are these people? Will they pose a threat to the Young Prince?"
Shi Qin’s concern was understandable. Li Qingmu replied: "They are friends from my hotown, completely unaware of the Princely Heir, so there’s no need to worry, Miss Shi Qin. Besides, they’re only staying a few days and will move out in a little while."
"That’s good!"
Since they were Li Qingmu’s old friends, there shouldn’t be a problem. Plus, with more people in the General Mansion, it added more liveliness and could better cover for the Princely Heir.
That evening, Long Yue and her husband dined with the Xiang family for a welcoming banquet, with Cao Xiao as lively as ever.
He was such an easy-going person, quickly getting into a conversation with Xiang Yin, even going so far as to call him brother, causing Li Qingmu to be at a loss for words.
Wasn’t this confusing the hierarchy?
After dinner, Long Yue and Qiao’er went inside to have a private chat and play with the little sprout, while Li Qingmu approached Xiang Yin.
"A Mu, did you call for sothing?"
Xiang Yin saw Li Qingmu bring him to the study looking very serious, feeling a bit anxious, wondering if sothing had happened.
Li Qingmu turned around, the first words he spoke: "A few days ago, Uncle Zhao Xuan approached !"
"Wh... What?"
Xiang Yin nearly stumbled, almost falling over.
The Capital Governor had approached Li Qingmu? Was he investigating the truth about Zhao Xuan’s death five years ago? If Li Qingmu was exposed, then he himself would be dood!
After all, the two of them, in so sense, were grasshoppers tied to the sa string!
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