Lu Bingwu had already gotten out of the carriage when He Laoliu grabbed him and wouldn’t let go, claiming that the carriage had hit him.
"Old Uncle He, it’s , from the Lu Family of Qingyang Town, don’t you recognize ?" Lu Bingwu said.
He Laoliu was quite a notable figure in the Thirty Mile Camp area, which is why Lu Bingwu recognized him.
Despite Lu Bingwu’s words, He Laoliu still refused to let go. He looked up, glanced inside the carriage, and just happened to see Lady Zhang.
He Laoliu hurriedly let go of Lu Bingwu and his domineering expression imdiately switched to a smile.
"Oh my, isn’t this Old Fourth’s sister-in-law. Why are you leaving so soon, not staying for a couple more days?" He Laoliu stepped forward to chat and laugh, calling over a loafer, "Co, co, et Fourth Madam, the one I told you about, the one who received the Imperially Bestowed Archway."
The loafer as well imdiately wore a smile and ca up to the carriage to greet Lady Zhang.
Lady Zhang found He Laoliu’s deanor botherso and did not bother interacting with him.
"Old Six, Xiao Woo’s carriage hit you? Where did it hit, are you hurt, do you need to see a doctor?" Lady Zhang asked. Of course, she didn’t believe that it was Lu Bingwu’s carriage that had hit He Laoliu; from He Laoliu’s posture, she could tell that this guy, seeing Lu Bingwu dressed as a rchant, was thinking of extorting money.
Lian Manman from her past life had a specific term for such an incident; it’s called ’scamming’.
Back in the days at Thirty Mile Camp, He Laoliu had engaged in such scamming.
"No, no, didn’t get hit, I was just teasing my Lu family’s great-nephew," He Laoliu imdiately said with a grin.
"That’s what you said." Lady Zhang replied, "Good that you didn’t get hit. Old Six, you go about your business. Xiao Woo, let’s go."
Lady Zhang let down the carriage curtain, and Lu Bingwu jumped onto the carriage and drove off.
As the great carriage passed through the bustling streets of Taicang County, Lian Manman took out so money, bought so snacks, and then joined up with the caravan of the rchants, leaving Taicang County Town and headed back to Thirty Mile Camp via the imperial road.
......
When they returned to Thirty Mile Camp, it was past midday and still quite a distance from ho. Lian Manman lifted the carriage curtain and saw Lian Shouxin standing in front of Lian’s Shop, looking in her direction.
"Dad ca to pick us up." Lian Manman said with a smile.
Lady Zhang, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi also peeked out from the carriage. Seeing them, Lian Shouxin imdiately bead with joy and ca over.
"It’s cold outside, don’t get off but head straight ho," Lian Shouxin said as he climbed up to sit on the carriage shaft.
As they passed by the shop, Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye also ca out to et them.
Finally, the carriage stopped in the courtyard of their new residence, and Lady Zhang, Lian Manman, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi got off the carriage, helped by Lu Bingwu, and they began unloading the things from the carriage.
"Why all these things?" Lian Shouxin looked at the various large and small packages being unloaded.
"Mom bought them." Lian Manman said.
Lian Shouxin just nodded, not saying anything further.
Upon entering the inner courtyard, Lady Li along with Lian Zhizhi and Zhang Caiyun ca out to greet them, and everyone went into the house chatting and laughing. Although not many days had passed since they had left, Lian Manman already missed this ho. Now that she was back, she was very happy.
Clearly, Lady Zhang, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi felt the sa.
Lian Shouxin’s gaze lingered lovingly on Lady Zhang and her children, and he even lifted the chubby Xiao Qi, spinning him around several tis, making Xiao Qi giggle like a little chick.
"Knowing you were coming back today, your dad, he went early in the morning to wait by the road. I told him you couldn’t arrive that early, but he wouldn’t listen," Lady Li said with a smile.
Lian Zhizhi brought over so hot tea for everyone to drink.
"Is Taicang fun?" Zhang Caiyun asked.
"It’s okay," Lian Manman replied.
"It’s fun," Xiao Qi said.
Wu Lang didn’t answer the question.
"Co and see, I brought so things for you." Lian Manman, after drinking a cup of hot tea and rubbing her hands, said.
Those large and small packages were all brought over, placed on the kang bed, and everyone started to unwrap them to see.
First was those few large bundles of cotton batting.
"Why did you buy so much?" Lady Li asked.
"...Zhizhi’s future bedding, to start making them gradually, so we’re not rushed later. We also need to make two new sets of quilts at ho. Cotton is cheaper there than here, and since I made the long trip, I bought more. Mom, this cotton is good..."
Lady Zhang unpacked a cotton roll and showed it to Lady Li.
"When you go back, also take a few pounds, to make so cotton clothes or sothing for the kids."
"What is this, it’s quite heavy?" Lian Shouxin pointed at the bag of wheat seeds and asked.
"It’s wheat seeds," Lian Manman said, "Dad, let’s also plant wheat next year."
"Yes, Dad, if we plant wheat, we’ll be able to eat white flour," Xiao Qi said.
Lady Zhang also took out the cotton fabrics she had bought, one by one. She explained how much each one cost, how much cheaper they were compared to buying here, and Zhang Caiyun, Lian Zhizhi, and Lian Manman gathered around, chattering about the quality and patterns of the cotton fabrics.
After checking those out, Lian Manman opened another small bundle, taking things out one by one.
Five red agate bracelets, five pairs of silver needle jade earrings, five roly-polys, and five silk handkerchiefs.
"Sister Caiyun, my sister, Jiayu, Yeye, and , one for each of the five of us," Lian Manman said.
Just then, Lady Zhao ca with Lian Yeye. The children started giggling and taking their share, with Wu Jiayu’s portion first held by Lian Zhizhi.
Besides these, there were gifts for Lian Shouxin, Lady Li, Wu Jiaxing, and others, which were not hurriedly unwrapped yet. Lian Manman then opened another bundle.
"Taicang’s donkey at sandwiches and five-spice donkey at," Lian Manman pointed inside the bundle to a few greased paper packages, and said, "Just heat them up in the evening, and they’ll be ready to eat."
These were specially purchased on their day of return to share with the family a taste of Taicang’s specialty food. These items were not prone to spoiling, and with the current cold weather, they had been well-preserved hanging outside the carriage.
"Are dad and mom doing well? And what’s the final situation with Xiuxiu’s marriage?" Lian Shouxin asked.
***...***
Here’s the second update, asking for your support. (To be continued. If you enjoy this piece, feel welco to visit Qidian (qidian) to vote and support. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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