bayedsolid Chapter 98 Glad
Chapter 98 Glad
Jiang Shichang glared at her and said impatiently, "How dare you say that? Shugen's little brother, Niba, is only three years old, and Shugen is only about the same age as Yong'er. Go to sleep right now. Aren't there two people patrolling outside? If there's any danger, the patrolmen will give a warning!"
The second wife said unwillingly, "That guy named Niba is just a servant, and Shugen is also a servant. How can they compare to Yong'er!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Shichang couldn't help but sneer: "Servants? Let me tell you, they are all free people now. Zisu returned their indentures to them long ago! Now, we are exiles, military households, even worse off than them! At least they are free citizens! They gave up their comfortable and stable lives to come to this vast grassland with Zisu. In Zisu's heart, they are no longer servants, but her brothers and sisters!"
The second wife scoffed in dissatisfaction: "Ugly people always cause trouble. Servants are servants. As long as they are servants, they can never change the fact that they were servants! Is that person out of their mind, treating servants as brothers and sisters? They are hopelessly stupid!" The second wife laughed sarcastically.
Jiang Shichang shook his head speechlessly, sighed deeply, and said helplessly, "I don't know whose head is out of their head. If Zisu's head is out of their head, why are there so many loyal servants who have traveled thousands of miles to follow her to this bitter and cold place? Without these loyal servants, we might all be lying dead in the wilderness long ago, with even our bones eaten away by wolves!"
No, it should be said that without these loyal servants, we wouldn't have even reached this grassland. We would have been killed by bandits and mountain brigands along the way, died of illness, or simply succumbed to exhaustion! Without these loyal servants, you should be a pile of dust by now, and you wouldn't have the energy to utter such sarcastic remarks!
"You, you, you're siding with outsiders!" The second wife was choked half to death by her husband's words.
Jiang Shichang sneered: "In my eyes, Zisu is just like my daughter. She's not an outsider at all! On the contrary, if you still don't know how to repent, it won't be long before you're living alone with a letter of divorce! When that time comes, you'll be a complete outsider, and you'll no longer have the right to tell me that you're siding with outsiders!"
Upon hearing this, the second wife turned deathly pale.
Sure enough, in her husband's heart, he still wanted to give her a letter of divorce!
No wonder, even though we slept together these past two days, I didn't touch her at all. My husband hasn't been intimate with a woman for months. Logically, even if he doesn't love her anymore, he should still have physical needs! There's only one explanation for his behavior: he despises her from the bottom of his heart!
Jiang Shichang turned his back, closed his eyes, and tried to calm the heat rising in his body. It wasn't that he didn't want to be intimate with women, but rather that he didn't want to be intimate with her. He had reason to believe that if he were intimate with her tonight, she would be in a frenzy again tomorrow, and who knew what kind of trouble she would cause!
If it weren't for the children, and to give her some face, he would never sleep in the same room with her; if it weren't for the shortage of blankets, he would never share a bed with her!
This woman's behavior lately has truly disgusted him. She's made him lose all face in front of everyone, especially in front of Zisu!
She has also completely disgraced her children!
Fortunately, Hua'er had lived in Xiaoshitan for a few months before, spending every day with Zisu. Under Zisu's subtle influence, Hua'er's personality became much stronger. Otherwise, Hua'er might have been crying every day!
With a mother like that, Hua'er must feel very ashamed, right?
Ah, thankfully, Zisu is a magnanimous and cheerful person, and didn't take her anger out on Hua'er because of her. Otherwise, how would Hua'er have fared?
It's better this way. No matter how she treats Zisu, Hua'er still regards Zisu as a very respectable and good older sister. That's enough. Let her do whatever she wants. Anyway, even the Princess doesn't pay attention to her anymore and treats her like a crazy woman.
She can't keep going for long if no one pays attention to her. Even if she tries something funny, someone has to cooperate with her and listen to her. Otherwise, her antics lose their purpose.
Jiang Shichang sighed deeply in his heart, tried to calm his restless mind, and drifted into a deep sleep.
Lulled by the howling of wolves, everyone slept soundly through the night, entrusting their safety to Luo Jianming and Xia Tian, who were on night duty.
That night, Luo Jianming and Xia Tian, torches in hand, outwitted and outmaneuvered the wolves surrounding the campfire. Every now and then, they would shoot down a hungry wolf with its fangs bared, gradually forcing the pack back.
The long night passed, and the beautiful morning dawned on the grassland.
After a simple breakfast, the adults began dismantling the thatched huts and moving them to the kiln site to rebuild them. Led by Zisu, the children walked to their destination, leaving the horse-drawn carriage for the adults to move the huts.
Shen Laihui followed closely behind Zisu, along with Madam Yu, Madam Yu, Hua'er's grandparents, the eldest princess, and the second madam, all heading towards their destination.
Along the way, everyone kept busy, digging for wild vegetables and picking mushrooms as they went. Every now and then, Shen Laihui would throw a stone to catch a pheasant or a rabbit.
The long journey was filled with laughter and joy, thanks to the abundance of wild vegetables, mushrooms, pheasants, and rabbits they had gathered. The ten-mile journey took a considerable amount of time, with everyone stopping and starting along the way. When they finally reached their destination, the thatched huts had been rebuilt, and the adults were busy mixing mud to make bricks—a truly lively scene.
Rows of bricks were laid out in a line on the lush green grass. The children cheered and ran over to them.
Yue'er squatted down next to Jiang Shichang and asked curiously, "Second Uncle, these brick blanks are so neat! Can Yue'er make one?"
Jiang Shichang grinned and said, "You little one, look at your tiny arms and legs, you probably can't even lift this mold, right? Making brick blanks is not impossible, but let's talk about it when you're ten years old!"
Yue'er blinked and suddenly asked mischievously, "Second Uncle, once you turn ten, can you come and make bricks?"
Jiang Shichang answered confidently, "Yes, as long as you're ten years old, you're a big kid, and that's fine!"
Yue'er quickly replied, "You mean it? If you don't, you're a dog!"
Jiang Shichang couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Haha, okay, you keep your word! Otherwise, you're a dog!"
Yue'er stood up and waved to Jiang Quan: "Third Brother, come here quickly! Second Uncle said that once you turn ten, you can make brick blanks! Come and make one and let me see. I really want to know if the brick blanks you make are as nice as Second Uncle's!"
The adults were making bricks, and Jiang Quan found it fascinating and was itching to try it himself. When Yue'er called out, he immediately ran over.
Yue'er called out, "Second Uncle, move aside and give this mold to Third Brother!"
Jiang Chun is the eldest brother, Jiang Yong is the second brother, and Yue'er's eldest brother is the third in line, so she is the third brother.
Jiang Shichang was dumbfounded: "Yue'er, I was talking about how you could make bricks when you were ten years old. This has nothing to do with your third brother!"
Yue'er waved her chubby little hands: "Second Uncle, you didn't say that just now. You said that once you're ten years old, you can make bricks! If you go back on your word now, you're a little dog and you have to bark like a little dog!"
Jiang Shihua chuckled, put down the mold in his hand, washed his hands in the bucket of water, and then pulled Yue'er aside: "You little rascal, how dare you make your second uncle bark like a dog! You have quite the nerve! But your third brother is ten years old now, and since he's willing, let him get some experience too. Making bricks is indeed good training, and Daddy doesn't object!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Quan stepped forward and quickly picked up the mold his father had placed on the grass. He then followed everyone else's example and began to carefully and meticulously make brick blanks.
Jiang Shihua beckoned to Jiang Yan: "You're almost nine years old now, come help your father make some bricks so he can rest!"
Although Jiang Yan was only eight years old, he was already very tall and strong, almost as tall as Jiang Quan. Seeing Jiang Quan happily and methodically breaking bricks, he was eager to try. Hearing his uncle's call, he immediately darted over, snatched the mold from his father's hand, and said with a grin, "Daddy, you and Uncle should rest. Leave the brick-making to us younger generation!"
Jiang Shichang was so tired that his back was almost too sore to straighten up. Hearing his son's words, he felt a warmth in his heart. He readily put down the mold and said with satisfaction, "Good, my son has grown up. I can finally enjoy my retirement!"
There were ten molds in total: Jiang Shichang and his brother, Luo Jianming, Pan Kang, Shugen, Jiang Yong, Xia Tian, Yu Zhe, and Xiao Wu and Xiao Chuan. Not a single mold was wasted; they were all put to good use.
Now, Jiang Quan and Jiang Yan are taking their fathers' place in the arena.
Shen Laihui also arrived and went to relieve Yu Zhe: "Sir, you're not used to farm work, you should take a rest too!"
Yu Zhe was so tired that his back almost didn't belong to him anymore, so he said gratefully, "Okay, then I'll take a break. You've been working hard."
Yu Zhe had just washed his hands and straightened up, supporting his back, when Jiang Shichang waved to him: "Brother Yu, come over here and have some wild fruit, let's chat!"
"Okay, thank you!" Yu Zhe smiled and quickly walked over, sitting down on the grass like the two of them.
Yue'er quickly took out a few wild fruits from the fruit basket and handed them to Yu Zhe, as if presenting a treasure: "Uncle, have some wild fruits!"
Yu Zhe paused for a moment, then grinned: "Hey, good kid, thank you!"
Jiang Shichang and Jiang Shihua were also taken aback for a moment, then looked at each other and smiled: "Yes, calling him uncle is good, not bad!"
Yue'er pouted and said matter-of-factly, "Sister Zisu is my sister. Sister Zisu calls Lord Yu 'uncle,' so I can also call him 'uncle' like Sister Zisu. That way, it'll seem more intimate!"
The three adults couldn't help but laugh and all said, "Okay, call him Uncle!"
Yue'er made a face at Jiang Shichang: "You guys keep chatting, I'm going to dig for wild vegetables and pick mushrooms, otherwise you won't have any vegetables for lunch!"
Jiang Shichang reached out and stroked her little braid: "You little rascal, don't think your second uncle doesn't know. You've picked several baskets of wild vegetables and mushrooms along the way!"
Yue'er ran off quickly, giggling as she ran: "I'm going to pick wildflowers and dig wild onions!" She said this entirely in the local dialect of Wuliping.
Jiang Shichang laughed heartily: "Oh my, this little thing has actually learned to speak the Wuliping dialect!"
Jiang Shihua picked up his teacup, took a sip, and found the tea exceptionally delicious. A happy smile appeared on his lips.
With a daughter like this, what more could a husband ask for?
He was very relieved that his beautiful and lovely daughter hadn't been frightened by the exile and the confiscation of their home. He had to thank Zisu for this; if it weren't for her, Hua'er and Yue'er might have been terrified and wouldn't have been able to escape the shadow of this drastic family upheaval for many years.
Zisu, my good child, thank you so much!
If one day my family is exonerated, I will repay you properly! If you ever ask for anything, I will go through fire and water for you, I will do everything in my power to help you!
Pears, cherries, and crabapples all joined in making brick blanks. With everyone working together, they made over ten thousand brick blanks in just three days.
Zisu suggested, "Uncle Jiang, Uncle, and Hua'er's second brother, don't bother making bricks anymore. Take a couple of days to rest. After that, you'll have to go to Stone Fort to build the city walls and fortifications. If you don't rest properly, you'll wear yourself out!"
However, all four of them said they still had the strength to make brick blanks.
Zisu tried to dissuade them, saying, "When you go to repair the city walls and fortifications in two days, that work will definitely be dirty and tiring. So don't argue with me, just rest! Anyway, there are plenty of other people making bricks besides you. If you feel embarrassed about being idle, then go and gather firewood or go hunting!"
Although chopping firewood is also hard work, it is much easier than making bricks. Making bricks requires bending over all the time, and it is difficult for people who are not used to physical labor to endure this kind of hard work.
Jiang Shihua: "Alright, then let's not let this child's good intentions go to waste. Starting tomorrow, let's go gather firewood and hunt a bit!" Of the four, he was the one who couldn't stand it the most. He was a frail scholar who had never suffered any hardship in his life, always living a life of luxury. Compared to Yu Zhe and Jiang Shichang, he was much weaker physically.
Yu Zhe understood perfectly and came to his rescue: "Well, let's listen to Zisu and take a break!"
Jiang Yong replied, "I'm still young, I can make bricks for another two days!"
Zisu said with concern, "In that case, why don't you fight for one more day? Take a good rest the day after tomorrow! We have so many people here, we won't miss your chance!"
Jiang Yong nodded with a smile, "Okay, thank you!" Zisu is indeed a good girl. It's a pity that her mother has offended her so badly; her elder brother's hopes of marrying her are basically dashed.
Zisu: "You're too kind, no need to thank me!"
Turning around, he went to the open-air kitchen, intending to cook a pot of pheasant and mushroom soup to help everyone relax. Making bricks is physically demanding work for most people.
Only a few of Shen Laihui's guards could make ten bricks in one go without resting or feeling any back pain!
An hour before lunchtime, everyone enjoyed a hot and fragrant chicken soup.
Tree Root felt a warm glow in his heart and said to his younger brother, Mud, "The girl is a good person, an extremely good person. You must take good care of the young master and never fight with him, understand?"
Muddy nodded vigorously: "Brother, I know, I will never fight with the young master." The young master is a good person, he has never bullied him, and he always shares the good food and drink with him. How could he bear to fight with such a good young master? He is a sensible and good child, isn't he?
Brother, it seems you're underestimating him!
Hmph! Big brother underestimates me. I'll be more sensible from now on and treat the young master better. I'll show him that I'm a good kid that no one can argue with!
Tree Root smiled with satisfaction and reached out to pat his younger brother's head: "Go on, go play with the young master! Be careful and don't go too far!"
Mud: "Big brother, I understand. I will definitely keep a close eye on the young master and not let him run around!"
Tree Root couldn't help but chuckle: "You're looking at the young master, but I think the young master is looking at you!"
"Hehe, Young Master and I are looking at each other!" Muddy chuckled, scratched the back of his head, and ran to Shangguan Yi with a smile.
Two days later, on the morning of the third day, just as dawn was breaking, Jiang Shihua, Jiang Shichang, Jiang Yong, and Yu Zhe, dressed in worn-out coarse cloth, planned to walk together to Shitoubao, twenty li away, for their assigned task. At their pace, it would take them about an hour and a half to walk. Therefore, they all got up exceptionally early.
Zisu also got up early and, together with Xiangli, Yingtao, and Haitang, prepared breakfast and lunch for those going on their business trips. Breakfast was noodles with wild vegetable, mushroom, and chicken soup; lunch was two boiled eggs in their shells and two wild scallion pancakes for each person. In addition, Zisu also prepared a gourd of cooled boiled water for each person.
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