Chapter 051

Chapter 051

As night fell, Tong Sui and Xiao Zhen had finished their ablutions and were ready to rest.

They had been intimate the previous night, so she couldn't handle another round tonight. Thus, Xiao Zhen simply lay down in his own bed.

After a tiring day, finally able to relax, Tong Sui sighed softly, "Tomorrow is just one more busy day, and then it will all be over."

The men worked hard, and cooking was also exhausting for them. Tong Sui hadn't had a proper chance to read for a long time.

Xiao Zhen reached into her bed, grasping her hand, "I'll accompany you back to Taohuagou tomorrow morning."

Tong Sui was taken aback. Although he had promised to take her back after the spring planting, there were still several acres of land left to tend. Even if the elders could finish it in a morning, would he really leave the farm work to rush back with her? Would the West Court be pleased?

Despite He Shi and Xiao Yuchan being friendly recently, that was because everyone was busy. Once they had free time, they would likely start bickering over trivial matters again.

"Let's wait a few more days," Tong Sui suggested.

Xiao Zhen replied, "There's an important matter at home that requires help from your father."

Hearing this, Tong Sui lost all drowsiness, turning to face him, "What kind of matter?"

Xiao Zhen paused, "The county has settled too many refugees and given them insufficient land. Grandfather fears future unrest, so he wants to make wooden spears. We can't control other villages, but Lingshui Village and Taohuagou should have at least one spear per household. Pine Village serves as a cautionary example."

He added, "Keep this to yourself; don't tell the others. It might cause panic among the villagers."

Tong Sui thought for a moment, "Making spears requires logging in the mountains. Since we're far from the mountains here, we need to go to our village to log and keep it discreet?"

Taohuagou was very remote. The villagers rarely left, relying on those with mules to go to Changping Town. This way, even if someone knew the Tongs were making spears, the news wouldn't spread quickly.

Xiao Zhen squeezed her hand, "Yes."

Tong Sui asked, "But our village doesn't have carpenters. How do we make spears?"

Xiao Zhen replied, "Once we've gathered enough wood, I'll invite Master Wang to teach everyone. If the villagers help Lingshui Village make spears, they'll earn two coins per spear. For five hundred spears, that's only one silver tael, which we can afford."

Tong Sui asked, "Will the spearheads made of wood break easily?"

Xiao Zhen replied, "Master Wang will temper the spearheads. Tempered spearheads are sharp enough, and they're meant as a precaution. They might be used once or twice a year, or never at all."

Hearing that he had considered tempering, Tong Sui realized he and Grandfather had planned this thoroughly. Since it benefited both villages, she was happy to support it.

The next morning, Xiao Zhen first drove the mule cart to deliver Grandfather and the others along with sweet potato seedlings and farming tools to the fields, then returned to pick up Tong Sui.

Grandfather had publicly instructed Xiao Zhen to go to Taohuagou for business during breakfast, so despite He Shi's confusion about what the couple was doing, she didn't say anything sarcastic.

The mule cart traveled east along the road behind the houses. Reaching the eastern end of the village, Tong Sui noticed that Pan Yuerou's family's back door was open. Just as she saw Lady Wang, Lady Wang called out in surprise, "Second Master and Second Madam, where are you going?"

Since they had greeted her, Xiao Zhen had to stop the cart.

Sitting on the cart, Tong Sui said to Lady Wang who had come out, "I haven't visited my parents in a while. Now that the field work is done, I urged Second Master to take me back to see them. Are you busy, Auntie?"

Lady Wang glanced at her son building a shed and her daughter feeding chicks by the chicken coop, smiling, "Thanks to the villagers accepting us, we finally have a place to settle. Since we've moved in, we need to get our lives started. Your Uncle Pan found work at the blacksmith shop in town and bought a mule for convenience. Yuerou's brother is building the mule shed."

Tong Sui continued chatting, "That's right. Have you planted your fields?"

Lady Wang smiled, "Two acres, planted yesterday. We heard your family donated hundreds of pounds of seeds. All the new villagers are very grateful."

At this point, Pan Yuerou chided, "Mother, Second Madam is in a hurry. Please stop talking."

Lady Wang exclaimed, "Oh, my fault. You should go. We can chat later."

Xiao Zhen nodded slightly and continued driving the cart.

After some distance, Tong Sui moved closer to him and whispered, "The Pans seem quite wealthy."

Buying a mule and chicks, getting two acres of land, and buying seeds for the remaining eight tenths of an acre.

Xiao Zhen replied, "They lived in town before, and Father and Son are capable. Protecting their wealth isn't surprising."

Tong Sui said, "Looking at it this way, Miss Pan and Fourth Younger Brother are indeed well-matched." Both families have assets; one is handsome and skilled, the other naturally beautiful.

Xiao Zhen glanced at her, "As his elder brother, I'm not worried, but you're eager to find a wife for Fourth Younger Brother."

Tong Sui ignored him.

Xiao Zhen continued, "Matchmaking isn't just about these things; it depends on whether they click."

Tong Sui replied, "Most marriages are arranged without knowing if they'll click before marriage."

Xiao Zhen said, "That's true for us, but the Pans live on the same street. Fourth Younger Brother has plenty of chances to meet her. If he likes her, he won't hide it from us. Then you can worry about it."

Tong Sui said, "Grandfather and Second Aunt will handle it. It's not my turn yet."

Xiao Zhen replied, "In our eastern courtyard, you and I are in charge. If Grandfather really likes Miss Pan, he'll discuss it with you, not Second Aunt."

Tong Sui asked, "What about Elder Sister-in-Law?"

Xiao Zhen replied, "I think Elder Sister-in-Law listens to you."

Tong Sui, sitting facing away from him, secretly smiled.

This relaxed mood turned tense as the mule cart approached the mountain path. Tong Sui began to scrutinize the surrounding hills and forests.

Xiao Zhen reassured her, "Don't worry. Nothing happened when I came last time, and now that the county has allocated land, there shouldn't be any refugees hiding in the mountains."

Most refugees wanted to become regular citizens. Those who took risks were mostly dealt with by Brother Qin.

Indeed, the journey was uneventful, and the couple arrived safely in Taohuagou.

Tong Gui had gone into the mountains, and Tong Shan was at the private school. Only Tong Youyu and Zhou Qing, the couple, were at home.

When Tong Sui entered the village, she sensed its tranquility. Seeing her parents just as she remembered them, she felt completely relieved.

Zhou Qing: "Our village has few vacant lots and houses. Only five households of elderly and weak refugees have come to seek shelter. The neighbors are keeping a close watch on them, so there won't be any trouble. But you two, why are you here now?"

Xiao Zhen explained, "My grandfather asked me to cut down a batch of timber without telling me the purpose. He only told me to contact the villagers here for help in cutting it down. After cutting it, we'll leave it with you until we have enough to collect."

After saying this, Xiao Zhen took out a money bag filled with copper coins: "We will stay for only two nights. Please, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, distribute the wages to the villagers who help us."

The news about making guns should still be kept secret. It's best to tell everyone when Master Wang comes next time.

Since the in-laws had a request and it wasn't a difficult task, Zhou Qing and her husband readily agreed.

Xiao Zhen said, "Let Aman keep you company while I go into the mountains to find Ah Gui and see which trees are suitable."

Tong Youyu: "I'll go with you. You haven't been in these mountains before; don't get lost."

Xiao Zhen looked at Tong Sui, unsure if his blind father-in-law would find it convenient to enter the mountains.

Tong Sui smiled, "Go together. Maybe my father can walk faster than you."

With the wife's words, Xiao Zhen felt reassured and troubled his father-in-law.

---

The men took dry rations with them, so they wouldn't be eating lunch at home. Tong Sui and her mother chatted while preparing lunch for five people.

"Stay here; I'll take the food to the private school," Zhou Qing packed the food box and instructed her daughter.

Tong Sui agreed.

Zhou Qing walked briskly to the private school.

Tong Shan didn't know his sister and brother-in-law had returned. He obediently stayed at the school and ate with the Song family. Zhou Qing glanced at Song Zhishi but didn't mention her daughter and son-in-law. After the meal, she cleaned up the bowls and dishes and returned home with the food box.

In the afternoon, mother and daughter sat on the kang chatting. There was nothing new in Taohuagou, but Tong Sui brought back plenty of news from Lingshui Village, causing Zhou Qing to exclaim in surprise: "Just the second master and seven others caught over a hundred refugees?"

Tong Sui nodded.

Zhou Qing had already lamented the tragic deaths of the villagers in Pine Village. Now, she hugged her daughter and said contentedly, "Your husband is so capable. Our Aman really didn't marry the wrong person. If it were the neighbor, he might need your protection in times of trouble."

Tong Sui sighed, "Why do you keep mentioning him?"

Zhou Qing: "Isn't it because he keeps showing up in front of me? You're married, yet he still insists on helping me every other day, making it hard for me."

Tong Sui: "What's so difficult about it? Just refuse him outright."

Zhou Qing: "His pale face; whenever I try to refuse him, he looks heartbroken, making me feel like the one who's done something wrong. Sigh, after so many times, I can't bring myself to be harsh. It's all your fault for being so likable. Even after being married for almost a month, he still pines for you."

Tong Sui: "..."

Later in the afternoon, Tong Youyu and the others returned. He led the way, while Xiao Zhen and Tong Gui carried a tree as thick as a water bucket together.

The mountain path was rugged, and the tree was heavy, leaving both men drenched in sweat. They breathed heavily after putting down the tree.

Tong Sui brought out two basins and handed each man a towel.

Tong Gui: "No need to wash our faces. Second Master, let's go straight to my room for a shower. Aman, bring another bucket of water; this isn't enough."

Tong Sui fetched the water and also brought a set of clean clothes for Xiao Zhen, carrying the bucket to her cousin's room.

Tong Gui stood shirtless in the main room. Tong Sui, not thinking about propriety, was startled by the deep red marks on her brother's shoulders.

Just as she was about to express concern, Xiao Zhen emerged from behind the curtain, similarly dressed only in pants with his upper body exposed, his shoulders also red.

Meeting his gaze, Tong Sui immediately turned away and placed the clothes on the dry stove: "You, you two, go ahead and wash. I'll help Mother with cooking. There's medicine for wounds here; don't forget to apply it."

She then quickly ran off.

Tong Gui glanced at his sister, then at Xiao Zhen, surprised: "Even after so long, Aman still can't relax around you? Look at how red her face was just now."

Xiao Zhen smiled, "Don't tease her with that."

There's something endearing about her shyness; he liked her just the way she was.