Chapter 091

Chapter 091

"Thousand Commander Xiao, you've finally arrived!"

As the convoy entered the city, a guard soldier greeted the old man with a smile, revealing a set of white teeth.

Lady He turned to look and exclaimed in surprise, "Qiangzi? When did you start this job?"

Tong Sui silently surveyed the scene; there were eight guards verifying the identities of people entering and leaving the city, and six of them were familiar faces from Lingshui Village.

Qiangzi approached the women's cart and whispered to Lady He, "Second Master said that since we're guarding the city, it's best to have our own people watching the gate. The previous guards were promoted by corrupt officials; they can't be good people and might even sneak open the city gates at night to sell us out."

Lady He nodded in understanding, saying instinctively, "Then you must guard well; the lives of everyone in the city depend on you."

Qiangzi straightened his back and replied, "Auntie, don't worry; we're all alert!"

As the cart passed, Qiangzi resumed his duties. Yesterday, he was still a villager, but today, dressed in the dark blue uniform with red collars of the city guards, he looked strong and imposing, not inferior to those officially appointed by County Magistrate Liu.

Tong Sui retracted her gaze and began observing the pedestrians on the street.

According to the wealthy families in the city, when County Magistrate Liu first died, the city was in chaos. Now, although the citizens might still be uneasy, no one dared to cause trouble openly on the streets.

Some people recognized their group and stood by the roadside, whispering and discussing among themselves.

Tong Sui deliberately used her shoulder to shield Lin Ningfang's face, and Liu Chu reacted quickly, helping to cover the other side.

Xiao Yuchan muttered softly, "We all have one head and two eyes; is it really necessary to be so cautious?"

If it were about beauty, there were several beauties in the carriage, and it wasn't certain that anyone would notice Lin Ningfang right away.

Lady He: "What do you know? Proper ladies never leave the inner chambers. Unlike you village girls who always show your faces."

Xiao Yuchan pouted, disapproving of Lin Ningfang's mannerisms but also feeling a bit envious of her elegance, wanting to learn from her.

Tong Sui and her sisters-in-law had long learned to ignore certain comments from these two. Zhou Gui secretly observed and noticed that Lin Ningfang simply sat quietly, her delicate face unchanged by the words of Lady He and her daughter, admiring her composure and grace.

With Xiao Zhen leading the way, the convoy made a few turns and slowly arrived at the street behind the county office. The front street and its sides were home to the city's wealthy families, while the back faced a river lined with shops. Crossing the bridge, everything was conveniently accessible.

Zhou Gui whispered to Tong Sui, "Brother-in-law is truly impressive. This is the best location in the city; a three-compound house here could sell for a hundred taels or more."

Tong Sui silently noted this information.

The vehicles stopped, and everyone got out.

On the Xiao family's side, the old man and Xiao She led the preparations. Xiao Zhen first guided the Tong and Zhou families to the door of the neighboring house, explaining, "Father-in-law, you'll stay here. The layout is the same as next door. I've connected the walls of the last two courtyards for easy movement between them."

Zhou Qing: "Understood. We can settle ourselves. You have more people over there, so go back."

Xiao Zhen wasn't in a hurry and led both families inside.

The first courtyard facing the street had four rooms for servants. Xiao Zhen explained, "We're here to protect the people, so we won't hire many servants. We'll do the laundry and cooking ourselves. The servants' quarters on our side will be for Fifth Younger Brother and the unmarried men, each with their own room. Here, Ah Gui and Cousin can stay, and the empty ones can be guest rooms."

Zhou Xian: "That's great. It's also good for security; we can hear any noise outside at night."

Xiao Zhen nodded and pointed to the corner courtyard on the east side, "Usually, the carriages and horses are parked in that small courtyard."

Further ahead was a decorative gate, beyond which lay the spacious main courtyard. To the north were three main rooms, with small side courtyards on either side. On the east and west sides were three side rooms each, similar to those in peasant courtyards. The kitchen was built south of the west side room, and the toilet was on the east side.

Xiao Zhen continued, "The main rooms are reserved for Grandfather when he returns from his travels. You can arrange the east and west side rooms as you see fit. There's another row of back rooms for storage since we don't have many maids."

He then handed the keys to each room to Mother-in-law Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing couldn't find fault with this son-in-law and urged him to return to help next door.

Xiao Zhen: "Alright, I'll go back. Later, when we start cooking, we'll invite you over to eat."

Zhou Qing: "Sure, we'll join you for lunch and cook ourselves in the evening."

Xiao Zhen smiled and took his leave.

In the West Court, the men were moving things, while the women had just finished touring the four rooms in the servants' quarters.

Lady He murmured, "One room for Old Wu, one for Chang'an and Changshun, and one left empty. If Old Si were still here, it would be perfect."

Aunt Xiao, with tears in her eyes, said, "Let's not talk about that; let's focus on something happy."

At this moment, Xiao Zhen entered.

Xiao Yuchan pointed to a section of the courtyard wall and the moon gate on the west side and asked, "Second Brother, what's that small courtyard for?"

Xiao Zhen replied, "That's the South Study. Guests can also be entertained there. That's it for this side; let's move on."

Beyond the decorative gate, the main courtyard had three main rooms, two small side courtyards on either side, and three side rooms on the east and west sides.

Xiao Zhen, being straightforward with his family, distributed the keys while making arrangements, "Grandfather will stay in the main rooms. Sister-in-law Mianmian will stay in the south room of the west side room. Yuchan and Yao Ge Er will stay in the north room. Second Uncle and Second Aunt will stay in the south room of the east side room, and Uncle and Aunt will stay in the north room. Third Younger Brother and Third Younger Sister-in-law will stay in the West Wing Courtyard, and I and Aman will stay in the East Wing Courtyard."

"The back rooms are for A Fu and Ah Zhen."

Lady He remarked meaningfully, "It's thoughtful of Second Son to think of everything."

Like her and her husband, in their forties, they didn't need much privacy, so staying in the main courtyard wasn't an issue. The younger couples, Second Son and Third Son, could enjoy their own small courtyards, ensuring some privacy.

Xiao Zhen ignored the praise and directly addressed Tong Sui, "It's almost noon. You and Sister-in-law should start cooking with Yuchan. Father-in-law and the others will also come over to eat. We'll handle moving the things."

Tong Sui nodded and went with Liu Chu and Xiao Yuchan to fetch the cooking utensils and food from the vehicles.

On the way, Xiao Yuchan counted on her fingers, "Wow, we already had a big family, and now with four families together, how many people are there?"

Tong Sui: "Ask Second Master if Second Uncle, Third Master, Cousin, and my Second Brother will be coming home for lunch."

Xiao Yuchan ran an errand and came back, saying, "He's not coming back. He said he'll be busy until evening."

Tong Sui understood the situation.

Soon after, Lady He, Aunt Xiao, Zhou Qing, and Lady Jiang all came to help. With more women around, cooking went faster. In the end, they set up two full tables in the main room. The elders and children sat on chairs, while the young people who couldn't find seats simply stood and ate, chatting and laughing. The relationships among the four families quickly warmed up.

Lady He glanced at the Tong and Zhou families and felt a bit envious. However, both the Tong and Zhou families could contribute significantly to important matters, whereas her own family was adept at slacking off. Moreover, the three-compound house was already cramped, leaving no space to accommodate her relatives.

---

After lunch, the old man asked Xiao She to stay home while he took Xiao Zhen out. They left so quickly that Xiao Zhen didn't even have a chance to talk privately with Tong Sui.

Tong Sui and the other women cleaned up the kitchen together before returning to their respective rooms to continue tidying up their homes.

Tong Sui went to the East Wing Courtyard where she and Xiao Zhen lived.

Though called a courtyard, it was actually very small. To the north were a living room and a bedroom, making a total of two rooms. The courtyard was so compact that Xiao Zhen had to be careful when practicing his spear skills.

However, with walls on three sides, it formed an independent little yard. There was no need to worry about being seen while pouring water outside, which was better than living in the main courtyard's side rooms.

She pushed open the door and entered the room.

There was no stove in the living room; instead, there was one built against the wall near the bedroom, accompanied by an iron kettle for boiling water in winter. To the north, there was a table, two chairs, and a bookcase. Surprisingly, the bookcase contained writing tools and several books—all the ones Tong Sui had been reading recently.

But now was not the time for reading. Tong Sui went into the bedroom.

By the window to the south was a raised platform bed. The room was equipped with cabinets, a washstand, and a dressing table—everything seemed better than what they had used in the Xiao household.

Xiao Zhen, busy assisting the old man with county affairs, had only managed to place Tong Sui's two dowry chests side by side at the foot of the bed, with the smaller bundles still neatly tied and wrapped.

Tong Sui began sorting things out, putting autumn clothes and shoes in the tall cabinet, and storing quilts and winter clothes in the low cabinet on the ground. The chests contained new clothes and quilts that wouldn't be needed soon.

After finishing everything, Tong Sui washed her hands and lay down on the bed.

In this unfamiliar city and house, but with familiar friends and family in the neighboring courtyards.

---

By evening, the sky had darkened when the old man and Xiao Shouyi returned with Xiao Zhen and the brothers.

Hearing the commotion, Tong Sui peeked from the kitchen and saw the old man's resolute face, Xiao Yan's spirited smile, and then Xiao Zhen, who suddenly turned his head to glance over while walking forward.

Tong Sui immediately walked away, thinking how alert this person was, like a fox in the mountains.

Tonight, the Tong and Zhou families did not come over, but since almost everyone from the Xiao and Qiao families was present, the dinner table was particularly lively.

Xiao Yan: "We went out of the city to recruit soldiers. We recruited over three thousand, and I brought back two hundred and one, the most!"

Qiao Changshun: "Stop bragging. It's because Second Brother assigned you the most populous villages. Otherwise, you wouldn't have won against me."

Xiao Yan: "It has nothing to do with that. I look like a great general, and those young men trust me."

Qiao Changan: "Your boasting doesn't count here. Look at how smug you are."

Xiao She: "When I turn twenty, none of you will be as strong as me."

Lady He smiled and served a large bowl of rice to her youngest son.

Xiao Yuchan: "Only three thousand? That's too few, right?"

Xiao Yan: "Second Brother has already recruited about a thousand from the city. Including the thousand we brought from our northern villages, we have over five thousand. We'll definitely recruit more tomorrow and reach six thousand, enough for six companies."

Xiao Yuchan: "The rebels have over ten thousand..."

Qiao Changshun: "They have already reached twenty-five thousand, but they've included every able-bodied man. Our six thousand are all young and strong. Don't worry, Cousin."

The siblings chattered away, discussing topics everyone found interesting, making the meal very enjoyable.

After dinner, the men continued to discuss important matters, while the women returned to the kitchen to clean up.

As Tong Sui walked to the East Wing Courtyard, it was already pitch dark.

The small gate of the East Wing Courtyard was open. Tong Sui stepped inside and hadn't done anything yet when a shadow suddenly approached from the left, one hand covering her mouth and the other wrapping around her waist, pinning her against the wall in an instant.

Tong Sui's heart raced wildly. After realizing what was happening, she clenched her fist and hit the man's chest.

Xiao Zhen endured the blow, waited for her to vent, then held her hand and asked, "We haven't seen each other for two days. Did you miss me?"

Tong Sui lowered her eyes and calculated, "You came yesterday at noon, and I saw you today at noon. How is it two days?"

Xiao Zhen: "Yesterday and today, we haven't seen each other alone. A brief glance in a crowd doesn't count."

Worried that someone might overhear, Tong Sui pushed him gently, "Let's go inside to talk."

Xiao Zhen held her hand, closed the small gate, and then picked her up, carrying her into the bedroom.

Once inside, he didn't put her down, pressing her against the wall to kiss her.

Tong Sui turned her head in time.

Xiao Zhen kissed her neck instead, feeling the delicate, fair skin tinged with a hint of kitchen smoke.

Tong Sui was unaware, and Xiao Zhen seemed not to notice either, continuing until she was breathless before lifting his head to look at her expression.

Tong Sui lowered her eyelashes, breathing slightly heavily.

Xiao Zhen leaned in to kiss her lips again.

Tong Sui covered his attempt with her hand and looked at him, saying, "I'll wash up first."

Xiao Zhen finally put her down on the ground, telling her to wait while he went outside to fetch water.

Tong Sui followed him out and stood beside him, asking, "Did our family buy these two houses, or...?"

Xiao Zhen explained, "The Du family, who wanted to take you as a concubine last time, are notorious bullies in the city. With solid evidence, they were condemned to have their assets seized and be executed. These two properties belonged to them. We'll stay here for now and hand them over to the authorities when they arrive."

They weren't bought, nor were they taken by force. The Xiao family had protected the city and its people, so using these two confiscated properties was entirely justified.

Tong Sui understood. As for other questions, she had mostly found answers during dinner.

Xiao Zhen finished fetching the water and held up the copper basin, asking, "Will you wash inside the room? Should I wait outside?"

Tong Sui nodded, took the copper basin, and closed the door behind her.