“Since you are already here, why shout so loudly? Don’t frighten Sister Zhu’er—especially with the Crown Prince present." Wen Yansheng muttered discontentedly.
"Third Brother, how can you say that! Sister won’t mind, will she? Third Brother has always been straightforward since childhood."
Wen Mingzhu sat beside the Crown Prince in the upper seat; her voice was pleasant, crisp yet tinged with charm.
Today Xiao Jin did not want to ride a horse; he wanted to sit in the carriage with the little girl, Leng Yan drove the carriage, and Jin Que sat with him at the front.
All along the way only Xiao Jin’s cheerful voice was heard; Wen Qingwan chimed in now and then, making him sound even more delighted.
Wen Qingwan looked at the man grinning like a fool, while inwardly wondering whether Wen Mingzhu would return home today.
Night falls, and beneath the shroud of darkness the whole Northern City glitters with lights.
This city, belonging to the northern fortress of Country G, shines with dazzling lights at night, beguiling the heart.
The whole Northern City is boundless in beauty, especially after nightfall when its snowy world stands unique—an exquisite sight.
The two who entered hand in hand drew the gaze of everyone in the courtyard.
Hongyun followed the two inside, edged closer to Yuan Cang, and stood by his side.
On the way, the Master took time to let Miss Wen Li bathe and change clothes; wherever these two went, their looks drew every eye.
Zeng Xiaoyan, being straightforward by nature, couldn’t stand this. While checking whether a batch of Lantern fruit seeds was clean, she raised her head and sneered: "Even if we wanted to harm, we couldn’t. These Lantern fruits are ours once we’ve bought them, nothing to do with anyone else, so you don’t need to meddle."
The villagers glanced at each other, silently curling their lips—wasn’t that exactly the truth? They only needed to sell the lantern fruits; the Xu family was happy to buy, everyone was happy to sell, money in one hand and goods in the other, and that was the end of it.
It’s just that simple a truth.
Xu Zhichun laughed and said: "We’ve already discussed it, so please, Uncle Lizheng, go and tell them."
“Good good!”
Xu Zhichun, smiling again, brought up the matter of buying land.
Liang Lizheng was startled, gave her a look, and said: "Have you thought it through? If you have, then buy. Wasteland costs two taels of silver per mu. Within a year it must be reclaimed, or else it will be taken back. Starting next year, tax must be paid—twenty coins per mu, or ten pounds of dried soybeans."
Physician Ye was absorbed in studying the formula and did not notice Yan Ruoxi’s expression.
Yan Ruoxi’s face shifted from pale to flushed, her fists clenched tight, revealing a look of jealous hatred.
After half a day, Physician Ye finally figured out the formula for the wound medicine. He nodded approvingly: “What a marvelous remedy—when Seven‑Day Grass and Polygonum are used together, they can swiftly stop bleeding…”
