" Li Laosi sought his mother's opinion. 。Li Laotai thought about how Liu Biaotou had taken care of their family on the road before. Where could there be any reason to disagree 。"Go ahead, but these...The little girl guarding the door hadn't seen Mu Xu for a long time. Seeing his changed appearance, she stopped him and asked, "Who are you What brings you to our house"

Mu Xu couldn't help but laugh and cry. Just as he was about to speak, Zheng Qi came back from outside and shouted from afar.

"Mu Ge, is it you who's back"

Mu Xu turned his head, a smile revealing a row of white teeth. "Yeah, I was stopped right at the doorstep."

Zheng Qi stepped forward, took a good look at him, and couldn't help but laugh uproariously.

"Big Brother Mu, what kind of errand are you running This is too dark. Don't even mention outsiders, I wouldn't recognize you."

Mu Xu patted his nape, "Don't meddle, take me to see the county princess quickly."

Zheng Qi hurriedly said a word to the little girl, then led Mu Xu into the courtyard.

When Wan’er came out of the kitchen, she was also delighted to see Mu Xu.

She knew Mu Xu had been busy for the family lately, and that he was also the groom chosen by the Marquis for his niece.

Regardless of whether this marriage takes place, Mu Xu should be grateful for the busy household and take extra care of his family.

Then, she greeted Mu Xu, "Guard Mu, after you finish talking with the county princess, remember to stay for a meal. I'll have the kitchen prepare some of your favorite dishes."

Mu Xu didn't stand on ceremony. He bowed and smiled, "Thank you, Madam. If there is meat and steamed buns, that would be best. I've been hungry for days, my stomach could eat a whole ox!"

Wan'er quickly turned around and instructed Shuǐyún to add more dishes.

There was originally a cook at home, but her skills were nowhere near as good as Shuiyun's.

After Shuiyun returned, the kitchen maid became his apprentice and diligently learned her craft every day with joy.

Mu Xu entered the corner gate of the back garden and saw Jia Yin come out to greet him after hearing the news.

The two sat directly beside the stone table under the tree, and began to speak.

"Where have you been these days You look exhausted." Jia Yin glanced at Mu Xu, whose hair was as black as coal. She wanted to laugh but felt it would be unkind.

Mu Xu didn't think so. Seeing Jia Yin trying to hold back a smile, he regretted not tanning himself darker.

"Such a big thing happened in Xin Du, it has to be spread out immediately. I sent the news from Jiangbei, and I also arranged people for the southwest and southeast. Besides, I secretly kept an eye on several mansions. Overall, I didn't suffer much hardship, but food and lodging definitely weren't as comfortable."

At this time, Shuiling bumped a dish out of the house.

Jia Yin took a small knife and planned to peel a golden fruit for Mu Xu to quench his thirst.

He just grabbed it, opened his mouth and took a big bite, mumbling, "I'm not a little girl, there's no need to be so careful, don't cut your hand."

As he spoke, he remembered something and took out a delicate box from his pocket and handed it to Jia Yin.

"I met someone on the way, she looked really pretty, I bought her for you to play with."

Jia Yin opened the box and saw a pair of gold bracelets inlaid with jade inside. They were made of transparent, icy jade, with delicate gold chains hanging from the mouths of the bracelets, each holding a small jade rabbit. They were truly exquisite and adorable.

"Oh, how cute!" Kaori immediately took it out and put it on her wrist.

The fair and slender wrist, set off by the gold and jade, added a few more points of tenderness.

"Suiling couldn't help but praise, "This bracelet is really beautiful. What a clever design, it must have been meticulously crafted by a master."

Mu Xu continued to gnaw on the golden fruit, a smile that wouldn't fade from his lips.

In fact, this was something he had long ago replaced with jadeite and commissioned a master craftsman to make it individually. The patterns were all drawn by him.

Such good things, where can you just find them on the street

But no matter how it came to be, it's all for this moment, the joy of my beloved...

Jia Yin saw Mu Xu eating with gusto, worried that he would starve, so she asked Shui Ling to go to the kitchen and get dinner started sooner.

As soon as Shui Ling left, the little fox scurried down from the wall.

Jia Yin was surprised and happy, so she quickly hugged it and gently stroked its fur.

"Sanqiao, why did you come back now Are you hungry Are you tired"

Mu Xu's hand held half a gourd, and suddenly he found it wasn't sweet anymore.

They all came back from outside, and he was even more tired and traveled farther, but why didn't he have the same treatment as the little fox

The little fox, perhaps having guessed his thoughts, became even more complacently nestled in its master's arms, wagging its bushy tail.

Jia Yin fed the little fox fruit while asking, "In just two days' time, how did San come to look so plump Did the Third Princess feed you too much meat"

The little fox rolled its black-bean like eyes, feigning ignorance.

He absolutely couldn't admit that he had recently latched onto a powerful dragon's leg...

Fortunately, Jia Yin didn't dwell on this small change. She asked softly, "Is there something going on in the palace that made you run back"

The little fox immediately chirped excitedly, occasionally waving its paws and jumping up and down on the table.

Jia Yin listened, her brows furrowed deeper with each word. Her expression was unreadable, a mixture of disappointment and anger.

Mu Xu saw this and felt very strange, but he didn't say a word and didn't dare to interrupt.

Not until the little fox finished its cries did Jiayin embrace it and ask, "Do you know how long that person will take"

The little fox extended its paw and drew a circle on Jia Yin's palm, then erased half of it.

Jia Yin nodded and took out several fish cakes from her satchel for the little fox.

The little fox ate happily, its big tail almost flying off.

Mu Xu really couldn't hold back any longer, he gave a dry cough and asked, "What happened"

Jia Yin replied, “The third batch of military supplies won't arrive in Jiangbei on time. It will take at least another half month.”

Mu Xu's face was also grim as he asked, "What on earth is that person thinking On the battlefield, the situation changes in an instant. Without food supplies, are we to have our soldiers fight the barbarians on empty stomachs"

All the food supplies from various regions have already been collected. Even if it's difficult, it shouldn't be delayed for half a month this long.

"What on earth was he thinking Not even anyone at court dared to make a move, yet he was so ruthless. Wasn't he supposed to treat the Marquis like his own brother"

Jia Yin coldly snorted, "The most heartless are the imperial families! Throughout history, how many emperors have killed their own brothers to gain power Besides, my adoptive father is only his cousin! And in half a month, it's not certain if he can gather military supplies. There might be unforeseen circumstances."

"What else is wrong" Mu Xu was a little agitated. He had stayed in the Bei Zhe army and eaten their food.

Even if the soldiers did not go out to fight, they still had to train, which consumed a great deal of physical energy. However, they only had two meals a day, each barely enough to fill them up.

In the past, the Vanguard could occasionally go hunting in the mountains or raid the barbarians for some food and supplies.

But the weather this year has been too bad, the North Jiangshan forests have withered a lot, and wild animals are not easy to survive.

In the fields, it was even worse. The barbarians forced some slaves to plant a meager harvest, which then withered and died in the drought. As a result, they could no longer rely on "fighting for food" as their primary sustenance.

Otherwise, the barbarians will go hungry, and I fear the slaves will end up in the pot.

Know that these slaves were originally unlucky Tianwu commoners who were caught!

"In half a month, it will be the prince's ascension to the throne. After the prince ascends the throne, he will still need to choose a consort." Jia Yin replied, "It will take a total of about a month before the prince firmly establishes his footing in court. By then, no matter how things are arranged, that person probably hasn't figured it out yet."

Is it to leave behind a reputation of unifying the empire for oneself, or to give it to one's son as a stepping stone This is a difficult question!

But all this tremendous credit should go to the two of them, father and son. It wouldn't belong to… outsiders!esponsibility of preparing both breakfast and dinner for the cave dwelling every day.Although Mrs. Cui had recovered and there was also Qiong's help, neither of them seemed like they were good at hous...