bookrandom Chapter 388 Returning Home
Chapter 388 Returning Home
The eldest aunt chimed in, "Mother, forget about that brat. I've told him so many times. He gets impatient whenever we talk about marriage. Our Yue'er is a princess now. Shouldn't we have a big celebration?"
"Aunt, there's no need for a big celebration. Our family can just have a small one." Xiao Siyue hates these kinds of troublesome things the most. Besides, she'll be turning 18 in less than a year, and there will definitely be a coming-of-age banquet then.
Old Mrs. Xiao glanced at Xiao Siyue, who was vehemently refusing, and then at Xiao Qinian.
"Mother, let's listen to Yue'er. Let's just celebrate as family." Xiao Qinian agreed with Xiao Siyue's idea.
in a few days
The envoy from Dayong sent Xiao Siyue several boxes of treasures as an apology. Xiao Siyue selected some for her family and stored the rest in her small storeroom.
Moreover, it is worth mentioning that the letter from the Emperor of Dayong also arrived, and he agreed with Xiao Qinian's previous statement, exchanging Qiling County for some grain seeds and glass products. This made Emperor Zhou extremely happy, and he cheerfully sent away the pale-faced people of Dayong.
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Time passed by slowly but surely, but in places unknown to Xiao Siyue, constant conflicts were taking place. The less-than-harmonious trade between Da Zhou and Dayong had made the other two countries extremely envious. After all, both countries were short of food, so they discussed coming to Da Zhou for exchanges, with their main purpose being to obtain grain seeds.
However, the Great Zhou was happy to see this happen. They no longer lacked these resources, and being able to exchange grain seeds for other, more useful resources was the best possible outcome.
However, this move made the power of the Great Zhou far surpass that of the other three kingdoms, and of course, it also made it a thorn in the side of the other three kingdoms. You know, in the past, the four kingdoms were evenly matched and there were constant conflicts, but none of them could truly crush the others. But now, seeing the situation of the Great Zhou, they are somewhat uneasy.
Especially the Great Jin, they have the most conflicts with the Great Zhou, and they were defeated by the Great Zhou before. They are afraid that the Great Zhou will suddenly attack them now. With their current strength, it is almost impossible for them to win.
So Da Jin is now trying to be on good terms with Da Zhou while also thinking of other ways.
As for the Great Zhou, which was once feared, they are now making a fortune. They are not short of money, so they mainly exchange cities or relatively scarce resources. The Zhou Emperor is now so happy that he can laugh himself awake. Listening to the reports from his ministers in the court, he is so happy that he almost loses his imperial dignity.
The way he looked at Xiao Qinian was so gentle that anyone who didn't know better would think he liked her.
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Time flies and the end of the year is fast approaching. Xiao Siyue's family plans to go back to their hometown this year, as they haven't been back for three whole years.
The elderly couple, in particular, missed their fellow villagers in Xiaojia Village very much. They originally said they would go back once a year when they came here, but they haven't been able to go back in recent years because of many things that have happened.
After preparing what they needed to take back, the entire Xiao family set off towards Xiaojia Village.
Besides Xiao Qinian, Xiao Sizhe, and Xiao Siyuan, who are going to take up their posts, only Xiao Siyu, who is preparing for the exam next year, is going back this time. Oh, and Lin Qin is not planning to go back either. Everyone else, including the younger generation of children, is going back.
The whole family, because they had to take care of the young and old, didn't rush on their journey and it took them a full eight days to arrive.
As the carriage entered Xiaojia Village, looking at the familiar Xiaojia Village from her memory, countless images flashed through Xiao Siyue's mind. Scenes of the Xiao family working together to make money flashed by, and Xiao Siyue couldn't help but smile.
Under the big tree at the village entrance, just like always, the village aunties and grandmothers sat chatting and gossiping about the village.
"Hey, look, who's that?" A lady pointed at Xiao Siyue's carriage, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Oh, it looks like Dayong's family! Dayong and the others are back! Come quick!" Aunt Fang, the village chief's wife, quickly stood up, extremely excited.
"It really is! They're back! They've been gone for years!" The people sitting there couldn't hide their excitement; they had all thought the Xiao family was never coming back.
The carriage stopped, and Xiao Siyue got off. Looking at Aunt Fang under the big tree, she immediately waved: "Grandma Fang, Grandma Fang."
"Hey, Siyue, little girl." Aunt Fang waved happily to Xiao Siyue.
Upon seeing familiar faces, the Xiao family members all disembarked from their carriages. Uncle Xiao Qiren told the servants to go back first, while he followed the elderly couple of the Xiao family towards the big tree.
"Auntie, it's been a long time! How have you been?" Old Mrs. Xiao was overjoyed to see a familiar face. She stepped forward, took Aunt Fang's hand, and greeted her with a smile in her eyes.
"Yes, yes, we are all fine. How are you all?" Aunt Fang nodded repeatedly, glancing at the people behind Old Lady Xiao. There were several unfamiliar faces.
"We're all doing well." Old Mrs. Xiao nodded, looking at Aunt Fang. Three years had passed, and Aunt Fang had hardly changed at all, still the same as before. She knew that they had been doing quite well these past few years, which was to be expected.
Xiaojia Village is now thriving. Thanks to the help of the Xiao family, the villagers are no longer short of money, and their lives are not too difficult. In fact, they are doing better than people in the town.
Aunt Fang also looked at Old Lady Xiao, feeling both happy and envious, but not jealous.
The water in the capital is indeed nourishing. In just three years, Old Lady Xiao has changed so much. Before, she looked like an old lady from a landlord's family, but now she is dressed in fine silks and satins and has a more noble air about her.
After all, it was the capital city. Even though Old Lady Xiao rarely went out, she usually came into contact with some elderly ladies of high status, and naturally, she developed an air of nobility in herself.
"Hey, don't stand here anymore. You must be tired from your journey. Go back quickly." After talking for a while, Aunt Fang noticed the weariness on Old Lady Xiao's face and immediately spoke up.
"Alright, Auntie, I am indeed a bit tired, so I'll head back now. We'll visit again tomorrow." Although the food, clothing, and lodging along the way were all top-notch, she was getting old, and after eight days of continuous travel, her bones were starting to break.
After saying goodbye to Aunt Fang, the Xiao family headed towards the old house.
Uncle Li and the servants from the Xiao family's old residence were already eagerly awaiting their arrival.
"Greetings, sir and madam..."
"Old Li, get up quickly, you've worked hard all these years." Grandpa Xiao quickly helped him up. All these years, Uncle Li had been staying at the old house, just waiting for them to come back.
Hearing what Old Master Xiao said, Uncle Li's eyes reddened a little. He wasn't tired, but he missed his master's family: "Old Master, this old servant has already had the servants tidy up the room."
"Hey, good."