Chapter 116: Chapter 80: Harmony of General and Minister, Bountiful Harvest, Number One in Comprehension in Great Yin
After all, every year is like this.
And this year, she plans to mention the boy’s name a little.
...
...
On the other side, Li Xuan returned on horseback.
As soon as he reached the east gate of Xiongshan County, he saw a valiant white-clad general with a spear leading dozens of elite cavalry from afar.
When they got closer, voices rang out: "Greetings, Young Master," "Congratulations to Young Master for topping the list," and the like.
The white-clad general raised her head slightly, revealing the pretty face beneath the helmet.
Compared to the lean face at the beginning of the year, this pretty face now looked much fuller, along with the once bony body that had become more plump.
Li Xuan looked at Wei Yao.
Wei Yao smiled slightly and also said, "Congratulations to Young Master for topping the list."
Her gaze moved, naturally noticing that Rose, who went out with Li Xuan, had disappeared.
However, this matter was already no secret.
Li Shu, who communicated with the family through letters, had already told the family about what happened with the Eldest Young Master Li.
However, Li Shu’s version was that "Rose went missing and is feared to have met an untimely end."
Now that Li Xuan had returned, no one mentioned Rose, because everyone knew what disappearance meant in these times.
Wei Yao said with a smile: "The Young Madam knew Young Master would return today, and she has been busy preparing, saying she wants to give Young Master a surprise."
"A surprise?"
Li Xuan had long adjusted his mindset, pressing certain things temporarily into his heart, and now he laughed heartily and said, "Let’s go!"
He rode ahead, Wei Yao closely following, with many cavalrymen trailing behind.
The streets of Xiongshan County were still sparsely populated, but compared to the desolation following the epidemic at the beginning of the year, it was much better now, something Li Xuan had heard from Tian Yuan in family letters.
This was all because of the good governance of Xiongshan County.
Many refugees from the surrounding area fled here.
...
Soon, Li Xuan entered the Li family and was led to the place of the "surprise."
Under the Li family grounds, many passages had been dug out, resembling a labyrinth inside.
Though the large project was not finished, or perhaps it had only just begun.
Tian Yuan led Li Xuan by the hand, showing him around, and said, "Father knows that building a fortress is too conspicuous, so he recruited talent to build this underground maze."
Saying so she took out a map, which included the terrain around the Li family and the overall plan.
The plan included "escape tunnels," "underground armory," "underground housing," and so on.
"Husband, look, this is a natural underground cave from the remnant veins of Red Flower Mountain.
Due to a rockfall last year, the entrance to the cave was sealed and undetectable from outside.
But now, it has become a junction for one of our Li family’s tunnels."
"Husband, those younger siblings you brought back earlier have now all been placed in the Li family’s private school to study."
"Husband, the output of sparrow gold embroidery from the fabric shop has increased every month, and now there are several more bolts in stock. If you go to Cyan Wood Province again, you can take them all, although the quantity isn’t large. In case it’s not enough to give away, I’ve prepared other fine brocade... However, if you go to the capital next year for the final imperial examination, it should be enough."
"Husband..."
"Husband..."
Tian Yuan kept talking on and on, leading Li Xuan everywhere.
Li Xuan looked at her side profile, and besides peace and focus, there was also a faint trace of fatigue.
The bright and clean eyes of their newlywed days also appeared slightly dimmed.
He knew that his mother essentially didn’t handle outside affairs, and his second mother only taught the children to read but was limited in ability. As for his father...though he was bold, he lacked carefulness and got headaches when faced with trivial details.
It was evident that the large undertaking by the Li family now laid at least half its weight on Tian Yuan’s shoulders.
Watching Tian Yuan keep speaking, as if she couldn’t stop at all.
Li Xuan couldn’t help but feel a surge of heartache and tenderness.
...
Night fell.
The couple went to bed early, and after joyous moments, they slept in each other’s arms.
Tian Yuan rested her head on Li Xuan’s left arm, facing him as she slept, her breaths still uneven.
Li Xuan gently stroked his wife’s long hair, thinking about the underground passages he saw during the day.
Obviously, the project of the passage was huge and couldn’t be completed without years of effort.
But if he used the White Bone Demon to dig tunnels, could it be possible?
Though the White Bone Demon is clumsy, digging tunnels itself is merely laborious work.
But the key problem is that the White Bone Demon is too conspicuous.
It still relies on evil ghosts.
While Li Xuan was deep in thought, Tian Yuan evidently had thoughts in her mind as well. She suddenly said softly, "Husband, take Miss Wei Yao as your concubine.
And if you lack maids by your side, Qiao’Er would be a fine choice.
But if Husband doesn’t favor Qiao’Er, then find someone you like to bring into the house.
One isn’t enough, then two or three—it is all possible."
Li Xuan raised his eyes to look at his wife, who was so close, and asked: "Why did you suddenly mention this?"
Tian Yuan said: "Miss Wei Yao supported the Li family greatly and is deeply devoted to you, Husband, you shouldn’t let her down."
Li Xuan instantly understood.
Tian Yuan’s meaning was, "Wei Yao is now too involved in the Li family’s affairs, so it requires a deeper relationship to maintain it."
As for the matter of maids, presumably Tian Yuan saw that he had lost Rose and feared he would be saddened, so she proposed finding more maids for him.
Qiao’Er is quite endearing, and as someone close to her, she most likely wouldn’t depart from the Li family to marry elsewhere; the best outcome would be to stay with him.
Thus, Li Xuan nodded and said: "I’ll follow my wife’s wishes."
Tian Yuan smiled and said: "Then tomorrow night, let’s have Qiao’Er here; that girl will probably be overjoyed."
