Chapter 658: Chapter 430: Warning
The arm was nudged, and then I heard Xiao Xue ask, "What are you thinking about, why are you lost in thought while washing dishes?"
Liu Ze snapped back to reality, gave a slight smile: "Nothing much, I was just thinking if I can start something myself for a living."
Xiao Xue tilted her head slightly, puzzled.
The kitchen was already tidied up, Liu Ze wiped his hands with a dry cloth and led Xiao Xue out.
There’s less than a year until they get married, holding hands and whispering secrets while sitting together—all perfectly acceptable.
"After we marry, we can’t just have the whole family eating, living, and staying at our parents’ place. We should have our own affairs."
"It’s just food, that’s naturally fine, but family expenses and usages aren’t small. When we have children in a few years, boys need to study and write, girls also need to learn some music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, even if not proficient, at least knowledgeable."
"When the children grow up, for a boy’s betrothal gift, a girl’s dowry, as parents naturally we must prepare everything well."
Xiao Xue was amused: "We haven’t even married yet, and you’re already thinking about the children’s marriage."
The two grew up together; ever since meeting in Fu’an Village, they’ve almost always been together. It’s quite fitting to say they grew up as childhood sweethearts.
Perhaps it’s because they’re too familiar with each other, talking about things post-marriage isn’t awkward at all, rather they are downright candid.
Liu Ze: "Anyway, thinking about it more is good; it’s not just idle talk either, it’s actually practical."
That cannot be denied.
Xiao Xue thought it over: "I know needlework, and the embroidery doesn’t sell cheap, household expenses should be covered."
Liu Ze shook his head: "As a husband, how could I rely on my wife’s money to support the family, especially since doing embroidery strains the eyes? You should reduce it for your own good."
If Xiao Xue wasn’t particularly fond of needlework, apart from that, having no other strong hobbies or interests, he would’ve already wanted her to stop.
Moreover, hearing from his mother, during pregnancy and childbirth in those two years, it’s particularly easy to get fatigued, be it the eyes or anything else, she needs to rest well.
How could he let Xiao Xue earn money to support the family?
The more he thought, the more inappropriate it seemed.
Xiao Xue sighed: "This won’t do, that won’t do, then what exactly do you want to do?"
For now, all their food, clothes, and uses are from the family.
Even as they rushed this trip, Uncle Liu slipped Liu Ze a handful of silver notes when they departed, unclear how many exactly.
Later, confirming they’d stay here for a year and return next year, Aunt Qian also sent many personal items over, like books, embroidery works.
If they truly accounted everything, over the years, besides their own savings, they are not short of money in hand.
However, honestly for family expenses, it won’t suffice.
Thinking this, it’s essential to plan ahead for what to do afterwards.
Xiao Xue suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "Why not ask Xiao Mi?"
"Ask Xiao Mi?" Liu Ze hesitated: "Does Xiao Mi know?"
Xiao Xue replied: "I don’t know either, just feel like Xiao Mi has many ideas, might give us inspiration."
Anyway, they aren’t in a rush for money, marriage is still far off, not to mention other things.
But they casually discussed it without hurrying to find Xiao Mi.
Leaving the kitchen, Aunt 2 was just pushing Xiao Mi back to her room for a nap when Xiao Mi wanted to go to the river but Aunt 2 disallowed.
Seeing the two coming from the back, she naturally urged them to rest a bit as well.
This period, nobody in the family is idle; only during the hottest part of the noon would they rest briefly, before waking and returning to work in the fields.
Not only them, those originally tasked to protect them, the imperial guards are now going all out working daily in the fields.
Considering the grain carts pulled over from Jiang’s family, letting them eat rice and white flour freely, they also can’t slack off!
Ahem, this isn’t about eating or not, mainly because Jiang’s family grains do taste better than outside ones!
After everyone rested, Jiang Yu and Wei Ziang also came out from the study.
Wei Ziang was fine, but Jiang Yu was furrowing his brow, thinking about something.
Leaving the study, he didn’t even greet Wei Ziang, and directly turned to his room.
Wei Ziang’s eyes flashed but he didn’t speak further.
Big brother’s thoughts are more meticulous than others, of course, Ze is similar, but probably because he confirmed not pursuing a political path, he relaxed a bit on himself.
Moreover, he isn’t part of Jiang’s family, regarding some matters of Xiao Mi, even if sensing inconsistencies, he wouldn’t ask further.
Big brother’s different, he’s meticulous and observant, plus he’s Xiao Mi’s elder brother, concerning Xiao Mi, he naturally won’t stand by idly.
With his understanding of Xiao Mi, big brother almost instantly deduced that last time Xiao Mi left after Wei Ziang, she definitely didn’t go to Lishi City for Wei Ziang.
This, Jiang Yu was very certain of; although his little sister indeed cares for Wei Ziang, she hasn’t reached a point where missing a day feels like three autumns.
Besides, if she truly wanted to find Wei Ziang, why not leave with him? Why wait until he left before pursuing?
Asking Xiao Mi would surely lead to dodgy answers and pleasantries just to muddle through; she certainly wouldn’t tell the truth, and Jiang Yu couldn’t bear to truly be harsh with her.
In the end, he could only pick a somewhat tough but compliant target—Wei Ziang.
After all, there’s a bit of the brother-in-law’s authority here; while Wei Ziang might not disclose everything, he did share quite a bit.
For instance, Xiao Mi spent half a month traveling to neighboring towns, provided enough grain for fifteen thousand troops to eat for three or four days, all top-quality rice and white flour.
Such as, Xiao Mi took out some lenses, had grandmaster-level craftsmen from the Capital City make eight telescopes, kept four for patrols near Lishi City, and didn’t mind how the rest were handled.
As for other matters, surely wouldn’t be disclosed at all; some things, letting big brother know is for his awareness, but others must remain unsaid.
"Wei Ziang, I know Xiao Mi trusts you, and you know many of her matters, even more than us."
"But I still need to remind you, regardless of how you eventually turn out, if you dare betray Xiao Mi, then even if I lose everything, I definitely won’t let you off!"
Big brother’s warning echoed in his ears, a stern expression showing he wasn’t lying.
He knew big brother was serious and absolutely capable of carrying it out.
Yet Wei Ziang couldn’t help but quietly chuckle, how could he betray Xiao Mi.
As for him and Xiao Mi eventually...
Wei Ziang’s eyes suddenly turned cold.
No one but him can ever become Xiao Mi’s husband, no matter who they are!