Chapter 667: Chapter 439: Returning Home
The fabric needed by Jiang’s family was taken home, and the remaining fabric was completely moved to the villagers’ side, filling two rooms fully.
Everyone was very touched; the marquis and the lady not only made clothes for them but also trusted them so much, putting so many things all with them here.
The sizes for the uniforms for the imperial guards were also measured, and most of them are similar, so making simple clothes is very quick.
This fabric might not be enough; once it’s used up, they can just buy some more.
Xiaomi stayed in the village honestly for a month, occasionally adding some Spiritual Spring water to a few water wells, into the canals, and into her house.
During this time, she went out for two days, under the guise of hunting, to water all the potatoes she planted before.
In just over half a month, those potato sprouts had grown quite tall, and because they were grown in the nurtured space, the potatoes were looking great.
Watering them with Spiritual Spring would surely make them grow better, and they would definitely be ready for harvest before winter.
As for some others that Ling’er had planted, they would have to go on their own.
Xiaomi couldn’t do it on her own, but her father was good at crafting with bamboo.
She persuaded her father to make two small water buckets for Ling’er using small bamboo tubes, even with lids.
So Ling’er ran all over the hills every day carrying two small buckets of water, even expressing that Xiaomi wouldn’t need to water the potatoes anymore, he would do it!
Xiaomi was happy to take it easy and only roamed around nearby.
Besides the distant mountains, they secretly planted some potatoes near the village, which also grew well.
Not only did they have potatoes, but there were also a dozen or so watermelon seedlings.
With the irrigation of Spiritual Spring, from the twenty watermelon seeds initially planted, all but three sprouted, and the remaining seventeen grew extremely well.
Xiaomi pondered that these watermelons could flower and bear fruit in about two months, and the faster-growing ones could mature in one month.
Starting from August, if it takes three months, they might still be able to eat them.
Although it’s already cooling down in October and getting a bit cold, with Spiritual Spring, it should be okay, right?
Of course, even if they don’t turn out well, it doesn’t matter. As long as they grow once on the mountain this year, next
In March and April, before they plan to set off back to Cheng County, she will plant more watermelons around. That way, when they return from Cheng County, they might already be able to eat sweet big watermelons!
Using the opportunity of going out, Xiaomi also pretended to hunt, dragging a bunch of rabbits back in the afternoon, some alive and some dead.
The living ones were kept, and the dead ones were distributed among everyone, cut into small pieces for soup, and everyone could have a few bites.
With endless anticipation, they were finally eagerly waiting for Wei Ziang’s holiday time. Two days in advance, Ling’er sent Wei Ziang a small note to confirm the time of his return.
As it was the time approaching dinner, Xiaomi couldn’t sit still.
"Dad, Mom, I suddenly remembered something, I’ll go out for a bit and be back soon."
After speaking, she didn’t give her parents time to respond before she got up and ran, not forgetting to call out to Xiao Ba who was peeking on the rooftop.
She ran all the way to the official road, then walked about a mile, seeing no one on the road, she directly went into the nearby woods.
Finding a cool, hidden spot, she took out the two large prepared bamboo baskets, with thick ice blocks under them.
At this time, the sun was almost set, slowing the melting speed of the ice blocks, at least keeping them sufficiently cool.
The bamboo baskets were filled with plump grapes, looking as if freshly picked, and a large basket of frozen rock-solid beef.
This wasn’t yak meat because with so many people, an entire yak wouldn’t be enough to eat a few times.
This was beef from the original supplies, weighing nearly a hundred pounds; even though my brother was currently leaving the city, it would take nearly four hours to get here.
The beef would take about four hours to defrost and could be taken home to a cool place to be processed the next morning, perfect for lunch.
This hundred pounds, divided among six or seven people per pound, wasn’t too much, but still better than last time’s fifty to sixty pounds.
To avoid being spoiled by nearby birds and insects, Xiaomi deliberately placed the bamboo baskets on higher stones, lighting several circles of mosquito coils around, specifically for repelling insects.
Having done all this, when she returned, it took less than a quarter of an hour.
And Ling’er replaced Xiao Ba, waiting nearby for Wei Ziang to return, while also watching over the grapes and beef, shooing away insects not deterred by mosquito coils.
When Xiaomi returned home, the food was just set on the table, so she wouldn’t get a few words from her mother, she just laughed. She dared not explain.
Instead, Second aunt asked why Xiao Ba hadn’t come back, and Xiaomi laughed it off saying Xiao Ba probably went out to play.
She also felt a little guilty looking at her older brother. Seeing him occupied with setting the tableware without paying much attention to her, she felt relieved.
Of course, she knew her brother wasn’t oblivious, just choosing not to expose her anymore.
After this time, she understood that her brother really meant it when he said he would ensure she recognized the importance of things but wouldn’t interfere much.
Just like now, knowing she had suddenly run out, he sensed something was amiss, but didn’t ask further questions.
During dinner, Second aunt was also wondering if Wei Ziang should be back tonight, asking Xiaoxue whether she kept food for Wei Ziang and so on.
Last time, they hadn’t expected him to return that evening, thinking he would come back the next morning.
Who would’ve thought he returned that night, rushing out at night, leaving early the next morning.
Now, after dinner, it was dark, everyone washed up, yet the house remained brightly lit when usually everyone slept by this time. Tonight, however, everyone was in the courtyard.
Mainly because Second aunt couldn’t sleep, everyone else simply joined her to cool down in the yard, waiting for Wei Ziang to return home.
Although Wei Ziang hadn’t confirmed he would return today, he also hadn’t sent word saying he wouldn’t, implying he surely would.
So everyone was chatting in the courtyard, discussing the current situation in Anning Village, future development, their stay duration in Anning Village, and many other topics.
For a moment, they seemed to forget the time.
Until the night grew deep and quiet, when nearly everyone was asleep except those on night duty, two abrupt horse whinnies sounded.
A second ago, Second aunt was still talking about the fabric shortage for clothing, and she stood up with a start.
"It must be Ziang who’s back; I heard the sound of a horse."
"I’ll open the door."
This was Jiang Hu.
Hence, just as Wei Ziang raised his hand to knock, the door swung open, and apart from Jiang Hu who opened the door, everyone else had rushed over.
Ling’er landed on Xiaomi’s shoulder, she stroked Ling’er’s head, Xiao Ba then shook his head, retreated to its place to sleep.
Wei Ziang paused, then smiled and said: "Mom, Dad, big brother, second sister, Ze brother, Xiaomi, Xiaowei, you’re all still up, perfect, I’ve brought some stuff back."