Chapter 195: Exploring the City

Chapter 195

Exploring the City

After breakfast, the Hou and Xu Shi sat down to play with the children, as usual. Nie Shuang quietly slipped out of the room while the children were distracted, and Song Qilin followed her after a short while. The couple took a carriage to the bustling city center. Not even Xiao San and Xiao Tong accompanied them today. Today, the streets were crowded with people, and Nie Shuang strolled leisurely, observing the shops along both sides with interest. Some items were local tools, unique to the area, while others she had never seen before. Many people wore traditional tribal clothing and spoke languages she didn’t understand. Song Qilin followed closely behind her, as if afraid she might disappear.

“Is there anything you want?”

Song Qilin asked softly. Nie Shuang smiled.

“Are you going to buy it for me?”

“If Shuang Shuang wants something, your husband will buy it all.”

Nie Shuang playfully pointed toward the row of shops ahead.

“I want a building. I’ll use it to open a tea house.”

Song Qilin’s expression froze; he hadn’t expected such an answer. He had brought a large bag of money today, fully intending to spoil her. His brows furrowed slightly, and a serious expression crossed his handsome face as he regretted not bringing enough money. Seeing his reaction, Nie Shuang laughed fondly and gently took his hand, pulling him along.

“I’m just joking. Don’t take it so seriously.”

Song Qilin glanced around.

“Wait here, Shuang Shuang. I’ll go tell the coachman to fetch the promissory notes from home.”

“Qilin! There’s no need for that. This alone shows how good of a husband you are.”

If they weren’t in public, Nie Shuang would have given him a kiss on the cheek. Seeing his wife’s pleased expression, Song Qilin grinned, feeling like it had all been worth it. He became even more determined to spoil her further.

The two walked the length of the street, exploring every alley with shops. When Nie Shuang started feeling tired, she suggested they rest at an inn. Song Qilin noticed it was close to noon, so he asked the waiter to bring some of the inn’s specialty dishes. In this area, people enjoyed eating grilled meat with flatbread, along with spiced boiled beans. Nie Shuang found the unusual flavors intriguing and ate with enthusiasm. Her husband poured her a cup of goat’s milk liquor.

“Drink this to wash it down.”

Nie Shuang took a sip of the goat’s milk liquor, which tasted sweet and creamy, similar to yogurt. It was her first time trying this kind of drink, and fearing it might make her drunk, she only drank one cup and declined more.

“Aren’t you going to have a bit more, Shuang Shuang? Goat’s milk liquor has less sugar, so it’s not as strong as horse’s milk liquor. You can have a bit more,”

Song Qilin said, pouring another cup.

“Do people here like to drink goat’s milk?”

Nie Shuang asked curiously.

“In this area, most people raise livestock. Whether it’s horses, goats, sheep, or cows, they all drink the milk.”

“And do they drink tea often?”

She asked, clearly interested.

“This area has a cold climate, so people here mostly drink alcohol brewed from animal milk. I don’t see the common folk drinking much tea,”

Song Qilin answered his wife honestly, thinking she might be discouraged. Instead, her eyes brightened with excitement.

“That’s wonderful. Since they’re not used to drinking tea, they’ll definitely see my tea house as something new and exciting.”

The young man smiled as he saw his wife’s enthusiasm. She always found business opportunities in every situation. Before they could continue their conversation, they noticed Xiao San, Xiao Tong, and other servants from the manor rushing back and forth outside the shop, seemingly searching for someone. Song Qilin quickly stood up and went out to investigate.

“Xiao San, what’s happening?”

He called to his wife’s close attendant. Xiao San, upon hearing the General’s voice, turned around, her face showing immense relief as if heaven had answered her prayers. She hurriedly reported,

“The young masters and young misses have been crying nonstop, and the Hou ordered everyone in the manor to search for you and the Young Furen.”

Fortunately, the couple had already finished their meal and drinks, so they quickly paid the bill and boarded the carriage to rush back to the manor. Before they even reached the quarters, the sound of the children crying echoed in the distance. Typically, households with infants had occasional crying, but this family had six children. When they cried all at once, it was enough to deafen the neighbors. Nie Shuang rushed in, worried about how long they had been crying. Song Qilin followed closely behind, and as they entered the nursery, they saw the six little ones, big and small, all red-faced and wailing loudly.

As soon as the children saw their mother, the crying subsided, except for little Shang’er, who kept screaming, eyes squeezed shut, unaware that his mother had returned. Song Qilin went to pick up Shang’er, whose tears continued to flow. The Hou and Xu Shi almost let out a sigh of relief.

“Why are you all crying? Mother didn’t go far,”

Bao Bao, Bei Bei, and Xiao Hua Hua ran to cling to their mother’s legs, their red, round cheeks tear-streaked, looking both adorable and pitiful. The younger ones in the arms of their grandparents and father also squirmed as they want their mother to hold them. They reached out, wailing for their mother’s attention once more.

“There, there, my good children.”

Nie Shuang sat down and gently stroked the heads of the three elder siblings. Song Qilin, meanwhile, scooped up Li’er and Min’er and sit next to her. In their father’s strong arms, the three little turnips nestled their heads against his chest and sucked on their fingers, their similar, chubby faces looking utterly charming.

“Where did Mother go?”

Xiao Hua Hua asked as she threw herself onto her mother’s lap. Before Nie Shuang could answer, usually quiet Bei Bei chimed in,

“Mother didn’t tell us.”

Bao Bao added,

“Mother and Daddy ran away!”

As soon as Bao Bao finished, the three eldest burst into tears again, feeling wronged. The younger ones, seeing this, began to pout as if they would join in the crying again. Nie Shuang hurriedly redirected their attention.

“Mother didn’t run away. I just went out for an errand and saw that you were all playing, so I didn’t want to disturb you. I’m sorry.”

Normally, she had left the children in the care of Xiao Tong and the wet nurses, and they never cried this much. This time, having left without informing them, the children panicked when they couldn’t find either parent and began crying. Having cried themselves to exhaustion, they now relaxed and began to drift off to sleep one by one. After putting the children down for their nap, Nie Shuang and Song Qilin sat down to chat with the Hou and Xu Shi.

“How was your trip to the city?”

Xu Shi asked, clearly interested. Aside from her trip to Huangjing City, she had never ventured far from the capital. This was her first time traveling to the northern frontier.

“It was quite interesting, Mother. I explored the area and found that commerce here is lively. Compared to the capital, most items are not as expensive, and there are many unique goods. I think before we return to the capital, we could buy some as gifts.”As the conversation shifted to shopping, the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law found themselves getting along very well. Song Qilin and the Hou exchanged glances and smiled. Lately, Song Qilin had noticed that his parents had grown closer. There were even times when his mother no longer referred to his father as ‘the Hou,’ as she used to. When they were alone together, she would call him ‘dear husband’ or ‘A’Yan.’ His father, in turn, seemed much happier. The pain in his right leg had also noticeably improved, and recently, he had even started practicing martial arts again, seemingly preparing to pass down his skills to his grandchildren, who were growing up quickly each day.