Chapter 323 - 321: Their Family’s Little Point (Part 1)

Chapter 323: Chapter 321: Their Family’s Little Point (Part 1)

In the following days, Xu Jing and Xiao Yi were as busy as spinning tops. Xiao Yi was occupied with handling Li Yuan’s affairs, while Xu Jing, along with Yan Ci, aided in treating the wounded. Although they both resided in Lingzhou, they had little time to meet.

To avoid too much running around, Xu Jing often stayed near the medical quarters. What she didn’t know was that a certain man felt both disappointed and secretly relieved about it.

Soon, it was mid-December. Xu Jing was in a village outside Lingzhou City aiding others. During a midday break, Yan Ci approached her and handed over two soft, fluffy buns with a gentle smile, saying, "These are pork and vermicelli buns made by Mrs. Huang from the village. You should try them. Mrs. Huang wanted to deliver them personally, but I happened to run into her and took over the task."

Xu Jing had just finished lunch and was quite full, so she smiled wryly, saying, "The villagers are too hospitable. They add to our meals daily. If I stay a few more days, I’m worried my face will grow round."

"It won’t be much longer; the situations in various places have stabilized."

Yan Ci chuckled softly and sat on the chair beside Xu Jing, "You and Vice Minister Xiao will soon be returning to the Western Capital. I’ve told Han’er and the others that I will join you there."

This matter was something Yan Ci had already discussed with her a few days prior.

Xu Jing had just made an important decision, and Yan Ci’s willingness to help was more than welcome.

Xu Jing slightly raised her eyebrows and teased, "I’m afraid the Old Envoy might chase after you again."

Yan Ci still wasn’t willing to discuss Cui Shidu directly, but her attitude towards him had visibly improved recently. Cui Shidu was so touched by this change that every time he saw Yan Ci, he seemed like a big dog about to wag his tail off. If it weren’t for Cui Han holding him back, he would probably stick to Yan Ci without leaving.

Xu Jing suspected that Cui Shidu retired early from his position at the Shuofang Jiedu Envoy just to pursue his wife.

Yan Ci glanced at her, slightly annoyed, "His legs are his own; he can go wherever he pleases. I have no say in his actions. Speaking of which, you haven’t been back for days; isn’t Vice Minister Xiao worried?"

Talking about Xiao Yi, an unconscious smile tugged at Xu Jing’s lips, "What’s there to worry about? Lingzhou is very safe now. Besides, it’s a little understanding between us."

Yan Ci looked curiously at Xu Jing, whose eyes suddenly softened, "We’re both eager to finish up so we can return to the capital sooner. The 28th of December is our Little Point’s birthday."

It’s already the 18th of December now, and it typically takes ten days to travel from Lingzhou to the Western Capital. At the latest, we must set off in the next couple of days.

"Ah, that’s quite important."

Yan Ci couldn’t help but laugh, fully understanding Xu Jing in this regard, being a mother herself.

"Well, I better prepare ahead as well."

Xu Jing smiled and said, "No rush, Doctor Yan. Yanci and I might have to hurry back, but there’s no need for you to exhaust yourself. Take your time to come to the Western Capital..."

As they were talking, they suddenly heard children’s cheers from outside, "It’s snowing! It’s snowing!"

The two instinctively looked outside and indeed saw light snowflakes gently floating down from the sky like cotton wool or feathers. Seeing them instantly seemed to sweep away all the chaos in their hearts.

This year the cold came late. There had been a few sporadic snowfalls earlier, but they were all light. This was the first heavy snow since winter began.

Watching the joyful children playing in the snow, Xu Jing felt a stirring in her heart, making her immensely, overwhelmingly miss her Little Point at home for the first time since she arrived in this world.

She had come to Lingzhou in a hurry, only focusing on settling the Xiao Family and Xu Family. Little Point, on the other hand, was somewhat neglected.

Reflecting on it now, she remembered how Chang Xiao had kept chasing after her carriage that day, calling out to her loudly, maybe even saying something more, but the carriage had gone too far for her to hear.

She and Xiao Yi had been gone for over a month, leaving such a small child at home. He must have been very lonely.

Moreover, considering how often Xiao Yi traveled far for work, the child was probably left alone at home many times.

The first time she met him, he had secretly followed Xiao Yi to Anping County. He surely missed his father dearly to have done that.

Thinking of this, Xu Jing couldn’t help but feel waves of melancholy.

They had been away long enough. It was time to go back.

That night at the Lingzhou Prefecture.

Xiao Yi and Zhao Jingxuan had waited many days, finally seeing the court send people to take over Li Yuan’s affairs as He Dong Jiedu Shi. Meeting them in Lingzhou, they held a customary banquet before Zhao Jingxuan accompanied them to Yuanzhou for the final handover.

This meant their work in Lingzhou was mostly done. All that was left was to escort Li Yuan safely back to the Western Capital.

The person taking over as He Dong Jiedu Shi today was an old general sent by the court and Ning Yuanjie, now the Vice Minister of the Secretariat. The Holy Emperor had plans to weaken or even eliminate the regional Military Governors. Li Yuan giving him such a big handle was something the Holy Emperor wouldn’t pass up, sending trusted officials to handle it.

From this point on, Great Chu no longer had a He Dong Jiedu Shi.

Xiao Yi and Zhao Jingxuan hosted a reception banquet for them, inevitably drinking a bit too much. Xiao Yi’s steps were noticeably unsteady.

Xiang You quickly stepped forward to support his Lord, saying helplessly, "My Lord, are you alright? Need me to make you a sober-up soup?"

The Lord’s drinking capacity couldn’t compare to those like Prince Zhao accustomed to the camps, yet he drank nearly two large pots of strong wine tonight!

Not to mention the Lord still wasn’t fully recovered from his injuries!

This was clearly because the Madam had also sent word that she’d be staying out tonight, granting the Lord permission to be reckless!

Truly...

Xiang You was itching with worry; if it weren’t for his Lord’s intimidating power, he would have secretly reported everything to the Madam himself!

The only one who could manage the Lord was the Madam!

However, Xiao Yi frowned, shaking off Xiang You’s hand, his face slightly flushed, "No need, I... I’m not drunk."

Xiang You: "..."

Every drunk person in the world loves claiming they’re not drunk!

But of course, the Lord wasn’t just any drunk; he was his meal ticket drunk. Therefore, he couldn’t show his disdain but could only say helplessly, "Very well, the Lord isn’t drunk. The Lord should hurry back to the room to rest... Hey, Lord, your room is on the right! You’re heading left!"

Just as Xiang You, utterly exhausted, managed to support his drunk Lord back to his room, he suddenly noticed the room... was lit!

The light was on in the room!

At this time, there could only be one person in the Lord’s room!

He was overjoyed and suddenly understood why the local residents referred to the Madam as a Goddess!

Before reaching the door, he couldn’t help but call loudly, "Madam, are you inside? The Lord drank a little tonight, but he’s not drunk, truly. It’s what the Lord said himself; he’s not drunk!"

Oh, clever as the Madam, she would surely understand the implication of his words immediately.

He was both reporting and not falling out of favor with the Lord.

Oh, what a clever little one I am!