I was divorced because I got pregnant during the lean years, so I went back to my parents’ home and

"Nothing, nothing?"

Ji Xiaobei stopped laughing and said, "Any news about the three martial artists in the medicine shop in the alley?"

Fu Jichang shook his head:

"No, the old woman has been executed, along with her son. She is responsible for two deaths..."

As he spoke, he looked at Ji Xiaobei's expression.

Ji Xiaobei nodded without changing his expression.

"Don't worry. As long as those three martial artists are still in Anzhou, they will definitely move again. There will definitely be clues."

Ji Xiaobei saw that Fu Jichang looked a little flustered and comforted him.

"The refugees from Xishan caused trouble, and the four warriors who died, the Dali Temple also received news that there might be an enemy force invading the Great Northern Dynasty, but there is no solid evidence at present."

Fu Jichang said.

“The crown prince has been deposed, and the new crown prince has not yet been appointed. The court is in turmoil, people’s hearts are unstable, there have been years of famine, the people are living in poverty, and the number of refugees is increasing day by day.

The war situation in the northern border is tense, with internal and external troubles. It would be really dangerous if foreign enemies took advantage of this opportunity.

Rumor has it that the emperor wants to lead the army himself, but it's really not easy at such an old age. It's better to establish a crown prince as soon as possible and let the crown prince go to the war..."

Ji Xiaobei said everything that was in his mind.

Fu Jichang was shocked.

"Who told you that the emperor is going to lead the army in person?"

Ji Xiaobei said seriously: "It's all over the place, people don't make up stories for nothing..."

Fu Jichang: The emperor only proposed his intention to lead the army in person to a few trusted ministers and did not discuss the matter in the court. How could the news have spread among the people?

He sighed, perhaps the people of the Great Northern Dynasty wanted to live a peaceful life.

There were constant wars in the northern border, and large quantities of food and soldiers were transported there, and corvée and taxes increased every year.

"The emperor is old, and it is unlikely that he will personally lead the army. He may appoint a crown prince... As long as the crown prince is not appointed, the court will be in turmoil. Factional fighting and foreign invasions will probably cause the Great Northern Dynasty to suffer a heavy blow, and the people's lives will become even more difficult..."

Fu Jichang suddenly stopped talking here. Why did he talk about this with Ji Xiaobei?

Ji Xiaobei's heart skipped a beat: We need to stock up more food now!

If civil unrest breaks out, we won’t be able to buy food even if we have money.

"I'll treat you to dinner at Taoran Ju tonight!" Fu Jichang said in a softer tone.

"Why?"

"You planted potatoes in Xishan, you treated Lord Cao, you took care of my grandmother, and you saved my life... No matter which one, I should treat you to a meal."

For some reason, his cheeks would get hot whenever he mentioned treating himself.

He looked around and felt relieved when he saw no one else.

"No need to eat, you've already given me the money, we don't owe each other anything, no need to be polite!"

Ji Xiaobei said cheerfully.

"Go ahead. Don't you like Taoranju's roast duck, pig's trotters, braised pork and sea duck eggs?" Fu Jichang suddenly had an idea.

Ji Xiaobei smacked his lips and said, “That’s not impossible!”

"Taoranju has to be booked in advance. Have you made the reservation?" Ji Xiaobei asked. She didn't want to be turned away again.

"It has already been arranged by the Black Tower, don't worry!"

Fu Jichang was a little excited and a little annoyed.

Why am I not as good as some food?

It’s so infuriating!

He decided to hint at Ji Xiaobei today to see if Ji Xiaobei still remembered that Mrs. Liu had sold her out.

After Ji Xiaobei agreed, he hurriedly asked Heita to go to Taoran Ju to make arrangements.

Xiaohua was practicing calligraphy seriously in the side room. Tieqiu and Tiedan were sitting beside her, flipping through a book sleepily.

Xiaohua tilted her ear to listen to the sounds outside.

When she heard that they were going to Taoranju for dinner, she poked Tieqiu with her elbow, and Tieqiu woke up suddenly, and the book in his hand fell to the ground with a snap.

"Do you want to eat something delicious?" Xiaohua asked with a smile.

"Yes!" The awakened Iron Ball and the confused Iron Egg answered in unison.

"Later, help me sweep the floor and brush my shoes!"

Tieqiu and Tiedan nodded repeatedly.

I thought to myself: Even if there is no delicious food, we two will still help you wash your shoes!

Xiaohua jumped off the stool and accidentally knocked over the inkstone. Tiedan was putting on his shoes with his head down, and the ink splashed on his head.

Black ink flowed down his cheeks.

He opened his mouth to cry, but Xiaohua hushed him and said, "Tiedan, you are responsible for cleaning the iron ball!"

In order to get food, Tiedan nodded vigorously.

Xiaohua opened the door, walked out swaggeringly, and looked at Fu Jichang with a smile: "Little brother, take me to Taoranju too, the roast duck there is so delicious!"

Fu Jichang: Where did you come from?

Looking behind her, he saw two Guan Gongs looking at him expectantly.

When Ji Xiaobei saw Tieqiu and Tiedan’s faces covered in ink, he laughed so hard that his stomach hurt.

"Okay, let's all go, let's all go!"

Ji Xiaobei said with a wave of his hand.

These three children study like they are in prison every day. It's really hard.

At worst, she’ll treat you to dinner!

"Mrs. Huang, you and Lord Cao should go together, Lian Feng, you should go too..." Ji Xiaobei called out to the inside of the house.

Fu Jichang: ...

He forced a smile and said, "Okay, let's go together!"

Except for Lord Cao, everyone was extremely happy. Before leaving, Mrs. Huang couldn't even pull Lord Cao out of the field in the backyard.

Mrs. Huang followed him onto the donkey cart angrily.

A group of people went to Taoran Ju excitedly.

When they arrived at the entrance of Taoranju, a group of people got off the car.

Heita was stunned. The master clearly said that he and Miss Ji came to eat alone, and the master also asked Manager Qin to decorate the room.

Fresh flowers were placed in the celadon vase, a pair of red candles were lit, window decorations were pasted, and a new tablecloth was replaced...

Shopkeeper Qin was still wondering, the master didn't like these decorations in the past...

Heita grinned awkwardly and invited everyone to come in.

Xiaohua and Tieqiu brothers pulled Heita inside affectionately.

"The roast duck at Taoranju is so delicious, Brother Heita, you must have never eaten it before, Brother Xiaoyao is treating us today, so you should eat more..."

Heita wanted to cry after listening to Xiaohua's words.

The warm and romantic house decorated by Shopkeeper Qin is not suitable for these little brats to enter.

Lian Feng supported Huang Po, and the two of them followed behind with smiles on their faces.

Ji Xiaobei and Fu Jichang walked at the back.

Fu Jichang originally wanted to tell Ji Xiaobei to let Huang Po take them to find a room to eat alone, as he had something to say to Ji Xiaobei.

But when he looked up, he saw Heita entering his box with three children!

He glared fiercely at Heita's back.

The three children entered the private room and jumped up and down excitedly. Xiaohua picked some flowers and put them on her own head, and also put one on Tiedan.

The iron ball disliked the red candle because it was too hot, and blew it out with a puff...