Traveling Through Farmhouses: Taking the Baby on a Famine Escape

Zhou Yuhao hadn't expected things to be resolved so quickly, considering his letter to Kyoto should have only just arrived. Finally, Magistrate Sun led Zhang Xixi and the others to the deserted village.

Once Zhang Xixi arrived in town, she didn't go to the village with Zhou Yuhao and the others, but instead went to find Chen Shi and the others.

They must have been worried sick these past few days!

As for the people surrounding the village, there's no need to worry. With their backers arrested, what trouble can those small fry cause?

When Zhang Xixi drove the carriage to Zhang's pastry shop, Chen and the others were still looking out at the door.

Chen was so worried that she wanted to go to the county town to find Zhang Xixi.

"Mom, I'm back!"

"how's it going!"

Zhang Xixi looked at the people in the store and said with a smile, "We can go home now!"

"Really, everything is resolved!" said Madam Wang.

"Prefect Sun is here. He'll handle it. You all pack your things and let's go back!"

Everyone happily took their belongings and got into the carriage.

I wonder how my family is doing!

I'm really worried!

When Zhang Xixi and the others returned to the deserted village, Yang Laifu and his gang had already tied up at the village entrance, and two other people were guarding them.

Yang Laifu and his henchmen were all there, glaring at the officials with crying faces.

Sun Wenfang planned to arrest them and put them in jail first.

Yang Laifu had no idea what crime he had committed, or whether he had ever done anything illegal or corrupt before.

So let them reflect in jail for a few days first, and then we'll deal with them after we've investigated the matter thoroughly!

Some villagers just stood there watching the spectacle.

They got what they deserved for being so cocky!

The days they were besieged terrified them. They were so worried that they couldn't sleep or eat properly, and they lost several pounds.

Now let's see the miserable end of these bullying bastards.

Everyone started cursing Yang Laifu and his group.

Yang Laifu wanted to curse back when he heard these nasty words, but his mouth was quickly shut up.

Zhang Xixi and the others only stopped briefly, exchanged greetings, and then drove their carriage directly past them.

Upon entering the village, Wang Shi alighted from the carriage.

"Sister-in-law, in-laws, please take your time. I need to go back and check on my family first."

"Sister-in-law, hurry up, we're going home too!"

Sun Xiuxiu was already making lunch at home.

Zhou Yuhao arrived with Sun Wenfang's group and tied up the people. No one dared to say anything, and the matter proceeded smoothly.

It was noon when Zhou Yuhao took them home. Zhou Dashan and Zhang Dacheng also went.

Zhang Xixi originally wanted to ask the Chen family to go back to their own home, but the Chen family was in a hurry to get home, so they got out of the car as soon as they arrived at their door.

Forget it, let's just send them back!

Zhang Xixi returned home, just as she was about to eat.

After dinner, Zhou Yuhao and the others chatted with Sun Wenfang.

At this point, he addressed Zhou Yuhao directly as General Zhou. Zhou Dashan and Zhang Dacheng were puzzled as to how Zhou Yuhao had become a general after just one trip to the county town.

"Yuhao, when did you become an official?!"

Seeing their shocked expressions, Zhou Yuhao quickly offered an explanation.

He briefly recounted his military achievements on the Northwest battlefield.

Other matters concerning the Duanmu family were not mentioned.

I'm afraid they might have other ideas if I say too much!

After resting for a while, Sun Wenfang left with Yang Laifu and the others, as there was still a lot to do!

With everything resolved, the villagers got busy again.

Because the rice seedlings are ready to be transplanted!

Manager Qian is here again, this time to help Zhang Xixi and the others.

It's just a bit late.

"Manager Qian, everything has been taken care of. I'm sorry to have troubled you to make this trip!"

Manager Qian waved his hand dismissively and said, "I'm fine, are you all alright?"

"It's alright, everyone's fine," Zhang Xixi quickly replied.

"That's good. I wasn't able to help this time, but that pill..."

Seeing that Manager Qian was hesitant, Zhang Xixi took the initiative to ask, "Is there a problem with that pill?"

"No, I've already sent it back to Kyoto, so I probably won't be able to return it to Madam Zhang!"

I thought something had happened to those pills!

"It's alright, the medicine was originally a gift for you, you can do whatever you want with it."

Manager Qian hesitated, feeling it wasn't right to take things from others for free.

“Madam Zhang, how about this? I owe you a favor. If there’s anything you want, just tell me, and I’ll definitely find it for you.”

"Row!"

Zhang Xixi nodded perfunctorily.

She didn't intend to ask for this favor; after all, one thing is one thing, and this matter is over.

After Manager Qian left, all the rice in the village was transplanted into the fields.

After the busy farming season ended, Zhang Xikuaile and his family began preparing for Zhou Yujie's engagement ceremony.

The ancient betrothal process was very complicated, mainly consisting of six steps: betrothal, asking the name, accepting auspicious gifts, presenting betrothal gifts, setting the date, and the wedding ceremony.

After hearing what Chen said, Zhang Xixi was completely bewildered.

With so many procedures, getting married is such a hassle!

However, she only dared to complain in her heart; if she did so openly, she would probably be scolded by Chen.

First comes the betrothal ceremony. Although the two families have already discussed the matter, a formal matchmaker needs to be hired to formally propose marriage.

This is also to make things look good for both companies.

Next came the questioning of names, which involved asking for the given name and birth date and time. This would require the help of Madam Wang and her in-laws.

Zhou Yuhao and his group took Da Wangshi to the county town and quickly got the matter settled.

Next, they took their birth dates and times to someone to calculate their compatibility and see if they were compatible and not incompatible.

After calculating, they realized it was a perfect match, and the two families began preparing for what followed.

On the day Najib was born, Zhou Yujie gave his small dagger to the Xu family's daughter.

The Xu family's daughter returned a purse.

This indicates that both of them are willing to get married.

Zhang Xixi looked at the dagger Zhou Yujie had given her. It was his favorite weapon, which showed that Zhou Yuhao was very satisfied with his wife!

The next step is to prepare the betrothal gifts.

That day, Zhang Xixi and Zhou Yuhao were discussing what kind of betrothal gifts to give.

"Besides the auspicious items prepared according to custom, I'm also planning to give a shop in the county town as a betrothal gift. What do you think?"

Zhou Yuhao thought for a moment and said, "Two places, one teahouse and one general store."

Zhang Xixi nodded, "Okay, how about five hundred taels for the betrothal gift?"

"Isn't this too much?!"

Zhang Xixi explained, "Not much, all of this was earned from Yujie's farmland."

Zhou Yuhao asked curiously, "How does he have land?"

“When we came here to reclaim wasteland, I designated 100 acres of land under his name.”

Upon hearing this news, Zhou Yuhao looked at Zhang Xixi with gratitude.

"My wife, you're so wonderful!"

"Alright, let's pick a day and send the betrothal gifts to the Xu family!"

"Yes, my lady!"

After several days of preparation, they went to present the betrothal gifts during Zhou Yujie's next day off, and the marriage was finalized.

The wedding ceremony and the wedding reception can be held next year after Zhou Yuhao and the others have finished their imperial examinations.