Pick up a princess to be your wife

"That's the one!"

"Which one?"

“That, that!”

Xiao Lan still couldn't bring herself to say it, but she kept saying "that" and "that," and He Xianzhi suddenly started to think in a wicked way.

When girls are shy about something and are too embarrassed to say it aloud, they usually say "that" or "that".

But Li Mu shouldn't be that kind of person, right?

“If Miss Xiaolan is worried, she may come along. My home is in Xinpingfang. I hope you two will arrive before 5 PM. That’s all, I’ll be going now.”

With one hundred taels of silver in his pocket, Li Mu had a casual lunch at the market, bought a lot of wine and dishes, and then hurried back to Xinpingfang.

Li Tian has already gone to work at the woodworking shop today. The repairs to his courtyard are not yet finished, and a dozen or so government officials are busy working in the courtyard.

Li Mu gave the officials two jugs of wine and some cooked meat, telling them to rest for a while.

In the afternoon, Li Tian and his wife returned early.

"Erlang is back! I haven't seen you these past two days," Li Tian asked as he stepped forward.

"I've been busy these past two days, so I haven't been able to come back to help," Li Mu replied casually.

"Being busy is good, it means earning more money," Li Tian chuckled.

"Brother and sister-in-law, where have you been staying these past two days?" Li Mu asked.

“I stayed at your sister-in-law’s house for the past two nights, so I don’t need to go there tonight. The small house is all set up, and your sister-in-law and I will stay here tonight. What about you?” Li Tian asked.

"I sleep at my employer's place," Li Mu replied.

"what?"

Wang Xiulian saw a lot of things in the corner, including fish, meat, and even wine.

"Erlang, did you buy this?" Wang Xiulian asked.

"I've invited my employer over for a casual meal tonight, so I bought a bit more food and wine than I should have. Brother and sister-in-law, you don't mind, do you?" Li Mu asked.

"Oh, so it's a banquet for your employer. Of course, sister-in-law, you won't mind. Your employer has treated you well, so it's only right that you treat him to a meal."

"But given our family's situation, is it really appropriate to invite the host to our home as guests?"

Wang Xiulian said.

It's a bit impolite to invite people over when the house isn't even fully cleaned yet.

"It's alright, the host doesn't mind. It's just a simple meal. The weather's nice, we can just set up a table in the yard," Li Mu said with a smile.

"Let your employer come and see the situation at home; maybe they'll be able to pay you more in the future," Wang Xiulian said with a smile.

"Erlang, who is your employer?" Li Tian asked.

Li Mu would bring things home from time to time, usually rice or vegetables, none of which were cheap.

Li Tian guessed that Li Mu's employer should be very generous.

But which of the landlords and wealthy people in Luyang County wasn't a bloodsucker? Who would be so generous?

“Once she arrives, my brother and sister-in-law will know,” Li Mu said.

"Still keeping your older brother in suspense."

"Li Tian, ​​you're the dumbest one. Don't talk nonsense at night, lest you ruin Erlang's impression in front of the master."

"understood."

After being busy for a long time, it's almost time to cook.

Wang Xiulian was about to go to the kitchen when Li Mu stopped her.

"Sister-in-law, you've been working hard all day and cleaning and cooking at night. You're working so hard. Tonight, Erlang will cook dinner for you and your brother. You can rest for a bit and just wait to eat," Li Mu said with a smile.

"You're such a filial and sensible child. When Miss Li Xin comes into our family, she'll definitely be a blessed girl," Wang Xiulian said with a smile.

As Wang Xiulian spoke, she glared at Li Tian: "Unlike your older brother, he has never even stepped into the kitchen since I married into the family."

Wang Xiulian sat happily to the side, while Li Tian seemed puzzled.

Li Mu was raised by Li Tian. Li Mu was diligent and quick-witted from a young age.

Previously, cooking had always been Li Tian's job; Li Mu had never been to the kitchen before.

"Erlang, when did you learn to cook?" Li Tian asked.

"I've learned some skills these past few years. Brother and sister-in-law, have a good taste and give your feedback later," Li Mu replied with a smile.

"Oh, okay then. Go ahead and get busy."

Before dusk, a horse-drawn carriage entered Xinpingfang.

This was the first time He Xianzhi had ever been to a place where ordinary people lived.

The neighborhood was full of low, mud-brick houses, and a faint, fishy smell permeated the air.

He Xianzhi took out a handkerchief and covered her mouth.

"Miss, look at this place! It's practically a slum! How could someone of your noble status come to a place like this?" Xiaolan said, her face full of displeasure.

He Xianzhi naturally knew that there were many, many poor people in the world, and now that the world was in chaos, the lives of ordinary people were even more difficult.

Even within the same county, the disparity in living standards between the rich and the poor was something she could hardly have imagined if she hadn't witnessed it with her own eyes.

Most of the houses were dilapidated, and the people walking around were all emaciated and pale.

"Go and ask Young Master Li where he lives," He Xianzhi said.

"Maybe we shouldn't ask anymore and just go back. This place stinks, and we still have to eat dinner. It's too much of a hardship for Miss," Xiaolan said.

"Go quickly."

"Miss, I think you may really be bewitched."

The neighborhood wasn't big; you could just ask anyone and find out where Li Mu lived.

The carriage stopped outside Li Mu's courtyard. Xiao Lan helped He Xianzhi down from the carriage and looked into the courtyard for a while.

A couple in their thirties were busy in the yard.

"Excuse me, is this the home of Young Master Li Mu?" He Xianzhi asked from outside the courtyard.

Li Tian and his wife both turned their heads at the same time to look outside the courtyard gate.

They assumed that Li Mu's employer would be some wealthy landlord.

Unexpectedly, two richly dressed women arrived. One of them, dressed in white, was as beautiful as a fairy, perhaps even more beautiful than Li Xin.

Li Tian saw the two women and didn't know what to say.

Wang Xiulian quickly wiped her hands and stepped forward.

"Is this young lady my second son's employer?" Wang Xiulian asked with a smile.

Boss?

He Xianzhi wanted to be Li Mu's boss, but Li Mu never gave him the chance.

However, she still has a contract with Li Mu, so she can be considered half of Li Mu's employer.

These two people are probably Li Mu's family members. Li Mu told his family that he was inviting his host family to come over as guests.

He Xianzhi nodded.

"Please come in, ladies."

Wang Xiulian hurriedly welcomed He Xianzhi and Xiao Lan in, brought over two stools, and vigorously wiped the stools with her sleeve for a while.

"Our house caught fire not long ago, and it's still not repaired. The main room is full of clutter, so no one can go in. I'm sorry to trouble the landlord and this young lady, but you'll have to sit in the courtyard," Wang Xiulian said somewhat embarrassedly.

Looking at the bench, He Xianzhi frowned slightly.

Just sitting like this? It's probably no different from sitting on the ground, right?

"Don't rush, sister, I'll just stand here for a bit," He Xianzhi said.

"This……"

Wang Xiulian immediately went into the kitchen, took two bowls, and filled them with two bowls of boiling water.

"Boss, have some hot water."