stingy landlady

Chapter 82 Passersby in Life (1)

Guizhi smiled and said to the Prince of Zhenbei:

"Uncle Lin, I think a few dozen acres of land is enough! Our family is small, and we've never dreamed of becoming rich and powerful. We're perfectly content with just enough to eat and drink!"

Dazhu and Lin Xiaoyun were completely confused. They understood what he was saying, but at the same time, they felt like they hadn't.

The Prince of Zhenbei waved his hand.

"What a stingy person! Alright, alright! Two hundred acres it is!"

Guizhi took one look and realized, well, it's the same old story, just a change of name. She still had to accept the two hundred acres of land and those retired veterans!

It's true what they say, a higher-ranking official can crush you! The word "official" has two mouths (meaning powerful but powerless), and I'm just a nobody! I can't beat him! I might want to scratch that Prince of Zhenbei like a wildcat, leaving him covered in welts, but alas, I have the desire but not the courage!

Do it!

Guizhi resignedly said:

"Uncle Xu Hong! Keep those contracts with you for now! How am I supposed to explain this to my mother if I take them home? We can talk about it after we move in and have our own rooms!"

Just looking at it gives me a headache! Dad! Let's leave it with Uncle Xu Hong, so Mom won't nag us anymore! What do you think?

It doesn't matter about the big pillar.

"Alright! Guizhi decides what's on Guizhi's mind! If you trust Xu Hong, then leave it with Xu Hong for now!"

I'll go check on things. We'll be eating in this room tonight; a table alone isn't enough! Where are we going to borrow bowls and chopsticks? We can't just eat with our hands, can we?

Guizhi thought for a moment, then, seeing that it wasn't dark yet, asked:

"Lin Xiaoyun, take the carriage to town to buy bowls and chopsticks! Buy as many as you can while you're at it! You'll need them morning and night—basins, big pots, small pots. And washcloths for wiping your face, buckets, water cups, and all sorts of things. Buy almost everything at once!"

You said you left, and took the horse with you, which makes things inconvenient at home!

We need to buy another horse!

Guizhi rolled her eyes at Xu Hong again! Doesn't he know what's at home? Why don't he ask for a few horses?!

Dazhu knew that his daughter's stinginess had kicked in again!

Lin Xiaoyun looked at the Prince of Zhenbei and said:

"I'll keep my horse for Guizhi! Father, send a few more old horses to Guizhi's family to pull their cart! They're not worth much money!"

The Prince of Zhenbei, feeling bewildered, thought, "This is my own son," and said:

"Alright! Xiaoyun has spoken up, how could Father refuse?"

"Xu Hong! Don't you retired generals all have horses? And those veterans I transferred here, along with their horses, can all be handed over to Guizhi for her to arrange!"

Guizhi thought to herself, "Alright! The wool comes from the sheep's back! That's absolutely true!"

"Lin Xiaoyun! Sigh! Young Master! Never mind! Uncle Xu Hong! General Hongwei? These people all have such important backgrounds!"

Who's going to harness the horse-drawn carriage? Hurry up and follow my dad to buy bowls and chopsticks; we need to eat dinner tonight!

Oh, by the way! Where are you going to sleep tonight? We don't have blankets yet!

Guizhi feels overwhelmed!

The Prince of Zhenbei laughed.

"My son and I are sharing a blanket tonight. Xiaoyun, shall we squeeze in together?"

Xu Hong also smiled:

"I'll hitch up the carriage and go with the master to buy pots and pans!"

That evening, the Prince of Zhenbei condescended to stay in Dazhu's new house, and Guizhi sent over the two new quilts that Li Shi and Guixiang had made earlier!

Lin Xiaoyun sought out Zhou Xing.

"Zhou Xing! I'm going home! Come with me! You can study and learn martial arts there! When you grow up, you'll be able to better serve your master!"

Zhou Xing asked, "Will I study and practice martial arts with you, young master? Will I be able to come back? My family is all here!"

"Of course! You're just going to learn skills. When you grow up and become capable, you'll naturally come back to serve your master! You're too young now; you can't do anything right now!"

Zhou Xing really wanted to go, saying, "I really want to learn some skills. But I need the master and young lady's permission first!"

That evening, Old Man Zhou said to Zhou Xing:

"If you agree, then go! Learning a skill is the foundation for you to make a living in this world!"

Where Gui Zhi and Lin Xiaoyun could not see, Xu Hong quietly listened to the instructions of the Prince of Zhenbei:

"Since you've decided to stay, then keep a close eye on this place! Don't let the women in this household influence the Crown Prince!"

Since they enjoy farming and their current life, let them continue living here!

Xu Hong stood respectfully at attention:

"Yes! I will obey Your Highness's orders!"

"Of course, I am not one to repay kindness with enmity. I will allow you to borrow some of their power to make their lives a little better!"

I believe you know your limits! Maintain a proper balance, but remember not to let them take advantage of you!

"Tomorrow, the Prince and I will return. Remember, if anything affects the Prince's reputation, you will not be spared!"

"Yes! I obey my orders!"

"Alright! Go down now!"

In the morning, Guizhi, Dazhu, and Lin Xiaoyun bid each other farewell.

Lin Xiaoyun and Guizhi discussed:

"Third Sister, let Zhou Xing come with me! I'll train a capable person for you!"

Don't worry! I'll be your support again when I'm capable!

Guizhi glanced at the Prince of Zhenbei, whose face remained expressionless. She then smiled and said:

"Lin Xiaoyun! Let's not do that! Zhou Xing's family is all here, how can we separate them!"

Zhou Xing, carrying a small bundle, ran over, knelt before Dazhu and Guizhi, and kowtowed:

"Master! Third Miss! Let me go! Young Master Yun said he can teach me to read and practice martial arts! When I grow up and learn skills, I will come back to serve you!"

Guizhi asked:

Have you discussed this with your family?

Old Zhou strolled over from behind.

"Third Miss! He wants to learn skills! Then let him go! Only by learning skills can he better serve his master!"

The cassia branch looked towards the large pillar:

"Dad! What do you think?"

Dazhu thought for a moment and said:

"Sure! Go if you want! Take advantage of your young age to learn more skills! If you follow us, all you'll do is toil in the fields for a living. You're young now, but when you grow up and learn skills, you can help us much more!"

Guizhi saw Dazhu nod before she spoke:

"In that case, Father! Then give Zhou Xing's indenture to Lin Xiaoyun! Zhou Xing, serve Young Master Lin well from now on! A person must not forget his roots!"

You two are practically childhood sweethearts, right? We don't need to be expected to live and die together, but there should be a certain level of affection and loyalty!

Everyone was shocked! Dazhu was already used to it; he spoiled his own daughter!

Old Zhou immediately knelt down:

"Third Miss! Don't you want Xing'er anymore??"

Lin Xiaoyun called out first:

"No! I disagree! Guizhi! I just want to train a capable assistant for you! I don't want you!"

If he's not one of yours, why would I bring a stranger with me?

"Your Majesty, do you fear you don't have enough servants at home? Humph!"

The Prince of Zhenbei looked at Zhou Xing, then at the people around him, and said to Guizhi and Dazhu:

"Alright! If Xiaoyun says so, then go with her! She's so young, she should learn some skills!"

We have a long way to go, so farewell!

The Prince of Zhenbei was the first to ride off. His guard scooped up Zhou Xing, lifted him onto his horse, and rode away! Lin Xiaoyun bowed and, along with another guard, spurred their horses and galloped after them.