stingy landlady

Chapter 274 Gui Xiang's Wedding ( )

Guizhi was taken aback upon hearing this:

"They've already retired, why would they be conscripted?"

Lin Xiaoyun hurriedly said:

"Guizhi, don't panic! The situation I'm describing rarely happens. People are only conscripted when the front lines are defeated and the army is severely understaffed."

The only problem is that the imperial court is currently in arrears with military pay, and things are alright for now due to peace. But if a real war breaks out, just think about how these soldiers in the camps are starving and poorly clothed; the fighting will definitely be incredibly tough!

Guizhi then calmed herself down and said to Lin Xiaoyun:

"Don't worry unnecessarily! The prince will take care of the army's food and pay. You should try your best to take care of your men."

Don't just focus on training troops; use your spare time to earn some money with the resources at hand. You can also help support your subordinates, Lin Xiaoyun! Remember, too much clarity leaves no room for fish.

When suppressing bandits, you should offer your men some rewards, but you can't let them run rampant. You decide the balance; at the very least, they should be financially secure with you.

Lin Xiaoyun nodded in agreement, and the two were chatting when they suddenly heard a commotion coming from the front gate. Immediately afterwards, they heard a male voice:

"Fourth Sister! When did you build such a big yard? It's really huge! You didn't even tell your older brother so that Dad and I could come and warm your house!"

Wow! This gate is so grand, and there are even servants! Fourth Sister and Fourth Brother-in-law! You've really made it big now! You're even ordering around maids! That's impressive!

Then another female voice followed:

"Fourth Sister! You look younger and younger, and your complexion is getting better and better! Fourth Sister! It's been quite a long time since you've come back to your parents' home! Father is always talking about you! He's worried that you're not doing well!"

"Father! Look, Fourth Sister lives in a big house now, and she even has servants to wait on her! Father! You can rest assured now!"

Guizhi and Lin Xiaoyun heard the noise and followed to the gate, where they saw six or seven people getting off an oxcart. There were old and young, men and women, and they all began to look around curiously after getting off the oxcart.

Someone has already notified Gui Xiang and Gui Hong to come out and greet the guests.

Li called out names one by one:

"Guixiang! Guihong! Guizhi, come here! Greet your maternal grandfather! This is your eldest uncle and aunt! These are your eldest uncle's cousins ​​and their wives!"

Guixiang led her sisters to greet Li's family. Li's eldest sister-in-law immediately and warmly grasped Guixiang's hand:

"This must be the bride, Gui Xiang! She's so beautiful! Fourth Sister! All your daughters are as lovely as flowers! You should have brought them back to your parents' home a long time ago, so that your sister-in-law could learn how to raise girls!"

Mr. Li humbly said:

"They're not as good as you say, sister-in-law! They're still young, they can't take praise."

"Fourth brother-in-law! Our father's legs aren't very good! Could you find a servant to carry him inside? That way we can look around your new house as we go!"

Li's elder brother didn't stand on ceremony and instructed Dazhu to start admiring Dazhu's house on his own.

"Wow! So many rooms! Fourth brother-in-law! Don't be reluctant to leave so many rooms; we'll have to stay for a few days!"

The eldest brother of the Li family then turned to the old man of the Li family and said:

"Dad! Anyway, there's nothing going on at home right now. It's our first time visiting Fourth Sister's house, and it's so spacious, let's stay a couple more days!"

As Li's elder brother spoke, he observed Dazhu's expression, who maintained his憨厚 (honest and simple) smile. He then added:

"Dad! Eldest brother and sister-in-law! It's not easy for you to come all this way. We can squeeze in a few more days, since we have a place to stay!"

Sister-in-law Li pointed to this row of houses and asked:

"Fourth brother-in-law! With so many rooms, you still say you're squeezing in?"

Dazhu nodded.

"Sister-in-law! We have a lot of relatives. Besides, my eldest sister, second sister, third sister, and younger sister are coming over later. They'll all be staying for a couple of days! It's okay for so many people to squeeze in!"

They weren't so particular about these things when they were with their father!

Upon hearing this, Li's elder brother and sister-in-law realized they were all family and shouldn't hesitate to squeeze in. Pan Sen then came over, offering to carry Li's father on his back. However, the old man refused, insisting that Pan Sen support him as they walked slowly.

"Young man! I can walk, just a little slowly! You don't need to carry me, we can walk and look around as we go. When I get there, I'll be able to give Lanxin's mother an explanation!"

Lanxin's life has finally gotten better. She used to have the hardest time, and she was her mother's biggest worry!

Upon hearing this, Li's nose tingled with emotion, and she came over to support her father.

"Dad! Let me help you, let's walk slowly! Let's go inside and look, there are flowers planted in the yard! They're so beautiful!"

Gui Hong and Gui Zhi also entered the courtyard with their cousins ​​and cousins.

Just as everyone sat down, they heard the sound of a carriage stopping outside. Immediately afterwards, a servant came to report that Li's elder sister and brother-in-law had arrived. Li and Dazhu stood up to greet them.

"Third sister! Eldest sister! Second sister! Fifth sister!"

The sisters walked in hand in hand, followed by several overseas Chinese who were also talking and looking around as they went. Behind them were the children of each family, chatting and laughing as they entered the courtyard.

The courtyard immediately became lively, and Gui Xiang, as the bride, was naturally the center of attention. Gui Hong and Gui Zhi, ignoring Lin Xiaoyun and the others, quickly helped arrange for their cousins ​​to take their seats.

Lin Xiaoyun returned to Wang Yiyun's table and sat down. A moment later, Gui Hong led Du Huaichuan and Young Master Zheng over.

"Brother Xiaoyun! Fifth Uncle! Young Master Du and Young Master Zheng have arrived. Please take a seat here, gentlemen, and we would appreciate it if you could help entertain them."

Du Huaichuan pulled Gui Hong aside and said:

"Gui Hong! That's not right! I'm not an outsider, why would I need the young master to help entertain me! I wouldn't dare accept that!"

Young Master Zheng recognized Wang Yiyun and had just exchanged greetings with him. Hearing that the young master was here, he looked at Du Huaichuan in surprise and asked:

"Young Master Du! Is the Crown Prince here?"

Du Huaichuan pointed at Lin Xiaoyun and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Your Highness, cousin!"

"Cousin, you're too kind! Welcome to Guixiang's wedding! We're all family! Please, have a seat!"

Lin Xiaoyun looked at Young Master Zheng:

"This must be Young Master Zheng! It's been years since we last met, but you still look as radiant as ever!"

Young Master Zheng looked at Lin Xiaoyun with a blank expression.

"I have met Your Highness! You do look somewhat familiar."

Lin Xiaoyun smiled and said to Young Master Zheng:

"Young Master Zheng, you really have a bad memory! A few years ago, I also sold boxed lunches with a few of my sisters! It just wasn't for very long!"

Young Master Zheng thought for a while before suddenly remembering:

"Oh! I remember now! You're the only boy in Guizhi's family. But how did you become the heir apparent?"

Du Huaichuan looked at the two of them with suspicion, and said to Young Master Zheng:

"Young Master Zheng! You know quite a lot of people! Even my cousin, the Crown Prince, knows you! You should know that the Crown Prince has been in the prefectural city and the military camp all his time; he doesn't even know all of our own family!"