novelden Chapter 66 Meeting the Village Chief's Daughter
Chapter 66 Meeting the Village Chief's Daughter
"Mother, I've made up my mind. Even if it's like what you said, I'm not afraid." Although Wang Hefan's face turned a little pale after hearing what Song Jiaojiao said, he still made a firm decision to go to the escort agency.
Seeing that Wang Hefan remained steadfast in his choice, Song Jiaojiao, despite her uncertainty about the future, did not back down.
"And Xu Sen, what about you?"
"Madam, I made up my mind before I came. Wherever the young master is, I will be there. Our whole family's lives are thanks to you, and I will definitely take good care of him." Xu Sen thought of his parents' repeated instructions before he came, and the fact that the young master treated him so well, like a brother, meant that he would definitely follow in the young master's footsteps for the rest of his life.
"Alright, since you've made your decision, I won't say much more. But remember one thing: your safety is paramount. As long as you're alive, you can always make a comeback. Keep that in mind." Song Jiaojiao sighed, not saying much more. She had initially favored the Li Family Martial Arts School, but alas...
"Mother, don't worry, I understand," Wang Hefan assured her, but every time he went on a镖师 (bodyguard/escort) mission, he had risked his life.
"Alright, I hope you keep your word. Go and get some rest." After saying that, Song Jiaojiao told them to go back to their rooms.
The next day, Song Jiaojiao took Wang Hefan to the Sifang Escort Agency, signed a contract, and then took them to buy necessities.
We need two sets of bedding and two sets of clothes for each person to change into. In addition, we brought some from home, which is enough. We also bought two sets of basins and buckets, and even bought three feet of cloth to make washcloths.
He bought some pastries for them to take inside, and a few bottles of wine for them to take with them. Finally, he left them 40 taels of silver, telling them to write home if anything happened, and then, with tears in his eyes, he saw them off inside.
After arranging things for Wang Hefan, Song Jiaojiao started her shopping spree. Before leaving, she had promised to bring gifts for Mu Xue and Mu Qing. First, she went to a pastry shop and bought a lot of pastries that were not available in town, such as chestnut and osmanthus cake, rose pastry, poria cocos eight-treasure cake, and dragon beard candy. She bought some of them to try back home.
She also bought quite a bit of cloth. The cloth in the county had more colors than that in the town, and the price per piece was also a bit cheaper. Thinking that it would get warmer in the spring, Song Jiaojiao bought several bolts of cloth and a set of clothes for each member of her family. When the cloth shopkeeper saw that Song Jiaojiao had bought a lot, he gave her two feet of silk as a gift.
"You are... Song Jiaojiao?" A woman dressed in fine cotton cloth, holding a four- or five-month-old baby and accompanied by servants, called out to Song Jiaojiao.
When Song Jiaojiao saw the person in front of her, she felt a sense of familiarity. "Who are you?"
"You're Song Jiaojiao from Qingshui Village, right? I'm Wang Baozhu, the village chief's youngest daughter." Wang Baozhu said excitedly. She hadn't been home for the Spring Festival this year because her child was too young, so it was a rare treat to meet someone from her village in the county.
"Ah, it's Baozhu! I didn't expect to run into you. You've changed so much, I didn't even recognize you." Song Jiaojiao looked at the fair-skinned woman in front of her and didn't recognize her at all.
"Sister Jiaojiao, what brings you to the county? Are my parents in good health? My son is still young, so we haven't been home this year." Wang Baozhu pulled Song Jiaojiao aside and bombarded her with questions.
"There was something, but it's all taken care of. Uncle Wang and Aunt Li are both very nice; they just keep talking about you."
“I miss my parents too, but the baby is too young to visit. I’ll take my husband back to see you when the baby is a little older. Sister Jiaojiao, when are you going back?” Wang Baozhu’s eyes welled up with tears when she heard that her parents missed her.
"The matter is resolved. I'll buy some things today and head back tomorrow." Song Jiaojiao was worried about the many things she still had to do at home, and she was concerned about leaving Mu Qing and Mu Xue alone. She decided it was best to go back as soon as possible.
"You're going back tomorrow? Why didn't you stay a few more days?" Wang Baozhu said, sounding a little downcast. It was rare to run into someone from her hometown.
"There are a lot of things to do at home, and I'm worried about leaving the two kids alone," Song Jiaojiao explained.
"Oh, okay then, Sister Jiaojiao, is there anything else you need to buy? I'll go with you. I also want you to bring some things back for my parents."
"I don't really need to buy anything. How about this, I'll go with you to buy things for Uncle Wang and the others. There's a carriage to take us back, so it'll be convenient," Song Jiaojiao said.
"Alright, I won't stand on ceremony, let's go this way." After saying that, Wang Baozhu took Song Jiaojiao's arm and started shopping.
As darkness fell, the two were forced to stop their urge to continue buying. Wang Baozhu looked at the items in the servant's hands and said apologetically.
"Oh dear, I bought so much without even realizing it! Sister Jiaojiao, can we take all this in the car?"
"It's okay, there will only be two of us going back, so buying more won't be a problem." Song Jiaojiao thought that at worst, she could just sit on the edge of the car.
"It's good that you can take her with you, Sister Jiaojiao. Before we know it, it's dinnertime. Come on, let's go to my house to eat." Wang Baozhu said, pulling Song Jiaojiao to go home.
"Baozhu, no, let's go another time. I need to go back and pack my things. We need to leave early tomorrow, otherwise it will be dark when we get home." Song Jiaojiao refused Wang Baozhu's request.
Wang Baozhu saw that she did have a lot of things, so she didn't insist. "Alright then, you must come next time. Sister Jiaojiao, which inn are you staying at? I'll have the servants send the things over."
"I have to deliver it to the Sifang Inn, otherwise I can't carry that much by myself," Song Jiaojiao said with a raised eyebrow and a smile.
"Oh, I just forgot because I was so happy. Okay, I should go back now, otherwise my husband will start nagging again." Wang Baozhu said shyly, her ears slightly red.
"Alright, alright, I know your brother-in-law cares about you, so I won't say anything more." Song Jiaojiao said and went back to the inn.
After putting my things in the room, looking at the pile of stuff that filled almost half the room, I really had a headache about how to get back tomorrow.
The next day, Song Jiaojiao got up early and, together with Meng An, moved their things onto the carriage. After breakfast, they bought a lot of steamed buns to eat on the way. Just as everything was ready, the city gates opened, and the two of them set off on their journey home.
The weather wasn't very good today. It started drizzling shortly after we left. Luckily, there was a carriage, otherwise the fabrics and other items would have gotten wet.
As we approached Yunshui Town, the weather began to improve. Not only did it stop raining, but the sun shone brightly in the sky. As expected, the weather in the mountains is unpredictable.
Song Jiaojiao arrived home around 1:30 PM. She had planned to go directly to the village chief's house to unload her things, but no one was home. They must all be at Song Jiaojiao's house.
The carriage clattered along, and as it drew nearer, the construction workers all looked on curiously.
"Oh, it looks like Jiaojiao is back!" Aunt Li exclaimed in surprise as she finished washing the dishes and tidying up the kitchen, preparing to go home, when she saw Song Jiaojiao's carriage.
Upon hearing the noise, Mu Xue quickly ran out of the house and saw Song Jiaojiao sitting on the edge of the car.