with their grandchildren.Today, the sky had a few rare clouds floating above. It wasn't as scorching hot either, making it a perfect time for outings.Thus, the entire family, including Grandma He and...“It must be the Northern Expeditionary Force, my father and godfather are back!” Jia Yin excitedly swung her legs and looked around.
Mu Xu heard her joy and, after thinking for a moment, got up and ran away.
In a moment, he came rushing back.
Jiayin looked at him eagerly, her eyes full of hope.
This reminded Mu Xu of a young deer he had seen in the mountains once, with eyes just as big and wet, melting his heart.
He smiled and said, "Your guess is right, it's indeed the Northern Expeditionary Army. However, only General Li Yong led two hundred vanguard troops; Lord Hou and the others are still crossing the river."
Jia Yin wasn't disappointed, as long as everyone in the family returned home safely.
It doesn't matter if it's a little early or late.
As expected, they waited a little longer, and the advance party finally arrived.
Li Yong had lost a lot of weight, but he was even more courageous. He seemed like a unsheathed long sword, his aura was magnificent, and his sharp edge was clearly visible.
Perhaps seeing Jia Yin standing by the carriage waving goodbye, he grinned and greeted her, "Why is the County Princess here"
"Uncle Dayong, you're back!" Jia Yin smiled with delight, "I went into the city with my mother to attend a banquet and just as we were about to head home, I bumped into you."
Da Yong's expression softened by three points when he heard the words "go home." He instructed, "I still need to go to the palace to report. Your Highness should return home early and tell Hui Niang for me that I will stay at the wharf camp tomorrow night and only be able to go back in the evening."
"Good, Uncle Dayong, please rest assured. I'll go home and report this immediately!" Jia Yin laughed and waved her hand. Then Li Yong took the vanguard team to the city.
Most of the advance party had been to Suijin Beach before, so they greeted Jia Yin as they passed by.
Jia Yin chuckled and greeted, “Tomorrow the village will be killing pigs and sheep. Everyone remember to come back for the celebration feast!”
"Thank you, county princess!"
"Thank you, princess. We will go back!"
The soldiers beamed with delight and responded with cheers.
Regardless of whether they could have a celebratory feast tomorrow, having the county princess's words brought warmth to their hearts.
As the advance party entered the city, Jia Yin and the others rode hard back to Suijin Beach.
The village head and Zhao Shu saw the smoke from afar, hurriedly arrived in Ercun and looked far down the official road.
Ye Shan hurriedly announced the good news loudly, which delighted the village chief and others.
"I'm back, finally back!" Zhao Shu patted his hands, smiling with wrinkles in the corners of his eyes.
The village head was also excitedly shouting, "Hurry up and get the oven fired up! Recently, there's been a lot of noodles harvested from the Hot Spring Valley. Let's bake some scallion pancakes for the boys coming home!"
Over at the pigpen, the plump pigs that were chosen are fasting for a day. Their intestines will be clean and ready to be prepared tomorrow. I remember Daring and the Four Generals all love to snack on pig intestines!
"Also, bring back those dozen or so sheep from the mountain quickly. We'll slaughter them today, simmer their blood, and stew them tomorrow for convenience. "
Otherwise, we'd have to slaughter the pigs and sheep all at once, and it would be too much work!
Okay, I'll go herd the sheep!
"I'm going to the pigsty!"
Uncle Zhao and the others readily agreed, happily rushing off to get busy.
The second village was even more lively, almost turning upside down. Women and children couldn't wait to fly with wings to the riverbank!
Shuiling ran to Huiniang's house to send a letter. Jia Yin got off the carriage and went to find her grandmother to share the good news.
As expected, Old Madam Li was overjoyed and repeatedly asked, “Where's your mother She knows best what your father likes to eat. Hurry up and prepare the food in advance!”
"By the way, we also need wine. Quickly send someone into the city to buy some, tomorrow it will probably be impossible to get any!"
"And as for the Hou residence, they'll need to be informed too. The chief steward must be eagerly waiting for this news!"
Jia Yin didn't stop her, letting Grandma make the arrangements.
The old woman had been waiting for over half a year, and only now was she busy enough to ease the anxiety in her heart...
The bustling activity in Xin Cun and Er Cun quickly caught the attention of Taigui Shu and the large and small Wang Zhuang. Jing Li Zheng and others came running to inquire, and upon hearing that the Northern Expedition army had returned victorious, they were overjoyed.
Soon, people from the village organized themselves and sent over a lot of winter vegetables and poultry like chickens, ducks, and geese.
Especially the Da Hua Shu Village, I still remember how the Li family loved to eat roast goose.
At first, when Li Laotai and Tao Hongying first settled in Suijin Beach, they even went to the village to exchange things.
Therefore, this time the scenery is sending over more than ten at once.
The meat of the goose is firm and chewy, much more delicious than chicken or duck.
More importantly, the goose produces a lot of meat. The meat from one goose can rival that of three chickens.
Li Laotai didn't refuse either, she kept all the things from the three villages, and then invited Jing Lizheng and others to come for a celebration feast tomorrow.
When Tao Hongying rushed back from the city, Huiniang and Liu's wife were already rolling up their sleeves with the village women, boiling water to remove goose feathers.
A little maidservant, with her pockets wide open, giggled as she collected every bit of soft fluff, not wanting to waste even a single one.
This is also the custom in the village.
No matter whose family eats chicken, duck or goose, they will gather up the feathers.
A few two or three, was delivered to the Li family.
Jia Yin's handiwork over the past two years has mainly been sewing down jackets, quilted vests, and even quilts.
The young masters at home, from Li Zhensheng to the cat boy, look thinly dressed in winter. In fact, they all have down pants and down vests under their robes. They are not cold at all, nor do they look bulky.
It was a down comforter specially made for Old Lady Li, but it was rejected.
It is said that wearing it is not as solid as a cotton quilt...
Tao Hongying's face was also beaming with joy. She entered the room and said a few words to the old woman, then joined the busy queue.
But Gui-niang said, "Sister-in-law, we can do these chores."
"Go and see over at the bakery, Xiaocui's bringing people to bake pancakes. They aren't very good at it, I heard they already burned a whole plate!"
Tao Hongying heard this and immediately felt sorry for the food. She quickly brought her maidservant, Xia Qing, to Ercun...
Jia Yin also wanted to help, and even more so she wanted to prepare some delicious food for her father and Uncle Zhang.
But these two years, the family has been prosperous and wealthy, she no longer needs to supplement her expenses privately.
So, there are very few rabbits, chickens, ducks, and geese raised in the space now. There are only three or four large white pigs. Compared to their edible value, Jia Yin treats them more like companions.
Just like the little fox, San-Tiao, and the green snake, they all became indispensable parts of the space.
The fields were mostly planted with medicinal herbs, the rest being some vegetables and green corn.
All in all, it's just a matter of picking some fresh fruit.
Apples, pears, and oranges—such common things, prepare plenty for the soldiers.
The rest, like more exotic bananas and peaches, I'd sneak to my stepfather and father for a taste of the fresh…
But these are not big deals, they will be finished soon.
So, she once again became the child king, taking charge of the stars, the crescent moon, Huiniang’s twins, Liu's mischievous boys, and even little Yuan in swaddling clothes.
The backyard immediately became the children's kingdom.
Kicking a ball, building snowmen, skipping rope—the whole yard was in an uproar, and the children were having the time of their lives...
Early the next morning, Old Madam Li urged everyone to eat quickly. Then, the whole family changed into their best clothes and set off happily in a grand procession towards the city.
The best private room on the second floor of Xianke Lai had been emptied, with tea and snacks set out, waiting for the masters to arrive.
The fairy shoe is right next to the main street, which is the way from the city gate to the palace. It's the best place to wait for the victorious returning Northern expedition army.
The other private rooms were also booked at a high price, packed with guests. The most surprising thing was that they were mostly women and unmarried girls!rs. She had been eagerly anticipating Mrs. Wen and the Li family's arrival, overjoyed when they finally arrived. She hurried forward to greet them warmly."Oh, Jinrou, you're finally here! If you hadn'...