my grandmother

Chapter 239 Two Chapters In One
It was only a few days before the New Year's Eve, and the next day, Li Jinzhu and his siblings drove back to Lijiaji with Sister Mei, A Wu and Yu Ting, a cart and two horses.

The house next to the ancestral hall of the Li family siblings had been cleaned up. Ai Ye and Cui Ye waited outside the town, received Li Jinzhu and others, and followed them back to the house.

Ai Ye was really busy making arrangements, Cui Ye pulled Li Xiaonan, chirping, laughing, and gesticulating all kinds of gossip about Li Jiaji.

Sister Mei was bumped into by two people twice, she simply pushed them to sit and talk in the corner of the corridor, so as not to get in the way.

Li Jinzhu brought two stacks of yellow mounting paper in front of the two, and ordered them to fold ingots.

Don't let your hands be idle while gossiping.

Mrs. Li, Li Shikuan, came over to have a look once, and all the families in the clan came in in an endless stream, sending all kinds of New Year's goods.

It's already the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, and the only big thing left to do is to prepare for the ancestor worship tomorrow.

It's not Ai Ye's turn to prepare for ancestor worship, Cui Ye and Li Xiaonan made an appointment to go to the county the next day, and take advantage of the last fair to buy some fresh silk flowers and beads.

The next morning, Li Xiaonan had just changed her clothes when she heard a loud cry from Yuting outside, "Why are you here?"

Li Xiaonan hurriedly stuck her head out from the room, it was Wan Qing.

"Why are you here?" Li Xiaonan rushed out to greet her. "Is something wrong?"

Wan Qing greeted Li Xiaonan along the way, approached Li Xiaonan, and said in a low voice, "What's the matter with me! It's the New Year's Eve, that's why our eldest son is so careless."

"Didn't you say that he was going to celebrate the New Year in Hangzhou? He's back?" Li Xiaonan also suppressed her voice.

"Who knows! Anyway, here at the moment!" Wan Qing looked troubled.

"Is there something wrong? If it's nothing, you can say that you didn't find me. I made an appointment with Cui Ye to go to the county town." Li Xiaonan and Wan Qing muttered.

"Look at what you said, I know if there is anything wrong with our elder son? You should go there, our elder son is not in a good mood, and he is the only one who celebrates Chinese New Year." Wan Qing felt a little sympathetic The son of her family.

"Aren't you alone? Shi Gun is also alone. Those who are with your elder son will spend the New Year alone this year, right?" Li Xiaonan gave Wan Qing a white look.

"We can't be counted as one person, we are a group of people. Many of us have already discussed that we will have a lively New Year's Eve dinner together, and our son will have to eat the New Year's Eve dinner alone." Wan Qing laughed .

"That's true, okay, where is your son? Is it far?" Li Xiaonan looked out on tiptoe.

"It's not too far, two to three quarters of an hour, let's go now?"

"Let's go." Li Xiaonan asked Yuting to run for her, told Cuiye, followed Wan Qing out, and got into the cart.

The car trotted all the way in the direction of Linhai Town, and stopped in a barren land facing a river in front and a hill behind.

Not far from the river, there is a blue-black tent tied up, and the blue-black barrier extends from the tent to the river, blocking the cold wind. Gu Yan sits in front of the tent, pulls up the fishing rod, and throws it out again .

"Are there many fish in this river? How many have you caught?" Li Xiaonan stretched her head to look into the river.

Since moving, Li Xiaonan eats fish all by herself, and her fishing skills and interest have been greatly improved.

"It's not for fishing, it's boring to wait." Gu Yan raised his hand to signal, and Shi Gun hurriedly stepped forward to take the fishing rod.

"I heard that you are very good at fishing?" Gu Yan pointed to the chair next to him and motioned for Li Xiaonan to sit.

"Who told you that?"

Sitting down, Li Xiaonan watched as the two servants brought over a brightly colored square low table, put an intricately carved charcoal heating seat on the table, put a red copper pot of the same style on the seat, and held a embroidered A slender jug ​​full of gems came over, and two red copper cups also filled with gems were placed.

This exotic tea set is extremely luxurious and beautiful.Li Xiaonan simply stood up and looked around the table.

The style of this set of tea sets obviously comes from grasslands, or plateaus.

"Try the milk tea, the caramel taste is good." Gu Yan looked sideways at Li Xiaonan who looked curiously, leaned slightly, and poured two cups of milk tea from the jewel pot.

Li Xiaonan sat down, picked up the cup, took a few sips carefully, and looked at the cup in circles, "Are these real gems?"

Gu Yan rolled his eyes at Li Xiaonan, but ignored her.

Li Xiaonan drank a few more sips of milk tea.

This milk tea is delicious, partly because the milk tea is really good, partly because the cup and pot are so precious and beautiful!
Gu Yan looked at Li Xiaonan who looked at the pot after finishing the cup, and explained with a smile: "This was the favorite of a great khan at the founding of the country. General Qiao stepped into the golden tent and sent the great khan into the capital to offer prisoners. This set of utensils was sent to Hangzhou Bieye to honor the masters, and it has been piled up in Bieye's warehouse."

"This is a trophy!" Li Xiaonan admired, poured herself another half cup of milk tea, held the cup and sighed again, "No wonder it is so extravagant. Now what? Who is stronger and who is weaker? Who can step on the Khan?" Is it a gold account?"

"Of course!" Gu Yan's voice raised slightly, full of arrogance.

Li Xiaonan glanced at him sideways.

"Since the day when the Sea Taxation Department was established, Emperor Taizong established an iron law. The Sea Taxation Department's tax money should be used for the northern military expenses, and no embezzlement is allowed. The northern military expenses can only be taken from the Sea Taxation Department. Although the Sea Taxation Department increases every year It has rotted for a year, but it hasn't rotted enough to cover the military expenses." Gu Yan explained.

"But compared to when the country was founded, it's still a lot worse?" Li Xiaonan sipped milk tea.

"Hmm." Gu Yan's face darkened slightly.

The north needs a strangulation like it did in the founding years.

Li Xiaonan glanced at Gu Yan, and said with a smile: "A few days ago, I received a letter from Mrs. Shi, which took such a long time, saying that the eldest son of the Pang family fell off his horse and was crushed by a big cart. , said that only gods could heal those two legs, and said a lot about the Pang family, how about Pang Xiang, and so on."

"What, what is it?" Gu Yan tilted Li Xiaonan.

"I think Mrs. Shi meant that. Mr. Pang Da's two legs have something to do with you?" Li Xiaonan asked directly.

"When you were in danger, Mr. Pang Da was the mastermind behind it." Gu Yan answered directly.

"It's you they want to kill? Did they find the wrong person? Isn't this eye too blind?" Li Xiaonan reacted quickly.

"I just wanted to kill you. The Jiangnan weaving workshop has been making noises since it was shut down and restarted. Thanks to you, Mr. Pang Da is a smart man."

Li Xiaonan let out a dragging sound, "No wonder I broke two legs."

Gu Yan raised his eyebrows, "You used my warning cannon, in the eyes of outsiders, it was me who was attacked."

"You are worth two legs when you are attacked?" Li Xiaonan was even more surprised.

Gu Yan was stunned for a moment, then leaned forward, and looked at Li Xiaonan carefully, "Look at your character, you only have two legs! Shouldn't you lament that you were too cruel? You broke his two legs abruptly?"

"He wanted my life! No, he wanted your life. He didn't want it because he was not capable enough, not because he was merciful and couldn't bear to withdraw the knife at the last moment. If he had the ability, he would kill me with one knife, no, kill you Kill it?" Li Xiaonan snapped back unceremoniously.

Gu Yan stared at Li Xiaonan, and for a moment, laughed.

"What are you laughing at!"

"Let me tell you why only two of his legs were broken."

Gu Yan pulled the chair, moved towards Li Xiaonan, leaned forward, Li Xiaonan leaned against the back of the chair, and looked at Gu Yan warily.

"Pang Xiang is only 58 years old this year, and Mr. Pang Da is 36 years old. They are both in their prime of life. Mr. Pang Da only has a broken leg and is not good enough to be an official. , when his son, nephew, or even a member of the clan became an official, he would give advice and guidance, and even serve as a counselor. As long as Pang Xiang can keep this position, in less than ten years, the Pang family will be able to support another huge son. After that, support the Pang family.

"Now, Prime Minister Pang has withdrawn and retreated to the defense, and only state affairs are the most important thing. For at least ten years, Prime Minister Pang's best strategy is to be a pure minister who is dedicated to the country with peace of mind.

"But what if you kill Master Pang Da?" Gu Yan looked at Li Xiaonan and asked with a smile.

"It's all for the emperor." Li Xiaonan muttered.

"The emperor is the state." Gu Yan snorted, raised his hand and tapped Li Xiaonan on the head.

"I didn't tell you about Mr. Pang Da's two legs. I thought that after you heard about it, you couldn't bear it and blamed yourself again. I didn't expect you to be so kind-hearted."

"What's the matter with such a heart? When someone raises a knife to kill me, I have to feel guilty when I escape: I'm sorry, thank you for chasing me so hard, I'm exhausted."

Gu Yan laughed loudly, "Don't dare to do anything, I mean, such a heart is good, and I also have such a heart."

Li Xiaonan hummed with a rising sound at the end, leaned over to pick up the milk teapot, filled herself with milk tea, retracted it when she was about to put it back, and asked Gu Yan, "Do you want it?"

Gu Yan hurriedly handed over the cup.

She didn't have much time to refill his tea.

"Ms. Shi wrote you what and what, what does she mean?" Gu Yan asked, looking at Li Xiaonan, after taking a sip of tea.

"What do you want to ask?" Li Xiaonan asked back.

Gu Yan lowered his eyes, and after a moment, he said with a smile: "If she can still talk to me like she did before retiring, she must persuade me to be generous and tolerant, and put education first."

Li Xiaonan let out a sigh, "She said that it is a blessing that Mr. Pang Da doesn't have to worry about papers and concentrate on learning and teaching his nephews. She also said that most things in the world are like this, and it is a blessing to lose one's horse."

After a pause, Li Xiaonan looked at Gu Yan and said with a smile: "I followed it with a sentence: For example, she was divorced."

Gu Yan's eyebrows were raised high, and after a while, imitating Li Xiaonan, he let out a laugh.

"Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, you won't celebrate the New Year in Pingjiang City alone?" Li Xiaonan looked at Gu Yan and asked.

"What if I'm in Pingjiang City, and what if I'm not in Pingjiang City?" Gu Yan asked back.

"Let's go to Hangcheng, and stay with Mrs. Fu and the others. After all, it's Chinese New Year. If you celebrate New Year in Pingjiang City alone, even if you think it's nothing, others will think you are too pitiful." Li Xiaonan persuaded.

"Who is this other person? You?" Gu Yan looked sideways at Li Xiaonan.

"I'm not among the others. I think you must feel that it's good and comfortable to celebrate the New Year alone."

Gu Yan laughed again, and raised his glass to Li Xiaonan, "I'm going to Hangzhou in a while, it's really not because I'm alone during the Chinese New Year, it's for the first day sacrifice. Also,"

Gu Yan had a bitter expression on his face, "If I celebrate the New Year alone, my uncle will definitely spend this Spring Festival crying, alas."

Gu Yan let out a long sigh.

Li Xiaonan laughed out loud, "I will definitely write an article about pity for my nephew during the Spring Festival, maybe it will be passed down through the ages."

"On the third day of the junior high school, I will entertain those overseas merchants in Linhai Town, will you go?" Gu Yan asked.

"What am I going to do!" Li Xiaonan looked surprised.

"Watch the excitement. You don't want to see what kind of people those overseas merchants are? Don't you like watching the excitement the most?" Gu Yan looked even more curious.

Um!This opportunity is indeed extremely rare.Li Xiaonan hesitated, "What do you think? Isn't it appropriate to be by your side?"

"You follow He Chengze." Gu Yan smiled.

Li Xiaonan let out a dragging sound.

"Don't think too much, it's either for you to watch something, or it's a rare opportunity, just watch it for fun." Gu Yan explained seriously.

Li Xiaonan sighed slowly, leaned forward, "It's just right, I also have something to ask for your help."

"Just talk." Gu Yan laughed.

"It's Chinese New Year, your subordinates, like Shi Dang, are they all free?" Li Xiaonan asked first.

"If you have anything to say, just say it. If you don't have enough manpower, then you can pick some more people. I have never had a case where things were delayed due to lack of manpower." Gu Yan snorted.

"Okay then. Can you help me find out, which of our preserved egg workshops have people who want to write or go to school, are the people who write or go to school male or female, and how old are they?" Li Xiaonan subconsciously lowered her voice. sounded.

"What happened?" Gu Yan immediately asked with concern.

"It can't be counted as an accident, that's right~" Li Xiaonan leaned forward, "At first, three or four ink heads disappeared. I asked my brother, and my brother said that the leftover ink heads disappeared several times. This is strange. Isn't it? My brother and I are the only ones who write at home, even if a thief breaks in, he won't steal the ink."

Gu Yan nodded repeatedly.

"I have to find out if this is true, so I dropped a piece of ink, ground it into the shape of an ink head, put it in my brother's basket, and fished!"

Gu Yan raised his eyebrows.

"When I was sleeping, the ink head was still there, but it was gone in the morning. I told Sister Mei that there was an account book in the wing room, and let Sister Mei look at it. Sister Mei said that only the second sister went in, and the second sister went there early in the morning. The workshop was over, and Ah Wu drove it there, saying that it was from home to the workshop, without going anywhere in between.”

"Your second sister took it away? Why didn't you ask your second sister?" Gu Yan was full of interest.

"It's because I asked you that I asked you to look it up." Li Xiaonan sighed gloomily. "During dinner, I said that the ink head was gone. I don't know who took it. What's the use of the ink head? The second sister ate with her head down and didn't make a sound!"

"This is strange. If your second elder sister really took it and gave the ink tip to someone else, there's nothing you can't say. Why didn't you say anything?" Gu Yan frowned.

"That's right! Why? Isn't it strange?" Li Xiaonan tapped Gu Yan's knee a few times with her fingers.

Gu Yan glanced down at Li Xiaonan's fingers, raised his eyebrows slightly and then lowered them back.

"It's easy. If you find out, I'll send someone to tell you?" Gu Yan asked.

"No, no, let's talk about it on the third day of junior high." Li Xiaonan laughed.

(End of this chapter)