Chapter 362: Unfriendly Arrival
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
When Han Qiao heard about someone from Puyi County arriving at her door, she became a little impatient.
She asked Pucao to take care of the two children before she led her people to the hall.
After some thought, she went to the side hall.
The person who came had a simple and honest face, looking down-to-earth and reliable.
But she didn’t know him.
“And you are?”
“Sister Ah-Qiao, you don’t recognize me? I’m Han Laoshi. 1 live next door to Uncle Mazha.”
1Q11
Han Qiao knew Uncle Mazha because she had interacted with his wife and daughter-in-law before. However, she did not know the family next door to Uncle Mazha.
However, if that was the case, Han Dacheng and the others should know him.
“So, it’s like this, Ah-Qiao. I’m looking for a job in Chenzhou City. I can’t survive like this anymore, so I came to you. 1 was wondering if you could help me arrange a job or something.”
Arranging a job for someone was not a big deal to Han Qiao.
However, Han Qiao did not rashly agree.
She had to confirm who this person was first. Was it someone from Xishan Village?
Where did he make a living in the early days?
“Where are you staying now? Are you alone in Chenzhou City or do you have other family members with you?” Han Qiao asked.
“I’m the only one here…” When Han Laoshi said this, his eyes were a little evasive.
Han Qiao frowned slightly.
“Where are you staying now? Where did you make a living before?”
Han Laoshi replied calmly.
It was as if he had expected Han Qiao to ask about this.
“The rented house over there has already been canceled. I really can’t even afford the rent…”
Han Qiao looked at the man in front of her.
He was honest and reliable, but Han Qiao’s intuition told her that he was not as good as he appeared to be.
She felt that he was a traitor hidden inside.
Moreover, there was something fishy about him coming to seek shelter at this time.
“How about this, you stay in the residence first. I’ll get Housekeeper Liu to arrange a job for you.”
“Thank you, Ah-Qiao.”
Han Qiao asked Housekeeper Liu to take Han Laoshi away.
Arrange for him to stay first.
Housekeeper Liu returned very quickly, “Madam.”
“Get someone to keep an eye on him and arrange for him to be Old Master Zeng’s subordinate.”
Grandpa Zeng might look old, but he had good eyesight.
“Let the old master be more laid-back.”
Whether it was a human or a ghost, she had to test it.
This was the first person from the Han family to seek refuge with her.
Housekeeper Liu thought for a moment and understood.
Han Qiao didn’t believe this person.
“Send someone to the manor to invite my nephews back for dinner.”
First, she had to confirm if this person was Han Laoshi from Xishan Village.
She didn’t recognize him, but she hoped that Han Dacheng and his brothers would.
If they didn’t know each other…
Han Chi accompanied Li Mi to the village. He had originally planned to memorize some books along the way, but when he remembered what his mother had said last night, he simply brought Li Mi to ride a horse.
The two of them went to a village in the countryside. Li Mi was still fine with her veil on, but Han Chi was tanned.
“Mother.”
“Mother-in-law.”
When Madam Jun saw her daughter and son-in-law, she was surprised and overjoyed.
Now that she had taken off her gorgeous clothes and put on simple and elegant cotton clothes, her entire person exuded the kind of pure beauty that had been washed away.
She looked even more gentle and graceful.
“Come in quickly. It’s hot outside.” Madam Jun took her daughter’s hand and led the two into the house.
She ordered the servants to quickly bring the sour plum soup and prepare some food.
Seeing her daughter and son-in-law, Madam Jun was overjoyed.
“Mother, why did you come to the countryside?”
Madam Jun told her daughter about what happened that day.
“The emperor’s approval and the clan’s signature are already in my hands. There’s also your brother’s letter to abdicate from his throne.”
In other words, she was no longer the Gong Prince’s consort, and Li Zhao was no longer the Crown Prince.
They were just ordinary people.
“Mother…” Li Mi’s eyes reddened slightly.
“Don’t be sad. Your brother and I are living in the countryside now. It’s so comfortable here. When your brother joins the army, I’ll go over and settle down there myself.”
Li Mi saw that her mother’s complexion was good and her entire person was relaxed. She was happier than when she was in the prince’s residence.
After a moment of silence, she said earnestly, “I support Mother and Brother.”
No matter what they do, she just wants them to be happy.
No matter where they were, they would always be concerned about each other. Most importantly, her mother seems happier here compared to living in the Imperial Residence. So, she supported her mother’s decision.
The couple stayed over in Madam Jun’s manor for a night. When Li Zhao returned home from the mountain, he was very happy to see his sister and brother-in-law. He took out the wild animals he had hunted.
Just a single rabbit.
“I’m still not as good at hunting as Marquis of Wanning.”
Han Chi smiled, “People specialized in different fields. My father has been hunting for more than ten years, but you’re still a newbie.”
Li Mi also praised, “It’s already very impressive for Brother to be able to hunt rabbits.”
Li Zhao slapped her on the head with a smile.
However, he did not have to think so much after going to the mountains, nor did he have to worry about the future.
Although his future path was uncertain, he firmly believed that with his abilities, he could remain mediocre for the rest of his life.
Two days ago, his mother was still thinking about his younger sister. Now that his younger sister was here, his mother could put down the worries in her heart.
After dinner, Li Zhao called Han Chi to teach him his homework.
Madam Jun and Li Mi were talking to each other.
Back in the Heng Manor…
Zeng Asan came over with sweat all over his forehead.
“I’ve gone to inquire about the guest. It’s no different from what he said, but…” Zeng Asan took a few sips of warm tea and fanned himself with a fan.
He continued, “The surrounding people are a little crooked.”
“It’s as if he knew I was going to ask around. 1 just asked some people and they already knew where this person lives.”
“Logically, who would know where such a small fry lives?”
He had been in Chenzhou City for almost a year, and only those who were familiar with him knew who he was.
He only told the outside world that he was an errand boy for the marquis’s manor, that his daughter and son were serving the young master and young miss, and that he had some money for his entertainment.
But in truth, everyone knew that he was running errands for the Marquis and Marchioness.
“You also think there’s something strange going on?” Han Qiao asked.
“I can’t say for sure. It’s just…” Zeng Asan was so thirsty that he drank two more cups of tea, “Madam, do you want me to investigate him again?”
“Don’t go. I’ll get someone else to do it.” Han Qiao said gently.
“Go and get in touch with Han Laoshi. Don’t do anything. Just chat with him, treat him to a drink, and compliment him.”
Han Qiao thought that when Han Dacheng and the others returned, she would ask them to go and get to know him. If he was from Xishan Village, they would be especially close to them and test him out.
What exactly was his background?
“Alright, Madam.”
Zeng Asan replied and left respectfully.
His parents were guarding the back door. Zhang Zhao’s parents were also helping out. There was also Housekeeper Liu and Shopkeeper Zhu’s mother. It was equivalent to six people guarding the back door.
If there was nothing to do, these people could gather together and chat.
Now that Han Laoshi was here, they couldn’t help but be more polite when they heard that he was from the Marchioness’ village.
Han Laoshi asked if there were any vacancies in the residence.
“There’s no vacancy. We only have s.p.a.ce for planting radishes and a pit. Look at us guarding the back door. To be honest, we also want to clean the courtyard. You are a relative of the Marchioness, so don’t worry. Madam will definitely arrange a good job for you,” Oldman Zeng said with a smile.
He looked old and his vision was blurry, but he was still full of hope..