Xiao Xi Tian saw her father and mother looking bewildered, and she couldn't help but stifle a laugh...
The drawings on the paper were strangely shaped and varied, but they were all long objects: circles, vertical bars, little birds, and things like east, west, south, and north.
"Daddy, Mommy, I'll give you a surprise tomorrow..." Xiao Xi Tian blinked her big eyes, her smile sweet.
Old Man Yun stomped his feet anxiously, "Oh, my daughter, stop playing mysterious with your parents. Hurry up and tell me, what surprise do you want to give us?"
Madam Gu nudged Old Man Yun with her elbow, saying with a wry smile, "You old fool, if I tell you now, will it still be a surprise?"
There must be some sense of anticipation and curiosity about the unknown...
Seeing her parents return to the inner room with worried expressions, Xiao Xi Tian let out a 'puchi' laugh, folded the paper, and then padded back to her room to sleep.
If this were modern times, ordinary people would recognize that what Xiao Xi Tian drew on the paper was the very common Mahjong.
She happened to have a set in her space and planned to take it out for her parents and family to play a few rounds...
As for the idea of making money, it was to open a larger Mahjong hall, specifically for people to relax and entertain themselves.
Xiao Xi Tian had given her family playing cards during the New Year, and everyone had a great time, but Mahjong was often more attractive than playing cards...
Because it was very entertaining, it could often keep a person sitting at the Mahjong table for days and nights without closing their eyes.
After washing up, Xiao Xi Tian lay on the heated brick bed and took a stroll in her space.
The big white pears and oranges were ripe again. Xiao Xi Tian picked them all and put them into bamboo baskets, then into the kitchen...
Tomorrow morning, her family would be able to eat fresh fruit.
The wine was almost ready. A slight sniff revealed its clear, sweet scent.
The donkeys, horses, cattle, and sheep on the hillside were still growing strong. The family didn't lack meat or large livestock, so Xiao Xi Tian let them grow freely...
Meanwhile, Gu Ming Yan and the Old Marquis in the royal palace of Sui City were living quite comfortably.
It wasn't for any other reason than the high priestess Arima had become infatuated with storybooks, and she argued with the Old Marquis every day, their relationship gradually deepening...
"Gu Jian Qiang, why didn't you bring more storybooks? Besides these few boxes, did you hide any privately?" Arima questioned.
The Old Marquis: "..."
In front of you, you tigress, would I dare to hide storybooks?
Unless I wanted to die.
"No!" The Old Marquis shook his head, his expression earnest.
Arima narrowed her eyes, "Really not?"
After speaking, she looked at the Old Marquis's chest. She saw that his clothes were bulging, as if something was tucked inside. She quickly stepped forward, grabbed the Old Marquis by the collar, and said, "Tell me, what did you hide inside your clothes?"
The Old Marquis: "..."
Are all you barbarians this rough?
"Li, Li Rou, let go quickly. It's broad daylight, and you're pulling at each other. What if the servants see?" the Old Marquis said guiltily.
Arima snorted, "Gu Jian Qiang, you still know how to feel embarrassed? If you know what's good for you, hand over the item obediently, otherwise, I'll make you parade naked!"
The Old Marquis's mouth twitched, and he kept complaining in his heart, where did that gentle and weak girl from back then go?
Time is truly a butcher's knife...
Helplessly, the Old Marquis had to take out the item himself and handed it over to Arima with a dejected look, "Here, I haven't even read this storybook myself. Don't you dare mess it up!"
His fondness for storybooks was no less than his fondness for gold, silver, jade, and silk...
Sometimes, a person's pursuit and yearning for the spiritual world are often higher than for the material world.
Arima caressed the cover of the storybook with affection, her lips curling into a smile, "Just by looking at the title, I know the content inside is exciting!"
"Yes, compared to 'Her Majesty the Empress Loves Me Again,' this one, 'A Few Things Between Me and the Empress Dowager,' is indeed very exciting..." the Old Marquis said with a smile.
Han Chi Yan, who had walked to the door and was about to greet Arima, paused. Hearing their conversation, a drop of cold sweat trickled down her forehead, and she turned and left...
Good heavens, do old people nowadays like to read such books?
Never mind, as long as you are happy.
Gu Ming Yan had not made any major moves in the past few days. He had asked Qing Lan to investigate the barbarian army and, after confirming that they had no intention of attacking Liang Kingdom again, he felt slightly relieved...
"Marquis, we have lived here for a long time. When do you plan to return to the capital?" Qing Lan asked.
Gu Ming Yan was holding a horse-head fiddle and was engrossed in studying it.
The barbarian royal palace housed many musicians, and the instruments used were also varied...
Because the horse-head fiddle only had two strings, Gu Ming Yan thought this instrument would be easy to play.
The fact was, regardless of the number of strings, playing an instrument required talent and basic skills.
"How can I return to the capital when the great task is not yet accomplished?" Gu Ming Yan said seriously.
Qing Lan: "..."
Why do I feel like the Marquis is enjoying his life here?
Since arriving in Sui City, Gu Ming Yan had rarely worried about other matters. He ate, slept, played, or went to the garden to admire flowers and fish, living a retired life in advance...
Qing Lan sighed and whispered, "Marquis, Marquis, Han Chi Er has gone to the capital, and we don't know when he will return. Waiting here idly is not a solution. Your subordinate thinks we should return to the mansion first. There are many things to be busy with in the court..."
"No!" Gu Ming Yan refused outright, standing up with the horse-head fiddle, "This Marquis has his own plans. You don't need to worry!"
There were countless talents in the court; they didn't lack him.
Besides, if he left now, what would happen to Yan'er?
He couldn't just leave her here alone; they might never see each other again...
Qing Lan pursed her lips and turned to leave.
Three days later, in the military tent of the Liang Kingdom in the northern frontier.
Gu Zhen Shan was dining with his First and Fourth wives. Due to the medicine sent by Xiao Xi Tian, Gu Zhen Shan's 'combat power' was now explosive, as if he had returned to his youth...
As a result, the two wives brought from the General's mansion complained incessantly, eating while beating their sore arms and legs.
"Eat more, you'll have to work hard again tonight!" Gu Zhen Shan said with a sly smile.
First Wife: "..."
Fourth Wife: "..."
General, are you a donkey?
Just then, Yun Si Man walked in quickly, as if he had encountered something urgent.