In the morning, the little princess began looking for a tomato as soon as she woke up.
“Your Highness, the tomato is here.” The personal palace maid Qinglan handed the tomato to the little princess, and only then did the little princess relax.
“Heehee~ It’s for Mother~”
After changing into her own little dress, the little princess carried the tomato out of the bedchamber.
Empress Zhangsun and Li Lizhi had already been in the front hall for some time.
“Mother~ elder sister~”
“Sizi’s tomato is still with her?” Li Lizhi had not expected the little princess to still be hugging it after an entire night.
“Mm-hmm, mm-hmm~ It’s for Mother~”
Seeing how precious the little princess considered it, even the old mother, Empress Zhangsun, could not bring herself to take it.
“Girl, write a letter and ask Xiao Ran whether he has any more tomatoes. We can pay for them.”
“I’ll try.” Li Lizhi had to think about how to phrase it appropriately; simply saying they wanted to buy them felt somewhat improper.
“Hongxiu, bring this Palace’s paper and brush!” Empress Zhangsun called out.
“Yes, Your Highness!” The personal palace maid Hongxiu hurried away.
After preparing the ink and brush, Li Lizhi picked up the brush and began to ponder.
Then she began writing rapidly.
【Young master, may this letter bring you joy!】
【Autumn has arrived, the skies are growing clear and crisp, and the morning and evening winds and dew already carry a chill.】
【I respectfully urge you to take good care of yourself, add layers, and keep warm. Do not let the autumn cold reach you.】
【Since your departure, the morning dew has condensed in the blink of an eye. Recalling our disturbance of you yesterday evening, when you graciously entertained us with such delicacies, I remain grateful to this day.】
【Sizi and Fanyin often speak of your kindness and warmth when you are not with us. We especially remember the gift you gave us: it was beautiful in color and sweet and sour in flavor. Sizi treasures it as if it were a priceless treasure and still keeps one in her dressing case, never letting it out of her sight.】
【I recall our two visits, when you entertained us with such rare delicacies. The excellence of your culinary skills was truly astonishing.】
【I am deeply grateful that you so readily became my friend and treated us with such generosity. I shall remember your kindness forever, yet I am ashamed that I have no way to repay you.】
【Today I have specially prepared several sesame pastries and plum-blossom cakes. Though they are not rare treasures, they are a small token of my feelings. These gifts may be modest, but they contain my sincere gratitude. I earnestly hope that you will not refuse them, young master!】
【With wishes for your peace this autumn. Please take the utmost care.】
【Fifth Lady, respectfully bowing!】
Li Lizhi had expressed herself very tactfully. After preparing the letter, she said, “Yushu, prepare some pastries, and prepare some fine silks and satins to send along with them!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Xiao Ran habitually rose early, casually eating something while walking the dog.
Biscuits, bread, and the like would do well enough.
Before leaving, he sealed the entrance to the mountain cave securely.
Taking Xiao Hei with him, he prepared to visit Zhang Dalang and his siblings.
He had not gone far when he saw Third Lady, still carrying a kaolao just as before.
It seemed everyone had grown accustomed to it. This time, however, she was not going into the fields to gather millet ears.
They were heading toward the water pool. All three siblings knew that Xiao Ran was somewhere near the water pool, but they did not know exactly where.
They had never asked Xiao Ran, which showed a fairly strong sense of boundaries.
When Third Lady saw Xiao Ran, she began jogging.
“Woof, woof, woof!” Xiao Hei ran over as well.
Xiao Ran had brought some calcium milk biscuits along. “Third Lady, these are for you!”
“Thank you, young master!” Third Lady accepted the plastic bag.
The Third Lady of the past would never have dared imagine being able to eat biscuits like these.
Third Lady was not very talkative. She answered whenever Xiao Ran asked her something, and obediently followed whenever he did not. Judging from the way the little girl skipped and hopped as she walked, she seemed to be in a good mood.
She carried the plastic bag and occasionally reached down to stroke Xiao Hei.
Soon, the two of them arrived at the entrance to Zhang Dalang’s courtyard.
Zhang Erya was sweeping in the courtyard. When she saw Xiao Ran, she came out with a smile. “Young master!”
Hearing the commotion, Zhang Dalang also came out of the house. However, remembering what had happened the previous night, he still felt somewhat embarrassed.
“Young master, come sit inside.” Zhang Dalang called out.
Xiao Ran had actually wanted to get straight to business and not waste time.
But entering without even stepping through the main gate would have been inappropriate.
Xiao Ran sat down on a wooden stool, while Zhang Erya brought out some food.
There were still persimmons, kiwifruit, and chestnuts, along with the addition of pine nuts this time.
It was not yet time for the morning meal, so the siblings certainly had not eaten.
Xiao Ran picked up some pine nuts and cracked them. “Is the village head’s home far from here?”
Zhang Dalang felt awkward, while Xiao Ran took the initiative to start a conversation.
“Not far. The village head’s home is farther inside the village. It’s very quick to walk there, about half an incense stick’s time!” Zhang Erya was much more at ease.
“Second Lady, do you have anything else to do now?”
Zhang Erya shook her head. “No. Are you going now, young master?”
“Yes. Just say that I’m your distant cousin. I could no longer get by, so I came to seek refuge with your family. I had previously been wandering around the Qiuci and Gaochang region.”
Zhang Erya nodded. “All right, I’ll remember that!”
Xiao Ran rose. “Third Lady, let’s go!”
“Young master, please wait. I’ll prepare something to take to the village head elder.” Zhang Erya picked up a kaolao, apparently intending to fill it with something.
Zhang Dalang hurriedly said, “young master, I cannot be of any help, so I won’t go!”
“Mm, all right!”
Not long afterward, Zhang Erya came out carrying the kaolao. It was filled to the brim with persimmons and kiwifruit.
Xiao Ran had considered preparing something to take as well, but it seemed suspiciously like bribery, and his possessions were rather unusual for this era.
The main issue was that Xiao Ran was unfamiliar with the place.
Zhang Erya preparing some fruit, however, could not be considered bribery.
The village head was also an elder of Zhang Erya’s, so giving him some local produce was not excessive.
The three of them left the courtyard with the Samoyed.
Thinking that Xiao Ran would become closer to her family from then on, Zhang Erya felt very happy.
At this hour, many people had not yet gone out. Even from their own courtyards, they saw Xiao Ran and the zhang sisters.
They were very curious about Xiao Ran’s background.
“Young master, it’s just ahead.” Zhang Erya pointed forward.
The village head’s stone-built courtyard walls stood out strikingly among the thatched huts. The main house, topped with gray-tiled roofing, was a head taller than the others, and its two elm main gates had been polished until they gleamed.
Just then, they saw a young woman walking over from the other side. She appeared to be about eighteen or nineteen years old.
She carried a straight-beam plow on her shoulder without it affecting her walking speed in the slightest.
Her skin was somewhat dark. She possessed less of a woman’s softness and more of a masculine vigor.
“Second Lady, Third Lady,” Zhang Jinhe called out.
“Elder sister!” Zhang Erya called out and hurried over. “I’m here to see the village head elder.”
“Grandfather probably hasn’t gotten up yet. You’ll have to wait,” Zhang Jinhe said, her gaze falling on Xiao Ran with curiosity.
“Elder sister, this is my distant cousin, Xiao Ran!” Zhang Erya introduced him.
“Greetings, madam!”
“Greetings, young master!”
Xiao Ran’s clothing and appearance were different from ordinary people’s, but he looked very spirited.
What attracted Zhang Jinhe was the Samoyed beside Third Lady. “What a big dog! It’s so beautiful.”
“Please enter the courtyard first. After you!” Zhang Jinhe was very courteous.
Everyone in Kaolao Village bore the Zhang surname and was considered part of the same clan. Such courtesy was actually a sign of distance.
Xiao Ran and the others entered the small courtyard. It was not large, but it had been tidied so thoroughly that not a speck was out of place.
Agricultural tools and dried medicinal herbs hung beneath the eaves. Several pots of wild chrysanthemums sat on the shelves, and even the cracks between the bricks held bunches of freshly picked hyacinth beans. Though it lacked the grandeur of a wealthy household, it exuded the well-managed prosperity of a frugal family, with every necessity of daily life present.
Zhang Jinhe set down the straight-beam plow and said with a smile, “young master, Second Lady, Third Lady, please come inside!”