After the meeting, Xiao Jingyun exchanged a few pleasantries before directly changing the subject. "Brother Xiaobei, I need your help with something."
"The situation with the Great Lin Kingdom is not optimistic recently, and the border is in turmoil. I have already ordered Tian Wenhao to lead his men to Qingniu Mountain to transport the military supplies left by Zhu Meng. I ask Brother Xiaobei for your assistance."
Upon hearing this, both Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei were stunned.
Chen Xiaobei felt as though he had done a lot of work for nothing. He thought he had made a huge profit, only to have the Crown Prince reclaim it all.
Liu Rumei was more direct. She clasped her fist and said, "Your Highness, to be honest, Brother Xiaobei has already sent people to transport all the military supplies from the mountain."
Hearing Liu Rumei's words, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun was overjoyed.
"Really?"
Liu Rumei nodded. "Yes, ask Brother Xiaobei if you don't believe me."
Xiao Jingyun immediately turned his inquiring gaze to Chen Xiaobei.
Chen Xiaobei immediately understood Liu Rumei's intention. This matter was best handled by himself. He nodded slightly. "Yes, the villagers have been busy for a long time."
Chen Xiaobei did not dare to mention Guo Chuan, only speaking vaguely.
Xiao Jingyun couldn't help but slap the table and cheer.
"Good! Brother Xiaobei, you've handled this beautifully. Tell me, what reward do you want? I will definitely grant it to you."
Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but feel excited.
He had promised Chen Xiaowen that he would make a special trip to ask Xiao Jingyun for a favor. Now, instead, Xiao Jingyun wanted to owe him a favor.
"Your Highness, personally, I don't want any reward. There is just one matter that I need to trouble Your Highness with."
"Your Highness knows the situation in Hetou Village. It is very difficult for the young men in the village to find wives. Poverty is one aspect, and the village is too remote!"
Xiao Jingyun nodded. "Yes, then tell me, what should we do?"
"Your Highness, I, Xiaobei, boldly ask you to give a congratulatory gift to the villagers of Hetou Village who are getting married."
"The weight of the gift doesn't matter. With Your Highness's name, we can also find many more brides."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun laughed heartily. "No problem, no problem. Then let's set a rule. From now on, if anyone in your Hetou Village is getting married, tell Hu Fan. Even if I can't be there, the congratulatory gift will arrive."
The goal was achieved. Chen Xiaobei quickly adjusted his robes and knelt down. "Thank you, Your Highness. There is a Chen Xiaowen in the village who is getting married soon. What do you think?"
Xiao Jingyun nodded. "This is simple. I will immediately issue a decree to Hu Fan!"
After thanking him again, Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei walked out of the Crown Prince's mansion.
Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but sigh. "Alas, I originally thought I had made a profit. I built so many houses for these supplies, but in the end, I was just paving the way for others."
Liu Rumei looked at him. "Brother Xiaobei, we can't be too greedy. It's impossible to keep everything. The court spent so much effort to collect it from all over. They just didn't pay attention for a while. Besides, what each family received is enough."
"It seems my appetite was indeed a bit too big."
As he spoke, Chen Xiaobei pointed to the sedan chair. "Change your clothes and let's go see the Emperor. Then we need to hurry back. Tian Wenhao is already heading to Qingniu Mountain. I'm afraid a few people at home won't give him face, and they might cause further misunderstandings."
Liu Rumei smiled slightly. "I forgot to tell you, a few days ago, I sent Liu Tie and the others to Hetou Village in advance. They should have arrived by now. After we get back, I'll send them a message, telling them to..."
Before Liu Rumei could finish speaking, Chen Xiaobei's eyes lit up. "Yes, yes, and then distribute some to the villagers."
The two of them got into the sedan chair, quickly changed into their red wedding clothes, and ordered everyone to turn back and head to the Imperial Palace.
As soon as the two arrived at the palace gate, two shadowy figures in a nearby corner quickly departed.
Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei, completely unaware, stepped forward and explained their purpose to the guards, saying they were there to thank the Emperor.
The guards politely clasped their fists to Liu Rumei. "Miss, please wait a moment. I will report to the Emperor immediately."
Not long after, Xiao Shunzi and Bai Han came out together.
Xiao Shunzi did not recognize Chen Xiaobei, but Bai Han was very familiar with both of them. He stepped forward and greeted them before speaking, "The Emperor is busy with state affairs and will not see you personally, but he always cares about you two."
As he spoke, Bai Han handed them a scroll. Chen Xiaobei had also heard from Princess Zhaoning that the Emperor would definitely show his gratitude, so this scroll was naturally a gift list.
After Chen Xiaobei accepted the list, Bai Han clasped his fists again. "You two please return first. The gifts will be delivered to Fang Zheng's mansion soon."
It made sense. With so many rewards, they only came with a sedan chair, a horse, Xiao Qing, and four sedan chair bearers. There was no one else to carry them.
Liu Rumei clasped her fists and bowed to Bai Han and Xiao Shunzi. "Thank you both. If you have free time, please come to my place for tea."
"We will, we will. We will certainly trouble you when we have time," Bai Han and Xiao Shunzi replied politely.
After the perfunctory pleasantries were exchanged, Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei cupped their hands and took their leave.
After walking only a few steps, they heard Bai Han shouting from behind, "Please stop, the two of you. I have something else to say."
Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei stopped and turned around. They saw Bai Han rushing over, while Xiao Shunzi had already disappeared. Sudan Novel Network.
Bai Han rushed up and clasped his fists to the two. "My friends, you should leave as soon as possible, the sooner the better."
"Oh, and one more thing. It's best if you don't go to Xiangguo Temple. Someone might be watching there."
Liu Rumei nodded. "Thank you, Brother Bai, for the reminder. If you hadn't said anything, I would have really planned to go."
"Don't go. Remember, please remember," Bai Han waved his hands again and then turned to leave.
Chen Xiaobei was just an ordinary person, but he could hear the implication in Bai Han's words...
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This dog emperor was truly heartless. His daughter was getting married, and he, as her father, couldn't even see her once.
After bidding farewell to Bai Han, Chen Xiaobei helped Liu Rumei into the sedan chair, and he rode his tall horse, rushing to Fang Zheng's mansion.
Ahead was a fork in the road. They turned into an alley, and after crossing one street, they would soon reach the back door of Fang Zheng's mansion.
Chen Xiaobei rode ahead. As soon as he turned, four or five people appeared. Seeing the sedan chair approaching, they immediately leaned against the walls on both sides, making a gesture of avoidance.
Just as Chen Xiaobei was about to brush past these people, he suddenly felt a sense of unease. Before he could react, someone beside him raised their hand, and a puff of white smoke rose. The people behind him also moved with lightning speed. After the white smoke, Xiao Qing and the others instantly fell to the ground.