A stream of warmth immediately surged from Meng Qitian’s feet, quickly circulating throughout his body.
"Wow," he had never felt such comfort before. He ran forward with a bucket in each hand, swift and agile.
Fu Xin Ci had not expected the healing effect of her wood element ability to be so potent.
Good heavens, with such an amazing healing method, would she no longer need to call for a doctor for a headache or a fever?
As expected, with Meng Qitian’s enthusiastic lead, everyone returned with full loads.
Fu Xin Ci and Qi He had matters on their minds. Upon arriving home, their first action was to have Ning'er go find their parents. The two of them then directly urged their horses towards the Qianhu Suo (Thousand Household Office).
The Qianhu Suo was situated on a hillside next to the Yingzuo Cliff Garrison. When Qi He brought Fu Xin Ci over, they happened to see Qi Yuanshan and Old Jin squatting under a tall green pine tree, engaged in conversation.
Beside them was a sturdy little boy, about two or three years old, with a bowl-cut hairstyle. He was exerting all his might, wrestling with a brick.
Judging by his determination, he was resolved to lift the brick, or he would cry at it.
Old Jin paid no mind to the boy’s potential tears. He would occasionally reply to him, "No son of our Old Jin family cries at the drop of a hat. Whining and crying without cause is not how my son behaves."
Jin Zhong glanced at his father, then at the helpless Uncle Qi. Just as he was about to feel dejected, he heard a familiar voice from a distance.
The little fellow's eyes lit up, and he dashed forward with quick steps.
Qi He saw the sturdy little boy, like a young bull, charging towards them. He quickly extended his hand to shield Fu Xin Ci and picked up Jin Zhong in one smooth motion.
Jin Zhong, seeing that it was Qi He holding him, showed no gratitude. He twisted his small body vigorously, protesting loudly, "I want Sister Xin Ci to hold me!"
Qi He had no intention of complying. Even though Jin Zhong struggled incessantly, he did not loosen his grip.
Seeing that his efforts were in vain, the little fellow had no choice but to resignedly give up struggling. His small face drooped, and he looked pleadingly at Sister Xin Ci, asking to be held.
Fu Xin Ci could not ignore the adorable gaze of a young child. She rescued him from Qi He's embrace.
With Sister Xin Ci holding him, and no Brother Ning nearby to contend with for her affection, the little fellow felt utterly blissful at that moment.
Qi He watched the boy’s content and intoxicated expression and felt a pang of jealousy. He knew he shouldn't let Sister Fu hold him. This brat, despite his young age, was full of clever tricks.
Qi Yuanshan saw his son and Xin Ci arrive together and knew the two children had serious matters to discuss with him.
"Dad, Uncle Jin."
"Uncle Qi, Uncle Jin."
"Eh, eh."
"Ah, eh."
The two first politely greeted Qi Yuanshan and Old Jin. Qi He then placed the bundle of soft goods he was carrying on a nearby stone table.
"What is this?" Qi Yuanshan stepped forward and opened the bundle, immediately recognizing its contents.
When his gaze shifted to Old Jin, Old Jin nodded with a solemn expression.
Before they could ask, Fu Xin Ci answered, "Uncle Qi, Uncle Jin, these are items left by the Japanese."
"And the Japanese?" the two asked simultaneously, then exchanged a knowing smile.
Given the girl's fiercely hateful nature, those Japanese ruffians had most likely reported to the King of Hell.
Indeed, the shy young girl, Ping Ting, smiled slightly before revealing the truth.
"Five Japanese, each only about three feet tall. I feared they would soil everyone's eyes, so I sent them back to their hometowns with a thunderbolt."
"I..." Old Jin gave Qi Yuanshan a look that said, "I knew it would be like this."
However, he was eager to see the thunderbolt the girl had mentioned.
Qi Yuanshan thought, *Doesn't he want to? But since the girl isn't proactively showing it, it wouldn't be proper for me, as his future father-in-law, to ask.*
For the past few years, with General Liu keeping a lid on things, the news of the girl possessing good items had not spread.
Otherwise, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would have already arrived.
It was no wonder General Liu had repeatedly ordered that it not be spread. The Ming Dynasty was vast, and the northern frontier alone stretched for thousands of miles.
Even though this girl's master was an extraordinary recluse, he was still just one person.
Even if one person could create good things, there were limits.
Previously, General Liu had heard quite a bit about someone in the southern border creating 'heaven-shattering thunderbolts,' said to be immensely powerful, capable of leveling houses within eight zhang.
Back then, he had repeatedly petitioned the court, requesting those 'heaven-shattering thunderbolts.' However, the southern border consistently refused, claiming they didn't have enough for themselves.
This matter had left him feeling frustrated for several years.
It was understandable, then, that if good things appeared within the territory he governed, he would not share them with others. Especially if these items were not truly in his possession, he would be even less inclined to let the news leak.
After all, they were merely beneficiaries, and if the girl acted, she wouldn't be sharing any military merits with them.
Such good fortune, like burning incense for a hundred years, was rarely encountered. Would they speak of it? Wouldn't that be foolish?
Although Fu Xin Ci had suffered a loss in this matter, she didn't care.
General Liu also knew he was in the wrong, which was why the Qi Yuanshan father and son had lived quite comfortably these past few years.
Otherwise, how could Qi Yuanshan have moved the Qianhu Suo to Yingzuo Cliff?
However, this was not the time to discuss such matters. After Qi Yuanshan ascertained the location of the wrecked ship, he intended to go and investigate with Old Jin.
"Uncle Qi, the tide is already high at this hour. I wonder if that broken ship is still there."
"Whether it's there or not, we must go and see. However, the terrain there is truly unsuitable for sailing."
Qi Yuanshan had been to the beach countless times and understood its geography. During low tide, reefs were everywhere, and during high tide, nothing was visible.
It was estimated that ships unfamiliar with the terrain would inevitably hit reefs, whether large or small, if they ventured in.
Qi Yuanshan suddenly had a benevolent thought, "If only all those Japanese ships had mistakenly sailed in there."
Fu Xin Ci thought, *Uncle Qi is truly kind.*
Qi Yuanshan and Old Jin took their men to the beach. Fu Xin Ci then took on the task of escorting Jin Zhong home.
Jin Zhong loved riding horses. Today, he had finally seized the opportunity to ride with Sister Xin Ci, and the little fellow's smile was wide and uncontrollable.
Seeing that they were nearing his home, he reluctantly discussed with his favorite Sister Xin Ci, "Sister Xin Ci, can I go to your house to play with Brother Ning today?"
"Jin Zhong, you can go to Sister's house to play with Brother Ning, but you must have your mother's permission first."
"Mother will agree," Jin Zhong said with great certainty.
"Mm," Fu Xin Ci did not object, letting her mount trot forward.
Jin Zhong thought he was going with Sister Xin Ci to find Brother Ning. However, when he saw his own house's gate, his small face fell again.
Fu Xin Ci pretended not to see, dismounted, and knocked on the door.
Old Mrs. Zhong came to open the door. Seeing her younger son's face, she could only suppress her smile and speak to Xin Ci.