Fu Xin Ci, remembering the contraband items Fa Ge had given her during the transfer, took out two more jars of sauce and gave them to the captain, asking him to pass them on to Fa Ge.
Thinking that Fa Ge had children at home, she took out ten more pan-fried fish and a basket of fruit and gave them to the captain along with the sauce.
Xiao Ai, seeing the basket of fruit, was about to say she wanted some too when a large wicker basket appeared before everyone.
Fat Dun’er’s eyes fell on the large watermelons, and he became completely still, his entire face screaming that he wanted to eat them.
Xu Jia Can was also excited. He picked up a watermelon and took out a dagger to cut it.
“Bigger pieces,” Xiao Ai, her face flushed from the heat, stared intently at the watermelons. “I don’t mind washing my face with watermelon pulp.”
“Me too.”
“No need to rush. I bet Xin Ci has enough watermelons for us to bathe in.”
“Oh, don’t be so disgusting.”
The children were chattering and laughing, making a racket. Some of the people working at the foot of the hill saw them and someone shouted, “Little Miss Fu is here.”
“Where is Little Miss Fu?”
“On the hillside. I just heard the Long Teng people laughing. Fat Dun’er is laughing so heartily, Little Miss Fu must have brought a lot of good food.”
“It’s watermelons. I heard they said we can wash our faces with them.”
“Ah, let’s go find Little Miss Fu. Even if we can’t buy watermelons, we can buy some seeds and plant them ourselves.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea.”
Every team had a wood-element ability user. Although their current levels were all at the initial stage, it was better than nothing.
“It’s not good for all of us to go,” someone also voiced a concern.
“Then let’s each send a representative from every team.”
“Okay, that should work.”
Fu Xin Ci didn't expect to sell seventy or eighty watermelons on this trip.
Although it was just for the accounts, ten large coins per watermelon, it wasn't much, but it was money after all. She couldn’t always give them away for free.
After Fu Xin Ci returned, she stood on the second floor again, this time leaning against the south window, wondering if Qi He and Uncle Jin had reached the capital.
The night breeze was hot, and the moon shyly hid behind a veil of clouds. Scattered stars winked playfully, refusing to send any news to those who had traveled far.
“Miss, it’s late. If you don’t rest soon, Mistress will come over.”
“Mhm, you can go. I’ll rest now.”
Fu Xin Ci knew her mother could see her from the back window. She agreed without waiting for Chun Yu to say it a second time.
Alas, it was destined to be another sleepless night.
The next morning, after the family had just finished breakfast, before Fu Yu and his son could go to the study hall, two people arrived at the house.
Their attire was ordinary, like that of common merchants, but they revealed Jin Yi Wei (Imperial Guard) waist tokens.
From their self-introductions, Fu Xin Ci learned that Jin Yi Wei had so-called branch offices in various places.
The leader was named Liu Hai, and his overt identity was the shopkeeper of the Sihai Restaurant.
As expected of Jin Yi Wei, the two of them spoke directly and without delay.
“Second Master Meng, we are here today on the secret order of Lord Yan to investigate the matter of some military officers in the northern frontier receiving what is called a secret document, instructing the soldiers in the northern frontier to raise half of their military provisions themselves.”
Upon hearing this, Grandpa Meng was a bit confused. “Your Excellencies, this matter is a military secret. A humble person like me is unaware of it.”
Liu Hai saw that Second Master Meng’s demeanor did not seem fake, and he looked a bit troubled.
“Second Master Meng, we know this matter is difficult, but it is Lord Yan’s secret order, and as subordinates, we can only comply.”
“This commoner also knows about orders from superiors, but this commoner truly knows nothing about this matter and is truly powerless.”
The old man had made up his mind; no matter what they said, he would claim ignorance.
Hearing Second Master Meng repeat the same two sentences over and over, Liu Hai and his companion were at a loss. In the end, they could only cup their hands in farewell and leave.
After seeing the two men off, Grandpa Meng wiped the sweat from his forehead and temples, then let out a long breath and said, “An old man like me can’t get involved in such matters.”
Seeing his granddaughter looking at him with confusion, he explained to her, “No matter how unreliable that secret order is, as a soldier, your Uncle Qi cannot reveal half a word of it. So, no matter who asks, we can only insist that we don’t know.”
The old man was already starting to suspect something and didn't want to reveal it unless absolutely necessary.
Fu Xin Ci once again admired her grandfather’s wisdom.
The next evening, Qi Yuan Shan arrived at the Meng family’s house, looking exhausted. Seeing the bloodshot in his eyes, the old man guessed he had been working non-stop.
Qi Yuan Shan was not formal with Uncle Meng. He entered Uncle Meng’s room, took off his shoes, and sat on the heated brick bed.
The old man considerately moved a large pillow for him to lean on while talking.
“Uncle, two Jin Yi Wei spies went to the Thousand Household office yesterday and asked me some questions. I didn’t say much, I just gave them that secret order.”
The old man listened quietly without speaking.
“When they saw that secret order, both those Jin Yi Wei cursed.”
“Heh heh, who wouldn’t curse upon seeing it?”
“They spoke in hushed voices, but I still heard them. They said: Is this something a human would do?”
“Heh heh.” The old man could only give a wry smile. He was beginning to understand that this secret order was likely aimed at them.
If the Meng family was not ruined, some people would still not be content. Even though their family had never done anything wrong, they were still coveted by certain people.
Qi Yuan Shan spoke a few more grievances to the old man before being called, “Alright, you’ve rested enough. It’s time for dinner.”
Mentioning dinner, Qi Yuan Shan smiled. “The weather has been too hot these days, and coupled with my getting angry, I can’t even eat.”
“With your sturdy build, how can you not eat? You’ll wear yourself out in a few days.”
“Uncle, don’t worry, I haven’t finished yet.” Qi Yuan Shan chuckled twice before continuing, “Fortunately, Yu’er sent me that sauce. The taste of that sauce is truly amazing.”
Qi Yuan Shan savored the taste of the sauce as he spoke.
“Those sauces were made by Ci’er. My younger brother eats even more than you.” The old man didn’t care about the three members of Meng Qing Huai’s family, only remembering how much he ate.
“He finished a small jar in two days. The next day he wanted more, but he was too embarrassed to ask me, so he sent his youngest son over.”
Qi Yuan Shan understood Meng Qing Huai quite well and chuckled, “It’s already quite difficult for Eleventh Master Meng to do this.”
“Yes. I’m just angry at him. If he wants to eat, he should come and ask himself, why trouble the child?”
“Uncle, you didn’t refuse him, did you?”
“I told Qi Ren to tell his father to come and get it himself.”
“Did Eleventh Master come?”
“He did.”