Su Qingbai had been living in Jiang Mao's house for a while. Every night, he was served by Jiang Mao. During the day, he went to the county to tend his stall.

At first Jiang Mao didn't want him to go, but Su Qingbai made up his mind to find something to do for himself so that he could not really become a person who waste food and drink of his parents and Jiang Mao.

It was unknown what that Sun Family thought. For several days, they urged the Suns to leave, secretly and in the open. The Suns only looked blank as if they hadn't heard it.

When it was time to return, it was very late. Su Qingbai returned directly to Jiang Mao's house.

Jiang Mao quickly took over his cart. “Are you tired?”

Putting the cart in place, Su Qingbai pulled him into the house. Then he fished out a pile of copper coins from his pocket, threw them on the table like a Great Lord, and the money scattered around the table. “Need money? Hereafter, this Lord will raise you.”

“Sure!” Jiang Mao looked at his smug appearance. He really grabbed the money in his arms and held it in his hands. Jiang Mao looked at him again. “Right, I've prepare the dinner. Go invite your Dad to eat.”

When Su Qingbai thought of his Dad, he tapped his head and came to rob the money back. “Aiyah! I've forgotten that I can't give you all this money.” He forgot all about his Lao Zi.

Su Qingbai felt depressed. Who knew it was difficult to raise two families?

Jiang Mao was robbed of his money, and helplessly kicked Su Qingbai's foot. “Not going yet?”

By this time, Su Lingchuan's students had left.

“Dad~”

Su Lingchuan saw him, locked the door and walked over. “How's business today?”

“Not bad, not bad.” Su Qingbai curried favor with his Lao Zi, “Dad, he cooked a feast. Let me invite you over for dinner.”

Su Lingchuan mulled over it, nodded and said that he had not officially visited Jiang Mao's home, might as well he took the opportunity to see it.

By the time they went, Jiang Mao had already arranged the meals on the table. As soon as Su Caicai saw, he wanted to eat. His was drooling as he rushed to the table, but Jiang Mao stopped him.

Carrying Su Caicai in arms, Jiang Mao held his b.u.t.t, and his hand felt very itchy, wanted to hit him on the b.u.t.t. These days, he had a deep understanding of what distance made things prettier. As if teasing cats and provoking dogs, Su Caicai was jumping up and down here these days. If it weren't for his small size, he would have torn down the house.

Gave him a change of clothes, and the clothes could not be seen after an hour. Jiang Mao did not like to see him dirty. He washed and changed his clothes as soon as he was dirty. Sometimes Jiang Mao could not help thinking of giving him away. But after a thought, who would want such a naughty kid ah, he could only keep on raising him up.

Soon Su Lingchuan and Su Qingbai arrived.

Su Lingchuan had been to the house before. When he was younger, he remembered that the house was broken. The owner of the house had two sons, so there were four rooms, which were built of clay. Jiang Mao had now changed it into a bedroom, a study, a kitchen, and what Su Lingchuan was able to discern was a room full of children's clothes. Plus, at the doorway hanging was a pair of small pants that Jiang Mao bought for Su Caicai. He guessed that's probably a room for Su Caicai.

“Huh? What is this?” Walking to the door of Su Caicai's room, Su Lingchuan saw that there was a white porcelain jar in his room, which was as big as his home's water jar and had a wide opening. The white porcelain was really beautiful, exquisite in workmanship, excellent in materials, white and delicate in appearance, clean and bright. It was so big that it was really rare. At first sight, it was of a top grade. Su Lingchuan had always liked these things and couldn't help looking at them.

Su Caicai saw and led Grandpa's hand to walk him over there.

“Mine~” Su Caicai said to Grandpa, pointing to the white porcelain jar.

Su Lingchuan walked over and saw a few tadpoles fluttering in the corner, from the opening.

After counting, there were absolutely no more than five of them. It was even included the one that floated above and was obviously dead.

Such a fine white porcelain jar was for Su Caicai to keep tadpoles.

Spendthrift![1]

[1: most correctly refers to any child who is arbitrarily wasting any family property]

After dinner, Su Lingchuan didn't stay long, he had to go back early. Jiang Mao handed him a lunch box. “This is the porridge and some small dishes that I had prepared at earlier time. I had just warmed it, you[2] can take them back to Aunt.”

[2: a respectful was of saying you]

Madam Su must be waiting for Su Lingchuan right now and she mustn't have eaten yet.

As soon as Su Lingchuan left, they lay in bed.

After a busy day, Su Caicai was drowsy after eating, and now he was asleep, they could do something that they couldn't do while Su Caicai was awake.

After the cloud dispersed and the rain stopped[3], Jiang Mao stroked Su Qingbai's belly. “Why is there so much meat in this belly these days?”

[3: making love]

Su Qingbai thought of something. He sat up and turned pale. “Don't scare me.”

Jiang Mao thought, too. He leaned over and stared at Su Qingbai's belly and poked, “Really has something?”

Su Qingbai swatted Jiang Mao's hand away. For this topic to be brought up, he was somewhat embarra.s.sed. “Go, don't touch, and don't think about the impossible.”

Su Qingbai deceived himself, saying so, but looking at the small belly, his heart felt even uncertain.

That night, Su Qingbai was so frightened that he couldn't fall asleep until early in the morning, and Jiang Mao couldn't bear to call him up.

Lowering his head and lightly kissed on Su Qingbai's stomach, Jiang Mao felt very touched. Was there his child in here?

Thinking about it, he was already thinking about letting Liu Yuqing come today to read Su Qingbai's pulse, to confirm.

“Wu, wu, wu…” At that time, there was a cry from a child in the next room. Jiang Mao felt a lot of emotion in his heart and went to go dress the ancestor next door.

Could he really manage another bear child like this?

Su Qingbai was awakened by a voice outside. He listened, it seemed like Jiang Mao was talking to a woman.

Rubbing his eyes, Su Qingbai got up and opened the window slightly. Looking through the crack in the window, it was her Ersao.

Without the window as sound barrier, Su Qingbai could hear a lot better.

“You see, I have no other way. My parent's family came. You just have to cook a few meals for me.”

Among Su Family's women, it was only Su Dasao who was a better cook, because she was the daughter of a small humble family. The others were all spoiled daughter of a rich family, who could barely eat what they cooked, let alone entertain guests.

These days, Su Family had been drinking plain tea and eating simple food. Su Ersao had some discomfort in her heart. Her father and older brother were not to be blamed anymore, they came especially to apologize.

As a result, forget that her parents-in-law did not entertain her family well, even a cup of tea was not served, which made her lose face. Dasao was born in a merchant's family. Every time Dasao's family came, her parents-in-law would spare time to accompany her parents. When it came to her turn, her parents-in-law couldn't see anybody all day.

Su Ersao gritted her teeth and took out the money she had saved for a long time to find someone to do it.

Jiang Mao had been here for a while. Su Ersao knew this man more or less, and she knew he's a cook.

Su Ersao thought of Jiang Mao, and she recalled that Jiang Mao and Little Uncle were in that kind of relationship, she would somewhat get a cheaper price.

Jiang Mao was stunned. He thought it was funny. He was good at cooking, but he only cooked for his family. He had just started making money in Yue w.a.n.g Residence and had a menu written for others to make. After that, he gradually became rich and powerful. Who dared to make him cook in this world?

Although Su Qingbai did not mention it deliberately, Jiang Mao somewhat knew that Su Qingbai and Su Ersao were not very harmonious. After they were together, Su Qingbai talked about his family a lot, and also mentioned Su Ersao, but in very few, very few words.

“I have something to do, not con…” Not convenient.

Jiang Mao refused without thinking. Halfway through, he heard the person in the house who was supposed to be sleeping, called him, “Jiang Mao, Ersao.”

When he looked back, Su Qingbai had opened the window wide, straightened up and looked at them, calling him and Su Ersao, both of whom could see him from outside.

Jiang Mao did not care about Su Ersao. “Baby, how do you feel?” Jiang Mao was very nervous as he thought of the possibility of Su Qingbai having another child.

Last night, they even did a lot of work.

Su Ersao followed suit and turned red at the sight of Su Qingbai.

Su Qingbai was wearing his clothes askew on his body. His neck was covered with kiss marks while his face was red and full of spring. One could see how intense he had done last night.

Su Ers...o...b..ushed on her face but her heart secretly scolded him shameless.

Su Qingbai did not care what she was thinking. He said to Jiang Mao, “Ersao comes to beg you, you should agree.” Then he turned to Su Ersao and said, “Ersao won't let Jiang Mao suffer losses?”

Su Ersao grabbed the little silvers in her hand and nodded stiffly. “….of course.”

Hearing that, Su Qingbai seriously lifted his fingers, “Our Jiang Mao's crafts in the capital are also the best, can't be less than five taels.” Seeing Su Ersao was reluctant, Su Qingbai said, “Brother Sun Zhe is so wealthy, he should be able to spend this small money?”

Originally, she still wanted to bargain, but Su Qingbai mentioned Sun Zhe. Su Ersao, who always loved reputation very much, could not say more.

Su Ersao had a terrible pain. She had originally prepared two taels.

Watching Su Ersao leave, Su Qingbai proudly said to Jiang Mao, “I'm awesome, right. In a short while, I helped you negotiate with a big deal.”

Looking at Su Qingbai's money grubber appearance, Jiang Mao only rubbed his head and refused to say anything. Your man's craftsmanship is not only worth it, but also worth more than this little money.

However, Jiang Mao narrowed his eyes. He had heard that the people came from the capital. Able to make friends with Su Lingchuan priory, so these people's ident.i.ties were not easy. Since Su Lingchuan left, Jiang Mao had made several public appearances in the capital. He wondered if he had ever met with any of them.

Such dignity, coming to invite him to cook. Not aware at that time, would they still be able to eat it or not?

<>

>

Sun Zhe had stayed in this small mountain village for several days, but Su Lingchuan had never seen them much.

Sun Zhe knew his intentions, but he hadn't made up his mind to say anything. In these days, he had observed the situation of Su Family secretly.

Su Family was really poor. Thinking of this, Sun Zhe felt some dislike; they could be described as poverty-stricken. At home, Su Lingchuan had a bad relationship with his two sons and split up. In order to make a living, he had to go to the school to teach at an old age.

Supposedly, as Su Lingchuan was getting old he would not be taken care of, if he followed to live with Su Qingbai. Sun Zhe did not believe Su Lingchuan never thought of this.

Thinking of this, Sun Zhe felt confident that he could convince Su Lingchuan.

“Dage, here comes the meal.”

This was Su Ersao's voice. The younger sister said that she invited the chef to cook a meal for him today. These days, he had eaten enough wild vegetables and coa.r.s.e grains.

He walked over and saw a man give his younger sister a big meal box then turn around and leave.

Looking at the man's back, Sun Zhe was stunned. He thought the man was familiar.

“Dage?” Seeing him stunned, Su Ersao called out to him.

“Sister, who was that man just now?” Looking back, Sun Zhe asked.

“He ah,” Su Ersao had never seen the man before. Afraid that she was wrong, she did not discuss thoroughly. “He's not the man that Little Uncle found. He's probably the people from that side.”

Sun Zhe nodded and did not ask any more questions.

“I heard he's from the capital.” Su Ersao followed him into the room and suddenly added another sentence.

“Capital City?” Sun Zhe stopped and thought of the man's face. Thunk! He slammed on the table. “I remember.”

When Yue w.a.n.g first came, he had once officially paid a visit to him, but he had not seen him on the first time. If he remembered correctly, that man should be Yue w.a.n.g's personal imperial bodyguard.

One had to know, Yue w.a.n.g's imperial bodyguard naturally had to follow Yue w.a.n.g at any time.

“Quickly, get ready for ink, paper and inkstone. I want to write a letter.” He had heard that Yue w.a.n.g was also on the Third Prince's side. A few days ago, Yue w.a.n.g left just after the end of the year. Although he was a small official, he also heard some news. He heard that Third Prince and several other princes were looking for Yue w.a.n.g.

Sun Zhe's mood was surging. He seemed to have seen that he had made great contributions and that he would have been added to the rank after returning to capital.

Sending the letter away, Sun Zhe put his heart at rest, and he could not help be complacent.

“Dad, I may have done a great job this time.”

Su Ersao put the dishes on the table and Sun Zhe took a bite. He couldn't help frowning. Was these what younger sister said came from the chef's hand?

The dishes were quite ordinary. He tasted them, which was clearly the taste of the dish he had eaten in the county.

But now he was in a good mood, so he didn't care.

While eating, Sun Zhe couldn't help remembering that younger sister said that this man was from Su Qingbai's man side, and that man was also related to Yue w.a.n.g's imperial bodyguard, what would their relationship be?

Border town, mountain village, main village cottage.

Jiang Mao took Su Qingbai's hand and pulled him over. “Be good, let Yuqing gives you a pulse reading. It won't take long.”

Su Qingbai was a little terrified. At first, he agreed but once he saw other people coming, he couldn't help wondering what to do if he really had one?

Just when Jiang Mao decided to use force, Hu Hong came back.

“Bodyguard Hu.” Su Qingbai seemed to see the savior. He gathered up and said, “I forgot to ask you, how much did this meal cost?”

Hu Hong came almost every day. Yesterday Jiang Mao asked Liu Yuqing to come the next day and Su Qingbai asked him to buy meal in the county by the way.

As far as he knew, the food in the county was very cheap.

“Not much, Su Gongzi doesn't have to pay.”

“I'll pay.” Su Qingbai took out the silver taels and said, “This is from someone else. You just take it.”

Looking at Jiang Mao, Hu Hong hesitated and said, “One taels and five coins.”

Su Qingbai gave him two taels, “On behalf of that family's host, I gave you this money for running errands.”

As for the rest of the money, Su Qingbai wanted to swindle it, but when he thought ErGe was busy all day, he decided to give it back to ErGe.

When it was over, Su Qingbai looked up and saw Jiang Mao still staring at him. He said in resigned, “Go and ask Bodyguard Liu to help me read my pulse.”

Taking a deep breath, Su Qingbai's heart pounded.

When Liu Yuqing looked at them incredibly, Su Qingbai knew they were probably right.

Jiang Mao took him into his arms and kissed him on the forehead. “Great, baby…”

Remembering that Caicai was born only after he was half dead, Su Qingbai couldn't help shriveled his lips; it was not good at all.

Hu Hong and Liu Yuqing hadn't digested the news yet. They already knew about Little Shizi but they couldn't guess who was Little Shizi's mother. One had to know, their master liked a man, so how did master have children with a woman?

They absolutely never thought that Little Shizi's mother was actually a man.

At this moment, Hu Hong and Liu Yuqing really regarded Su Qingbai as the ‘master's wife'.

“Let me take you out of here.” Jiang Mao couldn't help worrying after he was happy. “The east side of the town intersects with the tiger-like neighbouring countries. The mountain road is difficult to walk. Doctors and medicines here are inferior to other places.”

Su Qingbai looked at him and suddenly thought of something like that. Then he shook his head. “No, our family is still guilty. The emperor ordered us to report to the county government every month. We could not leave here easily.”

For a moment, the people were silent; the comfortable life of the mountain village made them forget that.

After Liu Yuqing and Hu Hong left, Jiang Mao's face was still calm. If the town was not adjacent to the neighboring countries, it would be necessary to stay in this small mountain village. He feared that the two countries would fight at any time, and the first victims would be the people at the border between the two countries.

Jiang Mao took a deep breath and sighed. It seemed that he would eventually have to get mixed up in the trifles of the capital.

One month later, in the capital city, the Imperial Palace. Third Prince received a letter from Sun Zhe. He couldn't help frowning. He said to the man standing beside him, “You know what? Everyone else thought that the Fourth Brother was on this prince's side.” He slapped the letter on the table and thought of Lin Feng. He sneered, “This prince has doubts about the good Fourth Brother, fearing that he is not one heart with this prince.”

Seeing below, the people's low heads kept lowering and no one said a way. Third Prince was not angry, and let them withdraw.

Alone, sitting in the palace room, Third Prince touched his chin. The good thing was, he didn't have to worry about Jiang Mao becoming his opponent. In Cangzhou, how many people could there be in the palm of his hand? How many troops were there? How many ministers could Jiang Mao recognize in the capital?

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> Chapter 51

To return Su Family's freedom, the case must be reversed. At that time, Du Cheng framed Su Lingchuan on the grounds of corruption and bribery. During that time, the evidence was not enough. Du Cheng yet added a letter of private deal between Su Lingchuan and the prime minister of neighbouring country, which set the conviction. According to the law, the crime was quite serious. If Su Family was convicted with such crime, Su Family would not be exiled like this.

Why did the Emperor sentence Su Family to light punishment?

Because the Emperor also knew that Su Lingchuan was framed. The Emperor was afraid of Du Cheng's influence. Du Cheng was determined to pull down Su Lingchuan, and the Emperor had no evidence, so he did not overturn the case at that time.

In the meantime, Jiang Mao began to prepare for Su Qingbai's departure as he pondered the need to reverse Su Family's case.

“Why are you packing up anxiously? This case can't be turned over in a short time, even if you packing up, I can't go anyway.” Su Qingbai said as he hugged Su Caicai, who played all morning and had just returned to eat.

“Can't go?” Jiang Mao snorted softly, “Don't I even have the right to bring a couple of people to leave with me?”

It was easy to do. The Emperor was far away. As long as the county magistrate in here was obedient and didn't talk drivel, everything would be fine.

And what if they were found out? Who would even get Su Qingbai, this n.o.body to make things difficult for him?

“Don't worry about that. Now it's only to tell your family. When shall we talk to them?” Jiang Mao took Su Caicai after meal and tried to wipe his mouth, but when he lowered his head, his eyebrows suddenly wrinkled. “Isn't this dress just changed? Why is it dirty again?”

With that, Jiang Mao was going to take him to change. Su Qingbai was lazy to care, he said “Leave him be! All children are like this. Wait until he comes back in the evening, and then give him a good bath and change of clothes.”

Yet Jiang Mao felt that this son was too dirty to be seen. He carried Su Caicai in his arms to change clothes and even gave him a bath.

Today, Su Caicai, who had been forced to take bath three times, cried. He really didn't want to take a bath.

Su Qingbai looked at his son's grievance appearance, he felt distressed and he hugged him. “There is no other way. You always roll in the mud when you go out to play. Once you came back, you even liked to go to him all the time, who's to blame?”

Su Caicai liked to be coaxed. The barely teardrops had returned fiercely. Su Qingbai hugged him and c.o.xed for a while, and his attention was attracted by something else. Then after playing for a while, he got sleepy. Su Qingbai picked up Su Caicai and put him on the bed. He also lay down with him.

Since knowing that he had a little child in his stomach, Jiang Mao was not at ease and had been keeping close watch on him these days. Su Qingbai was really idle and bored. After a nap, Su Qingbai was all refreshed. He took a bucket and went to the river near the village. He was going to fish.

“Dad~” Just as Su Qingbai took the bucket and fishing rod, he heard a slightly drowsy voice calling him. He turned around and Su Caicai struggled to get up from a large bunch of quilts.

He looked at Jiang Mao helplessly, so he had to lay down his things and serve his little ancestor.

“Jiang Mao, get him a pair of pants.” Su Qingbai smoothly dug the child out, took off his dripping wet pants, replaced the wet quilts and stuffed him in the newly change quilts again.

Jiang Mao heard what was said, put down the thing in his hands, and walked out of the house.

Jiang Mao didn't raise children as rough as Su Qingbai. He couldn't bear to see Su Caicai rolling in the mud. He washed him and changed him clothes several times a day.

So right now, Su Caicai's little clothes and pants couldn't be aired in the room. Without any other way, Jiang Mao tied a straw rope between the willows not far from the house, hanging Su Caicai's clothes, pants, and even a wet quilt and bedsheet every day.

Jiang Mao looked up; red, green, black, white, blue… Su Family made a lot of clothes for that little child, and he bought a lot of them. Hu Hong and Liu Yuqing often brought several clothes with them. Su Caicai's clothes were almost complete in all colors.

Jiang Mao brought his clothes. At this time, Su Caicai already fully woke up. Wrapped in the quilt, he stretched out a short, fat leg. Su Qingbai caught the small fat foot in his hand and scratched his foot. The small foot was tiny and white. Su Qingbai leaned close and smelled it; it did not stink at all.

After dressing him, the family of three went fishing.

It was a short walk, so they did not walk with him in their arms. Su Caicai followed with a sway like a penguin.

In this small mountain village, swimming fish could be seen everywhere in the river in spring.

They took a fishing net and a fishing rod. Because Su Qingbai was inconvenient, Jiang Mao asked him to sit there and fish. He took Su Caicai with the fishing net.

Although the water was shallow, Jiang Mao did not let Su Caicai get close to the water. He put him on the sh.o.r.e.

As soon as Jiang Mao threw the net, the net caught a lot of fishes.

Not far away, empty-handed Su Qingbai was furious. Jiang Mao was close to him, throwing his net and splashed numerous water sprays. At the side, Su Caicai even laughed happily and clapping his hands, scaring away the fish on his side.

“You go a little farther. The fish on my side are scared away by you.”

The scene of a family of three was so lively that pa.s.sers-by couldn't help stopping.

“Qingbai?”

Hearing someone calling him, Su Qingbai stood up. Not far away, Zhang Su and Xu Qian were coming towards him.

“Why did you suddenly come?” Su Qingbai ushered in.

Seeing who the visitors were, Jiang Mao was relieved to let Su Qingbai go. He still accompanied Su Caicai fishing there.

Zhang Su rubbed the bruised corner of his mouth. “I want to ask you why Sun Zhe, that grandson[1] is at your home. Just now I saw him, and I was shocked. I couldn't resist having a fight with him.”

[the Sun in Sun Zhe is the same as Sun in sun zi = grandson]

“Is your bruise all right?” Su Qingbai asked.

Zhang Su pinched Xu Qian's hand that wanted to touch his wound and said, “It's all right.”

Su Qingbai calmed down and asked them, “Why did you suddenly come here?”

“We came to see Uncle. As soon as we didn't see him at your house, we thought to come to the school to look for him.” This was Xu Qian.

“My Dad should be in school now.” Su Qingbai looked at them. “But the school is not over yet. You have to wait.”

Zhang Xu nodded. “Then we'll wait.”

Su Qingbai nodded. After a thought, while hesitating, he still took them to Jiang Mao's house. “I'll pour you a cup of tea, you can wait here.”

“Qingbai, whose house is this? It's not good for us to go in like this.”

“You can rest a.s.sured, it's all right.” Su Qingbai didn't explain much and was embarra.s.sed.

After entering the house and taking tea from Su Qingbai, Zhang Su and Xu Qian looked at the house. “Qingbai, whose home is this?” From the outside, one could tell that the owner of the house was a fastidious person.

“My home.” Su Qingbai bowed his head and took a sip of tea.

“Your home?” Zhang Su laughed, he did not believe it.

Su Qingbai wiped his lips, somewhat difficult to say, but still said, saying very quietly, “My…  man's home.”

Xah: Yay~ Haflway through~

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> Chapter 52