Wealth and glory seek stability

The fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Outside the city walls of Beijing.

"Master, we have arrived in the capital."

Jian Xi moved her almost stiff body and stretched.

"Okay, go back quickly, my brother must be waiting anxiously."

"okay."

Soon, in the same place, Xuanyuan Qiyuan looked at Gao Yunhuai with resentment, "Don't tell me, Your Highness, you followed them all the way just to escort them."

Gao Yunhuai rode his horse without looking away, "There are friends of mine among them."

Xuanyuan Qiyuan clenched the reins in his hands, and said angrily, "We encountered two waves of bandits on the way, and they were all dealt with by my secret guards. Don't you plan to compensate me?"

"It's up to you."

Xuanyuan Qiyuan immediately followed happily, "I have long had my eyes on your jade ruyi, it is crystal clear and a rare treasure, I will take it to celebrate my father's birthday."

"Just come to my house and get it."

"Hehehe, I knew you were a nice guy."

"Can you shut up now?"

"What did you say? I am willing to talk to you because I respect you. Do you know how many people offered me treasures but I refused them?"

"Shut up." Gao Yunhuai couldn't stand Xuanyuan Qiyuan's nagging. Jian Xi and his group were already safe, so there was no need for him to endure it any longer. He whipped the horse and sped into the capital.

"Wait for me!"

General's Mansion.

Jian Xi got off the carriage, and Zi Cui and others were already waiting at the gate.

She yawned and said, "We finally got home. I'll give you and Jin Hu half a month of annual leave so you can go back and spend some time with your family."

Hua Rong and Jin Hu were eager to go home, "Yes, thank you, Master."

"Achang, you should go to the shop in the capital and help your brother these days."

"Yes."

After settling a few people, Jian Xi entered the gate of the general's mansion surrounded by the crowd.

On the way, Zi Cui looked distressed, "The girl has been gone for half a year, and she looks much thinner. I guess the food out there is not as good as at home. I have asked Mother Gui to cook a lot of dishes, and we can eat them when we return to Huashui Pavilion."

"Okay, you are still thoughtful." It feels so comfortable not having to think about anything.

Since Xing Mama became the head nanny, she has also started to worry, "Masters Hua Rong and Jin Hu have been traveling a long way, why don't you keep them for a meal before letting them go back?"

"Their families are all in the capital. It's better to let them go back than to keep them. They will be more comfortable at home than in the mansion. I will make a list later and you can pack some New Year's goods to give to these families." The New Year is coming soon, and it's time to give gifts. Just think about it and you will know that Shen Nanxing will not worry about these things.

"Yes, girl."

As soon as we entered Huashui Pavilion, heavy snow began to fall from the sky.

There are pavilions and terraces in Huashui Pavilion, and the maids inside each have their own duties. Being in it feels like being in a painting.

"The girl is back, please come in and keep warm." Xiaoshuang took a hot water bottle and stuffed it into Jian Xi's hand.

The charcoal fire in the room made Jian Xi sweat. Su Jie and Su Lian stepped forward to help Jian Xi take off her outer robe.

Zi Cui led a pair of little girls forward, "Girls, wash your hands and eat."

At the dinner table, if Jian Xi looked at a dish for a second longer, Fang Cao would immediately use the serving chopsticks to help her put it on the plate in front of her.

Jian Xi felt like she was in a dream until she finished her meal.

Is this kind of mindless life something she can enjoy?

She was only away for a few months, but the girls in the orphanage seemed to have undergone a rigorous pre-job training.

She had only seen this kind of efficiency in Xia's room before.

After eating, rinse your mouth.

Zi Cui brought another team of maids.

"Girl, the bath is ready."

Jian Xi stood up and followed him into the inner room.

Behind the screen in the room was a gauze cupboard with a charcoal fire burning brightly.

Zi Cui first lowered the gauze curtains around her and tested the water temperature.

Su Jie and Su Lian came forward and helped Jian Xi change her clothes gently.

Outerwear, undergarment, chest wrap...

Jian Xi had nothing to be embarrassed about, since several people had already seen her body when she was in the palace.

"Ah!" Su Jie exclaimed in surprise.

Jian Xi turned her head, "What's wrong?"

Su Jie pointed at Jian Xi's chest and said, "The girl has really grown up."

Jian Xi: .....

If you don't know how to speak, you don't have to speak. It's embarrassing to say it out loud.

Zi Cui scolded, "Su Jie, stop being disrespectful."

Jian Xi entered the bath.

Su Lian lived up to her name. She gently helped Jian Xi take off her hair crown, and her jet-black hair cascaded down instantly.

Zi Cui took out the bottles and jars and poured them into the bathtub.

"These are good things for skin care, and they can make your skin fragrant if used for a long time."

Jian Xi narrowed her eyes and asked, "I've only been gone for a few months, why are you guys so attentive? Did you cause any trouble?"

Zi Cui laughed and said, "It was all ordered by Mother Xing. She said that we didn't serve her wholeheartedly before. After the young lady left, she taught us a lot. Mother Xing also said that we didn't get so much money every month for nothing. The young lady was kind to us, so we couldn't lose our duty."

It seems that Mother Xing is a thoughtful person.

There were probably too many people with ulterior motives in the palace before, and Xia only liked to be surrounded by young women, so he was buried.

In the end, it was a good deal for her. She liked these experienced drivers the most, and she could worry less about many things.

After taking a bath, Jian Xi also got over her sleepiness, so she simply changed her clothes and went to the study, "Let Mother Xing come to find me."

"Yes."

The study is connected to her bedroom.

There is also a foot warmer inside, so you can put your feet on it to keep warm.

After thinking for a while, Jian Xi wrote down the list of gifts to be given.

Wu'an Palace, and some of Shen Nanxing's staff, her steward, village head, Jin Hu, Hua Rong...

It is divided into two levels according to grade.

The former are giving some decent and good-looking New Year gifts, while the rest are giving some grain, oil, cloth and other items, which are mainly economical and practical.

He handed the list to Mother Xing, "Mother Xing, please take a look and see if there is anything that needs to be deleted or modified."

Mother Xing took it respectfully and examined it carefully. "Young lady, you are very thoughtful. I have nothing to add."

"Then go ahead and take the pair of cards to the butler to withdraw them."

"Yes."

When Hua Rong returned home, his wife was mending clothes in the yard.

"Madam, I'm back."

Jin Shizhen raised his head, "Brother Rong?"

"It's me, I'm back."

"You are not in the army? It is a busy time this year. Why are you back?" Jin quickly put down the needle and thread in her hand, walked in front of Hua Rong, and looked at her man intently.

"I've found a job and I'm no longer in the army. I don't have to risk my life all the time, and I'll have time to come back to see you and Little Butterfly. Where's Little Butterfly?" he said as he looked around.

"She went to play at Shitou's house next door. I'll go find her and bring her back right away."

Jin covered her mouth, afraid that she would not be able to hold back her tears.

She had waited too long for this moment.