Traveling through ancient times, I led my family to prosperity

As the night grew deeper, many of the women in the family asked to leave.

Zhang and Xiaolan followed the crowd and asked to go back. Old Madam Shen had already gone back, and Third Grandma was in charge of seeing the guests off. "It's dark and the roads are slippery, and it's cold outside, so you two shouldn't leave. We have many houses in our mansion, we can look at the lights and play bridge at night, and have fun all night long... There are only a few festivals in a year, so we have to have a good time..."

Zhang and Xiao Lan shook their heads and said with a smile, "It's okay, we'll be back in a few steps..."

The winter in Liaodong Prefecture is very cold, especially after nightfall. Any water on the road will freeze. However, today is the Lantern Festival, and at this time, there are still crowds of people outside watching the lanterns.

Whether in modern times or in ancient times, everyone feels that the Chinese New Year is truly over only after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. After this festival, they have to start worrying about their livelihood in the new year. Therefore, everyone will enjoy the last day of the festival and not want to leave.

Third grandmother of the Shen family knew that Xiaolan and the others would not stay overnight, so she did not force them. She just called a little maid and gave her a few low instructions. The maid then hurried out. Then Third grandmother of the Shen family personally sent Xiaolan and Zhang downstairs.

Just as Xiao Lan and Zhang turned the corner, the little maid who had been sent away came over in a hurry. "Master Sheng and the young master have also come down from the upstairs, but they are now in the study room next door. The Sixth Master has kept them for questioning. He just said that the Madam and the young lady should also come over..."

Grandma Shen San said, "Then you can take Madam Sheng and Miss Xiaolan with you." Then she smiled and said to Xiaolan and Zhang, "Then I won't see you off. If you have anything to say, just tell this girl..."

"Thank you for your concern, Third Aunt. Please bring the girls from your family to our house some other day..." Xiao Lan bowed to Third Aunt of the Shen family and said with a smile.

The third grandmother smiled and agreed, "Then I will wait at home. Even if you don't invite me, I will go anyway..."

A few people chatted and laughed and then separated. Grandma Shen San took the people to the third floor again. Some guests left, but most of them stayed to play bridge. She had to go back to continue accompanying the guests.

Xiaolan and Zhang were accompanied by a maid to the small study on the second floor. The maid brought them to the door, then stepped aside and told them to call them if she had any instructions.

There were two servants standing at the door. Xiaolan thought they looked familiar and should be the ones serving Shengxuan. Xiaolan quickly winked at Xiaolu, who stepped forward with a smile, took out a purse that had been prepared long ago from her sleeve pocket and handed it to the servant. The servant made a few excuses and then took it with a smile.

The servant pushed open the door and invited Xiaolan and Zhang in. When they entered the small study, Xiaolan saw Shen Liu at a glance. At this time, Shen Liu was looking up at the door, and their eyes met inadvertently.

Compared to the ladies of the city government and the housekeeper's wives whom Xiao Lan met today, Shen Liu obviously had a stronger aura. However, when Xiao Lan saw him, she was not nervous. Instead, she felt more relaxed and natural. Xiao Lan thought that it was probably because she and Shen Liu had known each other for too long, from saving people from war to doing business together, their bond could not be explained in a few words.

"Are you here?" Shen Liu greeted in a deep voice.

Xiao Lan quickly agreed, and then followed Zhang to pay respect to Shen Liu.

Shen Liu waved his hand and asked them to sit down.

At this time, Sheng Xuan and Xiao Wen were sitting on Shen Liu's right, and He Ming and Xiao Lan were sitting on his left. Xiao Lan and Zhang were naturally arranged below Sheng Xuan.

When the mother and daughter came in just now, everyone was talking about Xiaowen's studies. When they sat down, the topic naturally continued.

"......It's good for you to go out and broaden your horizons. You are still young. It will be good for you to take the exam again after two or three years..." He Mingyu said.

It seems that they already know that Xiaowen will go to Beijing after the New Year, and then go to the local area with Mr. Huang. From what He Mingyu said, it seems that he agrees with Mr. Huang's arrangement very much, and he doesn't seem to want Xiaowen to take the exam too early. Listening to what He Mingyu said, he thinks it would be safer to wait until Xiaowen is more mature and has a more solid foundation before taking the exam.

This coincided with Mr. Huang's words. However, Xiaolan's family hoped that Xiaowen could pass the exam as soon as possible. However, Shengxuan and Zhang were farmers after all, and they knew nothing about officialdom. They chose to respect Mr. Huang's opinion. Mr. Huang was Xiaowen's teacher and would not harm him. Now that He Mingyu also said this, the family was even more fortunate to have chosen a good teacher for Xiaowen.

"How was the show later?" Shen Liu changed the subject abruptly, but Xiao Lan knew that he was asking her this.

"Sixth Master, it looks very good." Xiao Lan quickly stood up and said.

Shen Liu waved his hand and asked her to sit down and talk. "It hasn't been long since we last met. Why are you so distant now?"

"It's not that we are strangers. Although Sixth Master is in a high position and has great power, he still cares very much about military affairs and soldiers. Under Sixth Master's management, everything in Liaodong Prefecture is in good order, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. I admire Sixth Master so much in my heart that I dare not act rashly..." Flattery never wears out. When Xiao Lan heard Shen Liu asking her like this, she praised him and then sat down again.

"Miss Xiaolan is right," He Mingyu said with a smile, "Now the people of Liaodong Prefecture can live and work in peace and contentment, and all things are waiting to be rebuilt. Sixth Master has made an indelible contribution..."

"I don't deserve that. This is all thanks to the good governance of His Majesty the Emperor..." Shen Liu clasped his fist and said towards the direction of the capital.

"Sixth Master, are there enough supplies in the border town? If there's anything we can do, whether it's donations of money or supplies, as long as you say the word, there's nothing we can't do... It's getting bitterly cold over there, and the soldiers need cotton-padded clothes, quilts, and food, would you like us to donate some?" Xiao Lan said.

Every man has his share of responsibility for the fate of his country. Today's weather is so cold, and I'm sure that the Great Jin and the Great Tang will not be much better. If the neighboring countries lose property due to the recent snowfall, they will inevitably have evil thoughts. Although it is peaceful now, we have to be on guard. After all, it is not uncommon for the Great Jin to go south to collect grass in previous years... If border disputes arise again, then the family property that her family has accumulated with great difficulty will inevitably lose most of it, which is not what Xiao Lan wants to see.