Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 562 - 523: The Taste of Missing (2)

Lou San Niangzi listened to their conversation, leaned in and whispered, "Don’t you know? It’s all because our fifth brother performed well this time, making his brother-in-law get special treatment from the master. Sigh, our husbands are not even as sharp as fifth brother’s eyes and almost got beaten by the villagers. If only our husbands were as capable..."

She humbly spoke of her own husband while belittling the husbands of the other women, causing Lady Lou, Lou Er Gongniang, and Lou Si Niangzi to glare at her with displeased expressions.

Lou San Niangzi spread her hands, "Did I say something wrong? Why are you all looking at me like that?"

The others shot her a cold glare but no one paid her any more attention.

Li Xingsheng and Prefect Lou boarded the carriage.

Li Yu En and Lou Chengye sat in another one.

There were also three mule carts carrying luggage following them.

Additionally, there was an empty carriage that belonged to Mr. Lou, but at the moment, Mr. Lou was riding a horse to escort the team.

Liu Er Niu, Liu San Niu, and several servants from the Lou Mansion sat on the luggage carts.

Mr. Lou led about a dozen mounted guards, accompanying them in the middle of the group.

After all preparations were completed, amidst Lady Lou and several sons, daughters-in-law, and a group of servants seeing them off, the procession headed towards the city gate.

At this time, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and the city gates had just opened.

The gatekeepers, upon seeing the Lord Prefect’s guard leading the way, were immediately startled and cleared the way for the party to pass first.

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After a few days of bumpy travel from dawn till dusk, Prefect Lou and his entourage arrived at Qingyang County after three days.

County Magistrate Li had long received the letter sent by Mr. Lou, and he, along with his son Li Lixing and several secretaries from the county government, went to meet them ten miles outside the city gate.

As the carriage approached, County Magistrate Li immediately stepped forward, "It is a long way for Lord Prefect to travel, much hardship endured."

Li Lixing, imitating his father, stood respectfully to the side and greeted them with courtesy.

Prefect Lou, along with Mr. Lou, Li Xingsheng, Lou Chengye, and Li Yu En, stepped out and exchanged greetings with County Magistrate Li.

Prefect Lou and County Magistrate Li were old acquaintances, and now that they were superior and subordinate, they were delighted to greet each other warmly.

Upon seeing Li Lixing, Prefect Lou patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Isn’t this Lixing? It’s been over a year and you’ve gotten much taller."

Li Lixing feared this Prefect Lou, who was even more demanding about studies than his father, and greeted him cautiously, "Hello, uncle."

But Prefect Lou wasn’t in the mood to test his knowledge at this time, so he just patted his shoulder and then continued to chat with County Magistrate Li.

Meanwhile, County Magistrate Li was secretly observing Li Xingsheng.

This was his first time meeting Li Xingsheng and he thought to himself that hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once; everyone said Li Xingsheng was the Capital’s foremost young gentleman, and it turned out the rumors were true.

While Princely Heir Li Xingmao was gentle and refined, the third son Li Xing’an was a rebellious playboy, this one here was a charming and handsome young man.

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone got back on the carriages and horses and followed County Magistrate Li and his son into the city.

Prefect Lou’s entourage numbered more than twenty, and there simply wasn’t enough room to stay in the County Magistrate Mansion’s backyard.

After receiving Mr. Lou’s letter, County Magistrate Li temporarily rented a large house to arrange accommodation for Prefect Lou.

Having traveled from afar, Prefect Lou planned to rest for two days in Qingyang County before continuing north to the Capital.

Li Xingsheng and Li Yu En, along with a few of their servants, also stayed in the house.

County Magistrate Li hired two chefs from a restaurant in the county town to prepare a banquet in the small house.

After the banquet, Li Yu En followed Li Lixing, accompanied by Er Niu and San Niu, to the County Magistrate Mansion to meet the County Magistrate’s Wife.

The County Magistrate’s Wife was pregnant and hadn’t stepped out in a long time. She was very pleased to have visitors, arranging tea and snacks, and chatting affectionately with Li Yu En.

The County Magistrate’s Wife had been to the Li Family before, so she was not unfamiliar with Li Yu En.

This plump and lovely second girl, though not as cunning as Miss Li nor as clever as Yu Zhu, had a charming simplicity.

She said whatever was on her mind and never held back her words.

Li Yu En, seeing a familiar face, was in a lively mood, speaking of happenings at the Lou Mansion and sights from the prefecture.

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While resting in the county town, Li Xingsheng visited Li Xing’an’s shop.

However, Li Xing’an wasn’t at the shop. Xiao Chengzi and Liu Yanbai, who were minding the store, reported that Li Xing’an had gone out of town with the Zhao Family to discuss business.

Instead, Eldest Young Master Chai from the neighboring shop warmly invited Li Xingsheng to a meal.

Chai Tianlang had stayed at the Li Family’s place for quite some time and was quite familiar with the Li brothers. He wrapped himself around Li Xingsheng’s leg, giggling as he called him Uncle Li.

Li Xingsheng reached into his sleeve and took out a little trinket he had brought from the prefecture to give to him. Chai Tianlang, excited, ran off to play with it.

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On the morning of the third day, Prefect Lou’s guard prepared the carriages and horses for their continued journey north.

Lou Chengye and Li Yu En were to part ways.

Er Niu and San Niu left the room to give the couple some privacy to say their goodbyes.

"Yu En, remember to think of me," Lou Chengye held Li Yu En’s hand unwilling to let go.

Li Yu En looked at him and nodded, saying, "Yes, yes, I will."

"Will you really?" Lou Chengye doubted internally.

Li Yu En’s face darkened, "You are my husband, if I don’t think of you, who else would I think of?"

"I’m worried that once you return home and have more delicious things to eat, you’ll only be concerned with eating and forget to think of me," Lou Chengye sighed.

Li Yu En, "..." Her face darkened even further. No matter how much she loved food, she wouldn’t forget her husband. "Don’t worry, husband. Every time I take a bite, I will think of you and wonder, ’Ah, has my husband tasted something this good?’ When I’m playing, I’ll also think of you, wondering whether my husband is out meeting guests with Father every day."

Lou Chengye felt a bit better, "That’s more like it."

Li Yu En glanced at the door, then boldly gave Lou Chengye a peck on the cheek, "Hehe, I’ll kiss your other cheek when I come back."

Lou Chengye’s face suddenly turned red.

He quickly embraced Li Yu En, thinking about which cheek to kiss her on, when outside, the voice of Mr. Lou could be heard, "Fifth brother, father asked me to fetch you."

"Coming." Lou Chengye didn’t care about anything else, hastily kissed Li Yu En on the lips, then quickly stood up, opened the door, and left.

Li Yu En sat on the bed, dumbfounded. He just ran off like that?

Left before she could even savor it?

Thud, thud, thud—

Footsteps sounded, and Lou Chengye ran back again.

He stood outside the screen, peeked at the girl sitting on the bed with a blushing face as red as rouge, and laughed, "I’ll kiss you again when I come back."

After speaking, he quickly ran off again.

Li Yu En, "..." Rascal husband, isn’t he just making people miss him?

Er Niu and San Niu saw Lou Chengye leave, but Li Yu En hadn’t come out yet, so they entered the room together, calling her, "Miss Li, they’re about to set off, aren’t you going to see them off?"

"Ah, see them off, see them off." Li Yu En rubbed her flushed face, got up, and hurriedly chased after them.

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The group took separate paths.

Prefect Lou, with Mr. Lou and Lou Chengye, along with Chang Sui and a secretary, was escorted by guards towards the north.

Li Yu En, Li Xingsheng, Er Niu, San Niu, and the cart driver, Liu Jinbao, took another path.

Prefect Lou was generous, sending two guards to accompany Li Yu En and Li Xingsheng.

Li Yu En lifted the curtain and watched the group disappear from sight before putting down the carriage curtain.

Li Xingsheng watched her with a smile, "They’ll be back soon."

Li Yu En furrowed her brows, "Yes, back soon."

How could three months be soon? It’s obviously a long time! Oh, what’s it like to be kissed?

It really makes one’s heart itch.

Have to wait three months to find out.

Li Xingsheng looked at her, preoccupied with her thoughts, and couldn’t help but laugh, he hadn’t expected his silly sister would have someone to miss.

The marriage he hastily arranged seemed to be working out?

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By noon, Li Xingsheng and Li Yu En’s carriage was nearing Taohua Village.

To make their family happy in advance, Li Xingsheng took the reins himself, releasing the horses tied to the back of the carriage, and sent Liu Jinbao back to the village to spread the news.

Liu Jinbao had been in town for more than a month, and with good food, he’d gained some weight, looking more spirited than before.

He wore a neat and clean cloth shirt, and his hair wasn’t messily tied with a rag anymore, but styled like a city servant, wearing a hat.

Li Xingsheng told him to return to the village early with the news, and he couldn’t be happier, "Yes, Er Lang."

Liu Jinbao mounted the horse, squeezed his legs to the horse’s belly, and excitedly galloped toward the village.

Entering the village, Liu Jinbao greeted familiar faces loudly.

Someone recognized Liu Jinbao, praised him with a smile, "Good lad, making something of yourself, almost didn’t recognize you."

The praise made Liu Jinbao even more delighted, and he sped up, whipping his way to the Li Family’s home.

In the school next to the Li Family’s house, children were loudly reading books.

The door to the Li Family’s house was wide open, and Uncle Gui was sitting in front, basking in the sun. Seeing Liu Jinbao riding over, he didn’t recognize him at first, surprised, he asked, "Young man, who are you looking for?"

Liu Jinbao dismounted with a smile, "Uncle Gui, it’s me, Jinbao, Er Lang and Miss Li are back. Er Lang asked me to bring the news early."

Uncle Gui slapped his thigh, stood up with a smile, "I’ll go spread the word."

He excitedly ran into the house, "Eldest Young Master, Madam, Er Lang and Miss Li are back!"

Liu Jinbao tied the horse to a tree by the door, patted his sleeves, walked to the school, and peeked inside.

Prince Luling just turned his head and saw Liu Jinbao.

He recognized Liu Jinbao, "Jinbao?"

Liu Jinbao stood at the school entrance, smiling, "Mr. Li, Er Lang, and Miss Li are back."

Prince Luling was overjoyed, put down his book, and told the children to study and memorize their books independently.

He made his way home in big strides.

Prince Luling was known for strict teaching, and would punish playful hands with a ruler. The children saw him leave and dared not play because Prince Luling often pulled the "wolf is coming" trick.

He would often say he was going out to run an errand but return in a blink.

He would quietly come back and stand by the window, catching anyone goofing off. Besides punishing with the ruler, they would also have to copy books.

After catching a few this way, no one dared to fool around after he left.