Chapter 962: There's a Policy, and a Countermeasure!

ahead on the official road, compared to yesterday's sparse crowd, it was now teeming with people.Those riding carriages, donkeys, or carrying burdens on their backs, with wives and children and mother...Mu Xu fell silent for a moment, then looked up and said seriously, "Alright, I'll wait for your triumphant return. Then I'll give you my answer."

He left the study after that.

In the courtyard of the Earl's Mansion, Jiayin lay on the windowsill, her fair hands supporting her cheeks, tilting her head to look out.

But she couldn't wait for Mu Xu any longer, and she got a bit annoyed. Turning back, she said to Shui Ling, "I'll write a letter. You go find Zheng Yi and ask him to send it to Hou Mansion. Bring the reply back with you."

Just as Shuiling was about to respond, she heard Mu Xu's voice from outside the window, "No need, I'm back."

Having said that, he appeared at the window, just about to jump in, but then thought better of it and withdrew his arm.

"Mu Ge, where did you go I was in a hurry to ask you to help me find out…" Jia Yin hastily turned her head, almost bumping into the window frame. Fortunately, Mu Xu raised his hand to block it.

Jia Yin's forehead brushed against his back, the instant warmth made her a little embarrassed.

Mu Xu retracted his hand and smiled, "I just returned from the Hou Mansion. The Marquis went to the palace because the Emperor wants to set out on an expedition in advance, with the departure date set for six days later."

Jia Yin immediately widened her eyes, "This can't be done! Those people from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue are nothing but gluttons and lazybones. They always procrastinate even when they have a set date, and they can't deliver supplies on time."

"Now that they are suddenly called to campaign ahead of schedule, don't they have even more reasons! When the time comes, with the army outside and supplies running low, won't we be on the defensive!"

Mu Xu thought the same way, but he couldn't say it out loud. Otherwise, Jia Yin would be even more worried.

He advised, "The Marquis said that the army would bring extra rations. Once they reach Jiangbei, they will be able to sustain themselves through warfare. If the barbarians have food, they won't starve."

Although Jia Yin's complexion was still pale, the situation was clear. Since the Emperor had made up his mind, there was no changing it.

She quickly said, "Mu Gege, you go to rest. There's a night snack left for you in the kitchen. Eat it and then sleep."

Having said that, she closed the window, gave Shui Ling a few instructions, then extinguished the lights and went into the room.

Over the past few years, she has been like a mouse moving house, accumulating bits and pieces.

Although it's not possible to provide rations for all the soldiers on the northern campaign, at least helping with five or six days' worth of supplies allows them more breathing room. That's still something.

For example, for hand-pulled noodles, a soldier's daily allowance was two jin. If one person carried ten jin on their back, that would be enough.

And a ten-jin noodle, whether carried by a soldier on his back or a horse, is effortless.

As long as there's a break in the journey, just build a simple earth oven and boil water in a big pot to cook something hot to eat.

Of course, since it wasn't convenient, she still had many steamed buns left. They were baked rather dry and didn't spoil easily. Besides, they were filled with vegetables and meat. Even if she rode on horseback, she could just bite into a few and drink some water to tide her over for half a day...

Besides these, there are also large quantities of medical supplies.

Especially after Zhang Shenyi devised a new medicine, her pharmaceutical workshop never stopped working.

She used space herbs to brew an upgraded version of the divine medicine, which could always ensure that the army suffered fewer unnecessary casualties.

The rest of the supplies are not urgent and can be sent later with the grain...

This evening, Jia Yin was bustling about the space, flipping through a small notebook and making calculations.

I suddenly remembered that I was still short of some detox pills and mosquito repellent, so I quickly went to grab them.

As a result, I completely lost track of time.

In the morning, the family ate breakfast. They didn't see Jiayin and thought she was lazy in bed and didn't pay attention.

As a result, those who needed to go on business went on business, and those who needed to go out went out. In the end, only Wan'er and Princess Ai Bei were left at home, along with several children.

Wan'er looked at the sun high in the sky and felt a little worried.

She was just about to go see her sister-in-law when Baozhu and the Third Princess arrived together for a visit.

Now, we have to call Jia Yin out to greet the guests.

Shui Ling and Shui Yun were already pacing anxiously in the living room, too afraid to knock on the bedroom door.

After all, her master had given her orders beforehand not to come out, and no one was allowed to disturb her.

Luckily, after a while, Jia Yin came out yawning.

Shuiling and Shuiyun let out a long sigh of relief and quickly stepped forward to serve.

"My lady, didn't you sleep well Your dark circles are so pronounced. Would you like a bowl of calming soup tonight"

Shuǐ yún xīn sù, yǐ jìng pàn suàn zhe gěi zhǔzi bǔ bǔ shēn tǐ le. Shuiyun's mind is meticulous; she has already planned to supplement her master's body.

My home has been a bit hectic lately, my master has been working hard and often cooks meals. Perhaps he's tired from it all.

Jia Yin waved her hand and asked, "Is something wrong at home Why are you all so anxious"

"Water Spirit's mouth was quick, she immediately replied, "It's Princess Three and Miss Baozhu who have arrived. You haven't come out the whole time, we were all worried."

"The Pearl and the Third Princess are here" Jia Yin immediately guessed the two sisters' minds and couldn't help but smile, "They probably aren't here to see me, they're curious about my fourth sister-in-law and want to see something new."

After saying that, she wasn't in a hurry. She called the two people to find her a set of light and comfortable clothes, even drank a bowl of seafood porridge, before going to the front yard.

In the main courtyard's flower hall, Wan'er and Ai Bei were chatting with the Third Princess and Bao Zhu.

Although Princess Three and Baozhu often came in and out of the house, Wan'er was not unfamiliar with them. But Princess Three's status was too high, and Wan'er still felt somewhat restrained.

She chatted casually with the two of them, smiling and saying, "Did Princess and Miss Baozhu make an appointment to come together"

The Third Princess replied, “I was bored in the palace with nothing to do, and Jia Yin hadn't come back. I figured I might as well go for a stroll. Unexpectedly, I ran into Baozhu at the street corner, so we came together.”

Baozhu also nodded, her chubby cheeks and big eyes couldn't help but gaze at Queen Aibei. It was like "curiosity" was written all over her forehead.

The third princess held up her chin, perhaps feeling that Pearl was a little embarrassed, and secretly kicked her.

Baozhu gasped in surprise. Seeing everyone looking at her, she blushed a little.

Fortunately, at this moment, Jia Yin walked in.

She wore a sky-blue dress today, with silver thread embroidered with large lilies on the skirt. She also pinned a lily flower hairpin in her hair. Coupled with the smile between her brows and eyes, she looked refreshing, clean and spirited.

The moment they stepped into the room, everyone was struck by its beauty.

Like a gentle sea breeze, it dispersed all the stuffiness.

Baozhu practically rushed over, hugging Jiayin's waist and exclaiming, "Jiayin sister, how did you finally come out! I missed you so much!"

Jiayin tapped her lightly, and said reproachfully, “If someone didn't know any better, they'd think you hadn't seen me in years! We were just having afternoon tea a few days ago!”

"Oh my, I think about being with you every day. It feels like three autumns have passed just by not seeing you for a day!"

Baozhu could not care less. Since she was young, she had practiced her coquettish skills to perfection.

Princess #3 also missed Jiayin. After living and eating together for so long, suddenly parting ways made her feel like Zhi Lan Palace was empty and everything felt off.

But she couldn't act cute and playful like a precious jewel at this moment.

Then, she glanced at Baozhu and said, “Hugging and cuddling, what decorum is there in this!”

Jia Yin understood Princess San's tsundere nature all too well. She pulled Baozhu to sit down and casually said, "You've been clamoring for zao gao for a long time now. I had someone send a plate back to you yesterday, did you eat it This time I didn't bake much, so I can only give you these. When we get back to the palace, let's bake some more. Remember, when you have free time, go to Imperial Uncle's small kitchen and rob him of some jujubes."

As expected, the third princess immediately beamed with delight and replied, "Rest assured, I guarantee to bring back a whole basketful. At worst, we'll just share a portion with father when we get back."

Today's updates are here ~~ment, Shuiyun cooked some small wontons. Everyone had a bowl, and after eating, their stomachs felt warm and they regained some energy.Old Mrs. Li had been entertaining guests in the house all day, un...