From a refugee to a martial artist

Chapter 31 Return to Muzhuang

The sound of horse hooves clattered as we exited from the west gate of Songhe Prefecture and continued westward.

Nourished by the spring rain, all things come back to life and the grass looks lush from afar.

It was on this road that I braved the snow to walk into the city and fell many times.

Now he is riding a tall horse, with not only a knife on his waist, but also... Of course, the money is not much, but he can borrow it based on his old face.

They urged the horses to go faster and arrived at the pasture before noon.

The dogs in the village still remembered the grudge of having their eggs picked, and when they saw Meng Yuan coming, they started barking and cursing.

"I have already dealt with the wolf demon, so why should I be afraid of a few dogs?" Meng Yuan just glared at them, and all the dogs stopped fighting.

When the farmers saw a young man coming on horseback, who was dressed in ordinary clothes but had a ruddy complexion and was very handsome, they thought he was someone's family's son. When they got closer, they realized he was a young gelder, and they all greeted him.

No one cares about the poor in the downtown area, but I never had such treatment in the village before.

Meng Yuan said a few polite words and came to the lobby of the manor, where the head of the manor, Sun Zhuang, had already come out to greet him.

After a few polite words, Meng Yuan took out the note written by Xun Mei.

When Sun Zhuangtou took it and looked at it, he saw that it said Meng Yuan was already a guard of the palace and had made great contributions, and he wanted to bring his family back to the city to live.

He glanced at Meng Yuan and saw that the boy was tall and straight, clean and neat, and that he would not only make a name for himself, but also benefit his family. But this kid had only been in the city for a few days, right? He must have climbed up the social ladder! He just didn't know if he was looking for plums.

Head of Sun Zhuang wiped the sweat from his forehead and thought to himself that it was a good thing that I didn't treat the grandfather and grandson of the Jiang family harshly, otherwise he would go back and whisper in my ear and we would have no way to live!
"I've known countless people, and when I saw you on my first day at the village, I knew you would have a lot of potential!" Sun Zhuangtou stroked his beard and smiled, looking very familiar. "Look, I was right!"

After a casual compliment, Sun Zhuangtou was about to take Meng Yuan to find Uncle Jiang.

When they came out of the hall, they saw several villagers, including Zhao Datou, coming with Jiang Shuanyou and Jiang Tang.

I haven't seen Mr. Jiang for nearly two months. He looks older and a little hunched.

Jiang Tang's face was rosy, and although she was wearing coarse clothes, her girlish beauty could not be concealed.

The pigtails were tied back on her head, and her two big dark eyes looked at Meng Yuan. They hadn't seen each other for nearly two months, and at this moment she had both the hope of seeing each other again and the timidity of a young girl.

Meng Yuan stepped forward and held her hand, and Jiang Tang said happily, "Brother!"

Her voice was clear and a little shy.

But she was just a twelve-year-old girl, without any charm, just pure and bright, like the spring sunshine. Meng Yuan was really calm, just distressed.

When Jiang Shuanyou saw Meng Yuan holding his granddaughter's hand without any hesitation, he knew that he had not changed his mind, and he could not help but burst into tears. He was old and the only thing he was worried about was his granddaughter.

Now it seems that the granddaughter has found a place to live.

When Jiang Shuan was fleeing years ago, he was able to save his life with the help of this young man. Later, when he saw the young man burying the old man who spoke up for justice, he knew that the young man was a kind person and worthy of trust.

That is why the skills of the gelding were passed down and the marriage was arranged in a muddle.

Jiang Shuanyou looked at the young man again at this moment, and saw that he had a good appearance and his temperament had changed. Everything was good, but it was a little too good. His granddaughter was young and couldn't have children yet. He might not be able to keep her and she might be picked by another family.

"Everyone, go away! Go to work!" Seeing the villagers surrounding them, Village Head Sun quickly invited the grandfather and grandson of the Jiang family and Zhao Datou to come into the hall to talk.

After entering the hall, Sun Zhuangtou knew that Meng Yuan must have some private conversation with the grandfather and grandson of the Jiang family, so he smiled and said, "Xunmei and I are also familiar with each other. We are not strangers. You can sit down first and have lunch here. I will go and buy some wine and food."

"Then I'll trouble you, village chief." Since the other party was trying to make peace, Meng Yuan had no reason to refuse and agreed immediately.

After Sun Zhuangtou left, Meng Yuan still held Jiang Tang's hand tightly.

The frostbite on her hands had gradually subsided, but they were still a little rough.

"Are you used to living in the city?" Old Man Jiang asked with concern. "Everything is fine." Meng Yuan gently stroked Jiang Tang's hand and asked with a smile: "How is life in the village recently? Has anyone bullied you?"

"Everything is fine. The village head is a kind man." said Old Man Jiang.

"How are you feeling lately? Are you still coughing at night?" Meng Yuan asked again.

"It's better since spring. But as people get older, they have more problems," said Mr. Jiang.

"I have already talked to the head of Sun Zhuang and will take you back to the palace today. There is a place to stay there and the work is not tiring. You can slowly recuperate here." Meng Yuan said.

Jiang Shuanyou was completely relieved after hearing this, and asked carefully: "Xiao Meng, what is your current status in the palace?"

"I'm already a guard in the palace. Xunmei specially approved a place for me to live. I don't have to worry about food and drink, and I get ten taels of silver every month." Meng Yuan did not hide it.

"Well, you've really made it." Jiang Shuanyou was very emotional. "Ten taels of silver a month, I wouldn't even dare to dream of that!"

"There will be more in the future." Meng Yuan smiled, pinched Jiang Tang's little hand, and said, "Eating meat every day can also support you."

Jiang Tang lowered his head, his face flushed, and no one knew what he was thinking.

"Xiao Meng, how's Tie Niu?" Seeing that Meng Yuan and Jiang Tang looked like they were reunited after a short separation, Zhao Datou thought of his own son.

"Before long, Tie Niu will be able to take Uncle Datou to live in the city." Meng Yuan is very sure, because Tie Niu is really hardworking, even if his brain is not flexible, it will never be too late for him to enter the realm of talent.

"Xiao Meng, what will happen if I leave and there is no veterinarian in the village?" Jiang Shuanyou was still worrying about the affairs of the village.

"Just find one and spend money to hire one." Meng Yuan was very serious. "You are old and have suffered a disaster. You didn't have the money and time to see a doctor before. Now that you have time, go back to the city and find a doctor to see you and take care of your body."

"Grandpa, my brother is right!" Jiang Tang also said.

Jiang Shuanyou already regarded Meng Yuan as the head of the family. Seeing his granddaughter and her husband following suit, he quickly agreed.

Not long after, Sun Zhuangtou had prepared the food, including freshly slaughtered chickens and ducks, and some farmer's preserved wine.

After dinner, Sun Zhuangtou brought another bowl of deer blood, "Freshly cut, to replenish yang energy."

The farm raises deer, but Meng Yuan has never tasted one.

Meng Yuan didn't want to drink it at first, after all, he didn't need it to replenish himself, but Jiang Shuanyou and Zhao Datou kept persuading him, so he pinched his nose and drank it in one gulp.

It was really good. It felt warm in my stomach, and my essence and fire grew a little stronger.

After chatting for a while, Sun Zhuangtou arranged for Zhao Datou to drive a donkey cart to see them off.

The Jiang family's grandfather and grandson didn't have much belongings, so they just packed up and set off.

"Brother, this little red horse is so cute. Is it exciting to ride it?" Jiang Tang asked with his big round eyes when he saw Meng Yuan riding a horse.

Meng Yuan glanced at her, then leaned over and extended his hand.

Jiang Tang hurried forward and was pulled onto the horse.

The two of them rode on the same horse. Meng Yuan sat at the back, holding Jiang Tang's waist with one hand while teaching her how to control the reins and how to urge the horse forward.

Zhao Datou was driving the donkey cart, and Jiang Shuanyou was following slowly behind.

"Once everything settles down and they have another baby, you, Old Jiang, will get to enjoy the life!" Zhao Datou said enviously.

"That's right." Jiang Shuanyou was also very satisfied and looked at the two people on Xiaohong's horse with a smile.

The spring afternoon sun was slightly warm, the sound of horse hooves gradually became cheerful, and Jiang Tang's laughter was like a silver bell.

(End of this chapter)