Chapter 784

Nowadays Xishan Village, rather than calling it a village, it's more appropriate to call it a military base.

Although most of the original houses in the village have been preserved, the changes are really too great.

Walking in the village now, although one can still see herdboy leading yellow oxen and village women busy in the fields, what is more common are the figures of soldiers drilling and the sound of hammering iron coming from the Military Arsenal Workshop.

However, after more than half a year, this small village nestled by the mountain and water is no longer what it once was.

Under Chen Xingyuan's leadership, Chen Wuji strolled around the village before arriving at his own doorstep.

After not returning for over half a year, seeing that familiar lintel, Chen Wuji couldn't help but feel his heart leap.

No matter how good the place outside is, compared to this old residence, it lacks much flavor.

Huo Sanniang and the others had already returned a step earlier, now sweeping the courtyard and putting away the things they brought.

Shen Youwei was like a lively butterfly, her figure darting everywhere, sometimes looking here, sometimes there.

It's clear that her mood is no different from Chen Wuji's.

"Shi Yi Shu, let everyone disperse; it's been a long time since we returned, going home to take a look, we should also reunite." Chen Wuji said.

The three thousand cavalry that followed him back all came from the Personal Guard Lìng, half of them being Chen clan members.

Chen Li's taut face, today also rare to relax.

Returning to the village, his heart, which seemed to have been poured with concrete, also loosened greatly.

"I'll first settle the soldiers, then I'll return shortly!" Chen Li said.

"Good, there's no need to keep people here; with so many Bīngmǎ inside and outside the village, no one can do anything to me." Chen Wuji said.

Chen Li's face darkened instantly: "Family Head, this won't do."

"Although I certainly have enough manpower inside and outside the village, have you forgotten those elusive Jianghu Persons? They can easily slip past the village's open and hidden sentry posts; it's better to be careful. I'll have them take shifts to ensure the Family Head's safety, and also let them return home for reunion."

Chen Wuji knew he couldn't prevail over Chen Li on this matter, so he simply agreed: "Then you arrange it."

"Yes!"

After settling this, Chen Wuji walked into the courtyard.

Although it's been a long time since he returned, the courtyard clearly has someone who often sweeps; everything is spotless, and not a weed is seen on the ground.

Shen Youwei came running over holding two Flying Squirrels in her arms like a gust of wind, "Husband, quick look, they've given birth, how cute."

Chen Wuji blinked, "Are these little guys still around?"

"What are you doing, husband, cursing them to die?" Shen Youwei lovingly stroked the little Flying Squirrel in her arms, saying angrily.

Chen Wuji chuckled, "We've all left, and no one feeds them; I thought you had released them before you left."

"I can't bear to part with them." Shen Youwei said.

"Before we left, we asked the village aunties to take care of them; right, later we need to take some things to properly thank those few aunties, they raised them so well. These little guys actually gave birth, soft and cute, really adorable."

Flying Squirrels are indeed cuter than ordinary mice, but to say they are very good-looking is going too far.

But Shen Youwei liking them is enough.

She has no resistance to these small animals.

Someone who can call hedgehogs and badgers very cute, her aesthetic in this regard is hard to use as a reference.

Everyone is busy with their own affairs, only one figure seems somewhat out of place.

Chen Wuji walked over, "Miss Xiu Er, this is your first time coming to my home, but are you not adapting?"

Zhang Xiuer shook her head, smiling lightly, "I just didn't expect that the fierce Chen Jieshuai, renowned outside, would live in such a place."

"Do you dislike my place being too rundown?" Chen Wuji asked with a smile.

"No, it's very quiet and comfortable, just that it doesn't quite match your status, Brother Wuji." Zhang Xiuer said, "People who have achieved fame and success outside all like to return home to build grand mansions and keep a retinue of servants; why does Brother Wuji still remain as he is?"

"I just like staying as I am." Chen Wuji said.

He will not expand the ancestral home again.

Although every brick and tile here was not laid by his own hands, it holds countless memories of his.

This courtyard is the bond between him and his previous life, the beginning of this life, and the start of all fate.

No matter how abundant his gold and silver, he will not move this place again.

Zhang Xiuer smiled lightly, "It seems Brother Wuji is a sentimental person."

Chen Wuji nodded thoughtfully.

He should be considered a sentimental person, right.

He cherishes the beginning here, and also cherishes the past that cannot be returned to.

"The house is limited; at night we can only squeeze in, you just need to adapt a little; if you can't adapt, sleep on the floor!" Chen Wuji said.

Zhang Xiuer's eyes widened slightly, "I thought Brother Wuji would help me think of a better solution, but instead he had me sleep on the floor..."

She was truly speechless.

Chen Wuji chuckled, "I'll keep you company sleeping on the floor."

Zhang Xiuer pursed her lips and let out a soft hum.

That's still sleeping on the floor, isn't it?

Chen Wuji embraced a bundle of split firewood from the corner of the wall, the lengths and sizes nearly uniform.

This firewood was split by the two brothers Yuan Jinshi and Licentiate Yuan, stacked in a long row against the wall, enough for Chen Wuji's family to use for over half a year.

I don't know where these two kids are now.

From Hezhou to Songzhou, then from Songzhou to Qingzhou, they have been missing each other all along.

But this matter also cannot be blamed on Chen Wuji.

After the military plan was settled, it was impossible for him to keep waiting there for these two kids.

The daily consumption of the great army is indeed a huge number.

Unless required by military circumstances, it cannot be easily delayed.

He lit the fire under the small red-clay stove, set the kettle on it, and Chen Wuji lay back comfortably in the cool shade beneath the eaves.

Content!

The familiar courtyard, the familiar scent, even the breeze blowing in felt familiar.

The kettle gurgled, sending up steam; just as it came to a boil, Xu Zengyi happened to walk in.

Seeing Chen Wuji slumped like Ge You lying down, Xu Zengyi gave a silent, light chuckle.

It was clear that, back in the village, his lord was truly at ease.

"How about you join me for a hunt in the mountains tomorrow, sir?" Chen Wuji asked, looking up.

Xu Zengyi wearily lifted his eyelids and said, "My lord, please don't drill me anymore—these luxuriant mountain wilds are truly no place for me to show my abilities. But I can help you handle the game you hunt."

Chen Wuji burst out laughing.

Xu Zengyi had only gone into the mountains with him once, and it seemed to have left a psychological scar.

Chen Wuji returned to the village and just lay back.

Yet the world stirred up turmoil because of him.

……

Bianjing.

The lanterns on Zi Chen Hall were still lit, the bell of the Great State Temple tolled for the second time, and the heavy gates of the inner city creaked open.

Officials in red, purple, green, and blue robes, their colors distinct, filed up Imperial Street like a long bolt of dyed cloth and took their places before Zi Chen Hall.

Today is the first day of the month, and the officials hold court.