Chapter 148: Yi Jiang — This Is Way Too Hard

"But right now, the only one with the ability to help us is Shang Gu, and he just ascended the throne not long ago — he probably can't spare the hands to send troops against Da Yin."

Cheng Qiuyun furrowed her brows and spoke slowly.

Cheng Old Madam smiled faintly without a word, merely glancing at Cheng Chengxuan.

Cheng Chengxuan first lowered his eyes to think for a moment, then his face soon lit up as he looked toward Cheng Old Madam.

"Grandson understands. I'll go arrange it right now!"

Having said that, he rose and strode quickly outside.

"Hey, wait for me — I'm coming to help too!"

Cheng Qiuyun hurried after him.

What did he figure out?

Tell me about it!

Watching their retreating backs, the smile in Cheng Old Madam's eyes deepened.

"Alright, I'm heading back to my room first."

The room that had just been full of people was, in no time at all, left with only Meng Shi and Wang Shi — the two sisters-in-law.

Thinking about what had just happened, Wang Shi wore a look of sudden realization, a flash of loss passing through her eyes.

"Why does it feel like I just can't fit in anymore?"

Hearing her mutter this, Meng Shi placed a hand on her shoulder and said with a smile.

"The children have grown up — we should be happy about it."

Saying so, she patted her shoulder.

"Alright, it's getting late — time to cook. Let's stew some chicken soup today to nourish everyone's bodies. I wonder if A Qin and the others are back from shopping yet…"

While speaking, Meng Shi had already stepped out of the main hall.

Watching her busy retreating figure, Wang Shi took a deep breath and quickly thought it through.

That's right — the children had all grown up, and from now on there would be fewer and fewer places where they needed her help.

What she had to do was, as much as possible, make sure the children had no worries to fall back on.

Thinking of this, she pulled herself together, got up, and headed toward the kitchen, talking as she walked.

"I remember there's still a big chunk of pork front-leg meat — let's fry up some little meatballs too. Yu'an loves them most."

Meng Shi turned her head and replied with a smile.

"Alright."

……

When Yu'an returned from the Modern Era and saw everyone bustling about, she tilted her little head and scratched her cheek in confusion.

It had only been a few hours — why had everyone suddenly gotten so busy?

"Coo coo… coo coo…"

Hearing the pigeon's cooing, Yu'an broke into a grin and ran over, stretching out her tiny hand to pet it.

"Coo coo."

The carrier pigeon affectionately nuzzled the little one's fingertips with its beak.

The tickling made Yu'an itch, and she giggled away.

"Little White, are you hungry?"

"Wait for me, okay!"

Saying so, the little one pattered off to the Kufang, and in no time came running back, placing a small pinch of corn kernels on the stone table.

"Eat up."

The little one's chubby index finger tapped the carrier pigeon's head.

"You'll have to work hard again in a little while."

Having said that, the Small Dumpling ran back to her room and began writing the latest chapter of her story.

At the same time, in the City Lord's Manor of Beihuang City.

Because heavy snow had blocked the roads, the tutor had been unable to make it back in time.

On top of that, the Chen Family father and son were busy settling the disaster victims in the city, and several county magistrates with whom they were usually on good terms had come seeking help — they still had to spare the attention to assist.

When the tiger's away from the Mountain, little tyrant Yi Jiang had no one daring to rein him in, and he had a thoroughly enjoyable time playing this past month.

The courtyard was very lively — his playful shouts could be heard from far away.

"Halt! Where do you think you're escaping to, you monster?!"

"Take this staff from Old Sun!"

"Ha!"

A little servant ran out clutching his head, playing along and begging for mercy as he went.

"Great Sage, spare me!"

Yi Jiang came charging out holding a yellow stick, a hair crown with two long wild pheasant feathers stuck into it perched on his head, a red bedsheet draped over his back, providing his own sound effects — 'Clang clang clang clang dang' — as he went.

"Monster, don't run — hand over my Master (Master (Master (Master (Master (Master (Master (Master (Master (Shifu))))))))) and junior brother at once!"

After being busy for several days and finally getting a break, Chen Ying, who had taken the time to come back to see his son, stepped into the courtyard and was met with this very sight.

Instantly so angry the veins on his temples bulged, he ground his molars.

"Chen Yijiang!"

Hearing his own father's angry voice, Yi Jiang quickly tucked the stick behind his back, his eyes darting about, his face the picture of guilt.

"Father, why are you suddenly back?"

Hearing this, Chen Ying very nearly laughed from sheer exasperation, and he looked with a half-smile at his dear 'filial son.'

"I'm going home—do I need to report to you first?"

Yi Jiang waved his hand.

"Aw, no need for all that fuss. It's your own home—come back whenever you want!"

Chen Ying: "..."

He pressed his aching temple.

Thanks a lot!

Stepping closer, Chen Ying saw his tightly furrowed brow and looked at the hair crown on his head.

Why does it look a little familiar?

"Where did that thing on your head come from?"

Yi Jiang happily reached up and stroked the pheasant feathers twice.

"I took it from Grandfather's room!"

"I'm really clever, you see—Grandfather's hair crown was too big for me, so I had the craftsman cut it in half. The other half was melted down and beaten into gold sheets, which I used to gild this end of my Golden Cudgel."

Saying so, he held the Golden Cudgel high above his head.

Under the sunlight, it blazed with dazzling light.

"Father, look—doesn't it look great?"

Chen Ying gritted his teeth: "... Great."

He rubbed his eyes, which had been dazzled.

Just wait till your grandfather finds out—your bottom will look even greater!

Watching his son still showing off with the staff, Chen Ying gave a sharp scold.

"Even though the tutor isn't here, you can't let your studies slide!"

"Idling away your days on toys and losing your ambition—look at what you've become!"

"I haven't!"

Yi Jiang brought the staff down on the ground with a sharp *thwack*.

"I've learned a lot of new characters!"

Hearing this, Chen Ying didn't believe it one bit.

"Really?"

"Mm!"

Yi Jiang nodded heavily, turned and ran back into the room. In a little while, he came out carrying a finely bound Little Booklet, which he handed to him.

"Father, you can point to any character on these pages—I know them all!"

Saying so, Yi Jiang thumped his chest, brimming with confidence.

Seeing the somewhat childish handwriting on the paper, Chen Ying guessed it must have been written by Yu'an.

For a moment, his heart ached even more.

Look at that child—a year younger than his own, yet already able to write so many characters.

"Father?"

"Father!"

"Didn't you say you were going to test me?"

Chen Ying pulled his wandering thoughts back, glanced at his eager son, and skeptically pointed at a random character.

"What's this character?"

Yi Jiang glanced at it and answered loudly.

"Ape—the 'yuan' in 'ape'!"

Chen Ying raised an eyebrow slightly and pointed at another.

"And this one?"

Yi Jiang tilted his chin up slightly.

"Curtain!"

After pointing at several more characters, Yi Jiang actually recognized every single one!

Chen Ying's face was full of wonder; with the comforting pride of an old father, he ruffled the top of his son's head.

"Not bad!"

"You actually got them all right—seems like you've been working hard lately."

Yi Jiang tilted his head to dodge his hand.

"Ah, don't break my Purple-Gold Crown."

He had chased after that pheasant for ages, barely managing to find these two longest tail feathers.

For the sake of these two feathers, he'd nearly had his face pecked to shreds.

At the thought of this, Yi Jiang couldn't help wiping away a tear of bitter hardship for himself.

It really was too hard!