Chapter 33: Settling Down

"Let's find a roadside inn to rest for the night first, then instead of returning to the military camp, we'll go to Xiaopao Town. You can settle your sister-in-law there, and then return to the camp," Mo Dao said, guiding his horse beside the carriage and speaking in a low, firm voice.

After they left Liu Fu, they ended up having lunch at County Lieutenant Li's home due to his enthusiastic invitation, and only then did County Lieutenant Li let them leave.

"I'll listen to Fourth Brother." Chen Mo naturally had no objections to this; they had already discussed this matter previously.

As a woman, it was obviously impossible for Zhao Yu to enter the military camp, so she could only be settled in the town near the camp.

After giving his instructions, Mo Dao rode his horse to the front to lead the way, also leaving some private space for Chen Mo and the woman.

"There are snacks in the parcel; if you aren't full, you can eat some more. There's also a set of my clean clothes; if you're cold, just wrap yourself in them," Chen Mo said softly toward the carriage.

Hearing a response from inside the carriage, he didn't pay it any more mind and carefully drove the horse forward.

This roadside inn was not the previous one, but as long as it was a roadside inn on the imperial highway, there was actually not much difference between them.

After instructing the waiter to feed the horses and having a simple dinner, the group went into their rooms to rest.

"What are your plans for the future?" Chen Mo took a sip of tea and asked Zhao Yu, who was sitting to one side, in a low voice.

The two of them were husband and wife, so naturally, they should sleep in the same room; there was no need to waste money opening another one.

Zhao Yu was silent. Previously, she had only pondered how to escape her status as a Slave; she had never considered future matters much.

She and Chen Mo appeared to be husband and wife, but in reality, they were not. The other party had already fulfilled the agreement from back then by redeeming her, and she could not go on clinging to him.

For the days ahead, she would have to find a way to survive on her own.

"I should still have some relatives in Ningye Fu; I want to go and seek refuge with them," she said after pondering for a long time.

"Ningye Fu is at least one or two thousand li away from here, not to mention that it's hard to say whether you'll be able to find anyone if you go."

Chen Mo shook his head slightly. He did not know where Ningye Fu was, but he was clear that among the several prefectures adjacent to Xingyuan Prefecture, there was no Ningye Fu.

This meant that Ningye Fu was very far from this place. Given Zhao Yu's current situation, whether she could survive until she arrived was a problem, and even if she arrived, she might not be able to find anyone.

"I didn't redeem you by my own strength alone; I had to beg my foster father, General Sun, the guardian of Xingyuan Prefecture, for help.

I told him back then that you were my wedded wife, and only then did he step in to help. Although you are a free person now, the relationship between you and me cannot be told to him directly yet.

Given your current situation, you can't go to Ningye Fu. It would be better to settle down first. After some time, when you have recovered your health, if you stay, I can help you establish a home and property; if you leave, I can help you travel far to find your relatives and friends."

Chen Mo was only able to redeem Zhao Yu by relying on his foster father's help; it was impossible to just send her away now that she had just been redeemed and say she was not his wedded wife.

Furthermore, given Zhao Yu's current state, letting her go to Ningye Fu alone was no different from letting her die.

Chen Mo had gone to great lengths to redeem her not to let her die, but to let her live better.

"I will listen to you," Zhao Yu said, appearing quite submissive. She had no other choice now.

"Later, I will first send you to Xiaopao Town near the military camp to settle down; other matters can be considered slowly after you are settled."

This was something they had already agreed upon, and Chen Mo brought it up again now.

Zhao Yu nodded, having no objections to this.

The night passed without incident. They set off early the next day and arrived at Xiaopao Town near noon.

Xiaopao Town had a population of only a few thousand, yet because it was adjacent to the imperial highway, its level of prosperity and commercial atmosphere were not inferior even to smaller county seats.

In addition, with the Personal Soldier battalion stationed nearby, some industries in the town had developed vigorously.

But even so, there were few houses for rent in the town; to settle down, one had to buy a house first.

Chen Mo first took Zhao Yu to change her registration and settle down, changing her status from Slave to commoner, and registering her under his household as his wife.

This was not an easy task, but since he was the foster son of General Sun, this matter was very easy.

Mo Dao helped find a middleman to buy a thatched house with a private courtyard in the east of the town, which even included a small plot of open land in front of the house.

This entire courtyard was not expensive, costing only three taels of silver.

After all, this was just a small town, and the house was just a thatched hut that was still sturdy, not a house made of green bricks, grey tiles, wood, and stone.

"You settle your sister-in-law here first, and I'll leave the carriage for you. Don't forget to return to the camp when you're done," Mo Dao instructed Chen Mo before riding away.

"You tidy up first; I'll go buy you some things."

The house had basic furniture, and even the stove had been built; one only needed to purchase some daily necessities like rice, flour, pots, and bowls to move in.

After Chen Mo finished speaking, he drove the carriage to the town market. After walking around roughly, he bought everything he needed.

Fifteen catties of white flour with fifteen catties of cornmeal, pots, bowls, ladles, miscellaneous daily items, and a set of bedding, plus he cut five catties of pork and bought some radishes and cabbage.

When he returned to the thatched courtyard, Zhao Yu was busy tidying up.

This house, though small, had everything one needed: a main hall, a bedroom, a kitchen, and a latrine.

Not far from the thatched house, there was a well that nearby households used for water, making it relatively easy to fetch water for use.

Chen Mo moved all the heavy items off the carriage and filled the water vat in the kitchen.

Zhao Yu organized the miscellaneous items and took the meat and vegetables into the kitchen to get busy.

By the afternoon, the two of them finally managed to have this lunch.

"Keep this money well. If there's anything you need to add to the house, just go buy it. I'll come see you again in a few days when I'm off duty."

After eating, Chen Mo took out over five qian of loose silver and copper coins.

"It's too much; I won't be able to use it all," Zhao Yu said, shaking her head and refusing.

Chen Mo had already helped her a lot, and she felt a bit embarrassed to take this money.

"Take it; it's better to be prepared," Chen Mo said, placing the money on the table before standing up to leave.

He had to hurry; if he didn't leave now, there would be a curfew by the time he returned to the camp.

"Take it slow on the road," Zhao Yu instructed.

Driving the carriage back to the military camp, the sun was already sinking in the west.

He first went to the Stable to return the carriage, then Chen Mo headed straight to the study with the remaining twenty-plus taels of silver.

"Foster father." Walking into the study, Chen Mo bowed.

Sun Shouren was slightly surprised to see him, "People say a short separation is better than a new marriage; why did you come back so early, kid!"

"This is the remaining silver," Chen Mo did not answer, taking the remaining silver from his Huai.

Sun Shouren did not look carefully; from the very beginning, he knew this money could not be spent.

He was the one redeeming a person, and a local wealthy man in a county, even if he had the guts of a bear and the courage of a leopard, would never dare to accept his ransom.

However, he had not expected this local wealthy man to be so sensible, rushing over earlier to present him with gold, silver, and land deeds, wanting to use this opportunity to establish a connection with him.

Sun Shouren naturally would not refuse this; he spent a great deal of money training troops, and as the number of his Personal Soldier battalion continued to expand, he needed more money.

Relying solely on what the Imperial Court provided would never be enough; he had to find his own ways.

"There is no reason for me to take back money I have given out; you take this money and spend it," Sun Shouren waved his hand.

Seeing that Chen Mo remained unmoved, he frowned slightly and urged, "Put it away quickly; do you expect me to hand it to you personally?"

"Thank you, Foster Father." Chen Mo could not decline any further and had no choice but to accept the silver.

Bowing once more, he then left the study.

Thanks to Yuanze for the 500-point tip!

Thanks to Meng Yi Si Hua Wei Luo for the 500-point tip!

(End of this chapter)