Sick Man Turns Out to be a General

4After the New Year, the spring sun had returned to its usual warm days. The idle people who had been hibernating all winter walked out of their houses one after another, carrying birdcages and cricket jars. They found a teahouse that they were familiar with and asked for a pot of tea.     1

    

Yan Chenglee had passed an extraordinarily lively and meaningful New Year in the Mu Family. In the next few days, he would go to the city to pay a visit to the Jiang City Prefect, Lord Liu. Before he left, he asked Mu Chen to accompany him on a stroll around Five Tiger Town.    

    

Today, the teahouse was still bustling with noise and excitement, but the topic of conversation was rather heavy.    

    

"Hey, man, did you hear? During those few days of the New Year, pirates came ashore and robbed the salt fields near the South Sea. They were chased away by the General Zheng. A skinny man in a long robe pulled on a familiar face as they chatted.    

    

That friend of his was one of those people who didn't care about his reputation. He couldn't help but ask, "The South Sea is still far from our side, and the pirates can't get here, so what's there to care about?" I heard they are sending messengers to our Jiang City, to inspect the water situation in the vicinity. Aiya, those officials were just pretending, what can they really do for us common people? "    

    

The skinny man waved his hand and asked anxiously, "Brother, did you not understand?" Those pirates want to snatch salt? How expensive is the salt now? If the salt field is looted, how will we live in the future? "    

    

"Purge the salt field? Did the pirates succeed? " His friends started to get nervous and they all reached out to grab his clothes.    

    

"Of course not. The one guarding the South Sea is the General Zheng. How could he allow those pirates to be so impudent on land?" The lanky man seemed to highly respect General Zheng, his words full of admiration for him.    

    

"Humph!" A scholar at the side coldly snorted. "What kind of shitty general is this?" "He's just a shameless scoundrel."    

    

"What did you say?" The bamboo that the skinny man wanted to ignite suddenly exploded, he became more energetic than before, "You poor scholar, why did you slander the General Zheng?"    

    

"If he really is fair and square, then naturally no one would slander him. "How can a dog official, who forcibly steals a commoner's daughter and has wasted her life, be worthy of others' respect?" The scholar's words were very agitated, as if he had some grudge with the General Zheng.    

    

"You stinking brat, what nonsense are you spouting?" The skinny man grabbed his clothes, and the two of them started fighting.    

    

Yan Chenglee and Mu Chen were currently seated at a side table drinking tea. Hearing these words, one of them continued to drink his tea without changing his expression, while the other revealed a mysterious smile.    

    

"General Zheng is very popular." Yan Chenglee picked up the teacup, his deep eyes revealing a hidden emotion.    

    

Mu Chen did not speak, he only picked up the teacup and put it down, the originally perfect cup had a crack on the outside.    

    

Yan Chenglee laughed even more joyously, his eyes narrowing, "Zi An, come with me to the city."    

    

"Alright." Without hesitation, Mu Chen answered. In his heart, Mu Chen knew, from the moment he was framed, he had been tied up with Yan Chenglee. It was good that Yan Chenglee obtained power, if Yan Chenglee lost power, not only would he suffer, the person closest to him would also suffer.    

    

Receiving a satisfactory reply, Yan Chenglee's smile could not stop.    

    

"If the South Sea Salt Pan encountered pirates, then things won't be as simple as they seem." Mu Chen touched the blanket on the table, with a "pa da" sound, the cup's body split apart, and the tea inside seeped out, while the waiter quickly came up to wipe it.    

    

Yan Chenglee laughed as he stood up, and the two of them left the teahouse together.    

    

"Whether it's a war or a conspiracy, someone will worry about it. We'll just watch and see." The salt field in the South Sea was not something that could be easily eaten. No matter how much the emperor pampered his two daughters, he wouldn't give his mountains and rivers to someone else.    

    

The streets of the Five Tiger Village were very lively. Amidst all the hawking sounds, there was a strong sense of simplicity.    

    

"I heard that your wife owns a shop here?" Yan Chenglee stood in front of the Barley Market, smelling the stench of smelly tofu from inside, and couldn't help but frown.    

    

The business of the savory workshop was very good, it could be said to be a busy market. During the new year, no one had eaten the stinky and tasty tofu, and those who liked to eat it had long thought of it and rushed over to line up as soon as they opened the door.    

    

"If you like it, you can go in and take a look."    

    

"No need." It had nothing to do with hobbies. It was purely a matter of image.    

    

Mu Chen laughed, then led him to the ferry to take a look, then told him about the intelligence he had gathered over the past two years.    

    

— —    

    

"To the city?" Shen Jingli was folding the little guy's clothes, but suddenly heard Mu Chen's words and raised his head in shock.    

    

"Yes, go with the prince."    

    

"Are you planning to return to Beijing?" Shen Jingli stopped and looked up at him. If he had known that such a day would come, he would have thought himself to be well-prepared. After hearing his words, he couldn't help but become nervous.    

    

"I have to go back." He would not let himself be beaten for ever.    

    

"Alright."    

    

Hou'er, who was originally sleeping quietly, suddenly woke up when she realized that her father had ignored her. She tried to twist her small body to show that she was still alive.    

    

Shen Jingli looked down at him and immediately untied the cloth around the child. Unfortunately, before he could even change the cloth, the child peed on him. The child did not pee at all, and all of it was poured onto his father's face.    

    

Seeing Mu Chen's miserable state, Shen Jingli could not help but laugh. The little guy spat out two bubbles, and stood on its feet as if showing off to his father.    

    

Mu Chen shook his face and grabbed him, gently patting his little butt, causing the little fellow to laugh. It even kicked his hands and feet randomly, and landed a kick on Mu Chen's face, pressing his toes on his nose.    

    

Seeing the father and son like this, Shen Jingli laughed so hard that he almost got mad at them. Fortunately, he still remembered the child's age, and was afraid that the father and son had caught a cold.    

    

Mu Chen took the chance and came over, and was pushed out by Shen Jingli, "Go away, your body smells like urine."    

    

"This is our son's smell."    

    

Shen Jingli smiled again as he hugged him and looked down at his son. "Back to the capital, are you afraid?"    

    

"What are you afraid of?" He turned around and looked at him. His eyes were clear and his righteousness was shameful. "You will always be by my side. What do I have to be afraid of?"    

    

"I will."    

    

Shen Jingli turned around and helped him straighten his clothes, "Don't worry, I can protect myself."    

    

It was just a house fight. He wasn't a weak person and wouldn't be destroyed that easily.    

    

Mu Chen looked at him. His strength and consideration made his heart ache, and in that moment, he almost blurted out a question, "Who are you?"    

    

As the night deepened, the family of three huddled together on the bunk, listening to each other's breathing. Soon, they all fell asleep.    

    

In the morning of the second day, Shen Jingli was about to leave and inform the three people of Nanny Jin.    

    

"Madam, I'll follow you. I'll follow you wherever you go …" When Lee Qi heard it, he immediately hugged onto Shen Jingli's thighs, afraid that Shen Jingli would abandon him.    

    

Seeing him like this, Shen Jingli could not help but laugh. He truly had the character of a child.    

    

"Madam, please let us follow you." He knew Mu Chen's identity was definitely not simple and he might encounter many troubles in the future. But Shen Jingli was a good master, as long as you try your best, he will treat you well, and he is also very protective of you. If the mother and son following him, they would definitely not have to worry about their future.    

    

"If you're willing to follow me, then that's for the best." After getting along with him for a long time, they had feelings for each other. Furthermore, Nanny Jin was very considerate when doing things and knew the rules very well.    

    

Shen Yue'er was completely shocked by the news, she looked at Shen Jingli helplessly, and started crying, "Fourth Brother, Fourth Brother, where are you going? Why did you leave? Fourth Brother... "    

    

"If you stay here, I'll leave you my house. I'll also give you a shop so that you can live a good life." Although he did not have any feelings towards Shen Family, and even somewhat hated that family, Shen Yue'er was still a pretty good child. He knew that did not like Shen Family, and he had never brought up anything regarding Shen Family in front of him.    

    

"Fourth Brother, why must you go?" Shen Yue'er had never thought of leaving the town he grew up in, so he held onto Shen Jingli tightly in fear.    

    

She didn't know how to choose. She wanted to follow Shen Jingli, but she was afraid of leaving the familiar place.    

    

"Your brother in law is someone from the capital. Sooner or later, he will have to go back."    

    

Her eyes widened in shock, and she was at a loss for words.    

    

"You think about it."    

    

"..."    

    

Sister-in-law Chen hurried over when she heard the news that Shen Jingli was about to leave.    

    

"Shen, I heard that you guys are leaving?"    

    

Shen Jingli was currently watching Hou turning over on the Arhat Bed. This little fellow had been very interested in this activity recently, turning things over and over, and it was enjoying this and that, causing Shen Jingli to have no choice but to constantly look at him, afraid that he would accidentally flip out of the bed.    

    

Sister-in-law Chen entered the door with an anxious face, followed by Xinmei the small follower.    

    

"Shen, when are you leaving? "Why didn't you tell sister-in-law earlier?" Once Sister-in-law Chen sat down, he pulled Shen Jingli and started talking.    

    

"In two days."    

    

"Why are you in such a hurry? Did something happen? " Sister-in-law Chen became even more anxious, "If you had told me earlier, I could have prepared some things for you to use on your journey …"    

    

Sister-in-law Chen truly couldn't bear to part with Shen Jingli. In the year that she had been together with him, she truly treated him as her own little brother.    

    

"Sister-in-law, don't worry. I will take good care of myself. When I have time in the future, I will come back to see you."    

    

"Uncle Shen, can it be that I won't be able to see you in the future?" Xinmei opened her eyes wide, and leaned on Shen Jingli, "Uncle Shen, I will miss you and my brother, you must come back and see me."    

    

Shen Jingli pinched Xinmei's face, his heart was so warm that it felt like it was melting, "I'll miss you too."    

    

"Sister-in-law really can't bear to part with you …" Sister-in-law Chen wiped her tears as she forced out a smile. "If the Mu Clan Leader bullies you in the future, you can come and find sister-in-law. I will definitely help you."    

    

"Thank you, sister-in-law."    

    

Pulling Sister-in-law Chen to tell him about his shop in the town, the orchards in the village and the chicken farm, Shen Jingli almost cried from the sadness.    

    

After everything was arranged, Mu Chen's family headed towards the city with Yan Chenglee two days later.    

    

After thinking about it again and again, Shen Yue'er decided to stay. Shen Jingli then gave her the house deed and the one in town, which included two acres of paddy field and three mu of dry land. Meanwhile, the eldest son of the Sister-in-law Chen, Chen Jian, also left with them.