That evening, Jin Shanyao told Meng Anci about her trip to Dengzhou Prefecture. He was quite shocked and turned to Meng Anzhi, "Sister, aren't you going with us?"
"The borderlands are filled with a chilling atmosphere, and the yin energy used for the exorcism of the dead is even stronger," Jin Shanyao interjected. "I'll feel at ease if you all stay at the Anzhi Hall."
Meng Anci silent for a moment, then finally responded softly, "Okay."
Before leaving.
Jin Shanyao called over Dahuang and Xiaoli, her expression solemn. "Repaying our debt of gratitude is just one step away. Remember, protect Anzhi and Anci, especially Anci. He's not yet of age; he absolutely cannot be harmed."
"Don't worry, Master!" Dahuang and Xiaoli nodded repeatedly, "Even if we lose our heads, we will never let them lose a single hair!"
"You brat!" Jin Shanyao slapped Dahuang head, her tone both angry and soft, "What nonsense are you talking about? You are all equally important to me."
Dahuang grinned, revealing a row of Gouya, "Master, you're the most important person in our hearts too!"
Xiaoli quickly chimed in, "More important than life itself!"
"You're more important to me than my own life?" Jin Shanyao grabbed a feather duster from the wall and started chasing the cats and dogs. "I'm on business, not entrusting my children to someone on my deathbed. Try spouting nonsense again!"
Dahuang and Xiaoli were so frightened that they ran all over the yard, begging for mercy as they ran, "Master, we were wrong! We'll never say such things again!"
Old Niu, who was waiting to depart, watched this lively scene and laughed so hard he almost fell over. He secretly rejoiced: Heaven has eyes! These two bastards finally got a beating!
Serves you right for being so smug...
Jin Shanyao, annoyed, threw down the feather duster, dusted herself off, and climbed onto the oxcart. She called out to the people of the Anzhi Hall, "I'm leaving. Keep an eye on Miss and Young Master for me."
Qing He quickly replied, "Don't worry, Master, I will definitely take good care of Miss and Young Master, and I will make sure they don't lose any weight."
Jin Shanyao in satisfaction. "Is this what a human being should say?" she thought, then glared fiercely at the cats and dogs huddled behind the crowd.
She turned her gaze to Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci, and said gently, "Take good care of yourselves, and wait for me to come back."
The siblings responded and followed the oxcart all the way, reluctantly seeing their aunt off as she left the capital.
Just as he turned to walk back, someone spat at him viciously in front of him. The man was in his fifties or sixties, with his hands in his pockets, wearing a tattered cotton hat, and staring at Meng Anci with venomous eyes.
" Meng Dog... you treacherous minister, may you die a horrible death!"
Meng Anci's melancholy was instantly replaced by coldness. He said slowly to the soldiers behind him, "Insulting an official of the imperial court... take him away and send him to the authorities to see whose orders he is following."
The soldiers guarding the city knew that Meng Anci was a member of the Hanlin Academy, so they dared not neglect him and immediately stepped forward, grabbed the man's arms, and escorted him to the government office.
"I'm home," Meng Anzhi said, turning her gaze away and taking the lead in walking forward.
Meng Anci didn't say anything more and silently followed behind her back to the Anzhi Hall.
As they entered the shop, Meng Anzhi called Zhou Xiaosi over, "Someone just insulted Anci and was taken to the authorities by the city gate soldiers. Prepare some things later to send over as a token of our gratitude."
Zhou Xiaosi: "I understand, Master. How much money is appropriate?"
"You handle it as you see fit, but make sure the items don't give anyone a handle to use against you."
After Meng Anzhi finished speaking, she and Meng Anci returned to the study. "Who was that person just now?"
" Yan Shuan's clansmen," Meng Anci's voice was slightly somber, "Now that Yan Shuan is no longer protecting them, they've vented all their resentment on me."
Meng Anzhi sneered, her eyes full of disdain, "A villain who sells ancient books, seizes farmland, and evades taxes has the nerve to call you a treacherous official."
No wonder my aunt always says, "There is no right or wrong in this world, it's just that people stand on different sides."
Meng Anci lowered her eyes to look at the table, then suddenly softened her tone, "Sister... I miss Auntie."
Meng Anzhi responded softly, "Me too..."
Since their mother passed away, the two of them had never been separated from their aunt at the same time; this was the first time.
The siblings exchanged a glance, their arrogant expressions instantly turning into ones of grievance.
The next day.
Zhou Xiaosi led his men to deliver two large carts of cotton-padded clothes, ginger soup, anti-freezing cream, and shoes and socks to the city gate government office, making quite a commotion and immediately attracting the attention of the guards.
The person in charge of receiving them was Tu Geng. Seeing such a large entourage, he couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Young man, what's this...?"
Zhou Xiaosi smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, "Yesterday, my young lady saw our elders off out of the city and saw all the brothers standing guard in the cold wind, their hands and feet red from the cold. She couldn't bear it, so she specially prepared some light clothing for them to keep warm and heal their wounds."
Tu Geng's gaze fell on the carriage, which had no markings except for the supplies. Then he looked at Zhou Xiaosi beside him, whose robe had the three characters " Anzhi Hall " embroidered on one corner.
He immediately understood... He had heard from the soldiers yesterday that Compiler Meng of the Hanlin Academy had been insulted at the city gate, and it was they who had taken the person to the government office.
Although the city gate guards and the Hanlin Academy were not part of the same system, they naturally had to give an official of the imperial court the respect due for being humiliated in the street.
Unexpectedly, Anzhi Hall sent two truckloads of supplies today, a gesture that speaks volumes.
The soldiers around the carriage were marveling at the sight. One of them exclaimed excitedly, "Boss... antifreeze ointment!" Before he could finish speaking, the medicine bottle was snatched from his hand.
The soldier eagerly opened it, sniffed it, and said with shining eyes, "It really is antifreeze... I have a fellow villager who's in the Qin Household Army. We met once, and he showed me this stuff. He treasured it like it was precious... I wouldn't even let him touch it. He said this stuff is in high demand in Qingzhou Prefecture, I never thought we'd get a chance!"
An older soldier next to him slapped him, saying, "Look at you, so pathetic." But as he said this, he secretly reached into the bottle, scooped out a piece, and carefully applied it to the frostbite.
Tu Geng observed this without speaking, a slight smile playing on his lips. He said gently to Zhou Xiaosi, "Thank you for your concern, Doctor Meng, and for going to such lengths."
"You're too kind, sir."
Zhou Xiaosi smiled modestly, then took two more packages from the car and handed them over with both hands. "My young lady specifically instructed that the two brothers on duty yesterday at Chenshi (7-9 AM) had been guarding the windy spot for a long time and had worked very hard. These things were prepared by my young lady separately so that they could warm themselves up and it's a small token of her respect."
Tu Geng looked to his side, and two soldiers immediately stepped forward happily to take the item. "Thank you for your hard work, young man. Please tell Doctor Meng that this is what we should do."
Zhou Xiaosi smiled and accepted the cloak handed to him by the shop assistant. He draped it over his shoulders to cover Anzhi Hall's embroidery pattern and said to Tu Geng, "I won't disturb the general's official business any longer." After saying this, he bowed and left.
The two soldiers, who had received the benefits, were extremely proud and told everyone they met, "See? If I hadn't had a sharp eye yesterday and recognized Lord Meng as a big fish at a glance, we wouldn't have gotten these benefits."
The other soldiers laughed and echoed, thinking that if they encountered anyone insulting Lord Meng again, they would be the first to rush forward.
Zhou Xiaosi returned to the Anzhi Hall.
Meng Anzhi was checking the account books in the study when she saw him come in and smiled, "Is it cold outside?"
"Thankfully... Master, everything is taken care of," he said, handing over a list. "Here are the items and prices."
Meng Anzhi nodded and accepted it. "Remember to prepare a copy for the city gates when the seasons change."
Zhou Xiaosi agreed and was about to leave when Meng Anzhi called him back, " Xiaosi... starting next month, you'll be going to the free clinic with me. It's time for you to start working independently."
Zhou Xiaosi's eyes lit up with joy. "Yes, Master."