Tuoba Yan's eyes flashed with surprise, then a hint of disappointment. "Hmm, everything will be as Ah Jiu dictates."
"Giddy up!"
By the time the horses left the city, it was dusk. The carts, ox carts, and mule carts piled at the gate were less than half of what they had been earlier.
Some households without any adult males still lingered by the city gate, reluctant to leave.
Ah Jiu spotted their ox cart from afar.
"Let me down." Ah Jiu struggled impatiently. Tuoba Yan lifted her down from his horse.
Ah Jiu hurried to show the person at the gate the document.
"Wasn't it supposed to be a godson? Now it's a son-in-law?" Everyone could tell this was a solution the girl had just come up with.
Yet, this young lady truly didn't take her own marriage seriously.
Ah Jiu said nothing, presenting a "you decide, I have the proof" demeanor.
"Let's go." The official, with a look of helplessness, returned the marriage certificate to Ah Jiu.
Ah Jiu folded it and tucked it into her embrace, then ran towards their ox cart. "Dad, Mom, it's done! Hurry, or the city gate will be locked soon."
"Really? What solution did you think of?" Cai Lihua's eyes were swollen from crying. Now that she knew her husband was safe, she quickly wiped her eyes.
"Anyway, I found a way, and Dad doesn't have to join the army." Ah Jiu couldn't stop smiling with joy.
"Alright, let's go, we're entering the city now." Meng Shaode quickly grabbed the ox rope.
The old ox slowly pulled the cart towards the city gate.
Tuoba Yan escorted them to the entrance of the Hualán Medical Hall and looked deeply at Ah Jiu. "Little Yan, I'm leaving now. I have duties to attend to with the boss."
"Xiao Yan, thank you this time. If you're not leaving the city for now, feel free to visit often."
Meng Shaode sincerely believed Tuoba Yan had helped them, especially since he was an official now.
"Be careful." Ah Jiu said these words with her head bowed, feeling as though she had used him.
However, she had also stated upfront that if Tuoba Yan were to marry one day, she would be ready with a letter of divorce.
Besides, men having three wives and four concubines wouldn't cause much trouble, though it would significantly impact the woman. Regardless, this method solved their urgent problem, and she accepted it.
"Alright, Ah Jiu sister, take care." He then tightened the reins and rode away.
Tongzi was naturally overjoyed. He had been in charge at the clinic lately, and patients knew that the Liu family was treating people at the Yi Zhuang.
Therefore, everyone only came to get medicine and not to see a doctor.
People often inquired about the situation there, and Tongzi would talk enthusiastically about the patients, mentioning that hundreds had already recovered.
But all of this was thanks to Miss Jiu, which had preserved the reputation of the Hualán Medical Hall.
"Uncle, Aunt, there are plenty of rooms in the backyard, choose whichever you like." Tongzi welcomed them and hurried to the kitchen to prepare food.
"The rainwater I collected last time, I've been saving it for myself. There's still half a cistern left. Tongzi will make something for everyone later."
"Alright, and by the way, Lihua, we have white flour. Bring it over, let everyone have a taste." Meng Shaode saw his daughter's pale face and thought she was tired.
"Ah Jiu, you go rest."
"Okay." Cai Lihua and Mao Junlan, both women, carried the flour sacks into the kitchen.
The two children wandered around the backyard curiously.
"Today, we're going to have a good meal. Sister-in-law, go get our tea seed oil. Add plenty today, don't be stingy. Oh, and our salt too."
Cai Lihua's face was beaming with joy.
"Aunt, you're going to cook yourself again?" Tongzi put down the fire poker he was holding. "Then I'm in for a treat today."
"Of course. You've been traveling for so long, you need to replenish your strength." Cai Lihua said cheerfully.
"What can I help with then?" Tongzi had witnessed Aunt's cooking skills and knew that once she took charge, others could barely intervene.
"You? Forget about other things. Go help me find my mother-in-law, I don't know where she's wandered off to again." Cai Lihua's head felt like it was about to explode whenever she thought of her mother-in-law. Just a few days ago, she had been spewing nonsense with her daughter.
"Right, on the roof, on the main beam, look everywhere."