"Yes, my parents are easier to handle, and grandfather's words are rarely doubted by my parents. But the people in the Duke's mansion are another story," Fu Xin Ci said with some dejection.
Meng Qing Ping, however, was not discouraged. He suddenly thought of someone. "Ci'er, let's pin this on Lord Yan."
Upon hearing his grandfather's words, Fu Xin Ci also felt it was feasible. "Lord Yan is a close minister of the Emperor. He has good things, so he won't be suspected."
"Even if he is suspected, no one dares to question him," Meng Qing Ping said triumphantly, hitting the nail on the head.
"Right, he's definitely taking the blame," Fu Xin Ci thought the same.
"Achoo." Yan Yi, who was still accompanying his younger cousin near Ningyuan City, sneezed loudly.
"Cousin, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, my nose just suddenly felt itchy." Yan Yi rubbed his nose and said indifferently.
He had no idea that a bold grandfather and granddaughter were plotting to make him take the blame.
After the grandfather and granddaughter had discussed their plan, they walked back as if nothing had happened. When they reached the donkey cart, Meng Qing Ping said somewhat dramatically, "Ci'er, grandfather suddenly remembered that good thing Lord Yan gave grandfather. It might be useful today."
"What good thing? Hurry up and show Ci'er, Grandfather."
"Wait a moment, Ci'er, grandfather will get it for you right away." After speaking, Meng Qing Ping, under the cover of darkness, took out a small bundle from the donkey cart.
Fu Xin Ci secretly gave her grandfather a thumbs-up. Although her grandfather's acting was a bit exaggerated, it was generally good. As for herself, the supporting role, there was nothing to say, after all, everyone's attention was on the bundle in her grandfather's hand, and no one cared about her, a child.
As for her grandfather saying that the mosquito net was a gift from Lord Yan, basically no one doubted it.
She figured that as long as they mentioned Lord Yan's name, no one would dare to doubt anything.
Who dared to question the big shot of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Wasn't that courting death?
...
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the grandfather and granddaughter worked together to fix the mosquito net onto the doors and windows.
"Wow, grandfather, this is really good." Yu'er was the first to exclaim, his little hands curiously touching this thing called a mosquito net.
The others were the same. Fu Yu was even more surprised than his son, "This thing is indeed good. Once it's installed on the windows and doors, no mosquitoes can get in."
Madam Li had seen a lot in her life, but this mosquito net was something she had never seen before. However, she said nothing.
It was a gift from Lord Yan, so it was better to say nothing. If she accidentally said something displeasing, she would be asking for trouble.
"Alright, everyone go inside, otherwise, you'll all be fed to the mosquitoes." Meng Qing Ping's words prompted everyone to enter the makeshift shelter one after another.
The shelter had two rooms, allowing men and women to sit separately on the ground.
The walls of the newly built shelter, smeared with grass and mud, were still damp, making the inside of the house feel humid.
However, no one complained. They were already used to living outdoors during their exile. Having such a place to shelter now was no different from the luxurious houses they had lived in before.
The night seemed very long. The young ladies from the Duke's mansion finally slept a peaceful sleep without worries.
Fu Xin Ci, however, could not sleep. She leaned against Madam Fang, her eyes closed, pretending to be asleep. In her mind, she was thinking about how much she could take out tomorrow when she went to town with her grandfather.
She had food in her space, cloth, oil, salt, vinegar, and tea. She also had canned meat and fish. As for farming tools, she wasn't sure if she had any.
When the apocalypse came, she had only focused on collecting food, clothing, and daily necessities. She had really not paid attention to farming tools.
However, she suddenly remembered something. After she had painstakingly run home, her parents were not there. In her grief, she had stored all the things in her house into her space, including the seeds and farming tools from her father's laboratory.
Just thinking about the farming tools her father used, Fu Xin Ci didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
She had grown up in the residential compound of the Agricultural Science Institute since she was a child and was no stranger to small harvesters and threshing machines.
It was just that she was now worried about how to get them out and use them. Fortunately, they had just arrived here, and those things wouldn't be needed for a while, so she still had time to come up with an excuse.
Speaking of what was immediate, it was food, clothing, and necessities. She had to think carefully about how to make her life more comfortable.
As a true foodie, she missed the days of eating to her heart's content without any distractions.
The phrase "without any distractions" seemed a bit inappropriate here, but she didn't care. She just wanted to have a good meal with her family, not to sneak food for herself.
In a daze, Fu Xin Ci seemed to hear the crowing of a rooster, and then her grandfather standing outside the window, softly calling her to wake up.
"Ci'er, hurry up and get up."
"Mm." Fu Xin Ci rubbed her eyes. Thinking that she had saved the step of putting on clothes, she then thought about how quickly their house would be built, and she wouldn't have to sleep sitting up every day.
However, glancing at the people still sleeping beside her, Fu Xin Ci felt that her idea would have to wait a while longer.
The grandfather and granddaughter rushed the donkey cart to the riverside under Fu Yu's somewhat worried gaze. Meng Qing Ping stopped the cart and got out with his granddaughter to wash their faces. He then waved to his son, signaling him not to worry.
The donkey cart moved forward along the dirt path, with a clear little river on one side and lush cornfields on the other.
Seeing that no one was around, Fu Xin Ci stuffed two plump, white steamed buns into her grandfather's hands. Without waiting for her grandfather to speak, she held one and took a big bite.
She had been craving this for days but had never had the chance. Today, she was out with her grandfather, and she was determined to eat her fill.
Meng Qing Ping was about to discuss with his granddaughter what would be worth buying today when he felt soft, warm, large steamed buns being stuffed into his palm.
Meng Qing Ping was momentarily dazed, looking at the white flour steamed buns in his hand. He turned his head and saw his granddaughter with her cheeks puffed out, happily eating.
Sensing her grandfather watching her, Fu Xin Ci looked up and said, "Grandfather, hurry up and eat while it's hot. These cabbage and pork stuffed buns are delicious." After speaking, Fu Xin Ci resumed her battle with the large buns.
Meng Qing Ping: ...
Seeing that her grandfather wasn't eating and was just watching her, Fu Xin Ci thought he was reluctant, so she said, "Grandfather, hurry up and eat. The old woman gave us a lot. We can take some out for my parents and Yu'er when we come back."
"Aye." Meng Qing Ping's heart ached, but he didn't say anything further. He just silently took a bite of the bun and then drove the donkey cart toward the garrison.
Qi He also woke up very early today. After washing up, he stood by the road below the garrison, waiting.