EBE Chapter 432 Envy
Chapter 432 Envy
Lin Xiaotang was a little confused, "Didn't we write a letter telling you we would be back in the next few days?"
The bearded man stepped forward excitedly, "Alas, all of us combined can't recognize even half of the words in the letter, and we dare not ask the people in the town down the mountain to help us read it, so we still don't know what the letter says."
Scarface blushed, a rare occurrence for him, and nodded, saying, "That's exactly what Beard said."
That's it!
They couldn't read all the words on the letter, so they naturally didn't know that she and Huo Qi had returned these past few days. They must have all thought that they had gone to the capital and wouldn't be coming back, which is why they were incredulous when they saw them, as if they had seen a ghost.
Huo Qi covered his mouth and smiled, finding the bandit brothers on the mountain somewhat adorable for the first time.
He said, "If Xiao Tang, a young girl, is so loyal, how could I not come back?"
Lin Xiaotang and Huo Qi exchanged a smile. "We've already said we'd help everyone get rich, so we'll definitely be back. We have to keep our word."
Everyone was very happy, and the unpleasantness from before, caused by everyone betting on whether the two would return, was swept away.
Scarface ordered everyone to go out hunting, fishing, picking mushrooms, and gathering wild vegetables to cook dinner. In short, everything had to be fresh and plentiful.
Lin Xiaotang said, "Uncle Huo and I bought a carriage and loaded it with a lot of things. The carriage is parked in the woods at the foot of the mountain. Everyone, come down the mountain with us to get them."
“You two have been through a bumpy ride, how can you go down the mountain again? What if you get tired? The brothers are strong, so leave this to the brothers.”
The bearded man patted his chest and declared that he would lead his men down the mountain to retrieve the items.
I don't know how they did it, but they not only brought the things back, but they even managed to get the carriage up the mountain.
When everyone learned that Lin Xiaotang and Huo Qi had not only brought back many farm tools, but also grain and food, they cheered with joy.
In the evening, everyone gathered around to eat, enjoying large portions of meat and drinks. Many people remarked that life was getting better and better.
“If it were before, I would never have imagined that we could eat meat and vegetables every meal and live such a comfortable and peaceful life.”
"Haha, who can disagree? In the past, we didn't know where our next meal would come from. We were always worried when we brought back any money, and we were always hungry. We also had bad tempers."
"Hey, Huo Qi, where did you and Xiao Tang get the money to buy such good wine and food? These must be expensive, right?"
Huo Qi had a faint smile on his face as he explained, "Don't underestimate these dishes and wines. They're from Mingcui Tower, the most famous restaurant in the capital. Countless high-ranking officials and nobles vie to go there, and these are all their signature dishes. How could they not be delicious?"
What?
Mingcuilou is the most famous restaurant in Beijing. How expensive must these dishes be?
The crowd erupted in discussion.
"My God, the food and wine that Huo Qi and Xiao Tang brought back from the capital are from the most famous Mingcui Tower! We're eating the same food and drinking the same wine as those high-ranking officials and nobles. Doesn't that mean we're living the life of the rich today?"
"But where did Huo Qi and Xiao Tang get the money to buy such good food and wine?"
"Not only that, the two of them also brought back a lot of farm tools, which will make it much easier for us to work in the fields."
Huo Qi said, "You guys don't know this, do you? Xiao Tang's family owns a restaurant. Xiao Tang is the restaurant owner's daughter, so she's considered a golden branch and jade leaf. These dishes and wine were prepared by her father for us before we left."
Someone exclaimed, "My God, so Xiao Tang is a rich girl! We could just kidnap her and have her teach us how to grow medicinal herbs, but to make her work with us is just making her suffer with us!"
"That's right, that's right. Those rich girls never leave their homes and are always accompanied by maids and servants when they go out. Compared to them, Xiaotang has no airs of a young lady at all and is not spoiled at all."
"If it weren't for Xiaotang, we wouldn't have the good life we have now."
"Xiao Tang is a fairy sent by the gods to help us. From now on, whatever Xiao Tang says, we brothers will do it without hesitation."
"Mmm, delicious! This dish is really tasty, and this wine is also very good. This is the most expensive dish I've ever eaten and the most expensive wine I've ever drunk in my life."
I haven't spent any money yet.
"..."
"..."
Everyone chimed in, mostly praising Xiaotang and expressing their feelings about their current lives.
Scarface looked Lin Xiaotang up and down with a complicated expression. He said, "I always thought I was good at judging people, but I never thought I'd be wrong. Xiaotang, it's really unexpected that you have such a background. You must have had a hard time these past few days."
Lin Xiaotang smiled and said, "My family also came from a farming background. Later, our business started to take off, and we've only gotten better and better ever since. Nothing is achieved overnight. As long as we're united, with so many of us, why should we worry about not getting rich?"
"You're right. With your brains leading everyone, we're sure to get rich."
Scarface raised his glass to toast Xiaotang, but then suddenly remembered that Xiaotang was a young girl, so he immediately poured her a cup of tea.
"Since you're too young to drink alcohol, let's have tea instead and have a toast."
After Lin Xiaotang and Scarface toasted, she quietly told him the good news that Huo Qi had been exonerated and was innocent.
Scarface was stunned for a moment after hearing this, but when he came to his senses, he immediately burst into laughter, his eyes full of joy.
He patted Huo Qi on the shoulder, "Huo Qi, congratulations, your big brother has to have a drink with you."
Huo Qi immediately filled his glass and toasted his elder brother.
"Brother Xie has given me a place to stay these past few years. I am deeply grateful, and all my gratitude is expressed in this drink."
Scarface frowned, somewhat displeased. "You call yourself a scholar? Your words are making people uncomfortable. Why are you being so polite, as if you're about to leave?"
Huo Qi shook his head with a smile, "I'm counting on getting rich by following you and Xiao Tang. Where else can we go? If Xiao Tang doesn't leave, I naturally won't leave either."
The bearded man was completely confused, not understanding why his older brother and Huo Qi were suddenly talking about this. He scratched his head and asked, "Brother, has Huo Qi found a good place to go?"
After hesitating for a moment, Scarface shared the good news with everyone.
"It's not just good news, it's a great joy! Huo Qi has been exonerated. He has been cleared of his name and his wrongful conviction has been overturned. He is no longer a fugitive, but an innocent person. Like Xiao Tang, he can live an upright life. As long as he has a travel permit, he can travel to any place normally."
No more worries about being wanted or arrested!
The lively atmosphere at the several tables instantly fell silent, and everyone cast envious glances at Huo Qi.
The bearded man was simple-minded. He spoke first, "Congratulations, Brother Huo. Your trip was worthwhile. From now on, you'll be a respectable scholar. Who knows, you might even become the top scholar in next year's imperial examination. I'll toast you."
Huo Qi shook his head and chuckled, "After being wrongly accused for so many years, I've long since realized that officialdom isn't for me. This life here is much more comfortable. I just want to get rich with Xiao Tang and my brothers."
"It's good to get rich. If you're willing to stay, we brothers can still be together. Of course I'm happy about that, and my older brothers are happy too."
The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.