Chapter 142 (2/2)

Yu Xiaocao rolled her eyes at him . ‘Am I really your biological daughter, you silly man?’

Fang Zizhen’s a.s.sistant went to the prefectural city’s most famous breakfast stand in the morning and took back some takeout for them . Xiaocao and her father also benefited from this . They both got to eat Jinwei Prefectural City’s most famous soup dumplings and Erduoyan fried rice cakes . Xiaocao felt extremely satisfied afterwards . This trip was worth it in her mind as she had gotten try a lot of snacks that were hard to find in Tanggu Town!

When he found out that Zhao Han needed to go to the prefectural magistrate’s residence to deliver the wild geese, Fang Zizhen instructed his subordinate, Li Li, to go with them .

With someone with them, it was easier to finish the errand . The prefectural magistrate had recognized Li Li as an attendant of the Zhaoyong General, so he personally received them . When he saw the two sleek and plump, large geese, he was extremely pleased . In addition, the two people in front of him were recommended by the Zhaoyong General himself, so he naturally wouldn’t treat them unfairly . He ended up buying the two geese for around a hundred taels total!

Zhao Han went according to the deal he had struck at the time with Xiaocao and gave her half of the money he received . Xiaocao didn’t need these fifty taels at this time and graciously said, “Brother Han, you were the one who contacted the buyer and found the geese . I only helped you with some minor tasks, so how could I possibly take your money?”

Zhao Han adamantly refused to take back the money and added, “If it wasn’t for your secret bait, I would not have been able to trap these two geese so easily . Let me tell you, capturing a live goose is many times more difficult than killing one . Although my archery skills are quite good, I can’t guarantee that I would be able to take down a goose completely intact! That being said, you were the one who helped raise the geese at home . After being there for so many days, I doubt anyone besides you could take such good care of these geese . You deserve this money! If you don’t take it, then I’ll take it as you looking down on your Brother Han!”

After he said that, Yu Xiaocao really couldn’t refuse anymore . She had no choice but to take the money and said, “Alright, then I’ll take the money!”

A simple stroll to the prefectural magistrate’s home meant that she made all the money she needed to go shopping in the city! Yu Xiaocao shopped around like a fiend for the rest of the day . At noon, she ate at a pretty good tavern for lunch and tried several dishes that were specialties of Jinwei City . After one day in the city, she managed to buy a lot of things . If she wasn’t afraid that she wouldn’t be able to haul more stuff home, Xiaocao likely would have spent all fifty taels in one day!

The next day, early in the morning, the group of people proceeded to go back home . They had arrived in the city with four but they were going home with three additional people——Fang Zizhen and his two subordinates .

On the whole way there, Fang Zizhen was antsy, wis.h.i.+ng that they could immediately appear in Dongshan Village . His equestrian skills were quite good, and he was riding a horse that was one of the finest steeds available . When he saw Xiaocao and the others not in a hurry, he couldn’t help but propose, “Xiaofan! How about . . . the two of us head off first . With Li Li and the other a.s.sistant staying with them, we don’t need to worry about Xiaohan’s and the others’ safety . ”

Zhao Bufan laughed brightly, “Okay! Older Martial Brother Zizhen, let’s see who’s better at riding! On behalf of my father, I’ll check to see if you’ve been slacking on your horsemans.h.i.+p all these years, alright?”

Fang Zizhen felt like he was back in the past, with a ten year old Little Bufan . The youth loved to compete horsemans.h.i.+p skills with him and would even snivel when he lost!

“Haha . . . okay! Xiaofan, your martial brother is not going to go easy on you ah! If you lose, you’re not allowed to cry!!” Fang Zizhen laughed in a teasing manner .

Zhao Bufan felt his old face flush red and caught sight of his son sn.i.g.g.e.ring at him . He spoke to his martial brother, “No need to bring back old events of the past! People often say: a soldier can change a lot in three days, enough to change your perspective! Almost thirty years have pa.s.sed and your younger martial brother has never slacked on his archery and horsemans.h.i.+p skills!”

“With Master around, even if you wanted to slack you wouldn’t be able to!! A strict teacher will have brilliant students, I firmly believe, Xiaofan, that you will be able to astonish me with your skills . Let’s go!” Fang Zizhen made sure to leave him some face and didn’t bring up all of his awkward childhood incidents of the past .

The two of them bolted off, leaving dust in their trail . Yu Xiaocao watched their strong and healthy figures rapidly disappearing in the distance and felt extremely envious . Galloping swiftly on horseback looked extremely carefree, and she also wanted to experience it for herself . However, with her tiny body and poor riding skills, it was likely that she would never be able to try .

Zhao Han had a gentle smile on his face as he looked at her, as if he could tell what she was harboring in her heart . He proposed, “How about this, I could bring you along on a gallop?”

Yu Xiaocao was just about to accept the offer when her father pitilessly stopped her, “Not okay! Men and women should not have physical contact! Cao’er, if you want to ride a horse, Father can take you along!”

Yu Xiaocao pouted and shook her head sulkily . Her father’s equestrianism was not much better than her own . He couldn’t go faster than Little Gray!

“Little Gray, go faster! Father, if you can keep up with me, then you can bring up riding with you again!” Xiaocao gently squeezed the little donkey’s abdomen with her legs, and Little Gray immediately stretched out its legs and started to run .

Xiaocao could hear the wind rus.h.i.+ng by her ears as the trees on the sides of the road whipped by . Her clothing, with its wide sleeves and fluttering pant legs, fluttered in the wind . . . a peel of silvery laughter came out of her and colored the surroundings .

“Eh? This little donkey’s speed is actually not bad . ” Li Li exclaimed in admiration as his eyes opened wide in astonishment . An ordinary donkey would not be able to run so fast . But no matter how hard he looked, this drably gray donkey didn’t have any distinguis.h.i.+ng features ah!

[1] Zhaoyong General (昭勇将军) - Zhaoyong means bright and courageous .

<hr>