Chapter 382: It’s Better To Walk Ten Thousand Miles Than

Read Ten Thousand Books

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The Third Prince sneered. “Yes, yes, yes. Second Brother, you’re so powerful. You can afford to lose the ore and your face. You’re not embarrassed at all!”

Chernan slapped the table. “Cheryan! Don’t think that I don’t dare to beat you up!”

Third Prince Cheryan was not to be outdone. He rolled up his sleeves and began to show off his biceps. “Do you think I’m afraid of you?”

At this moment, the soldier who was still kneeling raised his head slowly.

“Th-th-the mine…”

The two princes turned to look at him at the same time. He immediately stuttered even more. “It was… destroyed…”

The corners of the mouths of the two people who were at loggerheads twitched at the same time. After a long time, Chernan finally said, “They destroy it just because they can’t get it? Great Xia’s soldiers are so ruthless! Great Xia’s Third Prince is so vicious!” As expected, none of them were good!

It was true that the soldiers of Great Xia could not bring too many ores with them, but they did not have such plans to begin with. The general decided to destroy the rest so the Xiongnu could forget about keeping them. They would be a scourge in the future.

Chernan could tolerate the destruction of only one mine, but the Great Xia soldiers did not stop their exploration just because of one victory. With Xiaoxiao’s full support, the second mine was also exposed to the weapons of the Great Xia soldiers.

At this moment, the negotiator sent by Great Xia had already quietly arrived at

the border city.

Xiaoxiao, who came out of the house after receiving the news, blinked and looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar face at the door. She called out in disbelief, “Big Brother?” Then, she cheered and rushed towards him with her arms open.

Ning Ansheng smiled and didn’t let her hug him. He only held her gently and let out a long sigh. “Sister has grown taller.

Xiaoxiao was rather dissatisfied. Her brother had grown up and he wasn’t even letting her hug him anymore!

Ning Ansheng tapped her forehead gently. “You’re already so old, yet you’re still acting cute. Be careful not to make everyone laugh at you.”

In the past, when Xiaoxiao’s identity was not publicized, he had carefully protected her and paid attention to his limits. Now that they were only siblings in name and she had plans to be engaged to the Third Prince… he naturally had to avoid close contact.

Of course, Xiaoxiao understood his intentions, so she simply bowed to his hand. “Yes, yes, yes. Little Sister will follow Big Brother’s teachings. Big Brother, how have Father, Mother, and Second Brother been recently?

Ning Ansheng nodded. “Mother’s tummy is showing now. An experienced midwife said that this pregnancy is stable and healthy. Father and Mother are very happy. They say every day that they hope to give birth to a cute and obedient daughter like you.”

“Father is farming for the officials. Every day, when he wakes up, he says that he suspects that he’s dreaming. The days when he couldn’t eat his fill are still vivid in his mind. Why did he suddenly start working for the officials?”

“The new batch of rice seeds should have been planted by now. According to County Magistrate Shen, all the farmers in Jiangnan will get new rice seeds by next year.”

“Your Second Brother is becoming more and more experienced as a shopkeeper. The more he runs his shop, the more convenient it is for him. He’s already thinking of opening another branch. Oh, in addition, our family is discussing marriage with Shopkeeper Qian’s family. Perhaps your Second Brother will get married when you go back.”

The place where they were chatting had unknowingly changed to the kitchen. While waiting for the food in the pot to cook, Xiaoxiao chose a bar stool and listened to her brother as she swung her feet. She only asked after he finished, “What about you?”

Xiaoxiao propped her chin on her hands and asked with a smile, “Are you feeling well? Was the journey tough? Are you used to eating the food? It s cold here. Did Big Brother bring thick clothes?”

Ning Ansheng’s heart felt warm. He even took out a new cotton coat from his bag. “I brought it. Mother heard that it was cold here and asked me to bring you one too.”

He looked at the expensive clothes on Xiaoxiao and saw that she had taken off her fur cloak without hesitation and changed into the new clothes he had brought. She even specially turned around. “Ah, it fits perfectly. These stitches are so dense. Mother must have made them, right? Aiya, she even embroidered little rabbits for me. They’re so cute!”

Everything seemed to have changed, but it also seemed to be the same as before. Ning Ansheng’s heart, which had been restless since Xiaoxiao left, was very calm now. He nodded and said, “Mm, it’s very cute.”

There was a light cough outside the door. Dean Lu walked in. “What did you cook? It smells so good!”

Xiaoxiao exclaimed, “So the person sent by the Imperial Court to negotiate is Dean Lu. Then I’ll wait to see Xiongnu suffer!”

Dean Lu deliberately pulled a long face. “Aren’t you afraid that an impatient old man like me will ruin the peace talks?”

Xiaoxiao raised a finger and shook it again and again. “It’s precisely because you’re impatient that you can’t be bothered to nag at those defeated opponents. Let them quickly admit defeat and accept their punishment, so that the soldiers of Great Xia won’t have to suffer and freeze in that bitter cold place.” Dean Lu chuckled. This girl really hit the nail on the head. He was really impatient to hear those Xiongnu barbarians spout nonsense.

Xiaoxiao continued, “I cooked some red bean porridge. It’s warm and nourishes the body. Dean Lu and Big Brother, have a bowl to relieve your fatigue first.” The two of them naturally would not decline. After eating and drinking their fill and adjusting their schedules, they still had to retort the Xiongnu in high spirits. Ah, no, they had to negotiate with the Xiongnu.

Dean Lu probed as he ate, “Girl, aren’t you worried that I’ll delay your brother’s studies by bringing him here?”

Xiaoxiao’s face was full of questions. “It’s better to travel thousands of miles than to read ten thousand books. You’re bringing my brother out to broaden his horizons and practice. Isn’t this much better than staying in the house and studying foolishly?”

Ning Ansheng gave Dean Lu a look that said, I told you my sister could understand. Then, he continued eating his porridge.

Before Ning Ansheng left home, his parents were worried that his studies would be delayed, so they made him explain for a long time. Dean Lu was so free on the road that he made a bet with him. Dean Lu believed that his sister would be very worried when they reached the border, while he didn’t. Ning Ansheng firmly despised such gambling behavior, but Dean Lu pretended to be deaf and dumb and wrote a note. If he won, Ning Ansheng would give him 10 small jars of pickled vegetables made by Xiaoxiao. If he lost, Ning Ansheng would not have to do his homework for five days.

At this moment, the bet was revealed. Dean Lu silently looked up at the sky and did not say a word about the outcome.

Ning Ansheng didn’t mind either. If he was such a lazy person, it was impossible for him to finish a book that others could only finish in two years in only half a year.

Of course, this was also because the study room at home was extremely efficient.

For some reason, he felt that time passed especially slowly as long as he studied in that room.

Dean Lu waited for a long time, but his little disciple did not speak. He, who should be smug, sighed. “Young man, you’re so mature. It’s not fun at all.” However, such a steady and disciplined disciple was more suitable for the royal court than anyone else.

“How’s the article I asked you to write yesterday?

Ning Ansheng swallowed the last mouthful of porridge in his mouth and said helplessly, “Teacher, the essay was assigned at midnight.

It was only seven o’clock in the morning currently, and the homework was assigned at midnight. Other than the time he slept on the way, he had been awake for less than four hours.

Delight appeared on Dean Lu’s face, but he forcefully suppressed it and changed it to a straight face. You haven’t thought it through? Then let me, as a teacher, teach you, my disciple, a lesson! Teach him what time is precious and what…

Ning Ansheng said, “Therefore, I only have some superficial thoughts. I’ll tell Teacher after I wash the bowls and chopsticks. Please sit here for a while..