Jin Xiaolou twitched the corner of his mouth, thinking to himself, you've only guessed a part of it...
First of all, how could Fusang Country be described as merely 'far' from Daliang?
It was incredibly distant.
It would take at least one to two months to reach it by boat, and if they encountered strong winds and rough seas, they could even be adrift for half a year to a year...
Secondly, although his country was an island nation, it wasn't that small, was it?
According to the map's scale, it was at least as big as an egg...
Jin Xiaolou said nothing, only smiled and nodded.
"Since Brother Daman and Brother Erman are both tied up, I'll take on the task of escorting Xiaolou home!" Xiao Jinheng volunteered.
As he finished speaking, he cautioned Jin Xiaolou, "Remember, once you get home, be sure to write a letter to your uncle, aunt, and family to let them know you're safe..."
Jin Xiaolou: "???"
The little crown prince wasn't very concerned about other matters, but he was particularly insistent on his returning home, as if he couldn't wait for him to leave...
Little Xi Tian propped her chin with her hands, her big eyes darting between Xiao Jinheng and Jin Xiaolou, unable to contain her amusement.
That brat was jealous.
Only by sending Brother Xiaolou home could that brat stay by her side without any reservations...
Sigh, Little Xi Tian had seen through this little trick long ago.
"Okay, I'll write a letter!" Jin Xiaolou replied.
So, after breakfast, the Yun family became busy again, helping Jin Xiaolou pack his belongings...
Having stayed at the Yun family's for quite some time, and being an obedient and sensible child, Madam Gu and Old Man Yun had long since treated him as their own grandson.
When a grandson travels far, he needs to bring quite a few things...
Moreover, Fusang Country was so far away, and it was uncertain whether Jin Xiaolou would be able to return to Dashui Village in the future.
Therefore, this parting might be their last meeting.
Zhao Guihua had gone to the county town to manage the shop, leaving only Huaihua and Du Tieshan, the two capable women. With a little packing, they prepared half a cartload of items...
The next morning, outside the Yun family's gate.
"Daman, Erman, you two oafs, hurry up and help me lift this barrel of milk onto the cart!" Old Man Yun, hunched over, lifted a large barrel of milk, intending for Jin Xiaolou to drink it on his journey.
Daman and Erman saw this and quickly ran over, lifting the heavy wooden barrel onto the cart...
Jin Xiaolou chuckled, "Uncle, it's warmer now, and this cart is loaded with so much milk, I can't possibly drink it all before it spoils!~"
"It's fine, it's fine, don't eat anything else for a few days, just drink milk for all your meals. This stuff is very nutritious, haha!" Old Man Yun patted Jin Xiaolou's shoulder, his face full of reluctance.
Jin Xiaolou also glanced towards the courtyard, finally resting his gaze on Little Xi Tian and smiling faintly...
Sister Xi Tian, wait for me, you must wait for me.
Seeing Jin Xiaolou staring intently at the little village girl, Xiao Jinheng stepped forward to block his view. "The things are ready. I'll have Xiao Ying and Xiao Jun escort you back to Fusang Country. They will protect your safety on the way. Please get in the carriage!~"
Jin Xiaolou: "......"
This wasn't an escort anymore; it was a dismissal!
Little Xi Tian stood on the steps and waved to Jin Xiaolou, "Brother Xiaolou, I have a few words I want to say to you!"
Jin Xiaolou's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he quickly ran over...
Little Xi Tian led him into the cow shed. Seeing that no one followed, she asked Jin Xiaolou, "Brother Xiaolou, can you tell me your identity now? Since we're parting, and I don't know when we'll meet again, I, I don't want to always treat you as a mysterious stranger..."
Jin Xiaolou's identity was different from Xiao Jinheng's. Because Xiao Jinheng had lived in Dashui Village since childhood, and Marquis Gu often visited him, he would naturally notice discrepancies after staying for a while.
But Jin Xiaolou came from a foreign land, with blonde hair and blue eyes, and he didn't talk much. Besides working diligently, he usually stayed by Little Xi Tian's side, listening to her chatter. Jin Xiaolou, however, had never voluntarily spoken about his background...
"Sister Xi Tian!~" Jin Xiaolou squeezed Little Xi Tian's chubby face and said with a smile, "We will meet again. Believe me, when that time comes, I will tell you all my secrets!"
It was still too early to say now, because the chaos in Fusang Country was no less than that in Daliang Country...
As the saying goes, the crescent moon shines over the nine provinces; some families rejoice, while others grieve. Everyone has their troubles.
Jin Xiaolou's return home this time was to deal with internal royal affairs. After the world was peaceful, he would repay the old Yun family...
Little Xi Tian pouted and said, "Oh," then cautioned, "Then, you must be careful on your journey. I heard that there are pirates who roam the seas all year round. You must stay far away from them if you encounter them, and don't be stubborn!~"
"Okay, I'll do as Sister Xi Tian says." Jin Xiaolou's smile was brilliant.
At this moment, Xiao Ying's loud voice came from outside the door, "It's time to go, time to go! Oh, this is killing me. I'm a landlubber, and I have to take a boat across the sea. Isn't this a setup?..."
Xiao Jinheng glanced at him after hearing this, "If you don't want to go, then get down. No one is forcing you!~"
Xiao Ying's face startled, and he quickly jumped off the carriage, cupping his hands in apology, "I, I didn't mean it like that!"
"Protect him well!" Xiao Jinheng said with a dark little face, "If anything happens to him, I'll hold both of you accountable!"
If Jin Xiaolou had any mishap, the little village girl would be heartbroken.
Xiao Jinheng did not want to see that girl secretly shed tears.
Xiao Ying: "......"
Xiao Jun: "......"
Your Highness the Crown Prince, you are truly affectionate.
The order had been given, and even if they had to go through mountains of knives and seas of fire, the two of them had to escort Jin Xiaolou.
"Aunt, Uncle, Sister Xi Tian, take care!~"
Jin Xiaolou, sitting in the carriage, poked his head out, waving goodbye repeatedly to the Yun family.
Gao Jingde, holding Yun Xiaobao's hand, was crying like a river.
Brother Xiaolou was gone, and no one would play with them anymore...
Old Man Yun and Madam Gu's hearts also ached. Xiaolou was not their Yun family's child after all, just like a migrating bird, he would leave sooner or later.
At the village entrance, Magistrate Chen stood in front of the newly built windmill, laughing heartily.
"Haha, it's built! This windmill is bigger than my in-laws', enough for the villagers to grind grain..."
Magistrate Chen said, taking out a map from his sleeve, "Besides Dashui Village, there are also Xinwang Village, Laoniu Tun, Diwaguazi, and Daliushu Village!~"
As long as he built windmills in these villages, he could report to His Highness the Crown Prince.
Magistrate Chen was secretly pleased when he suddenly saw a rough carriage driving towards him...