Xiao Xi Tian sat up, her expression serious. "What do you think about asking Sister-in-law Shan Shan to help?"
Sister-in-law Shan Shan was skillful and diligent. If she could come to the snack shop, Xiao Xi Tian wouldn't have to worry about anything...
Jin Xiao Lou was surprised. "Sister Xi Tian, you want Sister-in-law Shan Shan to be a shop assistant?"
This seemed a bit unreliable.
It would be one thing if she helped out without pay, but if she was hired to do odd jobs, she might not be willing...
Xiao Xi Tian rolled her eyes. "Oh, I want Sister-in-law Shan Shan to be the shopkeeper. She's literate and knows how to handle things. If I hand the shop over to her, I can free myself up to do other things!~"
Du Tie Shan was a very smart person, quick-witted and good at socializing. If Xiao Xi Tian taught her the methods for making snacks, she would learn them all in less than half a month...
Besides, Du Tie Shan had been unwilling to partner with Zhao Gui Hua to open a restaurant. If she were to manage the snack shop alone, she should agree to it now.
"If that's the case, then Sister-in-law Shan Shan is indeed very suitable..." Jin Xiao Lou murmured.
The sisters-in-law had no financial dealings with each other; they each managed their own affairs and handed over the earned money to Madam Gu.
Xiao Xi Tian jumped down from the table and patted her skirt. "I'm going home. I heard Xue Ling is sick, and I need to go check on her!~"
Since Yun Gui Fang opened, she had been living with her elder sister-in-law in the single-story building in the backyard. She hadn't even had a chance to see Uncle Guan off when he left...
"Then I'll take you!"
The two got into the carriage, first going to Jin Xiang Academy to give Yun Jin Shan some pocket money, and then set off for Da Shui Village.
At the same time, outside the old Yun family's house, a man on a fine horse arrived, covered in dust...
He looked up at the plaque and was so overcome with emotion that tears welled up. "Wuwuwu, I've finally arrived!~"
This person was Steward Zhou, who had rushed over from the Marquis's mansion in the capital.
The old Marquis had been kidnapped, and his fate was unknown. He urgently needed to see the young master so that the young master could send people to rescue the old Marquis...
Yun Er Man was chopping firewood in front of the woodshed when he suddenly heard a wailing sound. "Young Master Yan'er, wu wu, please come out quickly, something big has happened in the capital, Young Master Yan'er!~"
Yun Er Man: "..."
Who was this, running into the yard without even knocking?
Before Yun Er Man could stop him, Qing Lan beat him to it and intercepted Steward Zhou. "What are you shouting about? The young master is resting in the guest room. What if you disturb him?"
Steward Zhou heard this and stomped his feet anxiously. "Rest? The master has been kidnapped! Before they left, the assassins said that if the young master doesn't hand over Princess Jiao Er, they'll... they'll kill him!~"
Steward Zhou's journey had been arduous. His feet had developed chilblains from the cold, and one of his horses had died of exhaustion halfway.
In the guest room, Gu Ming Yan suddenly sat up, got out of bed, put on his shoes, and pushed open the door. "Come in!~"
Xiao Jin Feng's guest room was next to Gu Ming Yan's. Hearing the commotion, he also hurried over to eavesdrop...
"Tell me, what exactly happened?" Gu Ming Yan narrowed his eyes and stared coldly at Steward Zhou. "My father was fine at home, so why was he kidnapped by assassins? What were the guards in the mansion doing? They couldn't even protect an old man?"
Steward Zhou: "..."
The key was that the master didn't allow the guards to protect him; he insisted on fighting the assassins himself.
"Young Master, it's, it's this servant's negligence that led to the master being kidnapped. They specifically asked the young master to bring Princess Jiao Er to the capital. If he doesn't comply, the master's life may be in danger..." Steward Zhou sighed.
Upon hearing this, Gu Ming Yan curved his lips and sneered, "Heh, I presume it's Khan Han Chi Er who sent people to rescue his daughter. To use such despicable means to threaten this Marquis, they are truly audacious!~"
Harm should not extend to family. Didn't Khan Han Chi Er understand this principle?
"Marquis Gu!" Xiao Jin Feng sat on a chair with his legs crossed and said with a sneer, "If I remember correctly, you were the one who sent people to kidnap Princess Han. Were your methods any cleaner?"
How interesting, this Marquis of Pingyang was such a hypocrite...
"Your Highness Ming, please be careful with your words!" Gu Ming Yan frowned. "It was my subordinate's incompetence that led to the capture of Princess Han. I didn't intend to use Khan Han Chi Er's family as a bargaining chip at the time!"
"Is that so?" Xiao Jin Feng blinked and looked at Steward Zhou. "Since Old Marquis Gu has been kidnapped by the barbarians, you've lost your bargaining chip. I wonder what Marquis Gu plans to do next?"
Gu Ming Yan: "..."
This annoying fellow, why are you meddling in our Marquis's affairs?
"I heard that although the barbarian army has retreated to the Lingbei region, they will launch a full-scale attack when spring arrives. If Marquis Gu believes that one Princess Han can change the entire war situation, then your idea is too naive and simplistic..."
As Xiao Jin Feng spoke, he slowly stood up and walked in front of Gu Ming Yan. "You must know that our Liang Kingdom is vast and resource-rich, far superior to the grasslands. In the face of such immense temptation and profit, will Khan Han Chi Er choose his daughter or the entire Liang Dynasty?"
Gu Ming Yan: "..."
He had to admit that Xiao Jin Feng had stumped him.
This matter was like a marriage alliance between two countries.
Even if the emperor was reluctant to part with his daughter, he had to marry off his princess to another country for the sake of national stability and various interests...
For an ambitious person like Han Chi Er, what was sacrificing a daughter if it meant occupying the territory of the Liang Kingdom?
"I really didn't expect that Your Highness Ming could see things so clearly!~" Gu Ming Yan smiled faintly.
Xiao Jin Feng raised his chin. "Of course. Do you think I'm a useless person?"
"To be honest, that's exactly what I think!" Gu Ming Yan said, infuriatingly.
Xiao Jin Feng: "..."
You trash.
Gu Ming Yan stood up and instructed Qing Lan, "Prepare the horses. We're going back to the capital. Leave the rest of the manpower in Da Shui Village to guard Princess Han!~"
Qing Lan: "???"
What did he mean? Why were only the two of them going back to the capital?
"Mar... Marquis, aren't you going to bring Princess Han along?" Qing Lan asked in surprise.
The assassins had specifically asked to see Han Chi Jiao. Why was the Marquis doing the opposite?
Gu Ming Yan narrowed his eyes. "Without Princess Han, I can still rescue my father..."
Han Chi Yan, who was far away in an inn in the capital, suddenly felt a chill down his spine and his scalp tingled.