OFTLHFRO C75

Chapter 75 A Visit

With Master Mo’s letter of recommendation, the registration process went very smoothly.

It was expected that a lot of money would be required, but it turned out to be only three taels of silver.

This was a price Luo Mingchen could manage; take the exam, gain some experience, and perhaps next time he might pass.

So, it was quite cost-effective.

Finding a large cloth shop, Luo Mingchen planned to buy ready-made clothing directly.

In fact, buying cloth would be much more economical.

But Huo Yan couldn’t make clothes, and neither could Luo Mingchen; hiring someone else would be difficult. Even though ready-made garments were considerably more expensive, that was money the cloth shop deserved to earn.

Aside from Huo Xinyue, it was four sets of clothes per person—two thicker autumn outfits and two winter outfits.

Luo Mingchen bought eight sets of clothes for Huo Xinyue—not out of favoritism, but because the two boys were growing too fast; better to let them wear what they had now and buy more when they outgrew them.

As for Huo Xinyue, she walked unsteadily and often fell; it was fine on dry days, but when it rained, her clothes would get dirty and wouldn’t dry quickly, so it was better to buy extra spares.

Walking down the street, Huo Xiang said to Luo Mingchen, “Little Daddy, I can actually wear my brother’s clothes.”

“That would be too unfair to you.”

Luo Mingchen rubbed his little head. “Don’t worry, we have money to buy new clothes.”

Although Luo Mingchen tended to be frugal, he never skimped where money should be spent.

Some might think it unnecessary, saying boys are tough and can make do with whatever.

But Luo Mingchen had grown up as a child once, too. Most of his clothes had been hand-me-downs, and seeing classmates in new outfits had made him envious beyond words.

Especially since Huo Yuhui and Huo Xiang studied at the same academy, children would compare; if they were mocked over such things, it might leave psychological scars.

And Luo Mingchen didn’t want Huo Xiang to look back on this one day and feel regret, as he did.

Most importantly, they weren’t short of money.

Besides winter clothes, they also needed to buy some gifts to bring home.

Xiao Lin and Hua Niang had already found a new residence—a large house purchased at great expense that needed little repair—and said they would move in a few days.

“What gifts should we buy?”

Luo Mingchen rarely gave gifts; in the past, he had only sent a few to the master who taught him cooking, but then the apocalypse struck, the master turned into a zombie, and someone put a spike through his head…

“Buy anything simple. Bowls are good.”

Huo Yan’s words pulled Luo Mingchen out of his thoughts.

“Just bowls?” Luo Mingchen asked, puzzled.

Huo Yan thought for a moment. “Then add some chopsticks?”

The couple stared at each other for a while.

Suddenly, Luo Mingchen felt that asking Huo Yan was worse than just choosing things himself.

After buying a stack of bowls and chopsticks, Luo Mingchen tried to recall what Xiao Lin liked and realized he didn’t know. He asked Huo Yan, who bluntly replied, “Money.”

The corner of Luo Mingchen’s mouth twitched, and he rolled his eyes. “No kidding. I like money too. The God of Wealth is my favorite deity.”

Huo Yan said helplessly, “Send some fruit, and with the bowls and chopsticks, that will do.”

“Aren’t the two of you close? Just that?”

Xiao Lin had picked several treasures from his big stash and given them to the five of them, after all.

Especially with Huo Xinyue—who didn’t understand such matters and only knew they had told her to accept Xiao Lin’s gifts—when Xiao Lin teased her with hairpins and jade bracelets, she accepted them and wouldn’t give them back.

For such a friend, they were giving only bowls, chopsticks, and fruit when he moved into a new house?!

It sounded ridiculous just thinking about it!

After a moment’s thought, Huo Yan said, “Then include nine taels of silver, wishing him and Hua Niang a long, long life together—guaranteed to make him grin from ear to ear.”

Luo Mingchen: “…”

The three children watched them discuss this on a street corner for a long time before they finally decided to buy some rouge and face powder for Hua Niang as well.

At the shop, noticing Huo Xinyue staring unblinkingly at a box of rouge, Luo Mingchen chuckled and bought it for her.

She couldn’t use it now, but she could in the future; besides, stored away in the space, it wouldn’t spoil.

After that, they also bought a few hair ribbons, mainly for Huo Xinyue.

Though Luo Mingchen didn’t know how to do hair buns, Huo Yuhui did.

They picked up several ribbons in different colors to match various outfits.

After making a big loop around the market and buying plenty of things, the family headed home.

At the gate, Luo Mingchen saw Old Master Ming’s carriage parked there. Curious, he got down from their cart and walked over. “Steward, is something the matter?”

Seeing them return, the steward smiled. “Master Luo, my master and the young master have questions to ask.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the carriage curtain was lifted by Ming Yuanjing, who grinned and called out, “Little Uncle!”

Luo Mingchen liked this round-headed, simple-minded boy very much and smiled in response. “Hey there. Shall we go inside to talk?”

Old Master Ming, sitting in the carriage, raised his hand and fondly rubbed his grandson’s head. “Forgive the intrusion.”

“Think nothing of it,” said Luo Mingchen, then went to open the door.

The carriage couldn’t pass through the main gate. After they entered, Huo Yuhui went to open the side gate.

Huo Yan drove their cart to the back courtyard, unhitched the horse, and gave it some fodder.

Meanwhile, Ming Yuanjing happily followed Huo Xiang, took Huo Xinyue from his arms, and went looking for Huo Yuhui.

Having a fragrant, soft little sister was wonderful…

Seeing Ming Yuanjing trailing after him, Huo Yuhui said with a wry smile, “Go sit in the main hall.”

“Grandfather has business with the two uncles. Let the four of us play together?”

To be allowed out to play today, he had gotten up early to finish an hour of boxing practice and had completed a lot of homework.

Hearing this, Huo Xiang asked in confusion, “What business?”

“I don’t know either,” Ming Yuanjing said. “This morning Grandfather received a letter. After reading it, his expression turned very grim. I asked him what it was, but he didn’t answer me.”

Huo Yuhui frowned slightly, wondering if it had to do with that group of bandits.

Inside, after ushering Old Master Ming in, Luo Mingchen said, “I’ll make tea.”

“No need,” Old Master Ming called him back. “I’ve come this time to discuss something with you.”

At that moment, Huo Yan happened to come in.

Luo Mingchen glanced at Huo Yan and asked, “What is it?”

Old Master Ming took a letter from his bosom and handed it to him.

Luo Mingchen opened the envelope, and Huo Yan sat beside him; the two read it together.

The letter contained news of roving bandits and rebel troops, saying they were already close to Yuanzhou Prefecture, with at least five to six thousand people combined.

Even more frightening was that they planned to join forces.

Luo Mingchen had been to Yuanzhou Prefecture; it wasn’t far from them. If Yuanzhou fell, trouble would very likely reach here as well.

“Won’t the court send reinforcements?”

Old Master Ming replied, “Since the crown prince’s death, the political situation has been in turmoil. By seniority, conduct, and ability, the third prince ought to be named heir. But His Majesty dislikes the third prince’s mother and favors the fourth and fifth princes, so the position remains vacant. Yuanzhou happens to be the third prince’s power base. Those two princes intend to use the lives of the people here to force the third prince into a grievous mistake. How could they send reinforcements? Even if they do dispatch troops, they’ll deliberately delay them on the road.”

Hearing this, Luo Mingchen’s head ached.

Were the lives of people at the bottom truly so cheap?

With a single word from those in high places, they became sacrifices.