Transmigrated as a Peasant Baby Who is Pampered by All

Chapter 466: Chapter 291: Homecoming

The return journey was much easier.

It was already late August, and although it was still very hot, the Jiang family used ice, and many people borrowed ice blocks from them on the way. When they stopped for the night, they would gather firewood to boil water.

After the ice water had mostly evaporated, they returned it to the Jiang family.

Jiang Hu specifically carried two wooden basins on the ox cart, which was used to haul things, and deliberately exposed them to the sun. It basically took two days for them to dry and reclaim the nitrate.

Because of the cooling effect of the ice blocks, it wasn’t as stuffy inside the carriage, and everyone’s spirits were much better.

Jiang Hu didn’t charge them any money, and occasionally, he would cook mung bean soup and, after cooling it, distribute some to the fellow travelers.

Most of them were not much older than Jiang Yu and Liu Ze, and occasionally there were a few older ones who were still younger than Jiang Hu.

Kind-hearted, Jiang Hu saw them helping with the water and collecting firewood at night, so he generously lent out the ice blocks and made sure to reclaim all of the lent ones every night.

After all, even among brothers, accounts must be settled clearly, let alone the fact that the nitrate couldn’t just be squandered randomly; after the summer heat passed, it had to be returned to the government office.

Summer brought intermittent rains, and the return journey was no exception. However, summer rains come and go quickly; as long as one is cautious of mountain falling stones during storms, it’s fine.

The journey back to Xiangmu Village was safe and unobstructed, and twenty days had passed.

It was already late September, almost three months since their departure!

Upon hearing the news of their return, Leader Chen sent someone on horseback to report to the office a day in advance.

This time in Cheng County, four people passed the Scholar exam, which was quite a joyful occasion.

Early in the morning, drums were sounded at the city gate to welcome the new Scholars.

Even Lord County Magistrate was said to personally host a banquet and invite the families of the four Scholars, waiting for them to return and celebrate together.

But it seemed these had little to do with Jiang Hu’s party.

Upon reaching the city gate of Cheng County, Jiang Hu informed Leader Chen and bypassed the route, directly heading back to Xiangmu Village.

After all, entering and exiting would cost at least a dozen copper coins again.

Although Liu Ze’s parents were in the city, Jiang Hu thought for a moment, deciding not to rush him to visit home.

Others were fine, but Liu Ze had truly suffered during this time. He looked much weaker than when he first set off, appearing as though he was recovering from a serious illness.

Because of this, Jiang Hu decided to take him directly back to Xiangmu Village, believing Liu Ze would improve greatly after eating some home-cooked meals.

Meanwhile, the most energetic ones were still Xiaomi and Wei Ziang.

The two were hunting all the way back, and with the bows and arrows Yingying gifted them, the amount of game they caught rose sharply.

Sometimes when they had extra game and were far from the next county or town, they would simply give or sell it at a discount to other fellow travelers.

The Jiang family’s group, although Jiang Yu and Liu Ze didn’t pass the Scholar exam, still became renowned among their fellow examinees.

This was especially true once people recognized them as those who cooked daily in the examination hall.

On the way back, whenever there was a chance, many scholars asked them for cooking advice.

After all, over the years, many examinees became embarrassed when they fell ill from eating poorly.

At the very least, cooking properly in the examination hall prevented stomach aches, which was quite beneficial.

Previously, nobody managed to cook well; everyone was the same and didn’t think there was anything wrong.

But this time with Liu Ze and Jiang Yu demonstrating in advance, they realized that it was better to spend a little time learning to cook, even just starting a fire or boiling water, than knowing nothing at all.

Based on the reactions from fellow scholars, it’s easy to guess that at the next county examinaton, someone is bound to have learned.

Returning to the main subject, when they set out, the village was lush, connected by fields of corn and sorghum.

Now, the corn and sorghum had been harvested, and the corn stalks and sorghum stalks cut down, while the ground was covered with sweet potato vines with lots of green beans and soybeans at the edges.

Seeing they were close to home, Xiaomi couldn’t help it.

”Mother, I want to get down and walk.”

Without waiting for anyone else’s reaction, she jumped off the carriage.

Fortunately, the carriage was moving slowly, allowing her to land steadily.

”Be careful, child.” Second Mother had barely enough time to instruct her through the window.

Jumping off the carriage, Xiaomi ran to the roadside, waving to her mother: ”I’m fine, you go ahead, I’ll walk home.”

Finally home, this time of traveling made her certain she didn’t want to get on another carriage for a year!

When the other carriage passed by, Wei Ziang also jumped down, with Jiang Hu instructing them to be careful.

They had entered the village, so there was no worry about them getting lost.

The most important thing was, the experience they gained during this trip made the adults in the family fully trust their abilities.

”Brother, why did you get down too, is it because carriage rides are tiring?”

Xiaomi wasn’t one to endure discomfort, feeling suffocated in such a small carriage all day long.

On the road, she had suggested running alongside the carriage during cooler mornings and evenings, but her parents strongly opposed the idea, leaving it undeveloped.

On the road, due to many men traveling together and Xiaomi being a young girl, her parents naturally worried.

Now that they were almost home, there was no need to worry so much.

Wei Ziang nodded: ”It is quite stuffy, it’s still early, do you want to walk around the fields, Xiaomi?”

Last night they reached ten kilometers from the county city, but it was midnight and the city gates were closed, so they didn’t rush any further.

Although Jiang Hu’s family lived outside the city and could return home directly by bypassing the city, it wasn’t ideal to travel at night, so they rested for the night.

Early in the morning, around 5, they got up to hit the road, eager to get home, skipping meals in anticipation of returning home quicker.

It was still not yet 7 in the morning.

The cool morning breeze refreshed them completely, it was very pleasant.

They had dinner late last night, so no one felt hungry, and upon hearing Wei Ziang’s proposal, Xiaomi was instantly tempted.

”Sure, let’s go look at the fields. Usually around this time I’m catching swamp eels, this year I’ve missed it for several months!”

Saying that, she grabbed Wei Ziang and turned off the village path onto the field walk.

”I wonder how good Zhang Xiaocao’s archery has become; she had no foundation, learning to hunt must be tough.”

Returning home, Xiaomi remembered her other little playmate.

Throughout Xiangmu Village, there were many children of similar age, but Zhang Xiaocao was her closest friend.

Being outsiders and living at the village entrance, apart from the village residents, the siblings only went to town for schooling or embroidery.

The only one staying home was Xiaomi, who loved hunting and rarely interacted with other village children.

Thinking back, she felt a bit guilty for forgetting her home friend while traveling. Now, upon returning, she realized she had a little friend waiting at home.

”It’s still early, how about checking on her?”

Mainly she wanted to walk around to ease the discomfort of sitting in the carriage for long periods.

Xiaomi thought about it and, since she wasn’t hungry, guessed Zhang Xiaocao was busy with household chores.

”Alright, let’s check it out.”

Just ready to change direction towards Zhang Xiaocao’s house, they heard an excited voice.

”Xiaomi! Are you really back?”

Oh, who else but Zhang Xiaocao, carrying a basket and cutting sweet potato vines in her field.

”Xiaocao!” Xiaomi waved and ran excitedly to Xiaocao.

”I was just thinking of finding you, didn’t expect you to be right here.”

Xiaocao was visibly darker than when she left, probably tanned from the recent farming season, but she still smiled broadly upon seeing Xiaomi.

”I saw the carriage and guessed you were back, did your brothers pass the Scholar exam?”

With both children from the Jiang family taking the Scholar exam, this was big news, and the village had long been discussing it.

Villagers assumed Liu Ze was also a child of the Jiang family, maybe a distant relative, and Jiang Yu didn’t explain much either.

”Not yet, but they can try again next year, no worries.” It wasn’t something embarrassing, so Xiaomi acknowledged casually.

”Oh, don’t be upset, I heard it’s very hard to pass the exam, some people don’t pass until they’re fifty or sixty, your brothers are still very young.”

Hearing this, Xiaomi wasn’t sure how to respond, but she knew Xiaocao meant to comfort her.

Missing each other, Xiaocao set down her sickle and pulled Xiaomi to chat, while Jiang Yu stood nearby, keeping Xiaomi company.

(Mao Shi: 5 AM to 7 AM, Chen Shi: 7 AM to 9 AM)