224, Return to Qin Province, General Village (Please Order the Full Version)

"Mr. Bai, you're welcome..."

Mrs. Leng quickly stood up from her seat when she saw Bai Gui's polite appearance.

She was momentarily panicked and at a loss.

But she quickly calmed down and thanked her: "Thank you, Mr. Bai, for being a neighbor. We, Leng Zhai, are also grateful. These are some snacks I made specially. Please accept them, Mr. Bai, for your consideration."

Only then did Bai Gui notice that there was a three-layer lacquered wood food box placed on the small coffee table next to the table and chairs in the living room.

"Thank you very much, Mrs. Leng."

He thanked him.

As courtesy reciprocates, I have to accept some of the snacks Mrs. Leng gave me. Otherwise, if you just show kindness, your neighbors will think that you have other agendas.

Besides, some of the snacks made are not worth much, so it’s no big deal to accept them.

"Lao Li, go and clear the snacks in the food box."

Bai Gui ordered.

This lacquered wooden food box is a bit worn and looks old, but it can still be considered a valuable possession. He generally knew about Leng Zhai. He was from a scholarly family and was not a wealthy family. He would probably not be willing to give up a food box. What Mrs. Leng gave was only snacks, not a food box.

Soon, Lao Li came in carrying a food box and some silk materials wrapped in coarse cloth.

This was specially ordered by Bai Gui.

"Mrs. Leng, you are here to bring snacks. I have to make a gesture as well. This is some silk material that someone gave me a few days ago. I think it is too gorgeous and there are no women at home. This silk material is wasted. For me, To sell this silk material is to lose one’s status.”

"So, Mrs. Leng, please don't refuse these silk materials."

Bai Gui took a sip of tea, put down the tea cup, took the silk material from Lao Li, handed it over, and said with a smile.

He doesn't plan to have much contact with Leng Zhai, as long as he maintains a lukewarm neighborly relationship.

This time he gave the silk material as a gift. If he had known his thoughts and understood etiquette, he would not have gone out of his way to say thank you next time, because the return gift was quite expensive, and the silk material would have cost several silver dollars...

When he accepts gifts, he knows the etiquette.

And in return for expensive gifts, I don’t intend to interact with you more.

As for the silk material, he selected some from Bai Xiuzhu's return gift to his family.

This was used to make clothes for his stepmother and sister.

He can just make up for it when he returns to Qin Province.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Bai."

Mrs. Leng sighed secretly. She had already talked about this. If she didn't accept the gift, she would be a little embarrassed.

In fact, she also heard from her daughter that the newly moved owner of the White House was a famous writer and scholar, with quite a reputation. So after seeing Bai Zhai give some deer meat as a gift, he planned to take the opportunity to strike up a friendship.

Otherwise, as a woman, even if she is old, she would not be able to come and say thank you.

Now it seems that Bai Zhai does not want to have too much contact with them, otherwise he will not give generous gifts, but choose matching gifts as gifts in return.

Mrs. Leng said a few words and said goodbye.

As a junior, Bai Gui sent her out of Bai's house, but when she just went out, she met Leng Qingqiu wandering at the door.

Leng Qingqiu is waiting for Mrs. Bai.

"Mr. Bai."

Leng Qingqiu gathered her clothes and saluted, very politely.

"Um."

Bai Gui nodded slightly and glanced at Leng Qingqiu, who looked very surprised.

Wearing a cyan dress, a West Lake water-colored veil was draped around her neck that was as white and shiny as porcelain. It was fluttering in the breeze. Her snow-white face was decorated with red lips, and she was charming and had sparse black bangs. Hidden between his brows, his eyes were slightly cold.

It was in response to the name Leng Qingqiu.

However, this kind of coldness in his eyes is natural and not intentional.

But Bai Gui was used to seeing beauties and had reached the state of "not recognizing the beauty of his wife". He paused for a moment, then turned around and walked back.

"Wait a minute, Mr. Bai."

"Did you also introduce Mr. Cheng to Beiman Girls' School?"

Leng Qingqiu asked.

"Mr. Cheng? She's Sister Huichang, right? By the way, I introduced her to the high school department of Beiman Girls' School."

"What, what's the matter?"

Bai Gui turned his head and was surprised.

His identity was not easy to conceal. That day he said that he was either Bai Meihe or that he was deliberately telling Leng Qingqiu not to come and disturb him. It's not that he doesn't know what it means to hide one's ears and steal the bell.

At this moment, Leng Qingqiu knew his identity, so there was nothing surprising.

Leng Qingqiu's beautiful eyes narrowed and she said: "Mr. Cheng is responsible for teaching our high school department. When she came, she brought your letter of recommendation. Many people in Beiman Girls' School knew that Mr. Cheng was introduced by you..."

"Well, what next."

Bai Gui frowned and stared at Leng Qingqiu.

The implication is: Could it be that you told me to stop because you were talking about this nonsense?

"Then, then..."

Leng Qingqiu choked. She didn't know why she insisted on calling Bai Gui. She just revealed her thoughts inadvertently, but when she stopped, she didn't know where to start. She could only say nonsense that seemed related but unrelated.

"I'm sorry, Miss Leng, if there's nothing else to say... I'm going to leave."

Bai Guidao.

"I……"

Leng Qingqiu was stunned. Before he could react, he saw the door of Bai Mansion was closed tightly.

She clearly didn't quarrel with Mr. Bai Gui.

Why, Bai Gui, the gentleman who taught her, saw her so indifferent.

"Let's go, Lao Li said. Mr. Bai is already engaged."

As a person who has been here, Mrs. Leng didn’t know that Leng Qingqiu had some feelings for Bai Gui when she saw Leng Qingqiu’s expression. This seemed to be a very unreasonable thing. They had only met a few times, but Bai Gui’s conversation, moral character, and wealth , fame, and appearance are far beyond those of his peers. It is normal for Leng Qingqiu to have feelings for someone like Bai Gui.

"He...he's engaged?"

"Mr. Bai...Mr. Bai is engaged?"

Leng Qingqiu muttered a few words to himself.

It suddenly dawned on me.

Why did Bai Gui avoid her like a snake and a scorpion?

It turns out there was an engagement.

"Let's go, mother, I understand."

Leng Qingqiu nodded, smiled reluctantly at Mrs. Leng, and walked toward Leng's house with Mrs. Leng's arm.

Walking slowly step by step.

…

A few days passed.

Bai Gui declined Jin Mansion's banquet, packed his bags, and prepared to set off with the caravan that had recently returned to Qin Province.

There was business from the Wu family in the caravan.

In Qin Province's large-scale transactions and cross-shareholdings, it is rare to see business that does not involve the Wu House.

The Wu Mansion was in charge of Zhou Ying, and the young master Wu Huaixian had an old relationship with him. They were both township party members. Bai Gui's origin was clear, his wealth was innocent, and he was a celebrity, so the caravan happily accepted Bai Gui and bought two more carriages. One pulls goods and one carries people.

Although Bai Gui was proficient in equestrian skills, the journey took too long. The caravan moved slowly, and it would take at least half a month to reach Qin Province. The journey was bumpy, and riding a carriage was more comfortable than simply riding a horse, so he accepted the offer without rejecting it.

Outside Yanjing City.

Not many people saw Bai Gui off. Although he said that he would leave Yanjing in the near future, he did not tell others the specific date for fear of causing trouble.

"It's okay for you to be in Yanjing these days, but when you return to Qin Province, you can't mess around with others."

"I know your temperament..."

Bai Xiuzhu and Bai Gui hugged each other. After they separated, they said a few thoughtful words and then gave instructions.

"Don't worry, I already have you, how can I still have room for others in my heart."

Bai Gui raised his eyebrows and said without changing his expression.

"snort."

Bai Xiuzhu snorted softly, but there was a smile on her face.

After saying goodbye.

Bai Gui got on his horse and set off with the caravan.

The caravans these days may sound like caravans, but in fact, the force of the caravans cannot be underestimated. They don't dare to trade across provinces without a few brushes. Some of the caravan guards were carrying firecrackers, and there were about a hundred of them.

Along the way, I bumped into several groups of bandits, but these bandits were insignificant. The caravan guards fired a few shots, killing a few guys who were not afraid of tigers. The others dispersed in a hurry.

When Bai Gui saw this, he didn't force himself to come forward.

He practices martial arts to strengthen his body, not to fight bravely.

"If you are good at swimming, you will drown; if you are good at riding, you will fall. Each of you will benefit from it, but you will bring disaster to yourself." - "Huainanzi·Yuan Dao Xun"

It may not be a big deal to take action once, but if you think this way about everything, there will always be an unlucky day. If you can, just endure it and never force yourself to stand out.

In this way, they arrived in Qin Province without any danger. The caravan did not suffer any major damage and only injured a few guards.

Approaching Qin Province, it is already early October.

One night, at dawn or dusk, it started to snow, with heavy snowfall. There was a vast expanse of white everywhere, whether it was the mountains or the ravines, the colors had changed.

The north wind is bleak.

In rainy and snowy days, the roads are slippery, making it difficult for caravans to travel.

"This is Weibei now. There are not many big households in Weibei that can accommodate us. I heard that Guo Ju from Jiangjunzhai has a lot of fertile farmland. All of it is his family's land when you go down Jiangjun Slope. You can't see the end of the plains..."

"We have to wait for the wind and snow to stop before we can continue our journey to the provincial capital."

The caravan steward shrank his head in the cold, walked to a carriage in the center of the caravan, opened the thick curtain, and discussed with the people inside.

"Ms. Bai, what do you think?"

he asked.

Although Bai Gui doesn't care about the caravan, his status is here, and some important decisions must be inquired in advance.

Not mentioning Bai Gui's own identity, his relationship with the Wu Mansion alone deserves his caution.

"General's Village?"

Bai Gui was startled. He lived near the provincial capital and was well-informed about some information, including Jiangjun Village. He had heard about it at Wang Ji's Food Shop in Bailu Town and had a general impression of it.

The caravan steward planned to temporarily stay at Guo Ju's home in Jiangjun Village, which was reasonable.

There are nearly 150 people in the caravan, and it is not a small amount just to eat and drink every day, and it is not enough to just eat dry food. Therefore, priority must be given to choosing a powerful and big family to settle down, otherwise they will not even be able to collect their rations.

Guo Juren of General Village is a powerful and powerful family in Weibei. He was also a civil servant, and although it was just a martial arts exam, his status and reputation in nearby villages were unquestionable.

"Okay, let's not miss this time. We will go to Jiangjunzhai later and you and I will come out to deal with Guo Juren."

Bai Gui said.

"As Mr. Bai said, I would like to thank Mr. Bai on behalf of my brothers."

The caravan steward smiled.

Even though Bai Gui seems to be doing nothing in the caravan, his status is extremely useful. Once he arrives at the pass, he will give some thin noodles to the petty officials who are asking for cards, and to the officials who are in trouble. It is easier to deal with people like them. Much more.

When the caravan came to Guo Juren's home and asked for reception, it was impossible for Guo Juren to receive him in vain, but for Bai Gui, who had an identity in the past, the reception fee would be much less.

Most of the people in the caravan were locals from Qin Province, and they knew the surrounding terrain very well. Even though it was difficult to distinguish the geography due to the heavy snow, it didn't take long for them to find the General Village and walk to the door of Guo Caidong's house.

A house with five entrances.

It is unique in the entire General Village.

The tiled houses are all brand new, and the entrance is paved with bluestone slabs, and there are two drum stones on the side of the door.

Knock on the door.

"Who are you?"

The side door opened, and a middle-aged man who looked like a farmhand walked out. He looked at the crowd of people in front of him, carrying goods, and had some guesses in his mind, "Is it a caravan of merchants? Yes, now the road is blocked by heavy snow, and it's not easy for you to go."

"Yes, we came here to stay overnight in your house. Please take the trouble to inform the master,"

The manager of the caravan came forward, took out three or four single-cent silver coins from his sleeves, and patted them on the palm of the middle-aged farmhand with a smile on his face.

"Okay, I'll let you know right away."

The farmhand's eyes flashed with joy, he nodded, and ran into the inner room with a quick pace.

From time to time, an old man with gray hair, over sixty years old, full of energy and spirit came out. He was dressed like most of the rich families in the countryside, with a long-sleeved satin shirt, a white cotton jacket, and a black melon-shaped hat.

"My humble name is Bai Gui, and my courtesy name is Meihe. I am also from Qin Province. I would like to stay at your house. I wonder if Mr. Guo agrees?"

Bai Gui then stood up and bowed.

"Bai Meihe..."

Mr. Guo was surprised for a while, then thought about it and said, "You are Mr. Bai, who was a top three in the imperial examinations a few years ago. I heard that you went to study in Japan. How come... Oh, by the way, it's about the same time. It's normal for you to come back."

"Please come in, please come in."

"Please come in and talk in detail..."

He turned sideways to invite him, with a smile on his face.

"Yes, Mr. Guo is polite."

Bai Gui nodded, not really caring.

The news in the countryside was not smooth, and Mr. Guo only knew that he was a juren, and it was already very good that he had studied in Japan. After all, Mr. Guo was a military candidate, not a scholar, and he was not in the circle, so it was normal that he didn't know some things.

"Come here, see the etiquette, prepare tea, and set up a banquet to entertain."

Walking into the house, Mr. Guo arrived at the door of the living room and shouted to the servants who accompanied him.

In theory, although the scholar's reputation is noble, he is a guest of honor wherever he goes, but in front of him, it is still a little meaning, but Bai Gui has studied in Japan and is a scholar, so this status is different.

After being sent abroad to study, he is a big shot when he returns to China.

He can't afford to offend.

"Mr. Guo is polite."

Bai Gui nodded, and he was invited by Mr. Guo to sit in the upper seat. There were only two upper seats facing the south, one on the left and one on the right. He sat on the left, but he didn't refuse. He lifted the hem of his long gown and sat down.

Generally, the living room faces north and south.

The position facing north and south is the most honorable.

"King Xiang and Xiang Bo sat facing east, Yafu sat facing south. Yafu was Fan Zeng, Pei Gong sat facing north, and Zhang Liang sat facing west." - "The Banquet at Hongmen"