The Marquis' Wife
Departure to Fucheng
Elder Miao realized his words bluntly, he smiled and said. "I mean uncle, your idea will be realized sooner by giving Lu Xiang money".
The village chief and the other clan elders breathing a sigh of relief would be infuriating if Adelia again argued with them because of the words of elder Miao.
Lu Xiang nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's uncle's brilliant idea".
Lu Xiang and Adelia's expressions turned to disappointment making the beaming faces of the village chief and clan elders also change. "But you know uncle that tomorrow I have to go to Fucheng to take the exam. Hey~ takes the exam a lot of money, ranging from travel, lodging, even to register for the exam. Everyone needs uncle's money".
"Mom-not Adelia opened a cake shop, uncle is sure that you make a lot of income right?" Village chief Miao still did not want to give up.
"You're right uncle, but to make a cake I need a lot of energy so I bought a lot of servants. Hey~ feeding them is not an easy matter, not to mention paying for store and house rent. The remaining money could only be for our family meal, Lu Xiang was even forced to sell the book he had copied" The expression on his face looked extremely sad, he even lowered his gaze and wiped the tip of his eyes with a handkerchief.
Who cannot shout I am poor, if they shout loudly then he will be firmer in shouting poor.
Adelia's expression changed as if remembering something that could help her. "I heard that Miao village has public funds? The Miao family had even used it? How's ka...".
Village chief Miao and the clan elder stood in unison. "It looks like it's almost lunch time. Uncle doesn't want to interrupt your lunch, we'd better settle the estate tax exemption in Lu Xiang's yamen".
The Miao family had used public funds but villagers complained that those in greater need could not use public funds but the more established Miao family could use them so villagers were reluctant to raise funds the public came back and it was impossible for them to tell Adelia and Lu Xiang.
Lu Xiang and the clan elders as well as the village chiefs went to the government office to distribute the land tax exemption letter in two parts, he said, one for him and another for Miao village which was signed by the five village representations.
The village chief and clan elder no longer wanted to be in Lu Xiang's house and immediately retired by bringing home the estate tax exemption letter, they will discuss the land who will be able to use the letter, it will be a long discussion because none of them want less tax exemptions on their land.
"It's over?". Adelia asked her husband who had just returned home.
"Yes". Lu Xiang told Lu Cai to look for two thugs who came from Miao village, paying them to spread the news about the land tax exemption letter he gave to the entire village.
He was not so sure he could trust the village chief and clan elders because of the bad impression he saw from some of the conversations he had, he said, maybe the village chief reported about the land tax exemption letter but he was sure if the old man would give the actual information how many hectares of land tax money they did not have to pay.
Adelia leaned her body against her husband's chest. "Tomorrow you'll leave".
Lu Xiang hugged Adelia and kissed her cheek. "Didn't you want me to go?".
Adelia took a long breath. "Did Uncle Zhao hire a bodyguard?".
The trip to the city of Fucheng is further than the trip to the city of Qincheng is a 3-day trip. Usually people would choose to take a sea trip that only takes 6 hours compared to a land trip, but Zhao Fan is seasick so he prefers the 3-day trip. Therefore they had to hire bodyguards who worked in yamen to deal with the robbery in the middle of the trip.
"Already, teacher Zhao hired 7 bodyguards. We'll gather at the Academy tomorrow before we leave".
This time the exam will go for 21 days, 3 days of travel away, 7 days of preparing for the exam, 9 days of exams and 1 day of announcements and return home by sea. Untaken Lu Xiang already missed his wife.
Later that night Adelia helps Lu Xiang to prepare provisions for her husband's trip. Adelia prepares snacks, medicines in the form of fever-lowering drugs, headaches, diarrhea and motion sickness drugs.
Not only that, Adelia also prepared enough lotus well water so that her husband's body remained fit and not susceptible to disease.
That night Lu Xiang did several bed games with his wife until Adelia asked for forgiveness and was unable to lift her finger after she was eaten.
The next day, the, Lu Shan and Lu Cheng woke up early to deliver their sister to the academy along with Adelia who was forced to drink a lot and soak in the warm water of the lotus well if she wanted to get out of bed.
"Are you okay, baby?" Lu Xiang asked worriedly but instead made Adelia even more annoyed at seeing her husband's satisfied and glowing face.
"Hmmm!"
Lu Xiang chuckled softly, he gently stomped his wife's waist while occasionally taking a chance in narrowness.
"Don't touch me with a perverted hand". Adelia pinched her husband's hand and looked at Lu Xiang with a fierce gaze but instead looked adorable in Lu Xiang's eyes making the man hug and kiss his cheek.
Adelia, Lu Shan and Lu Cheng went to drive Lu Xiang to the academy and waited for her husband and their brother to leave before returning home together.
Miao Sheng, Shao Yunan, Zhang Yunlei and Li Jin were already waiting for Lu Xiang along with the other scholars, before long Zhao Fan was also ready to depart.
"Cousin, sister-in-law". Gentle Miao Sheng greeting. Lu Shan did not reply and stayed away while Lu Cheng and Adelia greeted Miao Sheng back.
Zhao Fan said a word before they left. "We're going on a 3-day journey so you have to prepare yourself and keep your body fit until you get to Fucheng".
"For the bodyguard's rent, I'll pay for it because I asked you to take a road trip".
Many of the scholars who did not have any more money to pay for the bodyguards heaved a sigh of relief but they still tried to hold Zhao Fan to let those who paid him off as a matter of fact but Zhao Fan still insisted on paying the cost itself is because it knows the financial condition of the student.
They boarded the train they owned or rented. As before Miao Sheng departed in Lu Xiang's horse carriage and sat quietly acting obediently.
Lu Xiang did not care about Miao Sheng's attitude, he hugged Adelia without caring for the surprised look of his friends and stroked her sister's head.
"As long as I'm gone, your job is to protect and protect Adelia. You understand?"
"Yes Brother Xiang".
Lu Xiang smiled in satisfaction then looked at his wife affectionately. "Don't be too busy and keep eating as long as I'm not here. You have to take care of your health otherwise I'll punish you when I get home later, you understand baby?".
"I see, get on the train. Everyone is waiting for you" Adelia's face flushed red as many eyes were watching them. She encouraged her husband to leave quickly.
Lu Xiang desperately wanted to kiss his wife on the lips but knowing that he could not do it in front of many people, he hugged Adelia again and boarded the train without turning his eyes to her.
"Be careful, Brother Xiang. You don't have to worry, we'll take good care of Adelia's sister. You just need to focus on the exam and bring back the Xie title for Adel's sister".
Everyone present there smiled hearing Lu Cheng's extremely mature words, Lu Xiang also smiled resignedly and nodded. "I'll hope for you Lu Cheng, Lu Shan".
Lu Shan patted his chest with an expression of 'you're not worried'. Lu Cheng nodded with a serious expression.
"Your sister is very mature Xie Hsien" commented one of the bodyguards riding a horse.
Lu Xiang simply smiled in response to the words of the guard.
Adelia waved her hand off her husband's departure until Lu Xiang's carriage was no longer visible, the smile on her lips disappeared then let out a long sigh.
Just delivering Lu Xiang had already made Adelia miss the man again. Lu Shan and Lu Cheng's hands clasped his hands, distracted his attention and smiled again, the brothers went home feeling down.
