With the help of General Xiao, who was more useful than an ox, the group cultivated the crops much faster than expected. They finished all the farm work before the sun went down.
"That piece is eggplant, that piece is cabbage, and this piece... oh yeah, this piece is corn!"
Jing Li carved several small wooden signs, engraved his name on them, and nailed them next to each field.
After doing all this, he clapped his hands, stood up, and walked around the ridge of the field with the little fish as if he was inspecting his territory.
Although Xiao Yuzai is still young, he is very interested in farm work. Half of the seeds in these fields were sown by him himself.
As for the reason, it was probably because Qin Zhao told him in advance that as long as he planted the seeds in this way and took good care of them for a period of time, he would be able to get several times the amount of vegetables and food.
When it comes to eating, the little fish has never lost to anyone.
"Since the fish cub likes to eat so much, it would be nice to find a chef to learn from him in the future." Jing Li thought seriously about this possibility.
Moreover, if the little fish cub learns some skills, he will also be able to eat delicious food.
When he said this, Xiao Yue was helping Qin Zhao cut vegetables. Hearing this, he immediately objected: "How can this be possible? Didn't we agree that when the fish cub grows up a bit, I will send it to learn Kung Fu from it?"
"Who told you that if he wants to learn kung fu for self-defense, I can teach him." Qin Zhao interrupted.
"You dare to teach others with your mediocre skills?" Xiao Yue threw the kitchen knife on the chopping board and said provocatively, "Come and try if you have the guts. I can knock you down with one move."
Qin Zhao did not even raise his head in the face of the provocation, and said calmly: "The emperor asked you to visit me, is this how you visit me?"
Xiao Yue: “…”
Jing Li was used to the two of them bickering after just a few words, and he was too lazy to even try to separate them.
Sometimes he even doubted whether what Qin Zhao said about him and Xiao Yue not having a good relationship was true or not. If their relationship was not good, how could Qin Zhao agree to Xiao Yue visiting them often
He said that he had never seen Qin Zhao quarrel with others like this.
Of course, it is also possible that Qin Zhao was just enjoying the pleasure of forcing his former mortal enemy into silence.
Xiao Yue had never been better than Qin Zhao in talking. When he brought up the little emperor, Xiao Yue could only sigh in frustration and continue to cut his radish.
However, looking at the fierce and skillful knife skills, Jing Li suspected that Xiao Yue had probably replaced the white radish with Qin Zhao's head in his mind.
The brief confrontation ended with Qin Zhao's overwhelming victory.
The ingredients for today's dinner were all brought by the little emperor at the request of Xiao Yue, including shrimp, crab, meat, fresh vegetables and fruits, which are things that are hard to see or buy on weekdays.
Xiao Yue sighed as he prepared the ingredients: "The Governor of Lingnan specially sent someone to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables at full speed. They were given to you before they even entered the imperial kitchen. Look at how much the little emperor cares about you."
Qin Zhao understood the hidden meaning of his words: "So you are here to lobby for the young emperor."
The time for this year's imperial examination has passed and Qin Zhao did not attend, but the young emperor has not given up the idea of lobbying Qin Zhao to return to the court.
He couldn't explain it himself, so he asked Xiao Yue to do it.
Qin Zhao was curious: "When did you start to listen to the little emperor so much?"
Some time ago, Xiao Yue was still complaining that the little emperor was cowardly and did not have the dignity of an emperor.
"What do you know? I am loyal to the emperor." Xiao Yue glanced at him, "Who is like you? The emperor cleaned out the Imperial Academy for you, but you still refused to go back."
Qin Zhao smiled faintly and said nothing.
Jing Li and Qin Zhao had discussed this matter in detail these days. Jing Li's consistent idea is that he hopes Qin Zhao can follow his heart and do what he wants to do while taking good care of himself.
It has to be said that as an outsider, he sometimes sees things more clearly than Qin Zhao.
He knew Qin Zhao wanted to go back.
The reason for wanting to go back was not for the so-called power, but not just because he was worried that Xiao Yue would not be able to assist the young emperor in stabilizing the government.
During his trip among the people, Qin Zhao experienced many things he had never experienced before, and also realized many things he had never experienced before. Now, he understands the hardships of the people better than before, and also understands what the people need better.
There are too many things that need to be improved in this era. If they want to ensure the well-being of the people and the stability of the government, what they need is a huge change from top to bottom.
That is not something that can be accomplished in one or two years, and it may not even be accomplished by just one emperor.
But everything is difficult at the beginning, and someone always needs to take that lead.
This is what Qin Zhao wants to do.
Only Qin Zhao can do this.
What surprised Qin Zhao even more was that Jing Li understood all these very well and put forward many feasible ideas. After talking with Jing Li, Qin Zhao had a general idea of what to do in the future, but he did not plan to tell Xiao Yue and the little emperor for the time being.
What he wants to do most now is to recuperate for a while and spend some time with his little husband.
I don't want those troubles to bother him.
Qin Zhao turned around and saw Jing Li sitting by the stove teaching Xiao Yuzai how to knead the dough into the shape of a fish. He himself was not very good at it, and the two of them fiddled with it for a long time but still couldn't knead it into a shape. Instead, they got flour all over their hands and face, and they giggled.
Qin Zhao also laughed, took out a handkerchief, bent down and wiped their faces.
Xiao Yue witnessed all this and looked away expressionlessly, thinking that Qin Shu's smile was really hurtful. He cut vegetables angrily and decided in his heart that next time, no matter how humble the little emperor begged him, he would not agree to come to this broken place.
General Xiao helped to plow the fields and cook that day. He was fed up with the couple's stimulation and left without even eating much dinner.
As night fell, Ah Qi sent Xiao Yue down the mountain, while Jing Li and Qin Zhao were cleaning up the dishes in the yard.
"I still think we should find a wife for Ah Qi." Jing Li mentioned this matter to Qin Zhao many times.
Now that he has more free time, Jing Li prefers to do the housework himself, and Qin Zhao is happy to accompany him, resulting in Ah Qi becoming almost the most leisurely person in the family except for Xiao Yuzai.
"Go talk to Ah Qi about this yourself." Qin Zhao rolled up his sleeves and handed the washed dishes to Jing Li. "I mentioned this to him last time, and he thought I wanted to drive him away because I thought he wasn't doing a good enough job."
Qin Zhao was helpless when he mentioned this: "... and he begged me for a long time."
Jingli sighed.
Ah Qi was born as a shadow guard. They had no past and no future. It seemed that they were born to serve their masters. Without their masters, their lives would lose their meaning.
Just like the years when he had not reunited with Qin Zhao, Ah Qi was also having a hard time.
"Then what do you think we should do?" Jing Li asked.
"Let it be." Qin Zhao said, "Even if you want to find him a wife, you have to make Ah Qi like her, right?"
"You're right." Jing Li nodded. His original intention was to let Ah Qi find his own happiness, not to force him to get married. This kind of thing really can't be rushed.
Jing Li thought for a moment and began to worry again: "But we live here now, and Ah Qi can't contact other people?"
"Don't worry." Qin Zhao had no idea what to do with his young husband's worrying habit, "You can't force fate."
These words barely convinced Jing Li.
He didn't dwell on this topic anymore, and turned to such household topics as whether he should buy a few chickens or plant a persimmon tree in front of the yard.
The dark night was dotted with stars, like a painting with rich colors. The two chatted casually. Jing Li finished his work and leaned on Qin Zhao's shoulder to watch him make a fire.
The yard was quiet, with only the occasional crackling of firewood in the stove.
Suddenly, a slight sound was heard in the room.
After dinner today, Xiao Yuzai was playing alone in the house. Hearing the noise, Jing Li called out loudly, "Xiao Yuzai, what are you doing?"
There was no answer. After a moment, a little koi fish jumped out of the door.
The kid came crookedly towards the two fathers and landed accurately in the bucket of clean water that they had fetched for washing dishes, which had not yet been used up. He raised his head and spit out a string of bubbles: "Daddy!"
"What's the matter? Why are you so upset?" Jing Li asked.
"The little fish found some delicious water!" The little fish wagged its tail and swayed its body in the water.
"Water?" Jing Li didn't understand. "Where does the water come from?"
The little fish boy's voice sounded full of energy and he was very happy: "The fish boy drank it all!"
Jing Li and Qin Zhao looked at each other, then stood up and walked back into the house in confusion. Qin Zhao looked down at the lively little kid swimming around in the bucket, and vaguely felt that he seemed to have forgotten something important.
The little fish boy didn't like to show his true form, but for some reason tonight, he took the initiative to change back to his true form, and he looked a little too excited.
Too excited...
etc…
Qin Zhao realized something and subconsciously called out: "Xiao Yu, wait a minute—"
Unfortunately it's too late.
The young husband has entered the bamboo house.
Not long after, Jing Li's voice rang out from inside the house: "Qin, Zhao!"
He walked out of the room with a small, empty bottle of wine in his hand.
"That water is delicious!"
The little fish was totally oblivious to the current atmosphere. It wagged its tail happily and burped foolishly.
Jing Li: “…”
Qin Zhao: “…”
That night, Xiao Yue encountered heavy rain on his way back to Beijing on horseback and was lost in the mountains for a whole day and night.