Chapter 178

It was just past lunch time, Xu Ran did not think it appropriate to ask the village head to wait for him in the restaurant.

Thinking for a moment, Xu Ran decided to go to Zhuo Yun’s house together with the village head. After all, he was just going to visit and greet Housekeeper Zhuo and the others.

Xu Ran said to the village head, “Village head, I have to go to Zhuo Yun’s mansion. He’s not at home now, but he asked me to look after his home when he’s away. He has been gone for more than ten days now, and I should go and take a look. Village head, please go with me and we’ll come back together.”

“Anyway, we won’t have time to do anything else today.” The village head nodded. “Alright, I’ll go with you.”

Xu Ran walked in front and the village head followed behind him. They came to Zhuo Yun’s seed shop first. It happened to be the time to buy seeds recently, so the business there was very good. There were a lot of customers when Xu Ran arrived, so the shopkeeper was too busy to greet him.

Xu Ran stood next to the shopkeeper and asked him a few questions. The shopkeeper said everything in the shop was in order. Seeing that the shopkeeper was busy, Xu Ran didn’t stay any longer and turned to the Zhuo Mansion.

Without the two masters, Zhuo Yun and Qin Shuwen, the Zhuo Mansion became even colder.

It was Housekeeper Zhuo who opened the door for them and he was as energetic as ever. Seeing Xu Ran, he smiled and greeted him, “Mr. Xu, welcome. Does the lord need anything?”

Xu Ran shook his head, “No, I’m just here to see you. When Zhuo Yun left, he asked me to help look after his home. Housekeeper Zhuo, how many people are there in the residence now?”

Housekeeper Zhuo said, “Only three, a cook, a cleaner and me. The shopkeeper will also come back in the evening. Alas, with fewer people in such a large house, it’s really lonely. Mr. Xu and village head, come in ,please!”

Although they had nothing important, it was not good to talk at the door. Xu Ran nodded and walked into the room, followed by the village head.

In the living room, Housekeeper Zhuo brew tea for them. Xu Ran asked Housekeeper Zhuo to sit down and have a chat with him, without considering he was just a servant.

Xu Ran asked Housekeeper Zhuo, “Housekeeper Zhuo, how are you? Since there is nothing in the mansion that you need to worry about now, take good care of yourself and don’t be too tired.

Housekeeper Zhuo laughed, “Mr. Xu, I am just enjoying a happy life here. I don’t need to work and someone even serves the meal in my hand. There is nothing wrong in the mansion and please rest assured.”

Then he asked Xu Ran, “How are the lord and the little master?” Does the little master often cry? Maybe the ewe’s milk is not enough. How about buying another one?”

Xu Ran said, “Shuwen and Qingshu are very good. Qingshu is getting better and better looking. That ewe has run out of milk, but don’t worry, we have another one in our family. In addition, Qingshu can eat rice paste slowly, so it should be enough. If you miss them, go and see them. You can come in the family carriage, It’s very fast.”

Housekeeper Zhuo said, ” I’ll go and visit them with the shopkeeper when he is not busy. I just remembered that I haven’t visited your new house yet. The shopkeeper has mentioned it to me quite a few times, and for this reason I must call at your house one day,” said Housekeeper Zhuo with a smile.

Xu Ran smiled as well. After chatting a few more words, he left with the village head.

On their way back, Xu Ran bought some wine and pastries. The wine was for the village head, and he also gave the village head some pastries for his children. The rest were for his children and spouse.

Xu Ran sent the village head to his door. When the village head got out of the car, Xu Ran stuffed one tale of silver to him. Looking at the village head’s confused eyes, Xu Ran smiled and said, “Thanks to you today. If you hadn’t been here, I don’t konw what would have happened.”

The village head also smiled,”Xu Ran, the Yamen runners who will come to our village are different every time. Only the two of them dare to act like that. Don’t worry! If there is anything to claim next time, other Yamen runners should come. The person in charge of this town is Zhubu who is considered as a good official. He won’t let go of these two people.”

Xu Ran nodded, indicating that he understood it, but he did not believe it very much. After all, the performance of these two Yamen runners could not be developed in a short time. Zhubu still allowed them to work there, probably because there were someone powerful background! He knew that bureaucrats shielded one another and also knew what the consequence would be.

But it didn’t matter, he wouldn’t go to the Yamen in the near future. Also, the two Yamen runners would not come to make trouble with him for no reason. He would be content as long as he could live in peace and quiet.

Xu Ran said to the village head, “Village head, I didn’t give you the silver for nothing. You’ve been running the errands with me for a whole day today and helped me a lot. Please take it as my gratitude.”

The village head shook the wine in his hand, “Xu Ran! You’ve already bought me the wine. I definitely can’t accept the silver anymore.” After that, the village head returned the silver to Xu Ran.

This meant that he wouldn’t accept the silver anymore. Xu Ran didn’t persist, and he was glad that he had bought the wine for him, otherwise it would really be a waste of time for him .

Xu Ran said, “Village head, since you won’t accept the money, I will take it back. If you need any help in the future, I will do my best.”

The village head looked at Xu Ran and smiled. “It’s a deal! Don’t worry! I definitely won’t stand on ceremony with you.

Xu Ran knew what he said was true and nodded, “Of course, I will do as I said. Please get in now, village head! I will go back too. I’ve been out for a whole day today and I haven’t even got to hold my baby yet.

Waving his hand, the village head said, “Okay, okay, go back! I’ve never seen a man who likes to hold babies as much as you do. That’s what Ge’ers are supposed to do.

Xu Ran rubbed his nose and said in his heart, “I’ve seen someone like me. Compared with him, I’m nothing to mention.”

Seeing the village head enter his house, Xu Ran turned the carriage round and went home.

Tangtang and Guoguo left school earlier today. They were already at home when Xu Ran went back.

Haven’t seen Xu Ran for a day, they all surrounded him and would not leave.

Seeing this, Liu Tong said jealously, holding Baozi in his arms, “Tangtang and Guoguo just greeted me when they came back, and then they went to see their brother. However, when you come back, they stuck to you all the time. I feel like a fifth wheel!”

Tangtang Guoguo and Xu Ran all heard what Liu Tong said. Xu Ran looked at the two children and asked, “What should we do? Daddy is angry.”

Tilting their heads, Tangtang and Guoguo looked at Xu Ran and then at Liu Tong. They immediately let go of Xu Ran’s thigh and leaned over to Liu Tong.

“Daddy is not a fifth wheel. We are wrong. We will never be like this in the future.” The two children hugged Liu Tong’s thigh and apologized coquettishly. Seeing how miserable they looked, Liu Tong felt as if he had said something wrong.

Xu Ran stood watching on the side. These two children were so cute and smart. How lucky he was to have such two good sons!

Apart from Baozi who couldn’t speak, they went on playing for a while. Later, Tangtang and Guoguo clamoured to eat hot pot, so Xu Ran went to the kitchen to prepare the meal. Holding the baby, Liu Tong went to Qin Shuwen while Tangtang and Guoguo went back to their room to practice calligraphy.

The twins now led very regular lives. After getting up in the morning, Gao Quan taught them to practice martial arts and then ran in the mountain, and then they went home for breakfast. After eating, they went to school. Sometimes they went by themselves and sometimes Xu Ran sent them.

They had lunch at school. The end time of school was not fixed: it might be earlier or later. After school, the family would talk for a while. Every day, they practiced writing before or after dinner, but never missed it.

The two children were very self-desciplined. Even though Guoguo didn’t like to study and Tangtang didn’t like to practice martial arts, they never said no.

Xu Ran guessed that something he had said might have affected them, but they were still young, they would not learn much if they didn’t rely on themselves.

Xu Ran was gratified and Liu Tong was happy. Everyone in the family was proud of their two children.

Xu Ran prepared quite a lot of dishes for hotpot. Their family had planted a lot of vegetables in winter, and it was just the right time to eat. With fewer people in the house, they definitely couldn’t eat up.

While eating, Gao Quan suddenly said, “I want Tangtang and Guoguo to take a medicated bath as soon as possible. In order to unlock their meridians, they need to soak in the medicated soup for a month. It will be a painful process, and I still lack some herbs.”

Hearing Gao Quan’s words, Xu Ran remembered the matter. Apart from him and Tangtang Guoguo, no one else knew what the medicated bath was.

Seeing that Gao Quan did not intend to say about it, Xu Ran told the others what he knew, “It happened like this. Last winter, Gao Quan often took Tangtang and Guoguo to the mountain to look for herbs. If the two children took a medicated bath when they were young, their constitution can be enhanced and they wouldn’t be poisoned in the future. It could also strengthen their bodies. Anyway, it was good for them. Gao Quan, what herbs do you lack? I’ll go to the town to buy them.”

Gao Quan said, “The missing herbs are common, but I need larger quantities. I’m afraid buying so much at a time will arouse suspicion.”

Xu Ran thought for a while and said, “Well, write them down and give it to me. I’ll ask Brother Qin to help buy it and I will buy as much as I can. Write down all the herbs you need and the things I need to pay attention to.”

Gao Quan understood the meaning of Xu Ran’s words, because Xu Ran had said at the beginning that he would find a doctor to see if that was suitable for the children.

Although he trusted Gao Quan more than before, he couldn’t do experiments with his two children.

Gao Quan nodded, “I’ve got it. I’ll write them down. It’s just spring now and it’s good to take a medicated bath at this time.”

Xu Ran and Gao Quan agreed but they had not asked Tangtang and Guoguo’s opinions.