Stepping on the last rays of the sunset, Li Mao and Xu Jiuye's carriage re-entered the south gate of Miluo County, and Xu Jiuye didn't say a word along the way, just hugged the bones of his parents and little sister in a daze.

Li Mao knew that it was not good to disturb Xu Jiuye at this time, so he sat on the wheel with the coachman and let Xu Jiuye be quiet in the car alone.

The carriage finally drove to the vicinity of Tianwen Wharf, Li Mao didn't want the coachman to know where the two people lived, and there were still two streets away from the inn, so Li Mao got out of the car with Xu Jiuye, paid the coachman four times the fare, and compensated him for the cost of his coat, and told him not to tell what he saw today, otherwise he would look good.

The coachman was full of promises, and thanked him for a thousand thanks, although he was busy for a long time today, and he also saw the bones of the dead, and he was a little unlucky, but his income was indeed four times that of usual, and he naturally knew that Li Mao and they had concerns, and vowed not to leak what he had seen today.

Li Mao didn't worry about the coachman talking casually, and in a day or two, they would leave Miluo County, even if the coachman wanted to spread the word about today's events, it wouldn't reach the ears of the Xu family for a while.

Li Mao returned to the inn with Xu Jiuye, who was in good spirits, and the little bolt and the little pillar had already purchased things and returned to the inn, and were sorting things out in the courtyard.

The two of them saw Xu Jiuye and Li Mao carrying three packages into the courtyard, and hurriedly greeted them, and the little bolt wanted to take the package from Xu Jiuye's hand, but Xu Jiuye refused to do so, and scolded the little bolt.

The little bolt stepped back with grievances, and Li Mao waved his hand at him, signaling that it was okay and letting them go on their own.

Xu Jiuye took Li Mao and walked directly to Mrs. Xu and Xu Ai's room, there are three houses in this cross-courtyard, one for Mrs. Xu and Xu Ai, one for Xu Jiuye and Li Mao, and one for Xiao Zhu and Xiao Zhuzi.

Xu Jiuye pushed open the door and entered the house, Mrs. Xu and Xu Ai were talking, and when they saw Xu Jiuye coming in, they hurriedly smiled and got up to greet each other, Xu Ai saw Xu Jiuye and Li Mao coming in with a package, and asked in surprise: "Dad, what did you and Brother Xu go out to buy? Why did you come back now." ”

Xu Jiuye did not scold Xu Ai, motioned for Li Mao to close the door, and said to Mrs. Xu and Xu Ai in a low voice: "Madam, Ai'er, you listen to me carefully and don't make a fuss. ”

Mrs. Xu and Xu Ai saw that Xu Jiuye's face was solemn and his voice was low, and they knew that Xu Jiuye had something to say, so they immediately put away the smile on their faces and made a serious expression.

Xu Jiuye put a package in his hand on the square table in the middle of the room, and said to Li Mao: "Virtuous nephew, put things on the table." ”

Li Mao also put the two packages in his hand on the table, knowing that Xu Jiuye had important things to tell his wife and daughter, he felt that he was not suitable here, and was ready to say goodbye and avoid it.

Xu Jiuye said: "Virtuous nephew, you can stay too." No one here treats you as an outsider, and what I say has a lot to do with you, so you leave it to our family of three to get an idea. ”

Li Mao roughly guessed what Xu Jiuye was about to say, and silently took two steps back, hiding in the shadows behind the door, ready to listen to Xu Jiuye.

Xu Jiuye said to his wife and daughter: "Madam, Ai'er, come here." You're curious to know what's in these three packages, and I'm going to show you now. ”

Mrs. Xu and Xu Ai walked over, and as soon as they walked to the table, Xu Jiuye opened a package, revealing the white bones and skulls inside.

The room was lit by this time, and there was a candlestick with three large candles on the table, and the light was not very good, but it was enough to make people see the contents of the package.

Mrs. Xu and Xu Ai were startled and almost screamed in shock, but fortunately, Xu Jiuye had already prompted them just now, so they only screamed halfway and stopped their voices.

Mrs. Xu's voice trembled and asked, "Master, are the bones of her in-laws and little sister in these three packages?" ”

Xu Jiuye's eyes were a little red, and he almost cried again: "Well, it's the bones of the second elder and the little sister." ”

Mrs. Xu complained a little: "Master, didn't you say that you want to renovate the tombs of your in-laws and little sister? Why did you get out all their bones? This is somewhat disrespectful." ”

Xu Jiuye sighed, sat down on the bench next to the table weakly, and Li Mao on the side hurriedly said: "Aunt Jiu, this matter is also a last resort, Uncle Jiu and I went to the grave of my uncle and their ancestor today, which has been dilapidated, most of the graves have been moved or abandoned, many tombs have been badly damaged by wild beasts, if you can't get out of the bones, I'm afraid the bones will be difficult to preserve." ”

Mrs. Xu knew that she had lost her words just now, and hurriedly stepped forward to comfort Xu Jiuye in a low voice.

Xu Ai is still a little confused, she doesn't know much about her grandfather and grandmother, and Xu Jiuye doesn't want to tell her more, so she feels confused now.

Xu Ai quietly walked to Li Mao's side and asked Li Mao in a low voice What was going on?

Li Mao didn't know much, so he picked some important things and roughly told the causes and consequences of Xu Jiuye's father's family.

Xu Ai was still a little girl, and when she heard that her grandfather, grandmother, and aunt were so pitiful, she couldn't help but feel sorry in her heart, and then she heard that her little aunt's grave had been destroyed by wild beasts, and she immediately cried bitterly.

Xu Jiuye's family hurt for a while before gradually reining in their crying.

Xu Jiuye said in a hoarse voice: "Ai'er, can you still put something in that incense burner?" I want to take away the bones of your grandfather, grandmother and little aunt intact, and then rebury them when I find a suitable place, I swear that I will never let their bones suffer any more grievances and injuries." ”

Xu Ai immediately nodded and said, "Dad, don't worry, the incense burner can put down the bones of grandfather, and we must bury them." Don't be sad anymore, I think your filial piety, they must be able to feel it under the Nine Springs, you have to pay attention to your body, okay?"

Xu Jiuye squeezed out a smile with difficulty and said, "Well, I hope they haven't suffered too much down there, don't blame me." ”

Mrs. Xu also spoke: "Master, even if the in-laws and sisters suffered before, as long as we can bury them thickly and double the blood food on festivals and sacrifices in the future, I think the in-laws will not blame us, and don't be sad."

Seeing that your eyes are red and you are haggard, you know that you are hurt today, you lie down and rest for a while, and I will ask the inn kitchen to cook you a bowl of porridge. ”

Xu Jiuye said: "Everyone hasn't eaten, right? Now the sun is setting, let the inn send some food, let's eat some and rest early." ”

Xu Ai was about to go out and ask Xiao Bolt to arrange a meal, Li Mao said: "Xiao Ai, I'll arrange it, I still have something to go out for a while, so I won't eat with you, and I'll come back when I'm done." ”

Xu Ai asked with some surprise: "Brother Li, aren't you going to eat with us, what are you going to do?"

Li Mao said: "You take care of Uncle Jiu, I want to explore the way for tomorrow's things first, only by grasping the specific situation of the Xu family and tomorrow's Dragon Boat Festival memorial activities, can we ensure that everyone retreats." ”

Xu Ai wanted to go with Li Mao, but Xu Jiuye said, "Virtuous nephew, thank you for your hard work." Tomorrow, I must let the Xu family know that I, Xu Changze, are still alive, and let each of them repent for what happened back then!"

Li Mao said: "Uncle Jiu, don't worry, tomorrow not only will the Xu family know that you have returned to your hometown, but the people of the entire Miluo County will know that you are back, and they will also know about the evil deeds of the Xu family and Huang Tianba, and I will help you out of this evil breath." ”

Xu Jiuye said: "Thank you nephew, I hesitated before, and I disappointed you." I'll make a statement today, this is the case, our family will completely rely on you in the future, we will go to Jinling Mansion with you, are you willing to take our family with you?"

Li Mao clenched his fists and said: "Thank you Uncle Nine for your trust! Li Mao will fight to protect the safety and happiness of Uncle Nine's family!"

Xu Jiuye said to his wife and daughter: "Madam, Ai'er, come over and thank your nephew, we will be a family in the future!"

Mrs. Xu sighed secretly in her heart, she could hear that Xu Jiuye was determined to marry his daughter Xu to Li Mao, and knew that it was useless to stop it.

And Xu Ai did blush inexplicably, she didn't know how to count it as a family, but as long as she didn't separate from Brother Li, she naturally had a thousand willingness in her heart.

Mrs. Xu and Xu Ai stepped forward to give Li Mao a salute, and Li Mao hurriedly helped Mrs. Xu and Xu Ai up: "Aunt Jiu, Xiao Ai, you are so polite, we are already like a family, and we will live together in the future, please take care of them more." ”

After a few polite words between the two sides, Li Mao said goodbye and went out, arranged some things for the little bolt and the little pillar, and then went to the front desk of the inn to arrange the meal, and then left the inn and disappeared into the dark Miluo street.

......

Xu Changqing had finished dinner at this time, lying on a soft slump, there were three young and beautiful maids massaging him, and one maid was clinging to his body behind him, gently pinching his stiff shoulders and neck for him.

The other two maids held his two big feet in their arms, massaged their toes and soles, and began to massage their calves.

Xu Changqing closed his eyes slightly, he felt a little tired today, leaning on the girl's soft body, putting his feet in the girl's arms, and smelling the girl's body fragrance on the tip of his nose, he felt a little more comfortable.

After all, the age is not forgiving, tomorrow is his 60th birthday, and he also hosted the official Dragon Boat Festival memorial activities, so there are more things inside and outside the house today, and he is also a little harder than usual, so there is a feeling of discomfort.

Thinking back to the time of sixty years that have passed in a hurry, experienced glory and wealth, and faced deceit, tomorrow will be the moment when he reaches the peak of his life, although his body feels tired, but Xu Changqing's spirit is still very excited.

He decided to rest early for a while, and tomorrow he would face the fathers and villagers of Miluo County with the fullest mental state, so that everyone could remember his magnificent image in their hearts.

At this moment, the second housekeeper of the Xu Mansion asked to see him outside the door, Xu Changqing frowned, and scolded secretly in his heart: "The second housekeeper is also an old man, doesn't he know that he is very tired today? ”

Xu Changqing was about to lose his temper, but after thinking that tomorrow would be his sixtieth birthday, he would not be easy to get angry, so he let the second housekeeper in.

When the second housekeeper came in and looked at the situation in the house, he knew that the master was tired today, so he immediately fell to the ground and said to a long story short: "Master, someone just handed over a sticker and a letter, please take a look!"