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Liu Sisi asked casually, “Ye Lei, if you go for corvee labor, will you only carry burdens by breaking the ice and moving stones? Is there any other kind of work?”

“There are some other jobs. For example, at the time of last year’s spring military recruitment, not only those who could read and write served as clerks, but also women replaced their sons in service. When people are pushed to the limit, they always think of various ways.”

The ability to afford schooling was not a common trait, so not many people could read and write.

No wonder once someone could read, they were caught to be made into clerks to record some documents.

Of course, Father had no intention to enlist, and Old Cheng looked like he couldn’t read, so this path wouldn’t work. It seemed that the only way was to change the method.

Di Yelei saw Liu Sisi silent and naturally became anxious!

“Sisi, what good solution did you suggest? Please speak quickly.”

Liu Sisi swept her gaze over everyone: “Since the imperial court explicitly prohibits using silver as a substitute, everyone probably only has one way to go, which is to buy people! Purchasing someone to serve in place is the only feasible method.”

“It’s not impossible to buy people, but…” Di Yelei stopped as he was about to say something.

“Yesterday morning, I had Old Six send a message to Granny Qin, saying our family wants to buy someone. I hope the government’s proclamation isn’t too fast, giving us enough time.” said Liu Sisi indifferently.

“You … how did you think of buying someone yesterday?” Di Yelei couldn’t help but be amazed!

No wonder, the last time they bought Old Cheng, they didn’t think about buying more people. Sisi suddenly asked someone to go and buy people yesterday. How could he not be surprised?

Liu Sisi glanced at Di Xuan, smiled slightly: “We should be thanking Xuan’er. Yesterday, I brought Xuan’er to school and saw many students who were accompanied by attending students. I thought about YingEr – her age is not small, it was time to find a maid to accompany her. So, I asked Old Six to send a letter to Granny Qin. Unexpectedly…”

Is there such a coincidence in the world?

Di Yelei thought for a moment: “Well, I can’t speak for other places. Tomorrow morning, I’ll go to the county city earlier in order to delay the release of this news as much as possible. Hopefully, Granny Qin could be out by then.”

Liu Sisi hesitated for a moment and then shook her head to decline.

“I think it’s inadequate! Since you knew about this, it means that more people in the city have heard about it. This method can’t have been thought of by only me. The only effective method now is to immediately go into the city and buy people from Granny Qin. This is the only feasible way. However, at the moment it’s past curfew, so it may be difficult to enter the city.”

Di Yelei stood up: “It may be difficult for others to enter the city, but, for us constables, it’s not a hard task. I’ll go to the city first to deal with this matter.”

Between words, he was already ready to pick up the bamboo hat on the wall.

“Wait! Wear a few more clothes. The snow mixed with rain is particularly cold. Can’t let you catch a chill.”

Liu Sisi stopped him, went back to the house and took two thick cotton clothes for him, helped him wrap up, and only then did she help him put on his clothes.

As Di Yelei was about to leave, Liu Sisi called him again: “Wait! Bring a few buns!”

While speaking, she quickly lifted the steaming basket and took out the four remaining buns from it, wrapped them in oil paper, and stuffed them into his coat.

“The buns won’t get cold here. When you get to the city, don’t rush to discuss things. First eat a few bites of steamed buns to warm up.”

“I’m not going out for the first time, so just relax!”

Di Yelei smiled and a light quickly flashed in his eyes. He secretly held her hand, then turned around to walk outside.

“Dad! You…” Di Xuan’s words were filled with sobs.

Di Xuan by his side was gradually proving his maturity. Just as Di Yelei was about to go out, Di Xuan hurriedly stopped him.

Di Yelei paused, turned back to pat Di Xuan’s shoulder: “You’re a grown man now! When I’m not at home, you have to take care of the house, understand?”

Di Xuan held back his tears and nodded heavily.

“Yes, Dad, I know!”

“Good! You truly are my good son!”

Di Yelei patted his shoulder forcefully and resolutely disappeared into the echoes of the night.

Outside, the rain mixed with scattered snow continued to fall. Old Cheng led a jujube red horse, already saddled, waiting by the stable.

“Was the horse fed to the brim?”

Liu Sisi peered out through the raised door curtain, Di Yelei in the process of taking the reins from Old Cheng, casually asking.

Old Cheng handed Di Yelei the reins and quickly answered,

“Master, the horse has been fed a hearty meal! It was given bean flour and buckwheat mixed with a small amount of hay, and I just fed it glutinous rice sugar. There should be no major issues.”

“Very well!”

As Di Yelei talked, he led the horse out of the courtyard and jumped onto the horse’s back.

As he looked back, he met the vague silhouette of Liu Sisi illuminated by the candlelight. He waved his horsewhip at her and kicked his horse’s belly. With a long neigh, the jujube red horse quickly disappeared into the night.

The cold wind brushed against Liu Sisi’s face, strands of her hair were blown into her eyes, causing a moment of dizziness, as if Di Yelei was still standing in front of her.

She rubbed her eyes with her hand, dropped the curtain, returned to the bonfire, stoked it to make it burn brighter, and added a pot of hot water.

“Father, it’s late. You should go to bed. And you too, Xuan’er. You have to go to school early tomorrow. And YingEr, stop waiting for me to nag you to bed.”

Elderly Mr. Di looked up at Liu Sisi but made no move.

Di Xuan replied lightly and then finally returned to his room, turning back three times before leaving.

After a while, he brought a book outside again: “I forgot. My teacher asked me to copy the ‘Three Character Classic’ today.”

Liu Sisi raised her eyebrows, knowing Di Xuan’s talent, Elder Mr. Xu would have no reason to ask him to copy the ‘Three Character Classic’. She looked again and realized that what Di Xuan held in his hands was the ‘Zhu Family’s Instructions’. The ‘Three Character Classic’, what was that all about?

She didn’t expose him, just turned her gaze back to YingEr. YingEr reluctantly returned to her room, and on the way, took Da Mao with her.

“Da Mao, let’s go back to the room to play!”

Liu Sisi shook her head helplessly and went to clean Di Yelei’s wet clothes, scooping out hot water for a quick wash.

The rain was heavy outside, and Di Yelei would surely need to change his clothes when he returned. They must be dried as soon as possible.

Old Cheng ran in from the outside, confused upon seeing Liu Sisi not resting, he stood torn between his options.

“Madam…”

“Oh, it’s Old Cheng. Come in and warm yourself. Keep Old Master company and chat!” Liu Sisi casually called out, then fully immersed herself in vigorous scrubbing.

“Yes, Madam!”