CHAPTER 389: CHAPTER 387: ARE YOU HAPPY?

When Emperor Xia’s decree of promotion reached the Yuan Family, even Yuan Bao was somewhat dumbfounded. She always felt that this credit had come somewhat out of nowhere.

At that time, she was purely just fooling around.

However, since the emperor wanted to promote her, Yuan Bao wouldn’t refuse, nor could she refuse.

The only imperfection was that although she became a County Princess, her fief was still only as small as Sanfu Village.

Of course, becoming a County Princess meant her salary really increased.

This was undoubtedly a matter worth celebrating.

Besides, Wei Qiqi, as someone involved, also received a reward. After all, initially, this matter was just Yuan Bao and Wei Qiqi fooling around.

Emperor Xia couldn’t favor one over the other.

Moreover, Wei Qiqi was a daughter of the Wei Family.

Emperor Xia’s favor towards the Wei Family was unprecedentedly grand.

On the contrary, Wei Wushang, as Emperor Xia’s own nephew, didn’t receive any reward.

"Uncle, I’ll give you half of my salary!"

Righteous Wei Qiqi felt that her uncle’s secret letter was also very credited, and she generously wanted to give half of her salary to Wei Wushang.

"Qiqi, don’t embarrass yourself!"

Hearing Wei Qiqi’s words, Yuan Bao quickly pulled Wei Qiqi away.

The village chief’s salary is only sixty taels of Silver a year, not enough for Wei Wushang to treat for a meal.

"Is it so little?"

After Yuan Bao told Wei Qiqi the amount of Silver Coin and rice grain that the village chief could receive annually, Wei Qiqi rolled her eyes.

"What’s little?"

Yuan Bao gave her sister-in-law a blank look, "Perhaps you don’t know, ordinary households can’t save five taels of Silver in a year."

"Sixty taels of Silver, many people can’t save it in their lifetime!"

"Really?"

Although Wei Qiqi was educated since childhood, she was born in a rich family and couldn’t truly understand the lives of ordinary people.

"Indeed!"

Yuan Bao nodded affirmatively.

Wei Qiqi instantly wilted and said, "Then the lives of ordinary people must be really hard?"

"Not necessarily!"

Yuan Bao shook her head and said, "Ordinary people don’t earn much, but they also have their own happiness."

"In the past, our family was also very poor, but at that time, we were genuinely very happy!"

Yuan Bao couldn’t help but think of the days when the Yuan Family was still in Great Yin, recalling the journey of their migration from Great Yin to Daxia. During those days, when the family was together, although life was tough, at least everyone had smiles on their faces.

Now, the Yuan Family is different.

We’re rich!

Even have a certain status!

But, the days of the whole family gathering are hard to come by.

Yuan Bao doesn’t even know whether this is a good thing or a bad thing.

Her second uncle, third uncle joined the military, and henceforth engaged in battles. Who knows when they would be wrapped in a horse blanket or missing an arm or a leg. On that day, how would the family mourn?

"Jiaojiao, aren’t you happy now?"

Wei Qiqi saw Yuan Bao looking like a little adult and was also affected.

Yuan Bao sighed and said, "I don’t know if I count as happy."

"Always feel that the family members have become somewhat unfamiliar!"

The most unfamiliar was the mother who once cherished her, Mrs. Xiao Li.

Up till now, this mother-daughter pair is already estranged.

And her father, Yuan Zhaodi, has become unfamiliar too.

Or perhaps, she hadn’t seen clearly what kind of people they were from the start.

And then there’s the eldest cousin!

Yuan Bao thought of Yuan Shougui and involuntarily widened her eyes.

Yuan Shougui’s change was due to Sheng Xueyi. But now, Sheng Xueyi is gone, so if Yuan Shougui knows this news, how would he react?

"Qiqi, let’s go find Uncle Wushang, I need his help with something!"

Yuan Bao suddenly stood up and called Wei Qiqi to find Wei Wushang.

"Jiaojiao, what do you need Uncle’s help with? Maybe I can help you!"

"I need to send a message to my eldest cousin. He’s serving in the military over in Sanchuan City, can you help?"

"Uh, can’t!"

Wei Qiqi quickly shook her head.

For matters outside Yunyang City, she really couldn’t help now.

When Yuan Bao found Wei Wushang and stated her intention, Wei Wushang agreed immediately.

For this eldest cousin, Yuan Bao’s feelings were very complicated.

Before encountering Sheng Xueyi, Yuan Shougui was a very competent eldest cousin who treated her extremely well.

However, when Sheng Xueyi appeared in their lives, Yuan Shougui became obsessed like a man possessed.

After accepting Sheng Xueyi’s space and reading her diary, Yuan Bao understood Sheng Xueyi’s origin, but it was only then that she suddenly remembered the concept of the protagonist’s aura.

According to some settings, the protagonist’s aura could affect certain opposite-sex supporting characters.

Perhaps Yuan Shougui was influenced by Sheng Xueyi’s protagonist’s aura!

Now, with Sheng Xueyi gone, the weird influence she exerted on Yuan Shougui might have dissipated!

Of course, what exactly happened, still needed to be seen.

...

Sanchuan City, Ba River Camp.

Yuan Shougui’s days were indeed difficult.

He chose to join the military purely because he wanted to achieve military merit and become a man worthy of Sheng Xueyi.

However, reality dealt him a heavy blow.

A task that originally would earn him credit was unexpectedly not completed due to an accident, and he even broke his leg. Although he has healed, there’s no suitable opportunity anymore.

In the subsequent time, Yuan Shougui stayed at the Ba River Camp’s base, training like an ordinary soldier.

After six months, Yuan Shougui matured but also became decadent.

He was indeed not suited to the military path, didn’t have the physique.

But, Daxia’s rules were that once you entered the military, you either died in battle, became disabled, won glory and retired, or could serve until forty years old and return due to physical reasons.

Yuan Shougui didn’t know when such days would end, he regretted it!

After daily training, he laid on the ground exhausted and didn’t even want to move. Reflecting on his past persistence, he found it utterly foolish.

"Yuan Shougui!"

Just as Yuan Shougui was reminiscing, deeply regretting, his Squad Leader came quickly, "Quickly, the General is calling you!"

"Oh, alright, I’m coming!"

Upon hearing the Squad Leader’s words, Yuan Shougui immediately stood up and rushed toward the Commander’s Tent.

The current main commander of Ba River Camp was still Sun Feng, who always wanted to open a back door for Yuan Shougui, but unfortunately, Yuan Shougui hadn’t strived enough.

"General, you called for me?"

Seeing Sun Feng, Yuan Shougui respectfully saluted and stood aside.

"There’s a letter for you!"

Sun Feng gave Yuan Shougui a meaningful glance but said nothing, merely handing him a letter.