"What are you standing there for? Eat." Si Xitong put some freshly made salad on her plate. Ever since Xie Lanzhi told Little Phoenix about salads, she'd been making them for her tirelessly, just wanting her to eat more vegetables.
Xie Lanzhi looked miserable, even worse than if she were going to war: "But I've already eaten a lot, can I eat less today?"
Si Xitong said in an uncompromising tone: "If you're going to hold me accountable for this, then you might as well share a bed with me one less time."
Upon hearing this, Xie Lanzhi obediently picked up a plate of salad, topped with tomato sauce made from recently harvested tomatoes. She picked up a piece with her chopsticks and stuffed it into her mouth, and to her surprise, it was quite delicious with its sweet and sour taste.
She immediately gave a thumbs up and praised, "Little Phoenix, your salad is delicious."
Si Xitong looked pleased, her eyes showing pride at being praised by her lover: "Then I'll make more tomorrow."
Xie Lanzhi: "......"
Chapter 196 From Dream to Modern Times
The situation was extremely dire. Xie Lanzhi had heard that Li Li was ready for battle at any moment. Xie Ji had also sent a letter indicating that he and Li Li had made thorough arrangements. As long as the Northern Hu and Xiongnu crossed the Red River, they would launch a swift counterattack.
Xie Lanzhi found it strange. Compared to the powerful Northern Xiongnu, even if they were strong, they should have first targeted places like Huayin Kingdom to move south. Why would they choose to confront Li Li head-on first?
She suspected that the historical Huayin Kingdom must have been a victor in some kind of battle, which was why Aqina wanted to avoid it. Apochi and his ten thousand men died in the Huayin Kingdom.
It seems that Huayin Kingdom will play a very important role in the future.
Although the war has not yet begun, preparations for the new Tianjing have already started.
Xie Lanzhi is now taking some time to contact Aba. On the battlefield in Yue, the two sides are maintaining a certain balance. It can be said that the alliance is not important. What is important is that the two of them share the same goal.
That is Achina.
Xie Lanzhi also found the behavior of the Shi Kingdom's ruler rather strange. Shi Yang, as the ruler of the Shi Kingdom, not only showed no intention of rebuilding the kingdom, but also continued to move the Shi Kingdom's assets to Tianjing. She had heard that his wife, a female merchant from the Shi Kingdom, had already moved to Tianjing.
Xie Lanzhi didn't ask any more questions; she knew these were all Little Phoenix's people.
Little Phoenix has been handling affairs at Jianzhang Palace lately. Because of her diligence, she's basically not needed in the Golden Palace. Except for a few stubborn members of the Xie family who want her to take over power, saying things like "the good stuff shouldn't go to outsiders."
She ignored them. The Xie family could no longer cause any trouble. Even if they did, she wouldn't need to lift a finger. Little Phoenix's capable subordinates could handle them.
When Xie Lanzhi had some free time, she rarely called Qiqi and Qianqian over. Lu Qing belonged to the Biology Department of the Ministry of Works, so she had to stay at the Ministry during the day. It just so happened that the trainee disciples also needed her to stay at the Ministry.
Everything in Tianjing seemed to be progressing smoothly. Only she found herself with some free time.
Qiqi didn't talk much, handing Qianqian over to her while she knitted a scarf. Qianqian sat on her lap eating roasted sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are plentiful now, so they're available year-round, even if they can't be grown locally. The Central Plains are vast and rich in resources, with different seasons in different regions. Some areas have a spring-like climate year-round with ample rainfall, making them ideal for cultivation.
Qianqian was eating the sweet potato with great relish.
Seeing her intently munching on the sweet potato, Xie Lanzhi laughed and asked, "Is it really that delicious?"
Qianqian nodded: "Delicious. Very delicious."
"Can you eat sweet potatoes in your motherland?" Xie Lanzhi asked, then suddenly realized why she was asking a child this question.
She was brought to Tianjing by Lu Qing to escape. The new Tianjing is safe now, but that doesn't mean she and her daughter have escaped the pursuit of the Northern Xiongnu.
Xie Lanzhi still doesn't know that Lu Qing and her daughter were forced to flee to Tianjing because they had killed a prince.
After all, the mother and daughter had helped him so much. Especially Qianqian.
After Qianqian finished eating the sweet potato, she replied, "That's not my motherland. My father, the Grand Master, said that my motherland is in the Central Plains, not some northern barbarian tribe."
"Even if my mother calls it my motherland, it's not my motherland."
Qianqian's little face showed some rejection towards the Northern Hu Xiong. Xie Lanzhi quickly picked her up and carried her on her back for a few laps: "Alright. It was something I shouldn't have asked."
Where do you want to go today?
Qianqian said earnestly, "No, I have to finish the homework the teacher assigned. There are thirteen books!"
Xie Lanzhi was instantly stunned. This child had been in Tianjing for almost two years, but was only seven years old. Thirteen homework assignments were way too many!
She put the child down, and Qianqian went to Qiqi's basket containing the adventure books to rummage through them. She ended up finding all the balls of yarn.
Qiqi quickly helped her look: "Qianqian, wait a minute, let me help you look."
There really were thirteen books. Xie Lanzhi brought Qianqian a small table and stool, watching her carefully write with a calligraphy brush. Xie Lanzhi squatted down beside her, flipping through her unfinished homework. She discovered it was all mechanical knowledge.
Xie Lanzhi was getting a headache just looking at it. Qianqian was writing incredibly fast, and it wasn't just random scribbling. In some ways, this child seemed to be a genius.
Xie Lanzhi fell into deep thought. She thought about how her child and Lu Qing were among the first group of subordinates recruited by Little Phoenix. What role would this mother and daughter play in history?
Children this age are very active. After finishing only half a book, she went to bother Qiqi, pulling at the yarn balls. Qiqi immediately picked her up and carried her to the square outside the hall, and the two of them happily played together.
With Xiao Xiu and Granny Xie attending to her, Xie Lanzhi wasn't worried.
She picked up Qianqian's notebook and sat down at the desk in Xiaofeng's office to look through it. She read it over and over again, finally confirming that it was math material. The coverage was quite broad, including basic math, physics, and chemistry.
It seems that Lu Qing is training Qianqian to be an all-rounder.
Looking at her homework, she suddenly felt a sense of familiarity, like being back at school. Xie Lanzhi leaned on the table, felt around for a moment, and then her eyelids drooped and she drifted off to sleep.
Qiqi came in and saw that her sister Marshal was asleep: "Sister, if you want to sleep, why don't you go to bed?"
Qiqi called several times, but Xie Lanzhi wouldn't move. She figured the marshal must be too tired from being away, and now that he was relaxed, he was bound to be sleepy.
She took the princess's outer robe from the clothes rack and draped it over Xie Lanzhi. Then she took the teapot and went out to play with Qianqian again.
"Lanzhi—"
"Lanzhi!" Xie Lanzhi could hear Qiqi calling her. Strangely, she was resting her head on her arm, as if she were sealed and unable to move.
But her mind was perfectly clear. A moment later, she heard someone calling her name. It wasn't Little Phoenix's voice. It sounded like someone was calling her from a great distance. She clearly recognized the person, but because she couldn't see their face clearly, she couldn't immediately tell who it was.
She could only lie face down, and suddenly her eyes snapped open, revealing Ai Min's face looming large.
Xie Lanzhi was so frightened she jumped.
Suddenly, Xie Lanzhi could move again. She quickly stood up. Around her were bustling cars, and she and Ai Min were at a crosswalk; the light had turned green for the other side. Ai Min took her hand, and they ran across the crosswalk like a gust of wind. A strand of Ai Min's loose hair blew past, brushing against Xie Lanzhi's nose, making her feel ticklish.
Xie Lanzhi crossed the street, looking bewildered. She glanced at the pedestrians, then at Ai Min, and at the imposing, impersonal skyscrapers all around. The bustling street scene was desolate, with a dedicated traffic policeman directing traffic at the roundabout.
Xie Lanzhi raised her hand and slapped herself hard across the face. *Smack!* Ai Min, who was still tying her flowing hair back with a hair tie, suddenly heard the sound and turned to see Xie Lanzhi slapping herself.
"Lanzhi, what are you doing?"
Xie Lanzhi wanted to continue, but Ai Min grabbed her right wrist. A familiar pain shot through her right wrist. But there was no wound on her wrist, so Xie Lanzhi calmed down.
Her eyes, as deep and cold as a still pool, stared at Ai Min.
This was the work of Achina and his national shaman.
Ai Min, just like always, liked to wear a beige, knee-length dress. Her beautiful face, snow-white skin, delicate features, and ever-present, unconscious smile were captivating, like a gentle spring breeze. Her well-maintained, smooth, and shiny hair was casually tied back in a ponytail.
Just by standing there on the street, it can attract the attention of passersby.
Xie Lanzhi remained silent. Ai Min seemed to have a lot to say to her. She took her hand again and led the way. Since childhood, she had liked to hold her hand like this, with Ai Min walking in front and her following behind.
She always seemed passive in front of Aimin. On the contrary, she didn't dislike this feeling. Because she knew Aimin was a kind-hearted girl, and she didn't want to be alone, which was why she always tried to get to know Aimin's friends despite her awkwardness.
However, her aloofness made many friends who wanted to get to know her avoid her like the plague. Aimin seemed unaware of what to call her aloofness. She always told outsiders, "Lanzhi is so gentle, okay!"
It's still like that now. Aimin took her somewhere to meet a friend.
Xie Lanzhi looked at herself: a simple white T-shirt and blue jeans. Probably back in college.
This time, Ai Min chose the university library as her location.
"Looks like you've already guessed who I'm taking you to see." Ai Min hummed a little tune as she walked. She was naturally cheerful, always smiling whether she was happy or sad. At this moment, she seemed very happy.
Xie Lanzhi followed her without making a sound. The two chose to sit down by the window.
A little while later, a girl with a bob haircut, about 1.6 meters tall, wearing thick glasses, came over and sat down opposite me.
“Her name is Xie Sitian,” Ai Min introduced happily. “It sounds like a boy’s name, doesn’t it?”
Upon hearing this, Xie Sitian immediately adjusted his glasses and said, "Call me Sister Tian."
"Sister Tian," Xie Lanzhi called out obediently.
Ai Min and Xie Sitian were both stunned. They stared at her, seemingly not expecting her to actually scream.
Ai Min was the first to react. She couldn't help but pick up a book, open it, and bury her face in it, chuckling to herself: "Hahaha, Lan Zhi looks so cute when she's serious."
"So honest that it's hard to bully him," Xie Sitian commented, adjusting his glasses.
Ai Min's face was hidden behind the book, and she didn't make a sound, but her shoulders were shaking with laughter. It was as if a caterpillar had fallen into her clothes.
Xie Lanzhi looked at them indifferently.
Xie Sitian interrupted Ai Min first. She took out her notebook from her backpack, and then Ai Min leaned over. She started giving her advice.
The two men didn't say anything, but kept glancing at Xie Lanzhi. Xie Lanzhi looked bored, so she simply picked up a book, propped her chin up, and flipped through it casually.
Unexpectedly, the eyes of the two people opposite them suddenly lit up. Ai Min even whispered, "See, I told you Lan Zhi is just like the fanfiction you wrote."
"Si Tian, a lot of people are scrutinizing the details of your book. I saw it got over 10,000 upvotes on the forum."
Xie Sitian glanced at Xie Lanzhi and said, "Perhaps it's true history."
"Ugh, here we go again. I'm not easily fooled." Ai Min gently poked Xie Sitian's shoulder with her small hand. Then she whispered, "Now that Lan Zhi is your protagonist, your fanfiction is sure to be a bestseller."
"Also, the original villain was too vicious. Kids these days don't like emotional or physical torture; they all prefer sweet stories. You need to keep an eye on that."
A note from the author:
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 20:17:00 on February 7, 2022 and 19:45:40 on February 8, 2022!
Thank you to the little angels who threw rockets: Xiao Moqing An (2);
Thank you to the little angel who threw the grenade: Xiao Moqing An (1);
Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: Hongyan (1);
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Li Sao's Song (10 bottles); Xin Xin (3 bottles);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 197 She saw Xie Ying off
Xie Sitian simply stared at Xie Lanzhi. Xie Lanzhi didn't react. She'd always been like this in modern times. She had no interest in anything. Her classmates often teased her for having a world-weary face. If it weren't for her good looks, she might have been criticized for being ugly and pretentious.
She had no desire to make friends other than Aimin. So she didn't care at all what people compared her to.