âIs my embrace too tight? How about like this?â
Lady Lin Jiufu wore a motherly smile on her face as she doted on Hunao and slightly loosened her arms.
âChirp.â
Hunao breathed a sigh of relief and curled up into a tiny ball, feeling at ease in her arms.
âOh dear, how adorable.â
The affection in Lin Jiufuâs eyes seemed to turn into water: âSuch a soft and cute little tiger can be hugged every day and it still wonât be enough.â
Lin Qingluoâs eyes twinkled and her face broke into a sweet smile: âSince Ninth Aunt likes cute pets so much, why not give Qingluo another little brother to raise by her side?â
âSigh.â
Lady Lin Jiufuâs gaze darkened, and her smile froze on her face.
Her eyelids reddened, and she spoke in a low voice: âQingluo, you are the most sensible and understanding. Your Ninth Aunt doesnât hide anything from you. Iâve always wanted to have another child, but the bitter cold of Beidi makes it hard to bear. Even if I were to give birth, I couldnât bear to have him stay by our side and suffer with us.â
âNinth Aunt, Qingluo will find a way to improve your living environment.â
Lin Qingluo reached out and held Lady Lin Jiufuâs hand, looking at her sincerely, with an indomitable spirit in her eyes.
âYour Ninth Uncle told me about your plans.â
Lady Lin Jiufuâs eyes flashed with gratitude and deep affection: âIf you can truly turn this place into an isolated Peach Blossom Land like you said, not only us but all the soldiers and civilians of Beidi will be grateful to you.â
âIâll do my best.â
Lin Qingluo nodded lightly, and took out a small white jade bottle that she had prepared in advance from her pocket. She opened the stopper, poured out a reddish-brown Spirit Pill, and placed it into Lady Lin Jiufuâs palm.
âNinth Aunt, Qingluo has a great gift for you.â
âWhat is this?â
Lady Lin Jiufu looked at the Spirit Pill with surprise in her eyes.
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Lin Qingluoâs warm smile answered: âA Spirit Pill that can keep a person eternally young if consumed.â
âIs there really such a miraculous Spirit Pill?â
Lady Lin Jiufu held the pill, clearly stunned for a moment and incredulous.
âChirp.â
Hunao smelled the strong fragrance of the medicine, vigorously twitched its little nose, smacked its lips, and wanted to eat the Spirit Pill.
Lady Lin Jiufu, fearing that it would be eaten, quickly put it in her mouth.
The Spirit Pill melted instantly, with none of the bitterness of medicine, and it was swallowed without any feeling at all.
Lady Lin Jiufu swallowed her saliva and, somewhat surprised, couldnât help but muttering: âThat was it?â
Her muttering was a bit loud, and Lin Qingluo heard it, laughing with delight, her eyebrows curling up.
**
The sorghum seeds planted in Fourth Master Linâs small courtyard, irrigated with Spiritual Spring water, shot up to three meters high in just a month and a half, with full grains and an abundant harvest.
The sorghum watered with well water also grew nearly two meters tall, though the grains were a little sparser. Despite the bitter cold of winter, they tenaciously grew, looking especially pleasing to the eye.
Lin Qingluo returned to the small courtyard several times. Seeing the thriving crops, she was overjoyed.
Through the small sorghum field, she could already envision the bountiful landscape of the newly reclaimed basin.
**
Mo Canglan did not disappoint his little masterâs expectations and returned to the border outpost ten days later.
The giant eagleâs massive body appeared in the sky above the camp, causing quite a stir, as expected.
A group of young men, including Uncle Lin Jiushu, were all filled with excitement and anticipation, giving him a warm welcome with their eager gazes.
âTweet.â
The giant eagle let out a cry, flapped its massive wings, flew over the towering mountains, circled several times above the camp, and slowly landed on the ground.
Upon hearing the eagleâs cry, Lin Qingluo pulled aside the curtain and left the house, hugging Hunao and waiting for him with a smile outside the door.