Lu Yun and the other children watched them, feeling their little hearts melt. At this moment, they all exuded an uncle-like aura, displaying their elder roles with pride.
After not seeing them for several months, their little nieces and nephews had grown so much and were becoming more and more beautiful. They really wanted to pinch their chubby cheeks and plant kisses all over their baby-faced little faces.
Wu Wa stared at Si Zai with unblinking eyes, gazing at him blankly for the time it took an incense stick to burn.
After finishing their observation of the little ones, they hurried back to the dining hall. They wouldn't want to miss out on any excitement at home.
Upon hearing Lu Xing, Xiao Ma, and the others mention that they would be visiting the capital tomorrow to get acquainted with the surroundings.
Lu Yun gave them a thumbs-up and pointed to his chest, saying, "Brother Xiao Xing, Brother Xiao Ma, Brother Zhugan, Brother ChengTuo, Brother Goudan, Brother ChiBao, starting tomorrow, I'll show you around the capital! Food, drink, and fun are all on me!"
Lu Xing chuckled, "Xiao Yun, we are all big eaters. Will your pocket money be enough?"
Everyone looked at Lu Yun with wide smiles.
Before Lu Yun could speak, Tian Dou patted his shoulder and interjected, "Brother Xiao Xing, Brother Xiao Ma, you don't know this, but the person standing before you now is no ordinary person."
"Oh, so he's a 'somewhat' ordinary person?" Xiao Ma asked with a giggle.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Tian Dou dramatically introduced, "Brothers, our eldest brother, Lu Yun, is now the leader of the Street Gang!"
The others laughed again. The Street Gang, the name itself sounded like a children's make-believe game.
However, Lu Yun had been the "General of Dung" in Hongshu Village and now the leader of the Street Gang in the capital. This boy was definitely destined to be a big brother when he grew up, with an immeasurable future.
Therefore, even if it was just a children's game, they still felt that Lu Yun becoming the king of the children in the capital within a few short months was quite impressive.
Tian Dou wanted to continue revealing more to astound everyone, but Lu Yun raised his hand to stop him. Just talking might sound like bragging. It would be better to take them to see it in person tomorrow.
"In short, Brother Xing, Brother Ma, whether you believe me or not, I'll treat you to an outing tomorrow, and I'll cover all the expenses!" Lu Yun declared, thumping his chest with an air of confidence.
Seeing his enthusiasm and self-assurance, they felt it would be impolite to embarrass him, so they smiled and agreed, "Alright, alright, we'll trouble our younger brother Xiao Yun then."
In the evening, Lu Hua, Ga Mei, and Qing Feng returned, bringing another wave of liveliness to the household.
Lu Hua took Ga Mei and Ding Xiang to see Si Zai.
Seeing that Grandpa and Madam were free, Uncle Ding stepped forward and said, "Grandpa, Madam, could you please move to the reception hall? This old servant wishes to report on the household affairs of the past few months to you both."
Uncle Ding was indeed reliable. Bai Sheng smiled and nodded, "No problem. Then let's head to the reception hall."
Bai Sheng actually trusted Uncle Ding implicitly, but this procedure still needed to be followed. With the increasing number of household servants, it was easy for things to become chaotic without proper management. Some rules needed to be established.
Therefore, Bai Sheng rarely interfered when Uncle Ding managed the servants. Uncle Ding was a man of his time; he knew how to ensure the servants followed the rules. While Bai Sheng was indeed lenient with the servants, he would never indulge them without limits.
After settling down, Uncle Ding produced a ledger, opened it, and said respectfully, "Master, Madam, the first matter is that this old servant purchased Xiao Gu as a young gate attendant. Xiao Gu is fifteen years old and has a slight defect in his left leg, so the cost was a total of six taels of silver.
Xiao Gu was originally a young eunuch in the palace. When he was ten, his leg was broken and he was thrown out of the palace. Later, he was picked up by a neighbor of this old servant.
That old neighbor was a lonely elderly person who passed away just a few months ago. His dilapidated house was then occupied by his clan members. Xiao Gu had nowhere to go and was preparing to sell himself at the registry office. This old servant is also a cripple, and knows that it is difficult for a disabled man to support himself without strength. The registry office might not necessarily accept him.
Therefore, this old servant felt a moment of compassion and took it upon himself to purchase him. Please punish this old servant, Master and Madam."
Lu Ye said gently, "Uncle Ding, you can handle the matter of purchasing servants as you see fit from now on. If the household lacks anything, just buy it. If Uncle Ding thinks it's acceptable, then it is. I think Xiao Gu is quite honest and diligent, and he's very suitable for guarding the gate."
Uncle Ding immediately said respectfully, "Thank you for your trust, Master."
Bai Sheng smiled, "Everything in the household requires Uncle Ding's meticulous attention. Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Ding."
"It's not hard, not hard at all," Uncle Ding said, shaking his head immediately. He spoke earnestly, "Madam, if this old servant may be so bold as to say something presumptuous, Master and Madam's home is this old servant's home. This old servant is happy to work for his own family, so how could it be hard?"
Bai Sheng smiled and nodded, "Uncle Ding, what you said is very true. We are indeed a family. I am very pleased that you think this way."
Uncle Ding also felt a sense of warmth. He continued, "Madam, Master, the second matter this old servant needs to report is about Second Master Xiao Yun."
Bai Sheng's heart tightened, and she exchanged a look with Lu Ye, asking urgently, "What happened to Xiao Yun...?"
Uncle Ding paused, seeing the worried expressions on the Master and Madam's faces. He couldn't help but chuckle, "Master and Madam need not worry. Everything regarding Second Master is good news.
Although our Second Master is only nine years old, he is very capable, as you know. Initially, he rented a small shop with a group of young beggars and specialized in selling small toys for children to play with. To everyone's surprise, business was excellent. In less than half a year, he had earned over a thousand taels of silver.
Second Master then gathered the young beggars in the capital and established the Street Gang, which has now grown to over eighty members.
To provide a place for the gang members to stay, he purchased a courtyard house with two entrances earlier this month. Because he was a child, the registry office was hesitant to conduct the transaction with him, so Lu Yun asked this old servant to assist in the purchase.
This old servant originally intended to wait until Master and Madam returned to discuss it, but Second Master said that in the middle of winter, those disciples were homeless, suffering from hunger and cold, and couldn't wait.
Furthermore, Madam had allowed him to venture out freely, and he had earned the money with his own ability. Even if Master and Madam returned, they would support him in doing this, which is why this old servant agreed to help him purchase that courtyard house."
Bai Sheng and Lu Ye were both greatly astonished. They never expected these little rascals to actually achieve such a feat and create such a grand affair.
Seeing the surprise on both their faces, Uncle Ding immediately added, "Besides this, Second Master and the others have been well-behaved these past few months and haven't caused any trouble."
Bai Sheng recovered and smiled, "Uncle Ding, Xiao Yun is not wrong. He can spend the silver he earned as he pleases.
Indeed, I have also told him personally that he can go out and venture freely, as long as he does not do anything unethical or harmful, and ensures his own safety. Whatever he wants to do, he should do it boldly.
Moreover, with you keeping an eye on him, my husband and I are at ease. That residence will be his to decide."
Lu Ye also nodded, "That's right. The money he earns is his to spend. As long as he doesn't make any major mistakes, there's no need to worry too much." Lu Ye had great faith in the character of his two younger brothers.
"Ah, ah, that's good, that's good," Uncle Ding visibly relaxed.