Chapter 491: Chapter 491: Difficult Obstacle
“Wait, Old Cheng, stop by the side!”

Liu Sisi hurriedly called out to Old Cheng.

“Alright, Madam!” Old Cheng responded as he stopped the carriage.

Before the carriage came to a complete stop, Liu Sisi got off and chased after the person at the intersection, with Granny Hu and Xue Yi following closely behind.

By the time Liu Sisi reached the small road intersection, the three figures were gone. She searched around for a moment but still couldn’t find them.

“Madam, should we go inside and look for them?”

Seeing Liu Sisi’s demeanor, Granny Hu suggested.

“No need, let’s go back.”

After some consideration, Liu Sisi shook her head and turned toward the direction of the carriage, only to hear someone calling her from the side.

“Mrs. Di?”

Liu Sisi was taken aback. Not many people would address her as Mrs. Di, and given the voice…she felt a surge of happiness and hurriedly turned around.

“It turns out to be Mrs. Ran! I’ve missed you so much after not seeing you for a long time. How have you been?” Liu Sisi greeted her hastily.

Mrs. Ran had become increasingly plump.

She approached Liu Sisi quickly, her eyes narrowing with laughter: “Just now, I saw a regal-looking Madam standing here, and I hesitated to recognize you. Oh my! Your transformation is quite impressive!”

“There has indeed been a change – my belly has grown!”

Liu Sisi mocked herself, as everyone seemed to ask her about her pregnancy, which she had already gotten used to.

“It is indeed your pregnancy, but I wasn’t talking about your belly growing. I mean that your face has become rounder and your complexion is great. You look like a blooming peony, becoming more beautiful the more I look.”

Beauty is appreciated by all! Liu Sisi felt flattered by Mrs.Ran’s compliments, to the point of blushing.

“Mrs. Ran, please don’t flatter me like this. If you continue, I won’t be able to find my bearings,” Liu Sisi said with a smile.

“It’s not flattery, madam. You’re naturally beautiful and elegant.”

Looking around, Mrs. Ran asked, “By the way, I saw you hurrying earlier. Where are you headed, madam?”

“Nowhere special. I was just a bit tired from sitting in the carriage, so I decided to take a walk nearby. I didn’t expect to run into you, Mrs. Ran.”

“This coincidence must mean we are destined to meet.”

Seeing Liu Sisi’s troubled expression, Mrs. Ran couldn’t help but laugh: “Mrs. Di, you must be tired, aren’t you? There’s a dessert shop nearby, why don’t we go in and take a look?”

“That sounds good, Mrs. Ran, please lead the way.”

Naturally, Liu Sisi wouldn’t refuse Mrs. Ran’s invitation and followed her into the neighboring dessert shop.

Mrs. Ran seemed to know the place well, ordering several delicious desserts as soon as they entered.

As Liu Sisi lost herself in thought, Mrs. Ran’s eyes flashed, and she approached her with a chuckle: “Mrs. Di, you should really consider moving to the city. For Lord Di alone, the convenience of getting to the government office would be worth it, don’t you think?”

Her words caught Liu Sisi’s attention, who looked up at Mrs. Ran: “Do you have a good suggestion?”

“I don’t dare give suggestions, but I do have something to say that I’m not sure if I should.”

A glint of light flashed in Liu Sisi’s eyes. Mrs. Ran’s husband’s family dealt in official salt trades, and the sub-captain role coincidentally managed official salt among other miscellaneous items…

With a light laugh, she said, “There’s no need to worry about what’s appropriate between us. If you have something to say, Mrs. Ran, please speak freely.”

Mrs. Ran smiled knowingly: “I heard that Lord Di has recently been promoted. By rights, imperial court-appointed officials should have a residency, especially for a seventh-rank official like Lord Di. But since Lord Di has been in office for half a month, why hasn’t he moved into the residency yet?”

She hinted indirectly.

“Really? As a country woman, I didn’t know about it. I’ll have to ask my husband.”

Liu Sisi was astonished, adopting a submissive stance as the wife of a respected man in her husband’s family.

At a loss for words, Mrs. Ran finally laughed again!

“Madam, did you come from the government office?”

“How did you know I came from there?”

“Not only do I know you came from the government office, but I also know that you met with a soft nail at the County Magistrate’s office. I even know that you must not have found Lord Di’s office, which is why you’re so troubled,” Mrs. Ran said with certainty.

“Oh? So you know the reason?”

“Believe it or not, madam, but I do know something.”

Mrs. Ran’s face was full of mystery.

Liu Sisi’s thoughts were still filled with what Mrs. Ran said, even as she boarded the carriage to return home.

“… Lord Di is currently caught between many enemies. It’s been many years since Macheng County has experienced war, and the weapons in the armory have long since decayed. The silver needed for the armory used to be split equally between the County Magistrate and the acting sub-captain. Now that Lord Di wants to re-equip the armory, money has become a major issue…”

“… Xin Quan’s uncle is keen on promoting him, but not only has Lord Di cut off their financial resources, he has also cut off their chances for promotion. The grudge has naturally deepened…”

“… Whether Lord Di wants to get silver from County Magistrate Su or Xin Quan, it’s tickling their bottom line. The only reason County Magistrate Su didn’t outright expel you is probably out of respect for Old Madam Gan…”

After pondering Mrs. Ran’s mentioned matters multiple times, Liu Sisi couldn’t help but sigh.

Being an official seems simple, but in reality, it is difficult!

Once home, Liu Sisi specifically bought two pigeons and instructed the kitchen to make a soup to nourish Ye Lei’s body.

That night, Di Yelei returned, his expression as calm as ever. Liu Sisi didn’t bring up anything from daytime. She only snuggled closer to him during the night, clutching him tightly with even more concern.

Early the next morning, as Di Yelei was about to leave the house, Liu Sisi handed him the ticket for 1000 taels of silver from the universal exchange Baoli Bank and forcefully stuffed it into his palm.

“You take this ticket, and if you need it, don’t hesitate to use it. Money can’t buy good health, understand?”

“How… how did you get so much silver? You…”

Di Yelei lowered his head to look at the ticket, instinctively wanting to refuse. But he was stared down by Liu Sisi’s warning gaze. His outstretched hand withdrew, gripping the ticket tightly.

“I understand! You… I’ll leave first.”

Di Yelei, in the end, said nothing and dashed off on horseback.

“Madam, we’re leaving too.”

Da Niu and Er Niu hurriedly followed on their horses.

Watching the three figures quickly disappearing into the morning mist, Liu Sisi was also full of worries, hoping that Ye Lei could safely overcome this difficult hurdle.