"Alright, then we'll trouble Young Master Xiao!" Madam Gu said, picking up a cicada pupa for Xiao Jinfeng.
The former Prince Ming had completely integrated into the countryside, transforming into a genuine country lad...
Si Yakedun stared at the dishes on the table, her lips pursing involuntarily.
No wonder the grassland herders loved to visit the Central Plains. Look at the food they ate – exquisite and delicious, making one's mouth water just by looking at it...
Humans are omnivores; they cannot subsist on a single type of food. Consistently indulging in rich meats would be too much for the body to handle.
Little Xi Tian took out two jars of pickled vegetables from her space – radishes, scallions, tender baby bok choy, cucumbers, and cilantro, all available...
Du Tieshan fried another bowl of egg paste. Si Yakedun took one look and was incredibly enticed.
"Lord Ke Dun, why aren't you eating?" Old Man Yun asked Si Ya with a smile. "Since you're at my home, don't be shy. Eat and drink as you please, relax your mind, and be happy. Look how much your daughter is enjoying her meal..."
At these words, Han Chi'er and Si Yakedun simultaneously looked at Han Chijiao.
Their clumsy daughter was holding a pig's trotter in one hand and reaching for a chicken leg with the other, her mouth greasy and her cheeks puffed out...
Beside her, Xiao Xinling was eating just as messily, even fighting with Han Chijiao over a cicada pupa.
Si Yakedun's lips twitched. She thought to herself, this daughter of hers was beyond saving...
When had anyone seen a daughter eat like this?
"Ahem, Jiaojiao!" Han Chi'er coughed lightly, giving Han Chijiao a look. "Your mother and I haven't even started eating, and you've already devoured half a chicken. What kind of behavior is this?"
Han Chijiao: "..."
It's because you two were pretending not to eat.
"Whose daughter is this?" Han Chi'er asked Xiao Xinling.
Why was she also so ill-mannered?
If one didn't know better, they'd think she and Jiaojiao were sisters.
Xiao Xinling paused her eating and replied irritably, "I'm not eating from your bowl, why are you asking so many questions?"
Hmph, meddling where it's none of your business.
Han Chi'er: "..."
Why was this girl so sharp-tongued?
Xiao Jinheng didn't want to sit at the same table as Han Chi'er, so he sent Kong Xingzhu to dine at Yun's house in his stead.
Moreover, given the relationship between Kong Xingzhu and Han Chijiao, having him present at such an occasion was quite fitting...
"Here, Great Khan, let me refill your bowl!" Old Man Yun held up the wine jar and generously poured a large bowl for Han Chi'er. "This Huadiao wine was sent by my son from the capital. It's mellow and fragrant, and you won't get a headache even if you drink a lot!"
Han Chi'er sniffed, her eyes lighting up. This was indeed good wine...
"Um, Brother Yun!"
Han Chi'er picked up the wine bowl and pondered for a moment before speaking, "It seems I'm older than you, so I'll call you Brother Yun from now on. My Jiaojiao is young and doesn't know any better. She's been eating and staying at your place for so long, and Si Ya and I feel very indebted. But don't worry, Brother Yun, I'll take that brat back tomorrow, and I guarantee she won't bother you again..."
Before Old Man Yun could respond, Han Chijiao dropped her chicken leg and grabbed Kong Xingzhu's arm. "Come with me, quickly!"
Kong Xingzhu: "???"
What was she up to now?
"Jiaojiao!" Si Yakedun frowned and patted the table. "Sit down!"
Her imposing aura was like Mount Tai pressing down, completely subduing Han Chijiao...
"Uh, Mother, I, I don't want to go back to the grasslands yet, so, so please let me stay at the Old Yun family's for a few more days!" Han Chijiao said plaintively.
Seeing her pitiful state, Kong Xingzhu was about to intercede for her, but upon seeing Si Yakedun's fierce expression, he could only purse his lips and swallow his words...
He couldn't afford to offend this Ke Dun.
Si Yakedun narrowed her eyes and glared at Han Chijiao. "Do you think Dashui Village is your home? Do you think eating simple farm food for a few days makes you Han? Do you think falling in love with a man from the Central Plains means you must marry him? Jiaojiao, you are an adult. Don't just say 'I think' about everything. You don't have that right yet!"
Heartbroken Han Chijiao: "..."
You are pushing me to a dead end.
Madam Gu, seeing that Han Chijiao was on the verge of tears, smiled and smoothed things over. "Miss Han is welcome to stay with us as long as she likes. She's lively and outgoing, and very cheerful. She brings a lot of joy to the family!"
She couldn't exactly say Han Chijiao was lazy, greedy, and did nothing...
Xiao Xinling was immediately displeased upon hearing this. "Auntie, can't I bring joy to the family? Han Chijiao snatches things from me every day, like sugar-coated haws and chicken legs. She has no princess-like demeanor at all. Khan, Ke Dun, I advise you to take her back soon, lest she can't control herself and sleeps with that Kong fellow. If she has ten or eight babies, it will be unmanageable!"
Han Chi'er: "..."
Si Yakedun: "..."
You're a bit too much, aren't you.
"Xiao! Xin! Ling!" Han Chijiao gnashed her teeth, her eyes reddening with anger. "Can't you stop kicking me when I'm down? Kong Gege and I only have pure love. Unlike you, with your filthy mind, always thinking about sleeping around and having babies!"
Everyone: "..."
It seems this meal won't be peaceful.
Si Yakedun's cold eyes narrowed, and she suddenly stood up. "All of you, shut up!"
Making such a racket, what does it look like?
Seeing his wife getting angry again, Han Chi'er quickly clinked his wine bowl against Old Man Yun's and gulped it down...
"You two, go to your rooms and reflect carefully. Without my permission, you are not allowed to come out for meals!" Si Yakedun said with a stern face.
If they were allowed to continue unchecked, these two girls would be tearing down the roof; they weren't even as well-behaved as the village girls...
Xiao Xinling's almond eyes widened in defiance. "You, you, you old woman, why are you ordering me around? I am Princess Xinling, you, you are outrageous!"
Oh, this made her so angry, so angry.
Si Yakedun sneered. "Since you are also a princess, I will help your father and mother discipline you, so you don't disgrace your Liang Dynasty royal family..."
With that, Si Yakedun called out towards the door, "Ren Dula, come in!"
A moment later, Ren Dula scurried in. "Lord Ke Dun, what are your orders?"
Si Yakedun glanced at Han Chijiao and Xiao Xinling. "Go, throw them both into the granary, and don't give them any food tonight!"
Everyone again: "..."