"Auntie, isn't that Magistrate Song?" Jin Xiaolou asked curiously.
Magistrate Song had been beaten at Old Yun's house that morning, and he hadn't expected him to come beat Liu Cuirong that afternoon...
And outside the crowd, Jin Xiaolou also saw several familiar figures. Those people were all subordinates of Young Master Xiao and Young Master Gu. They were probably waiting for Magistrate Song to finish beating Liu Cuirong before driving Magistrate Song's family out of Heyang County, as far away as possible.
Madam Gu sneered, "Dogs biting dogs, all with dirty mouths!"
Not a single good person among them.
Jin Xiaolou felt the same. In fact, without even guessing, he knew that Magistrate Song's interest in Old Yun's house must have been instigated by Liu Cuirong from behind the scenes...
Magistrate Song suffered a loss at the Yun family's and turned around to vent his anger on Liu Cuirong. Wasn't that like dogs biting dogs?
Little Xi Tian heard the commotion and blinked her sleepy eyes to peek outside the carriage. Upon seeing Liu Cuirong, she listlessly snuggled back into her mother's embrace and continued to doze...
Just as Madam Gu was telling Jin Xiaolou to continue driving the carriage, a familiar figure suddenly appeared in front of the carriage.
"Heh heh, Auntie Yun, you've come to the county town too? Oh, Sweetie is sleeping so soundly!" Er Longzi greeted with a grin.
Madam Gu smiled slightly, "Are you here to 'see off' Magistrate Song?"
After all, Young Master Xiao and Young Master Gu had instructed them to drive Magistrate Song's family out of the county. If they dared to return, their legs would be broken...
Er Longzi scratched his head, "Yes, Auntie Yun, do you have any instructions?"
Madam Gu glanced at Liu Cuirong, and a thought suddenly struck her.
She leaned closer to Er Longzi and whispered a few words to him. Finally, she instructed him, "I'll trouble you with this. When we get back, I'll have Huaihua make you filled pancakes..."
"Alright, Auntie Yun, don't worry. I guarantee I'll complete the mission, heh heh!" Er Longzi patted his chest and promised.
Little Xi Tian opened one eye and raised her little head to look at her mother, a brilliant smile blooming on her lips.
Liu Cuirong, Liu Cuirong, if you continue to cause trouble, Heyang County probably won't be able to accommodate you anymore.
That's right, Madam Gu was asking Er Longzi to drive Liu Cuirong out of the county and never let her return...
With this troublemaker around, she might still disgust the Yun family in the future.
The next morning, as dawn was just breaking, Jin Huaihua, Du Tieshan, and Zhao Guihua got up to prepare the meals.
The family would have a simple meal in the morning, but the midday meal was the most crucial.
Du Tieshan threw the eight large carp bought yesterday into the water bucket to thaw. They could make braised carp for lunch...
She also put the scalded pig trotters and pig head into the large pot to boil.
Jin Huaihua was responsible for stir-frying. Dishes like dried beans stewed with pork ribs, spicy tofu, dried mushrooms stir-fried with meat, and garlic sprouts stir-fried with eggs were all prepared by her.
It took some effort to prepare all these ingredients.
Zhao Guihua was responsible for making the staple foods. Since there were many guests at home today, they had to steam several baskets of steamed buns, flower rolls, and baozi...
The three skilled women busied themselves in the kitchen, and wisps of cooking aromas wafted from the entrance of the Yun family's house.
Fortunately, the weather was good today, bright and clear with no clouds. Although the temperature was still very cold, at least the wind had stopped.
Even Xue Ling crawled out of its doghouse and took the four puppies out for a walk.
The men at home were not idle either. Jin Xiaolou got up early, delivered milk to the county town first, and then helped with chopping firewood and carrying water when he returned, his forehead covered in sweat...
Da Man held the fodder, chopped it into small pieces with a cutting machine, and mixed it with wheat bran and chopped straw to feed the cattle and horses.
Although the family also had cornmeal, they couldn't feed it to the livestock every day; some had to be saved for people to eat.
Moreover, the cattle and horses at home were now growing quite plump and did not lack concentrated feed.
Er Man led Yun Xiaobao and Yun Jinshan to sweep the yard, clearing out snow and dirt from every corner. They even cleaned the dust from the porch pillars and eaves...
After the Chen Shi hour, guests began to arrive at the house one after another.
The village chief was the first to arrive. He brought a jar of Huadiao wine and a basket of eggs. As soon as he saw Yun Sanman, he offered congratulations repeatedly.
Ru Yue and Ru Hua also came to help, wiping tables, boiling water, preparing tea, and washing cups.
"Sister Fang'er, it's so lively outside, don't you want to go out and take a look?" Little Xi Tian returned to the room to drink water. Seeing Shangguan Fang'er sitting on the kang, staring out the window, she went up and patted her.
Shangguan Fang'er snapped back to reality and gave Little Xi Tian a dry smile, "There are too many people outside, I want to be alone!"
Little Xi Tian: "..."
When did you become so socially anxious?
The Fang'er sister from before was a social butterfly, fearless.
Is being quiet and gentle your true nature?
"Sister Fang'er, today is Jingde's engagement banquet. The kitchen has prepared a lot of delicious food. Come, I'll take you to eat braised pork ribs..."
Saying that, Little Xi Tian went to pull Shangguan Fang'er's hand.
The latter flinched violently, withdrew her hands as if shocked, and moved to the end of the kang, "I, I don't want to go out!"
Little Xi Tian blinked her big eyes, her expression very helpless.
Sister Fang'er might have just recovered from her illness and hasn't emerged from the shadow of her past confusion...
It was truly hard on her. As a princess of a nation, she had experienced so much hardship and setbacks.
"Sweetie, do you know where Qing'er is?" Shangguan Fang'er suddenly asked.
Little Xi Tian: "???"
Why do you keep mentioning Qing'er? Who is she?
"Is Qing'er Sister Murong?" Little Xi Tian asked in confusion.
Shangguan Fang'er nodded gently, "Yes, Murong Qing, my sister. Where is she?"
"Sister Murong went to Bocai Academy with eldest nephew!" Little Xi Tian poured Shangguan Fang'er a cup of water and sat next to her on the kang. "I heard that the academy's holiday started long ago. If you count the time, eldest nephew and the others should be back soon..."
Her parents had written several letters to eldest nephew before, but they hadn't received a single reply yet.
Even fourth brother hadn't found them.
"Why did Qing'er go to the academy with your eldest nephew?" Shangguan Fang'er looked puzzled.
He was a pillar of Chen Kingdom, a mainstay of the country, knowledgeable and talented. Was she going to the academy to teach?
Little Xi Tian pursed her lips and smiled, briefly recounting the situation when they met them on the road...
Shangguan Fang'er was shocked upon hearing this, "You, you mean Qing'er is a study companion to your eldest nephew? And she has to serve his daily needs, three meals a day?"
My heavens, what was she thinking?
Isn't this demeaning herself?
Little Xi Tian looked helpless and was about to explain when Shangguan Fang'er suddenly jumped off the kang and ran outside without even putting on her shoes, "No, I have to go find Qing'er. Without her, I can't do anything!"
Little Xi Tian: "..."