Xiao Jinfeng clung to Jin Huaihua’s arm, groaning in pain. "Wuwuwu, Mother Consort, your son, your son doesn't want to go back. Can you let your son die in Dashui Village, rot in Dashui Village?"
Jin Huaihua: "..."
Why was this person always acting out when drunk?
And he always said such strange things after drinking.
Er Longzi heard this and stomped his feet anxiously, quickly stepping forward to pull Xiao Jinfeng. "Ah, young master, what are you doing? Let go of Miss Huaihua quickly..."
If he let slip his own secrets, how would Consort Xian deal with him once they returned to the palace?
Moreover, after observing for a period, Er Longzi noticed that His Highness Prince Ming seemed to have feelings for Miss Huaihua.
If he truly liked this girl, he should show his usual demeanor and grace, not spout nonsense like a drunkard...
"Scram, get lost, don't disturb this prince chatting with Mother Consort!~" Xiao Jinfeng kicked Er Longzi, his face smeared with tears and snot.
Er Longzi: "..."
Your drinking manners are truly poor. Uncle Yun always found a place to sleep soundly when he got drunk, never bothering anyone else.
Jin Huaihua wiped the sweat from Xiao Jinfeng’s forehead with a handkerchief. After a long pause, she managed to say, "Young Master Xiao, go to sleep!~"
Xiao Jinfeng, in his drunken stupor, heard this and suddenly opened his eyes...
She was still unaccustomed to Jin Huaihua speaking suddenly. Her clear and pleasant voice was exceptionally beautiful, as if it possessed the power to heal the heart.
"It's you!~" Xiao Jinfeng stared blankly at Jin Huaihua, his handsome face flushing crimson.
When people are blackout drunk, they can't remember what they said. Just like when Xiao Jinfeng called Huaihua Mother Consort earlier, he had completely forgotten...
"S-sleep!~" Jin Huaihua nudged him.
Xiao Jinfeng blinked his hazy eyes, and after a long moment, he suddenly glanced at Er Longzi. "You, get out! Quickly!"
After saying that, Xiao Jinfeng took Jin Huaihua’s hand and gently kissed the back of it.
Er Longzi: "..."
Indeed, his feelings were misplaced.
He hadn't eaten much tonight, so why did his stomach feel full?
Never mind, even if you didn't chase me away, I would have left.
Seeing Er Longzi leave the guest room, Jin Huaihua became nervous and quickly pulled her hands away. "I, I want to go back!~"
"Miss Huaihua, wait a moment!" Xiao Jinfeng stumbled off the heated brick bed and blocked Jin Huaihua. "Stay and talk with this prince. Say anything..."
He had been completely drunk just now, but upon seeing Huaihua, he suddenly sobered up significantly.
"I, I don't know what to say!~" Jin Huaihua turned her face away, her heart pounding rapidly.
Xiao Jinfeng smiled faintly, picked up the tea bowl on the table, and gulped it down. Then, wiping his mouth, he said, "Tell me about your childhood experiences, what you like, and what your aspirations are. This prince loves to listen..."
He felt that among the Yun family, Jin Huaihua was the most comfortable person to be around.
This girl was indifferent to fame and fortune, never competing for anything. She worked as hard as any man and made delicious food.
In the past, she was mute, which Xiao Jinfeng felt was a pity. But now that she could speak, Xiao Jinfeng felt as if his heart had been gently caressed by countless rays of sunshine; it was so comfortable...
Jin Huaihua hesitated for a moment before speaking her experiences clumsily. Xiao Jinfeng listened with great absorption.
Er Longzi knocked on the door several times, but Xiao Jinfeng ignored him.
Helpless, Er Longzi squatted by the door in a farmer's crouch, dozing off while waiting for Jin Huaihua to come out...
In the main house of the East Wing.
Old Man Yun sat cross-legged on the edge of the heated brick bed, puffing on his pipe. "Old woman, I've been thinking these past few days. Is Magistrate Chen's intention to marry into our family reliable?"
He had also observed secretly these past few days. Chen Xiaoran liked playing with Jingde very much. The two children seemed destined for each other, looking perfectly matched no matter how he looked at them...
He was just afraid that Magistrate Chen was acting on a whim and that if he regretted it later, it would leave a psychological scar on Jingde.
Mrs. Gu neatly folded the washed clothes and put them in the cabinet. "Didn't I say before? Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes. If Magistrate Chen truly has that intention, why should we be so reserved? After all, a magistrate's daughter is a desirable catch; who wouldn't want to marry her?~"
"Besides, since they are so proactive, we should show some sincerity too!" As Mrs. Gu spoke, she snatched the pipe from Old Man Yun's hand. "You should smoke less; your throat is already hoarse. In the next day or two, have Sanman buy some gifts and take Jingde to the county town to visit Magistrate Chen and his wife..."
Mrs. Gu had just told Yun Sanman about Magistrate Chen's marriage proposal. Such joyous news, of course, he wouldn't oppose it.
Old Man Yun grunted, "Alright, I'll go when I have time!~"
Things were mutual. Since Magistrate Chen was so enthusiastic, they had to reciprocate.
"Old woman, has Jinhe written home?" Old Man Yun suddenly asked.
Mrs. Gu sighed and shook her head. "No, Jinhe is in the prefectural county, too far from Dashui Village. Now that the heavy snow has blocked the roads, it will take at least twenty days to return..."
"Or, or should I let Damman go to meet him?" Old Man Yun felt a bit worried.
Almost everyone in the family had returned, except for Yun Jinhe, who was studying away from home. If he didn't return by the New Year, the whole family would be anxious and agitated...
Mrs. Gu pondered for a moment and said calmly, "Let Siman go. He's been venturing out since he was young; he's quick-witted and skilled in martial arts. I'm afraid Damman might get lost!"
"Alright, I'll tell Siman tomorrow morning. Let's go to sleep!~" Old Man Yun yawned, lifted the quilt, and got into bed.
The heated brick bed in the house was very hot at night, the stove grate glowing red. This residual heat could last until dawn or even morning, making it very comfortable to sleep. Outside, the cold wind whistled, but inside, it was warm...
After breakfast the next day, Yun Siman hitched up his horse and sleigh and set off.
The official road outside the village was covered in shimmering snow, so bright it was hard to open one's eyes. The sun hid behind the clouds, emitting a cold, pale light.
Meanwhile, on a road leading to Dashui Village, a carriage was struggling through the snow.
Sun Tianxiu sat on the carriage shaft, wiping his snot with his sleeve. "This damned weather is too cold. My nose is about to freeze off..."
The carriage was not as agile as a sleigh in the snow, and its progress was very slow.
Yao Jinsheng heard this and chuckled, teasing, "Your nose can freeze off but you can still breathe? Are you an immortal, haha!~"
Sun Tianxiu glared back at him, then looked at Yun Jinhe. "Jinhe, how much further is Dashui Village? Why does it feel like we'll never reach the end?"
If he had known it would be so arduous, he would have stayed at the academy for the New Year...
Yun Jinhe moved the charcoal basin at his feet closer to Murong Qing. "As long as we haven't taken the wrong road, we should be there soon!~"
No sooner had he spoken than the fine horse suddenly neighed. The carriage swayed slightly and was forced to stop.