Yun Daman’s heart skipped a beat. His mother was serious this time…
Given the relationship between Magistrate Chen and their family, if he found out about this, would Madam Zhou be alright?
Little Xi Tián also looked at Madam Gu with her big, curious eyes.
Although Mother was angry, she wouldn't go too far, would she? Did Mother have another reason for doing this?
In fact, Madam Gu was angry because Liu Dazhuang had harmed the dairy cows…
Their little daughter, to help the family, had worked tirelessly, running around, making cost budgets, and delivering milk. At such a young age, she understood how to share the family's burden. Madam Gu’s heart ached.
After finally managing to get over a dozen cows, Liu Dazhuang had poked them with bamboo sticks. These were dairy cows that their little daughter had attracted with her good fortune. What right did Liu Dazhuang have to harm them?
Even the gentle Madam Gu couldn’t stand it this time…
“Wuwuwu, sister-in-law, please don’t report us to the officials, I really know I was wrong!~” Madam Zhou was so terrified that she clung tightly to Yun Daman’s leg, refusing to let go. “We are a widow and her orphan, with no support at home. If I get locked up in prison, what will happen to Dazhuang, wuwu…”
Madam Zhou cried and wailed, smearing her snot on Yun Daman’s trouser leg. “Dazhuang was ignorant this time. I apologize to you on his behalf. Considering we are all from the same village, please, please spare us, mother and son, alright?”
Madam Gu’s anger flared even more upon hearing this. “We are inconveniencing you?”
Good heavens, was this person’s brain filled with water?
Didn’t she know who started this trouble first…
Madam Zhou realized she had said the wrong thing and quickly spat, “No, no, it’s all because that child Dazhuang is too naughty. When he gets home, I’ll soak a whip in cold water and give him a good thrashing. Sister-in-law, Brother Yun, you are magnanimous and don’t hold grudges. Please calm down and don’t take it to heart!~”
Little Xi Tián nodded gently after hearing this. Hmm, that sounded more reasonable…
Liu Dazhuang was crying uncontrollably. Under everyone’s gaze, he just wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
Madam Gu sneered, “It is the father’s fault if the child is not taught. Although Dazhuang doesn’t have a father, you, as his mother, should teach him properly. Even children in the countryside, despite their poor background, must learn to be decent. It’s not as simple as causing a big mess and then walking away!~”
“Yes, yes, yes, sister-in-law is absolutely right…” Seeing that Madam Gu’s attitude had softened, Madam Zhou released Yun Daman’s leg and quickly pulled Liu Dazhuang over, making him kneel before Madam Gu and Old Man Yun. “Dazhuang, quickly apologize to them, hurry!”
Zhou Dazhuang was almost scared senseless. He stammered and mumbled, his words unclear. How could he apologize?
“Hurry up and admit your mistake!~” Madam Zhou pressed Liu Dazhuang’s head, tears streaming down her face in her anxiety.
Madam Gu glanced at the mother and son, then slowly walked to the fence gate. “You may leave. If you truly regret your actions, then in the future, don’t do such harmful and self-defeating things…”
She now regarded these cows as treasures of the Yun family, just like her little daughter. From now on, no one would be allowed to harm them.
Seeing this, Madam Zhou quickly got up and pulled Liu Dazhuang to his feet. “Then, then we’ll be going!~”
With that, the mother and son pushed through the onlookers and slipped out of the Yun family’s home like slippery loaches…
Madam Gu sighed. Seeing her daughter standing beside her in her little floral padded jacket, a smile instantly bloomed on Madam Gu’s gloomy face. “Oh, my little daughter, it’s so cold outside. Hurry inside!~”
As she spoke, she picked up Little Xi Tián and turned to look at Zhao Guihua. “Eldest daughter-in-law, are the dishes ready?”
It was evening now, and it was completely dark. The cold wind whistled, chilling the villagers so much that their noses were running…
Zhao Guihua smiled and said, “They are ready, just waiting for everyone to sit down and eat!~”
According to her parents’ instructions, the meal tonight was very rich. Although it was all farm food, who could refuse a steaming pork knuckle and a bowl of delicious pickled cabbage soup on a cold winter night?
“Good, don’t just stand there, everyone. Come inside and warm up, haha…” Old Man Yun began to usher everyone into the house.
Madam Zhou’s little interlude passed quickly and did not affect the mood of the Yun family.
However, this mother and son would likely be even less welcome in Da Shui Village from now on.
A large basin of pickled cabbage stewed with blood sausage and pork was placed on the dining table, accompanied by other dishes for drinking, such as fried peanuts, jellied meat, scrambled eggs with garlic sprouts, braised pork knuckle, etc. Everyone ate with great warmth…
Dark, heavy clouds loomed in the sky, completely blocking the moonlight.
With a gust of cold wind, scattered snowflakes began to fall again.
Meanwhile, far away in the capital, outside the gate of the Jingbei General’s Mansion, a man on a fine horse, with large packages hanging on both sides of the saddle, hurried to the gate…
“Is anyone there? A letter from Da Shui Village, come out and take it!~” the messenger shouted.
A moment later, a young servant from the gatehouse pushed open the door and came out with a wheezing sound. “Delivering a letter so late, don’t you messengers get any rest?”
The messenger thrust the envelope into the servant’s hand and snorted, “After delivering this letter, I’m going home to reunite with my wife and children. Take the letter, I’m leaving…”
As he spoke, the messenger flicked his whip and quickly disappeared into the dark street.
The servant pulled his padded jacket tighter, muttered a few words, and was about to go back to sleep when a slender, enchanting figure suddenly walked out from within the mansion…
The servant was startled. In the dark, a woman suddenly appeared behind him, and he was so frightened that his legs went weak.
Upon recognizing the person, the servant quickly bowed. “Third… Third Madam, why are you out in this cold?”
This person was one of Gu Zhenshan’s most favored concubines, named Zhen Meili. She was young, beautiful, and charming, holding a high position in the General’s Mansion. Her influence had already surpassed that of the First Madam…
Zhen Meili glanced at the letter in the servant’s hand and asked indifferently, “Who sent it?”
“Third… Third Madam, the messenger said this letter is from Da Shui Village!~” Little Xi Tián murmured.
Upon hearing this, Zhen Meili knitted her delicate brows. “What connection does Da Shui Village have with the General’s Mansion?”
As far as she could remember, she had never heard of this village…
It was easy to guess that this was a poverty-stricken mountain village where the villagers couldn’t even get enough to eat.
Zhen Meili had always disliked interacting with villagers, feeling that even speaking a word to them made her feel inferior, and that her noble character was insulted…
“This humble servant doesn’t know either!~” The servant tightened his padded jacket again.
Zhen Meili glared at him and extended her hand. “Give me the letter!”
She wanted to see who dared to write to their General’s Mansion, risking their lives…