The Imperial Guards returned Xiao Xitian and Du Tieshan to Dashui Village and then rushed back to the capital that very night, without stopping.
“Who is this?” Old Man Yun frowned, his mood not good.
Yun Daman peeked outside. “Dad, you eat. I’ll go open the door…”
“No need, Huaihua is outside!” Madam Gu sighed.
Jin Xiaolou was in the stable feeding the horses and didn’t hear the knock.
The kitchen was closer to the main gate. Jin Huaihua placed the rabbit meat into the pot, added some water, and covered the pot tightly before hurrying to the main gate…
The dry, cold weather made people shiver. Compared to the scorching summer, the people of Dashui Village preferred spring and autumn.
Through the crack in the door, Jin Huaihua saw bright beams of light outside. When she pushed it open, she discovered many people holding torches.
The man leading them had sharp brows and bright eyes, with an extraordinary demeanor. His jet-black hair gently fluttered in the cold wind…
This person was Xiao Jinfeng, who had traveled all the way from the county town. He was carrying various gifts and was not wearing a mask.
“Excuse me… is this the Old Yun family’s residence?” Xiao Jinfeng asked, staring at the woman in front of him with a smile.
Jin Huaihua was twenty-three years old, considered an old maid in ancient times.
Moreover, she had always done housework and rough labor, and the youthful vitality she once had was worn away by the tedious chores…
Yet, it was precisely this diligent, simple, and unadorned image that made Xiao Jinfeng momentarily lost in thought.
Setting aside other things, with Jin Huaihua’s facial features and appearance, her unadorned face, and her eyes, she would be considered attractive on the street.
“Ah ah!” Jin Huaihua gestured with her hand, pointing towards the main house.
Xiao Jinfeng: “???”
Was she mute?
“Ah ah…” Jin Huaihua called out again, rubbing her arms with her hands.
It was too cold outside. She had gone to the kitchen to heat up dishes without putting on a coat.
Xiao Jinfeng pursed his lips and smiled, casually taking off his fox fur cloak and draping it over Jin Huaihua. “Lead me in, please!~”
Jin Huaihua was stunned for a moment, blinking at Xiao Jinfeng.
The fox fur cloak still retained his body warmth; it was heavy and warm…
It was the first time in her life that a man had shown her such care.
Seeing Jin Huaihua frozen in place, Xiao Jinfeng took a step forward and crossed the threshold. “Miss, rest assured, I… Wang, I am not a bad person!~”
He almost called himself “Wang” in his haste.
Jin Huaihua couldn’t help but suppress a laugh. This person was quite cute, but why had he brought so many guards?
Good heavens, the entrance to the Old Yun family’s home was completely blocked.
Jin Xiaolou, having finished feeding the horses, came running over with a “hissing and hawing” sound. “Sister Huaihua, do we have guests?”
“Ah ah!” Jin Huaihua nodded.
Xiao Jinfeng heard the sound and looked over, seeing a little boy with golden hair and blue eyes appear before him…
“Barbarian?” Xiao Jinfeng raised his eyebrows.
Barbarians might be seen everywhere in the capital, but encountering someone with golden hair and blue eyes in the remote Dashui Village was truly unusual.
Jin Xiaolou looked wary. He pulled Sister Huaihua behind him and frowned at Xiao Jinfeng.
“You are ordinary farmers, yet you live in such a luxurious courtyard. The main house, side rooms, and annexes combined are enough to house over a dozen families!~” Xiao Jinfeng glanced around the courtyard and then at the back garden. “Was the Yun family a wealthy merchant family in the past?”
Upon hearing this, Jin Xiaolou exchanged a look with Jin Huaihua, feeling very uneasy…
Who exactly was this person!
“Your… Your Highness!~” Er Longzi, one of Xiao Jinfeng’s subordinates, had a face purple with cold and leaned over to plead, “Your Highness, let’s go inside quickly. It’s too cold out here!”
If you want to chat, don’t do it standing outside. Can’t you see your brothers are about to freeze into popsicles?
Xiao Jinfeng said, “Oh,” and looked at Jin Huaihua with a smile. “Miss, please lead the way…”
In the main hall of the main house.
Yun Daman was craning his neck to look outside when he saw Jin Huaihua walk in with two men.
Xiao Xitian looked up and was immediately greatly alarmed.
This guy had indeed followed them.
Madam Gu and Old Man Yun also looked bewildered, not knowing who this person was…
“Who… who are you looking for?” Old Man Yun asked.
This young man was refined and handsome, both good-looking and possessing a distinguished aura. He was definitely not an ordinary villager.
Especially the clothes he wore – brocade robes and fine silk. A pair of low-waisted brocade boots were inlaid with a pair of gems. The level of wealth and luxury almost surpassed that of Young Master Xiao…
Xiao Jinfeng smiled faintly, cupped his hands, and said, “My surname is Xiao, and I am from the capital. I was out on business when I encountered severe cold and heavy snow, and my caravan could not proceed. I thought I would ask to stay at your residence for a few days. Please rest assured, sir, I will pay for it!~”
Xiao Xitian rolled her eyes upon hearing this.
Your excuse is so watery. You even claim to be a businessman, but merchants don’t wear shoes inlaid with gems when they go out on business…
Wouldn’t that just be inviting bandits and robbers to take them?
Old Man Yun listened and exchanged a look with Madam Gu. “The rooms are all vacant, aren’t they? Why not let this young man stay for a few days!”
Madam Gu sized up Xiao Jinfeng from head to toe and nodded. “That’s fine too!”
Otherwise, in such cold weather, if they stayed outside, they would freeze to death…
“Huaihua, see how many people they have and tidy up the guest rooms!” Madam Gu instructed.
Many rooms had no heated kangs, and the fire walls were ice-cold. If they were to stay, it would at least be midnight before they could settle in…
Xiao Jinfeng looked grateful. “Thank you, sir and madam, for your help. I am deeply grateful!~”
Saying this, Xiao Jinfeng flicked his sleeves and casually pulled out a banknote. Without looking at the denomination, he gently placed it on the table. “A small token of my appreciation. Please accept it!”
Xiao Xitian rested her hands on the table and craned her neck to look at the banknote.
It was a full hundred taels.
Well, you are quite generous with your出手…
“It’s not necessary to use so much!” Madam Gu did not accept the banknote.
One hundred taels of silver was enough for an ordinary family to eat for half a lifetime.
Xiao Jinfeng handed over the gifts in his hand. “It’s nothing. I came in a hurry and didn’t bring any valuable gifts. Please keep these pastries to eat!~”
Xiao Xitian: “……”
What exactly did this person want?
If he wanted to investigate the brat, then his objective had been achieved, and there was no need for him to linger in Dashui Village!
Madam Gu was also a little confused. “Young Master Xiao, you are too kind. It’s just borrowing a place to stay for a few days. We country folk don’t care about such formalities!”
Even if he said nothing, Madam Gu could vaguely tell that this person had come prepared and had ulterior motives.
Xiao Jinfeng smiled and turned to look at Xiao Xitian. “Miss Yun, we meet again!~”
Xiao Xitian: “……”