Three days later, in the morning, Jin Huaihua got up to feed the pigs.
She carried a large basin filled with leftover food mixed with cornmeal feed. The weather was cold, and as the wind blew, steam rose from the basin…
Just as Jin Huaihua reached the pigsty entrance, she heard a 'ding-ding-dong-dong' sound from outside the main gate.
If she remembered correctly, there were copper bells tied to their horse-drawn carriage. Could it be Tianbao and the others returning?
Jin Huaihua put down the basin and ran towards the gate. She then saw a large group of people surrounding a carriage approaching…
Xiao Xitian lifted the curtain and poked her head out. Upon seeing Jin Huaihua, she smiled and waved, "Sister Huaihua, we're back!~"
"Ah, ah!" Jin Huaihua was overjoyed. She stomped her feet and then rushed into the courtyard, shouting 'aah, aah!'
"What's going on? Why are you yelling so early in the morning?" Old Man Yun sat in the main hall, picking his teeth with a broom handle.
Gu Shi leaned against the warm wall knitting a sweater and smiled, "Perhaps your daughter and Young Master Xiao are back. Go out and take a look…"
Tomorrow, Er Man and Shan Shan would be getting married. Gu Shi calculated the time and figured they should be back.
"Dad, Mom, you don't need to move! I'll go take a look!~" Yun Si Man, under Xiao Xinling's watchful gaze, trotted out.
Because he had gone to Xinwang Village to buy pigs, Xiao Xinling had been angry for several days. Now, she kept a close eye on Yun Si Man, not letting him go anywhere…
"Hmph, you rascal!~" Xiao Xinling rolled her eyes.
Emperor Cheng, weary from his journey, went straight to the west wing upon entering the courtyard. Nanny Jin, Ruyue, and Ruyue were extremely flustered and quickly boiled water to make tea, bringing out the best pastries…
Yun San Man, holding his sister's hand with one hand and Shangguan Fang'er with the other, walked in with a smile.
Yun Si Man looked and rubbed his eyes, "No, Third Brother, how did you bring a woman back when you went out?"
"I'm hungry!~" Before Yun San Man could answer, Shangguan Fang'er rubbed her stomach, her eyes darting towards the plump ducks.
Plump Ducks: "……"
There are always wicked people who want to eat me!
Yun Xiaobao and Gao Jingde also ran over, looking up at Shangguan Fang'er.
Who is this woman?
Why does she look so silly?
"I'll tell you later…~" Yun San Man grinned foolishly, pulling his sister and Shangguan Fang'er into the house.
Xiao Jinheng followed Emperor Cheng back to the west wing, planning to take a hot bath and change his clothes before coming over to greet Uncle Yun.
Gu Shi, seeing her little daughter return, quickly put down her needlework, her eyes disappearing with joy. "Oh my, whose little girl is this? Come here quickly!~"
"Giggle giggle…~" Little Xitian ran over with her short legs and threw herself into Gu Shi's arms, "Mommy, Xitian misses you so much!"
"Did you not eat properly?" Gu Shi pinched her daughter's cheek. "Your face isn't even round anymore. You're so thin and dark!~"
In fact, when Shangguan Fang'er walked in, Gu Shi had already noticed her.
Since San Man didn't introduce her, she couldn't directly ask…
"Mommy, my mouth hasn't been idle on this trip. The pickled mustard and dried tofu I brought from home are all gone!~" Little Xitian wriggled her small body. "The sticky bean buns were eaten before we even arrived. Later, Third Brother bought a lot of pancakes, and we rolled them up with scallions to eat. They were so delicious…"
Gu Shi couldn't help but laugh, hugging her daughter and kissing her twice. "No matter how much you eat, you don't gain weight. You haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll ask Huaihua to heat up the sour soup, and you can have a bite!~"
Sour soup with pickled mustard shreds and a spoonful of homemade soybean paste was more satisfying than noodles…
Du Tieshan sat in the room for a while before going to the kitchen to help Jin Huaihua.
Zhao Guihua, holding Little Zhuzi, looked at Little Xitian with a smile. Hearing her talk about fun things, Zhao Guihua also laughed heartily.
Da Man and Er Man had gone to the county town. Tomorrow, for their wedding, they still needed to buy red paper, cooked food, and candles. Getting them today would save them trouble tomorrow…
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!~" Old Man Yun rubbed his daughter's head and looked at Yun San Man. "Didn't you say you were coming back to collect some pelts and mountain goods? Why are you empty-handed?"
Yun San Man had planned to do so, but Shangguan Fang'er clung to him, crying and making a fuss. If he left, how could his sister take care of her alone…
"Dad, Mom, I was just about to talk about this!~" Yun San Man pulled Shangguan Fang'er forward and sighed, "Her name is Shangguan Fang'er. I found her on the road. She has no one to rely on, so I… I brought her back!~"
Gu Shi and Old Man Yun heard this and both looked up at Shangguan Fang'er…
This woman was beautiful and delicate, with a pretty face and fair, tender skin. She didn't look like a daughter of a farming family.
Looking at her hands, they were smooth and tender, without any calluses, indicating she had never done hard labor.
Shangguan Fang'er felt a bit uneasy under their gaze and directly hid behind Yun San Man, murmuring, "Why are they… they looking at me?"
Yun San Man pulled her out again, "Fang'er, these are my father and mother. Don't be afraid!~"
Kong Xingzhuo, who happened to be passing by the door: "……"
Good heavens, he's already introducing his parents.
Shangguan Fang'er lowered her head, clutching her sleeves tightly. After a long hesitation, she called out, "Hello, Father. Hello, Mother!~"
Everyone: "……"
Miss Shangguan, it's not time to change your address yet.
Little Xitian couldn't hold back her laughter and climbed onto a stool, waiting for the meal.
"Guihua, take Miss Shangguan to wash her face and find a suitable dress for her to change into!~" Gu Shi instructed.
Since she was someone San Man brought back, she couldn't just turn her away…
"Understood, Mother!~" Zhao Guihua, holding Little Zhuzi in one hand and taking Shangguan Fang'er's hand with the other, said, "Our heights are about the same, so my clothes will definitely fit you. Let's go!~"
"San… San Man!" Shangguan Fang'er, like a startled cat, clung to Yun San Man's sleeve and wouldn't let go.
"This is Sister-in-law. Go change your clothes, wash your face, and come back for dinner. Go, go…~" Yun San Man said with a smile.
Shangguan Fang'er left with a look of reluctance.
Silence fell in the room again, and everyone fell into a contemplative mood.
A moment later, Xiao Xinling suddenly said, "Haha, is she stupid? Grandpa, Grandma, did you see that? The way Miss Shangguan looks at people, so blank and dazed. She must not have a good brain…"
Old Man Yun: "……"
This damned girl, your mouth is too mean. Even if you can tell she's foolish, you shouldn't say it out loud.
"Go back to your own room!~" Old Man Yun said sternly.
"Nyah nyah!~" Xiao Xinling stuck out her tongue at him and walked out with her hands behind her back.
In this old Yun family, she didn't anger anyone except Old Man Yun and Yun Si Man…
As a result, Old Man Yun's head would buzz every time he saw this girl.
"Daddy, Mommy, I have something to say!~" Little Xitian, seeing that no one else was in the room, slowly spoke.