"Shopkeeper Xi Tian, I heard something a few days ago..."
Old Ma handed over the water cup, unsure how to begin.
Little Xi Tian hummed, asking in surprise, "What is it?"
"Shopkeeper Xi Tian, just listen, don't take it seriously. This matter might be someone spreading rumors, it's not credible..." Old Ma said with a dry laugh.
Little Xi Tian: "???"
So, what exactly happened?
"Uncle Old Ma, you can just say it directly, I'm listening..." Little Xi Tian put down her teacup and tidied her skirt.
Old Ma sighed and leaned closer to Little Xi Tian, "I heard that your sister-in-law Gui Hua suddenly became paralyzed and has been lying on the kang every day, needing to be served for eating, drinking, and even going to the toilet!~"
Little Xi Tian was shocked upon hearing this, "What did you say? Sister-in-law became paralyzed?"
This seemed highly unlikely...
Among the sisters-in-law in the family, Sister-in-law Gui Hua was the healthiest.
She was always energetic, managing the business of Yun Gui Fang while also worrying about Jin He's studies and marriage.
She was someone who couldn't stay idle...
How could she suddenly become paralyzed?
"Shopkeeper Xi Tian, I also heard it from others. Don't rumors spread from one to ten, then ten to a hundred? Don't take it to heart!~" Old Ma advised.
Little Xi Tian nodded slightly. Although she appeared disbelieving, she had a feeling that this matter was nine times out of ten true...
Sister-in-law Gui Hua had no enemies in Dashui Village or the county town. Who would spread rumors about her?
"If she is truly paralyzed, I must go back to the village to see her!~" Little Xi Tian was becoming a little worried.
It would be best to have Uncle Guan take a look. If Sister-in-law could never get out of bed again, what would happen to Big Brother and Jin He...
Old Ma wanted to persuade her a few more words when Xiao Jin Heng walked in with Kong Xing Zhuo.
"Your Highness is here!~" Old Ma cupped his hands in greeting.
Xiao Jin Heng grunted and walked up to Little Xi Tian, "What's wrong? Your face looks so bad?"
In fact, he could now understand the little village girl's feelings very well...
Being far from home, her sister-in-law Fang'er being captured, Er Man Ge's whereabouts unknown, her parents aging and their health declining day by day, and then coming to the capital to manage shops, design blueprints for Master Tu, and even help him investigate the Jiangnan漕运 (grain transport) matters...
With so many things weighing on her, she must be very tired.
After all, the little village girl was only six years old this year.
"I heard... I heard Sister-in-law Gui Hua is paralyzed..." Little Xi Tian murmured.
"What?" Xiao Jin Heng's expression froze, and he asked in surprise, "Is the news reliable?"
Little Xi Tian shook her head, "I'm not sure yet. I want to go back to the village to see!~"
Whether it was true or false would be clear with one look.
Her parents might have been afraid of her worrying and getting upset, so they didn't inform her...
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jin Heng patted Little Xi Tian's shoulder, "Dashui Village is a long way off, and the roads are rough and uneven. It would take you over half a month for the round trip. How about this, I'll send someone to the village to gather information, and they should be back in about six or seven days!~"
After speaking, Xiao Jin Heng instructed Kong Xing Zhuo, "You immediately send someone on horseback back to Dashui Village to investigate. Once you have the clear information, send it back via carrier pigeon..."
"Understood, Your Highness!~" Kong Xing Zhuo replied, turned, and went out.
Little Xi Tian was satisfied with his arrangement. Seeing the dark circles under the little brat's eyes and his tired expression, she asked, "Has the case made any progress?"
It wasn't a solution to keep enduring it like this...
Xiao Jin Heng smiled slightly and pulled Little Xi Tian to sit down, "Do you remember that day I wanted to take you to Faxiang Nunnery outside the city to burn incense?"
Little Xi Tian was momentarily stunned, "What about it?"
There were so many nunneries and temples outside the city. Why did the little brat specifically want to go to Faxiang Nunnery?
Was there some suspicious person hidden in this nunnery?
"I've thought about it. If the weather is good tomorrow, I'll take you to the nunnery. Since we arrived in the capital, we've both been busy with our own affairs and haven't had a proper outing yet..." Xiao Jin Heng said with a warm smile.
Little Xi Tian scratched her face, about to agree, when she suddenly heard shouts from outside the door, "I'm going too!~"
As the voice fell, Little Jie Kong ran in, panting, and pointed at Xiao Jin Heng, "You, Xiao, how dare you sneak to see Sister Xi Tian while I was asleep? You, you are shameless..."
That's right, the little monk had a habit of napping every day. Today, he had slept exceptionally soundly and didn't know that Xiao Jin Heng had secretly come to see Sister Xi Tian.
After waking up, the little monk was like a ruffled cat. Without even taking a carriage, he ran directly to the wine shop...
"What?" Xiao Jin Heng raised the corner of his lips and said indifferently, "Do I need to inform you in advance if I want to see someone?"
Hmph, this little monk was becoming more and more outrageous.
"If that's the case, then why are you feeling guilty?" Little Jie Kong glanced askance at Xiao Jin Heng.
"When have I ever felt guilty?" Xiao Jin Heng was puzzled.
"You clearly slipped away while I was asleep. Isn't that feeling guilty?"
"Tsk, you're really quibbling. Then next time, I'll come to see Xi Tian when you're awake..."
"No, you can't even protect yourself, how can you take care of Sister Xi Tian? From now on, please keep a distance of three zhang from her and don't pester her!~"
"Heh, absurd!"
Little Xi Tian: "..."
Are you two starting again?
Should I leave then?
"If you keep arguing, I'm leaving!~" Little Xi Tian shouted crisply.
The argument stopped abruptly. Little Jie Kong and Xiao Jin Heng closed their mouths simultaneously and looked at Little Xi Tian together...
"It's just going to burn incense, so let's go together. What's there to argue about?" Little Xi Tian's small face turned red with anger.
Old Ma stood aside, unable to suppress his laughter. He was glad that the little county princess could meet such good friends as Jie Kong and the Crown Prince at this age...
The more they argued cheerfully when they were young, the more solid their relationship would be when they grew up.
Little Jie Kong crossed his arms, looking extremely pleased, "Xiao, did you hear that? Sister Xi Tian agreed to go with me!~"
Xiao Jin Heng: "..."
Look at how smug you are. When I used to play with the little village girl, you were still playing with mud in the mountains.
After the three little ones agreed to go out of the city together tomorrow, they left the wine shop and went shopping.
Passing by a general store, Little Xi Tian went in to buy some gifts, planning to send them to the concubines at the General's Mansion...
In the past two days, she had received many gifts, including gold and silver jewelry, exquisite dresses, high-quality pastries, and decorative items. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
These were all sent by the concubines.
As a matter of reciprocity, Little Xi Tian had to visit them as well.
Unexpectedly, as the three of them emerged from the general store, they saw a carriage parked at the entrance. As the curtain was lifted, a familiar person jumped out...