Cheng Di thought that if the brat dared to talk to him about official business again, he would never speak to him again…
However, as soon as he opened the letter, Cheng Di’s face darkened.
As expected, this foolish son didn’t care about him at all.
Seeing this, the young eunuch asked in a low voice, “Your… Your Majesty, what did His Highness say?”
This young eunuch was surnamed Gao. Besides Eunuch Zhao, Cheng Di trusted him the most in the palace.
“Hmph, telling me to reinstate County Magistrate Chen and Prefect Qin. The brat’s tone is like he’s ordering me, truly improper…” Cheng Di casually slapped the letter onto his desk and lowered his head to rub his temples.
However, thinking about it, although County Magistrate Chen and Prefect Qin had made mistakes before, they had already atoned for them.
In the past six months, both officials had built windmills and provided relief to the people, accumulating a lot of achievements…
If Cheng Di didn’t relent, it would be unreasonable.
“Issue an imperial decree…” Cheng Di stood up.
Eunuch Gao quickly knelt on the ground, his head bowed respectfully.
Promoting or increasing the salary of any official was merely a matter of Cheng Di’s word.
After the imperial decree was conveyed, Cheng Di returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to rest…
Three days later, in Dashui Village, at the old Yun family’s residence.
“This snake meat is even tastier than mutton. The other day, Caixia stir-fried a plate, and before it was even served, Er Man ate it all…”
Guan Zhongbo sat on a stone bench in the back garden, playing chess with Old Man Sun.
Little Xi Tian, with nothing else to do, also came over to watch…
Old Man Sun smiled and said, “Snake meat is good, but you can’t eat too much of it. Eating too much will cause internal heat!”
“Nonsense!” Guan Zhongbo tapped the stone table. “Old Man Sun, I’ve been a doctor for so many years, and I’ve never heard that eating snake meat causes internal heat. Don’t spout nonsense…”
Last time, they killed a large python. The Yun family couldn’t finish it all, so they gave a lot to the villagers.
“I won’t argue with you!” Old Man Sun snorted and looked at Little Xi Tian, who was playing with small bones nearby. He smiled and asked, “Xi Tian, you tell me, does eating snake meat cause internal heat?”
In the old Yun family, he trusted Little Xi Tian the most…
Even if Little Xi Tian said something wrong, Old Man Sun would still think it was right.
“Uh…” Little Xi Tian blinked her big eyes and thought for a moment. “I think anything eaten in excess is not good. It’s like how the villagers love potatoes and sweet potatoes, but eating too many will also cause heartburn!”
As the saying goes, excess leads to the opposite. Moderation is key in everything.
Old Man Sun listened, his face full of smiles, and was about to say something when Guan Zhongbo suddenly stood up and walked to Little Xi Tian. “Oh, this isn’t right, it’s all over!”
Little Xi Tian: “???”
What’s wrong with Uncle Guan?
“Xi Tian, did you wear the protective amulet I gave you?” Guan Zhongbo asked anxiously.
Little Xi Tian, completely bewildered, took out the amulet hanging around her neck. “Here, Uncle Guan, I’m wearing it…”
“Then, then how could it attract evil spirits?” Guan Zhongbo was utterly perplexed.
Under normal circumstances, Dashui Village would not have such large pythons. Even the Camel Peak Mountain rarely had them.
Guan Zhongbo felt that this must be an evil spirit attracted by Little Xi Tian’s damaged soul…
Old Man Sun was curious, “What evil spirit? A snake?”
Sweet Baby was blessed with good fortune and was optimistic and cheerful. How could she attract such a thing?
Guan Zhongbo grunted, surprised. “It seems the protective amulet is no longer effective. I need to think of another way…”
To overcome this calamity and help Xi Tian safely through it, he had to try his best, even if it meant sacrificing his life.
Little Xi Tian was confused. “Uncle Guan, but I don’t feel uncomfortable!”
Even though that python was terrifying, what did it have to do with her damaged soul?
“Xi Tian, don’t worry about this. I’ll handle it…” Guan Zhongbo patted Little Xi Tian’s shoulder and left with a sigh.
Old Man Sun saw that the chess game was over and took Little Xi Tian back for dinner.
West Wing, outside the bathhouse.
Xiao Jin Heng stood at the door with his hands behind his back, his tone neither warm nor cold. “Eunuch Zhao, after you finish bathing and change your clothes, you should return to the palace. By the way, report my safety to Father Emperor…”
Eunuch Zhao, who was soaking in the bathtub, let out a long sigh. The warm water enveloped his body, making him squint his eyes in comfort.
“Little master, what about the little national preceptor of Yan? Can you handle him alone?” Eunuch Zhao asked through the door.
Xiao Jin Heng took a few steps towards the kitchen, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. “When the soldiers come, we’ll block them; when the water comes, we’ll dam it. I want to see how much of a splash he can make…”
He felt that Murong Taotao coming to Liang to find his sister was purely an excuse and a smokescreen.
But one should not harbor ill intentions, yet be prepared against them. Being cautious was better than rushing when in need.
In the main hall of the East Wing.
Niu Caixia fried a plate of peanuts, steamed two rolls of sticky bean buns, and stewed a pot of sauerkraut soup. After serving them, she waited for everyone to be seated before starting the meal…
Actually, farm meals were relatively easy to prepare. There were only a few dishes, and eating them repeatedly didn’t create much variety.
However, Prefect Qin particularly liked farm dishes.
He had almost been swallowed by a python a few days ago, and now he wanted to eat a year’s worth of food, in case something unfortunate happened later and he couldn’t eat anything else…
“Prefect Qin, eat slowly. We don’t have much else here, but we have plenty of sauerkraut soup!” Old Yun picked up his wine bowl and persuaded with a smile.
Prefect Qin slurped a mouthful of sauerkraut and patted his chest. “Oh, it’s so delicious! I thought pickled sauerkraut in winter was the best, but I didn’t expect such delicious food to be made in the heat of summer. I must take a couple of jars back for my family to try…”
“Certainly, Prefect Qin can even take the sauerkraut vat away, haha!” Old Yun grinned heartily.
After finishing a bowl of wine, Prefect Qin remembered Yun Jinshan’s matter. “By the way, in-laws, mother-in-law, when I go back this time, I plan to bring Jinshan with me. You don’t need to prepare anything. I’ve made arrangements in the prefectural city, so Jinshan can study as soon as he gets there…”
Gu Shi exchanged a look with Old Yun after hearing this, her expression a little hesitant. “Will this be too much trouble?”
If Jinshan lived in Prefect Qin’s house for a long time, he would eventually forget Dashui Village.
After reaching adulthood and marrying Yiyi, he would naturally become Prefect Qin’s live-in son-in-law…
“What trouble is that? Mother-in-law, don’t worry. This matter is settled!” Prefect Qin said heartily.
Gu Shi pursed her lips and said nothing. Er Man and Du Tie Shan also had no objections.
The next morning, a fast horse galloped to the entrance of the old Yun family’s house. One large and one small person jumped off the horse…