Du Laosan, leaning against a crooked old tree, chuckled as he urinated, "The village chief said anyone unfamiliar is no good. *Hic*, look at that guy, fierce-looking, a bandit for sure. *Hic*, I'm so clever..."
He had sent Gu Zhenshan away because he didn't want bandits harming the villagers. For a moment, Du Laosan felt like a hero, unbothered by the urine soaking his shoe.
As Gu Zhenshan rode, he suddenly felt something was amiss. He pulled hard on the reins, "Whoa! Stop, everyone stop!~"
"Young General, what is it?" asked Steward Cao.
Gu Zhenshan glanced back towards Dashui Village, "That person just now was reeking of alcohol, his eyes were glazed over. Can you trust what a drunkard says?"
Steward Cao slapped his forehead, "You're right! How could I not have thought of that? So, Young General, you mean..."
It was late at night, and if they didn't find a place to stay, they would have to sleep in the wilderness.
"Let's go back and check!~" Gu Zhenshan turned his horse and galloped back towards Dashui Village.
His subordinates, seeing this, quickly followed...
The Old Yun Residence.
Yun Siman looked at the assorted fish and sauce on the table, and his stomach churned.
"Ugh! Cough, cough, I feel sick!~" Yun Siman covered his mouth and pushed the fish sauce towards Yun Daman.
Yun Daman was slightly taken aback, "What's wrong, Siman? When did you get pregnant?"
Little Xi Tian giggled upon hearing this, "I hope Big Brother has a daughter, haha!~"
Yun Daman: "..."
Old Man Yun chuckled and said, "Perhaps Siman felt nauseous after seeing the two officials fall into the cesspit!"
"Huh?" Little Xi Tian's eyes widened, "Daddy, what did you say? The Prefect and the Censor fell into a cesspit?"
Oh my, she had only been away for a day, and such a bizarre event had occurred...
Old Man Yun slurped some wine and sighed, "I don't know why, but they were both demoted by one rank. Prefect Qin was so angry that he got into a scuffle with Magistrate Chen, and they both ended up in the cesspit!~"
Little Xi Tian looked towards the west wing upon hearing this.
It seemed the Emperor was angered by Madam Huang's scolding, which led to him punishing them...
"Daughter, are you still going to sell milk tomorrow?" Madam Gu asked casually, putting a piece of fish into Little Xi Tian's bowl.
"Mhm, mhm!" Little Xi Tian nodded, "I have to deliver it every day. I'll leave a barrel for the family!~"
Anything good to eat or drink should be prioritized for the family.
"Besides, Sister-in-law's milk production hasn't been good lately, and Little Zhu has lost weight. He can just drink milk from now on..." Little Xi Tian said with a smile.
Zhao Guihua felt a warmth spread through her heart, "Sweet Baby is such a good child. Sister-in-law will always remember your kindness!~"
"You're welcome!~" Little Xi Tian waved her hand.
There was an excess of milk in the space, and it would be a waste not to drink it.
Shangguan Fang'er felt a bit gloomy and wasn't eating with her usual gusto.
Yun Sanman wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and asked, "Fang'er, what's wrong?"
The fish today was stewed by Du Tieshan, and the taste was excellent. Normally, Shangguan Fang'er would have taken the fish tail and eaten two more bowls of rice...
Shangguan Fang'er looked sullenly at Old Man Yun and lowered her head, "He, he disgusts me, he doesn't approve of me, and I feel upset, so I can't eat!~"
Old Man Yun, who was drinking, froze: "..."
He suddenly remembered that he had scolded Shangguan Fang'er a few times that morning. The kitchen had caught fire, and Madam Huang was making a fuss, so Old Man Yun was in a bad mood and had reprimanded her.
He didn't expect this girl to hold such a grudge.
Yun Sanman patted Shangguan Fang'er's hand, "Father didn't mean any harm. You should spend less time in the kitchen, help Mother with chores at home, or go for a stroll in the fields if you can't stay put...~"
"I won't go, I won't go!~" Shangguan Fang'er put down her chopsticks and glared directly at Old Man Yun, "When he stops disgusting me, I'll help the family with chores! Hmph!~"
Old Man Yun: "..."
Wait, when did I ever disgust you?
Old Man Yun looked at Little Xi Tian and asked, "Daughter, can this young lady Shangguan's madness be cured?"
What would they do if she remained so erratic!~
He couldn't scold her, nor could he tolerate her behavior. Firstly, Shangguan Fang'er was too proud, and secondly, he was afraid of upsetting Sanman...
Little Xi Tian shook her head, "Daddy, I have no solution either!~"
Shangguan Fang'er must have suffered a severe shock, damaging her brain nerves, which is why she became like this.
This wasn't something that could be cured by simply feeling her pulse and giving her a couple of white pills.
Madam Gu served Shangguan Fang'er a bowl of rice and smiled, "Miss Shangguan, no one in this family dislikes you. Just be yourself. Here, eat more...~"
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Fang'er suddenly grinned, "Hehe, Mother treats me the best!~"
Madam Gu: "..."
You haven't married Sanman yet, calling me Mother is inappropriate!
Xiao Xinling finished a bowl of rice and asked Jin Xiaolou, "Hey, kid, you eat and drink for free every day without paying. Do you think of the Old Yun family as a pushover?"
Jin Xiaolou: "..."
What's it to you?
Yun Siman tugged at her and said irritably, "Eat your food. Xiaolou was brought back by my sister. You should stop provoking him!~"
Xiao Xinling snorted, "Good intentions get no reward. I just wanted to save your family some food. Honestly, you don't know how to manage money at all!~"
Yun Siman: "..."
You know how to manage money?
You eat and drink lavishly every day, buying wild chickens today and roe deer tomorrow. You're more extravagant than anyone.
After dinner and clearing the table, Little Xi Tian went to the kitchen to help Sister Shanshan and Sister Huaihua wash dishes. Jin Xiaolou followed dejectedly...
"Huh? Brother Xiaolou, you're not asleep yet?" Little Xi Tian asked.
Jin Xiaolou looked down at the tips of his shoes and, after a long hesitation, murmured, "Sister Xi Tian, I'll help you deliver milk tomorrow!~"
If he didn't find some work, he would truly be a freeloader at the Old Yun family...
Du Tieshan glanced back at him and said with a smile, "You're not familiar with the county town. What if you get lost?"
"N-no, it's okay, I won't get lost!~" Jin Xiaolou said with determination.
If he couldn't even deliver milk properly, wouldn't he be useless?
Little Xi Tian pondered for a moment and nodded, "Alright then, I'll take you around tomorrow. Just remember the places...~"
"Okay!" Jin Xiaolou's eyes curved, and a small dimple appeared on his cheek.
At the same time, Gu Zhenshan, riding his fine horse, returned to Dashui Village once more.