Madam Huang stared intently at Madam Xue, lifting her chin slightly with an expression that clearly stated she was not to be trifled with.
Madam Xue, in turn, refused to back down. She narrowed her eyes, leaned forward, her aura radiating a powerful, unrestrained presence.
Even without speaking, both women understood each other's hidden intentions.
The person in question, Yun Jinshan, was burying his head in his food, completely oblivious to the fact that he was being eyed.
Little Xi Tian, sitting in her special chair, swung her short legs and suddenly burst into giggles.
So fun!
Gu shi gently ruffled her daughter's hair and asked in a low voice, "Daughter, what are you laughing about?"
Little Xi Tian leaned close to her mother's ear, smiling sweetly, "Mother, second nephew is going to have some romantic luck!"
"What?" Gu shi was subtly surprised.
She had actually noticed some of the underlying currents but was unwilling to admit it. Jinshan was, after all, a village child, mischievous and not fond of studying. How could he possibly be worthy of the noble Miss Chen and Miss Qin?
However, upon closer reflection, she felt this matter had little to do with Jinshan himself. It was rather because her daughter's reputation had grown so great, her fortune so continuous, that it attracted such good luck. If Little Xi Tian were a boy, would these two ladies bother fighting over Yun Jinshan?
Gu shi's lips curved into a smile as she looked at Madam Xue. "Is the food not to Madam's liking?" she asked. "Perhaps I should have Huaihua stir-fry a couple more dishes?"
She awkwardly changed the subject, not wanting the breakfast to become too awkward.
Madam Xue withdrew her gaze and shook her head with a smile. "No, the food is delicious. I've eaten my fill today!"
Madam Huang also smiled and said, "Yes, your cooking is even tastier than Xiang Ding Ge in the county town. Perhaps you could invite your Huaihua and Sister Guihua to my manor sometime? I'd like to enjoy your cooking for a few days."
Zhao Guihua: ... Is it really that exaggerated?
These two ladies were glaring at each other and speaking sarcastically since early morning. Anyone would think they had a deep-seated feud.
"Xiao Ran, don't just eat by yourself. Quickly serve some soup for Jinshan!" Madam Huang nudged Chen Xiao Ran. This silly girl should really show herself off in such a situation. Look, Qin family's Yiyi just gave Yun Jinshan a steamed bun earlier.
Chen Xiao Ran: ... Mother, please don't force me! She only saw Yun Jinshan as an older brother, and he was a good playmate. But you insisted on thinking otherwise, which made Chen Xiao Ran feel very resistant.
Qin Fenglan quietly drank her soup, completely uninterested in this 'battle for favor.' Her parents, in order to forge a connection with the Yun family, were actually willing to sacrifice her sister, letting her marry into the Yun family. However, this matter was not entirely without merit, as her sister did not have a bad impression of Jinshan Gege. When they were at home, her sister often mentioned him.
Liu Cui Rong discovered the peculiarity in this battle without smoke. Good heavens, her own son was indeed being targeted. These were the daughters of the Prefect and the Governor. If she could marry both young ladies, she would surely be able to walk sideways in the future.
"Jinshan!" Liu Cui Rong suddenly called out.
Yun Jinshan flinched and looked at his mother. "What is it, Mother?"
Liu Cui Rong kicked her son under the table. This unpromising fellow had no sense of observation. Didn't he see the steamed bun crumbs on Miss Chen's mouth? Why didn't he wipe them for her?
Liu Cui Rong took out her handkerchief and handed it to Yun Jinshan. "Go, wipe Xiao Ran's mouth!"
Everyone: ...
Chen Xiao Ran's cheeks turned red: Don't come near me!
Seeing this, Qin Yiyi quietly put down her chopsticks. "Please enjoy your meal, everyone. I'm done!" With that, she stood up and walked towards the door.
However, as she passed Liu Cui Rong, the latter reached out and pulled Qin Yiyi into her embrace. She patted her stomach with a smile. "Oh my, you're in a growth spurt right now. How can eating so little be enough?"
Qin Yiyi: ... Do I know you? Stop trying to get close to me. She twisted her small body, broke free from Liu Cui Rong, her cheeks as red as an apple.
Yun Er Man was almost mortified. He glared at Liu Cui Rong and scolded in a low voice, "Cui Rong, if you're done eating, hurry down. Don't embarrass yourself!" This damned woman was truly incorrigible. Did she forget why he kicked her out of the house last time? Why did she not learn her lesson at all?
"What are you saying about me?" Liu Cui Rong rolled her eyes. "Is it wrong for me to care about Yiyi?" After speaking, Liu Cui Rong took Qin Yiyi's hand and smiled. "Yiyi, you don't dislike your mother-in-law, no, you don't dislike Auntie, right?"
"Cui Rong!" Gu shi reprimanded, slamming down her chopsticks with a 'snap,' her face as dark as ink. What could she say about this troublesome daughter-in-law?
Liu Cui Rong trembled with fright, quickly let go of Qin Yiyi, picked up her rice bowl to cover her face, and began eating silently.
Qin Yiyi was extremely upset and ran out of the door. Chen Xiao Ran was also full of anger. She put down her bowl and quickly walked out.
Little Xi Tian rolled her big eyes and poked Yun Jinshan with her chopsticks, whispering, "Second nephew, stop eating!"
"What's wrong, little aunt?" He felt like this morning's breakfast had been rather thrilling.
Little Xi Tian glanced towards the door. "Why don't you chase after them and comfort them?" Didn't she see the young ladies were angry?
Yun Jinshan looked confused. "Wh-who should I comfort?" Was it Yiyi, or Xiao Ran?
Little Xi Tian looked speechless and pinched his ear. "Both!"
Yun Jinshan said, "Oh!" Alright, both. He was going to the county town to study in a few days. Before leaving, he couldn't let Sister Xiao Ran and Sister Yiyi go home angry.
Yun Jinshan went out. However, the atmosphere at the table remained tense and filled with the smell of gunpowder.
Madam Huang cleared her throat and looked at Gu shi and Old Man Yun with a smile. "Sister Gu, Brother Yun, to be frank, I have come this time regarding the marriage between Xiao Ran and Jinshan."
"Good, I wholeheartedly agree!" Liu Cui Rong exclaimed loudly.
Yun Er Man frowned and kicked her directly. "Get out, quickly!"
Yun Da Man exchanged a glance with Zhao Guihua and said nothing. Liu Cui Rong looked wronged and was about to retort when Yun Er Man grabbed her by the collar and forcibly dragged her out. Hu Xi Er stood behind, covering her mouth and secretly smiling, cursing her inwardly.
Gu shi composed herself and politely refused. "Madam, you may be too hasty. Jinshan is only thirteen years old, lacking talent and virtue. How can he be worthy of your Xiao Ran?"
Madam Huang was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. This was a great happy event, so why did the Yun family all seem unhappy? They seemed rather unwilling. Madam Huang gave a dry laugh. "This is not a problem. I intend for Jinshan to be a live-in son-in-law. Once he comes to my home, my husband will surely discipline him!"
"Live-in son-in-law?" Old Man Yun's eyes widened, and he directly threw his pipe onto the table. Because San Man had previously become a live-in son-in-law to the Gao family, he had been unable to hold his head up in front of outsiders. This woman was truly audacious to think of having her grandson become a live-in son-in-law. He was a hundred percent unwilling.