The Lu family mother and daughter were like two stray dogs, howling mournfully.
"Wuwuwu, Gu Xiangqing, Yun Fu, may you never... never have a good death, wu!~" Madam Lu cursed vehemently.
"I raised Cui Rong with hardship, married her into your old Yun family, and bore you two sons. You... is this how you treat me? Wuwu!~"
Liu Cui Jin, embarrassed, pulled Madam Lu up. "Oh, Mother, let's go quickly. Stop crying at someone's doorstep!"
The Yun family was still angry. If provoked further, they might come out and beat them again.
Besides, they were in the wrong in the first place.
Who wouldn't be anxious if their child went missing?
On matters of right and wrong, Liu Cui Jin had more foresight and sense than her mother.
This was, of course, only when she was pushed to a corner.
In the Yun family's main hall.
The village chief and the villagers had already left, leaving only the Yun family members inside.
Little Xi Tian curled up in a armchair and let out a soft yawn.
She was sleepy.
But she still had to watch how her parents would punish her second sister-in-law.
Actually, Liu Cui Rong's fault in this matter was not significant.
It was just that she was careless enough to entrust her child to Madam Lu's care.
"Second daughter-in-law, tell me, what is your fault?" Madam Gu asked in a deep voice.
Liu Cui Rong lowered her head, mumbling, "I didn't know they would sell the child..."
Besides, the child was found, wasn't she?
Why were they still dwelling on it!
"Stupid woman, what did you say?"
Yun Er Man cursed angrily and shoved Liu Cui Rong. "Are you trying to justify yourself? Thank goodness nothing happened to Xiao Bao, or I would have divorced you!"
"Wuwuwu, why are you taking your anger out on me?" Liu Cui Rong wiped her tears, sobbing intermittently.
As if she were the most wronged one.
"The child went missing, and I was more anxious than anyone. Didn't you consider my feelings?"
"You're all ganging up to bully me. Am I that insignificant, that I have no status in your Yun family?"
Liu Cui Rong cried herself out, poured herself a cup of tea, and gulped it down.
"You, you..." Yun Er Man pointed at her, trembling, too angry to speak.
Madam Gu sighed and said sternly, "Losing a child is no small matter. The whole family must be vigilant and never careless!"
As she spoke, she looked gently at Little Xi Tian. Seeing her precious daughter asleep, her heart was gently soothed.
"Second daughter-in-law, tomorrow you will dismantle and wash all the clothes and bedding in the house. No slacking. You will also prepare all the meals, morning, noon, and night!"
This was Liu Cui Rong's punishment.
"Mother, your daughter-in-law has not been feeling well recently, perhaps eldest sister-in-law could..."
"Shut up!" Madam Gu glared, her aura imposing. "Doesn't your eldest sister-in-law already do enough work every day?"
"As a daughter-in-law of the Yun family, have you ever shared the dirty or tiring work for the family?"
"Before, when you were pregnant, everyone in the family indulged and accommodated you. Even if they were hungry, they let you eat first."
"Now that you've given birth and recovered from your confinement, you're still idle, greedy, and lazy. Do you really think this old woman doesn't notice and will let you disrupt the peace of the entire family?"
Madam Gu rarely spoke like this.
She was simply too angry today.
Coupled with Liu Cui Rong's frivolous attitude and lack of remorse, it only made her angrier.
"Oh, Mother, why are you saying these things?" Liu Cui Rong rolled her eyes inwardly.
It was as if she was completely useless.
Madam Gu frowned. "What? You can't even take what this old woman says anymore? Or should I let you be the mistress of the household?"
"Oh, Mother, you're not wishing ill upon me, are you?" Liu Cui Rong sneered.
She poured Madam Gu a cup of tea and carefully brought it over. "Mother, please calm down. Your daughter-in-law will wash the bedding tomorrow morning!"
If she truly angered the old lady, she wouldn't be able to stay in this house and would be kicked out.
Madam Gu snorted coldly, took the teacup, took a sip, and then carried Little Xi Tian back to her room to sleep.
In the golden autumn season, the wheat fields were a sea of golden yellow, their heads bent low.
This year, Da Shui Village had good rainfall, and the crops were growing well.
In a few more days, the entire village would begin harvesting the wheat.
Villagers would walk through their fields every day.
They would break off a stalk of wheat, shell the grains, and chew them with a satisfying crunch.
Liu Cui Rong had been relatively quiet recently, helping with some of the household chores and strenuous tasks.
Little Xi Tian, with nothing else to do, would wander into her space and discipline the disobedient calves and foals.
The weather grew cooler, and Xue Ling was also willing to come out for a stroll.
One day, Little Xi Tian discovered something interesting.
"Auntie, I really don't want to be beaten by Mom and Dad!"
Yun Jin He's heart skipped a beat whenever his little aunt revealed her devilish smile.
"Scaredy-cat!~" Little Xi Tian scorned her grandnephew.
Yun Jin He felt as if he were caught in a whirlwind.
Although he had let his little aunt ride a horse last time, what was this about riding a dog this time?
If his parents and grandparents saw this, his backside would be in for it.
"Xue Ling Ling!~" Little Xi Tian called out in her milky voice.
Xue Ling trotted in from outside the door and rubbed its large head against Little Xi Tian.
This large white dog was fat and strong, with powerful legs and soft, comfortable fur.
If she rode it, it would surely be more comfortable than riding the bay horse at home.
"Woof woof!" Xue Ling seemed to sense Little Xi Tian's intention and obediently lay down on the ground.
"Good Xue Ling Ling!"
Little Xi Tian was overjoyed and took her short steps to mount it.
She had wanted to ride this big dog when she was at the base.
However, she was too heavy then, and Xue Ling couldn't carry her.
"Gaga gaga!" Little Xi Tian laughed heartily, "Divine beast! Giddy up!~"
Yun Jin He: "..."
Auntie, is this really appropriate?
And so, the aunt and nephew slipped out of the large house again.
Yun Jin He walked, while Little Xi Tian rode the dog. After just one round through the village, they became the talk of the town.
"Oh my, isn't that the little daughter of the old Yun family? Why, why is she riding a dog?"
"What's all the fuss about? When I was a kid, I even rode a pig!"
"You're a boy, but Little Xi Tian is a girl!"
"Jin He is really spoiling his little aunt to the heavens!"
A certain grandnephew sneezed.
If he didn't spoil her, who else would? She was the apple of everyone's eye in the family!
Actually, he also enjoyed playing with his little aunt.
Because Little Xi Tian could always come up with all sorts of strange and peculiar things.
Like a small cylinder that lit up with a press, so shiny.
And flat, wide, square objects.
Inside, people danced and sang, adventured and fought monsters, and schemed against each other.
He had recently watched a bizarre palace drama.
In it, a concubine was planning to poison the empress.
It was simply terrifying.
But Little Xi Tian would only let him play for a while, and then those strange objects would disappear.
He didn't know where she put them.
The large white dog carried Little Xi Tian along the country dirt road.
The little girl on the dog's back was rosy and soft, like a large steamed bun.
As they walked, they suddenly saw a carriage approaching from ahead.
It was followed by more than thirty guards.