"Mom, why are you always staring at Xiao Bao?" Liu Cuirong patted the child in her arms, her expression suspicious.
Lu Shi smiled and pursed her lips. "Mom is just happy. You've added another grandson to the Yun family. They must treat you very well, right?"
Liu Cuirong: "......"
Not at all!
Lu Shi might not know that the Yun family preferred daughters.
Especially her mother-in-law and father-in-law, who doted on Xiao Tian Bao the moment they saw her, indulging her every whim.
But since she gave birth to Xiao Bao, the entire family's attitude towards her had indeed changed quite a bit.
The key was... she hadn't caused trouble during this time; she had been very well-behaved.
She didn't plan to return the one tael of silver that Young Master Kong had lent her.
After all, a wealthy young master from the capital wouldn't care about such a small sum.
"Mom, take this tael of silver. The family has been quite tight on money lately, and my mother-in-law isn't giving me any money to spend.
So, you and Cui Jin should use this money sparingly, and it should last until spring next year!"
Lu Shi didn't even look at her, reaching out directly to hug the child. "Come, let Mom hold Xiao Bao!"
Liu Cuirong was stunned, feeling a bit surprised.
Didn't her mother used to love silver the most?
Why was she so maternal today, insisting on holding Xiao Bao?
"Mom, Xiao Bao just fell asleep. Don't wake him!" Liu Cuirong didn't hand him over.
Lu Shi's hand hung in the air, her expression quite awkward.
Seeing this, Liu Cui Jin casually threw a chestnut shell and said sarcastically, "Oh, Sister, are you afraid Mom will drop your child?"
"Alas, as the saying goes, a married daughter is like spilled water. The words are crude but true!"
"It seems Mom can't count on you for anything anymore. You should leave, don't come back!"
Liu Cui Jin started to shoo her away.
Liu Cuirong was utterly bewildered.
What was all this nonsense?
She just didn't want her mother to hold the baby for fear of waking Xiao Bao.
How did it turn into Liu Cui Jin blowing things out of proportion, escalating it to filial impiety?
"Mom, here, you can hold him!" Liu Cuirong, blushing, thrust the child into Lu Shi's arms.
Lu Shi's eyes lit up, and she reached out to pinch Xiao Bao's nose.
He was so handsome!
Wealthy families in the city liked such fair and plump children.
"Cuirong, Mom just dug up some wild vegetables. Stay here for lunch!" Lu Shi said.
Liu Cuirong politely declined, "No, thank you. We're slaughtering a sheep at home today to see off Young Master Kong and his party."
The large house next door had been completed, and Kong Xingzhuo and the others had to return to the capital quickly to report.
"There's mutton?"
Liu Cui Jin's mouth watered, her eyes widening. "Is it roasted or stewed?"
She loved hand-pulled meat the most.
Mutton stewed with baby bok choy, with a perfect balance of lean and fat, was the most satisfying.
Liu Cuirong smiled awkwardly. "It's stewed."
"Sister, hurry back and get me two lamb shanks! I'm starving!"
Liu Cui Jin stopped throwing chestnuts and scrambled off the kang, pulling Liu Cuirong towards the exit.
Liu Cuirong: "......"
That sheep was bought by Young Master Kong. There were many people and little meat. Why should she get any?
Besides, they had a big falling out with the old Yun family last time, and her mother-in-law was still angry. How could she give her meat?
"I'm not going!"
Liu Cuirong broke free from Liu Cui Jin and mumbled softly, "Besides the two lamb shanks, what else is left of a sheep?"
You're really greedy, asking for two lamb shanks right off the bat.
Liu Cui Jin frowned and was about to get angry when Lu Shi shot her a glare.
"Cuirong, you should go back first and help your mother-in-law and eldest sister."
Liu Cuirong didn't intend to stay any longer. "Mom, give Xiao Bao to me!"
It was time for him to nurse.
Lu Shi's expression changed, and she didn't let go. "Mom... Mom just wants to dote on him a little more!"
Liu Cuirong: "???"
"Mom, I'll come again tomorrow!"
Lu Shi forced a dry smile. "How about letting Xiao Bao stay with me tonight? Mom really likes this child!"
Liu Cuirong flatly refused, "That won't do. The child needs to be nursed; he'll cry from hunger in the middle of the night!"
"It's alright, Mom will go get him some milk. He won't go hungry!"
Liu Cuirong almost laughed.
Which family in Dashui Village had a dairy cow?
She couldn't get any milk at all.
"Mom, give Xiao Bao to me quickly. If I'm late, Er Man will complain again!" Liu Cuirong lost her patience.
Lu Shi turned around, handed the child directly to Liu Cui Jin, and then blocked Liu Cuirong.
"What? I'm the child's maternal grandmother. I know what I'm doing. Are you afraid I'll sell him?"
Lu Shi put on a stern face.
Liu Cuirong sighed, utterly helpless.
After nursing Xiao Bao, she returned to the Yun family alone.
Four tables were set up in the courtyard, and the workers were all pitching in, helping to arrange tableware and dishes.
Aromatic scents wafted from the kitchen, and jars of sorghum wine were placed on the tables. Some people were already sneaking drinks.
Friendly men and women from the village had also arrived.
They didn't come empty-handed; some brought cured meat, others a basket of eggs.
Fu Daqiang directly brought two boards of tofu, which were most enjoyable dipped in sauce.
Kong Xingzhuo, holding Xiao Xi Tian, walked around the courtyard.
"Xiao Tian Bao, do you want to go to the capital with me for a stroll?"
Kong Xingzhuo popped a piece of milk candy into Xiao Xi Tian's mouth and asked her with a smile.
"No, no go!" Xiao Xi Tian mumbled around the milk candy, firmly refusing him.
Kong Xingzhuo pouted. "Alas, what a pity. There are so many fun things in the capital. Doesn't Xiao Tian Bao want to take a look?"
"No, don't want to!" Xiao Xi Tian shook her head.
She wanted to go to the capital to play, but not now.
Kong Xingzhuo sat down on a stool with her and muttered to himself, "It's good that you're not going. The court is in turmoil, and corrupt officials are rampant. My master also has to leave the capital..."
"It's likely to change soon!"
Kong Xingzhuo sighed softly, his deep gaze cast into the distance, lost in thought.
Xiao Xi Tian blinked her big eyes, trying her best to show a confused expression.
So... that's why your master is building a house in Dashui Village?
She didn't ask this question aloud.
Because even if she did, Kong Xingzhuo wouldn't answer!
Xiao Xi Tian suddenly thought of Madam Chu, whom she had met while fleeing during the famine.
She was the wife of the Marquis of Jing'an. If there was turmoil in the capital, would it affect her?
Thinking of this, Xiao Xi Tian swung her little feet.
A golden walnut hung from her ankle; it was a gift from Madam Chu.
"Young Master Kong, the food is ready!" Old Man Yun came over, picked up his daughter, and said with a smile.
"Good!"
Yun Daman and Yun Erman had good drinking capacity and entertained the workers very well.
"Sir, Madam, I toast you with this bowl of wine!"
Kong Xingzhuo held up the wine bowl with both hands, his smile respectful. "Without your help, the house wouldn't have been completed so quickly!"
"Oh, Young Master Kong, you shouldn't say that!"
Old Man Yun said shyly, "Since you came, you've given the family a lot of money. The chickens, ducks, fish, meat, dishes, and grains were all paid for by yourselves!"
"That's right!" Yun Daman also agreed with a smile. "All of us, young and old, in our family have gained quite a bit of weight during this time!"
The workers laughed heartily upon hearing this.
Kong Xingzhuo also felt very pleased.
Only Gu Shi's expression darkened, and her cold gaze swept directly towards Liu Cuirong.
Where is Xiao Bao?