Chen Fuqin clutched her calf, hopping around the study and crying out, "Aow, aow!"
The comical scene brought a look of helplessness to everyone's faces.
"Ahhh! It hurts, it hurts so much! This little girl did it on purpose. She's not old, but she's so cunning!~" Chen Fuqin wailed.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xi Tian calmly put away her silver needles and asked curiously, "Huh? Auntie, didn't you just say you couldn't stand up? How are you suddenly jumping so high? Are you faking being sick?"
In reality, Xiao Xi Tian hadn't actually pricked her hard. She had specifically targeted an acupuncture point and pricked it lightly, enough to make Chen Fuqin feel pain that made her question life...
She had been furious with Foreman Li at the workshop that morning and was looking for an outlet for her anger. Chen Fuqin had just walked right into it.
"You, you pricked me so hard, how could I bear it? Hmph, you're a child with an old soul. If you grow up to be a young lady, you'll definitely never get married!~" Chen Fuqin grumbled resentfully.
Xiao Xi Tian smiled slightly, "You don't need to worry about that. If you feel your legs are not working well, I don't mind giving you a couple more needles!"
Chen Fuqin: "..."
Forget it. If she got pricked again, she might end up paralyzed.
Chen Xiaoran had been in a good mood, but her aunt's commotion had completely ruined it.
Seeing that Chen Fuqin still hadn't left, Chen Xiaoran huffily walked to the study door and made a gesture, "Auntie, Father and Uncle Sanman are discussing important matters. Please wait in the main hall, have some tea or snacks. If you really don't want to stay, I can have Jasmine escort you back to your residence..."
Her words were seamless, showing politeness while maintaining the composure and upbringing of a young lady from a good family.
Chen Fuqin heard this and snorted, "Just say you want me to leave. Stop talking in such a roundabout way, who are you trying to fool?"
This damned niece wasn't on her side at all...
County Magistrate Chen, with his hands behind his back, faced the window, not even in the mood to look at her.
Xiao Xi Tian, holding her wooden box, gently shook it in front of Chen Fuqin. The silver needles clinked against each other, making a "ding-ding-dang-dang" sound.
Auntie, if you want another needle, this baby is ready for you anytime.
Chen Fuqin shrunk her neck. She couldn't afford to offend them, so she'd better leave first...
She hadn't expected the little girl from the Yun family to be so peculiar. Today, she had truly kicked an iron plate.
"Yu, Yugang, big sister will come to see you again another day!~" Chen Fuqin said, then limped away.
Finally, quiet descended upon the study. County Magistrate Chen let out a long sigh, calmed his emotions, and then instructed Jasmine to bring fresh tea...
"Sanman, I'm sorry you had to witness that today. My sister didn't used to have such a temper. But ever since I became the prefect, she's become arrogant, bullying, and extravagant. I hope you don't take it to heart!~" County Magistrate Chen explained with a smile.
He hoped that such an incident wouldn't affect the harmonious relationship between their two families...
Yun Sanman pulled his sister closer, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Arguing was also very draining. Seeing his sister stand up for Jingde and vent his anger filled Sanman's heart with warmth.
Actually, when faced with such a situation, he, as the elder brother, should have been the first to step forward to protect his sister and son.
But today, it was the other way around...
His parents always told him to treat his sister exceptionally well, to indulge her, pamper her, and cherish her. Sanman admitted that he had been too cowardly today.
"County Magistrate, as the saying goes, every family has its own troubles. I understand your feelings right now!" Yun Sanman took a deep breath and said seriously, "However, since Jingde and Xiaoran are betrothed, we are now in-laws. I don't want your sister to cause trouble for them. After they get married, she shouldn't come and disturb their lives every other day..."
Even if the magistrate's daughter was pampered, his son was no less. Once they grew up, married, established themselves, and were busy with their lives, where would they have the energy to deal with a shrew like Chen Fuqin?
County Magistrate Chen waved his hands repeatedly, "Sanman, rest assured, this kind of thing will never happen again. I can guarantee it with my character!~"
Ordinary people might not understand why a girl of Chen Xiaoran's caliber would be willing to marry into the Yun family.
Shouldn't it be the other way around?
Was the magistrate's daughter so worthless that she couldn't find a husband?
Not at all. It was precisely because of Xiao Xi Tian that County Magistrate Chen had seen early on that the Yun family was by no means an ordinary one, and that Gao Jingde would not be an unknown figure in the future...
As long as one looked at the long term, all of Xiaoran's worries would be resolved.
After all, what parent wouldn't want their daughter to have a good future and a good marriage?
Yun Sanman nodded, "Since that's the case, then this matter is settled. County Magistrate, you can choose a date, and I'll make arrangements back home, host a few banquets, and invite all the villagers. We can consider it an engagement banquet for Jingde and Xiaoran..."
County Magistrate Chen's eyes lit up with joy. He quickly stood up and took Yun Sanman's hand, "Ah, how can you be in charge of the engagement banquet? How about this, I'll book a few tables at Fuxiang Pavilion in ten days. You bring your parents and family, and we'll have a good meal together!~"
"No, no!" Yun Sanman refused with a smile. "We are the groom's side. For my son to be betrothed to your daughter, how can I let you bear the expense!"
Gao Jingde: "..."
Chen Xiaoran: "..."
You two are chatting happily, completely ignoring the two parties involved.
Xiao Xi Tian sat on a stool, rummaging through her small satchel. That day, after her fourth brother returned, he had given her the token back. However, the brat had been staying in the palace and hadn't returned for a long time, which made Xiao Xi Tian a bit disappointed.
She took a stroll through her space and discovered that many delicious grapes had ripened. The sunlight shone on them, emitting a crystal-clear glow...
In addition, there were cherries, lemons, bayberries, green plums, and other fresh fruits in the orchard.
At first glance, all these items were suitable for making fruit wine. Especially the sweet and sour crystal grapes, the red wine made from them would surely be delicious...
Xiao Xi Tian had a flash of inspiration and came up with another good idea for making money.
Although the Daliang Kingdom had grapes, they were mostly wild. The Heyang County area was not suitable for their cultivation, so the common people had rarely eaten them, let alone drunk grape wine...
It seemed she needed to build a winemaking equipment.
"Hmm? Xi Tian younger sister, are you sleepy? Why are you dozing off?" Chen Xiaoran leaned over and asked.
Xiao Xi Tian opened her eyes, her thoughts returning, "I'm fine!~"
She hopped off the stool and looked at Sanman, "Third Brother, let's go back to the village..."
Since the matter had been settled, it wasn't appropriate for them to linger any longer.
After returning home, Xiao Xi Tian still had to think about the renovation matters!
"Alright, let's go back to the village!" Yun Sanman chuckled, then led his sister and son out.
Just then, Jasmine rushed in again...