"Master, Master, the food and drinks are all ready, six dishes and one soup, and I also made the lean meat congee that Miss Yun loves the most!~" Molly said with a smile.
County Magistrate Chen was stunned for a moment. While he was discussing important matters with San Man and dealing with Chen Fuqin, he had forgotten to prepare food and drinks...
Just as he was thinking of asking San Man and Sweet Baby to stay and then sending someone to buy some cooked food or take out a few dishes from the street, Molly said the food and drinks were ready.
In fact, this was all arranged by Madam Huang with the servants. She knew that San Man was coming to discuss matters concerning the children. The Chen residence was a large and prosperous family, and they couldn't let guests leave hungry...
It would be bad if this got out, after all, after the engagement banquet, they would be family with the Yun family.
"Master, the food was prepared by Madam, and she also asked the guests to eat in the main hall!~" Molly murmured.
Besides that, Madam Huang had also prepared snacks, candies, and small treats for Little Xi Tian, two large bags in total, enough for her to eat for half a month...
County Magistrate Chen was overjoyed, his eyes crinkling into a smile. "Good, good, San Man, hurry to the main hall for a drink, Sweet Baby, come, come, don't be shy!~"
Alas, he never expected his wife to be so sensible now; County Magistrate Chen was a little unaccustomed to it...
Yun San Man couldn't refuse the kind invitation and had to accompany Magistrate Chen for a couple of drinks.
As the sky was nearing dusk, he finally took his sister and son into the carriage and returned to Dashui Village.
Old Yun Family.
"It's settled? Haha, good, Jingde, you must treat Xiao Ran well from now on, don't bully her all day, understand?"
Old Man Yun was overjoyed and rubbed Gao Jingde's head vigorously...
"Grandpa, when did I ever bully Xiao Ran?" Gao Jingde pouted, recalling the events of the day. "Today we went to Uncle County Magistrate's house and met a big idiot. She said our Old Yun family was poor and lacked food and clothing, and that Grandpa and Grandma would definitely mistreat Xiao Ran in the future. Little Aunt was unhappy and dealt with her!~"
Little Xi Tian, who was eating: "......"
Third nephew, can you not speak so directly?
What do you mean "dealt with her"? She was clearly treating that aunt.
Madam Gu couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this. "Your little aunt was standing up for you. When you marry Xiao Ran in the future, you must treat your aunt well and never forget that your aunt is your dearest and most beloved person!~"
Gao Jingde: "......"
Here we go again.
Three days without brainwashing, two days early.
He knew he had to be good to his little aunt; it had become a daily routine for the whole family to wake up.
"Dad, Mom, I was thinking of picking a good day to host a few tables at home and hold Jingde and Xiao Ran's engagement banquet!~" Yun San Man said with a smile.
Jin Xiaolou, hearing this, put down his chopsticks with a keen eye and ran to the inner room to get the calendar, handing it to Madam Gu. "Auntie, choose a date..."
Madam Gu smiled, took the calendar, and patted Jin Xiaolou's shoulder. "Go eat, the chicken cake will get cold soon!~"
If Xiaolou could never find his way home, Madam Gu would be willing to raise him as a grandson for a lifetime.
This child was both sensible and diligent, and everyone in the Yun family liked him very much.
Engagement usually chose dates like 'three, six, nine'...
Symbolizing three lives, three generations, everlasting, and early childbirth.
Three days later would be the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month, which was also the Winter Solstice. Madam Gu pondered for a moment and asked Old Man Yun, "Old man, what do you think of holding it on the Winter Solstice? If you split twenty-nine, it becomes 'two dragons soaring' and 'nine-nine hearts united.' Moreover, people say that the Winter Solstice is as important as New Year's. It would be great to celebrate with the villagers when our Jingde gets engaged on this day..."
Little Xi Tian put down her rice bowl and looked at Madam Gu with her big eyes.
Mother is so cultured! She doesn't usually read books; where did she learn these phrases from?
Old Man Yun naturally had no objections and nodded repeatedly. "Good, good, then let's set it for the Winter Solstice. San Man, do we still need anything at home? Go to the county town tomorrow and buy it all. Also, write the invitation cards in advance, and I'll deliver them when I have time..."
It had been a long time since there had been any happy occasions in the family. Ever since Er Man married Du Tieshan, the family had been in constant turmoil.
Either San Man got lost, or Er Man was captured by the soldiers. With the New Year approaching, the Yun family naturally wanted to celebrate any good news that added to their joy.
Zhao Guihua smiled and said, "Dad, Mom, we don't lack anything at home now. We haven't finished eating the wild game from before. Tomorrow I'll have Da Man buy some wine and red silk..."
"Yes, yes! Buy more wine. Old Man Du can drink a lot; every time he comes over, he has to take a jar back!~" Yun Da Man couldn't help but laugh.
Yun Er Man exchanged glances with Du Tieshan and burst into laughter.
Shangguan Fang'er held onto Gao Jingde, seemingly reluctant to let go.
Although she had also gone to County Magistrate Chen's house during the day, she had felt sleepy as soon as she entered and had to go to the guest room to rest. By the time San Man and County Magistrate Chen had finished their business, she had also slept enough...
"Fang'er!" Yun San Man wiped the rice grains from Shangguan Fang'er's mouth and gently persuaded, "Doctor Guan will be leaving in a few days. Won't you let him examine you? Look, Huai Hua can speak now. Doctor Guan can definitely cure your illness!~"
"No, I won't see a doctor!" Shangguan Fang'er, who had been docile and obedient a moment ago, suddenly changed her expression to a dark one. "I am not sick, and I will never see a doctor!"
Yun San Man: "......"
Since she was so resistant, he had to find another way.
In any case, while Guan Zhongbo was still staying at the Yun family's residence, he had to give Shangguan Fang'er a comprehensive check-up. Even if her madness couldn't be cured, Yun San Man would feel better...
His son was about to get engaged, so he had to consider his own future.
In the guest room.
Xiao Jinfeng and Gu Mingyan sat cross-legged on the heated brick bed, with a chessboard on the low table between them, playing chess in silence.
An incense for calming the nerves was burning on the windowsill, and wisps of smoke rose and gently drifted in the room.
"Cough, cough, cough, huff, this thing is too choking, cough!~" Xiao Jinfeng put down his pipe and coughed violently, covering his chest.
He had learned to smoke during his stay at the Yun family's. This was quite out of character for his elegant demeanor...
Gu Mingyan hooked the corner of his lips. "If you don't know how to smoke, don't touch it. Consort Xian wouldn't want to see you wasting your youth!~"
"No, Marquis Gu, what does my smoking a pipe have to do with you? Put away that condescending habit of yours!" Xiao Jinfeng rolled his eyes at him and slowly placed a piece. "Hmph, haven't you also been eating and drinking excessively these past few days, filling yourself with the smell of alcohol? And you have the nerve to talk about me? What a joke!~"
Gu Mingyan: "......"
He remembered that Xiao Jinfeng wasn't usually this talkative. Why had he become such a chatterbox as soon as he arrived at the Yun family's?
"I have a big heart and won't bother with you. Checkmate!" Gu Mingyan moved a chess piece, trapping the prince.
Xiao Jinfeng was so angry that he pounded the table. Just as he was about to cheat, Er Longzi suddenly ran in. "Your Highness, your subordinate just discovered two suspicious individuals loitering outside the Old Yun family's main gate!~"
Xiao Jinfeng's cold eyes narrowed upon hearing this.
Suspicious individuals?