Xiao Jinfeng stood behind the two with his hands clasped behind his back, a knowing smile on his face...
Little Xi Tian wrinkled her nose and waved her small fists, saying indignantly, "When did you get here?"
Didn't you go to eat with Mom and Dad?
It was really scary how he'd crept up behind her and Ru Yue without a sound.
Xiao Jinfeng smiled faintly, his eyes sweeping over the letter in Little Xi Tian's hand, and asked, "What is Miss Yun holding?"
How dare she send secret messages right under his nose. This little doll had quite the nerve.
Little Xi Tian: "..."
You're really annoying!
"Can't you see for yourself!" Little Xi Tian said with a cold face. "It's a letter. My mother hasn't been feeling well lately, so she's writing to the doctor in town to ask him to make a house call. What, do you want to open it and take a look yourself?"
Little Xi Tian casually told a lie. Although she knew it wouldn't fool Xiao Jinfeng, she couldn't let him have the upper hand...
Xiao Jinfeng shook his head upon hearing this. "I don't have the habit of reading other people's letters. It's just so cold outside, and you two are here whispering and chattering. Are you up to no good?"
In fact, he had known his sixth brother was hiding here from the very first day he arrived in Dashui Village.
Dashui Village was the most ordinary and unremarkable among many villages and towns. Even if a prince or noble wanted to hide an illegitimate child, they wouldn't choose to live here...
And given Xiao Jinheng's noble status, the local people would naturally be suspicious of him after he had lived in the village for so many years.
Therefore, Xiao Jinfeng only needed to make a few inquiries with the villagers and investigate the western residence to uncover the truth.
The more hostile the old Yun family was towards him, the closer Xiao Jinheng's relationship with them must be.
Little Xi Tian glared with her big, round eyes and shouted angrily, "What business is it of yours whether we're up to no good or not? Hmph, a dog chasing a mouse is meddling in other people's affairs..."
Xiao Jinfeng looked at Little Xi Tian intently, then glanced at the envelope in her hand. "Dinner is ready, let's go back and eat!~"
With that, he adjusted his cloak and turned to leave.
Watching Xiao Jinfeng's tall and straight back, Ru Yue let out a long sigh. "That was close. Sweet Baby, do you think he's noticed anything?"
If she couldn't even deliver the letter, and the young master returned to Dashui Village unknowingly, wouldn't that be like jumping into a fire pit...
The more Ru Yue thought about it, the more scared she became.
Little Xi Tian put away the letter and patted Ru Yue's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll definitely deliver the letter!~"
Alas, it was just her luck that Xiao Jinfeng had come to cause trouble precisely when she was busy raising dairy cows and opening shops.
"Sweet, Sweet Baby!" Ru Yue grabbed Little Xi Tian's hand, her eyes full of hope. "I'm entrusting all my hopes to you now. If anything happens to the young master, then... then Ru Hua and I won't live either!~"
Little Xi Tian: "..."
It's not that serious!
It's not at the point of life and death yet.
"I know!~" Little Xi Tian grinned, her small mouth blooming into a bright and innocent smile.
It seemed that while she was busy making money, she also had to be constantly wary of Xiao Jinfeng and never let him harm her family.
During lunch, Old Man Yun held a large bowl, slurped his noodle soup, and instructed Yun Daman, "Daman, Er Man and San Man are not home right now, so you'll have to put in more effort. When we have enough hands, Dad will buy you a pork knuckle..."
He could see that Daman had been busy and exhausted lately, not even taking a break, and had even quit smoking and drinking. He had indeed worked hard.
Yun Daman heard this and couldn't help but laugh and cry. "Dad, what are you talking about? When you work for your own family, there are no such conditions. When our family earns enough money, we'll buy a house in town, and then you and Mom can move there to live. You won't have to farm anymore!~"
Mom and Dad had worked hard for most of their lives; it was time for them to enjoy their retirement...
Madam Gu glared at Daman and chided, "If we don't farm, will we go drink the northwest wind? Even if we move to town, if the family has no main business or income, old and young will starve to death!"
In Dashui Village, they could at least farm to survive. With a good harvest each year, they would have enough grain, and at least wouldn't starve.
But in town, if they wanted to fill their stomachs, they would have to work for others, washing dishes, doing odd jobs, or running errands. If the masters were happy, they might reward them with some silver. If they encountered wicked and unscrupulous masters, they wouldn't save much money even after toiling for a year...
Xiao Jinfeng picked up a piece of salted potato and chewed it.
A salty, cool, and soft sensation spread in his mouth. The taste was peculiar, not unpleasant, just excessively salty.
He hadn't expected potatoes could be cooked or pickled as a side dish. He had never eaten anything like this in the palace...
Just then, Er Longzi ran in with a large bamboo basket.
"Young Master, Young Master, the things are bought!~" Er Longzi said as he lifted the cotton cloth covering the basket. "Look, there's pig's head meat, pig's trotters, and a lot of dried lamb and dried pork!~"
Xiao Jinfeng looked over and quickly took out the various cooked foods, arranging them on the dining table one by one. He smiled and said, "Come, try this. Although it's cold, it tastes absolutely delicious..."
Shangguan Fang'er, seeing this, was about to pick up a slice of pig's head meat, but upon seeing Xiao Jinfeng's smug and arrogant expression, she snorted and retracted her chopsticks.
Even the little glutton Yun Xiaobao didn't rush to eat the meat. He sat obediently beside Du Tieshan, eating his noodle soup.
Xiao Jinfeng was stunned for a moment. "Wh-why isn't anyone eating? Are you afraid I've poisoned the food?"
It was strange. Wouldn't the villagers rush to grab such delicious cooked food when they saw it?
But they were acting as if they hadn't seen it...
Old Man Yun put down his large bowl with a 'bang'. "Even if there's no poison, we wouldn't dare to eat it. Young Master Xiao, you'd better keep it for yourself as a snack with your wine!~"
Xiao Jinfeng: "..."
Well, how had he offended the Yun family?
And even Miss Huaihua was unwilling to talk to him.
Just a few days ago, when he first arrived at the old Yun family's house, Old Man Yun had been toasting him and drinking with him until he was tipsy.
"Since that's the case, please eat slowly. I'm done!~" Xiao Jinfeng stood up, sighed lightly, and left the room.
Er Longzi, seeing this, quickly followed him out...
In the guest room, Xiao Jinfeng stood by the window with a dark, handsome face, looking outside, his brows furrowed with an unresolvable melancholy.
Er Longzi hesitated for a moment and then asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, we've been staying here for several days and have figured out the Crown Prince's whereabouts. Should we report it to Her Majesty immediately?"
Xiao Jinfeng frowned upon hearing this, turned around, and asked, "What for?"
Er Longzi: "???"