Zhao Guihua, her movement restricted and her legs unresponsive, struggled to prop herself up, her eyes wide with anger. "You good-for-nothing Yun Laoda, you dare to do such shameless things but won't admit it? Are you even a man?"
Yun Daman: "......"
Er Longzi was right; Guihua was indeed in a bad mood.
But Daman felt this wasn't just a bad mood; she was being utterly unreasonable.
"No, what did I do outside?" Yun Daman suppressed the anger in his heart, picked up a pillow, and placed it behind Zhao Guihua.
"What you did, you know it yourself!~" Zhao Guihua glared at him.
Yun Daman's eyes ached with anger. "Where did you hear these rumors?"
"The village chief said so!~" Zhao Guihua said with a serious expression.
Yun Daman: "......"
"Does everything the village chief says have to be true?"
"Hmph, there's no airtight wall in this world."
"You're just making groundless accusations and slandering a good person!~"
"......"
The couple bickered endlessly, disturbing Old Man Yun and Gu Shi so much they couldn't sleep.
In the main room, Old Man Yun nudged Gu Shi. "Old woman, go take a look and tell them to quiet down. What are they doing in the middle of the night?"
He thought Daman was coming back to dote on his wife, but they started arguing as soon as they met.
Gu Shi sighed, got up, and put on a coat. "What can I say about this? Rumors about Daman are flying everywhere, even the children in the village know. Guihua is Daman's wife, how can she feel alright about it?"
"But they can't just keep arguing like this, are they trying to end their marriage?" Old Man Yun also sat up, completely devoid of sleep.
Just then, a knock suddenly came from outside.
A moment later, Jin Huaihua's voice came through, "Grandpa, Grandma, are you asleep?"
Old Man Yun heard the commotion and looked at Gu Shi. "Why is Huaihua here?"
Could their shouting have disturbed the neighbors so much they couldn't sleep?
"Huaihua coming this late must mean something urgent. You go open the door..." Gu Shi said, also getting off the kang and putting on her shoes, lighting an oil lamp.
A moment later, Old Man Yun led Jin Huaihua into the main hall, with Er Longzi and Xiao Jinfeng following behind.
"Grandpa, Grandma, I apologize for disturbing you so late!~" Xiao Jinheng said apologetically.
He had been working in the fields every day for the past few days, his skin tanned to a dark hue. The former Prince Ming's shadow had been completely obscured by the rustic atmosphere of the countryside.
Gu Shi smiled and asked, "Is something the matter?"
"Grandma!" Jin Huaihua stepped forward, glancing towards the west wing. "It's about Magistrate Yun. Let's talk in that room..."
This way, Zhao Guihua could hear that Yun Daman was not a fickle person who flirted with others.
After Er Longzi returned to the village, he recounted the entire incident. Jin Huaihua and Xiao Jinfeng were both furious upon hearing it.
As it happened, Daman returned to the village overnight and was still arguing with Zhao Guihua. The young couple came to help Daman clarify things.
After listening, Gu Shi naturally understood what Huaihua meant.
Huaihua and Jinfeng had no ill intentions. Coming so late must mean they understood the inside story and came to mediate.
"Alright, let's go!~"
Gu Shi nodded and led Huaihua and Er Longzi to the west wing.
Old Man Yun and Xiao Jinheng sat in the main hall drinking tea.
Seeing several people suddenly walk into the room, Zhao Guihua, who had been arguing incessantly, immediately stopped her scolding. "Mom, Huai... Huaihua, why are you here?"
Yun Daman was also dumbfounded, staring blankly at Er Longzi. "What, what's going on?"
They had met at the county yamen earlier that evening; why were they here again now?
Jin Huaihua wasted no words. "Er Longzi, you tell them..."
"Yes, Madam!~"
Er Longzi responded, stepped forward, and recounted the entire story of Madam Kang and her daughter's scheme to frame Yun Daman, and Cai Kexin secretly administering the anesthetic.
Finally, he looked at Zhao Guihua. "Sister-in-law Guihua, I've been watching Daman secretly these past few days. He really hasn't done anything out of line. Those Kang mother and daughter are up to no good, thinking of marrying into the Yun family and becoming Daman's second wife!~"
"But Daman's heart is with you. I guarantee with my own character, if he truly fell for Cai Kexin, let alone you disagreeing, I would stop him too..."
After listening, Gu Shi finally felt reassured.
She knew her son wasn't the type to have wandering thoughts.
Jin Huaihua smiled and stepped forward, patting Zhao Guihua's hand. "Sister-in-law Guihua, are you relieved now?"
Huaihua felt that Zhao Guihua had overthought this matter. If it hadn't been investigated and clarified sooner, their marriage would surely have ended.
Zhao Guihua was so ashamed she couldn't say a word.
Seeing this, Yun Daman's anger subsided by half. "Thank you for helping me clarify the truth. Otherwise, if Guihua had continued to make a scene, the family would have been worried and upset too..."
Since the matter was explained, Huaihua didn't want to linger. She called Xiao Jinheng and they returned to rest.
In the guest room.
Scholar Jiang held a book, reading it with a vacant gaze.
Laifu poured him a cup of water and quietly asked, "Sir, when do we plan to return to the capital?"
Currently, neither the young princess nor the Crown Prince were in Dashui Village. Scholar Jiang's daily tasks consisted of teaching the village children, or chatting with Niu Caixia.
Other than that, he had nothing else to do.
Having lived in the old Yun family for so long, his physique had gradually become rounder, and his handsome face was visibly plump. He was noticeably gaining weight.
It was unbelievable that a dignified Hanlin Academy Scholar was degenerating to this extent in the countryside.
"When did I say I was returning to the capital?"
Scholar Jiang shot Laifu a look and pointed outside the window. "This Dashui Village is a place of abundant resources and outstanding people, a truly wonderful place that you wouldn't find even with a lantern. Why should I leave?"
Even if the Emperor issued an edict forcing him to return, he would have to bring something back.
For example, bringing Caixia and her daughter.
Laifu: "......"
Sir, are you staying here with a hidden agenda?
"By the way, did you buy the things I asked for?" Scholar Jiang suddenly asked.
Laifu sighed inwardly and nodded. "I bought them back long ago. Various small clothes, toys, and snacks, two big boxes full..."
In a few days, it would be Xiao Jiuhong's birthday, and Scholar Jiang planned to host a grand celebration for her.
"That's good. Did you buy Caixia's clothes?" Scholar Jiang asked again.
Laifu: "......"
Sir, are you celebrating Jiuhong's birthday, or her mother's?