"This... they're leaving just like that!" Old Man Yun stood at the main entrance, craning his neck to watch towards the village entrance, his heart filled with reluctance.
In truth, both he and Madam Gu could see that their youngest daughter's trip to the capital was entirely orchestrated by Young Master Xiao, who had practically dragged her along.
The talk of transporting wine and opening a shop were all mere excuses.
Madam Gu tugged at Old Man Yun. "Our daughter said she'd write to us once she reached the capital. Let's go back inside and see what Si Man has to say, shall we?"
When Yun Si Man returned to the Yun household last night, he saw that his parents and family had already retired for the night, so he didn't wake them.
"Sigh, alright..." Old Man Yun sighed, turned, and went back into the house.
Xiao Jinfeng, supporting Jin Huaihua, strolled along the street. Watching the busy villagers, the young couple felt an immense sense of contentment.
"Huaihua, when our children grow up, what do you want them to do?" Xiao Jinfeng suddenly asked.
Jin Huaihua paused, looking puzzled. "Our children will be born in the countryside. Besides farming, hunting in the mountains, and fishing in the water, what else do you want them to do?"
"Tsk tsk..." Xiao Jinfeng shook his head, smiling helplessly. "Who says children born in the countryside must do these things?"
As he spoke, Xiao Jinfeng helped Huaihua to sit on a flat, large stone. Then, he took out two hawthorns from his pocket and offered them to her. "I've thought it all through. When our children grow up, regardless of whether they are boys or girls, I'll send them to the capital. Even studying abroad would be fine. They absolutely cannot be confined to the countryside their whole lives..."
Jin Huaihua took a bite of a hawthorn and couldn't help but laugh. "What if the children don't want to go?"
"That won't do!" Xiao Jinfeng crossed his arms and looked at the few little children at the village entrance. "Their father is already quite useless. I don't want them to have to scratch a living from the soil too..."
Perhaps due to his nature, Xiao Jinfeng might never have a life of great wealth and status.
Therefore, he hoped his next generation would achieve something, not follow in his footsteps.
Jin Huaihua rolled her eyes. "You're like a mother hen. You can't hatch chicks yourself, but once you have them, you expect them to lay eggs relentlessly."
Xiao Jinfeng burst out laughing upon hearing this. "Huaihua, what kind of metaphor is that? How did I become a mother hen?"
The young couple had never argued since they got married.
Their marital relationship was loving and harmonious, with mutual understanding. Their life was both warm and comfortable.
Jin Huaihua pouted. "That's exactly right. Then tell me, what kind of children are considered successful? Becoming officials in the capital, or earning a fortune and living a life of ease? I'm telling you, as long as we live in the Daliang Kingdom, everything we do is subject to the court's regulations. If you hadn't severed ties with the Emperor back then, your children's future path might have been smoother. Now, everything depends on ourselves..."
Xiao Jinfeng's gaze slowly lowered upon hearing this.
Yes, had he gone too far back then?
But if he hadn't done so, how could he have married Huaihua in such grand fashion?
The dignified Prince Ming marrying a village maid as his wife...
"I have my own plans!" Xiao Jinfeng said, sticking out his neck.
Jin Huaihua chuckled softly and said nothing more.
Inside the Yun family's main hall.
"What do you mean you couldn't find him? Did Er Man grow wings and fly away?" Old Man Yun's eyes widened, his anger making him puff out his chest.
That unfilial son! If he had even a shred of sense, he should have come back quickly. Shan Shan had been weeping day and night these past few days, her eyes swollen from crying.
Yun Si Man shrugged his shoulders, helpless. "I couldn't find him, that's all. I suspect Er Ge is deliberately avoiding me. Otherwise, I would have brought him back already!"
"Then... then didn't you inquire everywhere?" Madam Gu asked anxiously.
It was now the end of spring and the beginning of summer. If Er Man insisted on going south, the round trip would take several months. By the time he returned to Dashui Village, it would likely be deep winter.
By then, Shan Shan would probably have already given birth.
Yun Si Man gave a wry smile. "Mother, I've inquired everywhere. There's really no news of Er Ge!"
Alas, it seemed this matter would have to be put aside for now. He couldn't help much more.
He would stay another night at home and depart tomorrow morning.
Old Man Yun slammed his pipe onto the table with a clatter and snorted. "Er Man's head is filled with dung! Our family is living so well now, with plenty to eat and drink. Why is he getting involved in this mess? Does he think it makes him capable and accomplished? He's truly regressing with age..."
The family's shop had opened, the dairy cows were raised, and their youngest daughter had even been conferred the title of Princess Dongping. These were things ordinary families wouldn't even dare to imagine. Why couldn't Er Man understand?
"Father, I think Er Ge might be too fixated on things..."
Yun Si Man stepped forward and poured his parents each a cup of tea. "Currently, Da Ge is helping Guihua Da Sao manage the shop, earning a fortune every day and living a fulfilling life. San Ge and Fang Er Sao have also opened a silk shop and are living equally vibrant lives. But when it comes to Er Ge, he's become an idle farmer. The cheese shop was opened by our sister, the dairy cows were raised by our sister, and even the farmland belongs to you, Father. Er Ge ends up with nothing in his hands. Can he feel balanced?"
These words were very similar to what Madam Gu had said earlier.
If Er Man truly felt balanced, he wouldn't have risked his life to smuggle salt.
"He... what is he unbalanced about?" Old Man Yun pounded the table, his heart filled with grief. "Is the family lacking in food or drink for him? Have we mistreated him?"
In fact, Old Man Yun favored his second son.
He was handsome, hardworking, literate, numerate, sharp-minded, and more adept at dealing with outsiders than Da Man.
Yet, it was his most favored son who was now acting so rashly.
Yun Si Man helped Old Man Yun pack his pipe with tobacco and said with a smile, "Father, this isn't about whether we've treated him well or not. It's about a man's pride at play. Although no one in the family calls Er Ge an idle unemployed vagrant, I can sense Er Ge's thoughts to some extent..."
As he spoke, Si Man lit the pipe and handed it to Old Man Yun. "Since this has already happened, Father and Mother, don't get upset. When I return to the capital, I'll ask someone to inquire in the south. There are only a few places where private salt is smuggled: Xihai, Donghai, and the Beigong Salt Fields. It won't be difficult to find someone..."
Upon hearing this, Madam Gu's dim eyes finally flashed with a hint of light. "Then, then Si Man, please put in some extra effort and find your second brother back soon, so Shan Shan can also rest assured and carry her pregnancy!"
Seeing her cry all day long also made her feel uneasy.
"Don't worry, Mother," Yun Si Man replied with a smile.
At the same time, in the Chen Mansion in the county town.
Prefect Chen held the letter, his eyes red with emotion, tears streaming down his face, unable to speak.