"Ahhh! You, you dare hit me, you little vixen, I'll fight you to the death..."
Gao Fengjuan screamed and grabbed Shangguan Fang'er's hair, tearing at it without any regard for her appearance.
Ever since she separated from Yun Sanman, Gao Fengjuan couldn't control her appetite, eating and drinking excessively every day. Her body became bloated and overweight. Her large frame could have easily contained Shangguan Fang'er, so no matter how much she was hit, she wouldn't be at a disadvantage...
Knowing Fang'er was frail and not good at fighting, Yun Sanman rushed forward and pushed Gao Fengjuan away forcefully. "Crazy woman, have you had enough? If you dare to cause trouble again, I'll send you to the yamen. Let's see how Magistrate Chen deals with you!~"
Gao Fengjuan's actions already constituted disturbing public order. If she didn't admit her mistakes obediently, she would at least have to spend ten days to half a month in jail...
"Wuwuwu, you're all ganging up to bully me! You think because you have a good relationship with Magistrate Chen, you can act tyrannically and bully defenseless women and children. You, you will all die a terrible death, wuwu!~" Gao Fengjuan wailed, her makeup smearing as she cried.
Yun Sanman: "..."
What man could possibly put up with her?
Shangguan Fang'er touched her hair bun and looked at Gao Fengjuan. "Jingde's mother, one should have compassion. Don't think the whole world owes you just because your own life isn't going well. Don't you understand the principle of not doing to others what you wouldn't want done to yourself? Think carefully, why did Sanman not want you anymore, and why did he open his own shop?"
"That's because, because his heart was biased..." Gao Fengjuan argued tearfully.
Shangguan Fang'er chuckled. "It's not that his heart was biased, but that you were too much of a troublemaker. You didn't cherish the person in front of you. When you missed out, you became sad and regretful, leading you to come find him in a fit of rage to settle scores. Do you know that the more a woman acts like this, the more she appears humble and worthless? If you don't even respect yourself, how can others respect you?"
Zhao Guihua and Du Tieshan both nodded in agreement upon hearing this...
Fang'er girl's words made sense. Women shouldn't cling to men shamelessly. Otherwise, like Gao Fengjuan, they would be mocked and ridiculed, and she would bring shame upon the entire Gao family.
Gao Fengjuan wiped her tears and snorted coldly. "Little vixen, showing off your sharp tongue, are you? A seductive fox who seduces men, and you're lecturing me on life principles? What right do you have? I'm telling you, I'm putting it out there today, as long as our Gao family's silk shop doesn't fail, we'll fight you to the end. Hmph, let's see who can laugh last..."
As the saying goes, competitors are enemies. The Gao family also ran a silk shop, and this time they had truly clashed with Sanman.
Yun Sanman shielded Shangguan Fang'er behind him and stared coldly at Gao Fengjuan. "You go your way on the bright road, I'll cross my single-plank bridge. Business has gains and losses, that's normal. But if you dare to play dirty behind our backs or slander our shop's reputation, don't blame me for being impolite..."
After speaking, Yun Sanman took Shangguan Fang'er's hand. "Fang'er, let's go inside!~"
"Okay!"
Du Tieshan and Zhao Guihua shot Gao Fengjuan a glare and also followed them back inside...
On the first day of the shop's opening, they encountered a jinx like Gao Fengjuan, which ruined everyone's good mood.
At the entrance of Dashui Village.
Jin Huaihua was helping Grandpa Sun out for a stroll and to buy some tofu.
Seeing Huaihua frequently looking towards the official road, Grandpa Sun smiled and asked, "Are you missing Young Master Xiao?"
Ever since Young Master Xiao returned to the palace, Huaihua hadn't slept well, constantly worried that he might encounter some trouble...
"I, I'm not!~" Jin Huaihua turned her face away, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Grandpa Sun poked a dandelion by the roadside with his cane, then bent down to pick it, shaking off the dirt. "Don't worry, Young Master Xiao might turn misfortune into fortune this time when he returns to the palace..."
The Yun family was prosperous and lived a booming life, with Little Xi Tian, the blessed child, praying for everyone. Anyone who had treated their family kindly would have a perfect ending.
Take Grandpa Sun himself, for instance. Wasn't he, who was once sickly, now healthy and full of vitality?
He just felt like he had become young again...
Jin Huaihua's expression brightened upon hearing this. "Grandpa Sun, is what you said true?"
She was afraid that after Young Master Xiao returned to the palace, he would meet more beautiful girls or indulge in fine food and wine, and quickly forget about her...
"What, you don't believe your Grandpa's words?" Grandpa Sun glanced at Huaihua, then stroked the dandelion in his hand and chewed it.
In early spring, the wild vegetables were very tender. Many women in the village had already gone into the mountains together to dig for dandelion greens...
With Grandpa Sun's comfort, Jin Huaihua felt a little better.
"It's getting dark, let's go back!~" Huaihua said, holding Grandpa Sun's arm as they walked back. "If Grandpa Sun likes them, I'll get up early tomorrow and go to the river to dig more dandelions for you. We'll make dumplings to eat when we get back..."
Grandpa Sun was delighted to hear this. "I knew you were the most filial and sensible child. In my opinion, Young Master Xiao is truly fortunate to have met such a good girl like you in this life!~"
To eat Huaihua's homemade dandelion dumplings, he had to say a few more nice words.
Of course, Grandpa Sun also sincerely hoped that Huaihua and Young Master Xiao could reach the end together...
The next day in the capital, within the Pingyang Marquis's estate.
Huge Shuang'er and Han Chi Yan sat in the back garden basking in the sun, with two maids standing by preparing tea.
The gentle sunlight cast a warm glow on Han Chi Yan's cheeks, making her look even more charming and attractive, exuding a mature yet playful beauty...
"This capital of the Liang Dynasty is indeed impressive. No wonder Abu is so eager to conquer the Central Plains!~" Han Chi Yan took a sip of hot tea and gently swayed in the rocking chair.
Even a commoner enjoyed life so much, let alone the ruler of a country.
Huge Shuang'er couldn't help but chuckle. "Your Highness Princess, this servant feels that you don't like the capital of Liang!"
Han Chi Yan hummed and looked curious. "What does Shuang'er mean by that?"
"Your Highness Princess, this servant believes you like the leisurely life within the Marquis's estate, not the entire capital. You must know that not all commoners in the capital can live such an elegant, peaceful, and carefree life..."
The cost of living in the capital was too high, and finding work was difficult. Those with power and influence didn't worry about their livelihood, but the lives of migrant workers were not so comfortable.
Han Chi Yan pouted. She actually didn't want to admit that she liked it here, as the grasslands were her home...
But after a period of experience and observation, she suddenly realized how much better this place was than the grasslands. Life was prosperous and peaceful, and there weren't so many scheming troubles.
Even if she didn't admit it verbally, her heart had already fallen deeply in love with this land.
Just then, a faint sound of footsteps came from behind them...