Shangguan Fang'er jumped in surprise and turned to see Zhao Guihua standing at the door, panting, with a hint of excitement on her face.
Madam Gu had asked her to bring some persimmon cakes to Shangguan Fang'er and Murong Qing. Who would have thought that as soon as Zhao Guihua reached the door, she would hear Murong Qing say that there were no personal feelings between her and Jinhe, and that they were merely companions in study.
Zhao Guihua was so excited that she rushed in.
"Miss Murong, what you just said is true, isn't it? You are just my son's study companion and don't aspire to be his wife, right?" Zhao Guihua asked urgently.
Murong Qing: "..."
This person was truly a peculiar one.
As if she was desperately trying to get close to him.
Murong Qing let out a "hmm" and said lightly, "That's right. Jinhe and I can barely be considered friends. Are you relieved now?"
"Haha, that's wonderful!" Zhao Guihua was so happy her eyes crinkled, and she placed the plate of persimmon cakes on the kang table. "Miss Murong, you can't really blame me for being petty. It's just that you are not worthy of my Jinhe. He is destined for great things in the future. What is a village girl like you doing tagging along, right?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Murong Qing: "..."
She had witnessed it today. Whoever became Jinhe's wife in the future would first have to get her mother's approval.
This kind of mother-in-law relationship was even harder to handle than international relations.
Shangguan Fang'er felt a pang of anger upon hearing this and glared fiercely at Zhao Guihua. "Sister-in-law Guihua, what do you mean by that? Where is my Qing'er not good enough for Jinhe? Humph, Jinhe hasn't even passed the imperial examination yet, and you're already vetting his marriage prospects. This is not good, and that is not good. If Jinhe fails the exam, see if you don't get slapped in the face!"
Under normal circumstances, Shangguan Fang'er would not have confronted Zhao Guihua directly.
But who asked her to provoke Qing'er?
Moreover, Shangguan Fang'er had seen many people like her, those with high aspirations but meager fortunes.
Zhao Guihua was so angry she stomped her feet. "Fang, Fang'er, what do you mean by that? Are you cursing my son to fail the exam? Humph, our Old Yun family has treated you well, and you wish for my son to have no success, is that it..."
Sigh, she didn't know what Sanman was thinking back then, how could he have brought back such a spoiled and unreasonable woman? Wasn't he just looking for trouble?
Shangguan Fang'er chuckled. "Sister-in-law Guihua, I came to Dashui Village thanks to the kindness of the entire Old Yun family, not just your contribution. And in this family, I have Sanman and Jingde, as well as Uncle, Aunt, and Sweet Baby, and that's enough for me. Even if you want to be good to me, I wouldn't bother with you..."
Zhao Guihua: "???"
Wow, good heavens, she had quite a temper, a complete ungrateful wretch.
Sanman was still foolishly treating her illness. Had his brain been flooded?
He was treating her illness just to anger them, right...
"Sister!" Murong Qing nudged Shangguan Fang'er and whispered, "Why bother arguing with her? Her son is so precious, how could I dare to cling to him? Come, try these persimmon cakes, they are very sweet!"
Shangguan Fang'er had just recovered from a serious illness and couldn't handle strong stimulation. After arguing with Zhao Guihua, she felt a tightness in her chest.
"I don't want to eat them. Ask Sister-in-law Guihua to take them back!" Shangguan Fang'er said, then put on her shoes, got off the kang, and put on a cloak before walking out of the room.
Zhao Guihua pouted at the sight and stepped forward to snatch the persimmon cakes back. "Tch, if you don't want to eat them, fine. I'll take them back for my son to eat!"
Murong Qing: "..."
Jinhe's mother seemed quite shrewd normally, enduring hardship and working diligently, but why was she so unreasonable in other aspects?
A moment later, in the back garden.
"Your Highness, why are you sitting here? You'll catch a chill!" Murong Qing looked at Shangguan Fang'er sitting on the stone bench with great concern.
Shangguan Fang'er slowly raised her head, her eyes brimming with indignation. "Why is she treating you like that? Even if you are living under someone else's roof, you shouldn't insult people like this!"
If it weren't for her madness delaying her, she would have already dug up the treasure and traveled the world.
Murong Qing pursed her lips and smiled. "Your Highness, I'm not even angry, why are you upset? Come, let's go back to the room. It's cold outside!"
Saying that, Murong Qing stepped forward to help Shangguan Fang'er up and brushed the snow off her cloak.
"Qing'er, I think we can't wait any longer. If we delay too long, there might be more trouble!" Shangguan Fang'er said worriedly.
Murong Qing: "..."
Here we go again?
"Qing'er, you prepare the carriage tomorrow, and let's set off early. We'll try to be back before the Lantern Festival, okay?"
"Oh, Princess!"
Murong Qing looked helpless. "Are you short of money now? Living in the Old Yun family, you have food and drink provided. Why are you so concerned about that treasure?"
When did a princess become a money grubber...
Shangguan Fang'er listened and said seriously, "This isn't about lacking money, it's about duty. Besides, you've been with me for so long, am I the kind of person who spends lavishly?"
"That's not true!" Murong Qing murmured.
"So let's go and come back early, we'll leave tomorrow..."
"Don't we need to inform Uncle and Aunt? And, and Brother Sanman, we have to tell him, right?"
Just leaving like that would be too sudden.
If you disappeared without a word, what would the entire Yun family think?
Shangguan Fang'er lowered her eyes, pondered for a moment, and then said, "I will leave a letter. They won't mind..."
Murong Qing twitched her lips. How could you know if they minded or not?
Alright, since Her Highness was so insistent, she, as a servant, couldn't object.
Let's go!
At the same time, on the kang in the main house, Old Man Yun was holding his pipe and smoking intermittently.
Madam Gu was making cotton boots for her daughter. The soles were already sewn, and the boot shafts were lined with soft cotton, making her hands feel fluffy and warm.
Seeing the old man looking absent-minded, Madam Gu casually asked, "Old man, what's wrong? You've been listless all day."
Old Man Yun was stunned for a moment and then came back to his senses. "Me, what can be wrong with me? It's nothing, nothing. You should go to sleep quickly. I'll go to the shop to help tomorrow. Daman will come to pick me up..."
"Can your old arms and legs handle it? Don't fall and get hurt!" Madam Gu teased.
Old Man Yun chuckled foolishly and said nothing.
Tomorrow, he would personally see what his suddenly appearing son looked like.