Qingfeng merely glanced at the carriage, assuming it belonged to some wealthy family out for a scenic drive. He paid it no mind, nudged his horse, and left the post station.
However, Xiao Xitian, with her sharp eyes, caught a glimpse of the man's retreating figure and felt a sense of familiarity. "Huh? That's strange..."
"What's up?" Yun Erman casually lifted his sister onto the carriage and also looked towards the figure on the official road.
"Second Brother, that person looks like the brother who sent us to the prefectural city!" Xiao Xitian said.
Upon hearing this, Qin Cishi awkwardly climbed onto his horse and chuckled, "What are the odds of something like that happening in this world? Let's go, let's go. We'd be lucky to reach the county town before dark..."
He already knew Qingfeng wasn't a human trafficker, so he didn't think much of it.
Yun Erman placed the five roasted geese Qin Cishi had bought into the carriage, helped Hua Jie and Xiao Jinheng inside, and then boarded himself.
"I've never asked you, what's your real name?" Yun Erman asked Hua Jie.
He took out the melons he had just bought by the roadside, washed them, and distributed one to each person.
In front of her parents, she couldn't possibly let them call her 'sister' in that manner...
It would be a grave disrespect!
Hua Jie pursed her lips and smiled, "My parents were afraid I'd be difficult to raise, so they gave me a boy's name!"
"What is it?" Xiao Xitian was also very curious.
Hua Jie seemed a bit hesitant to speak, and after a moment of deliberation, she said, "Du Tieshan!"
"What? Tieshan?" Yun Erman's eyes widened, disbelieving.
What kind of parents would give their daughter such a name...
Tieshan sounded even worse than Tie Jun or Tie Zhu.
Hua Jie nudged him, a mix of amusement and exasperation on her face, "It's not that mountain, it's the 'shan' with the 'woman' radical and 'ce'!"
"Hahahaha!" Xiao Xitian burst into laughter, looking at Erman, "Second Brother, you thought she meant the mountain of steel?"
It was clearly the 'shan' from 'shanshan laichi' (meaning arriving late).
Yun Erman, being literate, awkwardly patted a melon. "I... I wouldn't know. From now on, let your family call you Shanshan!"
Du Tieshan nodded. It didn't matter what she was called. She was already very satisfied to have found Yun Erman and to be brought back to the village.
The carriage's speed was limited. Before they even reached the county town, Qingfeng, riding his swift horse, had already arrived at Heyang County and was searching for pastry shops on the main street...
Five roasted geese were definitely not enough. He heard the Yun family had many members, so he planned to buy more wine and pastries.
The weather was scorching hot, stinging his skin like needles.
Qingfeng scratched his arm and suddenly spotted a steamed bun shop with its doors open. After the bumpy journey, he was already hungry. He tied his horse outside and strode in...
"Hmm? What's this smell?" Qingfeng wrinkled his nose.
The steamed bun shop inside was dilapidated and messy. Dust coated the tables and benches. Not only were there no customers, but not even a fly bothered to fly in...
"Did someone die in here or what, my god!"
Qingfeng muttered with a look of disgust and turned to leave.
Just then, Liu Cuirong scurried out from the inner room. "Hey, hey, hey, customer, customer, don't go. The kitchen is cooking porridge..."
Lu Shi and Liu Cuijin, who were supposed to be returning after selling pigs, were still not back. The steamed bun shop had run out of stock. Liu Cuirong had sold a few stools and bought some millet.
Qingfeng looked back at her, his eyes suddenly widening in surprise.
Second Sister-in-law?
My heavens!
How did Second Sister-in-law end up like this?
Filthy, in rags, and pregnant...
Did he and Second Brother come here to open a steamed bun shop?
If so, how dire must the business be to let a steamed bun shop fall into such a state.
"Sec-Second Sister-in-law, is that you?" Qingfeng asked with difficulty.
Liu Cuirong blinked, taking a long time to process what was happening...
"Who are you calling Second Sister-in-law?" Liu Cuirong smoothed her braided pigtails.
The man before her wore a mask, had a well-proportioned build, and stood tall. Judging by his facial structure, he was definitely a handsome young man.
Liu Cuirong didn't remember having such a young brother-in-law!
Could it be... could it be him?
Before Liu Cuirong could speak, Qingfeng directly removed his mask, revealing a handsome face.
He had thick eyebrows, large eyes, a straight nose, and thin lips. Although his skin was a bit dark, it couldn't hide his chiseled, sculpted features.
This person was Yun Siman, who had gone out to work many years ago, lost contact with his family, and had never returned.
"Ah, ah, Fourth Brother, is it really you?" Liu Cuirong was so excited she almost jumped up.
She rushed to Yun Siman's side in a few steps, put one arm around his waist, and reached out to touch his face, "Really... really haven't changed at all! You've become more and more handsome!"
Yun Siman: "..."
Why was Second Sister-in-law acting so crazy?
He broke free from Liu Cuirong, took two steps back, and didn't feel much joy. "Where is my Second Brother?"
He absolutely refused to believe Second Brother could let a steamed bun shop fall into such a state...
There was clearly no man in the house.
Marquis was right. His relatives must be in Dashui Village, otherwise, he wouldn't have encountered Second Sister-in-law in the county town.
As soon as Yun Er'man was mentioned, Liu Cuirong couldn't help but shed tears. "Wuwuwu, your Second Brother, that bastard, that damned scoundrel, may he be struck by lightning! He... he found a new lover outside and never came home, day or night. I argued with him a few words, and he divorced me! Wuwu!"
She spoke as if she were the victim.
Yun Siman: "..."
Second Brother wasn't this much of a playboy before!
Was Second Sister-in-law just spouting nonsense?
"Fourth Brother, you haven't met Father and Mother yet, have you? When you get to Dashui Village, you must tell everyone that your Second Brother has become useless, and that vixen by his side, oh my, she looks so much like a fox! Her eyes blink constantly, emitting light!"
"Your Second Brother probably spends all his time with her in the cornfields, abandoning his wife and children. Look, I'm pregnant, and he still treated me with disdain, kicking me out of the Yun family. I'm almost begging for food now, wuwuwu!"
Yun Siman: "..."
He couldn't be bothered with this.
Liu Cuirong's incessant wailing and shouting annoyed him greatly.
He firmly believed Second Brother wasn't that kind of person. Before, when Second Sister-in-law was in Feiyan Village, she was like a pampered lady, refusing to do anything and finding everything tiring. This was her nature, so what kind of good person was she?
"Is this steamed bun shop yours?" Yun Siman asked indifferently.
"Hmph, does your Second Brother have that kind of ability? Steamed bun shop, he couldn't even open a shit shop. This is my mother's shop..." Liu Cuirong said resentfully.
Yun Siman said, "Oh."
Your mother's steamed bun shop is ruined by you?
What a filial daughter.
"I have something to do, I'm leaving now!" Yun Siman turned and walked towards the exit.
Since he had confirmed his family was in Dashui Village, there was no need for him to argue with Liu Cuirong...
"Fourth Brother, you can't leave!"
Liu Cuirong rushed forward and hugged Yun Siman's waist, her entire body clinging to him.