Xiao Xinling licked the large blister on her gum and asked with a frown, "What secret?"
What secret could a country family have...
Granny Gao pointed to the main entrance of the Yun family residence. "Miss, haven't you noticed the plaque above the door? It reads 'Yao Men Zhi Jia' (House of the Glorious Gate). This family's background is probably not simple!"
Hearing this, Xiao Xinling said dismissively, "So what? Maybe they hung it up themselves to save face. Even if it said 'Hu Men Zhi Jia' (House of the Tiger Gate), 'Fu Zu Zhi Jia' (House of Abundance), or 'Man Tang Zhi Jia' (House of Full Hall), they can write whatever they want!"
Granny Gao: "..."
What ordinary family would dare to hang such a thing without authorization!
"Miss, I also heard that a young master lives in the west wing. He's not old, and for years he's been living alone in Dashui Village with a few servants. Don't you find that strange?" Granny Gao murmured.
Xiao Xinling didn't want to listen to this gossip, so she glared at Granny Gao. "Oh, why are you always inquiring about these things? Go and ask if dinner is ready. I'm almost full from eating peanuts..."
Granny Gao sighed helplessly, got up, and left.
Many people had come to the old Yun family today, and the main house was full. Xiao Xinling found it too noisy and chose to eat in the guest room.
Du Tieshan and Jin Huaihua had prepared a large table of dishes.
There was eggplant stewed with carp, scrambled eggs with cucumber slices, fried peanuts, stir-fried potato slices with chili, spicy tofu, and so on...
The usual small pickled vegetables went without saying: pickled cucumbers, pickled long beans, pickled large turnips, pickled garlic, green onions with sauce, etc.
Since Xiao Xitian started growing potatoes, the Yun family had another pickled dish: pickled potatoes.
These, when paired with thin porridge, were very appetizing...
Jinshan and Jinhe received their brushes. Exquisite patterns were carved on them, indicating they were valuable items.
"Young Master Xiao, Jinshan and Jinhe cannot accept such expensive gifts. Please take them back!" Gu Shi said.
Usually, Young Master Xiao would give them this and that, and their family didn't know how to repay him.
Including this large house, which Young Master Xiao had commissioned to be built. Although their family didn't spend money on bricks and tiles, all the furnishings inside and out and the labor costs were paid for by Young Master Xiao alone...
Xiao Jinheng smiled slightly. "It's nothing. Brother Jinhe has passed the imperial examination, so he deserves a reward. Aunt Gu, there's no need to be formal!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Jinshan placed the brush on the table and lowered his head. "My elder brother passing the Xiucai exam has nothing to do with me. Why should I accept this brush?"
"Take it if you're given it!" Xiao Jinheng looked up at him. "I hope Brother Jinshan can also pass the imperial examination soon. Consider this brush as encouragement for you..."
Yesterday, his uncle had written to him. After the New Year, in the spring, he would also study diligently.
At that time, his uncle would send the best tutors, and he would lead the village children in their studies.
Yun Jinshan accepted the brush, then picked up his chopsticks and put a piece of fish into Xiao Jinheng's bowl. "Then thank you, Young Master Xiao..."
Xiao Xitian turned her big eyes, holding corn in her small hands, eating and watching Xiao Jinheng.
Old Yun also held his wine bowl, looking at Xiao Jinheng with deep meaning.
Why did Young Master Xiao always sit next to his daughter during meals?
And why did he sit so close?
It was as if they were about to stick together...
While they were busy celebrating inside, a figure suddenly flashed past the main gate.
Yun Siman was riding a fine horse, heavily laden with goods. After entering the courtyard with bags and bundles, he eagerly carried the items towards the main house.
It was great, he could spend a few more days with his family...
Last time, he had wanted to buy a pig to butcher for meat, but he had left in too much of a hurry and didn't have time to buy one.
This time, he would definitely buy a whole pig and a sheep to have a good time with his family.
Unexpectedly, as he passed by the guest room, he heard a cry of pain from inside.
"Wuwuwu, my gums hurt, they've gotten huge blisters, and all my teeth ache, wuwu..."
Yun Siman stopped in his tracks and looked sharply at the guest room window.
He seemed to have heard this sound somewhere before.
Looking at the maids and nannies standing outside the door, and the guards at the main entrance, Yun Siman's eyes suddenly widened.
"Could it be her?"
Why did that difficult, dead girl come to their house?
"Wuwu, I'm going to find that little girl to get medicine. If I hurt like this all night, I'll lose half my life!" Xiao Xinling said, climbing off the kang and walking out.
Eating raw peanuts wouldn't cause inflammation, but fried peanuts were fiery. Eating too many could lead to mouth sores, dry mouth, and other ailments...
Last time, she had eaten too many potatoes, and her stomach felt bloated. It was cured by those two white pills from that little girl.
With a "whoosh!", as the door opened, Xiao Xinling, like a little cannonball, crashed into Yun Siman's arms.
The incident happened too suddenly, and both were a bit stunned.
Yun Siman hadn't expected her to pop out...
"Ouch!" Xiao Xinling clutched her forehead and angrily cursed, "Who doesn't have eyes, blocking my way like this?"
"It really is you!" Yun Siman narrowed his eyes and asked in a deep voice, "Why are you at my house?"
This spoiled young lady suddenly staying at their old Yun family's house, how could his parents tolerate her?
Constantly crying and making noise, and with such a temper, wasn't that asking for trouble...
Xiao Xinling looked up and saw Yun Siman carrying bags and bundles on his shoulders. She was slightly surprised. "Huh? When did you come out? No, how did you get here?"
Meeting him here, wasn't this fate?
Yun Siman wrinkled his nose. "This is my house!"
"Huh?" Xiao Xinling was dumbfounded, surprised. "So you're one of the Yun family's sons? Heh, what a coincidence! I thought I'd never see you again..."
Yun Siman wrinkled his nose. "Why would you want to see me? Also, you've been living at my house for a few days, have you paid?"
Xiao Xinling: "..."
Did this young lady lack money?
He knew Xiao Xinling was traveling, but it was indeed a coincidence that she was staying at his house.
"Don't worry, I'm not short of money. Now that you're back, can you take me to Tuofeng Mountain to play?" Xiao Xinling stepped forward, looking up at Yun Siman.
This man's appearance was truly handsome...
Yun Siman took a step back. "I don't have time!"
Tomorrow he had to help his family harvest wheat, and after finishing the work, he had to buy pigs and sheep. He didn't have time to take her to play.
Hearing this, Xiao Xinling stomped her foot. "Oh, why are you so unyielding? I'll give you money, is that okay?"
Of these villagers, how many weren't tempted by money?
Yun Siman twitched his lips. Just as he was about to refuse, he saw Xiao Xitian and Xiao Jinheng walking out...
Upon seeing Xiao Xinling, Xiao Jinheng was suddenly startled.