Everyone turned to see Kong Xingzhuo storming out, his brow furrowed, "You're the one who took my young master away, aren't you?"
The two hidden guards also eyed Yun Siman askance, looking displeased...
If it wasn't for this guy leading the young master and Sweet Baby all over the mountain, would they have suffered so much?
Staying up late was bad for his health; Hidden Guard A had broken out in pimples on his face these past few days.
Yun Siman was slightly taken aback, "You've seen me before?"
Kong Xingzhuo was furious. Seen him? To chase him, he and the two hidden guards had almost run themselves to death...
Was this kid born from a rabbit?
"Why did you hold the young master and Sweet Baby hostage?" Kong Xingzhuo asked.
Yun Siman shrugged, "To protect them, of course. There are black bears, wolves, and all sorts of dangers in that mountain. What if they were snatched away?"
As soon as black bears were mentioned, Hidden Guard A touched his backside...
He had almost had his backside scratched into three pieces by a black bear at that time.
Kong Xingzhuo knew Yun Siman wasn't a bad person, but he just couldn't swallow his resentment.
He decided that after the guests left, he would spar with Yun Siman to see who was stronger.
The banquet continued until dusk, and the villagers reluctantly went home...
The yangge troupe and the er ren zhuan performers packed up their things and set off for the next village by carriage.
The old Yun family's courtyard quieted down, but the house became unusually lively.
Zhao Guihua and Du Tieshan had prepared a large table of dishes to celebrate the return of Xiao Xitian and Yun Siman.
Gu Shi had also invited Xiao Jinheng. Tonight, they had made pigskin jelly, dumplings with lard filling, and mixed fish sauce – all of Xiao Jinheng's favorites...
Prefect Qin and Magistrate Chen sat in the honored guest seats, while Old Man Yun and Gu Shi sat in the main seats. The rest of the younger generation sat wherever they pleased.
Two large tables were packed with people, and the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen. Magistrate Chen immediately recognized the smell of stir-fried chives.
"Come, everyone, let's raise a toast together!" Old Man Yun raised his wine cup, his gloomy mood of the past few days finally clearing.
Looking at him, he seemed to have become several years younger, smiling so heartily...
After everyone had a drink together, they began to chat about Yun Siman.
Prefect Qin asked, "Siman, what have you been doing to make a living all these years? There's been war on the border, and neighboring countries are also restless. You mustn't run around recklessly, it's too dangerous!"
Yun Siman had downed two bowls of sorghum wine, his handsome face flushed. Hu Xier looked at him, almost captivated...
"Hic, I worked for a wealthy family in the capital. Making a living wasn't a problem. I had food and drink, and my master treated me well, hic!" Yun Siman said, hiccuping.
He didn't reveal Gu Mingyan's identity, fearing that any leak of information would be detrimental to the Marquis.
Magistrate Chen asked, "Then Siman, are you not leaving this time?"
After all, he had found his family. What else was there to wander around for...
If he honestly stayed home to help his parents farm and work, he could also lighten their burden.
Even if he didn't want to farm, Magistrate Chen could pull some strings and get him a job at the county yamen. Being a constable would also be good.
Yun Siman held his wine bowl and smiled, "I'll have to go back after staying for two days. There are still many things to deal with over there!"
Gu Mingyan had only given him ten days off. If he exceeded that by even a day, the Marquis would be angry...
Moreover, he had just obtained the crossbow blueprints from a neighboring country and had many things to handle, so he couldn't stay for long.
Magistrate Chen was a bit curious. At best, Siman was a steward in a wealthy family. What important matters could keep him from leaving!
Hu Xier brought the wine pot to Yun Siman's side, "Young Master Si, have some wine!"
Hearing that he was still unmarried, Hu Xier felt she had a good chance...
As long as she could keep this Young Master Si happy, she could follow him to the capital in the future and enjoy wealth and status.
Yun Siman glanced at her and said indifferently, "I can pour my own wine!"
He always felt unaccustomed to having two maids in the house.
Moreover, this maid named Xier looked flirtatious and like a vixen. If she stayed at the Yun family, wouldn't it just invite trouble?
Tomorrow, he would have to talk to his parents and give Xier some money to send her away directly...
What if she did something shameful? His family would also lose face!
"Then, then Young Master Si, have a dumpling!" Hu Xier solicitously offered him a dumpling.
Yun Siman didn't take it. Instead, he looked at Yun Erman and Du Tieshan.
There were too many people in the family today, and he hadn't had a chance to ask his second brother about divorcing his wife...
Never mind, he'd ask tomorrow. His family members' legs were almost broken from working all day.
The children sat at one table. Qin Yiyi was next to Yun Jinshan. Chen Xiaoran and Qin Fenglan sat on either side of Xiao Xitian, squeezing out Xiao Jinheng's seat.
Yun Xiaobao ate a few dumplings, his little belly bulging. He then went to find Yun Siman and asked him to teach him martial arts... httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
He didn't know how this kid had figured out that Yun Siman knew martial arts, his gaze was very sharp.
After eating his fill, Yun Jinhe returned to his room to read. The autumn imperial examinations were approaching, and he had fallen behind in his studies. He needed to review carefully.
If he could pass the exam successfully, he would become a scholar in the future and bring honor to his family.
"Sister Yiyi, do you like the stone I gave you?" Yun Jinshan asked Qin Yiyi, smiling.
Qin Yiyi's face was flushed. She shyly nodded, "I... I like it!"
"Really? Then if you like it, I'll go to the river to pick stones for you again tomorrow!" Yun Jinshan scratched his hair, smiling brightly.
Qin Yiyi lowered her head and fiddled with her fingers, saying softly, "I can go pick stones with you, just the two of us!"
Xiao Xitian: "..."
Xiao Jinheng: "..."
Seriously, is this blatant public display of affection okay?
They were treated like wooden mannequins!
Xiao Jinheng looked at Chen Xiaoran, "Move over!"
He wanted to sit with the little village girl.
Chen Xiaoran glared at him, "No, why should I make space?"
Xiao Jinheng narrowed his eyes, secretly took out a jade pendant from his sleeve, "Here!"
He had plenty of these things...
Chen Xiaoran was stunned for a moment, "Are you bribing me?"
What a delicate jade pendant, better than her father's.
"Jade pendant, want it?"
"Yes!"
"Will you make space or not?"
"Yes!"
"Get out of the way!"
"Alright!"
So Chen Xiaoran logged off. Xiao Jinheng logged in, sat next to Xiao Xitian, and coughed lightly, "Little village girl, this young master will take you fishing tomorrow, just the two of us!"
Xiao Xitian: "..."
What was this brat doing?
Xiao Jinheng took out a silk handkerchief and wiped Xiao Xitian's mouth, "Look at you eating, your mouth is all greasy, not like a little lady at all!"
Everyone: "..."