"Who is this arriving now?" Governor Chen squinted towards the door, his tongue thick.
A moment later, the butler hurried in with Kong Xingzhuo.
Seeing that his young master was unharmed, Kong Xingzhuo finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Young Master, your subordinate searched the mountains for days and found the fish bones you and Sweet Baby left behind. But I still couldn't figure out who took you away..."
"He's not a bad person!" Xiao Jinheng, while eating rabbit meat, shot Kong Xingzhuo a glare. "Useless! Camelback Mountain is only so big, and you can't even find two people. What good are you to me?"
Kong Xingzhuo's sweat dripped down like raindrops. "Young Master, that mountain is not small. There are so many undulating ridges. Your subordinate truly did his best..."
"Enough!" Xiao Jinheng casually grabbed a roasted rabbit leg and placed it in Xiao Xitian's bowl. "I am very displeased, so I sentence you to three years without a wife!"
Kong Xingzhuo: "..."
As long as the young master is happy!
To serve the prince wholeheartedly, he wouldn't mind being a bachelor his whole life.
The group stayed at Governor Chen's house for one night. The next morning, Chen Xiaoran, upon learning that her sister Xitian had arrived, ran to see her without even washing her face.
"Wuwuwu, Sister Xitian, I thought you must be dead, wuwu!" Chen Xiaoran hugged Xiao Xitian tightly, crying heartbrokenly.
Xiao Xitian: "..."
Sister Xiaoran, can't you wish me something good?
Even saying "must be dead."
"I'm fine!" Xiao Xitian patted her back.
After crying for a while, Chen Xiaoran pulled Xiao Xitian to Governor Chen. "Father, I want to go live in Dashui Village!"
Governor Chen: "..."
Why is this dead girl bringing this up again!
She never wants to go home and always wants to live in Dashui Village. If I don't beat her, it won't do.
"No!" Governor Chen refused outright.
"Ah, ooh, wuwuwu, cough, cough, wuwu!" Chen Xiaoran immediately started rolling on the ground, kicking her legs. "I want to go, I want to go..."
Governor Chen's teeth itched with anger, and he really wanted to kick her a couple of times.
Just then, Madam Huang came out after doing her makeup, carrying large bags and packages. "Let her go. I also plan to stay in Dashui Village for a few days!"
"Huh?" Governor Chen's eyes widened. "What are you getting involved in?"
Madam Huang glared at him and pulled Governor Chen aside. "Xiaoran's engagement with the Yun family isn't settled yet. I heard Jinshan is in the village, and the Prefect's wife is also taking her children there. Do you want them to get there first?"
After speaking, she pinched Governor Chen's waist. "How can you be so unobservant..."
Her voice was not quiet, and Xiao Xitian heard it clearly.
Alas, is nephew Jinshan that popular?
Are the daughters of the Governor and Prefect unable to get married? These people are all eager...
Governor Chen was stunned for a moment, scratching his face. "You insist on Jinshan becoming a live-in son-in-law. Aunt Su Zhen and Old Man Yun have both said it's absolutely not allowed. You should give up this idea!"
"Oh, if he doesn't become a live-in son-in-law, let Xiaoran marry into the Yun family. Is that not acceptable?" Madam Huang pinched him again.
She had also heard about Xiao Xitian and Xiao Jinheng being swept away by the flood.
As far as she knew, almost no one who was washed into a ditch by a mountain flood survived...
The Yun family's younger daughter returned unharmed. And after not seeing her for some time, she had become fair and tender. How could she look like someone who had survived a disaster? She clearly looked like she was rescued by a Bodhisattva and the Queen Mother.
Such a blessed young girl, as long as her daughter marries into their family, it will surely be right!
After breakfast, Yun Erman took Du Tieshan out to buy clothes. Madam Huang also bought a lot of candies and pastries. They loaded them into the carriage, and the group headed towards Dashui Village...
At the same time, outside the Old Yun family's gate.
The entire village, young and old, men and women, were gathered here, eagerly looking towards the viewing platform.
Soon, the Old Yun family would perform Errenzhuan and Yangge dance. It was bound to be lively.
Now, they were just waiting for their youngest daughter to return.
Granny Jin, along with Ruyue and Ruhua, also stood at the village entrance, craning their necks towards the official road, waiting for their young master to return...
Old Man Yun, supporting Madam Gu, received guests at the main entrance. Yun Daman instructed the Errenzhuan performers to prepare for their show.
Zhao Guihua was busy in the kitchen preparing dishes. Huaihua and Xi'er were tending the stove, chopping wood, washing vegetables, and scrubbing bowls.
The guests at home would only increase. If there weren't enough tables, chairs, benches, pots, and bowls, they would borrow them from Sister Su Zhen's house. The house was to host a banquet, and it was estimated to be more lively than New Year's.
Madam Xue, holding Qin Yiyi and Qin Fenglan, sat below the viewing platform, cracking melon seeds and sipping tea.
The village chief was busy greeting guests, his legs almost running off.
It was rare for Dashui Village to invite Yangge troupes and Errenzhuan performers. It was said to cost three to four taels of silver, and they also had to provide food and drinks...
Madam Gu and Old Man Yun were truly willing to spend money to celebrate their youngest daughter's return!
"They're here, they're here! Look, are those carriages theirs?"
"Oh, are your eyes playing tricks on you? Are those carriages? Aren't they a flock of sheep?"
"What sheep? Are your sheep taller than horses? Those are carriages!"
"They're here, they're here, they're back..."
Yun Daman heard the commotion and rushed out of the courtyard.
Looking into the distance, he saw Prefect Qin and Governor Chen walking at the front of the procession, followed by two carriages and a large group of soldiers...
Yun Daman was overjoyed and shouted, "Quick, hurry up, everyone, start dancing!"
They weren't showing off or trying to make a grand impression, but were genuinely happy for Sweet Baby's return.
A burst of gongs and drums sounded. The Yangge dancers, dressed in colorful clothes, set off from the Old Yun family's main gate...
The lively women and playful children in the village also followed, mixing into the procession, dancing and laughing.
Madam Gu and Old Man Yun's eyes lit up, and they hurried out of the house to greet their youngest daughter.
"Hah, how much virtue did the Old Yun family accumulate in their past life to have two adults personally escort their daughter back? This is too much honor!"
"What nonsense are you talking about? Perhaps the two adults are escorting Young Master Xiao..."
"Bullshit! Your eyesight is too poor. Without Sweet Baby, that Young Master Xiao would have moved away when his house collapsed. Why would he scheme to live with them?"
"Are you saying Young Master Xiao wants to recognize Sweet Baby as his sister?"
"..."
This conversation is useless.
Slower than a donkey's reaction.
Amidst a joyous atmosphere, Xiao Xitian jumped off the carriage and looked around.
Seeing her father and mother walking towards her with tears streaming down their faces, Xiao Xitian could no longer hold back and burst into tears.
"Wuwu, Daddy, Mommy!"
She ran with her short legs, stumbling twice in the middle...
Du Laosan and his wife, seeing this scene, cried out.
"Wuwuwu, I'm going back to have a daughter too, five or seven or eight of them!" Du Laosan sniffled.
Wang Suzhen glared at him.
Are you raising piglets?