Although Yun Sanman was reluctant, he nodded in agreement.
His current identity was rather awkward. He could not return to the Yun family, yet he had to rely on the Gao family for shelter.
If the relationship between these two families was not harmonious, he would be in a difficult position caught in the middle.
"Alright, I'll go and fetch Father and Mother tomorrow..." Yun Sanman said.
Gao Mantang nodded, poured another cup of wine, and took a sip with a smack. "Bring them all! The more people, the merrier!~"
"Yes, yes, especially Little Sweet Treasure. You must bring her over!" Gao Fengjuan reminded him.
Others could stay away, but Little Sweet Treasure had to be present...
To put it bluntly, this banquet was prepared solely for her.
People like Eldest Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law were merely supporting characters, not to be taken seriously.
Yun Sanman shot her a glare, stopped eating, and went back to his room to read his storybooks.
Gao Jingde shook his head helplessly. He found his mother's personality increasingly peculiar.
She was the only one in the family who was eager to see Little Sweet Treasure immediately...
Although he didn't know who this Sweet Treasure was, he had heard his mother babbling about her constantly, making her sound very formidable.
Gao Mantang, flushed red from drinking, sighed, "Now that the Yun family has two government officials, it's something we never would have dared to imagine before."
"They say that daughter of theirs is quite uncanny. We must get a good look this time, preferably touch and hold her to absorb some of her good fortune!~"
Upon hearing this, Liu Shi nudged him. "Old man, you believe in such superstitious things?"
"Villagers love to spread rumors, and they get exaggerated. It's possible they've deified the Yun daughter..."
"That's not right!" Gao Mantang put down his wine cup and looked askance at Liu Shi. "Could you design that waterwheel?"
"And the rat plague from a few years ago, could you drive them away?"
All useless talk.
Liu Shi was momentarily speechless, her old face turning red.
Let alone a waterwheel, she couldn't even lift a bucket of water...
"You old fool, speaking so rudely!~" Liu Shi stood up. "I'm going to prepare the dishes. You drink slowly!"
The last time they met the Yun family was before they fled from famine.
It was just a brief encounter then, and the Yun family didn't even get a sip of tea.
Old Man Yun felt that being a live-in son-in-law was a disgraceful matter.
So, he avoided seeing them whenever possible...
The next morning, Yun Sanman drove the carriage to Dashui Village to deliver the invitations.
As it happened, Da Man and Er Man were both at home.
The agarwood trees on Tuofeng Mountain had people to look after them. Yun Daman had buried the seeds a few days ago, so he didn't need to watch over them day and night.
However, upon hearing that Magistrate Chen was to be transferred and a new county magistrate had arrived, he became a little uneasy.
"Big brother, don't forget to bring the water flask too!~" Yun Erman said.
Da Man was already dressed and ready, intending to go up the mountain to take a look.
"It's fine, there's stream water on the mountain!" Yun Daman said with a simple laugh, turning to walk out the door.
As soon as he reached the main entrance, he saw Yun Sanman jump down from the carriage, holding a square red paper in his hand, and walking towards him with a smile...
"Third brother?" Yun Daman's face lit up, and he quickly went to meet him.
"Haha, big brother, are you going up the mountain?"
Yun Sanman knew about his tree planting on Tuofeng Mountain. If he had the chance, he also wanted to find a livelihood on the mountain.
It was better than being cooped up in the shop all day.
"Yes, third brother, are you going for a stroll too?" Yun Daman asked with a smile.
Yun Sanman shook his head. "Big brother, don't go up the mountain today. Come to my place for a drink!~"
"A drink?"
Old Man Yun came out, glanced at Sanman, and asked, "Why should we go to your place for a drink?"
Yun Sanman looked up at the plaque above the door and said with a smile, "My family has been living here for so long, and we haven't visited yet. Father, please do us the honor and come along!~"
Old Man Yun was the most superstitious about such matters in the family...
If he agreed, the others would be easier to handle.
"Father, why don't we just go? Sanman is staying with the Gao family, and it might not be good to refuse directly," Yun Daman said.
Old Man Yun didn't say anything and turned back into the courtyard.
He had already done some farm work after waking up that morning and was now returning for breakfast.
Da Man and Sanman exchanged a glance and quickly followed him inside.
Gu Shi was so happy to see Sanman that she couldn't stop smiling. "Huaihua, go and heat up the big bones we stewed last night!~"
They had planned to eat noodles for breakfast, but with the arrival of their third son, the meal was immediately upgraded...
"Mother, there's no need to trouble yourself. I've already eaten!" Yun Sanman sat on the edge of the kang, poured himself a glass of water, and drank it.
After delivering the invitations, he had to go back to watch the shop and couldn't stay long.
"What are you holding?" Gu Shi asked.
Yun Sanman handed her the invitation. "Mother, you'll know when you look."
He felt that the Gao family's actions were a bit inconsiderate.
If they wanted to befriend the Yun family, they should have come to Dashui Village to visit proactively.
What was the point of sending invitations?
Gu Shi glanced at the words on the invitation and said faintly, "This is truly a rare occasion. The Gao couple actually invited us to be their guests."
How could it be that the sun had risen from the west...
"Mother, are you going or not!~" Yun Sanman was getting impatient.
It was fine if she didn't go; he could just go back and report it.
It would be best to persuade Gao Mantang and Liu Shi to come to Dashui Village.
Gu Shi looked at her daughter, who was playing with small bones at the end of the kang, and sighed deeply.
She knew very well what the Gao family's intentions were in suddenly showing them kindness.
They merely wanted to get close to Little Sweet Treasure, to rekindle this familial connection, and to absorb some of her daughter's good fortune.
In the future, when the Gao family did business, it might be incredibly profitable...
"That depends on your father's attitude!~" Gu Shi placed the invitation on the kang table. "I'll discuss it with your father later!"
"Alright, I'll be going back now." Yun Sanman stood up with a smile, not forgetting to pinch his sister's cheek.
After lunch, the entire family pestered and finally persuaded Old Man Yun.
He stubbornly said, "I'll go, but I won't drink with that old rascal!~"
Gu Shi couldn't help but chuckle. "You, don't end up being carried back."
The whole family laughed heartily upon hearing this.
Liu Cuirong pulled Jin Huaihua and Hu Xier into the kitchen and gave them a thorough lecture.
"You two listen carefully. No one will be home, so don't go out and run wild. You both stay put and take care of those dogs."
"If even one of them is missing when I get back, I'll skin you alive!~"
Those four puppies, plus Xue Ling, had become Little Sweet Treasure's lifeline.
If they were lost, and their little aunt got angry and stamped her foot, she might not bless the Yun family anymore, which would be troublesome...
Hu Xier nodded indignantly. "Got it!~"
This second sister-in-law was truly annoying.
She had already reformed, what more did she want?
"Don't go out and hook up with any stray men!~" Liu Cuirong poked Hu Xier's forehead.
This little vixen might still have her eyes on some man in her heart.
Hu Xier: "......"
It was too disgusting.
The entire family dressed neatly and boarded the carriage.
Yun Daman and Yun Erman were both wearing official uniforms, with official swords at their waists.
They looked like they were escorting the madam and young ladies of a distinguished family, slowly heading towards the county town...