"Dad, do you feel like someone's following us?" Yun Erman glanced back again.
A chill ran down his spine.
Old Man Yun had also noticed but hadn't said anything.
"It's probably just wild boars and roe deer!" Old Man Yun murmured softly.
Yun Erman chuckled, "Dad, those wild animals run away as soon as they see people. Why would they follow us?"
Ahead lay the agarwood forest. Old Man Yun looked closely.
Confirming they were indeed agarwood trees, his emotions stirred. "Never mind that for now, we'll talk about it when we get back!"
He knew this discovery had to be reported to the county yamen.
But he was still excited inside...
He wondered what reward Prefect Chen would give them.
The father and son wandered in the forest for a while before heading down the mountain back to the village.
Shortly after they left, a gaunt man stood up from the bushes.
His pair of sinister eyes overflowed with ferocity.
He was the one who had been following the Yun father and son, trailing them all the way here.
Back in Dashui Village, Old Man Yun told Madam Gu about the agarwood forest.
"There are indeed many agarwood trees in Camel Peak Mountain, and they've been cut down haphazardly, wasting all that wood."
Old Man Yun sighed, his gaze flicking to the large sheep in the yard.
Yun Daman was sharpening a knife, preparing to slaughter the sheep and skin it.
When Madam Gu heard the news, she took out two pieces of agarwood from their home and handed them to Yun Erman.
"Go to the county town and inform Prefect Chen about the situation in Camel Peak Mountain."
"Also, hand over these two pieces of agarwood to him!"
Madam Gu never kept what didn't belong to her.
Yun Erman replied, "Alright, I'll head into town now."
"Wait, don't go yet!" Liu Cuirong, holding up her skirt, ran in.
Madam Gu frowned and reprimanded, "Second daughter-in-law, aren't you supposed to be fetching water with Huaihua and Xier? Why have you come back?"
Many women in the village had voluntarily gone to the ditch lake to fetch water.
The Yun family had many people, so Madam Gu had asked Liu Cuirong to take Huaihua and Xier to fetch water.
Who knew this troublesome woman would come back.
"Mother, I came back to remind you not to make a mistake!"
Liu Cuirong wiped the sweat from her brow and said earnestly, "Since agarwood is so valuable, why tell Prefect Chen? Wouldn't it be better for us to cut it down ourselves?"
"Mother, Jinshan is about to start school, and the crops are so dry, it's likely we'll have no harvest this year."
"We have to leave ourselves a way out, don't we?"
One shouldn't only think of oneself; one must consider the entire family!
This mother-in-law, who usually seemed so shrewd, how could she be so muddled when it came to important matters?
Madam Gu frowned slightly, "Second daughter-in-law, how did you know about the agarwood?"
Old Man Yun was also very curious.
Could this vexing daughter-in-law have been eavesdropping again?
Liu Cuirong pouted, her face full of indignation, "It's such a big matter, of course I have to know..."
"Cuirong, shut up!" Yun Erman shouted angrily, feeling struck by lightning.
This prodigal woman was truly becoming more and more outrageous, as if she would tear down the roof if not beaten for three days.
Madam Gu stared at Liu Cuirong for a moment, then said sternly, "Second daughter-in-law, our Yun family can no longer tolerate you."
"Your mother and Cuijin are running a steamed bun shop in the county town, so you can go and join them!"
After speaking, Madam Gu looked at Yun Erman, "Second son, go pack her things and take them to the county town."
Little Xi Tian rested her chin on her hands, her big eyes blinking.
It seemed her mother was truly angry this time...
Second sister-in-law, oh second sister-in-law, you've been going too far lately.
Ever since Miss Qin and her sister moved in, you've been constantly pushing mother's limits.
You don't listen to anything mother and father say.
Before Yun Erman could make a move, Liu Cuirong was so scared she knelt on the ground, begging for mercy.
"Mother, I... I know I was wrong. I'll be obedient from now on, okay?"
"As for those agarwood trees, do whatever you want. I don't care anymore."
Little Xi Tian: "..."
Why do you always do things like this after the fact?
Begging for mercy now is probably useless!
As expected, Madam Gu's attitude was exceptionally firm today, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Erman, what are you waiting for? Drag her to the carriage!"
The crops were so dry they were smoking, yet this troublesome woman still had the mind to covet agarwood.
It seemed she wouldn't be able to eat this roasted whole sheep.
"Wuwuwu, Mother, your daughter-in-law truly knows she was wrong. Please, don't drive me away! Wuwu!"
Liu Cuirong crawled on her knees to Madam Gu, grabbed her thigh, and shook it vigorously.
"Your daughter-in-law will go fetch water and help irrigate the fields..."
The Yun family's life was improving day by day, and Erman was now working at the county yamen.
At this critical juncture, how could she possibly leave the Yun family?
The commotion inside reached the outside, and Yun Daman and Zhao Guihua rushed over.
Looking at her crying second sister-in-law, Zhao Guihua pondered for a moment and said, "Mother, since second sister-in-law knows she was wrong, please give her another chance!"
Driving a daughter-in-law out of the house was, after all, not something to be proud of.
If Yun Wangcai's family found out, who knew what gossip they'd spread...
Madam Gu didn't truly intend to kick her out; she just wanted to put the second daughter-in-law in her place.
"Erman, do you want your mother to do it herself?"
Old Man Yun also had a stern face.
He had long been displeased with Liu Cuirong, but as a father-in-law, it was difficult to say too much.
Since his wife was taking a stand today, he naturally had to support her.
Yun Erman hesitated for a moment, then dragged the sobbing Liu Cuirong out.
He stuffed her and her belongings into the carriage and drove to the county town.
Madam Lu had just steamed a batch of buns and was about to ask Liu Cuijin to fetch some firewood when she saw a carriage arrive in front of the steamed bun shop.
A moment later, Yun Erman dragged out the crying Liu Cuirong and threw her into the house.
"Er... Erman, what's... what's going on?" Madam Lu looked bewildered.
Liu Cuijin was also utterly surprised.
Had this couple quarreled again?
Yun Erman said with a dark expression, "Let Cuirong stay here for a few days. When Mother's anger subsides, I'll come to pick her up!"
It's not like he was truly divorcing her, so why the wailing!
Besides, Jinshan and Xiaobao were young and couldn't be without their mother.
Madam Lu was stunned for a moment, then sighed, "Fine, you go back!"
This troublesome daughter, she had just reminded her a few days ago to be more diligent at home and not stir up trouble.
Now look, she'd been driven out!
Yun Erman didn't say much more, led the carriage, and went to the county yamen...
"Oh dear, Erman, you've come at an inconvenient time. Our Prefect has gone to the countryside again."
The left secretary beside Prefect Chen came out, his face full of apology.
The left secretary now recognized most of the people from the Yun family.
Yun Erman: "..."
He felt particularly unlucky today.
"When will the Prefect return?" Yun Erman asked.
The left secretary shook his head helplessly, "He probably won't be back today. Erman, please come back tomorrow!"
Prefect Qin was watching closely during this period, so Prefect Chen had to be diligent and serve the people to accumulate achievements.
"Alright!"
Yun Erman shrugged his shoulders and returned to the village...