Yun Erman shook the reins and looked at Liu Cuirong, "Cuirong, Mother is not letting you into the house now. You're on your own!"
The words were clear enough; Yun Erman didn't want to deal with her.
If Madam Lu and Liu Cuijin weren't running a steamed bun shop in the county town, he might have considered it.
Now that Liu Cuirong had a place to stay, protected from wind and rain, Erman wasn't worried at all...
"Sister-in-law, Erman, you... you can't leave me behind!"
Liu Cuirong stamped her foot and chased after the carriage, "At least give me a ride to the county town!"
To show her sincerity, she had deliberately not taken the carriage back.
She had walked all morning, and her feet were killing her.
Yun Erman ignored her and drove the carriage away quickly, disappearing without a trace.
He had urgent business to attend to.
If he was late, Governor Chen might go to the countryside again.
Liu Cuirong ran and wailed, finally sitting down by the roadside, refusing to move.
After all, she had been kicked out, and it was the Yun family who lost face. What was she afraid of?
So, when women from the village passing by while gathering wild vegetables saw Liu Cuirong, they started discussing her.
"Oh, look, isn't that Erman's wife? Why is she squatting here?"
"Hmph, she must have been kicked out by her mother-in-law. She was bragging all over the village a few days ago about becoming an official's wife. She's not so smug now, is she? Heh heh..."
"When you're a person, you should be low-key. If you're too ostentatious, people will find you annoying."
"Erman's wife, squatting here is useless. When the sun comes out, your backside will be roasted!"
"..."
The chattering discussions gradually faded away. Liu Cuirong was furious, her mouth twitching.
These gossips, weren't they afraid of their tongues rotting?
Her mother-in-law was just angry for a moment; she didn't really want to kick her out.
She muttered curses, stood up, and slowly walked towards the Yun family's house.
Little Xi Tian followed her second brother to the county town.
As soon as she jumped off the carriage, her expression froze. She saw a familiar face.
"Huh? Xiao Jinheng, why are you here?" Little Xi Tian tilted her little head, full of questions.
Don't tell me you just happened to be passing by.
She had heard that excuse too many times!
Xiao Jinheng curled his lips into a smile and said mockingly, "Just happened to be passing by!"
Little Xi Tian: "..."
You brat, don't you have any other excuses?
"It is quite a coincidence!" Little Xi Tian rolled her eyes.
Xiao Jinheng looked at Yun Erman, "Brother Erman, are you going to the yamen for something?"
He heard that the Yun family had an official, so it must be Brother Erman.
"Yes, Young Master Xiao, would you like to come in and sit? It's hot outside!"
Yun Erman casually offered a polite invitation.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Jinheng was not polite at all. He walked in with his hands behind his back, chuckling, "Little village girl, hurry up and follow!"
Little Xi Tian: "..."
This brat always makes her inexplicably angry whenever she sees him.
Kong Xingzhu smiled slightly, took out a handful of candy from his pocket, and offered it to Little Xi Tian, "Sweetie, have some candy!"
"Brother Kong, my teeth hurt, I don't eat candy!" Little Xi Tian politely declined.
It was hot recently, and she was prone to getting inflamed.
Moreover, the governor's wife had given her a whole sack of candy last time.
Her molars had already developed cavities.
Kong Xingzhu saw that Sweetie had her hair in two buns today, her round, big eyes as bright as gems.
He was instantly charmed by her.
He stuffed the candy into Little Xi Tian's hand, "Save it for Jinshan to eat."
Yun Erman looked at his sister, then at Kong Xingzhu.
He felt like this kid had the intention of abducting his sister.
So, he scooped his sister up and pulled her behind him, "I have something to discuss with Governor Chen, so I'll go in first!"
Kong Xingzhu: "..."
Chen Xiaoran heard that Sister Xi Tian had entered the city and ran to the yamen. Her maid, Jasmine, couldn't catch up.
In the yamen's reception hall.
Governor Chen excitedly poured tea for Xiao Jinheng, fanning himself with his landscape and bamboo fan, afraid that this little prince would get too hot.
In fact, he himself was a bit heatstroke-affected. He had only slightly recovered after taking a medicinal decoction last night.
Otherwise, he should have visited Xinwang Village this morning.
Dashui Village and Xinwang Village were only separated by a mountain.
He heard that there was a drought there...
Yun Erman walked in and saw Governor Chen bowing and fawning over the neighbor's Young Master Xiao.
He looked as if he had seen a ghost.
Had the governor been dazed by the heat?
Why was he trying to curry favor with a child?
Could it be... Young Master Xiao was his long-lost son?
But even then, it shouldn't be like this!
"Governor!" Yun Erman cupped his fists in a salute, "Your subordinate has something to report to the Governor!"
Since he had become a member of the yamen, his self-address had changed to "your subordinate."
Before, he always liked to call himself a commoner.
Governor Chen smiled amiably and beckoned, "Erman is here, come and sit! We'll talk about whatever it is later, just cool down first!"
Alas, all the guests who came to the yamen today were distinguished guests!
When Little Xi Tian walked in, Governor Chen became even more unable to contain his joy...
"Where is Advisor Zuo? Quickly go to the cellar and bring out the melons." Governor Chen ordered.
Advisor Zuo responded with an "En" and trotted out.
Little Xi Tian sat on the chair, pursing her lips and chuckling.
When her second brother explained his purpose, wouldn't Governor Uncle be so happy that he'd faint?
Yun Erman saw that there were too many people in the room, so he leaned in and whispered to Governor Chen, "Governor, what your subordinate needs to say is not suitable for too many people to know."
"It's alright, it's alright!" Governor Chen patted Yun Erman on the shoulder.
How could he dare to speak in front of the little prince?
Unless his official hat was glued to his scalp.
Yun Erman glanced at Xiao Jinheng and Kong Xingzhu, then at Chen Xiaoran, who was playing cat's cradle next to his sister.
He slowly took out the waterwheel drawing from his怀 and handed it to Governor Chen, "Governor, please take a look. This is a waterwheel designed by my sister, which can irrigate crops."
Governor Chen already knew about the drought in Dashui Village.
To invent an irrigation tool at such a critical juncture was like finding a way out of a desperate situation, like sending charcoal in the snow!
Governor Chen unfolded it and examined it carefully.
There was no need for Little Xi Tian to explain the principles; he understood it himself.
Good heavens, this was simply the product of wisdom and talent!
How did Sweetie come up with such an exquisite design?
She was so young!
If such an irrigation tool could be promoted nationwide, it would save countless fertile fields...
Governor Chen was overjoyed and quickly handed the drawing to Xiao Jinheng, "Please take a look, Young Master Xiao!"
Yun Erman: "???"
Why was he being shown?
Xiao Jinheng held the drawing and scanned it.
His originally calm and indifferent face suddenly changed.
He looked sharply at Little Xi Tian, his pupils emitting an extremely complex light.
Was this drawing really designed by the little village girl?
Then she would have made a great contribution.
Governor Chen, unable to reveal Xiao Jinheng's identity, walked smilingly to Little Xi Tian.
He squatted down and said, "Sweetie, would you like to go to the capital with Uncle?"