The county town has comfortable inns and delicious food, yet you insisted on having the children stay at a farmstead.
Even if it were the worst, the conditions at his mansion would still be better than here!
Madam Gu smiled and said, "If Magistrate Qin trusts us, then let the two children stay!~"
Staying for a few days was not the issue; the main concern was that the two young ladies might not acclimatize and would be uncomfortable.
Magistrate Qin stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Then I shall trouble you!~"
He had to return to the county town to preside over cases and could not linger.
After giving a few instructions to Qin Yiyi and Qin Fenglan, he turned and left...
"Xiaoran, why don't you get in the carriage!"
Prefect Chen watched Chen Xiaoran, who was being hesitant and unwilling to board the carriage, feeling a pang of frustration.
Didn't the Magistrate need to rush back to the city?
Unexpectedly, Chen Xiaoran pouted and said, "Daddy, can I play in Dashui Village for a few days?"
If nothing else, the large sauerkraut dumplings made by the Yun family were tastier than those made in the prefect's mansion.
Moreover, Sister Xitian had so many fun things that couldn't be bought with money.
As soon as she returned home, there would be no one to play with her.
Prefect Chen's mouth twitched. "Daughter, do you really want to stay?"
He wondered what kind of magic the Yun family possessed.
All the children were willing to run to his house...
Chen Xiaoran nodded her head vigorously, smiling sweetly, "Daddy, I'll only stay for two days, okay?"
Two days could be extended to three, four, seven, or eight days.
As long as her parents didn't come to pick her up, she could stay in Dashui Village for a lifetime.
Old Man Yun stood by the carriage, grinning, "Prefect Chen, please let the child stay and play for a few days!~"
With more children at home, it would be livelier.
What could Prefect Chen say? He nodded in agreement.
On the main house's kàng.
Gao Fengjuan was helping Madam Gu sew shoe soles, a rare opportunity for her to show her diligence.
After learning more about the Yun family's situation, she couldn't even be bothered to return to the county town.
The silk shop at home was managed by a shopkeeper and assistants, so she and Sanman didn't need to worry about it.
"Mom, Miss Qin's family is staying with us, shouldn't we prepare some things for them?"
Gao Fengjuan spoke cautiously.
The guests were from Shuò'ān City and had noble status; they couldn't possibly eat simple fare.
Madam Gu glanced at her and sighed, "We should buy some meat and clothes. I'll have Daman go into town later to buy whatever is needed."
Gao Fengjuan's eyes lit up with a smile upon hearing this.
Her skill at sewing shoe soles was truly not good.
Some parts were clearly not sewn sturdily.
They would fall apart after wearing them for two days...
"Mom, please take this money!~"
Gao Fengjuan untied her purse, took out a silver ingot, and placed it on the kàng table.
"This money is for buying food and drinks for the two young ladies, no, the Prefect's daughter is also included."
The old Yun family used to have too many boys, but now, their courtyard was full of girls.
Madam Gu did not take the silver. Instead, she put down the shoe sole and looked at Gao Fengjuan with a complex expression.
"Third daughter-in-law, Yiyi and Xiaolan are our guests. Even if we buy them food and drinks, we shouldn't use your money."
"Although our family's life is tight, we can't afford precious things, but we can afford a few bolts of coarse cloth and two pounds of candy."
"Please take your silver back!~"
Gao Fengjuan's face fell slightly upon hearing this.
She knew the family was not tight at all; Mother was saving all the money for her younger sister's dowry.
"Alright, daughter-in-law understands!" Gao Fengjuan put away the silver and continued sewing shoe soles.
Beside the dog kennel, Xue Ling, with four black and white puppies, was playing with the Qin sisters.
"Wow, such cute puppies!~"
Qin Fenglan picked up Hei Tao, stroking its fluffy head. "Sister, after we go back, let's get a dog too!~"
Qin Yiyi looked a bit troubled. "But, such cute puppies, they don't have them in Shuò'ān City!"
These were the puppies of Xue Ling and the neighbor's Da Hei.
One was a large white bear dog, and the other was a purebred Tibetan Mastiff.
It was difficult to find puppies born from such large breeds...
"Oh, if you like them, just take two with you!~"
Liu Cuirong walked over with a smile, holding a handful of candy.
"Here, have some candy!"
The two sisters exchanged glances, feeling quite curious about Liu Cuirong.
"Who are you?" Qin Yiyi asked her.
They dared not eat candy from an unknown source.
Liu Cuirong squatted down, her smile brilliant. "I am Jinshan's mother. You can call me Second Sister-in-law!"
Apart from Xiaobao, she had never been this patient with anyone else in the family.
Qin Fenglan looked at the candy in her hand and wrinkled her little nose. "Why are you giving us candy?"
Why did she feel like this Second Sister-in-law had ill intentions?
Especially her smile, which always seemed a bit fake and carried ulterior motives...
Liu Cuirong's expression stiffened. "Children should eat candy!"
Why so many questions?
"We don't want it, Second Sister-in-law, goodbye!~"
The two sisters, hand in hand, ran back into the house.
Liu Cuirong: "..."
Seriously, are children so difficult to appease these days?
If they don't want it, fine, but who are they giving a cold shoulder to?
Liu Cuirong, having failed to please them, hugged Xue Ling's dog head in annoyance.
This was her way of venting her anger.
Just after lunch, the village women came to visit.
There were too many Yun family members yesterday, and it was noisy.
They hadn't had a good look at the Magistrate's daughters yet.
And also the Prefect's daughter.
This was equivalent to the daughters of the mayor and the governor visiting the old Yun family.
If they pleased them, wouldn't their families receive more support in the future?
"Oh my, look at these two girls, so spirited, like little fairies!"
"They are twins, so beautiful since childhood. What will they be like when they grow up? They will be two stunning beauties!~"
"Here, this is the candied chestnuts Auntie just roasted, very fragrant, try them quickly."
Facing the various flattering attempts by the Qin sisters: "..."
They were the cute and soft type. Compared to Little Xitian, they couldn't be called beauties.
But they were not bad-looking either.
Suddenly being praised as little fairies by the village women, they didn't know how to respond.
Seeing that the two girls didn't speak, the women turned their gaze to Chen Xiaoran.
Chen Xiaoran, who was cracking chestnuts: "..."
Why are you looking at me?
It feels creepy.
"Truly a sight to behold. The Prefect's daughter was always good-looking, and now she's getting more and more beautiful!~"
Chen Xiaoran: "Can you stop talking?"
She had made mistakes before and even fought with Sister Xitian.
Being praised like this made it seem as if she had done the right thing.
Madam Gu, sensing Chen Xiaoran's thoughts, beckoned the women to sit on the kàng and changed the topic.
Little Xitian stood outside the door, hands on her hips, and called out in a sweet, childish voice, "Come out and play!~"
She had just gone to see that brat Xiao Jinheng.
No one opened the door, so she came back.
Little Xitian's call not only summoned the Qin sisters and Chen Xiaoran.
Yun Jinshan also led a group of mischievous boys over.
They didn't know what Sweet Baby would play with them today.
All the children were full of anticipation...