With the previous lesson learned, Gao Fengjuan was much more obedient.
At the dinner table, the Yun brothers clinked glasses, creating a lively atmosphere.
Yun Sanman frequently toasted Old Man Yun, smiling like a child.
For so many years, he had not dared to face his father.
Today, the rift between father and son was mended, a feeling more exhilarating than passing the imperial examinations...
"Little Sweet Treasure, what do you like to eat? Third Sister-in-law will buy it for you!~"
Gao Fengjuan sat beside Xiao Xi Tian, fawning over her.
She would pick up a piece of meat, then scoop a spoonful of steamed egg custard.
The small rice bowl was almost piled into a small mountain.
"Meat!~" Xiao Xi Tian said crisply.
"Okay! As long as Little Sweet Treasure likes it, Third Sister-in-law will buy you a whole pig!"
As she spoke, Gao Fengjuan placed a large chicken leg in front of her.
Liu Cuirong glared at her, displeased.
She cursed inwardly: What's with all the flattery! No matter how much you fawn over your sister-in-law, she's still a daughter of our Yun family.
Yun Sanman reached out to wipe the rice grains from Xiao Xi Tian's mouth, then turned to Madam Gu, "Mother, can you let Sister go to the county town to play for a few days?~"
Gao Fengjuan's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
Yes, why hadn't she thought of that?
As long as she kept her sister-in-law by her side, showering her with good food and drink, she would surely speak in favor of the Gao family...
"Yes, Mother. Jingde is home alone and has no one to play with. If we bring Little Sweet Treasure over, they can keep each other company."
Gao Fengjuan looked at Madam Gu and Old Man Yun with a beaming smile, full of anticipation.
She thought they wouldn't object, but as soon as she spoke, the entire family opposed it.
Yun Daman put down his chopsticks and said seriously, "That won't do. My sister can't get used to food made by others."
"And she's a light sleeper. Only when Mother holds her at night will Sister not have nightmares!"
Yun Erman glanced at Gao Fengjuan, also speaking righteously, with no room for negotiation.
"Sister likes to drink water from our own well. What if she gets sick from the change of environment in the county town?"
Zhao Guihua nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, my sister-in-law has a weak stomach and poor digestion. If she gets diarrhea, she won't recover easily!"
Liu Cuirong, needless to say, directly hugged Xiao Xi Tian, "My sister-in-law isn't going anywhere. She likes to stay at home!~"
Xiao Xi Tian: "..."
Family, are you planning to keep me confined in this big house!
Yun Jinshan and Yun Jinhe also disagreed with letting their aunt go to the county town.
Although it was more prosperous than Dashui Village, besides their third uncle, there was no one to protect her there.
If she was bullied and cried, her family wouldn't even know...
Gao Fengjuan was speechless.
She swept them a disgruntled glance.
Was it that serious?
It wasn't like she was sending Little Sweet Treasure to war.
Why were they so tense?
"Fine, if you're not going, you're not going. From now on, I'll visit Little Sweet Treasure diligently!~" Gao Fengjuan forced a smile.
Today felt like a dream.
First, she vaguely stepped into the Old Yun family's home.
Then, while giving gifts, she somehow argued with her second sister-in-law.
After that, Madam Gu generously produced three hundred taels of silver, intending to buy back her son.
These Yun family members, on the surface, all looked like rustic farmers.
In reality, each one was more difficult to deal with than the last.
Of course, Liu Cuirong, that simpleton, didn't count.
...
Above Dashui Village, it was as if an invisible pendulum swung.
It swayed and swung day and night, drawing time away.
The villagers tilled the fields at sunrise and returned home at sunset, living a peaceful and worry-free life.
Four years passed in a blink of an eye.
Xiao Xi Tian was now five years old.
She had only grown a tiny bit taller. On her tender, rosy face were two faint dimples.
Today, she wore a pink embroidered cloth skirt.
Her clear, bright eyes were as lively as a spring, and her hair was still styled in two small buns.
Cute and soft, like a porcelain doll, she stood at the main entrance with her hands behind her back.
"Here, listen up, all of you. Don't run around outside. You're only allowed to play on the hillside!~"
Xiao Xi Tian blinked her eyes, scanning the four black and white spotted dogs in the yard with a stern expression.
"Woof woof woof!~"
Xue Ling barked twice, as if reminding the puppies to obey their master...
"Miss, are you going out? Madam said you're not allowed to wander off!"
Hu Xi'er reminded her with concern.
She was seventeen this year, fair-skinned, delicate, and charming.
Having stayed with the Old Yun family for four years, she had long been accustomed to life there.
Xiao Xi Tian put her hands on her hips, "Just don't tell my mother!~"
She had already made plans with Fu Xiaoqiang and the others to go to Gou Gou Lake to catch toads today.
Just then, Yun Jinshan also walked over, "Auntie, can you take me with you?"
Unlike his elder brother Yun Jinhe, he didn't like studying. He was currently learning carpentry from Yan Dajun in the village.
Xiao Xi Tian smiled and nodded, "Okay! Let's go!~"
Although Yun Jinshan didn't like studying, he had learned to read and write in the scholarly atmosphere of the Yun family.
Mainly to read storybooks.
Every time Yun Jinhe returned, he would bring him a few.
Thus, the Yun family's gate opened wide. Xiao Xi Tian, with her second nephew and Hu Xi'er, set off...
Fu Xiaoqiang and a group of mischievous boys had been waiting under the willow tree at the village entrance for a long time.
Seeing Xiao Xi Tian approaching with her short legs, the mischievous boys' faces lit up.
"Little Sweet Treasure is here!~"
They swarmed over and surrounded Xiao Xi Tian.
"Little Sweet Treasure, there are many big toads over at Gou Gou Lake. Yesterday, my dad caught a bucketful. They tasted so good when roasted!"
Fu Xiaoqiang gestured with his hands, speaking animatedly.
Du Jinqiang, the son of Du Laosan, also chimed in, "Little Sweet Treasure, a few days ago I caught two marmots on the hillside. They were fat and strong, and I saved one for you..."
"Little Sweet Treasure, we have big goldfish at home. Come, let's go to my house!"
"Little Sweet Treasure, our donkey just gave birth. The little donkey is like a rabbit, hopping around, so cute. I'll take you to see!"
"..."
Alas, her popularity was too great, she couldn't avoid it.
She had planned to go catch toads with Fu Xiaoqiang today.
It seemed the plan had to change.
"None of you are going!" Xiao Xi Tian shouted.
The noisy flattering and discussions abruptly stopped.
The mischievous boys were stunned and all looked at Xiao Xi Tian.
"I'm going to walk the dogs on the hillside! If anyone wants to walk dogs, follow me!"
After saying that, Xiao Xi Tian turned and led the four black and white spotted dogs towards the back hillside.
The mischievous boys exchanged glances, then followed Xiao Xi Tian like a string of little tails.
"Village brat, wait for me!"
A crisp child's voice came from behind.
Everyone turned to look and saw Xiao Jinheng appearing at the village entrance at some unknown time.
Jin Momo and Kong Xingzhuo were also by his side.
Xiao Xi Tian's small face flushed, and she angrily said, "My name is Yun Xi Tian, not Village brat, hmph!~"
You stinky boy, it's been four years, and you still call me that terribly unfashionable name. It's so annoying!
Xiao Jinheng curled his lips into a cold smile, "Village brat, what day is it today? You haven't forgotten, have you?"
Xiao Xi Tian's expression froze, and she scratched her face.
What day is it?