Yun Sanman looked at Xiao Xitian and sighed, "Sister, if we dismiss the workers now, no one will be working. How about we postpone the renovation until after the New Year?"
As the New Year approached, very few people could be seen in the entire county. Some shops had already closed early, let alone renovation workers.
Shangguan Fang'er also had a worried expression. She took Xiao Xitian's hand and gently shook it, comforting her, "Sweetie, don't worry, I'll help you with the work!~"
Xiao Xitian: "..."
You'd better rest.
"Third Brother, let's talk about this when we get back to the village. Aren't you going to visit the county magistrate's house? Let's go!~" Xiao Xitian said with a smile.
She suppressed the fleeting thought and decided to discuss it with her parents when she got home...
Yun Sanman nodded, "Okay, let's go!~"
The group left the small building, locked the door, and boarded the carriage, slowly driving towards Magistrate Chen's mansion.
Chen Mansion.
Magistrate Chen sat in his study, handling his official duties, while Madam Huang stood by, making tea for him.
Ever since Emperor Cheng demoted him by one rank, Magistrate Chen had been extremely diligent in his work, to the point of being unbearable to himself...
"Sir, please rest. You've been sitting for the whole morning. Get up and stretch your muscles!~" Madam Huang handed him the hot tea and smiled, saying, "I just asked Jasmine to prepare the two wild chickens. I'll personally cook for you at noon. How about a pot of wild chicken stewed with dried mushrooms?"
Magistrate Chen's dried goods and wild mountain produce were almost all sent by the Old Yun family. The storeroom was piled as high as a small mountain.
For example, dried radishes, dried cabbage, dried beans, dried mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, lion's mane mushrooms, and so on.
There was no shortage of pickled vegetables either, such as salted radishes, pickled large cabbage, sauerkraut, pickled eggplant with garlic, pickled mustard greens, salted radish bulbs, and so on, enough for their family to eat for a whole winter...
Magistrate Chen put down his brush and stretched lazily, "Use less salt. The wood ear mushroom stir-fried with cabbage slices you made last time almost made me die of sweetness. Also, don't put vinegar in the wild chicken stew; it'll be too sour to drink the soup!~"
Magistrate Chen said, slowly standing up and patting his old waist, "Forget it, forget it. You don't need to cook. Let Jasmine do it... "
Most of the wild game bought at the Old Yun family's house last time had been given away, and they hadn't kept much for themselves.
After eating for so long, only a few wild chickens and two pork ribs were left. Magistrate Chen planned to eat them secretly and not give any to anyone.
Madam Huang glared at him, "If you don't want me to cook, I don't want to cook either, hmph, fine if you don't eat it!~"
Magistrate Chen heard this and forced a dry smile, craning his neck to look outside the study. Seeing no one passing by, he pulled Madam Huang in front of him...
"Ah! You, what are you doing?" Madam Huang was startled.
Magistrate Chen rubbed her face and chuckled, "Madam, do you still stand by what you promised me last time?"
Madam Huang's mind raced, and after thinking for a long time, she couldn't remember, "What, what thing?"
Magistrate Chen: "..."
This damned woman, she forgot what she said so quickly.
Actually, he wanted to have another child with Madam Huang. Since Xiao Ran was to be married to the Old Yun family, Xiao Ran would eventually be the Yun family's daughter.
The old couple was lonely and helpless and wanted a child to accompany them...
"It's about having a child!" Magistrate Chen smiled until his face was full of wrinkles and hugged Madam Huang tightly, "Let's try to have a chubby boy this time. When we're old and can't walk, our son can support us, right?"
Madam Huang: "..."
So that's what it was about.
This improper old man was restless even in broad daylight.
"Let go of me, let's talk about it when it gets dark!~" Madam Huang's cheeks flushed red, and she squirmed in Magistrate Chen's arms.
Magistrate Chen's smile deepened, "No, I'm in great shape right now. I can't wait until dark!" Kuaishu Pavilion
As he spoke, Magistrate Chen skipped to the door. Just as he was about to close it, the maid Jasmine suddenly ran over, "Master, Madam, we have a guest!~"
Magistrate Chen: "..."
Who would visit during the day? It's always interrupting his good mood.
Madam Huang asked, "Who is it?"
Jasmine pointed outside the door, "It's Madam Chen!"
This Madam Chen was named Chen Fuqin. She was Magistrate Chen's elder sister and Chen Xiaoran's paternal aunt...
She opened a rouge shop in the county town, but business was so slow that even rats were unwilling to patronize it.
Since Chen Fuqin herself loved to adorn herself, all the rouge, powder, and various perfumes in the shop were used on herself. Therefore, not only did she not make money over the years, but she also lost quite a bit of silver...
Now that the New Year was approaching, Chen Fuqin planned to ask her brother for some money to buy New Year's goods.
When Madam Huang heard this, her face instantly fell, "What is she here for? She must be here to borrow money again!~"
Magistrate Chen's good mood was ruined. He turned and pushed Madam Huang, "Go back to your room, don't come out and make a fuss!"
Madam Huang: "..."
Fine, she'll leave. Now, just looking at Chen Fuqin makes her unable to eat for three days.
If nothing else, Chen Fuqin's old face was so heavily powdered that it looked like a white bone spirit. The rouge on her face was as thick as a finger. Just one glance would surely give her nightmares.
After Madam Huang left, Magistrate Chen asked Jasmine to bring Chen Fuqin to the study...
A moment later, a woman in her early forties slowly walked in.
She was plump, with a fleshy face, wearing a dark green satin cotton robe. As she walked, she swayed her waist and hips, and the powder on her face fluttered in the wind like snowflakes...
"Yugang, why have you lost weight? Let your elder sister take a look!~" Chen Fuqin said with a smile as she approached.
Magistrate Chen's original name was Chen Yugang, which sounded like "Chen Fish Tank."
At that time, Magistrate Chen's parents hoped their son would be prosperous and auspicious, with wealth flowing into his tank year after year, so they hastily named him Yugang...
"Sister, why are you here?" Magistrate Chen pushed away Chen Fuqin's outstretched hand and sat on the stool with a cold face.
Chen Fuqin was stunned for a moment, then lightly patted the back of Magistrate Chen's head and said impatiently, "What, can't elder sister come to your house? Look at you, with such a dark face, you don't even smile when you see your own sister. What did I do to offend you?"
"Also, where is your wife? Why did she hide as soon as I arrived? Am I a plague god or a jinx that she dislikes me so much in your house? Where is Xiaoran? Let her come out and pay respects to her aunt, quickly!~"
Magistrate Chen: "..."
I didn't ask you to come, so why are you arguing with me?
If you want to borrow money, just say so. Why are you beating around the bush?
"Xiaoran went to Dashui Village and is not at home!~" Magistrate Chen said indignantly.
Chen Fuqin snorted when she heard this, "Why does she always go to Dashui Village? Is that her home?"
Magistrate Chen: "..."