Xiao Xi Tian blinked, pulled her padded jacket tighter, and slowly walked over.
"Huh? Fourth Brother, what are you doing sitting here?" Xiao Xi Tian asked.
She saw Yun Si Man holding a wine gourd in one hand and a sheep's trotters in the other, drinking morosely...
"Little sister, do you want to eat sheep's trotters? They were just roasted this afternoon!~" Yun Si Man grinned, then broke the sheep's trotters in half and handed them to Xiao Xi Tian.
Xiao Xi Tian sniffed. "It's too gamey!"
Once mutton cools, it's inedible...
Seeing his sister not eating, Yun Si Man began to gnaw on it himself, taking a sip of wine and a bite of meat, his eyes unfocused, as if lost in thought.
"Fourth Brother, Sister Xin Ling is leaving tomorrow. Aren't you going to see her off?" Xiao Xi Tian sat down next to Yun Si Man.
Yun Si Man's hand paused mid-drink. He turned to look at her. "Why would I see her off?"
Xiao Xi Tian was completely stunned. She pinched him. "Ouch, Fourth Brother, can't you see Sister Xin Ling likes you?"
Sigh, Fourth Brother usually seemed so sharp, but why did he get so muddled at crucial moments...
Yun Si Man took a sip of wine and said nothing.
"Fourth Brother, if you miss this village, you won't find this inn!~" Xiao Xi Tian tilted her head to look at Yun Si Man. "Besides, Fourth Brother should know Sister Xin Ling's identity. If she marries into a neighboring country, can you bear it?"
Although Xiao Xin Ling was usually boisterous and loved to play, she was generally quite lovable...
Moreover, Yun Si Man's quiet nature complemented Xiao Xin Ling perfectly. Their life together would surely be interesting!
"Little sister, don't you go matchmaking randomly!~" Yun Si Man put down the wine gourd, unfastened his tobacco pouch, and rolled a hand-rolled cigarette. "What kind of status do I have to even dare to dream of marrying a princess? Do you think being a consort is that easy?"
Xiao Xi Tian blinked upon hearing this. "Ha! So Fourth Brother is feeling inferior..."
Yun Si Man turned his face away and took a few strong drags of his cigarette.
Xiao Xi Tian waved her hand, dispersing the smoke. "Fourth Brother, that's not right. Although we can't change our origins, we can change our destiny. Besides, even 'Old Master Huang' hasn't said anything, so why are you still struggling with yourself..."
She could see it clearly now: no amount of persuasion from outsiders could help with this matter; it all depended on him figuring it out himself.
Yun Si Man rubbed Xiao Xi Tian's head and smiled. "Little sister, you're too worldly for your age. How old are you, yet you understand love and affection!~"
Xiao Xi Tian: "..."
Even though I'm small, I've read countless romance novels.
She disliked love stories with lots of angst and couldn't stand them.
If you love someone, be direct. Why always play all these complicated games!
Take Second Brother Man and Sister-in-law Shan Shan, for example. Didn't they get together so naturally?
"Little sister, do you think there's any chance between Third Brother and Miss Fang'er?" Yun Si Man suddenly asked.
Xiao Xi Tian stood up and clicked her tongue. "Fourth Brother should deal with his own affairs first. Sigh..."
Whether there was a chance between them depended on whether Third Brother was sincere with Miss Fang'er.
What if the crazy and foolish Shangguan Fang'er one day pushed him too far, or he lost his patience? Then they would go their separate ways, never to meet again.
"Fourth Brother, I'm going to sleep. You should sleep early too, and stop drinking!~" Xiao Xi Tian patted her bottom and went back to her room to nap.
Now that Yun Er Man and Du Tie Shan were married, the young couple moved into the east wing. Shangguan Qiao Yun had nowhere to stay, so she had to squeeze in with Xiao Xi Tian temporarily...
In the west wing bedroom, Xiao Jin Heng stood by the window with his hands behind his back, looking at Xiao Xi Tian's window.
Only after the light in the window went out did he climb into bed to sleep.
The next morning, Old Man Yun and Madam Gu came to see Emperor Cheng off...
Xiao Xin Ling's eyes were red from crying as she reluctantly left the old Yun family.
She kept looking back, hoping Yun Si Man would come to see her off, but that scoundrel had disappeared somewhere, and she hadn't even seen a shadow of him.
"Old Brother Huang, have a good journey. When you reach the capital, remember to send a letter back to report your safety..." Old Man Yun cupped his hands with a smile as he bid farewell to Emperor Cheng.
In the past, carriages were slow, and who knew when they would meet again after this parting.
Emperor Cheng also smiled broadly. "If Old Brother Yun has time to visit the capital, I'll treat you to drinks!~"
"Deal, it's a promise!" Old Man Yun beamed with joy.
Madam Gu stood by the side and asked Xiao Xi Tian, "Where is your Fourth Brother?"
Where had he gone so early in the morning?
Xiao Xi Tian said, "Mother, Fourth Brother has left. He left a letter on the table saying he had an urgent matter to return to the capital for, and he'll come back to see us during the New Year..."
Madam Gu heard this and stamped her foot. "Oh, this child, not even saying goodbye when he left!~"
"Mother, Fourth Brother also left a bank note!" Xiao Xi Tian took a bank note from her embrace and handed it to Madam Gu.
The bank note was for fifty taels, which was a lot.
"The letter says this money is for our New Year expenses..." As she spoke, Xiao Xi Tian handed the letter over.
Madam Gu looked at the letter, her eyes brimming with tears.
Alas, this child.
She didn't know if things would work out between him and Miss Xiao, but she thought the girl was good and would make a perfect daughter-in-law...
"Little village child!~" Xiao Jin Heng poked his head out of the carriage and waved at Xiao Xi Tian.
On this return trip to the capital, Jin Mama, Kong Xing Zhuo, and Xiao Ying and Xiao Jun were all returning. Only Ru Yue and Ru Hua were left to look after the west wing.
Xiao Xi Tian paused, then walked over with her short legs. "You stinky boy, have a good trip!~"
Xiao Jin Heng: "..."
Why are you acting so calm?
Shouldn't you be crying your eyes out and begging me to stay?
"Little village child, if you can't bear to see me go, I can stay right now!~" Xiao Jin Heng said seriously.
You dead girl, hurry up and say it!
Xiao Xi Tian scratched her face. "It's not like you're not coming back. Why make it seem like a farewell to life and death? You go, I'll write to you when I have time!~"
Xiao Jin Heng: "..."
What if he doesn't come back for ten or eight years? Will Little Village Child quietly get married?
The thought sent a shiver down Xiao Jin Heng's spine.
Especially that stinky boy Jin Xiao Lou, who stuck to Little Village Child like a piece of dog skin plaster every day. A naive little monster like Little Village Child would definitely be tricked away by him...
"Huh? Stinky boy, your complexion doesn't look good. Are you sick?" Xiao Xi Tian reached out to feel his forehead.
Xiao Jin Heng bit his lip. The more he thought, the more anxious he became. He turned to Emperor Cheng. "Father, can I not go back to the capital?"
Just let him live in Dashui Village forever, please!
Unexpectedly, Emperor Cheng refused outright. "No, sit properly!~"
Xiao Jin Heng: "..."