"What's going on outside? I hear a child crying," Old Man Yun craned his neck to look outside.
Mrs. Gu carefully placed the budget Xiaoxitian had made on the kang, then put on her shoes and led her daughter outside...
As soon as they stepped out, they saw Magistrate Chen dragging Chen Xiaoran, scolding her fiercely, "You ungrateful girl, what did your father tell you at home? I said you're not allowed to linger here. If you keep crying and making a fuss, your father will never let you come again!~"
When would this troublesome daughter ever be as sensible as Tianbao!
"Wuwuwu!" Chen Xiaoran squatted on the ground, crying until her face was a mess. "Dad, Mom, can't I just stay for two days? Besides, I haven't caused any trouble for Uncle Yun and Auntie..."
The main reason was that Gao Jingde lived at the Old Yun family's house, and Chen Xiaoran always felt better whenever she saw him.
Mrs. Huang stood by, gently tugging at Magistrate Chen's sleeve. "Sir, why don't we let Xiaoran stay for a few days? She has nothing to do back home anyway!~"
In the past, Mrs. Huang would have grabbed a broom and beaten Chen Xiaoran onto the carriage...
After experiencing the matter of being divorced, Mrs. Huang became exceptionally obedient and virtuous, a model of a good wife and loving mother.
Seeing this, Mrs. Gu walked over with a smile, pulled Chen Xiaoran up from the ground, and patted the snowflakes off her skirt. "Xiaoran, we're making filled pancakes tonight. Do you want to eat them?"
Upon hearing this, a spark flashed in Chen Xiaoran's round eyes, and she quickly scrambled behind Mrs. Gu. "I want to eat, I want to eat!~"
Magistrate Chen: "..."
If people didn't know better, they'd think Xiaoran was the Old Yun family's daughter.
She wasn't close to her own parents but preferred to linger at the Yun family's.
"Magistrate Chen, why don't you let Xiaoran stay for a couple of days? When she's had enough, I'll have Daman send her back!~" Mrs. Gu pleaded for Xiaoran with a smile.
Hearing this, Magistrate Chen couldn't bring himself to drag Xiaoran away. After a moment of thought, he nodded. "Alright, we'll have to trouble you again..."
"Magistrate Chen, you're too kind!" Old Man Yun, holding his pipe, walked over with a smile. "Xiaoran has grown up under our watchful eyes. From now on, consider this your home. Come whenever you wish!~"
Magistrate Chen smiled faintly at this.
He had also heard about Er Man and San Man being stranded in a foreign land, so he sympathized with the Old Yun family...
He hadn't been able to help them in any way and had eaten and drunk there for several days. Before leaving, he wanted to offer some silver as a token of appreciation, but Old Man Yun and Mrs. Gu refused it outright.
Seeing Chen Xiaoran holding Gao Jingde's hand and running off to play in the back garden, Mrs. Huang gently nudged Magistrate Chen and gave him a meaningful look.
Magistrate Chen blinked, and it took him a while to react...
"Oh dear, look at my memory. How could I have forgotten about this? Haha!~" Magistrate Chen slapped his forehead, chuckling self-deprecatingly.
Old Man Yun: "???"
Mrs. Gu: "???"
What was Magistrate Chen thinking about?
Little Xiaoxitian pursed her lips and tilted her head, observing Magistrate Chen. She had already guessed what it was about...
When Mrs. Huang first arrived at the Old Yun family's, she had taken an immediate liking to Yun Jinshan, finding him handsome and clever. She had wanted to take him as a live-in son-in-law.
After being strongly rejected by Old Man Yun and Mrs. Gu, Mrs. Huang had restrained herself but still wanted Chen Xiaoran to marry Yun Jinshan.
Mrs. Gu had never given her an answer, so the matter had been dropped.
But later, when Chen Xiaoran and Gao Jingde started playing together, Mrs. Huang saw an opportunity and likely wanted to tie these two children together...
Hearing people chatting in the courtyard, Xiao Jinfeng put on his cloak, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and came out to eavesdrop.
"Brother Yun, Sister-in-law, Jingde hasn't been betrothed yet, has he?" Magistrate Chen asked with a smile.
As soon as he said this, Shangguan Fang'er, who was secretly eating a persimmon cake in the kitchen, rushed out and shouted, "Who is it? Who's eyeing my Jingde?"
Magistrate Chen: "..."
How could he forget? After San Man divorced Gao Fengjuan, he found a 'crazy mother' for Jingde. Although they hadn't married yet, it was only a matter of time before they had the wedding ceremony.
Little Xiaoxitian quickly ran over and took Shangguan Fang'er's hand. "Sister Fang'er, Magistrate Uncle isn't a bad person. Don't worry!~"
To be honest, the Magistrate's daughter was considered a prize in this region. Wealthy families and gentry were waiting for Xiaoran to grow up so they could marry her to their sons...
Although Yun Sanman had saved some money over the years, it paled in comparison to Magistrate Chen. After all, they were not a good match. Why would they marry their daughter to a village family?
It was clearly because they coveted Little Xiaoxitian's good fortune.
If nothing else, who could bring all the wild game in the cowshed into their home at once?
If Xiaoran were married into the Old Yun family in the future, wouldn't they just be waiting to enjoy a life of ease...
Old Man Yun glanced at Mrs. Gu and sighed inwardly.
"He's not betrothed yet!~" Mrs. Gu pulled Old Man Yun aside and smiled at Magistrate Chen. "Jingde will be eight years old after the New Year. There's no rush!~"
"Oh, eight years old is good. Our Xiaoran will be nine years old after the New Year, a year older than Jingde. It's not a big deal, haha!" Magistrate Chen laughed heartily.
Mrs. Gu: "..."
So, you want Jingde to be betrothed to Xiaoran?
Xiao Jinfeng, from somewhere, produced a large white pear, gnawed on it, and watched the unfolding drama.
"Sister-in-law!~" Mrs. Huang stepped forward and spoke gently. "To be frank, my husband and I both think Jingde is a good child – smart, filial, and diligent in his work. Therefore, I intend to betroth him to our Xiaoran. With this red thread, we will be family from now on. When Xiaoran comes of age, we will arrange the wedding and marry him into your family with great fanfare. What do you say?"
Mrs. Gu was slightly taken aback.
The Magistrate's wife was suddenly so composed and dignified that she felt a little unaccustomed to it...
However, although Xiaoran was usually wild and playful, she was kind at heart. She would surely be a good daughter-in-law for the Old Yun family in the future.
Besides, what more could Jingde ask for than to marry the Magistrate's daughter?
They were of similar age and got along well. They were a perfect match made in heaven...
After considering for a while, Mrs. Gu smiled at Mrs. Huang. "This matter must wait until San Man returns to make a decision. As the saying goes, parents decide, and matchmakers arrange. Since San Man is not home, we elders cannot make the decision ourselves!~"
Whether San Man would return alive was still unknown. Every time she thought of this, Mrs. Gu felt a pang of bitterness...
Mrs. Huang smiled upon hearing this. "Alright, we're not in a hurry. San Man is blessed by Tianbao, so he will definitely return to Dashui Village!~"
These words were much more pleasant to hear, and Mrs. Gu's tense nerves relaxed slightly.
Just then, Xiao Jinfeng, who was gnawing on the large white pear, suddenly let out a cold laugh...