"Oh, this kang is so warm, a real sign of a home that's well-kept!" Er Longzi helped Xiao Jinfeng onto the kang and felt beneath the quilt.
Jin Huaihua let out a soft cry, her eyes fixed on the unconscious Xiao Jinfeng...
All the guards were settled in their quarters, but the main entrance and the guest rooms were still patrolled. The Emperor himself hadn't commanded such a retinue when he stayed at the old Yun family's home.
"Mo-Mother Consort, *hic*!" Xiao Jinfeng's eyes were tightly shut, and he suddenly cried out, "Mother Consort, your son... your son knows he was wrong, *hic*!"
Jin Huaihua: "???"
What was he mumbling about? She couldn't understand him.
Er Longzi, hearing this, turned pale with shock and quickly covered Xiao Jinfeng's mouth. "Oh dear, Young Master, I already warned you not to drink so much. Look at you, you've had too much, haven't you? Don't worry, I'll fetch the chamber pot. If you feel sick to your stomach, you can vomit into it..."
With that, Er Longzi scurried out.
Jin Huaihua stood by the edge of the kang, covering Xiao Jinfeng with the quilt. Just as she was about to leave, her hand was suddenly grasped by Xiao Jinfeng.
A strong smell of alcohol wafted into her nostrils. Jin Huaihua felt a little flustered and tried to pull her hand away, but Xiao Jinfeng refused to let go...
"Mo-Mother Consort, you are too harsh on your son. I have lived a very difficult and tiring life these past years. I look up at your face every day, my neck is almost broken. Please, let me go? *Ugh, ugh*..."
He babbled a lot of nonsense, and in the end, he vomited onto Jin Huaihua's arm.
"Ah, ah!" Jin Huaihua was startled. She had never taken care of a drunkard before and was momentarily bewildered.
The warm vomit stained her entire sleeve, dripping down.
Alas, such a handsome young man, to turn into this when drunk...
She pulled her arm free, quickly ran to the kitchen for a basin of water, and wet a towel to wipe Xiao Jinfeng's mouth and face.
The pure grain liquor had a strong kick. Once that dizzying, nauseating feeling surged, it felt as if the whole world was spinning and dancing.
This was exactly how Xiao Jinfeng felt. But in his confusion and distress, there was always a hand holding him, like a small boat in a stormy sea suddenly seeing the sun, so familiar and warm...
In the main bedroom, Madam Gu nudged Old Man Yun with her elbow, complaining, "You, at your age, should drink less. Do you still think you're a young man?"
Old Man Yun's tolerance for alcohol wasn't bad; he was just a bit dizzy at the moment.
He placed his pipe back on the kang table and lay down next to Madam Gu, sighing, "Old woman, what do you think that young Master Xiao's background is? Why do I feel his gaze towards our daughter is rather strange?"
Madam Gu closed her eyes and pondered for a moment. "Who can fathom the affairs of the palace? You should know that Young Master Xiao has lived in our home for so many years without causing any trouble. But ever since the Emperor personally visited Dashui Village, things have become increasingly complicated..."
The Emperor's identity was no longer a secret to Madam Gu and Old Man Yun, just as Xiao Jinheng and Xiao Xinling were beings of extreme nobility.
"Ai!" Old Man Yun sighed, turned over, and fell asleep in moments.
Xiao Jinheng had been good to their family over the years. If anyone wanted to harm him, the Yun family would not stand by idly.
Therefore, some things could only be taken one step at a time. Perhaps this new young Master Xiao wasn't bad at heart...
The next morning, Xiao Xitian woke up early.
She filled several large wooden barrels with milk and covered them with quilts.
She also left a barrel for the family.
Gao Jingde, after taking the white medicine pills from his little aunt last night, felt much refreshed after a night's sleep.
"Mother, I'm going to the county town with Brother Xiao to deliver milk!" Xiao Xitian said with a smile.
Madam Gu looked worried. "Oh dear, daughter, it's snowing outside, and it's getting cold. Can't you deliver the milk a day later?"
She knew her daughter was eager to earn money, but it wasn't like they were short by a day or two...
It wouldn't be too late to deliver it after the weather improved.
Jin Xiaolou also advised, "Yes, Sister Xitian, I can handle delivering the milk by myself. You don't need to come along!"
"No, no!" Xiao Xitian didn't care if her parents agreed or not and climbed onto the sled. "I must go this time!"
She wanted to find a suitable shop and rent it if the price was reasonable...
Madam Gu and Old Man Yun exchanged glances, both looking helpless.
Xiao Jinfeng, still pale from drinking last night, stood by the guest room door, clutching his stomach, and looked intently at Xiao Xitian. "I'll have Er Longzi accompany you to the county town!"
"What?" Xiao Xitian blinked her big eyes.
Well, you're afraid I'll report to that brat, aren't you...
Always monitoring me.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Jinfeng chuckled. "The weather is getting colder, and those mountain bandits and robbers will soon be out causing trouble. You two unarmed children going to the county town, how could your family possibly not worry?"
Xiao Xitian heard this and scoffed, rolling her eyes. It sounded as if you were doing this for my own good.
"Er Longzi!"
"Yes, Young Master, what are your orders?"
Xiao Jinfeng rubbed his uncomfortable stomach and said lightly, "Take two men and escort Miss Yun to the county town. Also, buy some pork, lamb, and other things. See if there's anything the household needs and buy it all."
"Understood, Young Master!"
Xiao Xitian: "..."
You really don't consider yourself an outsider, do you? Are you planning to live in our house?
And so, under Xiao Xitian's disgusted gaze, she was escorted to the county town by Er Longzi and two guards.
"Thank you for taking care of me last night!"
Xiao Jinfeng went to the kitchen and looked smilingly at Jin Huaihua, who was washing dishes, his face full of gratitude.
"Ah, ah!" Jin Huaihua turned around and gestured with her hands.
You're welcome.
But Xiao Jinfeng couldn't understand sign language. He took out paper and charcoal and wrote: What is your name?
Jin Huaihua: "..."
I just can't speak, I'm not deaf.
She wiped her wet hands on her apron, took the paper and pen, and wrote the three characters 'Jin Huaihua' neatly.
Xiao Jinfeng looked surprised. "You can write?"
This was uncommon in the remote countryside. Let alone girls, even few men were literate...
It's just a pity that such a beautiful girl is mute.
Jin Huaihua smiled shyly. "Ah!"
Xiao Jinfeng pondered for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up, and he hurried towards the door. "Miss Huaihua, wait for me for a moment, I have something to give you!"
Jin Huaihua was stunned. What was he going to give her?