Er Longzi looked bewildered, staring blankly at Xiao Jinfeng, "Your Highness, Noble Consort Xian said to inform her immediately upon finding any trace of His Highness the Crown Prince. Do you dare to defy the Empress's decree?"
He had noticed that ever since Prince Ming arrived at the old Yun family's home, his personality and temper had changed significantly...
This farming family seemed to possess a magical quality, transforming a person without anyone realizing it.
Including Er Longzi himself; when he had free time, he liked to follow Sweet Baby around. Although that little girl was fierce in a childish way, it didn't diminish Er Longzi's affection for her...
Xiao Jinfeng sneered, his eyebrows curving, "Listening to my mother's arrangements for everything, I have no freedom at all. I'm even monitored when I eat and sleep. I've had enough of such a life!"
Even if he killed his sixth brother, or even the emperor, and obtained the position of Crown Prince, his mother would still be pointing fingers and nagging him. Rather than being controlled and criticized by her, it was better to completely abandon the idea of contending for the succession...
Er Longzi's eyes widened upon hearing this, and he stammered, "Your Highness, what do you mean by that? Noble Consort Xian has meticulously planned every step, intending for you to become the Crown Prince and the heir to the Great Liang Kingdom! If you give up now, won't all her efforts be in vain? Please reconsider, Your Highness!"
"Reconsider my foot!" Xiao Jinfeng glared at him fiercely and pointed outside the door, "Get out, I want some peace and quiet!"
Er Longzi: "..."
Fine, you want your peace and quiet!
Just as Er Longzi pushed the door open, Xiao Jinfeng called out to him, "Wait!"
"Has Your Highness thought it through?" Er Longzi's eyes lit up.
Xiao Jinfeng clenched his fist, his expression cold, "Temporarily suppress this matter. Make sure mother doesn't find out. We still don't know if my sixth brother is living here. After the situation is thoroughly investigated, then report to mother!"
Er Longzi: "..."
Prince Heng, what exactly are you trying to conceal?
All evidence suggests that His Highness the Crown Prince is hiding in Dashui Village. Any random villager knows that Xiao Jinheng's identity is not simple. What's the point of you deceiving yourself here?
Would you only believe it if a plaque reading 'Residence of Xiao Jinheng' was hung directly at the main entrance?
"What are you standing around for? Get out..." Xiao Jinfeng waved his hand impatiently.
Er Longzi had nothing more to say. He stepped over the threshold and walked out, muttering indignantly.
After lunch, the Yun family didn't rest. They all put on their thick clothes and continued building the cow shed.
Little Xi Tian, as the on-site 'commander,' had already memorized the cow shed's blueprints...
Old Man Yun and Yun Daman worked efficiently. The father and son cooperated seamlessly. Daman's legs were nimble, and he climbed onto the cow shed, pulling down a rope.
Old Man Yun, from below, tied the purlins and beams to the rope. Once they were pulled up, they could be used for the roof.
Jin Xiaolou and Gao Jingde didn't slack off either. They helped with carrying lumber, holding dry straw, fixing posts, and building fences, which significantly sped up the construction.
Gu Shi brewed a pot of strong tea and occasionally brought a cup to the old man and Daman.
Shangguan Fang'er couldn't help with the work, so she went to wander in the backyard alone.
Xiao Jinfeng seized the opportunity, slipped out of the guest room, and followed Shangguan Fang'er to the backyard.
"Brother Xiaolou!" Little Xi Tian pulled Jin Xiaolou aside and looked around.
Jin Xiaolou looked curious and asked, "What's wrong, Sister Xi Tian?"
Little Xi Tian, sure that no one was watching her, took out two letters from her embrace and quickly stuffed them into Jin Xiaolou's hand, "Keep them safe and don't let anyone see them..."
Jin Xiaolou was stunned for a moment. Following Sister Xi Tian's instructions, he quickly put away the letters. "What's going on?"
"Brother Xiaolou, go to the county town tomorrow and deliver these two letters to the post station!" Little Xi Tian instructed.
Although Jin Xiaolou didn't know what had happened, seeing how nervous Sister Xi Tian was, he knew something big had occurred...
"Okay, then, I'll go to the county town now!" Jin Xiaolou said, preparing to hitch the sleigh to the red date horse.
"Wait a moment, Brother Xiaolou!" Little Xi Tian stopped him. "Just deliver the letters when you take the milk out tomorrow morning!"
The two letters were one written by Ru Yue and Ru Hua, and the other was written by her to the brat.
No matter what method it took, the letters had to reach the brat...
Jin Xiaolou said, "Oh," and grinned foolishly, "Sister Xi Tian, don't worry, with me here, these letters will definitely be delivered!"
Sister Xi Tian rarely asked him for favors. This time, she actively asked him to deliver letters, so Jin Xiaolou had to complete the task, otherwise, Sister Xi Tian would look down on him.
Backyard.
Shangguan Fang'er, with her sleeves tucked in, strolled through the snow-covered garden.
The old Yun family only cleared the snow from the front yard. The backyard was so large that they couldn't clear it all...
Several birds chirped and flew past, landing on a bare branch and chirping noisily.
Shangguan Fang'er looked up for a moment, then suddenly chuckled, "Little sparrows, so plump, they must taste delicious!"
The two sparrows fluffed their wings and flew away.
Xiao Jinfeng stood not far away and watched for a moment, then slowly approached Shangguan Fang'er from behind, "Admiring birds in the shade and strolling in the snow, Princess, you truly have a refined taste!"
Shangguan Fang'er was startled and turned around to glare at Xiao Jinfeng, "What are you doing?"
This person's overly scholarly way of speaking was very annoying...
Xiao Jinfeng was momentarily stunned, then chuckled, "The youngest legitimate princess of the King of Chen, Shangguan Fang'er, after her country was broken and her family destroyed, how did she end up in such a state?"
When Chen was glorious, Princess Fang'er was so noble and magnificent. Now, she was living in a farmhouse, wearing coarse linen skirts, and speaking with a local accent. Compared to the pampered princess of the past, she was like two different people.
Shangguan Fang'er spat and grabbed Xiao Jinfeng's ear, "You damn rascal, what are you babbling about here? If you dare to talk nonsense again, I'll kick you into the latrine!"
Xiao Jinfeng: "..."
Fortunately, he didn't marry this woman back then. Otherwise, would his remaining life be happy?
Xiao Jinfeng suddenly felt that a quiet and hardworking woman like Jin Huaihua was quite good. At least she wasn't as troublesome as Shangguan Fang'er.
"You damn rascal, get lost and don't bother me!" Shangguan Fang'er said, then kicked Xiao Jinfeng in the backside and strode away.
Xiao Jinfeng, left standing there, didn't know what to say.
Forget it. This woman seemed to like living at the old Yun family's place. Then let her live happily. He wouldn't bother her anymore...
As expected, just as dusk was approaching, the cow shed was finally completed.
Although it was a bit rudimentary and drafty, it could at least house over twenty dairy cows...
It was a bit dilapidated, but it could be repaired later. As long as the dairy cows didn't escape, it was fine.
At this moment, within a patch of snow crust on the east side of the village, a rumbling sound suddenly came.