When Xiao Shan returned, Xue Niang had already finished the congee and was chopping vegetables. He quickly took over the task, chuckling, "I told you I'd be back, but you didn't listen."
Xue Niang looked at him, his hair and clothes all wet, and her third brother too. They must have gone to the river to bathe!
"Xiao Shan! It's not even summer yet! You took third brother to the river to wash? Do you think he's like you? He'll definitely catch a fever tonight!"
The weather in Hailingtian was always warm and unchanging. Third brother hadn't adapted to it yet, how could he be so reckless?
He really didn't make things easy.
"He won't. Third brother is very healthy."
Someone with such formidable power, how could they be weak? Did she think he was like her?
"Xiao Shan is right," Apusongshi nodded.
Xiao Shan laughed heartily, "Third brother, go to the room and change your clothes, then rest. I'll call you when the meal is ready."
"Alright."
Apusongshi left just like that.
Xue Niang stared, dumbfounded.
Earlier, when he was in the cocoon, he had said that if her Great Yao God Lord didn't listen, he would discipline him for her?
It had only been two days since he returned. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Xiao Shan, did you tame third brother?"
"We're family, what's there to tame? I moved him with my sincerity."
Xiao Shan added water to the meat, covered the pot, and sat by the small stove, beckoning Xue Niang.
"I'm going to build another house next to ours for third brother to move into. You won't overthink it, will you?"
"I know. So you're giving a date, then a slap."
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
Xiao Shan pulled her onto his lap, "I want him to trust me faster, so he can adapt here quicker. That way, he won't be revolving around you all day. He's a man. Since he's here, he should experience life in this world, not just live out his days in this small mountain village, ignorant."
However, his previous methods were a bit despicable, and he would never use them again. It was better to be upright and conquer hearts.
"You mean, my third brother will leave here?"
Xue Niang frowned, looking at him suspiciously, "Dare you say it's not because you're petty and don't want my third brother around?"
"I swear, I am petty, but what I said is also true. I'll teach third brother how to conduct himself, the dangers of the martial world, and the rules of this world. When the time comes, whether he stays here or ventures out, it will be his own choice. You can't just wish for him to stay here. He's different from us, like a newborn baby to him, he hasn't seen the world yet. Can you bear to confine him here?"
Undeniably, Xiao Shan was right.
But she had just reunited with her third brother and didn't want to be separated.
"Silly girl, it's not like he's leaving right now. Besides, if he goes out, it doesn't mean he won't come back. He'll just go out to see the world. What are you thinking?"
Seeing her dejected look, Xiao Shan saw through her thoughts. He felt both heartache and amusement. He added a few more pieces of firewood, then hugged her and kissed her.
"Don't think about other things, first feed your man..."
The next day, Liu Zhuzi directed the villagers to bring out their tables, basins, bowls, and even many bundles of firewood. Several large pots were set up.
Xiao Shan directly invited all the chefs from Fulai Restaurant, and with the help of more than a dozen village women, they prepared the food. The tables were arranged in a long line, stretching from the village entrance to the end.
The manager of Fulai Restaurant, Feng Yousheng, also came and helped transport the ingredients. He had already heard from Nan Pei about Xiao Shan's identity and respected him greatly. However, seeing Xiao Shan getting along well with the villagers, and Xiao Shan still calling him "Brother Yousheng" as usual, he knew his identity was not to be revealed.
Therefore, he continued to call him "Brother Xiao" as before, but his respect grew even more. As for "Xue Niang," her status was heavenly. He really dared not respond to her address of "Elder Brother Yousheng"!
Thus, everyone began to work with great enthusiasm.
Xiao Shan walked around from beginning to end, holding Xue Niang's hand, letting the villagers see them clearly. Xue Niang's smiling face stiffened, and they returned to their own doorstep.
"Alright, go play. I'll have a drink with them," Xiao Shan said with a hearty laugh.
He saw his third brother standing by the large pot, watching people stir-fry, and called out, "Third brother, come, I'll take you for a drink."
Apusongshi asked, "How much meat can I eat later?"
"You can eat more if you don't feel uncomfortable."
He didn't feel uncomfortable anymore! He could eat more.
Apusongshi followed Xiao Shan away.
"Xue Niang, your third brother doesn't look like you at all. Is he really your own brother?" Aunt Gui Xiang asked.
"He is my own brother."
"Ah, he's not married yet?"
"No."
"Then, is there any interest?" Aunt Feng inquired.
Xue Niang thought for a moment. It was unlikely that her third brother would become enlightened anytime soon, so she shook her head.
Everyone thought it made sense. Even if they were to find someone, it wouldn't be anyone ordinary. Xiao Shan's in-laws should not be common people.
Wang Xiulan, tired from cooking, was replaced by Aunt Gui Xiang.
She came over to chat with Xue Niang and told her about the events in the village over the past few years.
Xiao Shan had left money, which Zhuzi distributed to the villagers. The rest was used to rebuild the burned-down house. The villagers were present for the topping-out ceremony, which was auspicious.
Because of that money, no one in Dong'er Village froze or starved that winter.
"Later, you sent more money. Zhuzi distributed it again. Everyone was very happy to hear that you were not dead."
Zhuzi said that Xiao Shan's family would definitely return.
Later, refugees came to rob their grain. Fortunately, the village followed Xiao Shan's previous method of arranging people to guard at night, and the villagers were united, so there were no losses.
"The past two years have been even better. The imperial court has reduced taxes, the emperor is diligent and loves the people, and has also increased many civil codes and laws, cracking down on human traffickers. The yamen are also constantly inspected by the county office, and any illegal behavior will be sealed."
"Now, buying and selling is legal and causes no trouble. Many people buy women from yamen to be their proper wives. I also bought one for Haizi, and she is now pregnant..."
Wang Xiulan stopped speaking as if she felt something was wrong, remembering Xue Niang's experience.
But seeing that Xue Niang showed no change and continued to listen with a smile, she breathed a sigh of relief and changed the topic.
"Oh, there's also a great piece of news. Our village has produced a high official, Liu Donghuai. It is said that he is now highly appreciated by the Emperor. Last year, he returned from an assignment in a neighboring county, repaired the village chief's tomb, and distributed cloth to every household in the village."
"His father was also released from prison before the New Year. He still lives in his old house. At first, he was quite arrogant, but after his son said something to him, he became honest and no longer flaunts himself much."
Although Xue Niang didn't talk much, she nodded from time to time to show she was listening attentively.
Wang Shuzhen also joined the conversation.
"And that eldest daughter of Xu Dafu's family, she was married off again a few days ago, to be a stepmother to three children."
Xue Niang was surprised, "Xu Da Niu?"
"Yes! She returned from out of town the year before last. I don't know what she did outside, but she can't have children anymore. Xu Dafu finally found another family for her and received five taels of silver. His second daughter is even more remarkable. She ran off with a traveling merchant from out of town. Xu Dafu was so angry that he cursed for a month, telling everyone he met that daughters are just money-losing goods."
Wang Xiulan snorted, "That's because he himself doesn't treat his daughters as human. They work harder than men and eat less than cats. It's like his daughters have had eight lifetimes of bad luck."