e said. "The whole village has been devastated, all the crops destroyed. These past few days, ours have just kept getting better and better. It's truly a sight to behold."After a long time, I'm worrie...As people ate and chatted, their wine cups filled up. After a few sips, the atmosphere became even more lively.
Young Master Ye was a qualified "caregiver". Jiayin gnawed on the ribs and meat balls, her little teeth ached from exhaustion.
Young Master Ye helped her pluck a bowl of meat and ladled several spoons of soup, feeding Jia Yin until her little belly was round.
I have to say, Tao Hongying's craftmanship is excellent.
Both our esteemed guests and the villagers have been raving about the food.
Everyone had eaten half a meal before raising their wine cups frequently.
Mr. Liu solemnly thanked the village head and the Li family, asking them to take good care of his niece in the future.
Although not related by blood, he was as close as a brother to the late Grand Scholar Cui. Since the Grand Scholar left behind only this one daughter, he would do everything in his power to protect her.
Otherwise, he will meet his demise and be unable to account for himself to his brothers.
Everyone agreed naturally. Li Laoer even said, "My son Jiaren apprenticed to Mr. Wen and inherited the mantle of Grand Scholar Cui. As Cui's only daughter is his wife, Jiaren will naturally support her until old age."
Just like that, we brothers also regard Mrs. Cui as our own sister. Even though our family is just an ordinary farming household with no power or influence, we would absolutely not allow Mrs. Cui to be wronged.
Mrs. Cui and Old Mrs. Li had both finished their meals and were now sitting beside each other, listening to the conversation.
Mrs. Cui couldn't help but redden her eyes, Li Lao patted her hand and chided, "What are you crying for, this is all expected."
Then, Jiayin scrambled down from Ye Gongzi's lap and ran to embrace Cui's leg, calling out crisply, "I am all grown up now, Mistress!"
Mrs. Cui bent down and hugged her, smiling as she kissed her cheek, "Alright, Auntie, I'll wait for you to grow old."
Everyone laughed, and Old Master Liu and his son raised their wine bowls to toast the Li family and all the young and old in the village.
The villagers were all astonished and clinked their wine bowls.
When one party is willing to get close, and the other feels honored, it's a good thing for both parties. This makes the atmosphere in this courtyard even more harmonious.
The wine jug was opened two more times, and the crowd became even more joyful as they drank.
When asked about the barbarians of Jiangbei, Ye Gongzi picked up what he could say and spoke a few words.
Everyone was shocked. Fortunately, they had desperately escaped the mountains and come to the Jiangnan region, otherwise they would have been killed by the barbarians by now.
Young Master Ye said, "For now, we can only temporarily seek refuge in a corner. When our national power grows strong, there will be a day when we drive back the barbarians and reclaim our lost lands."
All nodded and raised their bowls, shouting, “Kill the barbarians, take back the mountain!”
Mr. Guo also raised his wine glass and drank it in one gulp.
Master Liu was worried about his health, and whispered to him, "Brother Guo, even though you're happy, maybe drink a little less. There will be other opportunities."
Mr. Guo smiled wryly and nodded, but the wine bowl before him was constantly lifted.
Master Liu thought he saw the Li family filled with grandchildren, and felt sad in his heart. So, he didn't try to persuade them any further.
As for Guo Qing, he didn't even take a sip of wine. His eyes darted around, as if he had some sort of scheme in mind.
As the sun began to set, the feast finally came to an end. Everyone left with a bit of intoxication.
Two people were about to leave, and their youngest son had driven the oxcart. They didn't need to worry about it anymore.
Then Zhou Da led his subordinates to say goodbye as well. Mr. Wen escorted Lao Er Li to the door.
Li Lao Er especially brought a small bag of silver, "Zhou Da Ren, this is Young Master Yan's payment. It should have been given to him in person, but we couldn't find him, so we could only ask Zhou Da Ren to do us a favor."
Zhou Da Ren hesitated for a moment, but still took the silver, smiling and saying, “My wife will surely be happy to see that my younger brother earned this money with his own skills.”
Every family has its own difficult scriptures. Neither Mr. Wen nor Old Li could be persuaded, so they only said, "In the future, you will definitely bring your family to play."
Zhou DaRen readily agreed and then left.
Villagers were busy tidying up the bowls and chopsticks, removing tables and chairs, and in the blink of an eye, the courtyard was back to its original state.
Since there were still guests who hadn't left, everyone sat against the wall, sipping their drinks and chatting idly.
Inside the house, Old Master Liu also wanted to go back, but Mr. Guo remained seated, so he could only keep him company.
Mr. Guo was so drunk that he couldn't even find the rim of his teacup.
"This doesn't look good at all. Old Master Liu advised, “Brother Guo, let’s go back Age is relentless, you're quite drunk like this, and it will take a few days to recover."
Mr. Guo hadn't finished speaking, but Guo Qing spoke first.
"Old Master Liu, please don't interfere anymore. We still have things to discuss and clear up. Of course, we can't leave. You're helping to drive people away, which is tantamount to sullying yourself."
Contamination
Mr. Liu immediately turned cold and rebuked, "What nonsense is this Didn't you come today to celebrate, but to cause trouble"
Guo Qing proudly raised her chin, “We’re not looking for trouble, we’re seeking justice!”
This statement caused everyone to frown. The village head immediately clenched his pipe, "Well then, we want to hear what you have to say! You ate our food and drinks, stood on our land, and suddenly turned against us. What kind of justice are you seeking"
Guo Qing glanced at his uncle. Seeing that he remained silent, this was tacit approval for him to be the vanguard, so he became even louder.
“Of course I’m talking about how my several brothers-in-law and nephews died! You say bandits killed them, but why are their books here with you And you, a bunch of peasants who can't even afford to eat, fled here and built this hot spring resort with what money It's not like you’re innocent. You were greedy and murdered my elder brother and the rest!”
"You farted!" The village head jumped up in anger, waving the smoking pot in his hand, "It was the bandits who killed him, we helped bury him! There is no reward for kindness, and now you're biting back! I should have left you all alone and let the wolves eat the corpse!"
Li Lao'er and Li Lao'si, as well as Liu Biaotou, all had dark faces. They originally thought that the Guo family matter had been concluded perfectly, but they ended up becoming murderers by doing a good deed!
Mr. Wen remained silent, while Mrs. Cui trembled with anger.
Jia Yin no longer even bothered with the osmanthus candy in her hand, she looked at Guo Qing with an immense feeling of disgust.
She had thought that day's incident was a misunderstanding.
I never expected these two to actually consider the entire village as their enemies!
Hearing the commotion, people outside gathered at the door, all of them furious.
Guo Qing didn't expect everyone to be so united, he was taken aback. But the words were already out, and regret came too late, not to mention that he still had his own plans.
Then, he raised his voice even higher and yelled incessantly.
"Well well, you've been caught red-handed and now you want to silence me Let me tell you, I have many friends in the county office. I've made arrangements beforehand. When the sun sets, if they don't see me, they will come and arrest you all for questioning."
Li Lao Si glared at him coldly, "Do you think we are easily intimidated I ask you, you say we killed the Guo family, what evidence do you have If you can't come up with anything, I'll remove your head! At worst, it's one life for another!"by the guests looking at her, she helplessly said: "Fine fine, I'll give you one bottle.""In a few days, I'll have someone send you some fruit, and then we can take them together.""Haha, that's great!...