Chapter 1212 My Mother is Back!

"Mother, where did you come from? What's your mission this time? Are you capturing or rescuing people?"

"Where else did you go? Did you see Third Brother? Are he and the children alright?"

"Oh, that's great. His place isn't safe. It would be best if he could resign and return to his hometown." The fourth brother sighed. "I used to think that being an official was so prestigious. It was something to be envied for. When you were in charge, the orders from above were like imperial edicts. What could we do but obey? We couldn't just lose our heads, could we?"

“My second brother got promoted recently, and my sister-in-law has given birth to two children. I reckon she’s going to get pregnant with her third. She says she wants to have a girl.”

"By the way, all three of my sister's children are in school now. Xiao Xu's grades are the best. My sister wrote to me about it, and she was so proud of herself."

The fourth brother kept nagging, and after all the dishes were served, he insisted on toasting her and Zhang Chengxuan.

“Mother, let me raise a toast to you. It’s so good to see you. My second brother said that all his brothers on the battlefield are gone. The one who came back had a broken leg. Life is so unpredictable. This year they started recruiting soldiers by force. I’m afraid I will be selected. Who will take care of Tian Qi and the child then?”

Song Chunxue drank it directly, saying, "Take your time, there's no rush. Let's eat first."

"Master Zhang, you are the best. I feel most at ease when you accompany my mother on her trip." After a few drinks, the fourth brother was slightly tipsy and spoke less cautiously. "Lord Xie really abandoned my mother so heartlessly. I used to think that they could grow old together. Even if they weren't by our side, I would feel at ease with my mother."

"Now look what's happened, he's actually forgotten about my mother, hahaha, tell me, is there such a ridiculous thing?" The fourth brother leaned on Zhang Chengxuan's arm, took two more gulps of wine, and his eyes were almost red.

Zhang Chengxuan quickly put a chicken leg on his plate, saying, "Eat, eat, don't rush to talk about these things."

"But I'm anxious. I always thought it would be so nice if you and my mother lived together..."

Turning her head, Song Chunxue stuffed a meatball into his mouth, "Eat."

"Oh." The fourth son knew his mother was angry, so he obediently ate the meatballs and kept putting food on their plates.

He sat between Song Chunxue and Zhang Chengxuan, his emotions shifting between happiness and sadness, he was extremely sentimental.

Tu Dan'er could see clearly that the fourth brother had already felt the ruthlessness of time and that the heavy blow of fate had already struck him, which was why he had so many things to say.

He might not have understood before, but now he knows that things are beyond his control.

I wonder if that kid intends to come looking for him.

"Tudan'er, why are you so quiet today? You used to be the most talkative, the happiest person at the whole table, and the loudest. You're so listless today. Is something on your mind?"

"Hmm?" Suddenly the topic turned to himself, Tu Dan'er snapped out of his reverie and waved his hand. "I was just busy eating. It's been so long since I've had such delicious food, I didn't have time to talk. Come here, let's have a drink. Your wine is getting better and better."

The fourth brother got up, carrying a jar of wine over. “I didn’t like drinking before, but when I was in school, my mother always loved to drink with Master Zhang and Master Xie. Listening to them recite poems and talk about the past and present, I felt that drinking was the most elegant thing.”

"Of course not."

"No, later in this tavern, I saw too many people, too many drunkards, and I learned that many people like to talk business over drinks, using a mix of shouting, drinking, coaxing, and deception. The alcohol became the most powerful strategist, gently and warmly manipulating people..."

The fourth brother shook his head. "Only when I drink with you guys is this wine truly good, and the snacks we eat with it are the best."

Seeing that the fourth brother was so talkative, Master Zhang couldn't help but cast a divination for him.

He tapped his finger around the area and clicked his tongue softly. "No wonder. He's been carrying a lot on his mind. This is a difficult time for him lately, and he's not having an easy time."

"What is it? Tell me," Song Chunxue said, touching the peach branch on her wrist. "You're not thinking of taking a concubine, are you?"

She knew that rules were rules, and people's hearts were hearts; she couldn't control them just by repeatedly stating them.

"Although he didn't take a concubine, a widow with two children appeared in his life. From now on, he'll be her money bag..."

*Smack!*

The chopsticks in Song Chunxue's hand broke in two.

“I advise you not to get involved. If you accidentally make things worse, that would be bad for Tian Qi. We need to proceed slowly,” Zhang Chengxuan whispered, trying to dissuade him. “You need to stay calm.”

Song Chunxue took a deep breath.

"Mom, what's wrong?" The fourth son looked over. "How did the chopsticks break? Did you hurt your hand?"

"It's alright, you eat yours." Song Chunxue switched chopsticks. "Senior brother, can you cut off any unwanted romantic advances?"

"Again?"

"This time I'm going to do it myself; you're still too gentle."

Zhang Chengxuan smiled wryly, "I'm afraid of shortening my lifespan."

"I'm not afraid!" Being fickle is betrayal, and now that she knows that, she won't stand idly by.

Tian Qi initially chose Lao Si because he was honest and reliable. Now that he has a large family and a big business, he has become arrogant and wants to have women on both sides. He's dreaming!

She's not dead yet!

After she dies, she can have three or four wives and concubines, and that won't be her concern.

"Master, don't be angry. Eat more fish. This fish is delicious." Qi Yun used serving chopsticks to put a large piece of fish on her plate. "The chefs here are very skilled. No wonder the business is so good."

Song Chunxue pushed him, "Stay away from me, let Changfeng sit next to me."

Qi Yun's smile faded. "Master, are you afraid I harbor evil intentions and want to betray my master and ancestors?"

Zhang Chengxuan smiled but remained silent.

"You're so handsome, I'm afraid I'll fall for someone else, okay?" Song Chunxue waved her hand. "Changfeng, come here."

Changfeng got up, moved a stool, and squeezed in between them.

“Junior brother, who told you to…” Changfeng glanced at the fourth brother, “Be careful of Master’s son, he’ll beat you into an ugly monster.”

Qi Yun sighed helplessly, "Sigh, you guys just don't believe me. Then I'll have a drink with Han Mo."

Han Mo did not refuse, but he was much more reserved here.

By evening, everyone except Song Chunxue had gone up Wuquan Mountain.

Since the master was not there, everyone went to their respective rooms to rest.

After soaking his feet, Tu Dan'er looked around the Taoist temple and sat in the pavilion to cool off.

It's still the middle of the dog days of summer, and it's really hot.

I can't sleep at night.

Back then, they were practically bandit leaders, and they got beaten up a lot. He and Wuji even stole melons and dug potatoes from other people's fields.

That heartless bastard...

What are you thinking about?

Suddenly, I heard familiar murmurs, just like the real thing.

Tu Dan'er quickly turned his head, saw the person in front of him, and jumped up in fright.