In typical farming households, people go to the river to wash clothes and bedding in the early morning, then hang them in the yard to dry for a day before taking them down.

Lou Shi was originally the same, but after being beaten by Ruan Kewei, she inevitably rolled up her sleeves to expose her injuries when washing clothes by the river. The riverbank was full of gossipy women, and although many sided with Ruan Hai, some hot-tempered ones cursed at Ruan Hai and Ruan Kewei upon seeing this.

Ruan Hai heard some rumors and told Lou Shi not to go out when there were many people around.

Their family is well-off, unlike some poor families who have to dry their clothes on the same day and wear them the next day, so it's okay for them to wash them at night.

Fortunately, Lou herself didn't want to become the subject of everyone's discussion. When no one was around, she felt more at ease and could breathe a sigh of relief by going to the river.

Zhang was quite knowledgeable about this. Ruan Chengqian's eyes lit up when he heard this. Wasn't that perfect? ​​Without any Ruan family members around, he could have a good talk with Lou.

Thinking of this, he said to Shu Yu, "Princess, please rest at home. I'll go to the river right now."

Just as Shu Yu was about to nod, Ying Xi said, "There are people watching this place from outside."

Shu Yu chuckled, "It seems Village Chief Ruan doesn't trust me at all."

"It's alright," Ruan Chengqian waved his hand. "I have a way."

He went to the warehouse, took a fish basket, changed into some drab clothes, and went out the door.

As soon as he stepped outside, someone asked, "Chengqian, where are you going?"

"Well, the county magistrate heard that the fish in our village are quite good and is very interested, so I'm going to the river to catch a couple."

The neighbor was very hospitable. "Your Highness wants to eat fish? No need for you to bother, we have some at home. My husband just caught some yesterday, and they're still lively and jumping around in the water tank."

Ruan Chengqian chuckled, "Keep your fish for yourself. I'll catch it myself; that way, I'll show my sincerity."

Everyone understood immediately. As expected, the second son of the Ruan family was cunning. The county princess had finally managed to stay in their house, and he immediately tried to curry favor with her.

However, they did not doubt Ruan Chengqian's actions. But the two villagers who had secretly received instructions from Ruan Hai exchanged a glance, and one of them stood up and said, "I'll go with him to take a look."

Just as he got up, another person came out of the Ruan family. It was Zhang Shi, carrying a basket. She said to Wang Shi in the house, "Then I'll go to the vegetable garden to pick some fresh vegetables. You can start cooking first."

The villager who was keeping watch could only squat back down. Two people from the Ruan family came out. Which one were they with?

Another villager tugged at him and said, "The village chief told us to keep a close eye on the county princess and her maid. Ruan Chengqian and the others are just catching fish and picking vegetables, so we don't need to go look at them. Otherwise, when the county princess comes out, we'll all be gone."

"All right."

Before the two finished speaking, several more people from the Ruan family came out, including Shu Yu, whom they had just been discussing.

Shu Yu said to Ruan Chengchun, "When I came here earlier, I saw a sunflower field. I remembered that Ruan Dali said that your family used to grow a few acres of sunflowers. I wonder if that's true."

"Yes, these are the seeds we grew at home, and they're growing quite well," Ruan Chengchun said excitedly. "Dali brought these seeds back. At first, I didn't know how to plant them, so Dali specifically asked Steward Lu. We've already harvested two crops. Would the county magistrate like to go and take a look?"

"Okay." Shu Yu nodded, and the group went out.