"What important matter could it be?" The old scholar opened the door with a stern face. "Let's talk in the side hall."

"Where are the others?"

"Accountant, come out," he called into the room before explaining, "The other one went out; he's probably practicing his martial arts."

After approaching the side hall, Aunt Yun briefly explained the situation, and the entire room fell silent.

The group remained silent for a long time before the instructor returned.

What are you all doing here?

“Everyone’s here,” Hong Gu said with a sigh of relief. “Let’s discuss what to do now.”

"What do you mean, what to do?"

“It is,” the old scholar stammered, “the matter of how to explain it to the master.”

"Confess? Confess to what?"

“We’re here to give lessons, but you’re all acting like big shots,” Hong Gu said, her face grim. “Shouldn’t we give the host an explanation?”

“That’s you,” the instructor scoffed. “I’m not.”

He never considered himself the master. Although he ate, drank, and wore clothes belonging to the master, he always did what he could to help.

“The five of us were sent here together. In the eyes of the master, we are one family. You think you can get away on your own? It won’t be that easy!”

Upon hearing Hong Gu's words, the instructor's face darkened instantly. "What do you intend to do?"

“Everyone had a part when it was done, and everyone has to share the responsibility now,” Hong Gu’s demand was clear. “Now that something has gone wrong, no one can shirk their responsibility.”

The instructor shrugged. "Then what do you suggest we do?"

"Admit your mistake!"

In the current situation, we can only admit our mistakes, but the key is how to admit them and who takes the lead.

Feeling the burning gaze upon him, the instructor asked incredulously, "You want me to go?"

“Only you are the most suitable,” the old scholar explained slowly. “You are a martial artist, rough and careless, so it’s normal that you didn’t pay attention to these things.”

He hadn't really paid attention to these things, but it felt so awkward to hear others say them.

"You all think so too?" The instructor turned his gaze to the others.

“Teacher,” Hong Gu said somewhat awkwardly, “you can’t expect the two of us women to take the lead in something like this, can you?”

"Why?" the instructor protested indignantly. "No matter how you calculate it, it shouldn't be me!"

"Are you suggesting we two scholars go?" the old scholar said unhappily. "How can scholars do something so improper?"

It's already upsetting enough to have to apologize and admit fault along with them; there's absolutely no way I'd want to be a target.

"You," the instructor said, feeling deeply aggrieved, "this is bullying!"

Upon hearing this, everyone lowered their heads guiltily, not daring to respond.

They knew they had done something wrong, but they were absolutely unwilling to take the lead.

In the end, the instructor compromised, "Fine, after this, we're done. I, Duan Lu, will avoid any place where you are!"

In the backyard, everyone in the Huang family was busy preparing lunch.

The meal was prepared hastily for over a hundred people, and even with the whole family involved, things were still a bit hectic.

"Steam two pots of steamed buns and cook a pot of rice. As for the vegetables, make a big mixed stew by chopping all the ingredients at home and stewing them together. If that's still not enough, make another pot of steamed buns."

"Mom, can a stew made from a bunch of random ingredients really be any good?"

"Yes, I can. I'll take charge of the cooking."

Huang Chuan and the others prepared the meat, while the three daughters-in-law kneaded the dough and washed the rice, and Huang Xiaosi and his companions tended the firewood.

Xiao Wu and Yu Zhu were also busy, boiling water with the small stove in the yard.

Seeing this scene, Meiyu, who was in the side room, changed her clothes and came out. "Benefactor, is there anything I can help you with?"

"You?" Jiang Nuan looked up. "Can you cook?"

“No, no,” Meiyu said, a fleeting blush crossing her face. “I can wash and pick vegetables.”

"Then peel the scallions, we'll need them later."

"Okay!" he said, and walked towards the corner of the wall.

“Miss Meiyu,” Jin Shi quickly reminded her upon seeing it, “those are garlic sprouts, not scallions.”

"No?" Meiyu blushed slightly, her surprise mixed with a hint of embarrassment. "Where's the scallion?"

“It’s alright, we need garlic sprouts too, you can pick these,” Jiang Nuan quickly instructed, thinking that Mei Yu might not have picked vegetables before, “Tear off the muddy parts on the outermost edge, and also tear off any bad or yellow leaves.”

"Um…"

The beautiful Meiyu moved slowly and deliberately, making every move a pleasure to behold.

However, it must be said that she was completely out of place in the kitchen.

The garlic sprouts were perfectly fine, but after peeling layer after layer, only tiny pieces remained, barely the size of a palm when the leaves and all.

Seeing this, Xie clutched her chest in distress.

After rinsing the rice and putting it in the pot, she wiped her hands and came over. "Miss Meiyu, Xiao Wu is boiling water in the courtyard, preparing to make tea later. Could you go help him? I can take care of these garlic sprouts."

"Hmm?" She glanced at the garlic sprouts in her hand, then immediately understood what was going on and nodded awkwardly, "Then, I'll go make some tea."

She felt she shouldn't have insisted on coming into the kitchen.

"It's not that I'm disgusted with you," Xie quickly explained, noticing Meiyu's disappointment. "Your hands are so soft and smooth; it wouldn't be good if you roughened them by doing these kinds of work."

Having met twice, she had a very good impression of Meiyu, who was beautiful and easy to get along with, and unconsciously spoke in a softer tone.

Xie felt that, just because of Meiyu's face, she couldn't bring herself to say anything unpleasant.

"Thank you, Second Sister-in-law," Meiyu said, her mood improving considerably. "I'll go make some tea first."

After Meiyu left, Madam Xie continued, "Such a beautiful girl, I wonder which rascal will end up with her."

“You’re only four years older than her,” Jiang Nuan said speechlessly, “Don’t worry about this kind of motherly concern.”

“I… forgot about it,” Xie said after a moment of hesitation. “Looking at her delicate and frail figure, I always couldn’t help but worry, afraid that she would be bullied by others.”

“Second sister-in-law is overthinking it,” Wang said thoughtfully. “Although we haven’t had much interaction, I think she’s a woman with her own ideas.”

Despite his imposing manner, he was completely unpretentious, making her wonder if he was up to something.

“If you have an idea, then you have an idea,” Xie said, not caring at all. “How can you get by in a place like that without an idea? I just find her more pleasing to the eye than Qin.”

No matter what, everyone knows to come and help. After being scolded, Qin Shi hid in her room and wouldn't come out. I guess lunch will have to be delivered to her room.

In fact, Madam Xie knew in her heart that she would still dislike Qin if Qin came out to help, but since Qin didn't come out, she still felt a little uncomfortable.

Seeing this, Wang lowered her head and remained silent.

No matter how polite and harmless Meiyu appeared, she didn't believe that people from such places were easy to get along with.

However, after comparing Meiyu and Qin Shi in her heart, she found that she disliked Qin Shi even more.

Seeing this, Jiang Nuan almost laughed.

They say beautiful women bring trouble, and Meiyu has only been in the house for half a day, yet she's already got the two daughters-in-law arguing. It's really true...

Clearing her throat, she explained, "Meiyu was originally a young lady from an official family, but her family suffered a great misfortune and she ended up in prostitution."