Madam Huang glanced at Pan Di, "What decisions are you making for me?"

Pan Di was so choked by Huang Shi's words that he hiccuped, "Stand up for me! I've been bullied by Ru Yue!"

Huang said "Oh" again, and then said nothing more.

When I got to the kitchen, I saw Ruyue kneading dough.

The dough is made of mixed grains, and the water in the pot is boiling. She looks like someone who knows how to do chores.

Upon seeing Madam Huang enter, he quickly bowed and said, "Madam, what are your orders? I will do them immediately."

Mrs. Huang smiled and nodded.

"It's nothing, it's just that Pan Di came to me crying and said that you bullied her, so I came over to ask what happened."

I, as an old woman, have always considered myself fair, so I cannot believe one-sided accounts.

I need you to come and confront her, to see who's right and who's wrong.

"Intrigue and backstabbing are not tolerated at Green Hill Cottage."

Huang's voice was cold as she spoke her last sentence.

Kisaragi bowed again.

"Please forgive me, Madam..." She went on and on, recounting everything that had happened since she entered the kitchen, without embellishment whatsoever.

After listening, Madam Huang nodded, then turned to Pan Di and asked, "Is there anything else you want to say?"

Pan Di was very nervous, but he still kept his mouth shut.

"Madam, it's absolutely not what she said; she's completely distorting the truth."

If I hadn't stopped her, she would definitely be with a fan of wheat now.

And it's true that she just tried to cut me with a knife, I swear to God, Madam.

I dare not live with her, Madam, please don't arrange for me to live with her. I'm afraid she might harm me in the middle of the night.

Huang was somewhat at a loss for words, thinking to herself,

"With a brain like that, how did he become a slave in someone else's house? He's really lucky to have survived being beaten to death."

He shook his head and watched Pan Di rambling on.

"Alright, I understand your thoughts. Tonight, the two of you will still share a room. There aren't enough empty rooms to accommodate you. I'll arrange a place for you to stay tomorrow."

"Alright, hurry up and cook the food; those men still need to eat."

After Huang left, Pandi rolled her eyes at Ruyue with a smug look, her expression full of provocation.

Ruyue remained silent and continued kneading the dough in her hands.

When Huang returned to the main house, Zhao Qingyan poured her a cup of tea.

"Grandma, how's it going in the kitchen?"

Mrs. Huang picked up the cup and took a sip.

"Mmm, your tea is still the best."

What else could it be? Ruyue speaks and acts in a very proper manner. When I went in, she was making mixed grain noodles, the water in the pot was boiling, and the kitchen was not messy. She seemed to be doing things properly.

Pan Di has some mental issues; he steals food and doesn't even rinse his mouth before running out to complain.

Then he rambled on and on, repeating the same few sentences over and over, without any real substance.

I thought someone who looked down on country folk would at least be clever, but it turns out he's just stupid, all bluster and no substance.

Zhao Qingyan chuckled.

"Grandma, are you disappointed that you missed the excitement?"

"This is what we bought. If it keeps making a fuss every day, it'll be a real nuisance." The grandfather and grandson chatted for a while.

After the seven men finished washing up, they came over to the main house to pay their respects. Madam Huang told them to go directly to the kitchen for dinner.

After the meal, the seven people divided up their tasks and returned to their chosen cabins.

The next day, after breakfast, Huang called Qian San over, handed him a letter, and instructed him to take the letter and Pan Di to Liu Wang in town before returning.

After Pan Di got into the carriage, he realized something was wrong.

"Brother, why are only the two of us going to town? What are we going to do there? Why isn't the others going? Why isn't Ruyue going either?"

Qian San turned and glanced at Pan Di with a very cold expression.

"Sit still. How the master arranges things is none of your business as a servant."

After saying that, he flicked his whip and started running faster.

After cleaning up the kitchen, Ruyue noticed some beans mixed together. She poured them into a bamboo tray, carried it to the kitchen doorway, and started picking them out.

As the sun was almost directly overhead, and Pan Di still hadn't come to the kitchen, I frowned. Cooking two meals by myself was quite a challenge.

At this moment, Qian San drove back in his horse-drawn carriage, carrying a basket of meat, and brought it to the kitchen.

Ruyue had seen Qian San from afar that morning and knew that Pan Di had left with him. But Qian San returned alone, so she still asked him out of curiosity.

"Hey bro, when's Pan Di, who left with you this morning, coming back to help in the kitchen?"

Qian San glanced at Ruyue and quickly lowered his head. "The old lady asked me to send her to Steward Liu."

Ruyue nodded her thanks and quickly carried the basket into the kitchen.

After tidying up my clothes, I headed straight for the main house.

After Qian San went in, finished his report, and came out, he went up to knock on the door.

"Madam, the Qian brothers just brought back some meat and pork chops. What would you like to have for lunch? I'll make it right away."

Life on the mountain was very pleasant, the environment was good, and the days flew by.

The prefectural examination was fast approaching. As the main force of the guards, Madam Huang had no choice but to take Zhao Qingyan back to town first.

The town was at least a three-day journey from the prefectural city by carriage, so Huang decided to take the group of examinees directly to the prefectural city.

Whether to stay in a guesthouse or rent a house depends on the situation; in any case, it's always better to go sooner.

The prefectural examination was scheduled for April 26th.

The Zhao family set their departure date for April 16th.

To make the trip to the prefectural city more comfortable for the family, they bought another mule cart.

It's so hot outside, and with so many people crammed into one vehicle, it's easy to get prickly heat.

Zhao Qianci, Huang Shi, Zhao Minggeng, and Zhao Qingyan still shared a mule cart.

Zhao Changgeng, Zhao Qingshan, Zhao Qingyi, and Zhao Qingluan were in one car, while Zhao Yonggeng, along with Zhao Qingling, Zhao Qingfeng, and Zhao Qingyang, were in another car. This way, their fighting strength was completely evenly distributed.

It's better to be safe than sorry, especially with Zhao Qianci, such a jinx, in the car.

As always, Zhao Changgeng and Zhao Minggeng's two cars led the way, while Zhao Minggeng's car brought up the rear.

The reason for this arrangement is simple: let the unlucky artillery fire focus all its might on the last vehicle, saving as many as possible.

The first day of our journey was very safe, and nothing unexpected happened, except for the strong sun.

The next day, the sky was covered with dark clouds, clearly indicating that a downpour was imminent.

In the desolate wilderness, we must hurry on our way, otherwise not only will the vehicles get infected, but even the livestock will fall ill.

The mountain road, which seemed to stretch endlessly, was very narrow. It was not an option to rush forward, but staying put also posed a risk.

Looking at the impassable mountain road ahead, Zhao Qingyan wanted to facepalm.

On mountain roads like this, even on a dry day, let alone a rainy day, there's always the risk of a rock falling down and hitting someone while walking in the middle.

But there's only one road, and we have to take it whether we like it or not. What can we do?