How can you listen to the words of a small person when they are filled with resentment?

The Zhao family could naturally tell that the little guy had always been fed by maids and servants, and that his eating habits were controlled.

After all, wealthy families couldn't operate like rural families, where children typically started feeding themselves after seven or eight months.

By the time they're a little over a year old, they can feed themselves. Who has that much free time to find a little kid?

In fact, children want to grow up more and don't really need too much "care" from adults.

Look how much the little guy is eating! Even though he's covered in food all over his body and face, not one of the Zhao family members bothers to wipe his hands and face.

When Madam Duan arrived at the back garden with a large entourage, all they found was the little guy with his face covered in noodle soup.

He buried his head in his bowl and ate with great relish, while little Zhao Qingyang next to him would occasionally put a piece of green vegetable or a small piece of meat on his plate.

When Madam Duan first saw her son's face, she almost fainted. All the manners she had taught him over the years had vanished. But then she looked into his bright, sparkling eyes...

"Mother, I can use chopsticks now! I can eat by myself! I won't need the old women to feed me anymore."

Duan Chongrui's excited tone, his childlike boasting about his newfound skill, calmed Madam Duan down.

I can't help but doubt myself.

"Have I been wrong in teaching my son all these years? I've never seen him so happy before."

She handed her daughter to the wet nurse beside her.

She stepped forward, took out a handkerchief and wiped the little guy's face, glancing discreetly at the food in the child's bowl.

I never expected that this family would have such a lavish meal of noodles.

It seems to have more ingredients than homemade noodles.

"You little glutton, why did you run out without telling your mother? Don't you know your mother will be worried?"

There are many bad people and wild animals outside.

"If it carries you away, Mommy will be heartbroken."

Mrs. Huang quickly stepped forward.

"This lady, my husband's surname is Zhao. Last night, the earth shook and all our houses collapsed, leaving us nowhere to go."

We are grateful to the sir for taking us in and allowing us to stay here for a few days.

Because the Zhao family has been setting up tents, I haven't had a chance to visit Madam yet. I apologize for my rudeness and hope Madam will forgive me.

Huang immediately explained the reason why her family had moved into the prefect's back garden, fearing that the lady might have some thoughts about it.

Since ancient times, pillow talk has been the most powerful thing.

We absolutely cannot let the prefect's wife misunderstand.

Seeing that Madam Huang was well-mannered, Madam Duan asked with some curiosity, "Does your family have any scholars?"

Huang smiled broadly.

"Madam is indeed exceptionally intelligent. My family has come to the prefectural city to participate in the provincial examination."

This is my old man, Zhao Qianci, who was the top scorer in this year's children's examination.

This is my second son, Zhao Yonggeng; this is my third son, Zhao Minggeng; this is my eldest grandson, Zhao Qingshan; this is my third granddaughter, Zhao Qingyan; and this is my fifth grandson, who is 11 years old this year.

My daughter and I are here to accompany them as they take the preliminary imperial examination.

He pulled Zhao Qingyan aside and said that he had to make his position clear: his granddaughter was there to accompany her to the exam, and had no other ulterior motives.

Since Madam Duan arrived, she's glanced at the little girl five or six times. Don't think the old woman didn't notice.

Madam Duan was quite surprised. Her gaze swept over Zhao Qingyang, and she saw the young boy holding a bowl, smiling so pleasingly.

He was immediately delighted. "This young boy is also a student of the first level of the imperial examination? Not bad, not bad."

Mr. Huang was very modest, saying, "Not at all, it was just luck."

After subtly asking the questions she wanted to know, Madam Duan pulled Duan Chongrui to go back to the front yard.

As a result, the little guy didn't want to leave.

"Sister, your food is so delicious! Can I come back to eat here again?"

Madam Duan blushed with embarrassment and wanted to cover her son's mouth with her hand. Zhao Qingyan nodded.

"Sure, welcome."

Having received an affirmative answer, the little one skipped and hopped away, holding his mother's hand and talking as he went.

"Mommy, the noodles at my sister's house are so delicious! I even learned how to use chopsticks; my older brother taught me..."

After seeing the group off, the noodles in the Zhao family's bowls were almost lumpy.

Luckily, the noodle soup in the pot was still hot, so I poured it into the bowl and treated it as just noodle soup.

You look at me, I look at you.

"Hey, why do I feel so uncomfortable living here? It's really not as comfortable as staying in our own backyard."

Zhao Minggeng complained, and Huang rolled her eyes at her son.

"You want to guard a snake's den? Aren't you afraid? Aren't your daughter and son afraid?"

Being far away has its advantages; even if you're trying to escape, you have a better chance than others.

"Sweetie, how long will that powder you sprinkle last?"

Zhao Qingyan shook her head.

"Grandma, I really don't know. Actually, that medicine is none other than sulfur."

I only read in a book that snakes are afraid of that thing, but I don't know the specifics.

I wonder if it will still be useful after it rains.

It does smell, that's true. What I'm worried about is that whatever's inside will smell it and crawl out, or continue digging underground.

Well, Ms. Huang didn't want to talk anymore. She felt like she was just being superfluous, and the more she spoke, the more chills ran down her spine.

Even though Huang Shi was never afraid when she entered the forest, she had trypophobia and dared not think about it.

The Zhao family has now completely given up on that house.

"What a pity, all that money spent on buying the house. Mother, do you think the previous owner discovered something was wrong when they sold the house?"

Zhao Yonggeng asked.

All seven eyes turned to him. "Did I...did I say something wrong?"

Huang said in a sinister tone,

"You want to ask me? Who am I supposed to ask? If I can catch that family, I'll make sure they regret it."

With a forceful effort, a section of the wooden board beneath his buttocks broke off.

Zhao Yonggeng shrank back in fear, not daring to speak again; his mother was truly unhappy now.

Huang remained silent, and no one dared to utter a sound, for fear of angering the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

“My dear daughter, I’m heartbroken. My money! It’s over 2,000 taels of silver! I only stayed there for a few days, and it’s all gone. I’m so unwilling to accept this.”

Huang's voice was trembling with sobs.

"Grandma, it's okay. As long as our family is safe, that's the best thing."

Our family isn't short of money. After my father and his family pass the imperial examinations and become officials in the capital, I'll buy my grandmother a big house in the city.

We won't buy these two; they're too small and don't suit my grandma's generous nature.

We'll buy the kind with four or five courtyards, hundreds of rooms, pavilions, towers, bridges, flowing water, and a fish pond in the courtyard.

"Grandma wants to eat fish, but we don't even need to go out to buy any. We can just catch one from our pond and stew it."