"grandmother!"
"mother!"
Seeing that the old lady was not feeling well, everyone rushed over and helped her sit up.
Jiaxi and Jia'an forgot to put their younger sister down, and Jiayin had to pull their hair to keep them balanced, making them wince in pain.
With great difficulty, Jiayin managed to put her feet on the ground and quickly went forward to hug her grandmother's leg, repeatedly calling out, "Grandma, don't cry, Grandma, don't cry."
The old lady, without anyone noticing, found her face covered in tears. She instinctively hugged her granddaughter, wiped her face, and looked towards the door.
Just then, Li Lao Er led the woman in. The woman was half-bent over, her eyes darting around the yard, which made people feel somewhat displeased.
But the Li family couldn't care less. Li Laosi immediately asked, "Why are you looking for Li Zhensheng? He's our eldest brother. He's been away from home for so many years. When did you see him? What do you want with him?"
Li Lao Er turned around to see Liu Biao Tou and the others off, but Liu Biao Tou, seeing the Li family's behavior, already knew it was a private matter, so he waved his hand and left.
The woman, perhaps seeing that only she and the Li family remained, relaxed a bit. She stood under the oil lamp and asked with a smile, "Sister-in-law, don't you recognize me? I'm the eldest daughter-in-law of the Miao family from the next village!"
Miao Laoda's wife?
Everyone was a little confused, but Old Lady Li remembered, "Oh, it's you. I remember you went out to work many years ago and never came back to your hometown."
Miao's eldest daughter-in-law was very outgoing and, following the conversation, plopped down next to the old lady.
"Yes, sister-in-law, I didn't expect to meet you here. I heard there was trouble back home, the barbarians were looting badly. I wonder if everyone has escaped? How is everyone in our village?"
Old Mrs. Li was anxious and wanted to know about her eldest son, but she patiently replied, "Back then, everyone was rushing south in a panic, and they didn't care about anyone else. But I haven't heard of any family being killed by the barbarians. They must have left early and weren't caught by the barbarians."
"That's good," Miao's eldest daughter-in-law clapped her hands happily, her eyes darting towards the Li family's courtyard and house, her expression full of envy.
"Sister-in-law, your family has really prospered! This courtyard is truly magnificent. I heard that the hot spring in that valley belongs to your family? You are so lucky; it's practically a treasure trove. From now on, my little sister will be counting on you to take care of her."
As she spoke, she saw that Jiayin was chubby and cute, and reached out to pinch Jiayin's cheek, but Jiayin dodged it.
Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru came out of the kitchen. Seeing this, Tao Hongying quickly picked up her daughter and said with a smile, "This child is shy with strangers."
Old Mrs. Li couldn't help but ask, "Young lady, why did you come in looking for my eldest son? What's the reason?"
Miao Laoda's wife waved her hand, about to speak, but suddenly clutched her stomach, her expression showing a hint of embarrassment and pain.
"Hey, sister-in-law, I walked over ten miles to get here, and I haven't eaten yet... My stomach is a little sore from hunger."
Old Mrs. Li took a deep breath, suppressing her irritation, and instructed her daughter-in-law, "Bring some whatever is readily available."
Miao's eldest daughter-in-law immediately smiled and loudly instructed, "It would be best to make a bowl of noodles with plenty of meat and two poached eggs. I heard that your fourth son's wife is the best cook, so you must try her today."
No one responded; even the most foolish person would understand by now.
It's still uncertain whether Miao Laoda's wife knows anything, but it's certain that she's come to take advantage of the situation.
Sure enough, she refused to reveal a single word about Boss Li, chatting idly while her eyes were practically glued to the kitchen.
Old Mrs. Li suppressed her anger, wanting to send the person away while hoping for news of her eldest son.
The eldest son, who passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, never returned home after leaving to study abroad.
Some people say he encountered danger and died outside.
Some say he met a wealthy family's daughter, became her son-in-law, and then, finding his family poor, never returned.
The story was told in such a detailed and convincing way that even though it was fake, everyone gradually began to believe it.
The Li family was once ridiculed by people from all around, otherwise Li Lao Er would not have married a wife like Wu Cuihua.
Several years later, the matter was gradually forgotten, but it was still difficult for Li Laosan and Li Laosi to arrange a marriage.
Li Laosan was diligent, honest, and kind-hearted, which caught the eye of the carpenter, who then betrothed him to the family's daughter.
Li Laosi was simply lucky to have met the old scholar's daughter.
It can be said that the Li family was terribly wronged by Li the eldest son. The more they loved their eldest son before, the more they hated him later!
This is why the Li family doesn't dare to mention it, and why even young children like Jia'an and Jiaxi don't know their uncle's name.
Jiayin was clever; over the past two years, she had guessed some of it. She just hadn't expected that this uncle would suddenly disappear just as they were settling down and their lives were starting to improve...
Miao's eldest daughter-in-law was truly unceremonious, eating two bowls of noodles and four poached eggs in one go before finally rubbing her stomach and putting down her chopsticks.
Perhaps noticing the Li family's unpleasant expressions, her smile seemed somewhat guilty, but then, as if remembering something, she straightened her back again.
"The fourth son's wife is indeed a good cook, but these noodles taste even better when cooked in bone broth."
Old Mrs. Li, impatient with her tricks, cut to the chase and asked, "Now you can tell me exactly where you met our eldest son, right?"
Miao's eldest daughter-in-law took a needle from the sewing basket, picked her teeth, and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, what's the rush..."
"We only met a few times back then, we weren't really friends at all." Old Mrs. Li pointed to the door, truly angry. "If you're not going to talk, get out!"
Miao's eldest daughter-in-law was somewhat frightened. She quickly put down her crossed legs and said with a dry laugh, "Why are you angry, sister-in-law? Can't we discuss this slowly? Look, I made a special trip and traveled so far. Shouldn't I rest a bit? Shouldn't we make sure this effort wasn't for nothing?"
Li Lao Er sneered, "So you mean you want something in return?"
Miao's eldest daughter-in-law nodded, "Of course, after all, I've worked quite hard, running around a lot for your family..."
Before she could finish speaking, Jiaxi suddenly exclaimed, "Oh dear, I remember now! She's one of those people who were cursing Gou Shengzi today!"
Miao's eldest daughter-in-law's expression changed, and she awkwardly withdrew her foot, but before she could explain, she did so.
Jiaxi had already told Grandma, "Today a guest complained that the tea Gousheng served was too hot and scolded Gousheng. I saw it. This person is the servant that guest brought. He ordered the D-class set meal for lunch!"
Li Lao Er patted his nephew on the back and asked, "Can you find out the guest's name and where he lives?"
“Yes,” Jiaxi said proudly, puffing out her chest. “A guest living in the courtyard spoke with that person and seemed to know him well. Although the guest who was cursing has left, we can find out by asking around.”
"Oh, that makes things much more convenient." Li Lao Er looked at Miao Lao Da's wife and laughed, "So you haven't been back to your hometown for so many years because you've become a servant in a wealthy family!"
Miao's eldest daughter-in-law felt as if she had been stripped naked, standing precariously before everyone, filled with embarrassment and shame!
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