The night deepened, and the world was completely silent. Only the cold wind blew through the treetops, slowly playing the prelude of time, with a humming sound...
When the early morning sun finally climbed to the top of the East Mountain, blue smoke had been emitting from the chimneys of every household in Taijia Village for a long time.
As soon as the Chen family members in the row house woke up, a village woman came in with a large basin of warm water with a smile. After they washed up, the kang had been heated again to ensure that they would be warm during the day.
The big table on the kang was also set up, with a large bowl of two-grain porridge, accompanied by hot sauerkraut and meat-stuffed buns, stir-fried meat with shredded mustard greens, cold shredded cabbage, hot and sour radish strips, pickled cucumbers and other side dishes filling the table.
Everyone didn't care about being polite anymore and quickly gathered in front of the table. They ate the hot rice porridge, took a bite of the meat bun, and ate some pickles. All the fatigue from the journey and the hangover from last night were cured.
"Sister-in-law, our family's cooking skills are really great!"
"That's right, that's right. We've traveled all over the country and eaten buns from so many places, but ours is the best!"
“I can open a bun shop now!”
Everyone praised the food while eating, which made the women laugh and feel extremely proud.
The woman in charge today was Third Aunt. As she served porridge to everyone, she replied, "The filling for these buns was made by Yongyue's mother, and she also made the dough. We're just helping out! If you like them, I'll tell Yongyue's mother and she'll steam them for you from now on."
Everyone in the Chen family thanked them again and gave the buns to the women, asking them to eat together.
The women refused. Firstly, they were entertaining guests, and they couldn't argue. Secondly, their family was doing well, and they weren't as shameless as before for a bite of food. Yesterday, they slaughtered a pig, and the family shared four or five pounds of meat, ready to eat anytime...
When the granaries are full, people will know etiquette.
As long as people have enough food and clothing, everyone would rather put on "powder" instead of "smear" their faces.
In the Tai family courtyard, the whole family, young and old, and Chen Zhao were having breakfast together. As for Banxian, he had drunk too much last night and was still taking a nap with his head in his arms.
After the dining table was cleared and the tea was served, Grandpa Tai held his precious granddaughter and chatted with Chen Zhao.
"Did you find any clues on what you wanted to investigate during your trip to the south?"
The three Tai Jizu brothers also looked at Chen Zhao. They were all aware of the Zheng family tragedy and naturally concerned about it.
Chen Zhao nodded and whispered, "Although it's been a while, I still found some clues. I can't catch the murderer for now, but I can confirm that it's the woman that bastard named Zheng married in the south!"
Everyone sighed, and they hated Chen Ruiyang's father so much that their teeth itched. He was such an ungrateful and ungrateful person.
He was supported by his wife's family and became an official, but he actually married another woman outside. As a result, he killed his wife and almost killed his son.
Old Master Tai finally got to the point. "Does Ruiyang's father know about this?"
Chen Zhao's eyes flashed with a hint of anger, and he replied, "We can't find out for now, but how could he be completely unaware of the murder committed by his partner? He's just pretending to be ignorant to gain an advantage. Ruiyang went there, but few people in Shunde Prefecture know of his existence. Even if they do know, they think he's a concubine."
He snorted coldly, but couldn't help but slam his hand on the table, cursing, "This is a cuckoo occupying the magpie's nest! The legitimate son is being treated as a concubine's son. This is really too much!"
Tai Jiye quickly advised, "Brother Chen, calm down. Justice will prevail, and the truth will eventually come out. Ruiyang is living well now, and you have a caravan to support you. There's still a long way to go."
"Yes, people should look forward. Don't make yourself angry, otherwise Ruiyang will have no one to rely on." Tai Jizu also persuaded, and Tai Jizong even helped to refill the tea.
Chen Zhao took a long time to calm down, and finally suppressed the breath in his heart. He bowed and saluted the old and young of the Tai family, "Uncle, Ruiyang is really a great help to me with your care.
"Now that we've uncovered the truth, we're no longer worried about anyone in Tai'an harming Ruiyang. Next, I need to go to the grasslands. I have some unfinished business with the Third Prince. I'd like to trouble your family to help me take care of Ruiyang for a while."
"What are you talking about, silly boy!" Old Master Tai waved his hands, "Ruiyang is our child. If he is no longer with us, where else can he be? Just go about your business and don't worry about Ruiyang."
Tai Jizu also said, "Yes, recently his stepmother has been taking the three brothers to catch up on their homework. However, Yonglu and Yongyue's recent incident has delayed them a lot of their studies. I'm afraid they will be exhausted from copying calligraphy again."
Everyone laughed along and silently shed tears of sympathy for the three boys.
Chen Zhao was thinking about going into the city today, so he said to Tai Jiye, "If you're not busy at home, would you like to go with me to the city to meet my friends? Even if I'm not in Tai'an in the future, with them looking after you, it will be convenient for you to travel around the city or do business."
"Of course." Tai Jiye was happy and agreed immediately.
When Madam Zheng was buried, Chen Zhao's friends were all there, but because they were not familiar with each other, they had no contact with the Tai family.
However, at that time, when everyone was avoiding the issue, the fact that they were able to stand out was enough to show that they had good character.
Tai Jiye is also willing to travel more, more friends mean more paths!
Chen Zhao was worried about the boys and asked the old man, "Uncle, if you are not worried, I will take the boys with me. I will never let them leave my sight!"
Old Master Tai nodded and replied, "There's no point in throwing the baby out with the bathwater. You'll have to go out and explore the world in the future. You can't just hide at home and be a timid mouse because of such a small incident, right?
Feel free to take it out, it’s good to relax!”
Chen Zhao couldn't help but laugh. "Uncle, this is what I admire most about you. You're always so open and fearless. With your guidance, the boys at home will all become upright men in the future!"
The old man quickly waved his hands, "Don't touch me, I feel sorry for the boys too, I wish I could hide them under my arms and protect them from the wind and rain forever. But there's nothing I can do, I only have so much ability, if they want a better life, they have to be brave enough to go out and earn it themselves!"
After chatting for a few more words, the boys who had taken the big black horse and the big white horse out for a walk and drink water came back.
When Chen Ruiyang heard that Chen Zhao and Tai Jiye were going to take them into the city to eat at a restaurant, he was happy, but Yonglu and Yongyue were a little hesitant.
The old man chased them to change into their coats and pants, and gave them a task, "Remember to buy some fresh food. While your Uncle Chen is here, let's improve our dining table and make more delicious food."
Zhuzhu likes the hustle and bustle. Seeing that her family was going to the city, she also wanted to change into a beautiful dress, but the old man stopped her.
"Zhuzhu won't go. Zhuzhu will stay at home with Grandpa. There's a big task that only Zhuzhu can help Grandpa with!"
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