The Song family's estate is now managed by a junior steward, his wife, and their son. None of the three are the type to abuse their power; they are all honest and law-abiding.
Of course, if Song Yuanwai hadn't known that the family was honest and law-abiding, he wouldn't have kept the three of them in Yegou Village to manage the estate. The village chief had made an agreement with Song Yuanwai that the Song family members could not bully the villagers, otherwise the villagers would unite and demolish the Song family mansion.
Although Master Song was not afraid of these powerless villagers, Zheng Qingshu had once told him that the adopted daughter of the Zhou family was very likely to be the current princess, so he had to give way to the Zhou family and even Master Song of Yegou Village.
When Boss Zhou came over and said he wanted to borrow the Song family's estate for his distinguished guest, the steward naturally agreed. Master Song would remind him every year that if the Zhou family needed help, he should not refuse and should do his best to help.
At this point, it's just a matter of borrowing a house to stay in. The house has been vacant for three or four years, so what's wrong with lending it to the Zhou family's guests for a while?
Unexpectedly, after only mentioning it once, the steward agreed to lend the house, and his attitude was quite enthusiastic. Boss Zhou was somewhat flattered and said a lot of words of thanks before leaving under the warm gaze of the steward and his wife.
"You're back. So, did you agree? What's with that expression?" Zhao Guihua pulled Zhou Laoda into the house to talk.
After calming down, Zhou Laoda said in a low voice, "I thought that after we asked, the steward would at least ask Master Song's opinion first. I didn't expect that as soon as I opened my mouth, he immediately agreed and said that Master Song had instructed that if we need help, the steward must not refuse."
"Isn't that a good thing? It saves us from having to beg and plead. Our whole family can fit in just the right amount of space, but we definitely can't accommodate all the guests. We can't expect Brother Fu to live in thatched huts on the mountain all the time, can we?" Zhao Guihua couldn't understand why he looked so somber and preoccupied.
Old Zhou glanced at her, his expression clearly saying that she was all talk and no action, and that for everyone's sake, he had to break it down and explain it to her in detail.
"I just figured Master Song probably knew Xingxing's identity, which is why he's been so kind to us. We're all thanks to our daughter. We need to be even more careful in the future, and not hold Xingxing back. It's not easy for her in the palace, with so many concubines and noble ladies in the harem."
Just like the storyteller said, they're constantly fighting each other, and one wrong move could cost you your life. I didn't believe it before, but this time the Imperial Concubine has even sent people to hunt them down all the way south. Offending the First and Third Princes was three years ago; you can imagine how deep the scheming and how insidious and ruthless the women in the palace are. Our daughter has had it so tough.”
Zhao Guihua gasped, deeply agreeing. Her expression suddenly turned serious. "Isn't that right? The reason Xingxing came to our house was because she was kidnapped by that Prince Gong and thrown all the way to the mountains of Yegou Village. Later, she was chased and killed by the men in black."
After Prince Gong was dealt with, we thought Xingxing could finally have some peace. But then came the Imperial Concubine. Tsk, the palace only looks glamorous on the surface; in reality, there's never a day of peace. Today it's either you want to harm me, or tomorrow he wants to kill you. Life is so tiring.
Zhou Laoda chimed in, "Xingxing is kind and innocent, how could she possibly outmaneuver those scheming concubines? I heard from Brother Fu that the Empress is also a gentle person, how could she protect Xingxing? Although the Emperor dotes on the princess, he is preoccupied with state affairs and doesn't have time to keep an eye on Xingxing every day, so he still can't protect her."
The couple exchanged a solemn glance, both seeing the same thought in each other's eyes: they couldn't let Xingxing return to the palace; it would be more appropriate to let her stay in Yegou Village.
Little did Xingxing know that Zhou Laoda and his wife were worried that she would lose her life if she returned to the palace, and they were discussing how to persuade her to stay.
"Candy, do you miss me, or do you just want my candy? I seriously suspect that the reason you're clinging to me is because you crave my candy." Xingxing had a knowing look on her face.
Candy tilted her head and thought for a moment, then honestly said, "Hehe, Candy thinks of stars, stars give Candy candy candy, Candy likes stars, likes candy, candy is delicious, stars give it to me."
Xingxing pouted. Okay, she finally understood. In Candy's heart, eating was her favorite thing. Because Xingxing would give her candy, Candy was sticking to her. If she didn't give her candy, this girl would probably turn her back on her immediately.
"I have no candy, not today, not tomorrow, and I haven't had any for a long time," Xingxing said deliberately, blinking her eyes to see how the candy would react.
"Huh? How can Star not have candy? Star can't be without candy!" Candy was shocked and couldn't accept this setting at all. Star was the first person to give her candy, and could always conjure up candy to give to her. How could she suddenly stop having candy?
Candy was deeply disappointed. She pouted, stomped her foot so hard that the ground shook three times, and finally gave up with a heavy heart. "The stars are not the same stars as before. Candy will never be able to eat star candy again. Oh well, it's fine if I don't eat it. Candy will go to the mountain to pick fruit to eat."
A big, silly girl hopped around and turned around without looking back, shouting as she ran: "Hehe, Candy carries a load of water to water the fruit trees every day, and the fruit trees have grown lots of fruit. Candy can eat fruit every day. Candy is awesome!"
It was early summer, and there were plenty of wild fruits on the mountain. The bayberries and mulberries were ripe, which explained why Tangguo was so happy to rush up the mountain.
Xingxing sighed heavily, feeling utterly exhausted. That wretched Candy! All that pampering was for nothing. After all this time apart, all she cared about was her candy. The moment she said she didn't have any candy, she turned her back on Xingxing. Xingxing was so tired.
Zhu Lin watched from the side and laughed. He came over and took Xingxing's hand, saying gently, "Candy's mind is only a few years old. You don't need to care too much about her attitude. Besides, even if she ignores you, you still have me. I will always be by your side, whether you have Candy or not."
Yes, the one who has been by her side all these years is none other than Brother Lin. No matter the time or the situation, Brother Lin has always been there for her, unconditionally by her side.
Several senior students have also been with her. Xingxing has many people who like her and will protect her even without her giving them candy.
Hmph, it's fine if that stinky candy ignores her, she's not sad at all, really not sad at all.
"Come on, I'll take you to the mountain to pick fruit. We'll definitely pick more than we candy," Zhu Lin coaxed her gently.
Zhang Xiantao, who was being affectionate with Zhao Mingyue, had actually been listening to their conversation the whole time. When she heard Zhu Lin say that they were going up the mountain to pick fruit, she immediately pulled Zhao Mingyue up.
"Let's pick fruit! Come on, everyone, let's pick more to make dried fruit." Zhang Xiantao always remembered what Xingxing had told her about how to hunt animals in the mountains of Yegou Village to make dried meat, how to pick wild fruits to make dried fruit, and how to catch loaches and eels in the paddy fields.
Hearing Xingxing describe it as so beautiful and nostalgic, Zhang Xiantao had long been itching to experience it for herself. Now that she had finally arrived at Yegou Village, construction was about to begin.
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