"This county knows about this matter, and we will definitely investigate it thoroughly and give everyone an explanation!"
Liang Shuyan then added, "Don't worry, I will stand up for everyone in this matter. Our Magistrate Zhao is not the kind of magistrate who protects evil people, is he?"
Then everyone left.
The magistrate blushed and said, "Very well, I will certainly handle this matter appropriately!"
Zhang stepped forward to help her mother-in-law up and whispered, "Mother, is it really true that the county magistrate is condoning the gambling den owner?"
"Let's go home!"
Before the matter was clarified, she did not want to speak carelessly, including to her daughter-in-law, nor did she want to mention it. Zhang Shi also knew the key to the matter and did not ask any further questions.
Liang Shuyan glanced at the items and felt that with all these things, the Dragon Boat Festival was already quite abundant. So, she pulled Zhang Shi onto the donkey cart, and Erniu raised his whip, urging the donkey to trot along the way, and soon they returned home.
Li Lanfang was sitting under the eaves when she noticed that it was getting dark, so she stood up and put her embroidery back inside.
Wearing an apron, Liu was still circling in the yard, saying as she did so, "Grandma, please tell my mother that no matter what business she does in the future, she must be home before dark. Today, Ge Lao Er's wife said that a woman from her village was robbed of her money when she went out, and she even followed him to her house. Her house was also burgled last night!"
Li Lanfang coughed twice and said, "Hey, second son's wife, don't wander around the village like that anymore. Listen to what she's saying, but think about it carefully. How does she know that the thief who came to her house that night was the same one who robbed her during the day? You can't believe what this woman says!"
These past few days, Niu Niu has gotten used to Da Shan's instigation and has been burying herself in writing whenever she has free time. Right now, she looks very serious and is completely unaffected.
Beibei went up to Niu Niu but pulled her aside to play. Niu Niu patted Beibei's head and said, "Okay, Auntie needs to write, move aside!"
Just then, the donkey cart came in, and with a whoosh, Jin Erniu jumped off the cart.
Beibei stepped forward and hugged Jin Erniu's legs tightly: "Daddy, is there anything delicious? Beibei wants something delicious!"
Jin Erniu was already exhausted. He glanced at Niu Niu, who was clinging to his legs, and said angrily, "You brat, all you ever think about is food! Get away!"
Beibei pouted, then suddenly burst into tears, looking wronged.
At this moment, Liang Shuyan got off the donkey cart, pointed to the things on the cart, and instructed Zhang Shi: "Pack up everything on this cart and take it to the kitchen."
Then she picked up Beibei, wiping away his tears as she said, "Beibei, don't cry. Your dad is such a bad guy. He upset you. How about this, Grandma will make you candied hawthorns tomorrow, okay?"
Beibei is exactly four and a half years old this year. He can't be completely obedient, but he will nod in agreement with whatever Liang Shuyan says, and he won't cry or make a fuss.
"Grandma, Daddy's yelling at me!"
Beibei started pouting and complaining. As soon as Jin Erniu came in, he sat on the doorstep and shouted, "Hurry up, pour some water and wash your face! I'm starving! Why hasn't anyone cooked yet?"
Originally, Liang Shuyan could have let the matter drop, but Jin Erniu took advantage of her kindness and started yelling at his wife as soon as he entered the door. This made Liang Shuyan uncomfortable, and she said to Jin Erniu, "Erniu, what's wrong with you? You didn't even put the donkey cart away properly when you came back. You're either scolding the children or lecturing the adults as soon as you walk in the door. Are you trying to impress me?"
Jin Erniu's eyes darted around a couple of times before he said, "Mom, I, I'll go get it right away, please, don't be angry!"
How could Jin Erniu not be afraid? Thinking of the magistrate's performance just now, was he more powerful than the magistrate? If the magistrate was so afraid of her, what about Jin Erniu, who was her son?
Beibei grinned and stretched out her chubby little hands, shouting, "Grandma's amazing! Even Daddy's scared!"
At this moment, Liu rushed into the house, filled a basin with warm water, and handed it to her mother-in-law: "Mother, you've had a long day, hurry up and wash up, I'll make some noodles for us right away!"
Liang Shuyan then put Beibei down, touched her face and said, "That's enough, I'll wash up."
Zhang carried some things she had bought from the market and placed them in the kitchen.
"Sister-in-law, why are you back so late? Is it because the cold noodles aren't selling well?"
Zhang shook her head: "We sold out a long time ago. When we got to town, my mother said she wanted to buy some things to eat for the festival, but something came up and we were delayed."
Zhang didn't want to tell Liu about what her mother-in-law had encountered at the market. She knew Liu's loose tongue; if she revealed it, and the magistrate hadn't yet made a decision, it would be no joke if she angered her mother-in-law.
"Sister-in-law, why don't you wash your face too? We'll eat here; it's getting late."
Ruyan walked in, tidied up the dishes and chopsticks, and then called out, "Auntie, Grandma, dinner's ready!"
Jin Sanwang, his face glowing, pulled out a stool for his grandma: "Grandma, please come in and sit down! Mom, please sit next to Grandma!"
They sat down at the table one after another in order.
Jin Sanwang had nowhere to sit, so he stood up. Ruyan felt awkward and stood up as well. She was an outsider, so how could she let Sanwang eat standing up because of her?
"Third Brother, please sit down. I'll eat standing up!"
Jin Sanwang smiled and said, "Ruyan, sit down, don't be shy. How can I, a man, compete with a girl for a seat?"
When Liang Shuyan saw Jin Sanwang's face and then looked at Ruyan's face, she seemed to understand something instantly. She then took Ruyan's arm and said, "Ruyan, don't think of yourself as someone else anymore. Once you come to our family, we're all family. Come on, let's eat!"
"Brother Sanwang!"
"Alright, he's a man, what's wrong with eating standing up? Sit down right now!"
Li Lanfang coughed softly: "I was wondering how long it would take for Dashan to get to school. I'm thinking of having Erniu come with me to help me with some things. As for Sanwang, he's only someone Ruyan can boss around!"
Liu chuckled, then whispered something in Erniu's ear. Jin Erniu was straightforward: "What's wrong with that? If the third brother and Ruyan are in love, wouldn't that save our family some money on the bride price?"
Liang Shuyan's eyes immediately turned to Jin Erniu: "Jin Erniu, have you taken the wrong medicine today? Why are you talking so nonsensically? What, do you think I can't afford a bride price for my son's wedding?"
"Mother, I... I was just saying it casually!"
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