"It's okay, it's okay, let's see how to use it." Master Ding San said it several times. Lieyan was not originally his, but was left by Jian Ning to serve them as a wine waiter. Not to mention exchanging it for a horse, he had no right to complain even if he didn't exchange it.
But he really couldn't bear to leave. Master Ding had poured too much affection into Lieyan. How could he be heartless? After so many days of companionship, and seeing Lieyan being so intimate with his old master, he would be lying if he didn't feel sad.
The news of Jifeng's recognition of his master spread throughout Dingxian Village and became a legendary story. When Old Ding heard about it, he put his hands behind his back and stomped his feet three times: "He deserves it! Look at him driving that damn horse so arrogantly on such a day! I've never seen him so attentive even when serving his own father!"
"Finally, God has shown his favor!"
Meng curled her lips, tilted her head, and rubbed the awl she was using to mend soles into her hair. She glanced at Old Ding, who was pacing back and forth in the room. She wanted to say, "Why is God being so merciful? If he were truly merciful, he would bring disaster upon these unfilial sons, making them kneel before them in tears, admit their mistakes, and beg their parents to forgive these beasts."
That's really eye-opening!
But when she saw that Old Ding was gritting his teeth and couldn't suppress his joy, she didn't dare to spoil his fun and swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
The day after Jian Ning and Ding Youtian came back, Jian Ning, together with Chang's mother and daughter, and Duan Xinyan's two maids, Chun'er and Fengzheng, started working in the afternoon to prepare for the evening banquet for the village head, the clan leader, and several respected elders of the clan.
Chang's daughter, Daya Ding Qiang, is thirteen years old this year. She has grown into a graceful young lady. Her eyebrows and eyes are very similar to Chang's, and her hands and feet are as dexterous as Chang's. She is not only diligent but also looks steady and capable.
Jian Ning was secretly happy for Chang. Although Daya was not as quiet as Da Niu, nor as lively and cheerful as Er Niu and San Niu, her eyes were clear and her manners were generous. She also loved Chang very much. Master Ding San also treated Chang in the same way. It was really a happy ending after all the hardships.
At dusk, when the sunset dyed the back mountain red, the village head and the clan leader and others arrived one after another. Because Jian Ning and his friends were tired from the long journey yesterday, the village head and his friends only came for a quick visit, chatted for a few words and then left without disturbing them much. When they arrived, two tables of bowls and chopsticks were already set up in the yard, and the cold tea was also served.
After the food and wine were served, Ding Youtian stood up, holding the wine cup, looked at everyone and said loudly: "I am back in Dingxian Village. I am no longer the county magistrate Ding Youtian, but the nephew of all the uncles and aunts present here, Ding Youtian. I hope that the elders will not hold it against me if I have been negligent. Without further ado, those who respect me, please drink a full cup!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the village head, clan leader and others all picked up their wine cups and drank them all in one gulp.
During the banquet, the atmosphere was lively with the flow of cups and glasses. Jian Ning, Chang Shi and Fang Shi set up a table in the dining hall. Although Jian Ning was the eldest daughter of the Pingnan Palace, the women present had known her for a long time. Even though they knew that she had been given the title of Princess An Ning by the Emperor, no one felt alienated. However, Duan Xinyan, who came from the capital, made them feel a little uncomfortable and unable to move freely.
Later, they saw that Duan Xinyan was a talkative person, calling Jian Ning "big sister" all the time, and also addressed them as "sisters" at every turn. Then they gradually relaxed, and bursts of laughter could be heard from the cafeteria from time to time.
Mr. Ding Sanye and his sons and San Gouzi sat at another table with Tong Bajin and others. They all had a good alcohol tolerance and started to drink a lot. They started to make a lot of noise, drinking and shouting.
When they had almost finished eating, many villagers gradually gathered in the yard, including the older brothers and the Liu and Gao families. The Liu and Gao families later helped to clean up the floor and put away the dishes.
Jian Ning secretly gave Liu a look, then walked towards the backyard. Seeing that no one was paying attention, Liu quietly followed.
"What's wrong? Is there something you want to tell me? If you need anything, just tell me and I'll definitely take care of it for you."
"I'm going back to the house. Come over later. Someone asked me to bring you something."
Liu racked her brains but couldn't figure out who would have asked Jian Ning to bring them something. She found an excuse to call out to the fourth wife outside the main house a few times, then pushed the door open and saw Jian Ning. She asked, "Did I hear wrongly before? Did you tell me that someone brought us something?"
"Yes, you heard me right." Jian Ning smiled slightly, took the blue cloth bundle on the table and stuffed it into her arms, "Open it yourself and you will know who it is."
Liu untied the bundle suspiciously, wondering if it was because they had brought fried fish to Jian Ning and Lao Si last time, and Jian Ning had deliberately said that someone else had given them something to thank them, but in fact the things in the bundle were given by Jian Ning and the others.
But when she untied the bundle and her eyes fell on the emerald green bra on the leather, she was stunned for a moment, then she grabbed it and held it in her palm, staring at it for a few seconds. Seeing that she didn't look that excited, Jian Ning couldn't help but ask curiously: "Do you recognize it?"
Mrs. Liu nodded and unfolded the pattern to show Jian Ning, "I embroidered these plum blossoms myself. I made them for Zhu'er after she married that bastard Wu Fengfu. Her father later blamed me for embroidering plum blossoms, saying that plum blossoms are unlucky flowers that can wear people down."
"Did you see Zhu'er? Is she still alive?"
If she had heard the news about Ding Zhu two years earlier, Liu would have been thrilled. She only had Ding Zhu, and she had always cherished her. But in the past two years, she'd gradually come to her senses. Giving Ding Zhu to Wu Fengfu as a concubine was no small feat, and then Wu Fengfu sold her off. Where else could she have been sold? Probably to a brothel. The villagers' gossip always reached her ears.
It is said that even if she is not a brothel owner, she is still someone's concubine. Women who marry for the second time are looked down upon, let alone being a concubine for the second time.
For example, Chang married Mr. Ding San for the second time. Since she is now in charge of the winery, all work requires her approval. Although the villagers say nice things to her in front of her, they still gossip about her behind her back. However, Chang and Mr. Ding San don't care at all.
"Well, she's alive, well-fed, well-clothed, and doing OK. She told you not to worry about her."
"Or... be someone's concubine?"
Jane Ning smiled but said nothing.
Liu lowered her head and remained silent for a while. She didn't even look at what else was inside. After tying up the bundle, she looked up at Jian Ning and said, "Thank you for bringing it here. As long as she's fine, her father and I will be relieved as long as she has a safe meal."
She picked up her bag and said goodbye. Before leaving, she deliberately said loudly: "I'll take it back and embroider it and send it back to you."
Liu was a skillful woman, and in terms of embroidery skills, she was considered the best among all the embroiderers in Dingxian Village. When others saw her carrying a bundle out of Jian Ning's room, they thought that Jian Ning was bothering her to embroider some patterns, so no one paid any attention to her.
After having a good meal and a good drink, Ding Youtian and the village head and clan leader started chatting in the yard. Uncle Ding San gave a signal to his two sons, put his hands behind his back and walked out of the yard.
Seeing this, Ding Yang and Ding Jian looked at each other, said hello to Ding Youtian and Jian Ning, and followed in their father's footsteps.
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