Chapter 315 Taking a Cruise Together
With its cool autumn breeze, the Qingyan River, nestled near Changliu Village, faces south and is swept by a southwest wind, making it a perfect place for a day trip.
Aunt Zhou brought some boiled eggs and soup from home.
The Third Prince bought some snacks on the way.
Du Wanchun and Wu Niangzi followed behind them with their four children.
By the time the family reached the boat, it was already noon.
Aunt Zhou first took out the food and placed it on the table in the cabin.
Before they arrived, Du Wanchun had already chartered the entire ship, which was fully stocked with food, including a large roasted chicken, roasted lamb chops, and some delicacies that they rarely ate.
Looking at it, Aunt Zhou said with some surprise, "If I had known, I wouldn't have brought any food."
Du Wanchun smiled and said, "Mother, we'll bring it. It's perfect for the children to eat."
The children are not yet two years old. Although they are already eating meals with the adults, it is good for them to have some soup or porridge occasionally.
After hearing this, Aunt Zhou nodded, "That's fine too."
The Third Prince, who was already seated in the cabin, waved to them, "Wanchun, quickly bring your mother over to sit down."
Du Wanchun looked up and responded, then took Zhou Da Niang's arm and walked inside.
Madam Wu and Nan Fengling sat down first, leaving the seat next to the Third Prince for Madam Zhou.
Aunt Zhou hesitated for a moment, then sat down directly.
Seeing her sit down, the Third Prince naturally picked up a small dagger, cut a chicken leg from the roast chicken, and handed it to Aunt Zhou, saying, "Are you hungry? Here, have some."
Aunt Zhou stared at the chicken leg in her bowl, not eating it, but finally picked it up, intending to hand it to Nan Fengling.
However, Du Wanchun stopped her, saying, "Mother, just eat it. There's still a chicken leg over there."
After saying that, he cut off the other chicken leg and handed it to Nan Fengling.
She and Wu Niangzi each took one of the remaining chicken wings.
Then I picked up a few small meatballs and gave them to the children.
The Third Prince hadn't eaten yet. He took two duck legs from the old duck soup, then used a small dagger to cut the meat and divided it among the four children.
Little Mianmian and the others sat obediently to the side, smiling sweetly, "Thank you, Grandpa~"
That one word, "Grandfather," filled the Third Prince's heart with sweet joy.
In his delight, he added a few more meatballs to the children's bowls, saying, "Eat more, it will help you grow taller."
Little Mianmian, Yi'er, and Yu'er nodded obediently, "Yes, Grandfather."
The Third Prince squinted and smiled, "Good boy, very good boy."
Wu Niangzi and Nan Fengling, who were standing nearby, patted their heads.
Just as their family was having dinner, a commotion came from outside the cabin.
Du Wanchun looked up, wanting to see.
The Third Prince stopped her and said, "Wanchun, you eat, I'll go take a look."
After he finished speaking, he got up, pulled back the curtain, and walked out of the cabin.
A large crowd had gathered on the shore below the boat.
They pointed at the boat and said, "We clearly chartered this boat, when did it become the Zhou family's charter?"
The boatman bowed and said, "This boat was indeed chartered by the Zhou family, but I have never seen this young master before."
This young master is the son of Magistrate You of Qingyang County. He has been traveling in Cheng'an County recently, and a few days ago he had his cronies charter a boat here.
He was overjoyed and ready to board the boat for a trip, but to his surprise, the innkeeper said that the boat had been booked by the Zhou family.
He assumed that the Zhou family had used his status to seize the boat he had chartered.
Actually, it was because his friend ran off with his money and didn't charter a boat for him at all.
Young Master You's face turned ashen with anger. "Impossible! I paid for it; I chartered this ship."
The Third Prince strode over and said, "You said you chartered this boat, do you have any receipts?"
Young Master You was taken aback. He frowned and replied, "Yes, of course I have it."
As he spoke, he turned to his henchmen and asked, "Where's Old Zhang? Where is he?"
The henchmen all shook their heads, looking as if they knew nothing.
Young Master You looked up and around. "Could it be that no one has arrived yet?"
The Third Prince cleared his throat a few times and said, "If you can't produce the receipts, then you can't prove that you chartered this boat."
Young Master You's expression gradually darkened. "You Zhou family members shouldn't push your luck too far."
As soon as he finished speaking, he grabbed the shopkeeper and threatened to report him to the authorities.
Just as he was about to leave, one of his henchmen, the most timid one, stepped forward and said, "Young master, that old Zhang has run off with your money!"
"What?" Young Master You immediately released the shopkeeper and asked the lackey, "Who did you just say ran off with my money?"
The lackey trembled all over, “Old Zhang... he didn’t book a boat for you at all.”
Young Master You was so angry that his face turned ashen. He grabbed him and said, "Why are you only telling me now!"
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