Around four or five o'clock in the afternoon, Li Xiangping and the others still hadn't returned. Yuan Huiniang said anxiously, "Mother, my husband and the others usually come back long ago when they go out with you. Why haven't they come back yet at this time?"
Yan Qingqing was also worried, after all, it was the first time the three children had gone out to do business on their own, but Yan Qingqing had to comfort Yuan Huiniang and said: "Perhaps something has delayed them, let's wait a little longer."
The three of them are all grown up now; they should be able to handle things even if problems arise.
Yuan Huiniang felt somewhat relieved after hearing Yan Qingqing's words. It wasn't until it was dark that night that Li Xiangping and the other two returned.
However, all three of them looked unwell, even the usually lively Li Xiangjian had a serious expression. Yan Qingqing asked, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Li Xiangping then realized that their expressions had frightened Yan Qingqing, so he replied, "Mother, we're fine. It was Li Erdan and his wife who were arrested by the authorities."
Yan Qingqing listened and pondered for a moment before asking, "Is it because someone got sick from eating their food?"
Li Xiangping asked in surprise, "Mother, how did you know?"
Yan Qingqing snorted and replied, "The weather is hot now, and food spoils easily, especially meat."
Li Erdan and his wife were also fond of getting a bargain. Whether the food they bought was fresh or not was one thing, but improperly prepared pig offal could also cause stomach upset.
Li Xiangping then said, "That's right. I ate their pig offal yesterday and had vomiting and diarrhea all night. We called a doctor and they said it was food poisoning."
The authorities discovered that all those who were poisoned had eaten pig offal the day before.
So the government sent people to wait at the dock early in the morning.
Fortunately, Sixth Master testified for us, saying that those who were poisoned had eaten offal from Li Erdan's pigs. The food we sell is good.
The county magistrate gave Li Erdan thirty lashes, made him pay everyone's medical fees, and only allowed them to go home three days later.
Yan Qingqing sighed and said, "That's why I insisted on buying only one set of pig offal when we could have bought two sets at once."
Our family can't withstand even the slightest setback, so you all need to remember to be extremely cautious when you're not capable of handling the aftermath.
Li Xiangping and the others nodded vigorously upon hearing this, especially Li Xiang'an, who felt even more ashamed. If it weren't for his mother, he might have made a mistake too.
Li Erdan's matter had little impact on Yan Qingqing. She lived her own life; she wouldn't actively harm others, but don't expect her to sympathize with those who were detrimental to her.
The next day, Li Xiangping and the others went to the dock to sell food as usual. Yan Qingqing was thinking about when to go to the city to find a market for the bows that Yuan Huiniang and the others had made.
Suddenly, the village chief's voice came from the doorway: "Is Xiang Ping's mother home?"
When Yan Qingqing saw that it was Li Kaishan, she quickly got up to greet him and said, "Uncle Village Chief, what brings you here? Please come and sit in the yard."
It wasn't that Yan Qingqing insisted on Li Kaishan sitting in the courtyard; it was simply that there was no room in their house, and it wouldn't be appropriate for them to go to anyone's room.
Li Kaishan didn't care about these things.
Seeing that Li Kaishan had actually sat down, Yan Qingqing knew that he must have something to do, so she turned to Li Yueniang and said, "Yueniang, go and pour a bowl of sweet soup for your village chief."
Li Yueniang quickly responded, putting down her work to pour the sweet water for the village chief.
Li Kaishan waved his hand and said, "Sweet soup is such a precious thing. Save it for guests. Don't make Yue Niang busy."
Sugar and salt were expensive in those days, and if a rural family could serve sugar water to their guests, it was considered a great honor.
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Uncle Village Chief has helped our family so much, it's only right that we have a bowl of sweet soup."
Li Kaishan stopped refusing and got straight to the point: "Actually, I shouldn't have come to you, but Erdan's mother begged me for help. So I had no choice but to come and ask you about the situation."
Yan Qingqing understood what was going on; Li Kaishan had come because of Li Erdan's matter.
Seeing that Yan Qingqing did not speak, Li Kaishan continued, "I know that Li Erdan's act of secretly following you to sell braised offal was not a good thing."
But we're from the same village after all. If those two commit a crime, it will bring shame to our entire village.
Yan Qingqing replied calmly, "Uncle Village Chief, Dalang and the others told me about this yesterday. Although no one died, many people suffered from vomiting and diarrhea. The doctor said it was food poisoning."
The magistrate only gave him thirty lashes and made them pay for his medical expenses, which I don't think was a severe punishment.
Li Kaishan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good. It's only right to settle it by paying some money."
I'll go back and tell Li Erdan's parents to prepare the money and get him out first.
After seeing the village chief off, Yan Qingqing had some free time and suddenly felt a little bored.
These days in ancient times have been busy and fulfilling, and when I have free time, I don't know what to do.
Suddenly, Li Xiangkang rushed in like a gust of wind.
Upon seeing Yan Qingqing, she excitedly exclaimed, "Mom, my uncle and grandma are here!"
Yan Qingqing was startled, only then remembering that the original owner of this body had parents and three older brothers. However, the original owner was afraid of her mother-in-law and hadn't contacted her family for several years.
Logically, Li Xiangkang shouldn't know Grandma Yan, so Yan Qingqing asked with some surprise, "How do you know that she's your maternal grandmother and uncle?"
Li Xiangkang laughed and said, "I saw them when I was a child, Mother, have you forgotten?"
Yan Qingqing then remembered that four years ago, the old lady of the Yan family did come to visit them, but she left after a short while because she was afraid that the old lady of the Li family would be unhappy.
But Li Xiangkang was only two years old at that time. How could a child have such a good memory?
Just as Yan Qingqing was finding it unbelievable, an elderly woman with a full head of white hair and a robust man in his forties walked in through the door.
Both were dressed in slightly worn clothes with very few patches. They had clearly dressed up carefully.
The old lady burst into tears as soon as she saw Yan Qingqing. Yan Qingqing quickly stepped forward and called out, "Mother!"
Grandma Yan's tears fell even harder as she pulled Yan Qingqing close and choked out, "My poor child, how could you not tell anyone about such a terrible thing that happened to your family? You still have your parents and brother."
We'll all support you. It's all your mother's fault for raising you to be so virtuous; how are you going to live your life now?"
Seeing Old Madam Yan crying with snot and tears streaming down her face, Yan Qingqing felt bad too. Although she wasn't the original owner of this body, she could feel the love Old Madam Yan had for the original owner.
Seeing Old Mrs. Yan like this, the middle-aged man standing nearby quickly comforted her, "Mother, please don't be like this. We're here to comfort my sister. Aren't you just making her even more upset?"
The speaker was Yan Qingqing's older brother, Yan Qingshi.
Yan Qingshi doted on Yan Qingqing since she was a child, and always saved the best things for her.
Yan Qingqing smiled at Yan Qingshi and then sincerely called out, "Big Brother."
Yan Qingshi responded with a soft "eh," then turned away to wipe his tears when no one was looking.
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