"Why? Aren't we friends now? Do friends need proof to help each other?" Lili asked, puzzled.
Gu Ziyi explained, "This jade pendant bears the symbol of the Crown Prince's Palace. It might be useful in an emergency."
"Oh, I see."
Lili wanted to put the jade pendant back, but Gu Ziyi thought for a moment, then took the jade pendant back, tossed it to Zhuifeng, and took the jade pendant off his own waist.
His Highness the Crown Prince's jade pendant is made of mutton-fat white jade, which is warm, flawless, and exudes a soft luster.
The round jade pendant is decorated with cloud patterns along its edge, a lifelike unicorn is carved on the front, and the back bears the exclusive mark of the Crown Prince.
The red string ties the pendant together, and the gentle swaying of the string produces a sound, exuding nobility.
Gu Ziyi leaned down slightly and gently tied the red rope around Lili's waist.
"alright."
Lili admired the priceless jade pendant for a while, then obediently said thank you: "Thank you, Your Highness."
There's no need for thanks between us, aren't we friends?
Gu Ziyi's gaze was like a clear lake, tranquil and gentle, just like the bright moonlight on a summer night, softly shining on people's hearts, making them feel extremely comfortable and at ease.
Lili smiled and said, "Your Highness is actually a very gentle person."
Gu Ziyi was stunned for a second, then laughed even more happily, and said in a feigned displeasure, "Then don't call me Your Highness."
This form of address feels too distant.
Old Mrs. Shen and her whole family sat far away, wisely refraining from listening to the two whispering.
Just as Lili was about to say something, Yang and Shen Laosan hurriedly came out with a package.
"Young master, I hope I haven't kept you inconvenienced?"
Gu Ziyi's gentle expression had not yet faded: "No, since Third Master is ready, let's set off."
"good."
Zhui Feng drove the carriage over, arriving just in time to the Shen family's doorstep.
Having just received a favor from His Highness the Crown Prince, Lili naturally wanted to personally escort him to his carriage, and very obediently allowed Gu Ziyi to lead her out.
Lili thought for a moment, then tugged at Gu Ziyi's sleeve. Gu Ziyi lowered his head, but Lili remained silent.
"It's alright, Brother Ziyi, be careful on the road and take good care of my father!"
"Don't worry." Gu Ziyi pinched the soft flesh on Lili's cheek and smiled.
"Sanlang, you must take good care of yourself on this trip. Just do your best in the exam, and don't ruin your health."
Yang handed the bundle to Shen Laosan, giving him many instructions and advice.
"Yes, third brother, just focus on your studies. Your eldest and second eldest brothers are here at home!"
"The eldest Shen and the second Shen said in unison."
Old Man Shen felt a warmth in his heart and agreed to everything. In the end, Old Woman Shen stepped forward to interrupt: "Alright, alright, Liucheng isn't far. We can even bring Sanlang meals occasionally. You two are acting like this!"
Shen Laosan laughed and said, "Mother is right, everyone doesn't need to worry."
"Alright, that's enough. Don't delay Young Master Gu's schedule!"
Yang reluctantly let go of Shen Laosan's hand.
Gu Ziyi and Shen Laosan got into the car one after the other, with Zhui Feng sitting in front driving.
Shen Laosan lifted the carriage curtain to say goodbye to the Shen family, while Gu Ziyi quietly lifted a corner of the window and smiled as she watched the little dumpling being held in Shen Jiahao's arms and saying goodbye to his father.
He may not be big, but he's got a lot of skills.
Lili noticed Gu Ziyi's gaze, looked over, and grinned as she said goodbye to him.
Gu Ziyi smiled in response and lowered the curtain.
"That's right!"
Hearing the sound, Gu Ziyi lifted the curtain again.
The little boy was held in someone's arms, his tiny hands gripping the windowpane as someone handed him a sachet.
"This is?"
"You're going to see her, right?" Lili asked with a smile. "Please give this to Aunt Bai for me."
Gu Ziyi was taken aback; the curtain had already been drawn.
The carriage slowly drove out of Xinghua Village.
Madam Yang watched with a worried expression as the carriage disappeared little by little.
Lili comforted her, "Daddy just left and Mommy already misses him?"
Yang came to her senses and glared at Lili, who had been teasing her: "Well, well, now you even dare to tease your own mother?"
"whee."
The Shen family watched the group leave, and just as they were about to go inside, a familiar yet annoying voice rang out.
Li Shi's figure emerged from around the corner, her eyes filled with shock and jealousy as she left the departing carriage.
"Oh, I knew it! The Shen family is suddenly getting fish and meat all the time; they must have latched onto some rich family." Little Li's gaze was like a sharp sword, concealing the deep jealousy within. "Mother, you see, I told you the Shen family was up to something. The carriages keep appearing one after another; do they think we're blind?"
Aunt Li's face was twisted with jealousy. Although she speculated about the Shen family's situation with others every day, she was extremely jealous when she actually saw that the Shen family had found a powerful backer!
Why should I?!
The Shen family members all changed their expressions. These two women, mother and daughter-in-law, were already good at talking, and the Li family and the Shen family were not on good terms. How were they going to talk about the Shen family now?
Old Mrs. Shen was secretly annoyed. If she had known earlier that Young Master Gu wanted to discuss matters with Old Master Shen today, she would have sent Old Master Shen to the city instead of troubling Young Master Gu to make the trip himself.
If the Li family mother-in-law and daughter-in-law keep their mouths shut, who knows what they'll say about them!
They don't care, but they're afraid that the young master Gu will be smeared.
Old Mrs. Shen frowned, suppressing her displeasure, and said sternly, "Hey, you shrew, you just spout nonsense the moment you open and close your mouth!"
Aunt Li was ten years younger than Granny Shen. Although they were of the same generation, Aunt Li had lived ten years less than Granny Shen, so she was quite intimidated when Granny Shen got angry.
But it only took a moment. The carriage walked right past the Shen family's gate in broad daylight. She saw it clearly with both eyes. How could it be fake?
"Hey, Sister Shen, aren't you feeling guilty?" Aunt Li sneered, hands on her hips. "What's there to be guilty about? Living a good life is better than anything else. These days, people can't even find connections to climb the social ladder!"
"You!" The daughters-in-law were very unhappy, but they couldn't get involved, so they could only stand by and worry.
Remembering the well-dressed young boy, Madam Li looked Shen Jiahao up and down, holding Lili in his arms. Suddenly, as if she had realized something, she exclaimed in a rather exaggerated manner.
"Good heavens! I was wondering why, in this famine year, who would be so idle as to take a child home?" Little Li covered her mouth. "So, they're raising her to be someone else's child bride!"
Little Li's words were so obvious that even a fool could tell she was blatantly referring to Lili.
The Shen family members' expressions changed drastically; they never expected that Madam Li would say such a thing.
Shen Jialuo couldn't hold back any longer: "What nonsense are you talking about, you stinking old hag!"
Little Li glared at her, her face sour: "You little brat, how dare you insult me?!"
The arrival of such a large and luxurious carriage in the village had already attracted the attention of many people, who were certainly curious, if not concerned.
When the two men from the Li family stood up and asked the question, the villagers pricked up their ears and listened attentively from a distance.
Suddenly, the two families started arguing fiercely, attracting a lot of people to come over.
Shen Jiahao shielded Shen Jialuo, his brows furrowed, his eyes blazing with anger, his breathing rapid, and his face terrifyingly gloomy.
"Auntie, just because you are our elder doesn't mean you can say such things!"
Shen Jiawen also stepped forward: "That's right, one should not speak recklessly, and one should speak only when there is reason. You two should think twice before you act!"
Yang held back for a while, and only calmed down after seeing several children spontaneously come out to protect Lili.
Little Li didn't care about any of that; she could say whatever she wanted, so what?
Besides, the carriage actually passed right in front of the Shen family's house; it wasn't something they made up out of thin air.
This morning, her mother came to the Li family specifically to ask about Yang Wan, the third daughter-in-law of the Shen family.
Little Li was baffled. After hearing Liu's mother explain the whole story, she was both surprised and jealous.
Cured chicken!
Just like that, you give it away?
She hasn't eaten meat in ages, why don't you send her some?
Liu's mother kept complaining to her that the little girl from the Shen family had ruined her plans. Only then did Little Li realize that Lili had overheard their entire conversation in town that day.
She was completely unaware.
She also approved of Liu Dashi finding a wife. Little Li thought the same as Liu's mother: once he got married, his heart would settle down.
This little money-loser actually dared to stir up such a big mess!
"Tsk, what's wrong, feeling guilty?" Madam Li was even angrier than before. "I think that young man is handsome and comes from a respectable family. What's shameful about him becoming someone's child bride? So what if he did it!"
Lili frowned. Why was there so much resentment between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law?
He jumped out as soon as His Highness's carriage left, as if he had been secretly observing all along.
Yang tried to hold back, but finally couldn't take it anymore. She rushed forward and slapped him: "How dare you talk like that? Didn't you have a mother to teach you anything?!"
Dare to talk about her daughter?
They must have eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard!
Lili was stunned. Good heavens, her gentle and kind mother actually hit her!
The Shen family was also quite surprised. Madam Yang had always been gentle and generous, and this really shocked them.
But it was really satisfying to see that happen!
Lili and Shen Jialuo also excitedly waved their fists.
Mother, be strong!
Little Li stared wide-eyed, covering her face in disbelief. After a while, she turned around and burst into a tirade: "You hit me? You dare hit me!"
Madam Yang retorted without backing down: "That's exactly why I hit you! Who told you to talk nonsense about my daughter? What, you want to try again?"
Yang raised her hand as if to hit her, and Xiao Li shrank back in fright. But Li Da Niang rolled up her sleeves and came up angrily: "How dare you hit my daughter-in-law?"
Seeing that Aunt Li had joined the fray, Old Lady Shen quickly went over and said, "Hey, hey, what are you doing!"
Seeing this, the Shen family members quickly pretended to try to mediate the fight. Liu went up to break it up, and the scene became chaotic. Shen Jialuo even squeezed into the crowd and secretly pinched someone.
Aunt Li's voice, as loud as a pig being slaughtered, rang out: "Ouch! Which brat dares to pinch this old woman?"
The villagers who had been watching from a distance finally realized that things were starting to go wrong and rushed over to break up the fight.
After a while, Village Chief Ma was brought over by a villager who had gone to inform him of the situation.
When Village Chief Ma saw this scene, he almost fainted.
Unfortunately, there were two older women in the family, Granny Shen and Granny Li, who were of a higher generation, so he said he was neither of them.
Village Chief Ma squeezed through the crowd and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Stop! Stop!"
Lili was held by Shen Jiahao and stood at a distance outside the crowd. Lili could only crane her neck to see what was happening inside.
How did it go? Did Mother win?
Shen Jiahao held Lili tightly, while Shen Jiaqing and Shen Jialuo squeezed into the crowd to take advantage of the chaos. Shen Jialu and Shen Jiawen stayed by Lili's side, comforting her with heartache.
"Li Bao, don't listen to their nonsense, you are clearly our precious baby!"
"Yes, Li Bao, they're just talking nonsense. Don't take it to heart, or you'll only hurt yourself!" Shen Jiawen didn't think Li Li would believe him, but he was afraid that she would overthink things and make herself miserable.
Shen Jiahao nodded vigorously: "That's right, Li Bao, don't worry, in two more years I can find a job. I will definitely earn lots and lots of money to save up a lot of dowry for Li Bao and find a good husband. It's not like what they say!"
Looking at her older brothers' serious expressions, and then at her mother and grandmother fighting over her, Lili suddenly felt like the happiest child in the world.
Lili hugged Shen Jiahao and said, "Of course Lili doesn't mind! Lili knows everyone loves Lili."
The three of them looked at Lili with deep emotion.
Over there, Village Chief Ma finally managed to separate the four people who were wrestling together.
Yang and Old Lady Shen had disheveled hair, but Little Li and Aunt Li on the other side weren't much better off.
"What are you doing? What are you doing?!" Village Chief Ma shouted wearily.
Village Chief Ma glanced at the Li family on his left and then at the Shen family on his right.
He had always known that Aunt Li was a foul-mouthed woman who could curse anyone and had offended many people. He had dealt with several of Aunt Li's fights with others before.
He managed to persuade Aunt Li not to be too impulsive, but he couldn't persuade her otherwise. All he could say was that he would rather talk than take action.
Why did things start again after a while when nothing happened?
Looking at the Shen family over here, Village Chief Ma was extremely surprised. The Shen family had always been good people, very kind-hearted. And this Yang family member was always gentle and generous. Today, Yang family member was one of the people fighting.
After analyzing the situation, Village Chief Ma subconsciously concluded that it was the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law from the Li family who were causing trouble.
"Aunt Li, how many times have I told you to stop gossiping about others and to be more polite when you talk to them!" Village Chief Ma was extremely helpless. "At the very least, if you can use words, don't resort to violence. I've tried to reason with you so much, why are you doing this again?"
Aunt Li's face turned pale and then red as he spoke. Wasn't this a clear accusation that she was making trouble for no reason and wouldn't listen to advice?
The surrounding villagers all laughed. They were all from the same village, so how could they not know what kind of person Aunt Li was?
They even figured out that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were exactly the same – both were shrewish women!
The Shen family stood aside with cold faces. Aunt Li was furious. She pointed at Yang and said, "Village chief, she was the one who hit my daughter-in-law first!"
Little Li chimed in, "Yes, yes, village chief, look, his face is all red!"
When Village Chief Ma took a look, it was indeed true.
Village Chief Ma glanced at Yang Shi with some surprise. Lili pouted and said unhappily, "It was you who scolded Lili first, and that's why Mother defended Lili!"
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