CHAPTER 1023: CHAPTER 1021: ASK WHETHER THE OLD WANG FAMILY AGREES OR NOT

Wang Yongzhu was signaled by Song Chongjin to lag half a step behind him, following behind Loo Xiaoshan, smiling as he said, "I was also concerned about whether your houses were finished. I happened to have something at home this time, so I came to take a look. In a few days, I’ll return to the city and probably won’t have time to come back to see."

Upon hearing this, Loo Xiaoshan’s shoulders seemed to relax involuntarily, and even his tone was more relaxed: "Thanks to the Scholar’s Lady’s concern. For us in Yingzi Gully to have these good days and live in spacious houses, we owe it to the Scholar’s Lady! The Scholar’s Lady is the benefactor of Yingzi Gully! Isn’t that right, everyone?"

Sporadic voices of agreement.

"Isn’t it? We owe our current days to the Scholar’s Lady’s blessing."

"The Scholar’s Lady is like our second parent!"

"There is no one more kind-hearted than the Scholar’s Lady, a truly great person!"

"With the Scholar’s Lady watching over us, we won’t worry in the future! With such a kind heart and capability, we rely on the Scholar’s Lady for the days ahead!"

...

At first, it seemed like genuine gratitude, but the words that followed vaguely insinuated something else.

Wang Yongzhu kept a smile on his face as if he didn’t hear it, while Song Chongjin remained composed, his eyes memorizing the faces of those who had spoken.

But Wang Yongping, with his straightforward nature, though often muddle-headed with his own mother, sister, and wife, has become quite reliable towards outsiders now.

Hearing these words didn’t sit right with him, especially as it involved his own sister, and he couldn’t tolerate any misstep, so his face darkened: "What kind of talk is this? How come? My sister with a good heart, seeing your hardships, helped you find a way out, and now you’re insinuating otherwise?"

"Is my sister your biological father or mother? You’re also getting your houses built, receiving silver every year, enjoying blessings your forefathers never did, thanks to my sister, yet you are not content? What? Do you plan to rely on my sister in the future? Are you suggesting that the descendants of Yingzi Gully will all be under my sister’s charge?"

"Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at for such talk? There’s at least a few dozen men in Yingzi Gully, right? A real man, since my sister has started the good days, should live his own life thereafter. Or are you planning to rely on my sister?"

"Let me tell you, there’s no such blessing in the world! Even if there is, why would it fall to you? Don’t think you can bully my sister, with her kind heart and soft face, and take liberties! If you want to take advantage of my sister and my brother-in-law’s family, you better ask if Old Wang Family agrees!"

Upon these words from Wang Yongping, many in the crowd changed their expressions, with some looking as if they wanted to say something.

Loo Xiaoshan glowered at them, but ultimately they dared not speak.

Seeing that those people dared not speak, Loo Xiaoshan then put on a smile: "Don’t misunderstand, Scholar Master and Lady, and the Wang Family Brothers! We all remember the Scholar Lady’s kindness, why would we do such a thing? That would be worse than being pigs or dogs!"

"They don’t know how to speak. Scholar Master and Lady, you’re magnanimous, don’t mind those coarse folks."

He then signaled to the crowd, "Aren’t you going to apologize to the Scholar Master and Lady?"

After a long while, two reluctant voices emerged from the crowd: "We don’t know how to speak, Scholar Master and Lady, please don’t take offense!"

Loo Xiaoshan gestured: "Alright, what’s everyone doing crowding around? Go on and do what needs to be done—" signaling for the crowd to leave quickly.

He then cautiously addressed Zhang Quan and Sun Qi: "The construction of these houses must be overseen by the Chief Steward, the Scholar’s Lady will be accompanied by me."

This posture seemed to be trying to get rid of everyone?

Zhang Quan and Sun Qi unintentionally glanced at Wang Yongzhu, noticing as if seeking her advice.

Wang Yongzhu blinked, and Zhang Quan and Sun Qi, as if inspired by her meaning, said nothing more, just nodded, saluted Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin, and took their leave.

Soon, only Wang Yongzhu, Song Chongjin, Wang Yongping, Gu Yu, Loo Xiaoshan, and Li Dashan were left around.

Loo Xiaoshan glanced at Li Dashan: "Why are you still following? Aren’t you going to guard the gate?"

Li Dashan pointed at Gu Yu: "My wife’s younger sister from her maiden family has come, I’m taking her back, this change in location means my sister-in-law doesn’t know where my wife is—"

Loo Xiaoshan looked at Li Dashan twice, waved his hand: "Go and come back quickly!"

Li Dashan agreed, signaling to Gu Yu: "Alright, Gu Yu, come with me, I’ll take you to see your third sister."

Gu Yu looked towards Wang Yongzhu, although she was young and inexperienced, she felt something was off in Yingzi Gully this time.

Wang Yongzhu nodded: "You go, see your third sister, and give her my regards."

Gu Yu responded affirmatively, lowered her head, and followed Li Dashan carrying her bundle.

On this side, Loo Xiaoshan led the Wang siblings and Song Chongjin into a wooden house beside the cave.

There were several such wooden houses.

"Scholar Master, Scholar’s Lady, these were originally built for some of the Chief Stewards from outside, this room was vacated after the steward went to deliver tea leaves. However, everything’s new, better than the conditions on our side, hope you don’t mind." Loo Xiaoshan introduced after seating them.

"Please wait a moment, we have been busy and chaotic recently, everyone has something to do, there’s not even anyone to boil water, I will go boil water." Saying this, he excused himself and left.

Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin watched Loo Xiaoshan leave in a hurry, shaking their heads.

Over there, Li Dashan took Gu Yu, picking routes with no people, the further they walked, the more secluded it became, making Gu Yu feel uneasy and eventually, plucked up the courage to ask: "Brother-in-law... where are you taking me? Where’s my third sister?"

Li Dashan turned back and made a gesture to silence: "Follow me, don’t speak, we’re almost there!"

Saying so, they turned a corner and suddenly saw a small cave, which they entered.

Gu Yu hesitated, looked around at the nearby movement, gritted her teeth, and followed them in.

Inside, it was somewhat dark, and she took a while to adjust before seeing Li Dashan’s back, following for a few more steps, turning a corner, to what seemed like a large cave they stayed at before.

Following behind Li Dashan, twisting and turning, arriving at an unfamiliar cave entrance, the cave wasn’t large, just enough for a person to get in, and the location was very secluded, with no other caves nearby.

Gu Yu’s fear increased.

Fortunately, Li Dashan stopped before the cave without entering, just softly said: "Wife, it’s me."

From inside the cave came a rustling sound, then a head peeked out, wasn’t it Yang Zhaodi?

Seeing Li Dashan, Yang Zhaodi lowered the wooden stick she was holding: "Husband, why are you back?"

Her eyes caught sight of Gu Yu beside her: "Who is this? Gu Yu? Why have you come?"