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Feng Liulang sat in the corner of the room, his face pale and bare feet tucked beneath him. He hugged himself tightly, trembling all over, seemingly oblivious to the arrival of Feng San Niang.
Upon seeing her precious son in such a disheveled state, Feng San Niang gasped and rushed to support him.
However, as soon as Feng Liulang felt her touch, he flailed his arms wildly, striking her several times across the face. He covered his head and shook violently, crying out, "I-I didn't mean it! I don't want to be ground to dust! I don't want the ten tortures! I don't want to die! I don't want to die!"
Feng San Niang was pushed and slapped so much that she could no longer tell which way was up. Her ears buzzed, and stars danced before her eyes. Yet, she still managed to catch Feng Liulang's words. Ignoring her pain, she gripped his arms and shouted back, "What did you say? That person is you..."
At that moment, Feng San Niang stared at her once-proud son with disbelief. Her nails dug through his thin clothing into the flesh of his arms, drawing blood. But Feng Liulang seemed oblivious to the pain as he continued to clutch himself in agony.
A moment later, outside the Zhou family's gate!
Feng San Niang had changed into a gray thin garment and wrapped her hair in a blue cloth. She paced nervously and helplessly outside the Zhou family's courtyard.
Xia Muxin couldn't visit Golden Python, so she was left washing clothes while Songzi sat nearby net fishing.
Just as she finished washing the clothes and was carrying a wooden basin back home, she spotted Feng San Niang with a vacant expression. It seemed news had spread that Feng Liulang's secret had been discovered by Feng San Niang, prompting her to seek information. A smirk appeared on Xia Muxin's lips as she raised an eyebrow and decided to bypass her on her way home.
When Feng San Niang saw Xia Muxin approaching, she called out warmly, "Miss Muxin..."
Xia Muxin didn't hear and continued walking briskly.
"Miss Muxin..."
Still no response; Xia Muxin pressed on!
Feng San Niang's face turned red as she gritted her teeth and shot a glare at Xia Muxin's back. Gathering her courage, she called out loudly again, "Miss Muxin..."
This time, she successfully halted Xia Muxin's steps. Xia Muxin slowly turned her head, her clear, innocent eyes looking at Feng San Niang. After glancing around, she asked in confusion, "Did you call me?"
Having faced off multiple times, Xia Muxin had come to deeply appreciate Feng San Niang's thick skin. Their interactions usually involved Feng San Niang scolding and blaming her, but this time she seemed so humble. The more humble she was, the more it revealed her inner guilt, which only confirmed Xia Muxin's suspicions.
When Xia Muxin directed her question at her, Feng San Niang's expression faltered. She fought the urge to roar in frustration, took a deep breath, and tried to maintain a kind smile befitting an elder as she replied gently, "I heard something happened with the Zhou family. Since you live nearby, I thought I’d come and ask."
This morning’s events had ended on a sour note; the Wu Family was likely quite upset. Moreover, without a stronger reason to confront the village chief, she had to leave in shame while Yu Shi could only drag the sobbing Zhou Cailian away.
Upon hearing Feng San Niang's words, Xia Muxin displayed a look of surprise and replied with a hint of fear in her voice, "You can eat whatever you want, but you can't just say anything. How could my family inquire about theirs? That would be asking for trouble! Besides, aren't you two supposed to be getting engaged? Why would you need to ask me about it? Can't you just go inside?"
Feng San Niang was left speechless by Xia Muxin’s retort; she stared wide-eyed for a long moment without managing to utter a word.
What Xia Muxin said made sense; given the poor relationship between their families, why would she dare to pry into the Zhou family's affairs? She would be lucky just to avoid them.
Watching Feng San Niang's conflicted expression brought Xia Muxin great amusement. The feud between their families had only just begun; there was plenty of entertainment to come. After all these years of being trampled by the Zhou family, it was time for some payback.
With that thought in mind, she cast several meaningful glances at Feng San Niang. Feeling flustered under her gaze, Feng San Niang pretended to squat down and adjust her straw sandals.
Xia Muxin smirked slightly before carrying a wooden basin into the courtyard and began hanging up clothes.
"Xia Muxin, come here! We need to talk!"
As soon as she had hung up one piece, Shen Muhan's voice came from the doorway. Ming Yiming Peng exchanged a glance with her and obediently stepped forward to take the task from her hands.
Xia Muxin glanced at the two of them before walking towards Shen Muhan.
From the moment she had uttered those shocking words about getting food, Shen Muhan's expression had changed. He was like an ice statue, and even now, she felt an urge to slip away as far as possible.
She couldn't understand it; fearless in every other aspect, why did she always feel guilty under his inexplicable gaze?
"Uncle, if you have something to say, just say it. I'm very busy!"
As she approached him, Xia Muxin's eyes flickered nervously. Noticing that her parents were not home and her brother was nowhere to be found, she hurriedly spoke up.
Shen Muhan looked at her and without saying a word, pulled her into his room and shut the door securely.
Seeing this, Xia Muxin felt a chill run down her back but managed to put on a smile.
"Uncle, if there's something to discuss, we should keep the door open. It wouldn't be good for us to do this; our family might worry."
Shen Muhan stared at her intently, recalling that the youngest consort of the Retired Emperor had entered the palace at twelve, lost her virginity at thirteen, and given birth to a little prince at fourteen. At this moment, he felt an inexplicable urge for Xia Muxin to bear his child, even though she was still so young.
"Who told you such rebellious things?"
After a long pause, he asked in a low voice.
His mind wandered to the thought of doing something inappropriate with her, then she would give birth to a child and marry her father afterward...
Meng Di flashed through Shen Muhan's mind, forcing himself not to entertain such unrealistic thoughts. Yet what this girl had said was truly shocking.
If his heart wasn't strong enough, it might just burst from anger or fear.
"Hehe, isn't this just to scare the Zhou Family? Why are you taking it so seriously?"
Xia Muxin felt her face twitching, her mouth also trembling. It seemed she was holding onto this matter tightly, as if she were a revolutionary leader giving a lecture.
Upon hearing this, Shen Muhan's brows furrowed tightly, capable of crushing a fly.
This girl truly had the ability to infuriate without remorse.
With such a sharp tongue, it appeared dealing with that group of people would not be a problem. A homely daughter-in-law would eventually meet her in-laws; perhaps he should adjust his plans to let her meet his "family" sooner.
"Don't interfere with the Zhou family's matters anymore; leave everything to me!"
As soon as Shen Muhan finished speaking, a voice came from outside the door.
"Old Xia, is your Muxin home?"
Xia Muxin was taken aback; that voice sounded so much like Li Bo from the village. He had been the one to greet them when they returned with firewood that time.
With both her father and mother not at home and no one else around, Xia Muxin was about to step outside when Shen Muhan pulled her back. He bent down, resting his forehead against hers, his attractive thin lips just inches away, and a mischievous glint flickered in his eyes.
Xia Muxin's heart raced, and she took steps back. He followed closely behind, pushing her until her back pressed against the door. He placed both hands on the doorframe, maintaining his position and trapping her within his embrace.
"Uncle Xia has gone out for errands. If you have something to say, I can pass it on or you can come back later."
At that moment, Ming Yi's cold voice drifted in. Xia Muxin widened her eyes in anger at Shen Muhan.
This man was being sneaky.
Soon after, faint footsteps could be heard outside. Shen Muhan smirked and lightly brushed his lips against Xia Muxin's soft ones before releasing her from his hold.
"They might be looking for my parents; how can you do this?"
Xia Muxin angrily wiped her mouth and began scolding Shen Muhan's back as she regained her freedom.
This man, how domineering he is.
"Heh heh, Xia Muxin, are you foolish or just too clever for your own good? Nowadays, who from Daimiao Village comes to the Xia Family without seeking you out!"
Shen Muhan scoffed. This wasn't the first time someone had brought their sons and grandsons to his door, but he had quietly dealt with them all. He hadn’t even gotten his wife yet, and yet this troublesome peach blossom kept blooming one after another. It was he who should feel wronged.
Xia Muxin had grown accustomed to his petty ways. A strange flutter stirred in her heart, more accurately described as a sweet sensation, like cotton candy—soft and sugary.
But she just liked to go against him, just as he enjoyed watching her throw tantrums.
In Shen Muhan's words, they were a perfect match, a pair made in heaven.
"Alright, I won’t argue with you, you barbarian. I still have to go sell snail meat this afternoon!"
Not long ago, she had made two jars of wine-pickled fish, and coincidentally there were plenty of apple snails. She planned to boil them and pick out the snail meat, wash away the impurities, and take them to town to sell.
It was already September; if she didn’t dig up the lotus roots soon, it would be past the best time to eat them. After a pause, Xia Muxin’s eyes lit up as she made a cute face at Shen Muhan and slowly said:
"Uncle, could you help me dig up the lotus roots from that pond over there?"
- End of Chapter -
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