Fortunately, Huang Ying was smart and glossed over the issue, smiling and inviting everyone, "Sisters, let's go inside and sit."
Just then, Shen Ziyan waved her hand, "No, I have to go back to class. The children are waiting impatiently."
Shen Ziyan left with the Lotus Cult Leader. Liu Rumei also found an excuse to leave.
Only Huang Ying, Cui Hongyu, and Qiao'er remained at the scene.
Huang Ying took Cui Hongyu's hand and quickly entered the house.
"Sister Hongyu, please sit down and rest. You must be tired these past few days."
"Not tired, not tired. It's all thanks to the villagers' help. I didn't do much myself."
While the two were chatting about everyday matters, Chen Xiaobei got busy. After finishing breakfast, he went to discuss the next course of action with Chen Dachun.
Feng Xiaoyue had mentioned wanting charcoal when she visited, but with Shen Ziyan teaching and Huang Ying having just become his bride, neither had enough time to build a charcoal furnace.
It would be fine to build one again, as they had already built one with Chen Dachun and the others last time.
Upon hearing that they would be making charcoal again, Chen Dachun seemed very excited. After all, making charcoal was profitable.
Of course, Chen Xiaobei still had one thing to confirm: he needed to go up the mountain again to check how many apples were left.
When Chen Dachun heard he was going up the mountain, he shook his head like a wave, "No, no. How can you go up the mountain during your newlywed period? I'll go. I'll go up the mountain after I've arranged the charcoal making."
"No, I have to go myself this time. I need to see how many apples are left to have a clear idea."
Naturally, Chen Xiaobei was still very cautious about going up the mountain. He left Chen Dachun's house and went to find Liu Rumei.
Chen Xiaobei was still very cautious. If he was going up the mountain, he would need Liu Rumei to send people for protection, otherwise, encountering Zhu Meng's stragglers would be troublesome.
After hearing Chen Xiaobei's explanation, Liu Rumei also frowned. In her opinion, anyone could go up the mountain to pick fruit, so why did Chen Xiaobei have to go himself? Of course, no matter who went, she had to send people for protection.
Facing her question, Chen Xiaobei smiled and explained, "You're right, anyone can go. But don't forget, I'm the village chief."
"If I always stayed home giving orders, I'd easily lose the people's support."
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Liu Rumei was instantly filled with admiration. She clasped her fists at Chen Xiaobei and said, "In that case, I'll accompany you up the mountain myself."
The two agreed to go up the mountain with some people after lunch and return before dark. After making arrangements, Chen Xiaobei then hurried to see Huang Ying.
Huang Ying and Cui Hongyu were still talking in the room. Seeing Chen Xiaobei arrive, Cui Hongyu was very clever and immediately got up and sat in a nearby chair. She also gestured for Chen Qiao'er to sit in a chair.
Huang Ying, however, paid no attention and pulled Chen Xiaobei to sit beside her.
"You two are here, I have something to tell you!" Chen Xiaobei got straight to the point and told them about his plan to go into the mountains.
Upon hearing that he was going into the mountains, Huang Ying jumped up, "No, no, I have to go with you."
Cui Hongyu also looked worried, "Yes, yes. Why don't you send someone else? You just..."
Before she could finish, Chen Xiaobei waved his hand, "Don't worry, I've already made an appointment with Liu Rumei. She'll bring some people to accompany me."
Hearing this, Cui Hongyu smiled, looking relieved, "Okay, okay. If Miss is going, then I'm reassured."
Unexpectedly, a hint of displeasure flashed across Huang Ying's face.
It made sense. Her husband was going up the mountain with another woman shortly after their wedding and leaving her at home. What was that supposed to mean?
Thinking this, Huang Ying again waved her hand and said, "No, no, I have to go too!"
Chen Xiaobei seemed to understand something from Huang Ying's expression.
He didn't want to persuade her too much. Instead, he subtly gave Cui Hongyu a look, "You don't need to go. Dachun and the others need to make charcoal this afternoon. You have to guide them. I'm afraid they really can't do it without your guidance."
Cui Hongyu immediately picked up the conversation, "Yes, yes. Welcome, Sister. Let's stay home. Making charcoal is also very important, after all, Miss Xiaoyue is waiting for it."
Huang Ying was straightforward. As soon as she heard this, her face lit up with a smile.
"Okay, okay, then we'll help Dachun this afternoon."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He suddenly realized something: he needed to consider his actions more carefully in the future. For example, when he told Liu Rumei about accompanying him into the mountains today, he should have been more tactful and not so direct.
The atmosphere at lunch was much more harmonious. There were still plenty of dishes left from the past two days of banquets.
Cui Hongyu and Huang Ying cooked together, happily preparing several dishes. They then invited Shen Ziyan, the Lotus Cult Leader, as well as the maids Xiaohua and Du Juan, and the Lotus Cult Leader's disciple, Moli, to eat together.
During lunch, the Lotus Cult Leader took the initiative to suggest drinking.
Of course, in this era, there were no taboos, nor were there any company rules like in Chen Xiaobei's 21st century, where drinking at noon was forbidden.
After the wine was poured, the Lotus Cult Leader raised his cup and said to Chen Xiaobei again, "Congratulations again to you and Sister Huang Ying."
Chen Xiaobei quickly raised his cup to thank her. Huang Ying also had a joyful expression, as the Lotus Cult Leader's words gave her face.
Everyone else also drank a cup. As the second cup was poured, the Lotus Cult Leader continued, "For the second cup, I must bid you farewell. I have to leave Hetou Village this afternoon to pursue the Princess."
Hearing this, a look of reluctance appeared in Huang Ying's eyes, "Sister, you've only just arrived. Please stay for a few days before leaving. Who knows when we'll meet again after this parting."
The Lotus Cult Leader shook her head, "I can't. The Princess is at the front line, and as her master, I can't rest easy."
Seeing this, Shen Ziyan smiled and said, "Alright, Huang Ying. When the Princess has put down the rebellion, Sister will naturally come back to find us."
"Yes, I also like this village life very much. After helping the Princess quell Zhu Meng's rebellion, I will definitely come back to find you."
"Okay, it's a deal." Only then did Huang Ying smile and raise her cup.
Everyone was sensible. Although the atmosphere was a bit sad, not much wine was consumed.
After lunch, Huang Ying and Cui Hongyu went with the Lotus Cult Leader and the others to the school to help pack their belongings. Chen Xiaobei, on the other hand, led Liu Rumei and a dozen guards, along with a dozen village protection team members, into Qingniu Mountain.
Entering Qingniu Mountain again, Chen Xiaobei felt a sense of emotion.
It was already deep autumn. Except for the warmth of the sun on one's body, walking in the shade of the trees carried a hint of chill.
Liu Rumei couldn't help but shiver, "It's already so cold in the mountains."