Cui Hongyu then smiled and nodded, "Thank you, Miss Liu."
Liu Rumei took Cui Hongyu's hand, "Sister, if you call me that, we'll be strangers. I've already called you sister, why don't you call me elder sister?"
Cui Hongyu could only blush and call her sister again. This made Liu Rumei very happy. She picked up the embroidery Cui Hongyu had been working on from the table, "Sister, you are truly skillful. Look, I can't embroider this part well, why don't you teach me?"
When it came to needlework, Cui Hongyu naturally became interested. The two simply sat down beside each other and began to converse.
Chen Xiaobei was still a bit puzzled by Liu Rumei's change in attitude.
A young lady from a prince's family, so high and mighty, suddenly started talking to him like siblings. What did this newfound closeness imply?
Just as Chen Xiaobei was lost in thought, Liu Ce suddenly ran in, causing a commotion in the courtyard again.
"Miss, Miss."
Liu Rumei frowned, "Such a fuss, it's undignified."
"Miss, news from the capital."
Upon hearing this, Liu Rumei stood up, nodded to Cui Hongyu and Chen Xiaobei as a gesture of apology, and then walked out of the courtyard with Liu Ce.
As soon as they were out of the courtyard, Liu Ce blurted out, "Miss, news from the capital. Second Young Master is already on his way to Qingniu County and will arrive in two days."
Liu Rumei mused, "Second Brother will surely want to visit Qingniu Mountain when he arrives. Take some people and scout the mountain beforehand, make preparations."
"Also, inform the guards at home that if Second Brother comes looking for me, tell him I don't know where I am."
Liu Ce was taken aback and whispered, "Miss, you must see him, otherwise it will cause gossip."
Liu Rumei smiled faintly, "Are there not enough rumors already? For the past few years that I've been away, what good things has Second Brother said?"
Seeing his silence, Liu Rumei sighed, "Alright, I know how to handle it. Just do as I say."
Liu Ce took his leave. Liu Rumei glanced back at Chen Xiaobei's house, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided not to return. In her heart, she actually wished to stay with Cui Hongyu a little longer.
Because with Cui Hongyu, she felt a sense of relaxation she had never experienced before. It was a feeling of complete freedom from burdens, a sense of unrestraint that she hadn't felt in many years.
Having been delayed by Liu Rumei, Chen Xiaobei knew that even if Cui Hongyu accompanied him up the mountain, there wouldn't be time for Tai Chi. So, it was better to conserve his energy and go alone.
"Hongyu, it's getting late. I'm going into the mountain by myself."
Cui Hongyu blushed and nodded, "Then I'll wait for my husband to return at home."
Chen Xiaobei followed the same path, leaving the village and heading towards the mountain.
Walking through these great mountains.
As far as the eye could see, the grass was lush and green.
Occasionally, there were a few trees, their leaves so dark green they were almost black, with unknown birds perched on them.
This reminded him of his past life, where there was a small river outside his old village.
By the river, it was the same, with green grass on the banks and a few trees scattered around.
He wished for lightning to strike him then, to send him back to that childhood he so yearned for.
Lost in his reverie, he didn't notice Chen Sanqiu following him from a distance.
Arriving at this apple orchard, Chen Xiaobei first indulged in a hearty meal before unhurriedly picking the fruits.
He filled a large basket and Chen Xiaobei didn't linger, hurrying back. He had to get home before sunset.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei walk away, Chen Sanqiu quickly picked a dozen or so fruits, stuffed them into his怀, and also hurried home.
Chen Sanqiu returned home and, upon entering, excitedly shouted to his wife, Liu Shi, "My dear, come and taste something special I have for you!"
Liu Shi took the apple from him, skeptical.
"Eat it, eat it, it's very delicious," Chen Sanqiu urged.
Liu Shi then took a tentative bite. After just one bite, she couldn't help but become excited, "Delicious, husband, it's truly delicious."
After eating a few more bites, Liu Shi suddenly asked, "Husband, where did you get this from?"
Chen Sanqiu chuckled, "These are wild fruits from the mountain."
Liu Shi was startled, "You went up the mountain?"
Chen Sanqiu smiled and nodded, "I did, but not alone. I secretly followed Chen Xiaobei."
"You wouldn't believe it, Chen Xiaobei went up the mountain just to pick these. I tell you, he picked a whole basket, at least seventy or eighty jin."
"Husband, why do you think Chen Xiaobei picked so many fruits?"
Chen Sanqiu sighed, "Picking so many fruits, he's likely going to trade them for money."
Hearing this, Liu Shi looked envious, "Then why don't we go pick some too and sell them in the county town?"
Chen Sanqiu glared, "Nonsense! I am a scholar, how can I do such commoner's work?"
"Then what do you mean, husband?"
Chen Sanqiu snorted coldly, "Have you forgotten? A few days ago, I went to find Chen Xiaobei, wanting to teach some students in the village and collect tuition, how he humiliated me."
"Husband, they say an arm can't twist a thigh. In this village, he, Chen Xiaobei, decides everything, big or small. We should just endure it."
"You're right. He decides within our village, but what about outside the village? Don't forget, there are always people better than you, heavens beyond heavens." Chen Sanqiu said, gesturing wildly in the air.
Watching Chen Sanqiu gnash his teeth.
Liu Shi became even more confused.
"Husband, then what exactly do you want to do?"
Chen Sanqiu snorted again, "Have you forgotten? Your maternal uncle is Cui Dana."
Upon hearing this, Liu Shi hesitated, "But but that's just a distant uncle of mine."
"Bah, what does it matter? Right now, only Cui Dana can handle Chen Xiaobei."
Liu Shi was still doubtful, "But but we can't just go for no reason..."
Sanqiu chuckled, "Don't worry about that. As long as you take me to his house, I have a way to persuade him."
Liu Shi hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.
Without time to eat, the two hurriedly tidied themselves up and rushed to Cui Family Village.
Cui Dana's mansion in Cui Family Village was second to none.
There were no great families in Hetou Village; everyone was at a similar level.
But Cui Family Village was different. Cui Dana of Cui Family Village owned more than half of the village's land, and he had over a dozen permanent laborers, not to mention the temporary workers during the busy farming season. More than half of the villagers worked for him.
Although Cui Dana was just the village's protective captain, his authority was even greater than that of the white-haired village elder.
Although they were distant relatives, Cui Dana still recognized the relationship.
So, he appeared very courteous upon meeting, "Liu Ping, it's been years since I last saw you. You still look like you did when you were a child."
Liu Ping appeared flattered by Cui Dana's pleasantries.
"Uncle, you jest. I've long since become an old hag."
"Right, we've come to see you today because Sanqiu has something important to discuss."