The man dared not speak further and quietly retreated to the side, his eyes constantly scanning the young girls in the crowd.
The girls seemed to sense danger and, as if by agreement, clustered closer to Second Ancestor's donkey cart.
He Song, in the house, was pacing anxiously like an ant on a hot pan. He knew Qi Yuanshan was serious this time. He pointed a finger at Liu Shi and stammered, blaming her, "It's all your fault, you prodigal woman, for forcing me... for forcing me. Otherwise, otherwise, I wouldn't have... alas!"
He regretted it so much he wanted to slap his thigh, but the consequences he had to face could not be avoided. He stomped his foot fiercely, still holding a sliver of hope, and then took the roster and account books out of the room.
Liu Shi watched He Song's retreating back, secretly cursing, "What a useless coward. He only blames me when something happens, good for nothing."
Thinking of the person standing outside the courtyard gate, she felt a surge of deep unwillingness.
Back then, she had suggested to this good-for-nothing husband that they come and seek refuge with this person, all for the sake of a better life.
They had indeed managed well here these past two years, but she never dreamed that little brat would also show up.
And this good-for-nothing husband of hers was utterly useless, only blaming her when things went wrong, completely incapable. It was infuriating.
If it weren't for maintaining appearances, she would have grabbed a broom and beaten the useless man to vent her anger.
Outside the courtyard gate, Qi Yuanshan took the roster and account books that He Song grudgingly handed over. Under the torchlight held by his subordinate, he flipped through them for a while. Then, pointing to a few vacant courtyards, he said to the Meng clan members, "There are several empty courtyards here. You can move in tonight. Tomorrow, you can divide them carefully according to the number of people. Regarding the land, I will speak to you about it tomorrow."
After arranging things with the Meng clan members, Qi Yuanshan turned to Meng Qingping and said, "Uncle Meng, it's too late today. Your family can also make do with them tonight. Tomorrow, I will come to show you the land under your name. We can discuss where you want to build your house then."
"Alright, thank you, nephew."
"Uncle Meng, you don't need to be so polite with me. I'll take Little He back now. You all should rest early."
"Go ahead, go ahead. It must have been a long and tiring journey."
"Yes." Qi He, helped onto the warhorse by his father, waved goodbye with a grin, "Grandpa Meng, Sister Fu, Yu'er, Uncle Fu, Aunt Fu, see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
Seeing Qi Yuanshan really leave with Qi He, all eyes of the Meng clan members turned to Meng Qingping.
Under the torchlight, so many people looking at Meng Qingping alone was quite eerie.
"What do you want?" Fu Yu, sensing the situation was not good, stepped in front of Meng Qingping.
"Nephew, we mean no harm," said Fifth Master Meng, speaking for everyone as they didn't know how to start.
"Yes, we mean no harm." The others echoed.
"Then what are you all about?" Fu Yu still didn't quite believe their words.
Fifth Master Meng glanced at Meng Qingping. Seeing that he still wasn't planning to speak, he continued, "Our entire clan, your father is our backbone. We will all listen to your father's instructions on what to do next."
Meng Qingping: Since when did he become the backbone of these people? He didn't even know it himself.
"Second Brother, you have the most experience among these people. You can't abandon us," Fifth Master Meng began by flattering Meng Qingping.
"Heh, we weren't close before, and all of you, weren't you all doing quite well?"
"Doing well? If Second Brother had been around, our entire clan wouldn't have ended up here." Seventh Master Meng, who had been almost invisible all along, couldn't help but complain today.
Seventh Master Meng's words directly struck a chord with every member of the Meng clan. However, they also understood that even if Second Brother (or Second Uncle) had been present, Meng Qinghong's character meant he would not hesitate to suppress Second Brother (or Second Uncle).
Perhaps before the Duke's mansion was ransacked, Second Brother (or Second Uncle) would have been harmed by that old whelp first.
Clearly, more than one person had thought of this.
Meng Qingping thought even more deeply than they did, so he didn't want to get involved.
Instead, he glanced at their donkey cart and discussed with his son, "Yu'er, it's not cold at night. Let your wife rest in the cart with the two children. We two will just make do here for the night."
"Yes, I'll listen to Father."
After speaking, Meng Qingping led Fu Yu to gather some dry firewood nearby and brought over two stones to build a simple stove in the open space.
Meng Qishan and the others saw this and said nothing. As usual, they silently went to gather firewood and busily lit a bonfire nearby.
The villagers, seeing that they had no intention of settling into the empty courtyards, stopped watching the spectacle and went back to sleep.
One of them lagged behind. After hesitating for a moment, he approached a Meng clan member, said a few words, and left.
Qi Yuanshan had already told them where to get water. Meng Qishan and Meng Qitian, the brothers, carried water buckets and went directly to the riverbank to fetch water.
"Father, we don't have much corn flour left. Let's just cook some thin gruel tonight."
"Daughter-in-law Yu, add more water. One bowl per person is enough."
"Okay."
"Mother, I'll help you."
"I'll help Sister-in-law," Meng Xiaohe habitually handed Bao'er to Ke'er and then came to help Fang Shi.
Hearing Meng Qingping instructing his daughter-in-law to cook gruel, the Meng clan members stood awkwardly, not knowing whether to sit or stand. They were uncomfortable no matter how they acted.
Meng Qingping acted as if he didn't notice. He kept an eye on Yu'er, ensuring he didn't stray from his sight.
Fu Xinci also sat beside her grandfather, being a good child for once.
As the aroma of the corn gruel spread through the air, the faces of the Meng clan members became even more embarrassed.
They were hungry too, but they felt too awkward to ask Meng Qingping.
Suddenly, a young boy from the clan secretly whispered to Fifth Master Meng, "Fifth Uncle, the person who just went back secretly told me that we can ask this household for food?" After speaking, the young man pointed at He Song's house.
"Did you hear correctly?"
"Fifth Uncle, I heard correctly."
"Since you heard correctly, let's knock on the door."
"Alright. I'll go knock."
Upon hearing that this household could provide them with food, all the Meng clan members gathered and nominated Fifth Master Meng to knock on the door himself.
"Who is it?" Liu Shi was already annoyed. Hearing someone knocking, she couldn't suppress her temper.
"We are new arrivals today and have come to your place to get food."
Hearing that they had come to get food, Liu Shi's face darkened further. "Eat, eat, eat. You only know how to eat. Why don't you eat yourselves to death?"
The Meng clan members were not very patient to begin with, and they had been suppressed by others along the way. Now that they were in the right, they immediately refused to back down.
"What kind of language are you using? It was Commander Qi who ordered us to be given food. What right do you have to refuse us food?"