Chapter Twenty-Two: Oh, Passionate Souls!

Lin Sanlang stood with his hands on his hips, fiercely criticizing Tian Lao Si and that petty Ma Jinbao—wasn’t he just taking this opportunity to avenge his own sister? His sister looked like a demon, yet dressed up every day, smearing her face with powders and rouge as if it were free, like a layer of frost on the manure in their cattle pen. Every time he saw her, he wanted to apologize for disturbing her. Lin Sanlang shuddered in disgust, his voice coming out with a hint of annoyance.

“Well, who’s this? Turns out it’s Lin Sanlang from our village. What’s gotten him into such hard labor?”

Hearing this, Lin Sanlang flared up, retorting, “So what, you think you’d do this work if I didn’t?”

“Hey, Lin Sanlang, you’ve been sent to carry manure. What’s there to be proud of?” Ma Jinbao, standing beside Tian Lao Si, couldn’t help but shout.

“Hah, what am I proud of? I’m here working honestly with Brother Dashuan, but you lot aren’t doing your own work and still have time to come over here. Did you butter up someone again so you don’t have to work?”

As soon as he said this—

Before Tian Lao Si and Ma Jinbao could react, the other laborers nearby began to gossip. “We’re all helpers here, but you flatter your way out of work and still get paid. We work ourselves to the bone and get nothing. And what’s the point of showing off if you’re not working?” The voices of complaint grew louder and louder.

A young soldier noticed the commotion and shouted, “Hey! What are you all doing over there?!”

He started coming their way.

Tian Lao Si realized things could get out of hand—if the supervisor found out, they’d be in trouble. Without another word, he bolted. Ma Jinbao saw Tian Lao Si run and dashed off as well.

The young soldier’s face darkened. Did they think he was dead? How dare they run! He muttered, “Don’t let me catch you!”

While Lin Sanlang struggled with the manure, Fubao had already been taken to her beloved grandfather’s house.

Of course, it wasn’t just mother and daughter—there was also their little tagalong: the ginseng spirit.

The moment mother and daughter got out of the carriage, they were surrounded by a crowd of relatives. Little Fubao experienced that feeling of walking through a hundred flowers, untouched by a single leaf.

Madame Meng and Lady Zhang had been waiting at the mansion for a long time. Seeing the fatigue on her daughter’s face, Madame Meng quickly pulled the two inside.

Once Meng Yun had settled herself, Little Fubao snuggled into her grandmother’s arms, pouting with grievance and babbling complaints.

“Those big sisters are too scary, she stole a kiss from me!”

“Grandfather doesn’t have a beard anymore, I’m unhappy!”

Madame Meng listened to Fubao’s babbling with a harmony that was almost comical, as if she truly understood her granddaughter’s complaints. Meng Yun wondered if her mother could really understand.

For Lady Zhang, her sister-in-law’s visit brought great joy. After Fubao’s full-month banquet, Lady Zhang realized her monthly cycle hadn’t come. After consulting a doctor, she discovered she was pregnant. Meng Lang was overjoyed; although he rarely spoke about it, whenever he saw the children of his colleagues, his envious gaze made Lady Zhang feel guilty. Now, just as she wanted to see her sister, she found herself expecting a child, and the whole Meng family was delighted. Even the servants had recently received generous rewards from their masters.

Now, having arrived at Meng Mansion, Lady Zhang found she couldn’t hold her own precious baby, and Meng Yun felt a little sour in her heart.

Thus, little Fubao went from her grandmother’s arms into her aunt’s embrace, her chubby cheeks subjected to another round of affectionate pinching.

Fubao could only sigh in resignation.