Jiang Yihui opened the door and said to Xiao Yanci in the courtyard, "Come in."
Xiao Yanci had already heard what Jiang Yihui said to Zhong Lanhua and her daughter, and seeing him egging them on to sell him, he felt resentment growing towards him.
However, one has to bow down under a low eave. Jiang Family only had him as the only male, so obviously he was the head of the family. This person could not be offended, as once things turned ugly, he would be the one to suffer.
Xiao Yanci followed Jiang Yihui inside.
"From just now until now, it seems like you haven't even greeted me formally; it seems you are not aware of your status as a servant," Jiang Yihui sat on high, looking coldly at Xiao Yanci.
Xiao Yanci lowered his gaze and greeted, "Greetings, Young Master."
"Shouldn't a servant kneel when seeing their master?" Jiang Yihui snorted coldly, "My mother is easygoing, my sister is kind, yet you disregard the rules like this. Are you trying to undermine the master?"
Xiao Yanci clenched his fists tightly.
A country bumpkin, who had read a few days' books, was lucky enough to purchase him, and truly thought himself noble. He had seen even those of the third and fourth ranks wagging their tails pleadingly to him; what was he, trying to make him kneel?
Xiao Yanci really wanted to slap him and loudly tell him his own identity. But he couldn't; he was a traitor's descendant now. He could appear here because a loyal servant had taken his place and he had taken on the servant's identity to appear here. Otherwise, he would already be a corpse.
He knelt down with repressed hatred, and said submissively, "Xiao Ci greets the Young Master."
"Which Xiao?"
"The Xiao from 'Xiao Guan is where scouts are met, the protector is at Yanran'."
"Which Ci?"
Xiao Yanci originally wanted to say 'Reflections in the Shadows divide into geese across a thousand miles, roots scatter into the wind in nine autumn puffs', but on second thought, he could not reveal his name, so he changed his statement.
"The Ci from 'A new song and a glass of wine'."
"Xiao Ci. Seems like you have really read some books. How many years have you studied?"
Xiao Yanci replied, "Two years. The family fortunes declined, so I had to sell myself into servitude."
"Since you are literate, for the next few days, you will tend to the pen and ink! Of course, household chores are also to be done. Understood?"
"Understood." Xiao Yanci squeezed his palm.
From outside, Zhong Lanhua's voice called for a meal. Jiang Yihui went out to the main hall. He saw three sets of utensils on the table, knowing Xiao Yanci hadn't sat at the table, he was somewhat satisfied.
"I tested him with a few questions earlier; indeed, he is someone who has read a few days' worth of books. In the coming days, I need him to attend to the pen and ink, so he should be in my room for an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon."
Zhong Lanhua felt quite proud when she heard Jiang Yihui tested Xiao Yanci.
Her son must be quite knowledgeable to know how to test another learned person. She indeed had better fortune than Zhang Zhaodi, was better than her in her youth, and even if both were widows, she had a son to lean on, unlike her, who only had an unattractive girl.
Jiang Yihui came back, and dinner was especially sumptuous.
Xiao Yanci sat in his woodshed, holding a bowl in his hand, filled with corn mush.
"Brother Xiao." Jiang Yihuan quietly pushed the door open and came in. "I secretly took a chicken leg; eat it quickly to nourish your body."
Xiao Yanci stared blankly at the chicken leg she handed over.
"Eat quickly, don't dally, be careful not to be discovered." Jiang Yihuan was anxious, lowering her voice, "I told my mother and brother I was going to the bathroom, so I have to go back."
"Huan'er, thank you." Xiao Yanci looked at her moved. "You are my only solace."
"Don't say these things. You will surely get better and better in the future, I believe in you." Jiang Yihuan looked at him distressed.
After Jiang Yihuan left, Xiao Yanci slowly ate the chicken leg.
The chicken leg had no other taste except for salt, but for Xiao Yanci, it was the most delicious food in the world. He thought he would never forget this chicken leg in his lifetime.
On the Jiang Family side, the whole family was gathered, but Jiang Yihui was always serious, disliking sounds during meals, so there were many rules, making the meal extremely somber. On the other hand, at the Su Family, a meal of braised chicken made for a warm and happy gathering. When there was just one piece of chicken left, Su Yaoguang offered it to Zhang Zhaodi, and she gave it back to her.
"Just look at yourself, you should eat more to build up your strength."
Having eaten and drunk her fill, Zhang Zhaodi suddenly felt all her worries weren't worth anything. Even if her daughter spent the remaining meager amount of money to buy materials, with the little money left only enough for a month, she still felt the current days were promising.
Money can be earned again, as long as her daughter is happy, that's something not even thousands of gold can buy.
Looking at this boy, he seemed quite pleasing too. To say the least, having a man at home indeed made a difference.
On the second day, Su Yaoguang continued to take Zhou Wangshu up the mountain to gather petals.
This time, aside from petals, a few herbs were also needed. If she added those herbs to the face cream, it would have scar-healing, whitening, and beautifying effects.
The knowledge about herbs was something the physician sisters taught her after she became the Champion Scholar's wife in her past life. That sister was extremely talented in medicine, later entering the palace to become a royal physician. She departed early, and unknown if she ever achieved her dream of becoming the greatest physician under the heavens.
Zhou Wangshu looked at Su Yaoguang, who suddenly appeared melancholic, finding her rather peculiar.
Suddenly, he sensed something was wrong.
Zhou Wangshu held Su Yaoguang's shoulder and said in a low voice, "Don't move."
"What's wrong?" Su Yaoguang was startled by him.
Zhou Wangshu slowly turned his head, seeing a big wild boar not far away.
His pupils contracted, saying to Su Yaoguang, "When I say run, you must give it your all and run downhill."
"Don't scare me, what's going on really?"
"There's a wild boar behind us, with a massive body."
"I only have a sickle..."
"I only have a slingshot..."
That wild boar, seeing the two unmoved, grew impatient, roared loudly, and charged.
Zhou Wangshu shouted, "Run."
Su Yaoguang took off running.
Now her stamina was much stronger than her previous life, not only was she more powerful, but she could also run faster than before.
She sprinted all the way, suddenly realizing something was amiss.
Wait a minute!
Where was her husband, whom she had bought for ten cents?
Turning back, she saw Zhou Wangshu, still pale due to untreated injuries, trailing far behind.
Zhou Wangshu also didn't expect Su Yaoguang to be such a good runner, and so fast. No wonder she was used to work in the countryside; she was much more capable than those delicate ladies in the Capital City.
Zhou Wangshu couldn't help but smile bitterly.
He hadn't died at the hands of those bandits or the human trafficker but was about to die at the hands of an unknown wild boar. If the boar was killed and eaten, it would be as though he had been eaten too.
Zhou Wangshu could run no more.
He stopped running.
The wild boar charged, aiming to knock him over.
Zhou Wangshu aimed his slingshot at the wild boar's eyes.
The wild boar shrieked, halted in pain.
At that moment, Su Yaoguang ran back, hoisted Zhou Wangshu onto her back, and took off running.
Zhou Wangshu: "..."