Sure enough, the person came straight into the kitchen, exclaiming in surprise: “Sister-in-law! You’re here enjoying luxury and delicacies, without even thinking to show some respect to our parents?”
Everyone at the table looked up and saw a young woman in a pink dress, looking shocked.
Wasn’t this her little sister-in-law, Liu Cuicui?
Lu Meiyu scoffed: “Oh? And how should I show respect?”
“You’re here with two worthless kids, eating in luxury, and you don’t even bring anything for our parents?”
Seeing the two little girls’ faces fill with fear, Lu Meiyu’s anger flared: “My two children are my treasures, nothing like you, a worthless child! Don’t come here at night dressed like that to scare people! Slathered in layers of white mud? Trying to flirt with this young master? Get out of here, now!”
Liu Cuicui hadn’t expected Lu Meiyu to spare no courtesy, striking right at her heart.
Seeing the two male guests frown at her, she felt extremely aggrieved.
She had carefully dressed up under her mother’s encouragement to catch the attention of a nobleman, hoping to charm him—yet this fallen household sister-in-law completely disregarded her dignity.
“You… who’s flirting with a nobleman? If you had such ideas yourself, don’t slander me! Fine, I understand your intentions—truly dirty and despicable! But alas, you already have two children; who would want you?”
Liu Cuicui finally found her attack point and unleashed her tirade.
Lu Meiyu hadn’t even reacted, but Zhao Granny was furious.
“What’s wrong with you girl? Coming into my house in the dead of night and making a scene! Is this how the Liu family raises their daughters?”
Zhao Granny didn’t hold back, her seniority giving her no reservations.
Lu Meiyu laughed loudly: “Truly laughable. The noblemen gave silver, stayed and dined at Zhao Granny’s house, and I—saving their lives—am allowed to eat a meal with the girls. What’s wrong with that?
But you are truly ridiculous—coming in the dark, dressed in pink, your face painted white—scaring people!
Let me explain: these noblemen are from a big city; they’ve seen all kinds of women. Do you think they are tired of wealthy ladies and would find your rustic rural charm appealing?”
Lu Meiyu didn’t hold back. Liu Cuicui couldn’t withstand it and burst into tears, fleeing the scene, leaving the two men red-faced with embarrassment.
“Rustic charm,” “special flavor”… it was enough to make anyone blush.
After a long pause, Jing Yi cleared his throat, finding his voice: “Uh, actually, that’s not the case. Zhao Hai and I joined the army to earn military merits and honor our family. It wasn’t… that. Tired of seeing…”
He was too embarrassed to continue.
What nonsense was this?!
Zhao Hai sympathized with his master, who was an honest man, now caught in the words of this feisty Qingsheng sister-in-law.
Lu Meiyu laughed cheerfully: “Really sorry! I only used you two as a shield to chase off that little sister-in-law who didn’t know better… Don’t take it to heart. Eat plenty of meat to help your wounds heal faster.”
The two men exchanged glances, speechless.
Her tone was clearly a “coaxing children” tone.
They knew they were no match for this woman, so they stayed silent, burying their faces in their bowls.
After the meal, Lu Meiyu insisted on washing the dishes.
Zhao Granny had the little girls heat the fire for boiling the medicine.
When the strong bitter smell of the herbal decoction filled the air, Lu Meiyu grimaced.
Too bitter—truly undrinkable!
The three little girls also frowned, which made Lu Meiyu laugh.
She gave each of them a candy: “Sweeten your mouths.”
She popped one into her own mouth and forced Zhao Granny to have one too.
Jing Yi watched, speechless—he was the one needing the medicine, yet it was the girls getting candy.
Zhao Hai whispered: “Sir, do you want a candy too?”
“Just a grown man drinking medicine—why sweeten the mouth?” Jing Yi said coldly.
Yet when the medicine arrived, despite repeated endurance, he frowned involuntarily.
Gulping down the decoction, he couldn’t resist making a “smack” sound with his lips.
Unexpectedly, Lu Meiyu handed him a candy: “Poor thing, sweeten your mouth a bit.”
Ignoring the “poor thing” remark, Jing Yi took the candy, unwrapped it, and put it in his mouth.
It was surprisingly tasty—plum-flavored.
Instantly, the bitterness of the medicine was eased.
Lu Meiyu didn’t forget Zhao Hai, giving him one too: “Try it.”
Zhao Hai thought it odd for a grown man to eat such a treat.
But if everyone else had one, why couldn’t he?
He popped it in and exclaimed: “Wow, watermelon flavor! There’s really watermelon-flavored candy.”
Jing Yi glanced at him, surprised by the variety of flavors.
Though Doctor Sun was a rural healer, his medical skills were impressive.
That night, Jing Yi slept well, with no fever.
Zhao Hai finally relaxed—if there had been a fever, it would have been troublesome!
They had truly saved a life.
“Sir, as the saying goes, ‘Surviving a great disaster brings future fortune.’ You will surely become a general one day!”
Jing Yi laughed: “You, boy, are starting to sound like a sly-tongued fellow.”
Zhao Hai scratched his head, grinning sheepishly.
He was born a household servant. He and three others were noticed by Jing Yi, freed from servitude, and taken into the army.
His father kowtowed repeatedly to Jing Yi and repeatedly instructed him to protect his master.
He was grateful for the opportunity.
In his generation, no longer a servant but a soldier—if he could earn military merits, the whole family would rise.
Changing fortunes and glorifying the family would soon be possible.
“I just don’t know if Sir has a way to obtain the Chixiao Mingye from under the Rainbow Phoenix Snake’s watchful eye.”
Jing Yi sighed: “That snake is extremely alert. It won’t be easy to deal with.”
Zhao Hai said stupidly: “I wonder if Qingsheng sister-in-law has a way?”
“She’s just a rural woman; what insight could she have?”
Hearing this, Jing Yi felt his tongue burn—he could no longer stand the word “rural”!
Rural charm… tsk!
“She even suggested we wear armor, that’s already insightful.”
Too bad they didn’t have armor!
“I need to rest one more day; tomorrow’s action will be easier.”
For Jing Yi to give up would be unthinkable.
He had reached this place, found the Chixiao Mingye, even been bitten by the snake, and barely survived—how could he give up?
The only question remained: what method could there possibly be?