Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family-Chapter 1063 - 1062 It’s Getting Stranger

"Shopkeeper, bring us a pot of tea to moisten our throats,"

Granny Peng spoke first, feeling her throat was practically smoking.

"Sure thing! Here comes a pot of tea water—"

The shopkeeper sang out as he turned and quickly brought over a pot of tea, filling their cups, "Come come come, drink up!"

They finally had water to drink!

Liu Sisi could hardly care if the tea was scalding, lifting it up to blow on it before hurriedly gulping it down.

As the water slid down their throats, it finally alleviated some of their thirst, and both ignored their appearances, chugging it down into their stomachs until the tea house shopkeeper’s eyes bulged in astonishment.

The pot of tea was quickly emptied, and only then did the two relax and let out a laugh.

"Shopkeeper, besides tea water, what else do you sell here? List everything for us."

Granny Peng was clearly hungry too and inquired directly.

The shopkeeper swallowed, feeling like the God of Wealth had blessed him first thing in the morning, making him overjoyed.

"What would you like, customer? This little tea house sells only melon seeds, peanuts, and cloudy wine. If you’d like to eat something else, I’m afraid you might have to wait a bit."

How could melon seeds and peanuts possibly fill their stomachs?

The two exchanged glances, "Bring us the melon seeds and peanuts for now. We’ll pass on the wine. Do you have any other food that could fill our stomachs?"

The shopkeeper nodded and bowed repeatedly, "As for filling the stomach... I did cook a large iron pot of porridge, but it’s just for personal consumption, paired with some pickled vegetables... What do you think..."

As he spoke, he sneakily watched the two women’s expressions.

Granny Peng looked at Liu Sisi, who gave an imperceptible nod, then instructed the shopkeeper.

"Done! It’s not bad to have some porridge in the morning. Bring us two bowls of porridge first! And some pickled vegetables, and don’t forget the peanuts,"

"Alright! Please wait a moment."

The shopkeeper retreated happily.

Soon the melon seeds and peanuts were served, and he then turned to go behind the tea house, nodding to a woman there, whispering urgently, "Go report to Master, the message has been sent. Please, Master, rest assured."

"Got it! You keep them steady,"

The woman replied in a low voice, then turned and dashed away behind the tea house.

As the shopkeeper watched the retreating figure, he walked over to the kitchen. In a corner of the kitchen, two people tied up and shaking with fear, their mouths gagged, saw him enter and struggled desperately, unable to free themselves from the ropes, only managing muffled mumblings.

The shopkeeper sneered and didn’t speak. Instead, he scooped two bowls of porridge from the large iron pot, thought for a moment, looked outside — the two women were deftly peeling peanuts, sipping tea water.

Rushing back, he took a paper packet from his bosom, opened it, and poured the medicine powder inside into another bowl. He added a bit of boiled water and stirred until it was even before carefully smearing it around the rim of the bowl.

After completing all these steps, he swiftly picked up the tray, placing the pickled vegetables on it, and carried it out.

"Here we go!—Pardon us, our plain rice porridge is indeed a bit thin, it’s for personal consumption. Please forgive us!"

The shopkeeper wore an ingratiating smile, squinting his eyes as he placed two bowls of plain rice porridge and a plate of pickled vegetables on the table.

The two had been through a whole night of turmoil yesterday, and there was nothing better than this plain porridge as breakfast!

Liu Sisi didn’t stand on ceremony, picking up the bowl and eating with chopsticks.

Granny Peng was already hungry, and the two quickly finished a bowl, asking for another serving of porridge, filling their stomachs until they were full before putting down their chopsticks.

"Shopkeeper, the bill, please!"

"Alrighty! Both of you guests, it comes to eighty-five copper coins, hehehe... Although the price might be slightly higher, the truth is that our shop doesn’t normally sell this porridge..."

The shopkeeper laughed in a lecherous manner, rubbing his hands together with an obsequious smile on his face.

"No matter, here! Take it, and keep the change. We’re leaving."

Granny Peng tossed a silver ingot onto the table and headed straight out of the little tea house. Liu Sisi followed soon after, glancing back at the shopkeeper who had become even more excited, nodding and bowing continuously.

"Both of you guests, remember to come back and visit our shop! Take care, you two!"

She frowned subconsciously but said nothing, striding ahead to keep up with Granny Peng.

The strange feeling in her heart grew stronger and stronger—what exactly was going on?

Granny Peng at her side was even more anxious! Despite her efforts to extend their time, there is only so slow one can eat, isn’t there? There was still no news from His Majesty, what should they do?

Compared to Liu Sisi’s seeming ease, the situation with the emperor that Granny Peng was muttering about was extremely tense!

Ever since Di Yelei mentioned His Majesty, Lin Xiner had been lost in reminiscences.

After that, the standoff between the two had lasted for four hours, with neither side willing to give in, which led to a deadlock right there.

"Marquis Yongping, it’s no use for us to be at a stalemate like this. How about this, it’s not early anymore, so why don’t we go into the small town and sit down for a drink of water wine? We can discuss further there. What do you say?"

Di Yelei scoffed repeatedly, thinking she hadn’t noticed his many little tricks!

But the current situation left him little choice, as it was her territory after all, and he couldn’t truly start a fight to finish her. Sitting down to negotiate was indeed the only feasible option.

"Fine! I’m ravenous anyway! And so are the brothers behind me, so it’s a good opportunity to bother your Lady Mother-in-law."

"You jest, Marquis, the inside is really too small to entertain you properly. It’s only right to host Marquis Yongping, but as for the brothers behind you... I’m afraid they’ll have to camp out here!" Lin Xiner stated bluntly, without the slightest sign of embarrassment.

Di Yelei snorted coldly but made no further demands.

After signaling to a few capable men, Di Yelei followed Lin Xiner into the small town.

The small town looked ordinary on the surface, but as soon as they entered, it transformed completely—security measures were everywhere, with guards stationed every few steps. No wonder Lin Xiner had chosen it as her stronghold; it truly was out of the ordinary.

Lin Xiner’s mouth didn’t stop moving the entire time, continuously sharing stories about Liu Sisi’s childhood. Di Yelei couldn’t bring himself to interrupt and let her go on without stopping.

"... That’s why her nanny always praised her. Sisi started talking very early, learning to make sounds just four months in, and by the time she was seven months old, she could clearly say ’mom’. Back then, the little girls around her would always make her laugh, and her laughter was like a silver bell, exceptionally sweet..."

Lin Xiner talked nonstop, leading Di Yelei into a tent at the center of the small town.

"Come, let’s sit down and talk. Seeing you like this reminds me of little Niuniu. I wonder what new things she has learned in the past few days."