Ruirui heard this and laughed, "Youâre such a lazybones. The sunâs already shining on your butt."
Hearing this, Chen Jie smiled knowingly and said, "Alright, let your sister sleep a little longer. Come on, brother-in-law will take you to breakfast."
"What do you want to eat today?"
"Meat dumplings."
"Alright, letâs go have some meat dumplings."
"I want two bowls."
"Alright, brother-in-law will order you four bowls, two to eat and two to look at, okay?"
"No, donât order too much. Ruirui only needs two bowls, no need to waste."
Chen Jie said, "Okay, then brother-in-law will eat the other two bowls."
The two of them, one big and one small, left the courtyard talking and laughing, while inside the house, Su Yunjin wrapped herself in a quilt and breathed a sigh of relief.
Practicing shooting yesterday was really exhausting...
*Thinking this way, she suddenly remembered that last night, she got so excited during practice that she even shouted twice. She couldnât help but blush in embarrassment. Would her husband think she was a wanton woman? She mustnât do that again in the future, but she couldnât help it!*
*So embarrassing...*
In the morning, Chen Jie and Ruirui ate dumplings at Yangâs Third House. Their familyâs dumplings had an especially good flavor, though they cost one cent more than others.
But Chen Jie didnât lack money now, so he didnât need to be as frugal as when he was in Mianshui County.
After they were full and returned home, Su Yunjin was finally able to get out of bed and eat the breakfast Chen Jie had brought back.
"Wife, you eat first. Iâm heading to White Tiger Hall. Thereâs quite a bit to do today. I might come back late tonight or maybe not at all, and return tomorrow morning."
Su Yunjinâs movements paused for a moment upon hearing this, and she quickly asked, "Is it dangerous?"
Chen Jie said, "No."
"Oh, then be careful."
Chen Jie said, "Mm, donât worry."
Watching Chen Jie leave, Ruirui turned to Su Yunjin and said, "Sister, are you not feeling well today? Why did you sleep in?"
"Didnât you tell me that the whole dayâs work depends on a good morning? Last time I slept in, you made me write the Three Character Classic three times..."
"Do you want to punish me with writing the Three Character Classic three times too?"
Su Yunjin looked at Ruirui, who grinned and said, "Actually, I want to eat fried meatballs for lunch today..."
"Well, then Iâll go copy the Three Character Classic five times later! Weâre having tofu and cabbage for lunch!"
Huh??
Ruirui stared blankly at his sister, thinking, *What kind of person prefers copying books over eating meatballs in this world!*
...
White Tiger Hall.
Today, White Tiger Hall appeared solemn and heavy. Two large white lanterns hung at the entrance, and all the servants wore white sashes.
No one wore a smile.
Inside White Tiger Hall, the main hall was arranged as a mourning hall with a half-covered coffin placed inside.
A memorial tablet was offered above the mourning hall.
A day had passed, and White Tiger Hall was again hosting a funeral.
First, Fourth Brother died, and then Second Brother followed.
The group from White Tiger Hall, who didnât leave yesterday, gathered again to pay their respects to Second Master.
Not far from the mourning hall, a group of women kneltâZheng Chuanâs wives and concubines.
Among these women stood three children, also descendants of Zheng Chuan.
Peng Shizhong was still soft-hearted and found a separate courtyard for these women and children, taking care of them. Although they no longer enjoyed past glories, they were not without food and clothing.
The women knelt sobbing on the ground.
Who knew if they were grieving for their man or lamenting their lost wealth and status?
Tears flowed continuously as guild members gradually entered White Tiger Hall.
Chen Jie arrived early and stood by Peng Shizhong. Peng Shizhong looked at him and said, "Jiu Si, Second Brother has already paid the price for what heâs done. Donât involve his family. These children and wives, treat them well."
Although Chen Jie didnât agree with Peng Shizhongâs words, he nodded in agreement.
Just then, Feng Xuan and Lu Rong arrived.
As they reached the mourning hall, Lu Rong seemed somewhat sad, silently shedding tears.
The Old Master appeared even more heartbroken, wailing loudly, "Second Brother! Why were you so foolish? We brothers had such a good relationship, and you just leave your brother like this. My heart aches, Second Brother! I canât get over this, Second Brother! We brothers havenât spent enough time together. Second Brother! Aaaah..."
The Old Master wailed hysterically, making others think he and Second Brother had a deep bond.
Some even made comments below.
"See how grief-stricken Old Master is. Even when my mother died, I didnât cry like this. Seems like even though Old Master and Second Master fought, there was true affection."
"Yes, Old Master has always been sentimental. If Second Master hadnât pressured him so much over the years, Old Master wouldnât have been so troubled."
"Isnât that right? Old Master isnât easily moved!"
The crowd chatted away, praising Feng Xuan for being a sentimental and righteous person.
Compared to that, Fifth Master seemed a bit cold-blooded, as he hadnât shed a tear since entering the hall.
In the hearts of the people, Peng Fu saw Feng Xuan crying bitterly and said, "Old Master, thatâs enough. Stop crying, the dead wonât come back."
"Oh, Uncle Fu, my heart aches, my heart aches!"
Feng Xuan sobbed loudly, and Peng Fu repeated, "I know, I know."
"Come, the family should return the salute."
Upon hearing this, Feng Xuan was led to the front of the women. Mrs. Zhao immediately led the sisters in returning the salute, saying, "Thanks to Uncle."
Feng Xuan held Mrs. Zhao with a face full of sorrow, but his eyes glanced over Mrs. Zhaoâs beautiful figure, thinking, *Is this Second Brotherâs beloved? She does look quite nice.*