Chapter 992 - 969: Honor in Troubled Times 37

Chapter 992: Chapter 969: Honor in Troubled Times 37

"Mom, what is my fifth uncle after?"

Xiao Yin asked again.

Anning smiled without saying a word.

Xiao Yin had no choice but to eat first.

After the meal, Anning finally said, "Your fifth uncle brought this upon himself, and he’s about to face the consequences."

Hmm?

The children didn’t understand what that meant.

Anning asked Xiao Yun, who was about to get up to clear the table, to sit down: "Sit down first, don’t rush to clean up. Today, I’ll tell you all about it."

The children quickly gathered around.

Surrounded by them, Anning smiled, looked at one, then patted another on the head: "Our Xiao Family is an outsider here. What is an outsider? It means we have no roots here, no close relatives to rely on. Because we’re outsiders, our family has to be extra cautious and treat others kindly. But look at the first house over there, the three families all think they’re from the Duke Mansion and act all high and mighty."

"Isn’t that so?"

Xiao Rong was displeased with the behavior of the first house: "My eldest uncle still thinks he’s Lord Duke now."

Anning continued: "We are no longer the officials we were in the Capital; we must be extra careful in everything. Just like your father and I, ever since we arrived, we have been getting along well with the villagers. Your father often brings several taels of wine to drink with the village chief. Why? To build good relationships and integrate here. Your father also wants to start a private school, not for a few taels of silver. Even if our family is in bad shape, we don’t lack those few taels. It’s about showing kindness, teaching literature or martial arts, to let the villagers remember our family’s kindness."

Xiao Rong and the others nodded: "Now that you put it this way, we’ve come to our senses."

"Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parent, Teacher, teacher comes after parent. Your father has accepted many village children as students, so they must respect him. This way, we have connections with many families, making it difficult for others to bully us."

Anning broke down the logic for the children: "As for me, I often plant some rare vegetables. When there’s a surplus, I give some to nearby families. I also make some medicine; if someone gets sick or injured, I help them. It’s effortless for us, but it builds connections."

Anning looked at Xiao Yin: "Yin’er, you are strong-willed and find it hard to tolerate others. I need to speak to you properly now. Don’t think just because your father and I are capable that we can isolate ourselves. Let me tell you, it’s not feasible. If we shut our doors and live in isolation, not only will the villagers dislike it, but if the first house stirs up trouble, no one will speak up for us. In times of natural disasters or accidents, there won’t even be anyone to lend a hand..."

Anning spoke a lot, leaving Xiao Yin’s face flushed.

She was a bit embarrassed and lowered her head saying, "Mom, you’re right, I was wrong before."

Only then did Anning smile and continue: "Your fifth uncle is also a loner. He thought since he has some spare money and didn’t want to work, he’d have some wild ideas and took a girl from a nearby village as a concubine. He doesn’t realize, is it so easy to take a concubine? The Xiao Family has no roots here, but the Lan Family is native here, with many relatives. If a dispute arises, your fifth uncle won’t have it easy. On the contrary, Lan Sijie might seize this chance to take charge of the fifth house. Just as long as Lan Sijie doesn’t commit murder or arson, your eldest uncle and fifth uncle dare not say anything. In the future, I’m afraid the fifth house will become part of the Lan Family."

Saying this, Anning curled her lips into a mocking smile: "If it weren’t for this, why would the Lan Family’s good girl want to become a concubine? The Lan Family doesn’t care about reputation?"

The children stood dumbfounded, mouths agape, staring at Anning, utterly shocked.

Nobody expected such a reason behind it.

"Didn’t... didn’t fifth uncle think about this?"

Xiao Bai asked quietly.

Anning glanced at him: "Otherwise, why is he still acting like a master from the Duke Mansion?"

Anning looked at the children and said: "People shouldn’t be too greedy. Your fifth uncle will suffer because of his greed."

Having heard Anning’s words, each child noted it in their heart.

Anning waved her hand: "Alright, tidy up quickly and then go practice your writing. Everyone must learn ten characters today, or else there’s no dinner tonight."

It wasn’t until dinner that Xiao Yuan hurried back.

Not long after he returned, Xiao Song and Xiao Bai came back too.

Xiao Yuan’s clothes were a bit tattered, and he looked dusty. Clearly, he ran into trouble outside.

Xiao Song and Xiao Bai seemed quite spirited. They wanted to tell Anning about what they found out today, but Anning wasn’t in a rush to listen; she first let them wash up and eat, then talk afterwards.

Xiao Yuan didn’t say anything to Anning either. He washed his face, changed his clothes, and only after dinner did he and Anning call the two children to the main room to talk.

When Xiao Song and Xiao Bai arrived, they had changed clothes, and they looked like they had eaten.

As soon as they entered, they greeted Anning and Xiao Yuan.

Anning smiled and raised her hand slightly: "Alright, sit down quickly. It’s cold at night; warm up a bit first."

The two children moved their stools closer to the firepit, warming themselves while talking to Anning.

Xiao Bai spoke first: "Mom, that Lady Qiu is no good. My brother and I went to Houshan Village to find out. Lady Qiu is well-known outside, but internally she’s not settled. She often goes to town, claiming to do work, but who knows what she actually does. From afar, I saw her, and her clothes are made of good material, and she wears silver jewelry. Moreover, the way she talks and acts is rather wanton, as if, as if..."

Xiao Bai’s face turned red as she said this. As a young lady, she found it hard to say such things.

Xiao Song continued: "My sister’s right. I saw the same. When I went down the mountain earlier, I passed by a brothel, and Lady Qiu’s behavior is similar to those courtyard girls."

Anning’s eyes narrowed slightly.

She understood what the two children implied.

This Lady Qiu is probably a dissolute woman, likely entangled with many people. Bringing such a person into the family would lead to disaster.

She looked at Xiao Yuan, and Xiao Yuan said, "Lao Liu’s marriage isn’t urgent; let’s wait and see."

Anning smiled: "Alright, I understand."

She said to the two children: "You’ve both had a long day, rest early. Tomorrow I’ll have something good for you."