Chapter 661: The Mastermind Behind the Bandits (2)

No one expected that although the twelve children had set out together to the mountains, an accident occurred on their way in.

When Mo Yan followed Snowball's guidance to the place where the twelve children had disappeared, Snowball used the traces left on the ground and divined through magic to discover that the children had encountered a very fierce group of people here.

These people, all armed with swords and knives, for some unknown reason, had bound all twelve frightened children and taken them deeper into the mountains.

Based on Snowball’s description, Mo Yan speculated that the group was likely a band of robbers planning to descend the mountain for a heist, otherwise they wouldn’t have appeared here armed. The reason they took the children was probably because they were inadvertently seen by them, and fearing that the children might ruin their “plans,” they decided to bind them up, possibly planning to sell them to human traffickers for a big profit.

As for the target of the robbery, besides her own family, Mo Yan couldn't think of another possibility. The entire village, apart from her family, was poor, and the robbers would hardly be satisfied with just stealing a few chickens.

If the situation was as she guessed, and the innocent children were dragged into this because of her family, Mo Yan was even more determined to rescue them.

The traces left by the robbers were quite obvious. Even without Snowball, with Xiao Hua’s tracking ability, they could easily find their hiding place. However, since the robbers were armed and probably experienced in robbery, Mo Yan was reluctant to lead the villagers to search with Xiao Hua, fearing that a confrontation might occur and the villagers could get hurt.

Mo Yan thought about ways to rescue them and felt that the robbers were unlikely to act in broad daylight. The most probable time for them to act would be tonight, which meant she probably had only an afternoon to rescue the children.

While searching for possible traces the children might have left, they called out their names loudly. The echoes bounced around the mountains, but there was no response, nor did they hear any firecrackers from other places.

As time passed and with the sun about to set in just over an hour, everyone began to feel anxious. Once it got dark, finding the children would become even more difficult.

Moreover, night was the time when wild animals came out to hunt, and they worried that the children might become prey to these animals. Such an outcome would be unacceptable not only to the children’s families but would also leave an indelible mark on their own hearts.

“Yan’er, has Xiao Hua found any clues?” Mo Qingze couldn’t help but ask as he watched Xiao Hua sniffing around.

Mo Yan hesitated for a moment and shook her head. “If the children had just gone missing and we had come searching right away, Xiao Hua might have found them. Now, we can only see if we can find any traces left by the children. If we find something, there might be a lead.”

In reality, Xiao Hua had already identified a general direction, but Mo Yan chose not to tell her father and the other villagers. It was for their own good.

This answer was what Mo Qingze had expected. After hearing it, he simply nodded without saying anything more. Other villagers felt somewhat disappointed as they gazed at the vast, dark mountains, their hope of finding the children dwindling.

As the sun sank below the horizon, leaving only a red half-face in the sky, the villagers, who hadn’t even had lunch and were already exhausted and hungry, decided to abandon the search for now and return to the village to see if there were any updates.

Mo Qingze wanted to urge everyone to keep searching, but Mo Yan stopped him. “Father, we’ve searched all afternoon and found nothing. We might have been looking in the wrong direction. Continuing to search aimlessly might not yield any results. It’s better to return first and see if others have found any valuable clues.”

 Chapter 1509: The Owner of Red Fragrant Pastry Arrives

Since Shu Yu wanted to approach him discreetly, she knew it wouldn't be appropriate to talk to Wei Ronghua directly in his shop. It would be better to visit his home and have a private conversation.

She had inquired beforehand that Wei Ronghua's home was not far from Hong Xiang Gao and that he had a twelve or thirteen-year-old daughter.

She decided to meet Wei Ronghua's daughter first and ask her to call him back.

However, just as Shu Yu and Ying Xi left the cake shop, three people approached them with an angry demeanor.

At the front was a man in his mid-twenties, dressed in luxurious clothing, but his expression was unpleasant.

He was walking quickly and almost bumped into Shu Yu as he passed by.

Ying Xi couldn't even focus on eating her pastries and angrily commented, "Doesn't this person watch where he's going?"

The man obviously didn't hear her, and Shu Yu didn't mind since they didn't collide.

Just as she was about to continue walking, she heard the obsequious voice of attendant Feng from behind, "boss, you're here."

Shu Yu paused and squinted as she turned around, indeed seeing the man stride into Hong Xiang Gao.

Ying Xi also looked stunned, "Miss, that man seems to be the new owner of the Hong Xiang Gao. He doesn't seem friendly at all."

Shu Yu agreed, the new owner seemed to be looking for trouble.

She changed her direction, "Let's go back and see."

The two returned to Hong Xiang Gao. As they reached the entrance, they heard the irate questioning of the new owner, "Wei Ronghua, what do you mean? You treat my words as if they were nothing? I told you, our shop's direction has changed now, it's different from before. As the shopkeeper, your duty is to carry out my orders, not to act on your own and receive anyone you like."

Wei Ronghua came out from behind the counter, his expression unchanged, but he cast a glance at the smug attendant Feng.

He calmly replied, "I didn't know what the owner meant."

"Don't play dumb with me. I said the hibiscus cakes should be priced at fifty wen, but you? Yesterday, didn't a mother and daughter come, and you told them it's thirty wen? Tell me, are you going to make up for the losses of the shop? Also, who allowed them to taste the hibiscus cakes? You cut two pieces at once, which is equivalent to half a cake, twenty-five wen. Do you really think this shop belongs to you? Whatever you say goes?"

Wei Ronghua slightly furrowed his brow, "boss, we are still discussing the pricing of hibiscus cakes. I have always disagreed with setting it at fifty wen. It hasn't been decided yet. Other customers are charged thirty wen. As for the tasting of pastries, it has always been a shop rule. There's no reason to exclude customers..."

He hadn't finished his words when the new owner waved his hand, "Shut up! Don't try to argue with me at this moment. Do you even understand what you did wrong?"

Wei Ronghua pressed his lips together, but a crowd had already gathered at the shop entrance, drawn by the commotion.

Shu Yu and Ying Xi were among the spectators. Ying Xi whispered, "Miss, shouldn't they discuss this privately behind closed doors? It's inappropriate to do this in front of so many people."

Shu Yu smiled, "I think this owner is doing this on purpose. Didn't you notice that as more people gathered, he told Wei Ronghua to shut up, avoiding further discussion on pricing? Listen, he'll probably find other faults with Wei Ronghua soon."

 Chapter 1508: He's the One

Shu Yu had already figured it out. The next day when she went to Hong Xiang Gao, she had reverted to her young and vibrant appearance.

Wei Ronghua was still diligently standing behind the counter. When the lad known as Feng's saw them, he immediately smiled and approached, "Miss, are you here to buy pastries? Our shop's hibiscus cakes are the most popular, even the county magistrate's wife requests them. Would you like to have some?"

Shu Yu just nodded, "I'm looking for the shopkeeper Wei."

Atendant Feng frowned and fell silent.

Shu Yu walked past him and stood in front of the counter.

Wei Ronghua looked up when he heard the commotion and saw her and Ying Xi. His expression momentarily froze in surprise.

Shu Yu smiled and asked, "Shopkeeper Wei, did you prepare the pastries I asked you to keep for me?"

Wei Ronghua nodded, "Wait a moment."

He came out from behind the counter and walked towards the shelves.

Shu Yu raised an eyebrow. She didn't mention anything about asking him to keep pastries nor did she mention any specific pastry.

However, Wei Ronghua soon returned with a tray in his hands.

"These are the hibiscus cakes you requested yesterday, ten in total. Please check if they're correct. Also, there are osmanthus cakes. I wonder if the young lady has decided on those."

Shu Yu raised her eyebrow. He actually recognized her?

On the other hand, atendant Feng furrowed his brows, looking puzzled. Did this young lady visit yesterday? He had been standing at the door the whole time, and she looked beautiful. If she had come and ordered the lotus blossom cakes, he would surely remember.

Shu Yu smiled and asked Wei Ronghua, "How did you recognize me, Shopkeeper Wei?"

She glanced down at her own appearance, completely different from yesterday's attire. She hadn't expected Wei Ronghua to recognize her at first glance.

"Your maidservant behind you," Wei Ronghua smiled, "resembles her from yesterday."

Shu Yu turned her head in surprise to look at Ying Xi. Today, Ying Xi had changed her hairstyle, clothes, and even skin tone slightly. If one didn't pay close attention, they wouldn't associate her with yesterday's appearance.

Especially since Ying Xi had been following behind her with her head lowered. She only looked up briefly while eating the pastries yesterday.

Today, she continued to follow behind her.

Ordinary people probably wouldn't pay much attention to her. Yet, Wei Ronghua had noticed immediately.

"Wei Ronghua, you are truly observant," Shu Yu praised him. He was exceptionally detail-oriented.

Wei Ronghua smiled, not saying much. It had become a habit he developed over the years.

However, he couldn't quite comprehend her intentions. One moment she appeared as a middle-aged woman, and the next moment, she reverted to a young girl. What was she trying to achieve?

Surely, she wasn't just playing around as a young girl, right?

Shu Yu took the hibiscus cakes, paid him, and said, "I haven't decided on the osmanthus cakes yet. The hibiscus cakes are delicious, thank you, Shopkeeper Wei. We'll leave now."

As she left, Wei Ronghua couldn't help but grow more puzzled. What was this young lady's true purpose?

Once they were outside, Shu Yu handed all the lotus blossom cakes to Ying Xi, "Have some."

"Aren't you going to eat, Miss?"

"I don't like overly sweet things," Shu Yu replied.

Ying Xi thought her young miss was strange. Delicious sweet treats were hard to come by nowadays, yet her miss seemed to have grown tired of them.

"Miss, should we investigate Wei Ronghua?" Ying Xi asked while unwrapping a piece of cake.

Shu Yu nodded, "Yes, he's the one. Let's go to Wei's house and wait for him."

"But doesn't Wei Ronghua return home very late after work?"

"We can send someone to call him back."

  Chapter 660: The Mastermind Behind the Bandits (1)

In the main hall of the Wu family, where a dozen large tables were set with a variety of delicious dishes, no one had yet sat down to enjoy the meal, and the food had gradually cooled, losing its original flavor. The guests looked anxiously at Yang Bao, hoping he could come up with a plan to quickly find the twelve missing children.

No one had anticipated that on such a joyous day, twelve children would go missing in Liuyang Village. Among them, the oldest was ten years old and the youngest only four. An hour and a half ago, they had left the Wu family’s courtyard and had not returned since, including the child who had drunk the last of the sugar water that morning.

The children’s relatives were frantically searching the entire village, even scouring the ditches and valleys where they often played, but there was no sign of them. It was as if the children had vanished into thin air.

After communicating with Snowball in the space and learning the children’s whereabouts, Mo Yan noticed that Yang Bao was uncertain and offered a suggestion. “Village head, the villagers are saying they haven’t seen the children. The Wu family’s house is near the mountain; could they have gone into the mountains to play?”

The relatives of the missing children immediately became agitated. A burly man slapped his thigh and said with wide eyes, “Yes, yes! If a group of children went missing together, and no one saw which direction they went, the only place left is the mountains!”

“That’s right. My son said last night he wanted to go pick chestnuts in the mountains. Maybe they really went to gather chestnuts.”

“My little one too. A few days ago, their father went into the mountains to chop wood and found some wild fruits. He brought a few back, and since then, my child has been begging to go into the mountains with him.”

……

Others also agreed that the children might have gone into the mountains, and they all voiced their agreement. Everyone knew the dangers of the mountains. Adults would often warn children not to go without them, knowing that wild animals and getting lost were real risks.

The children, having grown up hearing stories about wild beasts preying on kids, and knowing about the recent incident where Mo’s hunting party was attacked by wild animals, would normally be too scared to venture into the mountains. Thus, the possibility had not occurred to anyone until now.

“Well, let’s search the mountains. If we find them, we’ll set off a string of firecrackers to let everyone know,” Yang Bao said after consulting with Mo Qingze and the village elders, who all agreed the children might have gone into the mountains. He then organized the people into several teams to search the different mountain paths.

The villagers who had not lost children also joined the search, spreading out and heading into the mountains.

Yuhua Mountain was vast, with dangers from wild animals and the risk of getting lost. Even adults who often went into the mountains only ventured around the edges and never deep inside.

Children, however, might forget adults' warnings when engrossed in play. If they encountered wild animals or got lost, even if the entire village went searching, it would be like a drop in the ocean, as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack.

Every additional person meant more hope. Mo Yan and Mo Qingze couldn’t stand by idly. After sending Xin'er and the others back to guard the house, they also joined the search party heading into the mountains.

As they passed their own home, Mo Yan found an excuse to return briefly, taking the opportunity to release Xiao Hua from the space and bring it along into the mountains.

With Xiao Hua providing cover, even if she quickly found the children following Snowball’s guidance, no one would suspect anything unusual.

  Chapter 659: A Disturbance (4)

Wu Shi, having heard Mo Yongfu’s outburst, stormed out of the kitchen in anger. Her face flushed red with fury as she shouted, “If you still consider Tie Tou your son, you wouldn’t have come here causing a scene today, nor would you have spoken such disgraceful words! Mo Yongfu, let me tell you, the head of the household on the registry is Wu Qinghua, and this house belongs to me. You have no right to sit here, so don’t even think about it!”

Since the day Wu Shi’s children had separated from the old Mo family, she had been wary of them reneging on their word. When they registered their household anew, she had insisted on her name being listed as the head of the household to guard against such scenarios. Her concerns, it seemed, had materialized all too quickly.

“What? You’re the head of the household?” Mo Hongshi glared at Wu Shi, her voice shrill with anger. “You shameless woman, using Mo family money to build such a fine house, and now you dare to claim yourself as the head of the household? Do you intend to keep a wild man? If you know what’s good for you, go to the yamen and change it back, or I’ll beat you to death!”

Mo Hongshi had not created any trouble when the house was being built, but she believed that since the house was completed, it rightfully belonged to her grandson. As his grandmother, she thought it was only natural for her to move in. If anyone dared to refuse her, she would make a scene to show her dominance. Now, seeing that the house had become Wu Shi’s, Mo Hongshi felt utterly unwilling to accept it.

“Ah, so Wu Shi is the head of the household? That’s wonderful! The old shrew’s scheme has failed!”

“Hmph, she still dares to claim the money for the house came from the old Mo family. Does she have the face to earn such a big house? Even if Wu Shi were to remarry in the future, the house would still be kept for her sons. What business does that shrew have?”

“Yes, she’s getting more shameless with age. If I had such a mother-in-law, I’d jump into the Little Qing River! And Mo Yongfu, who used to seem decent and honest, has become just as unreasonable as his mother. It’s truly despicable!”

The villagers, initially shocked to learn that Tie Tou wasn’t the head of the household, were relieved that Wu Shi was. They felt that Wu Shi being the head of the household was for the best and that the debts incurred in building the house were now her responsibility. No one thought it was inappropriate.

Wu Shi, who had been enraged by Mo Hongshi’s words, felt a sense of relief upon hearing the villagers’ opinions. Even if she had thoughts of remarrying, she would still leave the house to her two sons. If the villagers really listened to Mo Hongshi, she would have lost her standing in the village.

Calming herself, Wu Shi looked at Mo Hongshi with a mocking expression, “The head of the household is me, and the house is mine. If you want me to go to the yamen to change it, keep dreaming.”

Mo Hongshi was so furious she seemed ready to explode. Without hesitation, she raised her hand to strike Wu Shi, yelling, “My daughter has become the young mistress and has met great people. Today, I’ll beat you to death, and the yamen won’t dare to arrest me. I’ll make sure you pay with your life!”

Whether or not Mo Yongxi had indeed met influential people, Mo Hongshi’s arrogance and bullying behavior made everyone dislike her even more. Seeing her threaten Wu Shi in front of so many people, they feared what would happen if they fell out of favor with her. Would they too be bullied?

Realizing this, the crowd rushed forward, restraining the aggressive Mo Hongshi. She continued to resist, scratching and clawing at those holding her. One woman, unfortunate enough to be scratched, ended up with a bloodied face.

Feeling the pain, the woman touched her face and found it covered in blood. She screamed in anger and attacked Mo Hongshi, shouting, “You heartless old hag! Even if the gods themselves support you, I’ll destroy your shameless face today!”

Seeing the woman’s pitiful state, the villagers felt no sympathy for Mo Hongshi, who was being held down and beaten. Some even went to Yang Bao to complain, “Village head, this shrew keeps threatening to kill people. It’s out of control! You should enforce the village rules and expel them from Liuyaang Village. If this goes on, the village’s reputation will be ruined.”

Yang Bao was in a difficult position. Every village had its troublemakers. While Mo Hongshi’s behavior was despicable, she had not committed any acts that harmed the village. If he expelled her on a whim, it would damage his own reputation. Moreover, if Mo Hongshi went to the yamen to complain, he wouldn’t have a solid case.

As the commotion unfolded on what was supposed to be a joyous day, Yang Bao, seeing the two women fighting on the ground, sighed, “Pull them apart. If someone gets hurt, it’ll ruin Wu Shi’s big day.”

The crowd agreed, working together to separate the two. During the process, several women who had grievances with Mo Hongshi took the opportunity to pinch her hard.

Mo Hongshi, in pain, jumped up, still cursing and insisting that Wu Shi go to the yamen to change the household registration.

Frustrated, Yang Bao waved his hand, instructing several laborers to forcibly remove Mo Hongshi and the unwilling Mo Yongfu from the premises.

Just as the gate to Wu Shi’s yard was about to be closed, several women who had been searching for their children rushed in, their faces filled with anxiety. “The children are missing… Please help us find them!”

 Chapter 1507: Evaluation of Wei Ronghua

Shu Yu sat down behind them and ordered a bowl of noodles and a plate of peanuts.

While Ying Xi ate the noodles, Shu Yu sipped water and nibbled on the peanuts.

Shu Yu intended to strike up a conversation with the two attendants to gather some information. However, before she could say anything, the attendants started talking themselves.

"I'm starving. Finally, we can eat."

"It's all that Feng guy's fault. Ever since he arrived, we have to work until late at night before we can go back. Why do we have to stay so late during the Mid-Autumn Festival? There are no customers at our shop at this time of night. I don't know what the boss is thinking, hiring someone like Feng to watch over us."

"You're right. This guy acts like he's the boss. When Wei was in charge, he knew when to be lenient and when to be strict. After we finished our work, we could take a break occasionally, and the boss wouldn't say anything. But this Feng guy, even when we go to the restroom, he asks us a million questions, as if he's afraid we'll fall into the pit."

"We're Eating right now, don't talk about disgusting things."

The two attendants paused for a moment, slurped some soup from their noodles, and then continued speaking.

"You know, shopkeeper Wei is letting Feng suppress him so much, why isn't he doing anything about it? When we first came here, shopkeeper Wei was quite skillful, and we all respected him. But this Feng guy, besides having the backing of the boss, is just a fool. shopkeeper Wei can't even handle him?"

"Hehe, I know about this. I guess shopkeeper Wei doesn't want to stay at Hong Xiang Gao."

"How do you know that?"

"A few days ago, someone from the city came to talk to shopkeeper Wei, and I happened to overhear them. We know that shopkeeper Wei used to be a big manager in the city but was forced to come to this small county by a certain Master Miao. Now that Master Miao has left the city, I guess shopkeeper Wei wants to go back to the city and find a suitable shop."

"Are you serious?" The other person was surprised and forgot to eat his noodles.

"It's my guess. Think about it, now that the new boss doesn't like shopkeeper Wei, he sent Feng over to replace him. If shopkeeper Wei continues, he'll be fired anyway. It's better for him to leave and find a way out for himself."

"That makes sense. Since the new boss took over the shop, no matter what shopkeeper Wei says, the boss opposes it. After the incident with the Hibiscus Cakes, if the boss didn't see shopkeeper Wei's written guarantee, he wouldn't have agreed. I originally thought that after that incident, the boss would value shopkeeper Wei more, but it turns out..."

The person shook his head and said, "shopkeeper Wei seems to have lost heart."

The two of them sighed, then began lamenting about their own futures.

Upon hearing this, Shu Yu stopped listening further.

She put down the coins, and with Ying Xi, she left the noodle stall.

From the attendants' conversation, Shu Yu gained a more direct understanding of Wei Ronghua.

He had skills, good management abilities, and knew how to seize opportunities to plan the shop's business. He dared to stand up to challenges and make promises. Moreover, he had the idea of changing jobs.

However, before leaving the shop, he seemed a bit pessimistic and didn't intend to continue handling the interpersonal relationships within the shop.

Nevertheless, he was still doing his best in his work, which was enough. No one could be perfect in every aspect.

 Chapter 1506: On the Same Page with Me

Wei Ronghua smiled and said, "As long as the customers enjoy it, the price for this pastry is thirty wen. However, our Hibiscus Cakes are quite popular and usually sell out by the afternoon. Today, we are indeed out of stock. If you'd like to buy, I can reserve some for you on another day?"

Thirty wen... per piece?

Ying Xi was astonished. In this small county and such a small shop, the pastry was indeed quite expensive.

She looked at Shu Yu, who already knew that she wanted to have it—such a foodie.

Shu Yu nodded and said, "Then, we'll come back tomorrow. Please reserve a few pieces, about ten pieces should be enough."

Wei Ronghua agreed with a smile, "Sure, I'll reserve some for you."

"Thank you."

After leaving the shop, Shu Yu and Ying Xi returned to the inn.

During the walk, Shu Yu didn't say anything, and Ying Xi couldn't help but ask, "Miss, what do you think about the shop manager, Mr. Wei?"

"Based on what I've seen so far, his character and demeanor are good. He treats customers equally, at least in line with my thoughts. However, having a good character isn't enough for a shop manager. We'll go back tomorrow and take another look."

Ying Xi nodded.

However, even though they said they would go back tomorrow, that evening, after they finished dinner and changed back to their regular appearance, they happened to stroll near Hong Xiang Gao.

At this time, most shops in the county town were already closed. But due to the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, the streets were still lively at this late hour. Many people and shops were preparing for the lantern festival, especially the large restaurants that had erected platforms outside their doors for some unknown purpose.

Hong Xiang Gao, however, was not preparing for any events. When Shu Yu passed by during the day, she only noticed that they had hung new lanterns and couplets, but there was no sign of preparing for the lantern festival.

Even so, at this late hour, Hong Xiang Gao was still open.

Standing at the entrance, Shu Yu looked inside. Wei Ronghua was still behind the counter, looking down at something. There were no customers, and the shop was quiet.

Wei Ronghua seemed to sense something and raised his head, looking towards the entrance. However, by the time he looked up, Shu Yu had already left, and he could only see pedestrians passing by.

Shu Yu planned to walk to the other side of the street, but Ying Xi suddenly tugged at her sleeve, "Miss, it's the two attendants from Hong Xiang Gao."

Shu Yu turned her head and indeed saw the two indifferent attendants she saw during the day coming out of the shop. They were whispering something to each other while walking away.

As they passed by Shu Yu, she overheard them say they were going to have dinner.

Shu Yu thought for a moment and said to Ying Xi, "Let's follow them and see."

The two attendants didn't go far and sat down at a nearby noodle stall. They ordered two bowls of the cheapest vegetarian noodles.

  Chapter 658: A Disturbance (3) 

Several women who had arrived early with their children were just about to leave their seats to search for them when they saw Mo Hongshi dragging Mo Yongfu in, ignoring the curious stares of others. They boldly marched straight to the head table.

Seeing that the head table was already full and there were no reserved seats for them, Mo Hongshi immediately began to berate Tie Tou, who was serving at the table: “You ungrateful wretch! Your real father is still around, and you dare to take this seat? Get out of here at once!”

Tie Tou instinctively stood up, nervously staring at Mo Hongshi and her son. Although he desperately wanted to expel them, he couldn’t bring himself to say a word in the face of Mo Hongshi’s fierce glare.

Da Ni’er, who had just walked in with a tray full of dishes, was so shocked by the scene that she nearly dropped the tray. Her eyes were filled with anger as she looked at Mo Hongshi and her son.

Not only was Tie Tou afraid of Mo Hongshi, but Da Ni’er and the others also had deep-seated fears of her. Even though their family had managed to free themselves from Mo Hongshi’s control, seeing her again brought back all those old fears, making them anxious and fearful that their newfound peace might be shattered.

Mo Yan, sitting at the second table, was just next to them. Seeing Mo Hongshi’s shameless behaviour and hearing her rude remarks, she was about to stand up for Tie Tou and his siblings. However, Mo Qingze shook his head at her from across the table.

Realizing this, Mo Yan had to suppress her urge, her eyes locked on Mo Hongshi.

Mo Qingze slowly stood up and bypassed Mo Hongshi’s scolding to address the silent Mo Yongfu. “Although Tie Tou is your son, he has already set up his own household. Today is a day of celebration, and it’s only natural for him to host the guests here. If you’ve come to offer congratulations, you can sit down and have a drink. If you’re here to cause trouble, don’t blame me for not showing you any courtesy and throwing you out.”

His words were quite blunt, and Mo Qingze’s irritation was evident. He clearly disapproved of Mo Yongfu’s actions.

Mo Yongfu finally lifted his head, his face pale and haggard, looking as if he had aged significantly. In contrast to Mo Hongshi’s new clothes made from fine materials, his own clothes were old and patched, showing how his life had deteriorated despite following his mother’s orders. He had forced Wu Shi and the children to leave, but it had only worsened his situation, not earned his mother’s favor.

Mo Yongfu stared blankly at Mo Qingze, then his gaze shifted to Tie Tou’s face. It was a face strikingly similar to his own but marked by profound coldness. This sight pierced his heart with sharp pain, stirring up a fierce sense of unwillingness. “He’s set up his own household and become the head of his family, but I’m still his biological father. How dare he not let me in, not let me sit here? That’s unfilial!”

This statement was not entirely incorrect. Although Tie Tou and his siblings had set up their own household and Wu Shi had only made a one-time payment to sever ties with the old Mo family, it didn’t change the fact that Tie Tou and his siblings were still Mo Yongfu’s children.

If Mo Yongfu persisted in creating a scene, it wouldn’t benefit anyone, especially not his own children. Moreover, if Mo Yongfu fell into poverty while Tie Tou and his siblings enjoyed a good life, some might think the siblings were too cold-hearted, neglecting even their own father.

  Chapter 657: A Disturbance (2)

Mo Yan and the others had been busy all morning and were quite sore. They were relieved when others came to help and gladly put down their knives and aprons.

At this moment, Da Ni’er brought tea to the helpers, pouring each person a bowl.

Mo Yan took a sip and found it sweet with sugar. She wasn’t fond of such sugary tea, so she reluctantly drank half a bowl and set it down on the table. However, a seven or eight-year-old child spotted it, eagerly ran over, and drank the remaining half of the tea, finishing it off and even licking the bottom of the bowl.

Mo Yan stared in shock, reaching out to stop the child, but it was too late. She wasn’t upset about the child drinking her tea without asking but was bothered by the lack of hygiene, which made her uncomfortable.

“Hey, you greedy little thing, why did you drink your family sister’s tea?”

The child’s mother, one of the women helping out, initially thought the child was being clever for drinking the tea. Seeing Mo Yan’s displeasure, she thought Mo Yan was upset about the tea and quickly set down her bowl. She pulled the child over and began scolding and hitting him.

The child, not understanding much, started crying loudly when his usually gentle mother was both scolding and hitting him. Soon, his face was covered in tears and snot, looking pitiful.

What was initially a minor issue became quite awkward for Mo Yan. She quickly stepped in to stop the woman from hitting the child further. “He’s just a little kid; it was only half a bowl of tea. If I’d known he liked it so much, I’d have given him a whole bowl. Aunt, there’s no need to hit him so hard. If you hurt him, it’s painful for him and distressing for you as well.”

With an excuse to back down, the woman stopped hitting the child but muttered, “Children shouldn’t be spoiled. If they make mistakes, they need to be punished until they understand what they did wrong. Otherwise, who knows what trouble they might cause when they grow up!”

“Aunt’s way of teaching is admirable. This child looks obedient, and you’re certainly a blessed aunt!” Mo Yan smiled and agreed, with others also joining in to comfort the woman. She finally stopped and put down the knife.

At this age, children are already sensitive to their self-esteem. After being scolded and hit in front of so many people, the child’s fear shifted to a sense of grievance. He angrily grabbed a small clay figure he had been playing with, and quickly ran out of the courtyard, disappearing from sight.

Mo Yan, feeling a bit uneasy, reminded the woman to find the child.

The woman, now cutting vegetables again, replied without looking up, “This little rascal is more timid than a rabbit. He won’t run far. He’ll come back when the meal is served.”

Mo Yan figured the village was relatively safe, and despite the disagreements among adults, they wouldn’t harm the children. So she decided not to press the issue further.

This small incident was soon forgotten. As the sun climbed higher, the temporary stoves in the courtyard were fired up. The chopped vegetables and meats were added to the pots, and after some stir-frying, they turned into a variety of delicious dishes.

Apart from the Mo family, the Wu family had no other relatives in the village. The guests invited to the housewarming were all people who had a good relationship with the Wu family.

Around noon, Mo Qingze, having rested, arrived with the family’s tables. Other invited guests also brought tables, chairs, and benches. Yang Bao and several village elders arrived before the meal began, offering gifts and taking their seats at the head table, guided by Tietou.

With the head table filled, everyone found their seats and waited for the dishes to be served. Surrounding each table were groups of children. Since children couldn’t sit at the table, the adults who brought them had them stand by the side with bowls and chopsticks. When the dishes arrived, they would be given some.

 Chapter 656: A Disturbance (1)

The Wu family's house was built spaciously. Wu Shi had spent a few silver taels to buy three acres of land. One acre was used to build the house, while the remaining two acres were enclosed with blue bricks. Part of it was used for a vegetable garden and part for raising poultry and livestock. Following Mo Yan’s suggestion, they planned to plant rare fruit trees next spring, with the saplings also provided by Mo Yan.

To speed up the construction, Wu Shi hired many villagers for help. Given the clear and dry autumn weather, although the house was quite large, it was completed in just a month.

After the house was finished and furnished with basic necessities, the Wu family quickly moved out of the Mo household and into their new home.

The layout of the house was simple, consisting of six main rooms and six auxiliary rooms. Wu Shi’s plan was that if the two brothers, Tie Tou and Shi Tou, got along well after marriage, the whole family could live together. If they didn’t get along and needed to separate, they could build a wall in the middle, dividing the house equally to avoid future conflicts over property.

The twelve rooms and the one-person-high courtyard wall were all made of blue bricks, giving the house a square, grand appearance. Although it was smaller than Mo’s courtyard and lacked the refined elegance of Mo’s home, it was the best house in Liuyang Village, apart from Mo’s.

Building such a spacious house with good materials naturally cost a lot, and after furnishing it, most of the Wu family’s wealth was spent. However, they now had a place to call home, and Wu Shi was optimistic about the future. She even planned to send Shi Tou to a city school for early education, clearly hoping to raise a scholar.

To avoid arousing jealousy from Mo Hongshi, who might come to cause trouble, the Wu family consistently claimed that the money for building the house was borrowed from the Mo family and would be repaid in the future.

Despite this, villagers were still envious. Seeing the families close to Mo getting better, many hoped to catch Mo’s eye and improve their own fortunes. Some families with eligible daughters even began to inquire about Tie Tou, intending to form a marriage alliance with the Wu family.

Wu Shi thought two of the girls were quite good and asked Tie Tou’s opinion, but Tietou remained silent, shaking his head firmly.

Early the next morning, after a simple breakfast, Mo Yan, along with Xin’er, Li Xiu, and others, arrived at the Wu house with five sets of new bedding as a housewarming gift.

Wu Shi received the bedding and, feeling its softness, knew it was made from high-quality material. She couldn’t help but scold Mo Yan, “Child, I’m happy you could come to help. There’s no need for such an expensive gift. We have plenty of bedding already.”

Mo Yan smiled and said, “Today is Aunt Wu’s happy day. As your niece, I can’t come empty-handed. Besides, these materials were given to me by others; I’m just passing them along! If you don’t need them, they can be used for Da Ni’er’s dowry.”

Wu Shi understood this was just a polite excuse but accepted the gesture, giving Mo Yan a resigned but appreciative look.

After dividing the tasks, everyone got busy. Xin’er, Li Yan, and Tang Xin, the younger ones, washed the vegetables, while Mo Yan, Li Xiu, and Da Ni’er prepared them. The sounds of knives and chopping boards mixed with the water splashes, filling the previously quiet courtyard with bustling activity.

As the sun rose, women friendly with Wu Shi began arriving at the Mo household, ready to lend a hand. They found that the vegetables had already been washed and only some needed cutting. Feeling a bit awkward, they quickly took the knives from Mo Yan and her companions, urging them to rest. 

(End of the chapter)

  Chapter 655: A Premonition in Dreams (4)

"Ha ha, that’s settled then! Make sure to prepare plenty of good food. In three days, I’ll be bringing the whole family over. Don’t mind the crowd, ha ha!" Han Zhiyun laughed heartily and didn't press the matter further. If Mo Qingze didn’t visit the small courtyard, Han Zhiyun planned to go straight home and sleep for three days and nights, having no extra energy to entertain friends.

After agreeing on a date to gather, the two quickly climbed into their respective carriages and, after waving goodbye, departed in different directions.

As the carriage swayed, Mo Qingze, who had not had proper rest for days, began to feel drowsy. Unable to hold on any longer, he informed Mo Yan and then leaned against the carriage wall, gradually closing his eyes.

Mo Yan instructed Da Hongzao to slow down, and once they exited the city gate, she climbed into the carriage, opened the right-side seat board, and gently covered her father with a rabbit fur blanket.

Mo Qingze slept uneasily, his brows furrowed and forming small peaks, as if troubled by something unresolved in his dreams.

Mo Yan observed this and couldn’t help but frown. Although her father had been anxious before the exam, now that it was over, the results were settled. Given her father’s temperament, he shouldn’t be troubled by the results.

Was there something she didn’t know about causing her father’s current distress? Mo Yan pondered for a while but couldn’t figure it out. She decided to set the matter aside and chatted with Snowball in the space.

Snowball had lived for many years in different time and space and knew many things Mo Yan had never heard of. They chatted endlessly, and without realizing it, the carriage reached the boundary of Liuyang Village, and the last sliver of twilight faded from the west.

Mo Yan, reluctant to leave the lively stories, was about to wake her father when she noticed that although he was asleep, his face displayed deep unease. Sweat beads trickled down his forehead like a small stream, indicating he was deeply entangled in a nightmare.

Feeling a jolt of worry, Mo Yan quickly shook her father, calling out loudly, “Father, wake up! Wake up!” She couldn’t guess what troubling dreams her father had but felt a strong intuition that it was related to his earlier frown.

Mo Qingze did not wake up immediately but murmured disjointedly, his voice filled with urgency and fear, “Yan’er, run! Yan’er… run quickly, danger… it’s dangerous here!”

Mo Yan was alarmed. Seeing her father trapped in such a nightmarish state, she continued shaking him, raising her voice, “Father, you’re dreaming. Those bad things aren’t real. Wake up quickly…”

Perhaps due to the loudness of her voice, Mo Qingze suddenly woke up, sitting upright and gasping for breath. Seeing Mo Yan’s worried face, he was relieved and said, “Yan’er, you escaped?”

Realizing her father wasn’t fully awake, Mo Yan tentatively asked, “Father, who is trying to harm me?”

Mo Qingze’s face showed anger as he was about to speak when the carriage jolted, startling him awake. Noticing Mo Yan’s worried expression, he forced a smile and said, “Yan’er, don’t worry. It was just a nightmare. No one is trying to harm you!”

“No one? That’s good. But you really scared me with how you looked just now!” Mo Yan breathed a sigh of relief, her expression relaxing as if she truly believed her father’s words.

In reality, she didn’t fully trust her father’s excuse. Observing his lingering fear, she couldn’t bear to press him further. If there were things her father was hiding, he must have had his reasons. She decided to investigate on her own if necessary.

Mo Qingze also relaxed, patting his eldest daughter’s head and seriously said, “No matter what happens in the future, I will protect you and your siblings with my life!”

Mo Yan’s eyelids twitched. She comforted her father, “Even if trouble comes, I will do my best to protect our family. And even if I can’t manage it, the current emperor owes me a promise. I’ll make sure he keeps it!”

“Indeed, with the emperor’s promise, I feel more at ease!” Mo Qingze smiled with relief. Despite his words, his eyes still held deeper worry.

Mo Yan’s gaze darkened, and she chose not to say more.

When they returned home, the kitchen had already prepared two large pots of hot water. Mo Qingze set aside his worries for the time being and enjoyed a long, soothing bath.

When Mo Qingze emerged dressed, he saw the simple meal of porridge, vegetables, and coarse grain cakes on the table, which Mo Yan had specifically arranged. Given their recent light diet, a feast of rich dishes might not be suitable. Simple porridge and coarse grain cakes were perfect.

The dinner table was quiet. No one mentioned the exam, hoping to avoid adding any pressure to Mo Qingze. The exam results wouldn’t be known until the tenth of October, so there was no need to dwell on it now.

Mo Qingze finished his meal and retired early. The next day was the warm-house banquet at the Wu family’s place, so Mo Yan and the others needed to get up early to help. They all took their baths and went to bed early. 

  Chapter 654: A Premonition in Dreams (3)

The originally scheduled time was a few days away, but a virtual dream advanced the start of work. Apart from this, there were no other issues.

With her long-standing concerns resolved, Mo Yan felt much more at ease and devoted herself wholeheartedly to the construction of the winery. On the afternoon of September 21st, she drove a carriage into the city alone and went to the entrance of the Imperial Academy to pick up her father, who had just finished his last exam.

At this time, the entrance to the academy was crowded with all sorts of carriages. There was a dense crowd of people, including young servants from wealthy families, elderly people, some with rosy complexions and luxurious clothing, and others with weathered faces and patched garments. Among them were young wives standing on the edge, all stretching their necks to look inside, as if doing so would make their master (son or husband) come out sooner.

As a young woman, Mo Yan found it inconvenient to squeeze among the crowd. She parked the carriage in a nearby open area and waited on the driver's seat. After about half an hour, the long, ringing sound of bells signaled the end of the triennial autumn examination!

Soon, after enduring seven days of tests, the scholars began to emerge from the academy in a steady stream. There were teenagers of sixteen or seventeen, elderly individuals with graying hair, and most were middle-aged men around thirty, who were fathers, sons, or husbands. The one thing they all had in common was their pale faces and unsteady steps, as if they might collapse at any moment.

Clearly, the autumn exam tested not only knowledge and intellect but also endurance. It was no wonder that the servants and families waiting at the entrance were so anxious.

Mo Qingze and Han Zhiyun were the last to emerge. Compared to the others who looked like they might faint at any moment, their condition appeared quite good. Although they looked exhausted, their steps were steady, indicating they hadn't suffered too much.

The food and water provided by Mo Yan had indeed been a great help. Not only did it save them time, allowing them to rest more, but the spirit spring water and ginseng slices also quickly replenished their energy, keeping their minds clear and helping them endure the exam. Otherwise, they would have been in the same condition as others, needing assistance or being carried home.

Mo Yan's keen eyes spotted Mo Qingze and Han Zhiyun as soon as they appeared at the entrance of the academy. Seeing they were in good condition, she breathed a sigh of relief and hurried over to them.

Han Zhiyun’s attendant, who had been waiting at the entrance, reached the two men first and cleverly took over their food boxes and small stove.

“Father, Uncle Han!” Mo Yan greeted with a smile and quickly took her father’s belongings from Han Zhiyun’s attendant.

Han Zhiyun, smiling, turned to Mo Qingze and asked, “Brother Ziyu, it’s getting late now. You must be tired. Why don’t you stay with us for the night and head home tomorrow?”

After seven days of being confined in small examination rooms where they could change clothes but not bathe, they appeared clean on the outside, but a faint odor of sweat and grime lingered, making them long for a bath.

Mo Qingze looked at the setting sun and shook his head with a gentle voice, “It’s getting dark. I don’t want to impose. After you’ve rested for a couple of days, bring your children to our home, and we can have a good get-together then.”

 Chapter 1505: Shu Yu's Test

As they entered the shop, Shu Yu looked around at the furnishings. The shop was indeed small, but the layout was exquisite, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

Shu Yu nodded slightly, acknowledging the pleasant ambiance.

On the other hand, Ying Xi, who followed her, kept her head down, appearing inexperienced and uncomfortable.

Wei Ronghua, the shop's manager, greeted them warmly, "Which pastry would you like to buy? Did you have any specific preferences when you came in?"

Shu Yu lowered her voice shyly and said, "My eldest daughter is getting married, so I need to buy some pastries to treat the guests."

Wei Ronghua understood and smiled, leading them to a corner of the shop. He introduced, "Since you're treating guests, you'll need a considerable amount. It's currently mid-autumn, and the osmanthus flowers are in full bloom, making the Osmanthus Cake suitable. It has a refreshing taste, not overly sweet, and it's reasonably priced. If you buy a large quantity, I can even offer you a discount."

Shu Yu realized that it was the season of abundant osmanthus flowers, making Osmanthus Cake an affordable pastry that most people could enjoy. Wei Ronghua was genuinely recommending it for her.

Shu Yu then asked in a hushed tone, "Which one is the Osmanthus Cake?"

The display had many colorful pastries, making it hard to identify the specific one.

Wei Ronghua took out a piece of Osmanthus Cake with a floral pattern, "You can try this one. If you like it, then decide whether you want to buy."

He cut two small pieces and handed them to Shu Yu and Ying Xi.

Before they could take a bite, the attendant who had been watching them came over angrily, seemingly wanting to say something.

Wei Ronghua raised his head and whispered, "There are other customers nearby."

The attendant looked over and immediately held back his words.

Although he was displeased with Shu Yu and Ying Xi, there were other well-to-do customers in the shop. Causing trouble in front of them would tarnish the shop's reputation.

The attendant didn't say anything more, but he glared at them fiercely.

Observing this, Shu Yu realized that Wei Ronghua knew how to handle his attendants well and had a calculated mind.

Shu Yu tasted the Osmanthus Cake. It wasn't extraordinary, but it was decent and reasonably sweet.

She understood that sugar wasn't cheap these days, so the taste might be lighter.

Wei Ronghua asked, "How does the customer find it?"

Shu Yu hesitated for a moment and continued, "I need to discuss it with my family first. I'll come back tomorrow to buy, is that alright?"

Wei Ronghua smiled, "Of course."

Shu Yu then mentioned, "I heard that your shop has a new type of pastry recently, praised by the County Magistrate's wife. I wonder..."

"Are you talking about the Hibiscus Cake?" Wei Ronghua pondered for a moment and said in a low voice, "Please wait a moment."

Shu Yu was puzzled, but Wei Ronghua went to the counter and returned shortly with a plate containing two pieces of sliced Hibiscus Cake.

He offered them to Shu Yu and Ying Xi to try.

The Hibiscus Cake was much tastier than the Osmanthus Cake—soft, sweet but not cloying, and refreshing. It was no wonder it received praise from the County Magistrate's wife.

Shu Yu asked, "How much is this Hibiscus Cake? I want to buy a few pieces."

 Chapter 1504: Wei Ronghua

As they arrived at the entrance of Hong Xiang Gao, Shu Yu hesitated and slowed down her steps. Ying Xi stood on her left, supporting her and asked in a low voice, "Mother, the pastries in this shop seem quite expensive. Should we really buy from here?"

Their conversation was overheard by the people inside the shop. One of the attendants closest to them frowned and looked guardedly at the two women, examining their attire. Meanwhile, the other two attendants who were serving customers seemed like they wanted to approach, but seeing the look from the first attendant, they refrained from doing so and continued with their tasks.

Shu Yu and Ying Xi noticed the attendants' actions and exchanged glances. They wondered why a small shop like this needed three attendants; it seemed excessive.

Shu Yu cleared her throat and said, "Your sister is getting married, so we need to buy some good pastries to treat the guests. I heard this shop's pastries are delicious; let's go in and have a look."

As she took a step forward, the attendant at the entrance blocked their way. He said, "Hold on, Auntie, the pastries in our shop are not cheap. If you can't afford them, it's better not to come in and scare away other customers."

Shu Yu gestured towards the attendant and whispered, "But he just said..."

Before she could finish, a middle-aged man rushed over from inside the shop. He glared at the attendant and then turned to Shu Yu with a smile, "This lady, please come inside. Feel free to look around; our shop has a wide variety of pastries. Choose whichever flavor you like."

Shu Yu was about to mention the attendant's comment, but the middle-aged man interrupted her, "He doesn't have the final say; I am the manager here."

Shu Yu observed the man in front of her and concluded that he must be Wei Ronghua.

This confirmed the contents of Master Miao letter. Master Miao mentioned that the pastry shop was originally not well-known, and they didn't have a wide variety of pastries. However, after Wei Ronghua became the manager, the business improved, and they started to gain regular customers.

However, after the old owner passed away, the new owner had different ideas. Especially in the past few months, the shop created a new pastry under Wei Ronghua's management. It was praised by the County Magistrate's wife during an event, gaining recognition from a high-ranking official, and the shop instantly became popular.

The new owner then wanted to raise the price of all the pastries in the shop and only serve wealthy customers. He wanted to increase the entire shop's reputation.

However, Wei Ronghua believed that it was not appropriate, at least not at the moment. Their different views led to a conflict, and not long after, the new owner placed a trusted subordinate in the shop.

Judging from what had just happened, the attendant who tried to drive them away was probably the new owner's loyal subordinate.

This person executed the new owner's policies thoroughly—only serving the wealthy and driving away the poor.

To confirm these details, Shu Yu dressed up like this, intending to investigate.

 Chapter 1503: Wu Fengyuan's Wrong Guess

Wu Fengyuan explained, "The other party is an old man surnamed Qian from Donggu County. His family used to be in the tea business. However, business has been poor in the past few years, and earlier this year, they had to close down two of their shops. I suspect that the Qian family is now looking for other business opportunities but hasn't found a way in."

He continued, saying that when he saw the flourishing sunflowers Shu Yu planted, they made roasted seeds and extracted oil, he came up with an idea.

However, in Wu Fengyuan's opinion, the Qian family had no prior experience in this field and was rashly venturing into a new business, which could be quite risky. Especially since sunflowers were rare, and before Shu Yu's workshop, they had never been seen in Dahu Chaoyue County. It was difficult to predict their future prospects.

Shu Yu listened and nodded. It seemed that Master Qian valued the sunflower fields greatly, and with only a few mu of land, he had dispatched five or six people to patrol the area, seemingly afraid of others approaching.

When their carriage stopped, those people immediately became vigilant and seemed to want to approach and ask them to leave.

Shu Yu only lifted the carriage curtain to look outside. Maste Qian's sunflowers were later planted than theirs. The sunflowers on Lu's Workshop had grown to her shoulder's height, while Master Qian's only sprouted, and they seemed sparse and far from thriving.

Wu Fengyuan also remarked, "These sunflowers don't seem to be growing well. I doubt the yield will be high."

Shu Yu agreed, glancing at the nearby water source.

The land was relatively moist, and there was a nearby hill providing shade.

With a smile, Shu Yu turned to Ying Xi and said, "Let's go."

Wu Fengyuan was taken aback, "We're leaving just like that? Won't you talk to Master Qian about this?"

Shu Yu withdrew her gaze and leaned on the window frame, smiling, "No need. I have some business to attend to in the city."

Wu Fengyuan wondered, "So, you came to Donggu County not for this sunflower field?"

Sensing his peculiar gaze, Shu Yu looked puzzled, "Does Master Wu have other business here? Or is there a problem with this land?"

Wu Fengyuan quickly shook his head and smiled, "No, let's head back then."

"Thank you for today, Master Wu."

He chuckled and bid her farewell, "Since you still have things to take care of, I won't disturb you any further. If you need any assistance, don't hesitate to visit the Wu family. We're familiar with Dong Gu County."

"Thank you."

Wu Fengyuan bowed slightly and left with his companions.

This time, Shu Yu didn't visit the Wu family again but stayed at a nearby inn. Wu Fengyuan now realized that she intended to stay in the county for a night, which meant she had other pressing matters.

Wu Fengyuan laughed and said his farewell. He realized that her purpose in Donggu County was different from what he initially thought, and her business seemed much more important than that sunflower field.

As it was getting close to dusk, Shu Yu parked the carriage in the inn's backyard and headed straight to find Wei Ronghua.

Wei Ronghua was now working as a manager in a pastry shop called Hong Xiang Gao. The shop wasn't too large, but business was doing well. According to Master Miao, it was all thanks to Wei Ronghua.

Shu Yu chose an inn near Hong Xiang Gao for a reason; it was not too far to walk there.