Chapter 333: Harboring Runaways?

their journey.Mrs. Cui's village wasn't far, but the donkey cart moved slowly. By the time they arrived, it was already past noon.Mrs. Cui, Mr. Wen, and Liu Zhiheng all came out to greet them.Mrs. Cu...Suijin Beach is still as peaceful and beautiful as ever.

Because the weather was so nice, the old woman picked a bushel of small eggplants from the back yard and planned to pickle them with garlic.

This is a savory dish that people in northern China love to eat.

Select eggplant that is four or five inches long, wash it clean, steam it until soft, cut it open in the middle, and let it air dry for a while.

Then crush the garlic from DuoDuo, add chopped cilantro and salt, mix well.

Then, evenly spread the garlic paste and fill the eggplant.

Finally, find a small clay pot, wash and dry it thoroughly, making sure there is no water or fishy smell left. Then put the eggplant in it.

One layer of eggplant, one layer of fine salt, seal it and put it in a cool place. After half a month, you can eat it.

After being pickled, it is a good companion for both congee and noodles.

The people here in Xin Du have light tastes, they definitely wouldn't want to eat something like this pickled vegetable. But in Suijin Tan, every household has moved here from the north, their tastes never change.

At the end of autumn, people rush to pickle some, so that during the winter when cats' appetites are poor, they can rely on these small salted vegetables.

Jia Yin followed closely behind her grandmother, helping to pass things and lend a hand, being very useful.

This amused the old woman, who praised, "My granddaughter, Fu Niu, just celebrated her birthday and she's so sensible now, just like a big girl! She used to cause trouble, but now she's such a good helper for grandma."

Jia Yin was praised, smiling with a mouthful of pearly white teeth, her eyes squinting into slits. Just as she was about to show off a few words, the moment she opened her mouth, saliva uncontrollably threatened to spill out, causing the old woman to burst into laughter, almost doubling over in mirth!

Right at that moment, Huiniang carried a basket of eggplants over, "Auntie, I'm here!"

Li Laotai was most worried about Huiniang's big belly. She ran forward in three or two steps to take the basket and chided, "Why didn't you just stay at home and rest What are you running around for"

Hui Niang smiled and said, “These past few days, you haven't allowed Fu Niu to come over with me to read and write. I'm so bored being idle. I heard you were steaming garlic eggplant, so I came to join in the fun and pickle a jar myself. I'll have it ready for my husband when he comes home. He's used to it in the army, and now his taste is heavy.”

"Shout a little outside the back wall, and I'll bring you out a jug." The old woman helped her sit down in the chair under the eaves.

Jia Yin quickly ran inside to get a cotton cushion and put it behind her master's waist, trying her best to make her more comfortable.

"Guiniang gently rubbed Jia Yin's head and looked around the courtyard, noticing only the two of them. She asked, "Where are Mrs. Cui, Qiong-zi, and Dongmei"

The old woman replied, "Jinerou went back early this morning. She has a lot of things to do at her estate. Because Funiu's birthday is coming up, it's not bad for her to come over for two days to celebrate. The lord found a wet nurse for Funiu, Yishan went to help pick her up, and Dongmei took this opportunity to dry the quilts and wash the clothes."

"Our Fu Niao is blessed indeed. She's cherished by her family, and even the Marquis treats her like the apple of his eye." Hui Niang sighed with envy, reaching out to gently touch her own belly. She yearned for her child to be as loved in the future.

The old woman was peeling eggplant in her hands and smiled, "You just rest assured. Just look at how Daring treats you now, he's afraid to even put you in his mouth for fear of melting it, afraid to hold you in his hand for fear of dropping you. He will definitely treat the two children well in the future."

Hui Niang lowered her head, smiling shyly. She was just about to speak when a commotion arose outside the courtyard.

Jiayin was very curious and took her little legs to go see the commotion. The old woman couldn't stop her, so she could only follow along.

Hui-Niang's heart beat faster for no reason, she supported her waist and hadn't even stood up when a group of people rushed in from outside, startling her face pale!

That elderly woman, in her fifties, was well-maintained. Her skin was fair, but there were frown lines between her brows, and her eyes were cold and stern. She looked nothing like a kind person at all.

Two middle-aged women followed her, both beautiful and elegant in their fine attire.

One was plump, with a fairly mild expression but somewhat thin, and like the elder woman at the front, her face was full of bitterness.

Behind the three men were more than a dozen sturdy maidservants, each wielding a staff as thick as an arm, their faces menacing.

The old woman was also taken aback, not understanding what had happened for a moment. But she remembered her granddaughter was by her side, instinctively shoving the child behind her and shouting, "Who are you people Why did you break into my house"

At that moment, Huiniang stood on the stairs, forcing down her fear and cried out, "Auntie, they are the Yan family's people!"

Yan's family

The old woman widened her eyes, realizing that things were not simple.

When Hui's parents first came here, they almost lost their lives. Now that the Yan family is coming again, with such a menacing attitude, there's definitely no good intention!

Fortunately, Zhao Shu and the others had squeezed in by now, blocking the old woman and Fuku from behind.

"You're trespassing on private property! Don't you know the law Who gave you the guts!" Zhao Shu and his men were furious, shouting angrily.

Just now when these people were getting off their carriage at the village entrance, they thought they were visitors. As soon as they pointed to the Li family's gate, they pulled out their clubs and rushed over.

This isn't a guest, this is a robber!

That somewhat thin middle-aged woman pointed at Hui Niang on the steps and said in a cold voice, "National law You commoners don't understand what national law is. Hiding our Yan family's escaped slave isn't breaking the law"

Fugitive

Old Madam Li and Uncle Zhao et al. all had grim faces. Little Fu's eyes rolled, taking advantage of the crowd not paying attention, she quickly ran out of the courtyard door. She just happened to meet Jia An and Jia Xi at the door.

It turns out these two boys ate too much congee in the morning and ran out of class to play by the water. Seeing that many people had entered their yard, they were curious and came back to have a look.

Jia Yin grabbed her brothers by the hand, her voice filled with urgency: “Brothers, something terrible has happened! The Yan family has come to take my master. There's going to be bloodshed! One of you go to the valley and find people, as many as possible! Another go call Second Uncle and tell him to send someone to the docks to find Uncle Yong. Hurry!”

Homejoy's family was overjoyed and didn't hesitate for a moment, they turned around and ran.

At this moment, the courtyard was in an uproar. The spiteful woman had called for the burly women to come forward and drag Huijiang down.

Of course Li Laotai and Zhao Shu and the others couldn't let them go. They desperately blocked those women.

But there were simply too many midwives. They stopped most of them, but two still managed to get up the steps.

With one hand protectively on her stomach, Hui Niang picked up the teapot on the small tea table and hurled it.

Two women were splashed with tea and became furious. They rushed forward to fight.

Jia Yin went crazy, helpless as she was young and couldn't help.

Fortunately, Dongmei flipped over and jumped from the wall.

She saw the scene and rushed forward, kicking it hard.

Both of the women bumped into Huiniang's sleeve and were suddenly kicked away, pulling Huiniang off balance and causing her to stumble and fall to the ground!

The old woman hurried over to help Huilan, asking repeatedly, "Huilan, are you alright Are you hurt"

Hui Niang's face was as pale as paper, not a trace of blood. She panted desperately, comforting Li Lao Tai, "Auntie, I'm fine, send someone to call my husband back! Husband, find my husband…"

"Okay, okay, don't worry! There are so many people in the family, they'll all protect you. Just take care of yourself and your child, don't worry, don't worry at all!"

The old woman was terrified, Hui'niang was carrying two babies. If anything happened, it would be a tragedy of three lives!n't even enough to cover our medicine and treatment. How can we possibly survive after that!""Under the Duke's care, we found shelter here. From now on, we'll earn our own living and support ourselves...