My humble days in ancient times

Auntie Tian happily took the sleeping Xu Ruyuan on the journey home. Along the way, Auntie Tian's face was filled with a joyful smile, and her joyful expression seemed to be overflowing.

The ox cart they were riding in was moving slowly forward. The driver was careful and deliberately controlled the speed, for fear that the road was too bumpy and would make Xu Ruyuan feel uncomfortable while he was sleeping.

When they got home, Xu Ruyuan still hadn't regained consciousness. Aunt Tian gently carried Xu Ruyuan to bed, her gaze filled with loving care. The more she looked, the more she found the child incredibly beautiful: her rosy, tender face, like a newly ripe peach, shimmering with an alluring luster; her long, slightly curled eyelashes, like two delicate little fans. Aunt Tian's affection grew with each glance, her eyes filled with unconcealable fondness.

Afterwards, Auntie Tian washed her face, which was covered in dust after all the long journey. She poured herself a bowl of water and drank it in big gulps: "It really quenches my thirst. I'm really tired from these two trips back and forth. My back and waist are sore."

At this moment, Auntie Tian heard a noisy sound coming from outside the courtyard and looked up. She saw Xu Ruyi and her family walking towards her in a hurry. They looked anxious and worried.

After entering the house, Xu Ruyi raised her eyebrows, pointed at Aunt Tian and said, "Grandma, she was the one who went to our house today." There was a bit of anger and accusation in her tone.

Li hurriedly stepped forward and said with a slightly awkward look: "I'm sorry for coming here without permission. I hope you can forgive me. But I have to take my granddaughter back today no matter what." Her eyes were firm, and her tone, although polite, left no room for doubt.

When Aunt Tian heard this, she became so anxious that her face turned red: "What's going on? We just agreed on a marriage, how come it's called off in the blink of an eye?" She widened her eyes and waved her hands constantly, looking angry and anxious.

Xu Ruyi smiled coldly, with the corners of her mouth raised with a hint of sarcasm: "Auntie, you are joking. Didn't you arrange a marriage for me today? I clearly said I didn't agree at that time, and you heard it with your own ears, didn't you? Since you arranged a marriage for me, why did you take my sister away? How can it be so unreasonable?" Xu Ruyi stared at Auntie Tian with a sharp gaze, as if his eyes could see through people.

Aunt Tian was speechless for a moment, tugging at the corner of her clothes with her hands: "You didn't agree, and I didn't like you either, so I discussed your sister's marriage with your stepmother. Your stepmother agreed."

Xu Ruyi found it funny in her heart. It was okay to be so careless: "Auntie Tian can't make the decision."

Aunt Tian's face instantly turned gloomy, and she looked unhappy: "Why doesn't it count? Your stepmother has accepted the money. Besides, it's the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. Since your parents agree, this matter is settled. You are a little kid, how can you understand these ins and outs." As she spoke, she put her hands on her hips and glared at Xu Ruyi angrily.

Xu Ruyi was not in a hurry, nor was she angry at all. She said calmly, "Since it is my parents' order, my father is still alive! My biological parents have not agreed, so how can it be the turn of my stepmother who has no blood relationship with us to make the decision? My father does not agree to this marriage and asked me to take my sister home. You'd better hand over my sister as soon as possible!" Xu Ruyi's eyes were firm and his tone was tough, with no intention of backing down.

Aunt Tian was so angry that she was shaking all over. She sat down heavily and shouted, "My stepmother is also my mother. Once she agrees, it is not easy to change it. How can you be so unreasonable!" Her face turned red and the blue veins on her forehead bulged.

Li said in a calm and sincere tone: "Tian was also confused for a moment, and she has just regretted accepting the money. I hope that you will show mercy and pity Ruyuan, the child. This child has a miserable life. He just lost his mother two months ago and is feeling very sad." As Li spoke, tears welled up in her eyes and her voice trembled slightly.

After hearing this, Aunt Tian softened her tone a bit and said, "My family is a respectable one. If you stay with me, I will definitely treat you like my own daughter and will never mistreat you. My son is so handsome and has a very good temper. If this girl stays with me, she will definitely live a very comfortable life."

Mrs. Li nodded in agreement. "I believe everything you said, but the child is still young. This is a lifelong event, and he must agree to it himself. I know you are wholeheartedly doing this for your son, but the one you like may not necessarily satisfy him."

Mrs. Li slowed down, calmed down her emotions and said, "Let's see the child first. My heart has been hanging in the air and I can't calm down!" Mrs. Li's face was full of anxiety and worry, and her hands were clasped together tightly.

Tian nodded and pointed to the west room.

Xu Qinghe and Xu Ruyi walked in quickly, only to see Xu Ruyuan still asleep, with no sign of waking up. Worried, Xu Ruyi shook her sister vigorously, and only then did Xu Ruyuan slowly open her eyes, her eyes still a bit confused and sleepy.

Seeing this, Xu Qinghe hurriedly turned around and went out to get some water.

After drinking some water, Xu Ruyuan asked in confusion, "Brother and sister, where am I?"

"At a distant relative's house. I'll be back soon." Xu Ruyi gently held her sister in her arms and patted her back lightly.

"Then we'll go back later. Why does my head feel heavy?" Xu Ruyuan frowned, covering his forehead with one hand, with a painful expression.

Xu Ruyi didn't know how to start for a moment, and her heart was extremely conflicted. She could only bite the bullet and lie to her, "You, you slept too much. Your head won't be confused soon, and you will be awake." After saying that, Xu Ruyi's eyes were a little evasive, and she didn't dare to look directly into her sister's innocent eyes.

Xu Qinghe also lied to her and said, "If it works as you wish, your head won't be confused later. Really, big brother and big sister won't lie to you."

"Brother and sister, let's go back now. Our own home is the best." Xu Ruyuan wanted to get out of bed immediately.

Li came in and took a look. Seeing that Ruyuan was safe and sound, she felt relieved and left with peace of mind.

Li came out of the room and said to Aunt Tian, ​​"How much money did you give Tian Yuhe?"

"Four silver coins." Aunt Tian answered honestly.

Li then took out four silver ingots and an extra string of coins.

Auntie Tian looked at the extra string of coins and roughly estimated that there were about a hundred coins. She couldn't help but ask in confusion, "What is this?"

Li spoke sincerely and slowly, "I'll take the child with me. You can take the money. This is just a small token of my appreciation. I can't let you, my dear sister, be so happy for nothing."

Seeing this, Auntie Tian didn't know what to say. She could only accept the money silently and sighed, "I worked so hard for so long, but it was all in vain."

At this time, Xu Ruyi and Ruyuan had already walked out of the room.