Inviting the Moon to the Farmhouse

Tonight's dinner was eaten in the yard.

Xia Huifang said that the courtyard is bright and there is no need to turn on the lights.

At the dinner table, Xia Lanyue pulled off a goose leg, put it in Dai You's bowl, and then looked at Dai You with a smile.

This time, Dai You didn't refuse. He ate the goose leg his sister gave him, and he couldn't suppress the smile on his face.

Even Xia Huifang couldn't help but sigh at the scene, "Oh my, you siblings have such a good relationship. I'll never have a daughter in my life. If only I could have a daughter-in-law like Yue."

Upon hearing this, Xia Lanyue lowered her head shyly, while Dai You's smile froze on his face.

Xia Yao silently observed everyone from the side, not saying a word, just keeping his head down and eating.

Looking at Xia Yao, who remained unmoved, Xia Huifang sighed inwardly, "A-Yue must have spent a lot on this meal today. Roast goose isn't cheap, is it?"

"It's not expensive. Aunt Xia likes it. I'll buy it again next time."

"Oh, how thoughtful of you," Xia Huifang said, turning to Xia Yao. "Pangao, Ayue has been here for so long, and your leg is all better now. When you have time, take Ayue to buy some of her favorite foods. It's not right to always let our guests go to the trouble of subsidizing us."

Upon hearing this, Dai You's expression visibly darkened, and he turned his gaze to Dai You, awaiting his reply.

Xia Yao caught a glimpse of Dai You's appearance out of the corner of his eye, paused for a moment, and then, under Xia Huifang's expectant gaze, gave a rare smile before saying, "I understand, Mother. When I have my day off, I'll take A-Yue to town for a stroll."

"Good, good," Xia Huifang was so excited that she didn't know what to say when she saw that her son had finally figured it out.

Xia Lanyue looked at his unusual appearance, and although she was a little confused, she felt a strange sense of anticipation.

“Aunt Xia, you’re too kind. We’ve made money now, this food is just a token of our appreciation, there’s no need to be so formal,” Dai You explained to Xia Huifang.

“It’s not that I’m being formal. Taking A-Yue to buy some things she likes is just a nice gesture. Anyway, don’t worry about it,” Xia Huifang said to Dai You with a smile, then turned to look at Xia Lanyue. “Right, A-Yue? Just tell Pang Gao what you like. Don’t be stingy with his money.”

“Ah, ah,” Xia Lanyue echoed.

Seemingly surprised that Xia Lanyue would agree, Dai You looked at her with a surprised gaze, but Xia Lanyue did not notice him. However, Xia Huifang noticed him, but Xia Huifang did not care.

After Dai You turned around, he didn't speak, as if he was suppressing his emotions, and his breathing was somewhat heavy.

After the meal, Ah Niu went to the river to wash the dishes. Looking at him now, he really is honest and hardworking.

Dai You took a piece of paper, came out of the west room, and walked towards Xia Lanyue's room.

Xia Lanyue was picking rice inside the house.

After Dai You entered the house and closed the door, he asked, "Are you going to the market with Xia Yao?"

"Xia Yao is still angry with me, do you think he'd go with me?" Xia Lanyue said nonchalantly.

Dai You seemed to think that asking these questions was unnecessary, so he didn't bring it up again. He spread out the paper in his hand in front of Xia Lanyue and showed it to her.

Xia Lanyue glanced at it and saw that it was a letter Dai You had written to a friend.

She couldn't recognize all the characters, so after guessing and reading through them, she said to Dai You, "It's fine, that's all."

Dai You folded the letter and put it in an envelope. "Do you think this letter should be given to... Xia Yao? Or is it better to give it to Ma Ruisheng?"

“Hmm… It would be more convenient to give it to Xia Yao, but Aunt Wang would feel more at ease if it were given to Ma Ruisheng. She even asked me the other day about arranging accommodations in the capital, whether it was worth it or not.” Xia Lanyue thought that Xia Yao was already unhappy, and if she gave it to him now, he probably wouldn’t appreciate it. It would be better to give it to Aunt Wang, at least she would get a smile from him.

“Okay, I’ll take it over,” Dai You said, putting the letter into an envelope and turning to leave.

"Wait, I'll go with you, and bring the bamboo horse you made for A-Xiang," Xia Lanyue got up, took two bamboo horses out of the cabinet, and then went to the Tian family with Dai You.

At that moment, Wang Cui was playing with A Xiang in the yard.

"Aunt Yue," A Xiang saw Xia Lanyue at the door and ran over.

“Ah Xiang,” Xia Lanyue said.

When A Xiang walked up to Xia Lanyue, he saw the bamboo horse in her hand and stared at it in surprise.

"These are for you," Xia Lanyue said, handing over the bamboo horses. A Xiang took one in each hand and turned to show them to Wang Cui, "Grandmother, look."

Seeing A Xiang happy, Xia Lanyue smiled too.

"You've done a great job, thank you for your trouble," Wang Cui said, walking to the door. "Come in and sit down."

“We’re not going in, Aunt Wang. We came today to give you something,” Xia Lanyue winked at Dai You.

Dai You took a letter from his pocket and handed it to Wang Cui.

“Aunt Wang, this is a letter to our friends in the capital. The envelope has an address on it. When Ma Ruisheng and the others go to the capital, they can just go to the address to find my brother’s friend. They will take care of the rest,” Xia Lanyue said.

Wang Cui was overjoyed to hear this and carefully accepted it, saying, "Thank you so much, A Yue, for remembering what Auntie did for you."

"It's nothing, Auntie, it was just a small favor. We'll head back now," Xia Lanyue emphasized the last few words.

"Hey, hey," Wang Cui didn't pay attention to Xia Lanyue's words, she was only focused on looking at the letter in her hand.

“Then we’re going back,” Xia Lanyue repeated, raising her voice, “Let’s go back, let’s go.”

Dai You nudged Xia Lanyue, looking at her with a puzzled expression.

Xia Lanyue pushed Dai You's hand away and glared at him. "Axiang, you can give one of your childhood sweethearts to Ahe."

Upon hearing this, Wang Cui turned to look at A Xiang, then, as if remembering something, leaned closer to Xia Lanyue and asked, "Hey, A Yue, did you get your silver notes back?"

Xia Lanyue was secretly pleased; it seemed that Wang Cui knew about her affair.

"No, Aunt Wang, what should we do?" Xia Lanyue looked anxious.

“We’ve brought all our grain back, and Acheng has gone back too, so why hasn’t Village Chief Zhao given it to you yet?” Wang Cui asked.

"He told us to wait, but we don't know what to wait for. He just doesn't want to give it to us anymore," Xia Lanyue said angrily.

Dai You nudged Xia Lanyue from behind, signaling her to stop talking. Little did he know, this was Xia Lanyue's real purpose for coming today.

"Aunt Wang, can you give me some advice?" Xia Lanyue said to Wang Cui.

“How could I possibly have that ability? He probably only dared to do this because he thinks you have a good temper. Why don’t you go to his house and make a scene? If you do, he might just give it to you!” Wang Cui said.

“I don’t know how to throw a tantrum or act shamelessly,” Xia Lanyue said.

"Why don't we go and reason with the county magistrate?" Wang Cui said. "Have you told Xia Huifang about this?"

"Not yet," Xia Lanyue said, wondering what this had to do with Xia Huifang.

“Her father is a former county magistrate; perhaps he can help resolve this matter!” Wang Cui said.

This was something Xia Lanyue hadn't considered; it seemed like it was worth a try.

Xia Lanyue nodded to Wang Cui, "I understand, Aunt Wang. Dai You and I will go back now. You can continue with your work."

"Take care," Wang Cui said, watching them leave from the doorway.