A farmer has a shrewish wife; he's busy making money every day.

"Young master, on what occasion do you intend to wear these clothes?"

Miss Qian did not leave, but followed behind Ye Qingxue and began to recommend things to her.

Ye Qingxue glanced at her a few more times and saw that the second young lady had a serious expression and genuinely wanted to help her choose clothes.

"For the birthday party, just a proper but not too formal outfit will do."

Ye Qingxue softly expressed her thoughts.

Clothing isn't really important; just buy anything that won't make you look sloppy.

Miss Qian nodded seriously and immediately led Ye Qingxue to the clothes rack on the other side.

"Young master, take a look at this one. It's a royal blue brocade robe with cloud patterns. It's elegant yet simple, and it would suit you very well."

Ye Qingxue glanced at it and, finding the robe a bit too formal, smiled at Miss Qian and said, "I wasn't invited to the birthday banquet."

Miss Qian was a smart woman, and she immediately understood what Ye Qingxue meant.

Then he pointed to another black robe: "This plain black robe is made of Tianxiang silk, which is very comfortable. Wearing it gives off a restrained and elegant aura, simple yet refined."

Ye Qingxue didn't want to spend too much time choosing clothes, and since she thought this black robe was indeed quite nice, she nodded.

Miss Qian hurriedly told the shop assistant to go down and wrap up the clothes.

After receiving the wrapped clothes, Ye Qingxue bowed to Miss Qian and said, "Thank you. Please come to my noodle shop another day, and I'll treat you to noodles."

Miss Qian returned the greeting: "Young master, you don't need to be so polite. I hope you won't take offense at my offense today. I will also be at your birthday banquet tomorrow. If fate allows, then we'll meet again tomorrow."

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

Ye Qingxue smiled at her, then turned and left the store.

As soon as she stepped outside, she saw a young girl dressed as a maid running towards her from a distance, brushing past her.

"Second Miss, Meng Ergou has found the young master and asked me to come and call you back!"

The maid's anxious voice reached Ye Qingxue's ears.

Ye Qingxue subtly raised an eyebrow.

That Meng Ergou, he's really quick.

"Xiao Tao, it's alright, don't be nervous. I'll go back now and get the shop's ledger for me."

Miss Qian's voice sounded very calm, without the slightest hint of panic.

Upon hearing about the ledger, Ye Qingxue knew that Miss Qian had come prepared.

With a slight smile, Ye Qingxue's steps became much lighter as she left.

Instead of returning to the noodle stall, Ye Qingxue, relying on her memories, went to find the inn where the guests of this birthday banquet had temporarily stayed.

After looking around for a while, and continuing until sunset, I finally returned to the noodle stall.

The stall had already closed by then. When Chen saw Ye Qingxue return, she hurried over.

"Young Master Ye, you should be going home today, shouldn't you?"

Before Ye Qingxue could answer, Aunt Lu grabbed her wrist and led her toward the donkey cart.

"We've taken good care of the person you brought back. You must go back today; it's too dangerous for you to be out there alone."

Aunt Lu's tone was somewhat reproachful, which made Ye Qingxue laugh.

"I know, I'll go back today."

Hearing this, Aunt Lu breathed a sigh of relief, let go of her hand, and climbed onto the car herself.

"Alright, let's go then."

"Okay." Ye Qingxue obediently climbed into the car.

As the sun set, the group drove their donkeys back to the deserted village.

"By the way, we have to head to the county before dawn tomorrow. We need to cook some dishes for Young Master Wen and deliver them there," Ye Qingxue reminded him.

"I know, Shi Ding Lou sent someone to deliver ingredients this afternoon. I was thinking, why are they so kind as to give them away for free?" Chen replied.

Aunt Lu chimed in, "We've processed almost all the ingredients we could, Qingxue, don't worry."

Ye Qingxue raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Okay."

When Ye Qingxue got home, her arm was immediately slapped hard by her mother.

Then Lin Zhi said in a low voice, "You brat, why didn't you come home yesterday? Don't you know your parents will be worried?"

Ye Jing sat at the table, his back to Ye Qingxue, and remained silent.

Even Ye Hao'er staggered towards her and patted her leg with his little hand.

"Sister, you're being naughty!"

Ye Qingxue knew she was in the wrong, and forced a smile: "Father, Mother, please let me explain..."

Lin Zhi sat down on the stool and looked at Ye Qingxue: "Fine, you explain."

Ye Jing stopped turning his back to her, turned around, and stared at her with Lin Zhi: "Explain yourself."

Ye Qingxue was taken aback, seemingly not expecting her parents to be so easy to talk to.

She hadn't figured out how to phrase it yet!

On the other side, Lu Chuci, sitting on the bed, looked at Ye Qingxue with a hint of a smile in her eyes.

Ye Qingxue sat down, moved closer to Lin Zhi, and took her arm.

"Oh, Mother, I just have some small things to take care of. You don't need to worry about me so much. I'm all grown up now."

Ye Qingxue couldn't tell them what she was going to do yet.

If I were to suddenly tell my parents that I was going to wipe out the Tiger Stronghold, I'd scare them half to death.

Lin Zhi slapped her hand, but she couldn't break free. "What's so great about you? You're only fifteen, just a little kid!"

Ye Jing nodded and said with a pout, "Xiaoxue, no matter how small the matter is, not returning home last night is a big deal. Isn't there the Fierce Tiger Stronghold in that county? They used to specifically target outsiders like us. We were afraid you would be kidnapped and become their wife if you didn't come back last night!"

"Cough cough!" Ye Qingxue coughed suddenly. "Father, what are you saying? I'm already married."

"Those bandits don't care whether you're married or not!"

Lin Zhi glared at her husband and said to Ye Qingxue, "Your father is just worried because his daughter is too beautiful."

Ye Jing muttered, "So you're relieved that she's not your daughter?"

Ye Qingxue watched the two bickering with amusement, almost to the point of grabbing some melon seeds to eat.

"Alright, Mom and Dad, I'm going to take a shower. You two get ready for bed. I'm fine, I'll be alright after this busy period."

Lin Zhi and Ye Jing knew from Ye Qingxue's words that she didn't want to tell them what she was doing.

They were sensible enough not to ask any further questions.

"Okay, go and come back quickly."

Ye Qingxue took some clothes from the wardrobe and set off for the other side of the lake.

As Ye Qingxue rode her Debao bicycle slowly, her mind was still preoccupied with her birthday banquet the next day.

During her observations and inquiries today, one man left a particularly deep impression on her.

What Ye Qingxue saw included, but was not limited to:

When they encountered an elderly woman walking with difficulty, they insisted on helping her walk until they escorted her to her doorstep.

The old lady was so frightened she almost fainted.

A little girl was squatting on the street corner, wailing loudly. I insisted on going up to her, taking her hand, and leading her home.

The little girl's parents were watching from a short distance away. They were terrified and immediately rushed forward and took the little girl away.

Also, I met an old man selling sweet soup from a shoulder pole. Feeling sorry for him, I bought all the sweet soup at once, hoping that the old man could go home and rest early.

The customers who had been waiting on the street for a long time, hoping to drink his bowl of sweet soup, were on the verge of tears.

These several trips back and forth not only troubled myself but also disturbed others.

In response, Ye Qingxue could only think of a Chinese proverb: "A blind man helping someone—the more he tries to help, the more trouble he makes."

However, Ye Qingxue greatly appreciated his meddlesome attitude, and he might be able to help out at tomorrow's birthday banquet.

After recalling the guest list, the only guest who matched him was the heir of the Prince of Anyang.

Thinking of this, Ye Qingxue couldn't help but smile.

He has a devilish and arrogant appearance, but a warm heart.

The contrast is quite large.