She's skilled in medicine, martial arts, and even understands animal language—the abandoned dau

Shen Man returned to the house, washed the meat with water, placed it on a plate, and brought it to Hu Xiaoliu.

"Xiao Liu, thank you for driving them away for me. Eat up, and I'll take you back to the mountain after you finish."

"Awoo!" Tiger Xiao Liu rubbed its head against Shen Man's body before picking up the piece of meat and eating it.

After Tiger Little Six finished eating all the meat, Shen Man opened the courtyard gate and sent it out.

Lanxiang then went into the room and righted the door that had fallen to the ground.

Upon entering the room, she discovered that the bundles brought by Ma and the others were still inside. She opened one of the bundles and found that it contained some daily necessities and two sets of clothes.

She quickly packed up all the bundles in the room, then took out a ten-tael silver note from her purse, put it in her sleeve, and hurriedly left.

She went to the village head's house, found Changsheng, and said to him, "Brother Changsheng, my mother and the others left in a hurry and forgot to take their belongings. Could I borrow your oxcart so I can take these things to them?"

Without saying a word, Changsheng immediately drove the ox out, skillfully harnessed it to the cart, and took Lanxiang in pursuit towards Dahe Village.

Lanxiang's family home was Dingjiagou, which was next to Dahe Village. When Lanxiang and Changsheng caught up with them, they were almost at Dahe Village.

"Father, Mother, wait a minute!"

Lanxiang called out as soon as she saw the family hurrying along.

Lanxiang's father, Ding Dagen, stopped when he heard the noise. He looked puzzled when he saw Lanxiang and Changsheng chasing after them in an oxcart.

The others pretended not to hear her and continued walking.

"Lanxiang, what brings you here?" Ding Dagen asked in surprise.

"Father, you left in such a hurry that you left your bundle behind." Lanxiang said as she jumped off the oxcart and handed the bundle to Ding Dagen.

Ding Dagen took the bundle, smiled awkwardly at Lanxiang, and said, "Lanxiang, I know you were wronged today, but that's just how your mother is. Don't take it to heart."

“I know. Father, the New Year is coming soon. We just built a house and we’re a little short on money. Please take this ten taels of silver to buy some New Year’s goods and have a good New Year.”

Ding Dagen took the silver note, his lips trembled slightly, but he said nothing.

He felt guilty towards his daughter, but he had no say in the family and could only wrong her time and time again.

"Father, I'm going back now. Take care!" Lanxiang said to Ding Dagen, then turned and got into the oxcart.

Back in the village, Lanxiang tried to pay Changsheng for the fare, but this time Changsheng refused to accept it no matter what.

"We're all from the same village, no need to be so polite." Changsheng smiled and drove off.

Lanxiang felt that after this ordeal, her parents and brother and sister-in-law would not come to Xiaoyao Village again, and her life could finally return to peace.

Ten taels of silver is not a small amount; it's enough for them to live comfortably for a long time.

When Lanxiang returned home, Shen Man was already back and feeding the chicks in the yard.

"Mother, where did you go just now?"

“My mother and the others left in a hurry and forgot their belongings, so I’m bringing them over.”

"Oh!" Shen Man didn't say anything more upon hearing this.

Lanxiang stood in the courtyard for a moment, then turned and went out the door.

She planned to find the village carpenter to help repair the two doors.

Because I had promised Li Mufeng that I would let them move in after the house was built.

Before leaving, she instructed Shen Man, "Man'er, go to the east end of the village later and tell Mr. Li that we can move in tomorrow."

"Okay, Mother, I'll go in a bit!"

Shen Man agreed, got up and went to the kitchen to wash her hands, then slowly walked towards the east end of the village.

Because Li Mufeng was not used to eating with the villagers, he and his servant did not attend Shen Man's housewarming banquet today, but they did give her a complete set of tableware in advance.

When Shen Man arrived outside their house, Li Mufeng and his servant were talking. Shen Man stood outside the door without going in immediately, wanting to listen to what they were saying.

"Tingxian, have you received any news from the capital recently?"

Li Mufeng sat at the table, toying with a jade pendant in his hand, and asked lazily.

“No. Young master, today is already the second day of the twelfth lunar month. Are you really not planning to return to the capital for the New Year? The sixth day of the second lunar month next year is your wedding date with Miss Cui…” Tingxian stood aside, looking worried.

"I'm not going back. What's so great about the capital? It's full of deceit and treachery. It's much more comfortable and carefree to stay in this remote mountain area." Li Mufeng smiled slightly, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

“You’ve been away for so long, the Duke and his wife must miss you terribly. Besides, this marriage was arranged for you by the Duke and his wife themselves. If you don’t go back to get married, won’t they be very disappointed?” Tingxian said cautiously.

"Hmph, they miss me? They just want to use me. As for that Miss Cui, I have no intention of marrying her at all." Li Mufeng's tone was icy, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes.

"Young master, why do you dislike Miss Cui so much? I've heard she's extremely beautiful and has a gentle and kind personality," Tingxian asked, puzzled.

"What does beauty matter? What does gentleness and kindness matter? These are not what I want. What I want is someone who truly understands me, not a woman who only values ​​my status and position."

Li Mufeng stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the scenery outside, his eyes becoming somewhat unfocused.

“But, young master, won’t forcing the Cui family to break off the engagement in this way cause trouble for the Duke’s mansion? After all, the Cui family is a prominent family in the capital,” Tingxian said worriedly.

"What's there to be afraid of? I, Li Mufeng, have never been afraid of anyone. If the Cui family dares to cause trouble, I won't be polite either." Li Mufeng turned to look at Tingxian, his eyes flashing with determination.

After a long while, he spoke again: "What's wrong, are you homesick?"

“Young master, you know I’ve been an orphan since I was little, I have no home to call home! Wherever you are, I will stay with you!” Tingxian replied.

"In that case, stay here with me and leave whenever you feel like it. I believe that one day I will find my own happiness," Li Mufeng said with a smile, his eyes full of anticipation.

Shen Man was shocked by their conversation and couldn't help but gasp.

She never expected that Li Mufeng would have such a distinguished family background, being the son of the Duke of Shangjing! He had traveled thousands of miles from Shangjing to this city because he was dissatisfied with the marriage arranged for him by his family.

No wonder he is not only handsome but also skilled in both literature and martial arts; he is a young master from a prominent family, carefully cultivated by his family.

"Little Man'er, what are you doing standing outside? Hurry up and come in!" Li Mufeng's laughing voice came from inside the house, pulling Shen Man back to reality from her thoughts.

Shen Man took a deep breath to calm herself down, and then stepped into the house.