Mr. Xia was in a bad mood and somewhat vented his anger on Mrs. Xia. Mrs. Xia turned around and left the house immediately. Mr. Xia came to himself and felt some regret, looking at Uncle Xia with increasing annoyance.

  "Just go and do whatever you want. If you don't take a look at that place, it will be abandoned."

  After sending Xia Ershu away, Old Man Xia sighed.

  "Grandpa, don't be angry with my grandma." Xia Zhi said with a smile to Old Man Xia.

  "I'm not scolding you, ah, your Second Uncle is really too much, he's so annoying." Old Man Xia sighed and said. When speaking to Xia Zhi, his tone softened.

  Old Lady Xia walked in with a door curtain, "You can only take it out on me." Obviously, she had heard Old Man Xia's words just now. The old couple had a small disagreement, and they passed by one sentence each.

  Xia Zhi smiled, she knew that Old Lady Xia hadn't gone far and had intentionally mentioned something about Old Man Xia. Otherwise, with his temper, he definitely wouldn't have apologized to Old Lady Xia. The old couple would probably be at odds for another day or two because of this little thing.

  The courtyard immediately became lively, and Xia Zhi took a look outside to see that Uncle Xia Er had gone out with a hoe, followed by Xia Zhu and Xia Yang. Finally, Auntie Xia Er led Wu Yue and Qi Yue out as well.

  I don't know where this family is going.

  Xia Lao Ye Zi also saw it, and let out a sigh. Then he turned his head to talk to Xia Lao Tai Tai and Xia Zhi: "If this matter with the Old Qian family had been settled, how could we have this trouble? Now it's good, even if I had the face to go back and mention this matter to Uncle Qian again, they would definitely not be willing."

  "Father, don't take this to heart. Everyone knows Old Lady Tian's temper, and in a couple of days, this matter will blow over." Xia Zhi consoled Old Master Xia.

  "You're only sixteen, still young. People's words are intimidating. Our own family members aren't making an effort, I want to take charge but it's hard to stand up straight." Old Man Xia shook his head.

  "I'll go find Bao." said Little Black Fish.

  Old Xia didn't say a word, he just looked at Xia Zhi. If Little Black were to go to Tian San's house, she might get into an argument with Tian San, and that wouldn't be good.

  Xia Zhi understood what Old Man Xia meant, she smiled: "We don't need to go. Come Treasure is probably busy now, when he's free, he'll definitely come."

  "Sixteen, you're saying..." Old Man Xia didn't seem as confident as Xia Zhi.

  "Grandpa, we've been playing with Lai Bao for these days, I think I understand his character." Tian Lai Bao is clever and knows how to get things done, and he's not a bad person by nature. Even if May does something in May, Tian Lai Bao will have to consider her and Xiao Hei Yu's face. Besides, May probably won't have the chance to do anything, she just reveals some clues through her words and actions. Tian San Niang's eyes are not blind, I estimate she heard some rumors before, and she's not a reasonable person, so she scolded May.

  Tian Lai Bao knows about this, and he must be feeling uneasy. He's probably persuading Tian San Niang now. Besides, other members of the Tian family, especially Tian Fu Gui, are very considerate in their actions. He has to give face to Old Man Xia.

  After comforting Grandma Tian San, Tian Lai Bao should be arriving soon.

  "With my uncle's face, come to treasure this righteousness should have. We treat him not bad!" Xia Zhi said firmly. These she had thought of early, but didn't say in front of Xia Er Shu. Let them be more troublesome, after eating this lesson, later learn some is also good.

  Xiao Hei Yu felt that Xia Zhi was right: "Let's see what Bao does, I think he can't wrong me either."

  Until noon, Tian Lai Bao still hadn't arrived. When Xia Zhi returned home, she saw Xia Er Shu bringing Wu Yue and Qi Yue to sit on the kang and talk to Tian Shi. Who knows what Xia Er Shu was thinking, but she actually wanted Tian Shi to go to Tian San Nainai's house.

  "...... Eldest sister, you usually dote on Wu Yue more than your own daughter. You can't just watch her being bullied and wronged. As the wife of a scholar, Tian San's wife has to give you face. Go talk to them... those gossipmongers will still be talking about Wu Yue behind her back."

  "He's not my uncle, I'm not close to him, and he won't help us." Tian Shi said slowly, "We don't have a good relationship with Old Man Tian's family. If we want to solve this problem, we still need to find Master Lao. He knows many people, if he takes charge, nothing can't be solved."

  "We asked his grandfather to come, but he refused and scolded us severely. His temper is well-known to you, Eldest Sister-in-law. Eldest Sister-in-law, please take pity on your niece... In this whole family, we are the closest relatives. You are the aunt of May Fifth's husband, others may laugh at us, but you can't, Eldest Sister-in-law." Xia Erniu pleaded with Tian Shi.

  Tian's family was confused about some things, but the rest of the time they were smart people. Of course, she didn't want to take the blame at this time, so no matter how much Xia Erniang begged her, she wouldn't agree and just pushed it onto Old Man Xia's body.

  Xia Zhi glanced at the door of the east house, turned around and entered the west house. Wu Yue saw her, bit her lip, got down from the kang first, and called out to Xia Erniang and Qi Yue: "Mother, Qi Yue, let's go back. My uncle's family has made arrangements."

  Tian immediately refused: "What plans do I have? You little girl in May, I've been spoiling you all along."

  Xia Er Aunt saw that Qiu Tian's family had no hope and also pulled down her face to bring July to follow May.

  Tian's family came out of the east house and stood in the main house, saying: "We've offended your second uncle's family again! I don't know about them, but we treated them with kindness a thousand times, yet once they're not satisfied, all our previous kindness is gone... They still think they can use me as a fool!"

  Xia Zhi remained silent in the house, she seemed to have seen through it, this was the relationship between Tian Shi and Xia Er Niang.

  Tian said these words, seemingly still not enough, and directly lifted the door curtain to enter Xia Zhi's room. "May is self-inflicted with shame, everyone behind her back says she's a joke, you also follow along eating hanging noodles. I think May has a soft heart, Xia Zhi, from now on keep your distance from her."

  "Ah." Xia Zhi Man responded absent-mindedly, lowering her head to embroider a purse.

  Tian's family sat on the kang for a while, and she didn't know what she was thinking about. Her face became more and more ugly. "May this debt collector ghost!" After scolding this sentence, Tian's family glared at Xia Zhi with a fierce gaze before turning around and leaving.

  At noon when eating, Xia Zhi found that Tian Shi had put away the skirt she was going to make for her. It seemed that she had come to her senses, after what happened in May, Xia Zhi and Tian Lai Bao were impossible. So, there was no need to make the skirt for Xia Zhi anymore.

  Xiatian didn't take it to heart, and after resting for a while, she still went to the backyard, put down her desk and wrote with Xiao Hei. She was willing to work hard, and in her previous life, she had some foundation, so her big characters already looked somewhat decent. However, writing complex characters was more tiring, and the connotations and extensions of some words were not quite the same as those in later generations, making it impossible to guess their meanings by looking at them.

  However, Xia Zhi does not have high expectations for herself. She doesn't study hard or plan to cultivate herself into a talented woman. But she wants her handwriting to be beautiful, which is also a way of cultivating one's character.

  Xia Zhi is most diligent in writing.

  Summer old man was originally quite annoyed, but looking at his youngest son and granddaughter writing seriously, his mood also gradually calmed down. The other children are not considerate, but the two in front of him are good!

  As he thought so, a smile appeared on Old Man Xia's face. Old Lady Xia, who was standing aside, also saw it and smiled slightly, then she saw someone entering the courtyard.

  "Oh dear, it seems that Come Treasure's child has arrived." Old Lady Xia exclaimed.

  Xia Lao Yezi hastily looked outside and his face also changed: "It's Lai Bao."

  Tian Lai Bao is a person who has come, and this time he didn't bring a small trunk. Old Lady Xia was busy carrying tea and snacks up, then exchanged a glance with Old Man Xia, and the old couple went out to leave space for the children to talk freely.

  Things are clearly developing according to Xia Zhi's words, so it's best to leave this matter to the children to handle.

  "You're finally here, I've been waiting for you all morning." Little Black Fish complained to Tian Lai Bao.

  Tian Lai Bao smiled and said: "I didn't mean to come here."

  "So how did you come now?" Xia Zhi asked.

  Tian Lai Bao still smiled, "Sorry, I have to come too." Then he said, "I advised my grandma for half a day, and I was so thirsty that my tongue was dry and my mouth was almost worn out."

  "Ah, come on, have a drink to moisten your throat." Xia Zhi handed the water to Tian Lai Bao, "Just talking? I thought you'd be making a big fuss."

  Tian Lai Bao put down his tea bowl and a bitter smile appeared on his face: "Sixteen, how did you know? Did you see it?"

  "No need to look anymore, I've already guessed it. Alright, alright, I know you're not easy to deal with, your efforts are impressive. So, what's the result?"

  "If I hadn't spoken well, I wouldn't have had the face to come find you all." Tian Lai Bao drank a mouthful of water and said slowly.

  Xiao Hei Yu Er immediately smiled and patted Tian Lai Bao's shoulder: "Lai Bao, I and Shi Liu didn't misjudge you. You're quite righteous."

  "That's definitely enough to show loyalty." Tian Lai Bao still looked gloomy, "I don't care about anyone, I have to take care of Old Uncle and Sixteen... My grandma's temper probably can't be changed. However, she won't say anything else from now on. The people that day also passed on the message to my eldest uncle."

  Xia Zhi nodded slightly. The impact has already been made, but as long as the root is cut off, it won't spread and will slowly fade away. The influence on May will still be there. Plus Xia Lao Ye's good reputation, the other girls in the Xia family won't be implicated.

  "We're still the same as before, Uncle Sixteen, you can't ignore me from now on." Tian Lai Bao said this with a pitiful expression when he saw Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei Yu Er both smiling.

  "We are good friends, this can't change." Little Black Fish promised in one breath, letting Tian Lai Bao feel at ease.

  Tian Lai Bao just looked at Xia Zhi.

  "You're quite righteous, are we not? Moreover, are we the kind of petty people who can't tell right from wrong?" Xia Zhi smiled, with a hint of meaning, "If that were true, we would have stopped caring about you long ago."

  Tian Lai Bao had nothing to say, and could only nod in agreement. Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei Yu'er didn't have any ill intentions towards him; if they weren't genuinely kind to him and treating him as a friend, just because of Tian San Niang, they would have kept their distance from him.

  "Uncle, I have to return to the capital tomorrow."

  "So soon?" Little Black Fish was surprised.

  "Have your parents come to pick you up?" Xia Zhi asked.

  Tian Lai Bao nodded and said that his parents had arrived, they would stay in Daxing Village for a night, and tomorrow he would take him back to the city. "I won't be able to come tomorrow." He said he would miss Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei Yu Er, and complained to the two people: "This time I go back, I will have to be watched while reading books, it's so bitter..."

  Living at Grandma's house these days, although also following Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei Yu to do some homework, compared to being in the city's home, he is simply too comfortable.

  Little Black Fish sympathized with Tian Lai Bao. "What's the point of being in the city? You should have come on a rainy day, our river is flooding, it's so much fun. The fields and mountains are full of delicious food and fun things."

  Knowing that Tian Lai Bao was leaving, Xia Zhi came to the west wing to find Nian Yue and sent Xiao Xia Lin to deliver a message to Xiao Shu Er. After a while, Nian Yue, Xia Lin, and Xiao Shu Er all arrived. The two brothers were reluctant to part with Tian Lai Bao, and even Nian Yue asked when he would come again.

  "I'm not good at it either." Tian Lai Bao glanced at Xia Zhi, "I have to listen to my parents. I'll try my best. When are you going to play in the prefectural city? Don't you have relatives there? You must come find me."

  He also left his address in the city, and for fear that Xia Zhi would forget it, he asked for paper and pen and wrote down the address in detail: "...... This is my home, ...... this is the pastry shop of my family, which is easier to find than my home. You tell the store clerk, he will take you to find me..."

  "Come on, Baobao, wait for me to go to Fucheng, I'll find you to play." Little Black Fish responded solemnly to Tian Laibao.

  Tian Lai Bao nodded repeatedly: "Old uncle, remember to bring sixteen with you."

  After seeing off Tian Lai Bao, who was reluctant to leave, Xia Zhi would tell the story of Tian Lai Bao to Old Master and Old Madam Xia. The elderly couple both let out a sigh of relief. Old Master Xia looked at Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei Yu with an increasingly loving gaze, also carrying a hint of pride.

  "My old son and my granddaughter are both capable of holding up the family gate." He was younger than his second son. Old Master Xia also wanted to teach Second Master Xia a lesson, so he didn't say these words to him immediately.

  It's the market day in Linshui Town again. Xia Zhi got up early and cut a basket of flowers, then gathered Xiao Hei Yu'er and Lai Yue, and brought Da Qing along, hitched a ride on Xia Laoliu's cart to go to the market.

  Arriving at the market, Xia Zhi quickly sold all the flowers to that small peddler from last time and got a hundred coins. Then, several children came to the jade store. They were too recognizable, and as soon as they entered the store, they were recognized by the young shop assistant.

  Ma Da Zhuang came out to greet Xia Zhi.

  "I've come for the pearls." Xia Zhi said to Ma Da Zhanggui.

  "I know, I know. The pearls are all done." Ma Dashan let them into the small room next door and brought out the finished pearls for them to see. "Originally wanted to string them up for you too, but didn't know what kind of style you liked." Besides polishing the pearls with holes drilled in them, Ma Dashan also gave Xia Zhi two fish lines as a favor, enough for her to use for stringing pearls.

  Xia Zhi expressed his gratitude and handed over the remaining manual money to Ma Dapu.

  "Little girl, did you bring that agate? How much do you want for it?" Ma Dashan was still fixated on the agate.

  Xia Zhi smiled and said, "I quite like that stone, I plan to keep it for myself to play with for a while, maybe later...". With that, he bid farewell to Ma Da Zhuang and left.

  Several children were planning to take a stroll in the village, but they ran into people from the village head-on.

  "Hurry back home, you have a visitor!"

  (。)