Chapter Thirty-Five: Visitors from the Gu Family

Several days had passed since the last incident with Fubao. During this time, Fubao had been strictly confined at home, nearly growing mold from boredom. She whimpered mournfully.

Meng Yun was not only required to keep constant watch over her daughter, but also had to deal with the accounts brought by Steward Liu and the plans for the young master of the Gu family to visit the estate.

Speaking of the young master, Gu Li, three years ago he ate the ginseng brought by Lin Erlang, which greatly improved his health. With his grandmother and aunt constantly feeding him, he had grown noticeably chubby. Now, at only seven years old, Gu Li had been brought to Lin Village by his aunt, supposedly to relax, though in truth, she simply wanted a playmate.

Gu Li thought, “It would be better to read a few books. This is so boring.”

While Meng Yun was busy to the point of exhaustion, Fubao sat with her chubby hands propping up her chin, playing with Little Black. She poked Little Black’s nose and mumbled in her childish voice, “Heihei, Ginseng hasn’t come back in ages! It’s gone bad, learning to... hmm... to stay out all night—not coming home!”

Fubao pondered for a long while before recalling the phrase, which was rather inappropriate for children. She had learned it when her mother scolded her father for not coming home one night.

Meng Yun lamented, “Why does my daughter pick up everything? It’s all Lin Sanlang’s fault!”

Lin Sanlang merely chuckled.

Little Black wagged its tail, clearly content that the ginseng spirit was absent.

“Bao, we’re going out to play. Want to catch some fish?” came the mischievous call from outside, belonging to Little Wolf.

Fubao’s expression turned serious, her wide eyes sparkling as she looked at Meng Yun.

But Meng Yun, without raising her head, replied, “Don’t even think about it. Stay home and learn the Three Character Classic I taught you.”

Fubao could only whimper in protest.

When Lin Sanlang returned home, he found his daughter utterly dejected, her little tuft of hair drooping as well.

Lin Sanlang picked up Fubao, rescuing Little Black whose nose had been poked countless times, and watched as the dog darted away.

“Wife, I just heard from Steward Liu that the Gu family’s young lady is coming, bringing Gu Li with her,” Lin Sanlang said, nibbling affectionately at Fubao’s cheek.

“Yes, I think it’s tomorrow—or maybe the day after,” Meng Yun replied, flipping through her papers absentmindedly.

“Is the Gu family’s young lady afraid of being followed? Even her departure date is vague,” Lin Sanlang muttered to himself.

Meng Yun glanced up and saw both Lin Sanlang and Fubao pouting in the exact same way—one large, one small.

She shook her head, “If I’m not mistaken, that girl is probably coming to escape trouble. When Gu Xiaoxiao made mistakes as a child, she often ran to me for refuge. I know her temperament well.”

“Escape trouble? Is Lord Gu unwell?” Lin Sanlang asked, startled.

Meng Yun was exasperated. “What nonsense! Uncle Gu is fine, don’t make wild guesses.” She thought, “My daughter has inherited her father’s tendency to babble nonsense all day.”

“Forget it, there’s no point explaining,” Meng Yun had given up hope for her husband’s intelligence.

“Oh, by the way, Second Brother might be coming back. If he does, make sure to keep an eye on Fubao. Don’t let him sneak her out,” Meng Yun reminded Lin Sanlang, recalling her brother’s impulsive nature. With Xiaoxiao visiting, it was nearly certain Meng Xuan would come as well.

“I got it, don’t worry!” Lin Sanlang said, hugging his daughter solemnly.

On Little Mountain, Fubao tugged at Meng Xuan’s sleeve, saying in her childish voice, “Uncle, we’ve been out for so long, but there’s still no little rabbit willing to be White’s bride.”

“Honestly, Meng Xuan, can’t you manage? We’ve been up here for ages and haven’t even seen a single rabbit hair!” Gu Xiaoxiao complained, fanning herself from the heat.

Meng Xuan had once again sneaked Fubao out, bringing Gu Xiaoxiao along. Fubao, however, had brought quite the entourage: Little Black Dog, Little Duck, Little Rabbit.

Seeing the parade trailing behind Fubao, Meng Xuan’s forehead throbbed with annoyance. He suffered from cleanliness issues—why was he made to carry all these creatures? Why were they stuffed into his sleeves?

Gu Xiaoxiao made it clear: “You’re the only man here. If you don’t do it, who will?”

Meng Xuan turned to see his niece’s large, innocent eyes gazing up at him.

Meng Xuan could only sigh in resignation.