Continuing along the road, this time, it was four kids out buying food.

All along the way, the four kids were very obedient, including Da Long, who was out for the first time.

Mu Shuangshuang had little interaction with Da Long; when she usually went to Zhao Yun’s house, he was always playing with stones on the ground. However, after this outing, with more interaction, she found the child quite clingy.

He would occasionally call Shuangshuang’s name, or follow closely behind Yuanbao.

"Seems like there’s nothing to eat," Mu Shuangshuang remarked.

At this time of year, there were quite a few people selling pancakes, fried food, and hot porridge on the street. However, these weren’t the children’s favorites.

The children loved things like candied hawthorn skewers. Fortunately, after going around twice, they finally found some.

Mu Shuangshuang spent seven coins and bought seven candied haws; Lu Yuanfeng didn’t want any for himself.

Mu Shuangshuang didn’t insist, knowing that Fengzi didn’t like those sour and sweet things.

They wandered around for a long time, didn’t buy much, but saw many places they didn’t usually have the chance to visit.

As evening approached, it was time to head back when suddenly, Little Zhi stopped and said, pointing ahead, "Sister, I see Fifth Uncle."

Following Little Zhi’s direction, Mu Shuangshuang almost got a fright.

Mu Danian stood at the brothel’s entrance, holding a scantily dressed woman in one arm, his face full of wrinkles from smiling.

It seemed like Mu Danian was about to address some physical needs at the brothel.

But isn’t this a bit too much?

Upon recalling that Mu Danian and Chen Hong had parted ways long ago, Mu Shuangshuang found it somewhat understandable.

To be honest, Mu Shuangshuang never understood why Chen Hong, a seemingly formidable person, lost to Old Mrs. Mu and was kicked out.

Mu Shuangshuang thought Chen Hong might have had something going on with her eldest uncle...

"Sister, is the woman next to Fifth Uncle my Fifth Aunt?" Little Zhi asked innocently. "Why are there two Fifth Aunts?"

As they spoke, Mu Danian was already kissing two of the brothel women...

Mu Shuangshuang suddenly felt like she had swallowed a fly, utterly disgusted.

"Little Zhi, quickly come over here; we won’t go to that place," Mu Shuangshuang, worried that Mu Danian might do something inappropriate for Little Zhi’s eyes, decided to take a detour.

Yu Si Niang and Zhao Yun both followed Mu Shuangshuang in changing direction, yet Little Zhi remained curious.

"Sister, why aren’t you answering Little Zhi’s question?" Little Zhi asked.

Mu Shuangshuang was in a dilemma; how to explain this to a child?

She couldn’t exactly say that her Fifth Uncle was visiting a brothel, could she?

It was Lu Yuanfeng who crouched down and said to Little Zhi, "Little Zhi, that’s not your Fifth Aunt, and as for why there are two, only your Fifth Uncle knows."

Mu Shuangshuang really wanted to laugh at this point because Lu Yuanfeng’s explanation was so earnest.

Yet, he hadn’t really explained anything.

Fortunately, Little Zhi didn’t press further; she nodded as if she understood, acknowledging Lu Yuanfeng.

Mu Shuangshuang then led Yu Si Niang and Zhao Yun and the four kids toward the direction of the town’s entrance.

Meanwhile, Lu Yuanfeng went back to First-class Residence to get the ox cart, and on the way, picked up Xue Zheng.

Old Mrs. Xue, staying true to her word, hadn’t prepared anything for Xue Zheng except a small bamboo basket.

Old Mrs. Xue was born into a farming family and knew that a bamboo basket could be quite useful, and Xue Zheng could carry his belongings in it.

Old Mrs. Xue personally accompanied Xue Zheng to the town’s entrance.

A big crowd gathered around, all there to see Xue Zheng off.

Old Mrs. Xue, her eyes red, although knowing her grandson would be fine, felt sad at the thought of him being away for so long.

"Zheng’er, follow Sister Shuangshuang assuredly. If you want to eat something, tell Sister Shuangshuang, she’s a good person.

If you feel cold, be sure to tell Sister Shuangshuang; grandma has prepared cotton clothes and a small quilt for you.

When you go to Sister Shuangshuang’s house, if you find working on the farm fun, grandma will plant a few acres in the backyard so we can do it ourselves..."

The more she talked, the more Old Mrs. Xue choked up.

Meanwhile, Xue Zheng, holding the bamboo basket containing his clothes, said nothing.

But Mu Shuangshuang could tell he was reluctant to part with Old Mrs. Xue.

Mu Shuangshuang stepped forward, holding Xue Zheng’s hand, and addressed the old lady, "Don’t worry, I’ll take Xue Zheng for some fun.

We just finished the autumn harvest here, so there’s not much to do, and even if we go to the mountains to play, we’ll bring some friends along."

Old Mrs. Xue naturally trusted Shuangshuang.

"Girl, thank you so much. Once Zheng’er is settled, I’ll..."

She was intending to offer some compensation to Mu Shuangshuang.

This matter, Old Mrs. Xue wanted Xue Zheng to experience life in the purest way possible and hadn’t initially mentioned how to thank Mu Shuangshuang.

"Old Mrs. Xue, I’ll go back to Er Gui Village with Xue Zheng first; if we delay, it will be dark and difficult to walk in the mountains."

Reluctantly, Old Mrs. Xue nodded.

Mu Shuangshuang led Xue Zheng onto the ox cart. It was a bit cramped when they came, but going back, since Shuangshuang had already handled everything she needed to.

Even with Xue Zheng on board, it still felt spacious.

Upon returning to the village, Mu Shuangshuang showed Xue Zheng her house and the Old Mu Family’s courtyard. Xue Zheng knew her best, so during this entire period, wherever she went, she had to bring Xue Zheng along.

Mu Shuangshuang initially thought this would be a troublesome task but found Xue Zheng unexpectedly well-behaved; he followed her everywhere without needing reminders.

Mu Shuangshuang took a stroll, eventually arriving at a spot where the village’s young wives liked to gather.

They were busy chatting, and Mu Shuangshuang joined in to listen, ending up with some juicy tidbits.

"Let me tell you something; the Old Mu Family’s pale-faced daughter was supposed to marry into the Qin Family in town, you know what happened?"

This was a typical opening line that village women used to draw attention.

Mu Shuangshuang listened intently, quite entertained.

The woman continued, "The Qin Family is unlucky, they’ve had seven wives die on them. The kid’s only in his early twenties and fiercely fated.

Tsk tsk, you wouldn’t believe it, but the Qin Family’s place is ominous, needing someone lucky to suppress it."

"Wow, isn’t Xiangxiang in trouble this time?"

Asked another woman from the village.

"Exactly, ever since the Old Mu Family’s eldest son passed the exams, Mrs. Mu had her nose in the air, flaunting throughout the village that her daughter’s marriage is the best.

But now karma hit, half a foot into the grave; who knows when Mu Xiangxiang will be in trouble."

The villagers mostly watched for entertainment. When Mu Dade first passed, everyone admired him, but gradually, they gathered no benefits, only feeding the Old Mu Family with their own resources, how could they not be upset?