Xiaxia cautiously looked up and timidly asked in a soft voice, "Sister Xiaxia, can I really go?"
"No need for nonsense, if I told you to follow, then hurry up and get on with it." Yang Chuxia rolled her eyes at the little brat. She kindly invited him to join them for a meal, but he was acting as if she was going to eat him up.
At the sound of her scolding, Yang Qingbao quickly got his act together and followed her. Seeing that Yang Dongxue had fallen behind, he ran back to pull her up to walk together with them.
Yang Chuxia felt a bit more comfortable seeing this. She thought to herself that although Old Lady Hua’s family genes weren’t that great, they still managed to raise some decent children.
However, when she thought of Yang Da’an’s late father who had been driven to his death, she guessed that this child must have inherited his grandfather’s bloodline through skipping a generation, rather than from Old Lady Hua. Otherwise, she would have been similar to Yang Dongzhi and Yang Lichun.
Old Yang felt appeased seeing that she had called the two children even though her fourth son and daughter-in-law were excluded. He thought that although his life hadn’t been perfect, he still hoped that these two sons would have good lives without falling out.
When they arrived back at the third branch of the family, everyone was still waiting.
Seeing Old Yang come back, Yang Dachuan and Yang Dayong hurriedly helped him sit down next to Land Officer Yang.
The old man’s motives were evident to Land Officer Yang, who also disagreed with the older generation meddling in their children’s affairs. After all, wasn’t there that saying, "Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings"?
He persuaded, "You old thing, you never got involved in all those miscellaneous affairs before. Don’t start meddling now. Let the brothers handle their own problems. You can smooth things over while you’re alive, but what about after you’re gone? Enjoy your blessings when you can, why bother with everything else?"
Old Yang felt embarrassed when his intention was revealed, but he silently nodded.
Seeing him somewhat silent, Yang Dachuan hurriedly started serving him some dishes and did the same for Land Officer Yang. Afterward, he invited everyone to start eating.
In the harem, Ms. Wang was a bit puzzled when she saw Yang Dongxue and Yang Qingbao trailing behind, "Why did you bring them here?"
Her questioning wasn’t rooted in being unwilling to share the meal, but in her understanding that her daughter would rather throw away the food than give it to the second branch of the family.
When Yang Chuxia saw Ms. Wang inquire , she explained her suspicions and Old Yang’s actions. Listening to this, Ms. Wang fell silent, and no one else, including Old Aunt-in-law Gen and the wife of the Land Officer, said anything.
Ms. Wang sighed and then called Yang Qingbao and Yang Dongxue, "You two, come here. Third Aunt will serve you some food."
"Thank you, Third Aunt!" Yang Qingbao expressed his gratitude.
Yang Dongxue didn’t know how to express her gratitude, but when she saw how Qingbao did it, she copied him, "Thank you, Third Aunt."
"Good, good, you’re all good kids." She then put the rice in the two children’s bowls and gave them each a chicken leg, "Go inside and find your brothers. The meat and other dishes are in the inner room."
Yang Chuxia had always disliked eating with a group of children and listening to her mother and the others gossiping about the neighbors. So, she just served herself some food and went outside to eat.
At this time, Ye Zi’an also came out. Seeing her squatting off to one side, he walked over.
"Why did you come out?" He sniffed and asked, "Have you been drinking?"
Ye Zi’an nodded his head, "Yeah, I have been drinking a few cups with Third Uncle and Grandpa Land Officer."
"Do you feel dizzy?" Yang Chuxia asked.
"I’m fine." Even though he didn’t drink often, he didn’t feel any dizziness.