Upon hearing such modern terminology, Ms. Wang was dumbstruck, but after giving it some thought, she actually managed to decipher its meaning. However, by the time she wanted to lash out, Yang Chuxia had already run off.
Ms. Wang was so angry that she spent all of the next day looking for an opportunity to give Yang Chuxia a good spanking. That child really had no shame, saying such things.
"Father, look at Mother, glaring at me so early in the morning." Yang Chuxia started playing the spoiled daughter card, complaining to her father.
Upon hearing this, Yang Dachuan was over the moon. His daughter was so capable that she could smooth everything over without his involvement. Now, on the rare occasion that his daughter was acting coquettishly with him - well, he interpreted her complaints as coquetry - he found it particularly heartwarming.
He said to Ms. Wang, "Wife, you should voice your opinions calmly. Why are you being so hard on Xiaxia this early in the morning?"
Ms. Wang was frustrated, "And you’re defending her when you don’t even know what she said last night!"
Unable to tell Yang Dachuan exactly what Yang Chuxia had said, Ms. Wang just glared at Yang Chuxia.
"Oh dear Mother, what kind of outrageous things have I said? You never stopped me before." Seeing that Ms. Wang wouldn’t let it go, Yang Chuxia mumbled a reply under her breath.
"How can this be the same?"
"What’s the difference? I didn’t say it in front of outsiders. Just regard it as a hearing error. Isn’t it alright if I stop saying such things from now on?" While saying this, Yang Chuxia was already lifting up her carrying basket.
Uncle Cai had already arrived by this time, and Ye Zi’an too came over from his house, so they were ready to head back into the mountains.
Seeing that Yang Chuxia wanted to leave with an empty basket, Ms. Wang felt a mix of anger and distress, and thus took several pancakes and some hard-boiled eggs from the cupboard and stuffed them into Yang Chuxia’s basket.
Upon seeing this, Yang Chuxia couldn’t help but start giggling. The corners of her mouth curled up into a smile. "Hehe, Mother is the best."
Upon seeing her smirking, Ms. Wang gave her a stern glare.
The three of them were planning on heading back to the area by the hot spring, but before they had walked for long, Yang Dachuan came panting and catching up to them.
"Xiaxia, quickly go back!"
"Father, what’s wrong?" Yang Chuxia asked.
"Shopkeeper Li is here."
Yang Chuxia and Ye Zi’an exchanged glances, "What is he doing here? Why did he come so early?"
"He said he came to deliver New Year gifts, and he even came by horse-drawn carriage."
Since Shopkeeper Li was here, Yang Chuxia and Ye Zi’an couldn’t very well keep heading to the mountains. Hearing this, Uncle Cai suggested, "If that’s the case, you two go back. I’ll go alone to look in the mountains."
"Uncle Cai, it’s better not to. It’s not safe for you to go into the mountains alone." Although it’s usually empty in the mountains, there were now hot springs. Who knew what other things might be lurking in the vast mountains?
"No problem, I’m used to that place. I’ve been there many times." Uncle Cai waved his hand," Don’t worry, nothing will happen. I’ll go look for you. If I can find anything, it will make it easier for Brother An’s leg treatment."
"Uncle Cai, thank you!"
Yang Chuxia and Ye Zi’an said together.
"What are you thanking me for? Alright, I’m going."
Saying this, Uncle Cai headed into the mountains while Yang Chuxia and Ye Zi’an turned back. On the way, she asked, "Father, did Shopkeeper Li come alone?"
"He brought a young servant along and they brought a lot of things."
When they got back home, they indeed saw Shopkeeper Li sitting in the main hall with Old Yang chatting beside him.
"Shopkeeper Li, welcome."
Shopkeeper Li said, "See, didn’t I say you are unconventional? We’ve been working together for such a long time. I asked you to call me Uncle Li, but you insist on calling me ’Shopkeeper.’ It doesn’t sound good."
Yang Chuxia laughed, immediately saying, "Uncle Li!"