Mu Dashan’s serious lecturing made Mu Dade’s face darken, and even a bit impatient.

He just casually said a few words, yet the person in front of him took it seriously.

For Mu Dade, whether it was back when he was studying at the academy or now as a county magistrate, it had nothing to do with these country folks who hadn’t seen the world.

Even if it did, back then these people had ulterior motives, hoping to ride on his coattails for a better life, which is why they paid for his education.

In the end, it’s because their own intentions were impure; they have ended up like this, and can’t blame others.

Deep in thought, Zhang Huai Shu, who had entered the house, walked up to Mu Dade.

"Old Mu Family’s eldest, your Fifth and second brother-in-law were injured, I just examined them and prescribed medicine. It totals six hundred wen in cost. As their brother, you’d help pay for it, right?"

Mu Dade was taken aback, and Mu Dajiang, who had come along, quickly stepped forward.

"Big brother, Uncle Zhang is right, we do owe the medical fees. If you have the money, please pay it together. When father wakes... wakes up, I’ll discuss this matter with him!"

Money, of course, Mu Dade had.

But being made the scapegoat like this, he was a bit unwilling.

Upon seeing Mu Dade’s dodging and unwillingness to take responsibility, Mu Dashan felt deeply disheartened.

He spoke up, "Big brother, Fifth and second sister-in-law got hurt because of you, you should pay the medical fees!"

With no choice after this was pointed out, Mu Dade could only bring out the medicinal fees.

Once the six hundred wen of medical fees were handed over, Zhang Huai Shu took the silver and left.

Mu Dashan took a final look at the bedridden Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu who was caring for him, and followed them out of the Old Mu Family household.

Back home, the children, including Shuangshuang, had all retired for the night.

Yu Si Niang sat in the kitchen, anxiously waiting for her husband.

In the kitchen, an oil lamp was lit, casting a very dim light.

On the wall, Si Niang’s shadow was drawn long and thin, adding a sense of solitude.

Mu Dashan entered the house and saw Yu Si Niang. Before he could speak, Yu Si Niang stood up.

"Thirsty? Let me pour you a cup of tea."

As she spoke, Yu Si Niang poured a cup of already cooled boiled water from the teapot on the dining table.

She handed it to Mu Dashan.

Mu Dashan was indeed thirsty. He lifted the teacup and drank it down in one go, still feeling thirsty, he poured himself two more cups.

After drinking, his throat finally wasn’t dry.

"I’ll fetch you water. After you bathe, go to bed early, we have to work in the fields tomorrow morning."

Mu Dashan tugged at Yu Si Niang, who was preparing to fetch him water, "Si Niang, you’ve been tired all day too, don’t bother! I’ll handle these chores myself!"

"It’s alright, I’m your wife, it’s my duty to do these things."

Yu Si Niang had been serving Mu Dashan for a long time, neither feeling annoyed nor tired!

Mu Dashan had to let go, Yu Si Niang fetched the wooden tub for bathing, filled it with cold water, and ladled out the already boiled hot water from the iron pot.

The dry soap for bathing, the scrubbing towel, and clean clothes, each item was prepared by Yu Si Niang for Mu Dashan.

Seeing all this, Mu Dashan let out a long sigh.

A wife is indeed good.

Carrying the wooden tub to the large tree at the yard gate, Mu Dashan took an open-air bath.

After bathing, his whole body felt comfortable.

At this moment, Yu Si Niang was still waiting in the kitchen. Mu Dashan went to call her to bed but found her looking as if she wanted to say something.

"Si Niang, do you want to say something to me?" Mu Dashan asked.

"Yes! Today I discussed it with Shuangshuang, Xiao Han is getting older, and so is Little Zhi, we can’t continue like this, with the whole family squeezed into one room.

We need to build our own house and move out!"

Originally, the third branch had the fewest rooms among several branches.

Back then, Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu only allocated one room to Mu Dashan and Yu Si Niang.

At that time, the whole family was almost squeezed onto one bed, except Shuangshuang who was timid and slept on the floor, Xiao Han and Little Zhi had been sleeping with Yu Si Niang and Mu Dashan.

Later, when Shuangshuang recovered, she moved to the utility room next door.

But Xiao Han and Little Zhi were still sharing a room with them.

The inconvenience, both Mu Dashan and Yu Si Niang understood.

"Did Shuangshuang mention where we’ll build the house?" Naturally, Mu Dashan agreed.

Whether it was the house being too cramped or the behavior of the Old Mu Family today, he couldn’t let Xiao Han go to the Old Mu homestead anymore.

"She didn’t say, she said tomorrow after we harvest all the rice, we’ll look around the village for any empty land. If there is, we’ll find a place outside to build the house."

"Then I’ll accompany Shuangshuang tomorrow, once the location is determined, we should start building the house early."

After saying this, Mu Dashan continued, "How’s Xiao Han?"

"His face isn’t swollen anymore, I rolled an egg on it and he’s asleep.

The child was in such pain and didn’t utter a sound. I said I’d ask Uncle Zhang to come and take a look, but he stubbornly refused..."

As she spoke, Yu Si Niang’s eyes reddened, she lifted her sleeve to wipe away her tears.

Mu Dashan sighed, stepped forward, and hugged Yu Si Niang tightly.

"It’s my fault, I didn’t protect Xiao Han well, don’t cry..."

Mu Dashan felt extremely troubled, not knowing what to say about Xiao Han’s matter, he could only console Yu Si Niang.

They talked for a while and went inside.

Before going to sleep, they checked on Xiao Han. They found the child still curled up alone in the corner of the bed.

Even while asleep, his brows were tightly knotted.

Mu Dashan got on the bed, cradled Xiao Han in his arms, and softly said, "Don’t worry, I’m here, no one can bully you!"

Perhaps the child’s words were heard by Xiao Han.

He snuggled closer in Mu Dashan’s arms and hugged him tightly.

The entire night, Mu Dashan held Xiao Han like this, only then did Xiao Han sleep peacefully.

Early the next morning, Xiao Han’s face had already deflated; only the head area needed medicine change.

The medicine was changed by Mu Shuangshuang, after finishing, she took out the straw fan from the household chest.

She told Xiao Han to fan himself occasionally, making sure sweat didn’t wet the wound.

Getting hurt in summer is quite troublesome; special care must be taken to prevent wound infection.

After advising Xiao Han, Mu Shuangshuang originally intended to start cooking when water-soaked Lu Yuanfeng came into the yard.

He carried two fish, his face showing the joy of victory.

Seeing Mu Shuangshuang, he approached.

"I caught two fish by the creek, we can make fish soup for Xiao Han to nourish him! Later, I’ll check with Da Lang to see if there’s any pig blood. If there is, I’ll buy some!"

Pig blood and fish are good for nourishment; Mu Shuangshuang accepted the fish and thanked Lu Yuanfeng. She initially wanted to let Lu Yuanfeng rest in the kitchen and have breakfast together before heading to Tie Dao Village, but surprisingly, Lu Yuanfeng couldn’t wait and left the yard again.