The cloth was a small piece of pink floral fabric. Auntie Xia put the cloth on the kang without saying anything, still looking unwilling on her face. But nobody else went to take a look at the cloth.

  Then, under the urging of Xia Er Shu, she accompanied Xia San Shu, Xia San Shu and Lai Yue again. Although she was accompanying them, she still explained in her words that it wasn't intentional, but rather Zhang Liu's wife had misunderstood what she said. Xia Er Shu managed to clear himself of this matter; he had been scolded by Old Master Xia as soon as he returned from the market today and hadn't left the house since.

  "Lao Liu's wife is the most garrulous, whatever others say will definitely become distorted after passing through her mouth." Xia Er Shu accompanied a smiling face, then pulled down his face to scold Xia Er Shu, "I told you not to get too close to her, but you wouldn't listen. Look now, she's ruined you."

  Now that he mentioned it, Xia Ershen also became a victim.

  Xia San Shu and Xia San Shu did not believe it. Both of them looked embarrassed and were not good at speaking, so neither of them said anything.

  Xia Er Shu looked at everyone and saw that no one was speaking, so he smiled again: "Third brother, third sister-in-law, your second aunt sometimes has a loose tongue, but she's not a bad person."

  It's all like this, and yet they say their heart is not bad. In fact, in this peaceful world, how many people can really fight and kill? Aren't most of the sins coming from the mouth?

  "Second Brother, we have no place where we owe you anything." Xia San Shu was silent for a moment before speaking up.

  "Yes, yes. This matter is your second aunt's fault towards you. If you are still not satisfied in your heart, let your second aunt apologize to you again. Third brother, we are your second brother and sister-in-law." Xia Er Shu said, the implicit meaning of his words was that they had already apologized, and if Xia San Shu continued to be unyielding, it would mean he did not respect them as his elder brother and sister-in-law.

  Xia San Shu and Xia San Shu were both speechless.

  Old Xia looked at his second son, then at his third son, and silently sighed in his heart. He hesitated for a moment before speaking again, his voice and tone very severe: "Second daughter-in-law, watch your mouth from now on!"

  Xia Ershu and Xia Erjie hastily agreed. Old Master Xia said so, and today's matter was settled. They were naturally willing to do so.

  Old Man Xia pointed to the small floral fabric on the kang: "Make a garment with this floral fabric for Lao Yue in December." This was his way of comforting and compensating her.

  "I don't want to!" Laiyue said immediately. The little girl had been wronged repeatedly today and her temper was rising.

  Old Man Xia was somewhat unable to come down, but he really didn't want to mention the twelfth lunar month, so he glanced at Old Lady Xia, meaning to let her speak, and thus suppressed the matter.

  "Father..." Xia Zhi suddenly spoke up.

  She had only called out once, but Xia Er Uncle and Xia Er Aunt were both startled, feeling that things were going to go terribly wrong.

  Xia Zhi didn't care about their facial expressions, she only spoke to Old Master Xia: "Although Second Aunt was wrong, what about the rumors spread by Rui Yue outside? Grandfather, think for Rui Yue's sake."

  Dongzhi puckered up and walked over to stand next to Xia Zhi. At this time, she naturally understood that Dongzhi was standing on her side, protecting her.

  Aunt Xia's eyes also turned red: "Yes, Dad. The twelfth lunar month let them arrange it, what to do in the future, how to call relatives."

  Old Xia sighed: "A straight body is not afraid of a slanted shadow. I'll go out tomorrow to find Zhang Liu and talk about this." This was an agreement to personally go out and clarify the facts.

  Only Grandpa said it, I'm afraid someone will say that Grandpa is biased towards Lan Yue. Xia Zhi smiled. Zhang Liu's wife had already said that Old Master Xia was biased towards Lan Yue.

  "That..." Old Man Xia looked at Summer Solstice.

  "Summer solstice, Summer second aunt glanced at her: "The solution to the problem still needs the person who tied the bell. I think there's no need to wait until tomorrow, isn't Auntie fond of going out for a stroll at night?" Clarifying this matter, of course, is better done sooner rather than later, who knows what kind of rumors will spread and ferment after a night."

  As soon as these words were spoken, the whole family felt deeply that Xia Zhi was not to be underestimated, and even Old Man Xia himself thought that Xia Zhi's mind was more meticulous than ever, and his actions more decisive.

  "Second Aunt, you go and clear things up with Sixth Aunt. From now on, if anyone mentions this again, it's your fault!" Old Master Xia instructed after some thought.

  Xia Er Aunt was unwilling, but she didn't dare to refute Xia Lao Yezi face-to-face, so she winked at Xia Er Shu, hinting for him to speak. Xia Er Shu hesitated and stammered, he was a bit afraid today after being scolded by Xia Lao Yezi.

  Xia Zhi glanced over and gave a signal with her eyes to the tenth month.

  "Second Aunt Niang, are you going or not?" asked Lao Yue of Xia Er Shu.

  Xia Er Aunt is still dawdling.

  "Second Aunt, it's not like I'm asking you to say anything bad about my third sister. If the blind date doesn't work out, it's no big deal. You just shouldn't have dragged Xiaoyue into this," said Xia Zhi.

  Xia Er Shu and Xia Er Shu were originally worried that they would have to tell the truth in order to clear up the misunderstanding, which would damage Wu Yue's reputation. Now that Xia Zhi has spoken, although they still have to go out and lose face, at least one layer of worry is gone.

  The couple let out a sigh of relief together.

  But Xia Zhi couldn't get past the New Year's Day, and she said another sentence: "It's been half a day, and Third Uncle and Third Aunt haven't said anything bad about Third Sister."

  Old Man Xia's heart skipped a beat when he heard this, and pointing at Second Uncle Xia and Second Aunt Xia, he scolded: "You two are good for nothing!"

  "Hurry up! You'll still dare to speak without thinking in the future." Xia Er Shu urged Xia Er Shu with his eyes.

  Xia Erniang could only slowly walk out. Xia Zhi saw that Laiyue didn't move, so he gave her a signal with his eyes again. Laiyue understood and quickly followed Xia Erniang: "Second Aunt, I'll go with you."

  "I'll go too." Xia San Shu thought for a moment and followed them out as well.

  With her daughter and mother-in-law following, Xia Erniang couldn't play any tricks. Xia Zhi was satisfied in his heart. Xia Erniang loved to visit neighbors and gossip with people, and she had often framed Xia Zhi before. The matter of Tian Shi wanting to marry Xia Erniang off to Tian Dabao was also spread by Xia Erniang with added flavor. This time, Xia Zhi took the opportunity to make her lose face greatly, teaching her a lesson, so that in the future she wouldn't speak nonsense again.

  Xia San Shu was apparently very satisfied with this approach, he took a look at the small flower cloth on the kang and said to Xia Lao Ye Zi: "Dad, we don't care about this cloth in the twelfth lunar month, so we won't take it."

  "That's right, can't want." Xia Zhi immediately picked up Xia San Shu's words, "Dad, what you gave to my second uncle was money, and he wants to return it. Of course, he should return the money. This flower cloth is still left for my third sister."

  Xia San Shu meant that nothing was wanted, Xia Er Shu and his wife had accompanied them with a gift, now they went to clarify with the outside, he was satisfied. However, he led Xia Zhi's emotions, hearing Xia Zhi say so, he naturally couldn't refute, and simply closed his mouth, defaulting.

  Old Master Xia felt that he had wronged his third son and his family, but was satisfied that they knew how to behave properly and were willing to cover up for the fifth month. He didn't want them to have a falling out with his second son and his family. So he just wanted the second son's family to return the money, which he thought was no big deal, and instructed Xia Ershu: "Old Two, take back the cloth and return the original amount of money to me."

  Xia Er Shu's mouth was bitter, he felt that his mouth was sour. When Xia Lao Yezi scolded him after coming back from the gathering, he had already seen through his scheme. Now he wanted to pretend not to know and not take out the money, but he was afraid that Xia Lao Yezi would bring up old matters again. But if he really took out the money, he would feel heartache. After weighing the pros and cons for a while, he had no choice but to swallow his heartache, went back to the east wing room to fetch a string of money and came back.

  Old Man Xia received the money and immediately handed it over to Uncle Xia San.

  Xia San Shu said, "Dad, keep the money. We don't want it, and that child in the twelfth month definitely can't have this money." Xia Lao Ye repeatedly offered, but Xia San Shu refused no matter what.

  "Dad, you and mom are both getting old, relying on that little bit of farming income. Later, there's still Xiaolong's matter to consider." Xia San Shu wasn't very good with words, his face turned red when he said this, showing genuine emotion.

  Old Xia let out a sigh and put down the money.

  Xia Er Shu glanced at Xia San Shu, then glanced at Old Lady Xia, and he couldn't help but smile wryly. "Third Brother is right, that's the way it should be. Father, Mother, you two keep this money."

  The sky was dark, and Xia Erpo walked back with her head down, followed by Xia Sanpo, Lao Yue, Xiao Hei Yu, Xiao Xialin, and Xiao Shu. Xia Zhi glanced at the people behind him and saw that their faces were completely different from Xia Erpo's, so he knew that things had been handled very satisfactorily.

  Old Man Xia asked and knew that everything had been made clear, so he nodded and let Second Uncle Xia and Second Aunt Xia go back. The couple walked out, neither of them dared to move the piece of flowered cloth on the kang. Old Man Xia also didn't ask them to take it.

  They had just left when Xiaohuo, Xiaoshu and Xiaoxialin rushed to say that Xi'er's aunt was looking for Lao Liu's wife to clarify things.

  "I especially made her go under the big willow tree and retell the story to everyone. This time, let's see who dares to make up nonsense about the Lantern Festival." Little Black Fish said with his chest puffed out. He was playing outside when he ran into Xia Erniang and her group, asked what was going on, and then took it upon himself to supervise Xia Erniang.

  Xia Er Auntie went out to clarify things, and the effect was quite sensational. Behind her, in addition to the Xia family members, there was also a long string of children following her.

  "Ah." Old Man Xia let out a soft sigh.

  Old Lady Xia pretended not to hear Old Man Xia's sigh, she reached out and picked up the small floral cloth on the kang and flipped it over: "Why didn't Second Brother bring this floral cloth back?"

  "He still has that face. This cloth won't be given to them, you see what you can do with it for Jiaoyue and Sixteen." Old Man Xia said.

  When she heard that there was still a share of flower cloth and summer solstice, she didn't say no anymore.

  Old Lady Xia exclaimed in surprise, asking everyone to look at the flower cloth. The flower cloth was folded into a piece, but when opened, it could be seen that it was not a whole piece, but had been cut off by a large piece. The cut was also very irregular, and this piece was ruined, while the other piece was not much better.

  "What a shameless thing to do!" Old Master Xia cursed in a low voice. There's no need to ask, this must be the work of Auntie Xia. At this time, she still wants to take advantage of the situation and can't let others get what's good, it's indeed Auntie Xia's style of doing things.

  "Never mind." said Old Lady Xia. The couple in the east wing had their faces swollen today, and if they were to bring up the matter of the flowered fabric again, it would only make them even more embarrassed. It wouldn't look good for Old Man Xia either. "Even if we cut off this piece, there won't be enough fabric left to do anything with. We might as well just give it to Er Niang and her family."

  Xia Lao Ye Zi blocked her way with a dark face: "It's enough to leave some face for them, don't show off their faces anymore. This cloth is not enough to make clothes for the children, just do something casual." Then he pushed that string of money to Xia Lao Tai Tai, "This money, let's add some more and make a skirt for each of the 16th and Xiamen."

  "That's all right." Old Lady Xia smiled and replied.

  Let's put aside the topic of flower cloth and start chatting. The Ren family is not a person who likes to remember hatred, and they will have something to say and laugh about in a short while. When the sky darkens, Daqiao comes over to pick up his younger brother and sister, including Xia Lao Yezi, everyone's mood is pleasant.

  The little black fish was kept by Old Lady Xia in the backyard to sleep.

  Coming out of the backyard, the people who were cooling off under the big willow tree had already dispersed, and there was no one walking on the street. Returning to the front yard, Xia Qiao closed the door and told his younger brother and sister to go to bed early. Sun Lan'er had already spread a mat for Xia Zhi.

  The back door was knocked at this time.

  It's strange that someone is coming at this time. Xia Qiao walked over and opened the door. The person who came was recognized by Xia Zhi, a villager known as Lao Guai, a cart driver. When he was young, his legs were crippled with illness, so he couldn't do heavy farm work, and he tied up a horse cart to transport goods and people. The Tian family often rented his cart when they went out.

  "Big Bridge," Old Crooked said without entering the house, standing at the door and speaking to Xia Qiao, "your mother is back, at the village entrance, she wants you to go pick her up."

  "Has my mother come back? How did she come back?" Daqiao asked in surprise.

  The old man passed on the message and the others refused to say more before turning around and leaving.

  Daqiao was busy and turned around to say to Xia Zhi and Xiao Shu'er: "Our mother is back!"

  Xia Zhi was more surprised than Xia Qiao. Tian Shi went to Xiao Wang Zhuang to work, and Lao Ye had arranged for her to do a full month's work. Now that only half a month has passed, Tian Shi shouldn't be back yet.

  Someone must have picked up Tian back then.

  Who brought Tian back. All the Xia family members were there, except for one Xia Xiuren. But if it was Xia Xiuren who brought Tian back, why didn't Lao Duan mention him earlier? And if Xia Xiuren was with Tian, there would be no need for Lao Duan to send a message to have Xia Qiao go to the village entrance to meet them.

  Apart from Xia's family, only Tian's family can take Tian away from Xiao Wang Zhuang.

  Xia Qiao said a word, and was busy finding lanterns to go pick up Tian Shi. Xia Zhi found a lantern, lit it, and instructed Sun Lan'er to watch the house, then went out with Xia Qiao and Xiao Shu'er to meet Tian Shi at the village entrance.

  There is no moon tonight, the night sky is somewhat gloomy, with wind passing through the trees by the roadside, it's a bit eerie.

  "Mother came back ahead of time." Little Shu's voice was faintly heard.

  "Are you trying to scare me?" Xia Zhi raised an eyebrow and glared at Xiao Shu.

  "No." Xiaoshu immediately said seriously, and intimately held one of Xiazhi's hands. "Sister, I'm worried, I'm worried about you."

  Tian's family returned ahead of time, will she let Xia Zhi off? How will she punish Xia Zhi?

  Xia Zhi pursed her lips and didn't say anything.

  (。)