Apology

"Your fifth uncle is quite knowledgeable and has a promising career." He became an imperial censor at a young age, but tragically, he was sacrificed during the late emperor's expedition to the east. As for your father and Qier in this generation, it goes without saying. Ask your father about his academic achievements.

Mr. Bai lowered his head in shame.

"But Bai Qi is a promising scholar." He passed the imperial examination at a young age. If it weren't for the unfavorable circumstances, we would have sought refuge with their family," Mrs. Bai said. "Don't underestimate Shangbao just because of his young age." He has already memorized "The Analects of Confucius." Can your son recite the first chapter of "The Analects"?

Bai Erlang immediately shrank back and remained silent.

"Even if we set aside the gains and losses, purely in terms of friendship," Mrs. Bai grabbed Mr. Bai's hand and tearfully said, "She is not only your aunt but also your cousin's mother." We grew up together as cousins, with the same grandparents. Now, among the surviving siblings, it's just us. "You should also take care of your maternal family and treat them with sincerity."

This was clearly not addressed to Mr. Bai, but to Mrs. Bai.

Mrs. Bai quickly knelt down to apologize and said, "Mother, rest assured, both Mr. Bai and I will take good care of Aunt and the younger siblings."

She then turned to scold Bai Erlang, "Erlang, you are not allowed to bully your cousin again." "If I find out that you have bullied him again, I, I…"

Mrs. Bai gritted her teeth and said, "I will punish you."

Bai Erlang pursed his lips and dared not cry under his father's stern gaze, feeling a sharp pain in his buttocks.

After the family had their conversation, they wiped away their tears and returned to their respective rooms.

Just then, the steward who had gone to the Zhou family to offer an apology returned. He reported to Mr. Bai, "We have presented a bottle of medicine for bruises, two pieces of meat, two fish, and two packets of pastries." The old master of the Zhou family was very understanding and mentioned that the child was not seriously injured, just a bit bruised. With some rest, everything will be fine.

Mr. Bai scolded his disobedient son again before saying, "She is a girl." As long as there are no scars on her body, it's fine.

The steward then bowed and retreated.

Meanwhile, at the Zhou family, the children, led by Manbao, were squatting in the courtyard, eagerly eyeing the two fish, two pieces of meat, and two packets of pastries. Everyone couldn't help but swallow their saliva.

The older ones were envious, "The little girl is different." She even gets meat and fish after a fight.

The eldest maid emphasized, "And pastries too!"

Manbao touched her forehead and said, "Otherwise, should I find an opportunity to fight with Bai Erlang again next time?"

Old Zhou almost couldn't resist patting his daughter's head, but considering her injury, he chose to reprimand her verbally, "Don't talk nonsense. Is fighting fun?" Not to mention that you are younger and will likely be the one getting beaten. You started this, and now you want people to bring gifts. How can such a thing happen?

Old Zhou continued, "When the Bai family asks for an apology from us, we won't be able to offer two pieces of meat and two fish."

Manbao felt regretful for a moment, then looked at the pastries and swallowed hard before throwing herself into her sister-in-law's arms and acting coquettishly, "Sister-in-law, let's eat the pastries."

Although she didn't particularly like sweets, she loved pastries.

She had just taken a sniff, and they smelled so good.

Xiao Qianshi didn't hesitate and asked her mother-in-law for permission. After receiving a nod, she opened one packet, gave Manbao two pieces, and distributed the remaining pieces to the other children, intending to give the rest to Manbao gradually.

However, Manbao immediately handed two pieces to her parents and then looked at her sister-in-law expectantly.

Xiao Qianshi, feeling helpless, took out two more pieces for her.

Manbao smiled and did the same, giving the pastries to her two sisters-in-law before continuing to look at Xiao Qianshi.

Upon noticing that both sisters-in-law had received their portions, Xiao Qianshi, feeling slightly irritated, unfolded the oil paper and gave the remaining two pieces to Manbao, stating, "That's all, there are no more left!"

Manbao brought a piece of food to Xiao Qianshi's mouth and said sweetly, "Sister-in-law, have some." "They taste so good."

Xiao Qianshi's anger dissipated instantly, and she couldn't help but laugh, "You are so clever."

He Shi didn't eat the pastries but laughed and said, "Manbao treats her sisters-in-law differently." Our pastries didn't make it to our mouths.

Feng Shi also chimed in, "After all, she was raised on her sister-in-law's milk."

Xiao Qianshi was a bit proud but remained modest, "This child treats everyone in the family the same." She speaks so sweetly, as if she's coated in honey. "All the other children in the family combined can't match her."

The three sisters-in-law continued to praise each other, and Xiao Qianshi, sitting on the side, instructed, "Cut the meat and stir-fry it." Since we don't have a refrigerator, we can't keep it raw for long. It needs to be cooked to last longer.

She added, "Although dinner has been prepared, take some out to stir-fry with the vegetables." Manbao is injured and needs nourishment.

The three daughters-in-law dared not stand around and gossip anymore; instead, they quickly went to work.

They didn't eat the pastries but handed them to their respective husbands.

Of course, the Zhou family men didn't just eat them. They took the items back to their rooms and saved them to share later when the family was together.

Xiao Qianshi also called her daughter over and gave her the pastries, smiling as she touched the wound on her forehead, "Eat quickly. Once you've eaten well, the injury will heal faster."

Manbao pushed the pastries back and said, "Mother, you eat."

Xiao Qianshi shook her head and said, "Mother is taking medicine and can't eat pastries." "You eat quickly."

Manbao didn't doubt her mother because she knew her mother had to watch her diet and couldn't eat many things.

Manbao happily took a bite of the pastries and went to play with Zhou Wulang and the others.

Old Zhou broke off a large piece of the pastry and handed it to his wife.

Xiao Qianshi smiled and did not refuse this time.

Manbao was particularly interested in the family's trip to the county town today and asked eagerly.

Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang felt like they had seen the world that day, surrounded by their siblings and nephews, feeling heroic as they vividly recounted the day's events.

Since the incident of adults being abducted had occurred in their area, the villagers had agreed on the rules for traveling to the county town.

They didn't need to worry about the same village. In the small village, individuals interested in traveling to the county town the next day would announce their plans, and those willing to join would arrange to meet at the village entrance at a specific time the following day. If no one showed up, they would set off on their own, and the timing of their departure was also important.

Zhou Wulang said, "It's best to arrive at the county town around the hour of the dragon." Everyone's pace is about the same, so everyone calculates the time it will take to return from the county town. If people from different villages want to travel together, the waiting time at the village entrance is fixed.