Chapter Eleven: Retorting with Grace and Decorum

Yun Shuang found the situation amusing, but worry gnawed at her heart. What was she to do with these two illiterate children? Living in such an environment every day, it was no wonder they spoke so crudely... The wisdom of Meng Mu moving three times truly could not be overstated.

She gently squeezed the little girl's hand, signaling her to hold her tongue, then turned her cold gaze toward Liu Peier, who had yet to recover from her panic. "Liu Peier, I have neither grievance nor enmity with you. I do not wish to stir up trouble, but if you come to provoke me and my children again..."

Her eyes suddenly darkened, the harshness within them making Liu Peier shudder involuntarily. "I will never let you have an easy time. If you doubt me, you’re welcome to test it!"

With those words, she took the two children by the hand and prepared to leave.

But Liu Peier could not bear to let her go so easily. She clenched her fists and spun around, gritting her teeth as she said, "Yun Shuang, did you know? I’m about to be betrothed to the son of a wealthy merchant from the city. Soon, I’ll be above others, living a life of luxury! And you? Even if men fancy you, so what? They’re just lusting after your beauty! Just now, you shamelessly chased after those soldiers from the garrison—did any of them even spare you a word?"

"Even if some fool is willing to overlook your past and marry you, you’ll still be condemned to this lowly village woman’s life for the rest of your days! You will never compare to me!"

Who wants to compete with her?

Yun Shuang was thoroughly uninterested, waving her hand without even turning back. "Very well, I wish you happiness. But since you’re about to be engaged, you’d best pay attention to your personal hygiene. Don’t let that merchant’s son catch you in a compromising situation."

That wretched woman—always hitting where it hurts!

Liu Peier was instantly reminded of her recent humiliation, hastily covering her nose, her face flushed with anger. In the end, she could only watch helplessly as Yun Shuang walked away, stamping her foot in frustration.

Such a sharp-tongued woman—who knew what Brother Chang Yong saw in her!

Finally free from that madwoman, Yun Shuang looked down, her expression serious as she instructed the two children, especially the little girl. "Don’t ever repeat the things she said. No matter our circumstances, we must always conduct ourselves with dignity and courtesy."

"Mm!" The little girl nodded solemnly. "Mother, even if Er Ya gets angry, she’ll respond in a dignified and polite way. You don’t need to worry!"

Yun Shuang was speechless. Did this child truly understand what dignity and courtesy meant?

Still, in a certain sense, she wasn’t entirely wrong.

Dog Egg was even more defiant, snorting as he turned his head away. "I would never do such pointless, annoying things without reason."

Yun Shuang could only smile wryly in the end. Well, at least she needn’t worry about these two being bullied.

The three spent the whole day foraging, but managed to catch only two fish, each barely the size of an adult’s palm, and collected half a basket of mushrooms. There was nothing to be done; most villagers lived in poverty, and many came to the woods seeking food, so the best ingredients were long gone—none left for them.

Moreover, while Yun Shuang’s domestic skills were impeccable, she had little experience surviving in the wild, and the previous Yun Shuang had even less. In the end, most of the food they collected was thanks to Dog Egg.

Just as Yun Shuang was feeling a little embarrassed, deep in the forest they stumbled upon a few chestnut trees.

Unfortunately, most of the chestnuts hadn’t even cracked open yet—they were clearly unripe. This was the north, where the weather was cool and chestnuts ripened late. Perhaps because of this, not many had been picked.

Delighted, Yun Shuang hurried over. She loved chestnuts; as a child, there was a chestnut tree in her family’s courtyard, and before her parents divorced, they would take her back each year to pick fresh chestnuts for her.

She looked around beneath the tree, picked up a sturdy branch, and began knocking the chestnuts down.

Dog Egg ran over quickly. "Mother, those chestnuts aren’t ripe yet..."

"It’s fine. Unripe chestnuts can still be eaten—they’re just harder to open." Yun Shuang smiled as she directed Dog Egg and Er Ya, "I’ll knock them down, you two pick them up and put them in the basket. Be careful—chestnuts are covered in spines. Use cloth to wrap your hands or find a large leaf to protect yourself. Don’t get hurt."

Unripe chestnuts taste quite different from ripe ones—they’re crisp and sweet, a childhood favorite of Yun Shuang.

Dog Egg looked at her, puzzled. He’d never heard of eating unripe chestnuts.

But his mother was already gleefully knocking many down, so he and Er Ya hurried to gather them.

No matter what, food must not be wasted!

That was Dog Egg’s greatest conviction.

After collecting half a basket, Yun Shuang stopped, smiling. "That’s enough for now. Let’s go home. We’ll come back when they’re ripe in a few days."

The unripe chestnuts only had tiny cracks, some not even cracked at all. They looked like little spiky hedgehogs, and getting the nuts out would take real effort. That half basket would keep her busy for hours.

On the way home, Yun Shuang discovered a small patch of hawthorn trees. The fruit was extremely sour and astringent, always unpopular. According to the memories of the original Yun Shuang, although candied hawthorn skewers existed, the method hadn’t yet spread—only popular near the capital, not in border regions like Xiazhou.

Yun Shuang was instantly excited, directing Er Ya and Dog Egg to pick a whole basketful. Dog Egg complained as he picked—what use was there in gathering such sour fruit that even birds won’t eat? Still, he said nothing, obediently following his mother’s instructions.

Mother rarely took the initiative to help, so her enthusiasm mustn’t be dampened.

In the end, the three returned home with a bounty.

Just as Yun Shuang rolled up her sleeves to prepare a feast, Er Ya came running, breathless and delighted. "Mother! Mother! The uncle who looks like a fox is here again—he came this morning!"

The uncle who looks like a fox...

She must mean that sly fellow who always followed Commander Jiang.

Yun Shuang grumbled inwardly, but remembering he was likely here to deliver silver, her heart soared. She set down her things and hurried outside.

There, she saw Dog Egg standing squarely in the doorway. Though small, he radiated the aura of a lone defender, a force no one could breach. His little head held high, he seemed to be staring down the armored man outside.

The man’s lips curled into a reluctant smile, and when he saw Yun Shuang emerge, he looked immensely relieved. "Lady Yun, I’ve come by order to deliver your reward silver."

So could you please stop letting this child glare at me like I’m a thief?!

Still, he had to admit, for one so young, the boy’s gaze was sharp. When he grew up and joined the army, he’d surely be promising. The man was already considering recruiting him for his own unit.

Indeed, he had come to deliver the reward silver!

Yun Shuang’s eyes crinkled with delight. She walked over and said, "Thank you, sir. I’m just preparing dinner—please excuse any lack of hospitality."

As she spoke, her right hand reached out, honest and eager.