The sweet potatoes were roasted quickly. Lingdang tossed one to Li Yanhao, who caught it with a big grin, then, because it was too hot, he alternated catching and tossing it with both hands.
Lingdang put the remaining roasted sweet potatoes into a clay pot, hugged the pot, and headed outside. Li Yanhao, having nothing better to do, followed her while eating the sweet potatoes.
Lingdang walked to an open space and placed the clay pot into the bushes.
Li Yanhao munched on a sweet potato and asked, "Is this for that child?"
"Yes. He said the last thing his mother told him before she disappeared was to dig up sweet potatoes and roast them for him," Lingdang nodded.
"Oh wow!" Li Yanhao leaned in with a mischievous grin, "Little Lingdang, you’re quite caring!"
"Hmph!" Lingdang rolled her eyes at Li Yanhao, looking at him as if he were an idiot.
Li Yanhao sized Lingdang up and said, "Tsk tsk, how come I never realized you had such a warm heart before?"
"That’s because you’re blind," Lingdang shot back without hesitation, clapped her hands, and stood up to walk towards the courtyard.
Li Yanhao held his roasted sweet potato and followed her, saying, "Little Lingdang, your cooking skills keep getting better. With Ah Li’s seven-tenths skill, if you ever don’t want to be a covert guard, how about coming to my mansion as a cook? Free food and lodging, good pay, and you can even bully people with my backing! Not bad, right?"
Lingdang rolled her eyes at Li Yanhao again—this foodie only thinks about eating!
Zhang Zhaocai fainting was just a minor incident. The villagers at the banquet were happily eating. Yuan Jie was so happy about moving that he drank a few more cups. By the end of the feast, he was a bit drunk and was carried into his new home by Xiao Zetian.
Chen Shi linked arms with Su Li and Wang Shi, happily following inside.
This was Su Li and the others’ first time entering Yuan Jie’s newly decorated home, and upon seeing it, they agreed it was truly beautiful!
Little bridges, flowing water, pavilions, and towers—it was as if they had accidentally wandered into a Jiangnan household.
"Oh wow, this house is really beautiful! Much nicer than mine!" Wang Shi looked around enviously.
"Of course, our house is at best a luxurious farmhouse. But Fourth Uncle’s family hired Jiangnan craftsmen to design the house in the style of a Jiangnan garden, so naturally it’s extremely beautiful!" Su Li smiled, "Mother, if you like, your daughter can build one for you too!"
Chen Shi laughed, "Second sister-in-law, listen to that, your Ah Li is so filial! You’re really blessed, it’s enviable!"
Chen Shi’s words made Wang Shi’s heart sweet as honey. She happily said, "Yes, my Ah Li is the most filial! Ah Li, I’m just jealous looking at you. Our family is already very good, no need to spend more on building a house. As long as the family lives together harmoniously, that’s better than anything!"
Chen Shi led them on a tour around the courtyard. It was truly beautiful—the pond, the trees, all carefully arranged with great artistic sense.
The furniture inside the house was made from the finest wood, all new and arranged tastefully. It was all arranged by Chen Shi herself, very elegant.
Everyone was extremely satisfied and delighted with Fourth Uncle’s new home.
Su Li also liked it very much. The little bridges, flowing water, pavilions, and towers—it was truly the dream mansion!
While Su Li and Wang Shi were happily touring, Bailu rushed in with a somewhat panicked expression, pulling Su Li aside and whispering, "Madam, something’s wrong. You need to come home with me quickly!"
Seeing usually calm Bailu so flustered, Su Li knew something serious had happened.
Bailu was smart enough to avoid Wang Shi and Chen Shi. Su Li understood immediately, turned back to Wang Shi and Chen Shi with a smile, making it seem like nothing was wrong, and said, "Mother, Fourth Aunt, you two go look around some more. Bailu wants to discuss some business with me, so I’ll head back first."