Chapter 13: Ugly Faces

Earlier, she hadn’t let the little girl follow along, and although the child hadn’t made a fuss, her face was full of disappointment.

Seeing Yan Huan return, Yan Xiyao had been eager to come to her, but many people had crowded around. Madam Qian didn’t like joining in on the commotion, fearing the child would be squeezed, so she had held her to the side.

Now, seeing Yan Huan walking towards her, the little girl’s eyes curved into crescent moons with her smile. She slid down from her mother’s arms and, with outstretched hands, happily ran towards Yan Huan. Just as the two were about to reunite triumphantly, a figure darted out from the side.

Yan Qinglin walked out from the side, appearing somewhat anxious. His footing was unsteady, and he almost stumbled onto Yan Huan. A smile, uncertain whether it was friendly or awkward, spread across his face as he softly said, “Huan’er is back. These grapes are for the children, right? You must be tired after just returning. Let me help you wash and distribute them?”

His voice was already soft, and the last few words were almost a whisper, relying entirely on guesswork!

Yan Huan glanced at Madam Jin and Yan Qingkun, who were standing not far behind him, and roughly understood the situation. Holding the grapes in her hand, she said, “These grapes have already been washed, so there’s no need for Fourth Uncle to trouble himself.”

Yan Qinglin was already thin-skinned. He stammered for a long time, not knowing how to respond, and could only step aside to let Yan Huan pass.

Yan Huan had only taken two steps when she heard Yan Qingkun over there start crying for some reason. While crying, he also called out, “Mother, be gentle, it hurts!”
Without looking, Yan Huan knew that Yan Qingkun had been pinched by his mother. Yan Huan had seen this kind of drama many times, so she wasn’t in a hurry to leave. She wanted to see what act they were putting on. Free shows were not to be missed.

Hearing the child cry, Yan Qinglin’s face showed distress. He quickly walked over, squatted down, and asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Where does it hurt?”

“The child is hungry, so his stomach hurts. Where else could it hurt? He ate so little tonight, it’s probably all gone after a few peers. We adults can endure it, but can a child handle it?”

“Fourth Master, you have to think of a way. Qingkun is at the age of growing. If he really suffers from malnutrition, he won’t be able to make it up later.”

“Sixth Miss is your junior, and Qingkun is also her younger brother. Surely she wouldn’t begrudge even a bunch of grapes.”

Madam Jin’s tone was coquettish, full of complaints, yet her voice didn’t carry a trace of resentment.

Impressive! No wonder Fourth Uncle had a total of four wives and concubines and five children, yet he still revolved around her all day long. She really knew how to handle men.

Yan Qinglin was originally embarrassed to continue bothering Yan Huan, but upon hearing these words, he turned around again.

What Yan Huan found amusing was that this time, even his voice became louder.

“Huan’er, your younger brother is hungry. Give him a bunch of grapes. You have three bunches, and Fourth Uncle doesn’t want much, just one bunch.”

Excuse me, is this the power of love?

Just because of Madam Jin’s coy act, the usually submissive Fourth Uncle had become so direct. Asking for grapes right away? And not wanting much, just one bunch? Where did he get the nerve?
Heh, she picked the grapes herself, and Qingkun was her younger brother. She could give him some, but not under duress. Moreover, she really disliked Madam Jin. Just because of Madam Jin, she didn’t want to give any.

She was never one to wrong herself. Since she didn’t want to give, she wouldn’t. If she gave today, she was afraid that in the future, everything would have to be prepared in advance for the fourth branch.

Madam Jin could manipulate everyone in the fourth branch, but she shouldn’t think that anyone could be manipulated by her.

“The grapes grow on the mountain. I didn’t conjure them up myself. If you want to eat them, go pick them yourself.”

Seeing her refusal, Yan Qinglin’s face immediately darkened. He found that he increasingly couldn’t understand this niece of his. She had been aggressive during the meal earlier, causing the whole family to eat separately afterward. Now, she was actually giving him a cold face over a few grapes.

“Isn’t it just a bunch of grapes? Is it worth being so stingy? You know that it’s inconvenient for Fourth Uncle to go up the mountain. If it were convenient, would I have lowered myself to beg you for a bunch of grapes?”

He was anxious, he was anxious, that man was anxious.

Seeing his face turn red with anxiety, Yan Huan looked down on him even more. A man who was usually idle and looked harmless and weak was actually just a good-for-nothing!

If you really think your son isn’t full, then find a way! Don’t stare at other people’s things. Besides, can grapes satisfy hunger?

Don’t you have money? Don’t be foolish and exchange things with people. Use your money to curry favor with the officials and let them allow the women in your family to go into the mountains to find food! Men are strictly watched, but the officials are relatively lenient with women. With so many concubines in your family, are you still afraid of going hungry?

Yan Huan rolled her eyes and coldly replied, “Fourth Uncle also knows that this is just a bunch of grapes, not worth getting angry with a junior like me. Why don’t you go back and think of other ways? Your son is hungry, there’s no reason to snatch food from a junior like me.”

Seeing that Yan Huan was really not going to give any, Yan Qinglin’s eyes turned red with anger, looking like he couldn’t wait to snatch them directly. Seeing that the situation was not right, Madam Qian quickly stepped forward and stood in front of Yan Huan.

Seeing Madam Qian step forward, little Xiyao also puffed out her chest and went to the front. Although Fourth Grandfather looked scary, she was even more afraid of her mother and little aunt getting hurt.

Seeing the two of them like this, Yan Huan felt a warmth in her heart. Perhaps, this was family. Although they hadn’t met many times, they were afraid for your safety, and even if they were scared themselves, they would rush to the front to protect you, just like when her brothers had protected her in their arms in the prison before. It was touching.

Unlike some people who just held the title of family in vain!

Yan Huan was naturally not afraid that Fourth Uncle would do anything outrageous over a bunch of grapes. After all, this Fourth Uncle of hers was just a paper tiger, fierce on the outside but cowardly on the inside. Just as she was about to step forward and argue with him, she saw two more people walk out from behind and stand in front of her.

It was actually Yan Jiang and Yan Hai from the second branch. The people from the second branch had always been taciturn. Yan Huan had rarely spoken to them when she returned in previous years, but she didn’t expect these two to stand up to help her.

Earlier, these two brothers had seen Yan Huan carrying back many things and had come over to watch the excitement. Later, seeing the brothers from the first branch and Mama Jiang and others go to the water to process the game, they had originally thought about going over to help, but in the end, fearing that the first branch would misunderstand that they wanted to share the spoils, they hadn’t gone forward.

But they hadn’t expected to see this scene on their way back to rest.

Although the other branches of the Yan family hadn’t followed them to the capital to enjoy wealth and glory, they were considered unique in the local area. Having an elder brother who was a Grand Tutor, even the local magistrate was respectful to their family. In the hearts of the family members, Yan Qingyi was their benefactor, and the first branch had created their family’s wealth. Every year when the first branch returned for the New Year, everyone was friendly and harmonious.

But they hadn’t expected that now that something had happened, their Fourth Uncle would reveal such an ugly face.