Uncle Hong said, “The other party said their surname is Ding; they’re the general’s maternal uncle, and there’s a child named Tadpole, who is said to be the general’s cousin.”

Yang Haiyan had met Qin’s maternal uncle and Tadpole before.

Last March, when Qin Fang finished his military service and returned home, they visited Qin Fang’s maternal grandparents’ house, where they met Qin’s maternal uncle and his family.

She didn’t have much of an impression of Qin’s maternal uncle’s family, but she remembered Tadpole as a spoiled child who lacked manners.

He would stuff anything good into his mouth.

When they visited her grandparents last year, they bought some snacks, but the child ended up eating all of them.

Clearly, her grandparents had no objections to this.

At that time, Yang Haiyan didn’t think highly of the Ding family, feeling that they didn’t have the same family values as the Qin family.

The odd one out in the Qin family was Aunt Qin, but Aunt Qin was merely mouthy; some things she would forget after saying.

Moreover, she wouldn’t snatch things away from children.

Speaking of snatching things from children, she recalled that Qin’s maternal aunt did have a habit of doing just that.

Thinking of this, Yang Haiyan couldn’t help but frown. Could it really be that Qin’s maternal uncle had brought Tadpole here? “Just the two of them? No women?”

Uncle Hong replied, “No women. They’re dressed in rags, looking like beggars.”

If it was really Qin’s maternal uncle, then why wasn’t his wife with him? Regardless, Yang Haiyan decided to check it out.

In principle, as a third-rank county lady, she shouldn’t have to go out to welcome him, but some things could become complicated once they entered the house.

So she resolved to take a look; if it wasn’t Qin’s maternal uncle, she wouldn’t let them in. “Let’s go take a look.”

At the entrance of the general’s mansion, Qin’s maternal uncle and Tadpole were sitting on the ground.

They did indeed look like beggars, which explained why Uncle Hong thought they were beggars.

In this condition, even actual beggars might turn up their noses at them.

Their clothes were tattered, their faces were dirty, and they carried a strong odor that could be detected from quite a distance.

Tadpole clutched his stomach, his face pale and waxy, impossible to describe.

He weakly said, “Dad, I’m so hungry. Is this really my cousin’s house? Why hasn’t my cousin come out yet? If this isn’t my cousin’s house, will we get beaten up?”

Even a small child knew that knocking on the door of a wealthy family without permission could lead to trouble.

Third Uncle Ding replied, “No, we asked along the way, and even asked at the city gate. This is Yunxiang County. Moreover, the soldiers at the city gate said there’s only one general in Yunxiang County. Besides, the soldier just told us that this is indeed General Qin Fang’s mansion, and isn’t Qin Fang your cousin?”

As Third Uncle Ding spoke, he glanced at the soldiers at the entrance.

At the entrance of the general’s mansion, there were guards, and inside, Uncle Hong was managing the door.

Although there weren’t many servants, there were quite a few guards, numbering over thirty when including personal guards and soldiers.

Tadpole nodded, “You’re right, Dad. My cousin’s name is Qin Fang.”

As he spoke, his stomach rumbled, and he added, “Dad, I’m so tired. I want to sleep.” His voice was weak, and his eyes were barely open. Just as he said this, he slumped over, almost unconscious.

“Tadpole…” Third Uncle Ding was startled and quickly went to catch him. “Help! Someone, please!”

Yang Haiyan had just arrived at the door when she heard Qin’s maternal uncle’s desperate cry.

She hurried out.

Despite Qin’s maternal uncle looking shabby, Yang Haiyan still recognized him. “Third Uncle Ding?” she called out.

Upon seeing Yang Haiyan, Third Uncle Ding looked like he had found a savior. “Ah Fang’s wife, is that you? Come quickly, take a look at Tadpole! He’s not well… Tadpole…”

Yang Haiyan said, “Uncle, bring Tadpole into the mansion. Uncle Hong, is Doctor Li out today?”

Uncle Hong replied, “Doctor Li is out, but Miss Li is still here.”

Yang Haiyan nodded. “Third Uncle, carry Tadpole and follow me.”

Third Uncle Ding was already out of strength; he tried to stand up while carrying Tadpole, but he ended up collapsing onto the ground, falling on top of Tadpole.

Seeing this, Uncle Hong stepped forward and picked up the tadpole.

Uncle Hong was a hunter, naturally strong, and now that his leg was healed, he was quite agile in his movements.

In his free time, he even asked the private guards to teach him martial arts.

Hunters already have some skills, and after learning martial arts for a year with the guards, he could be considered a guard himself.

However, he still preferred to manage the door, as he felt more secure doing so.

Even at night, although there were guards on duty outside, he would still get up to check, chatting with the guards for a bit, worried they might fall asleep.

Aunt Hong was also busy.

Since Yang Haiyan hadn’t opened her shop yet, she took charge of the hygiene of the entire general’s residence.

Both husband and wife were hard workers.

Yang Haiyan initially bought Uncle Hong because, in this ancient time when women had no status, a big man was willing to sell himself to cure his wife’s illness.

For that reason, she gave Uncle Hong a chance.

Buying Aunt Hong was partly for the same reason; she originally didn’t want to sell herself, but she did so to help Uncle Hong with his leg.

Both spouses were devoted and loyal individuals.

With Doctor Li absent, Miss Li was drying medicinal herbs.

Upon seeing Yang Haiyan approach with Uncle Hong carrying a boy, she put down her herbs and walked over. “Country lady,” she greeted, and then asked, “What happened?”

Miss Li usually stayed in this courtyard, which Yang Haiyan had specifically arranged for Doctor Li and his daughter.

Unless necessary, Li Guangniang would not leave this courtyard.

Due to the bandit incidents, she felt somewhat inferior.

Doctor Li never forced his daughter into anything; he just hoped she would be well.

Thus, he passed on his medical skills to her, and the father-daughter pair treated the general’s residence as their own home.

Yang Haiyan said, “Miss Li, the child fainted. Please take a look.”

Upon hearing that a child had fainted, Miss Li hurriedly said, “Quick, bring him over here.”

Uncle Hong carried the child inside, and Qin Sanjiu followed closely, feeling uneasy. Yang Haiyan didn’t go in; she said to Granny Lian, “Granny, please go to Mother and inform her of what’s happening here. Ask her to come over.”

Regardless of what Third Uncle Ding was doing with the child, it was not her business as long as an elder was present.

Granny Lian replied, “Yes, I will go right away.”

Yang Haiyan nodded and entered the room.

As soon as Yang Haiyan came in, Miss Li said, “Country lady, the child is fine; he just fainted from hunger and is a bit weak. He just needs some nourishment. Would you like me to prepare some nourishing medicine for him?”

Yang Haiyan replied, “Please prepare it. Pack the medicine; later, Third Uncle and the others will take it with them.”

Miss Li nodded, “Understood.”

Third Uncle Ding was taken aback: “Wife of Afang, take him away? Where are you taking the medicine? We came to rely on Afang; we’re not leaving.”

Yang Haiyan smiled, “Don’t worry, Third Uncle. You’ve come from far away, so of course, you will stay for a while. Mother will be here shortly.”

She didn’t say anything more.

Although Third Uncle Ding was an elder, he was still a man, so naturally, Qin mother would host him. “Uncle, please stay here and keep the tadpole company while I go prepare some food.”

Upon hearing that Qin mother would come, Sanjiu felt relieved: “Oh, good. Wife of Afang, please make more food.”

He was so hungry that he felt he could eat for three days.

Yang Haiyan smiled.

After leaving Doctor Li’s courtyard, she first went to find Kun Zhangshi and asked her to prepare some light food, like porridge, then headed to the Liuxin Courtyard.

In the courtyard, only Grandma Qin was there.

Out of boredom, the elderly lady tidied up the yard, planning to plant something.

Grandpa Qin wasn’t around; he was about the same age as Niu Da and had been visiting him lately to chat and discuss farming.

Seeing Yang Haiyan approach, Grandma Qin put down her hoe. “Yanyan, you’re here.”

Compared to Grandpa Qin, who had someone to talk to, Grandma Qin felt truly lonely.

Thankfully, the children of the family would come over during lunch and dinner to keep her company.

At those times, the house would be lively with Qin Shouye, Qin Shoucheng, Qin Shouxin, plus Qin Siya and Qin Qiuya(Sanya), and occasionally Qin Fang and herself would come over.

During those moments, Grandma Qin was especially happy.

Yang Haiyan said, “I came to see you, Grandma. It’s noon; why aren’t you resting in the house? You should wait until the sun goes down to work in the yard. What if you get sick in this hot sun? Your husband will surely worry.”

Grandma Qin laughed and said, “Yes, yes, where would Afang be so thoughtful? It’s you who is worried. I’m just taking a walk after lunch.” As she spoke, the grandmother and granddaughter walked toward the house.

Inside the house, the ice was already melting.

In this hot weather, it was indeed uncomfortable, and Yang Haiyan couldn’t help but wonder how Qin Sanjiu and his son managed to get through it.

Yang Haiyan smiled and didn’t argue.

Once inside, she poured a cup of hot water for Grandma Qin and began discussing Qin Sanjiu’s situation: “Nothing escapes Grandma’s eyes. I did come for a reason. Just now, Uncle Hong reported that two beggars claimed to be your husband’s relatives, which startled me.

One claimed to be your husband’s uncle, and the other said he was the tadpole. I thought, isn’t this Ding Sanjiu and the tadpole? I was afraid they might be impostors, so I went out to take a look, and it really was Dingú Sanjiu and the tadpole…”

Upon hearing this, Grandma Qin frowned: “What are they here for?”

Even though Grandma Qin had a good relationship with Qin mother and had never argued with her, that didn’t mean she welcomed Qin mother’s family to take advantage of her grandson.

If it was just a simple visit between relatives, she would naturally welcome it, but they had come such a long way; could it be just a visit?

Therefore, Grandma Qin couldn’t maintain her smile. “Your husband’s uncle has always been a reckless person.”

Back in the day, she valued Qin mother and had inquired about her family, so she knew a little about Ding Sanjiu. “Yanyan, don’t involve yourself in this. You’re younger; getting involved could invite gossip. This matter should be handled by your mother-in-law.”