ebookland Chapter 426: Strike first to gain the upper hand
Chapter 426: Strike first to gain the upper hand
In the dilapidated kitchen, Xiuying squatted on the ground and reached out to touch the black powder in front of the stove. She sniffed her fingers gently and found the familiar smell of saltpeter.
She turned her head and looked at some burnt charcoal placed aside, with a glimmer of inquiry in her eyes, and she already had a rough idea in her mind.
Then, she raised her head and said to Dong Meiyan who was standing beside her: "Dong Mei, go and call San Gouzi over. I have something to ask him. Hurry up."
"Yes, Madam." Dongmei turned around and walked quickly towards Grandma Zhang's room.
At this time, San Gouzi was standing by Grandma Zhang's bed, with a look of concern on his face. He held a wet handkerchief in his hand and gently wiped Grandma Zhang's face.
Hearing Dongmei say Xiuying asked him to come over, he was slightly startled, then handed the handkerchief in his hand to Fusu beside him and said, "A Su, you take care of mother, I will be back soon."
"Sister Xiuying, you came to me." San Gouzi looked at Xiuying uncomfortably, with a hint of guilt in his eyes.
He knew in his heart that he had caused a big disaster this time. Perhaps it was the thunder god who wanted to strike him, the unlucky guy. However, he did not expect that he would implicate his family and make such a good family become so chaotic.
"What are we going to do with these?" Xiuying pointed to the pile of burnt charcoal on the side.
San Gouzi quickly explained, "The weather is getting colder, so I saved this burnt charcoal and put it under the fire when I warm myself. I always save some every year at this time for winter. I was going to put it in the jar, but who knew this would happen? Sister Xiuying, this is all my fault. I'm sorry for causing trouble for everyone."
After hearing San Gouzi's words, Xiuying looked up slightly, looking at the thin layer of white frost on the dilapidated wall, thinking to herself: One nitre, two sulphur, three charcoal, San Gouzi must have accidentally mixed these things together, causing the explosion.
Thinking of this, her eyes became deep. The sulfur should be the ore on the Black Stone Mountain that San Gouzi mentioned. The ore contained unrefined sulfur, which led to the accident.
"Thank you." Xiuying smiled warmly and thanked San Gouzi. "I'll have the servants bring two plump old hens to nourish Grandma Zhang. Don't worry too much, Grandma Zhang will get better."
After saying that, Xiuying turned and left lightly. San Gouzi looked at Xiuying's brisk back and was a little lost in thought for a moment.
He had originally thought that Xiuying would severely punish him, believing that he had angered the gods, thus implicating his family and almost causing a disaster. However, he did not expect that Xiuying would ask about some insignificant matters, which finally put his heart at ease.
The villagers gradually dispersed, but some curious people stayed to watch the fun.
"Did Grandma Zhang do something wrong? Otherwise, why would she suffer this disaster?" A woman in flowered clothes asked curiously.
"What can an old lady do? Don't guess!" An old man next to her waved his hand and said.
"What do you know? This matter was caused by San Gouzi." A man with a pointed chin and monkey cheeks said in a low voice mysteriously.
"What? It's San Gouzi? I didn't expect him to be such an honest and decent person." A fat aunt said in surprise and disbelief.
San Gouzi was annoyed by the discussions and couldn't help but yell, "Aunties, if you have nothing to do, go home. If you really have nothing to do, stay and help me fix the broken kitchen. Stop gossiping here!"
"I still have a lot of work waiting for me in the fields, so I'll leave first." A middle-aged man said, and left without looking back.
"I'm going back to feed the baby. He must be crying from hunger." The young woman in flowered clothes said as she hurried home.
"I...I have to go back to herd the sheep. If I don't go back now, the sheep will run away." A dark-skinned young man scratched his head and ran away in a panic.
"I have to go feed the pigs. If I'm late, the pigs will starve and cry out." A sturdy sister-in-law said as she hurried away.
After a while, the remaining onlookers found various excuses to leave.
Fusu walked out slowly and asked, "Brother Gouzi, can you tell me where the Black Stone Forest is? I want to take a look."
San Gouzi quickly replied, "It's in the valley behind Xiuying's bamboo mountain. It's a very remote place, not many people go there. I went there that day just to try my luck and see if I could catch a rabbit or a pheasant to add some meat to our family and improve our meals. I didn't expect to cause such a disaster. I really regret it!"
Fusu lowered his eyes slightly and said, "Brother Gouzi, you stay home and take good care of Grandma Zhang. I'll be back soon."
After saying this, Fusu strode towards the bamboo mountain where Xiuying lived without hesitation. When he passed by the door of Ma Ergun's house, he took out a short flute from his pocket, put it to his lips and blew it softly.
The clear sound of a flute was heard instantly. Zhuiying in the courtyard heard this familiar code, and without hesitation pushed away Ma Caifeng, who was standing beside him and saying sweet words, and quickly split up and went out.
Ma Caifeng stared at Zhuiying's slender and elegant figure, her eyes fixed on him for a moment, and her heart began to panic. She thought to herself: If such a good man is snatched away by someone else like last time, I will regret it to death. Besides, Aying is much better than that nerdy Yang Qingfeng.
"Mom and Dad, I want to marry Aying!" Ma Caifeng blushed and shouted loudly.
Wang Fuping and Ma Ergun heard their daughter's sudden cry in the yard and rushed out of the house.
"Girl, what did you say?" Wang Fuping widened his eyes, his face full of disbelief.
Ma Caifeng said without hesitation: "Dad and Mom, I am going to marry Aying tonight."
Wang Fuping and Ma Ergun looked at each other and saw surprise and embarrassment in each other's eyes.
"My daughter, isn't this too hasty?" Wang Fuping frowned and said worriedly.
"Yes, my daughter. Aunt Wu has checked the almanac and it is not a good time to get married this year. It will be next year before it is suitable for marriage." Ma Ergun also agreed, trying to persuade his daughter.
Upon hearing this, Ma Caifeng angrily threw her hands and stamped her feet, "No, I want to get married right now. Dad and Mom, you all saw that Ah Ying is not only handsome, but also a martial artist. If another girl gets interested in him, then the fat piece of meat that is right in my mouth will be stolen. I don't care. I can't wait until next year. I want to marry him now."
Ma Ergun was actually very satisfied with his son-in-law, Zhuiying. After hearing his daughter's words, he gritted his teeth and made up his mind: "Yes, let's strike first and make it a done deal. Then he won't be able to object. I think this guy is capable. He is responsible and capable."