The Foolish Husband of the Landlord's Family (GL)

Chapter 14: Uninvited Guests

The next day, due to not using boiled eggs the previous night, Lin Kong still had a noticeable slap mark on her tender face. Jiang Yuan got up early, used the eggs to reduce the swelling, and then prepared the ox cart for their journey.

As they stepped out of the inn, three people blocked their path.

Lin Kong, thinking they were sent by Song Keyan, stood up to confront them, her face still slightly swollen.

However, the leader was not one of Song Keyan's people. He looked like a guard and addressed Jiang Yuan directly, "Young Master Jiang, my master, the shopkeeper, would like to invite you for a visit."

Realizing they were from the Tianyuan Tavern, Jiang Yuan politely declined, "I'm in a hurry to return home and cannot accept the invitation. I promise to visit the shopkeeper next time I'm in town."

The man, seemingly expecting this response, did not press further and conveyed, "My master asked me to tell you that should you need anything in the future, no matter how big or small, you are welcome at Tianyuan Tavern. The shopkeeper will be more than willing to help."

Understanding the shopkeeper's intentions, and noting he didn't seem to be the one following them, Jiang Yuan returned the courtesy, "Please thank the shopkeeper for his kindness. Farewell."

To avoid raising suspicion, Jiang Yuan had loaded all the goods purchased the previous day onto the ox cart, making their initial departure slow. Despite the cold, they encountered no bandits.

Halfway to their destination, ensuring no one was around, Jiang Yuan stored the grain in her spatial vortex, leaving the ox to carry just them. The downhill path allowed them to move quickly.

By midday, they reached the hill overlooking the village.

Lin Kong, eager to return home, had been scanning the distance. Her sharp eyes spotted something unusual, "Wife, there are many people at our house."

Alarmed, Jiang Yuan looked up, though her vision was not as sharp. She saw red figures moving in the yard.

She quickly urged the ox to speed up, "We need to hurry."

The ox picked up the pace, and as they neared the village, Jiang Yuan took the goods out, except for the rice she had secretly purchased, which remained in the vortex.

"Wife, that fat Liu is in the yard," Lin Kong identified the person, jumping off the cart and running ahead.

Before Jiang Yuan could react, Lin Kong disappeared from view. As she spurred the ox forward, Lin Kong reappeared.

"Why are you back?" Jiang Yuan asked, puzzled.

Lin Kong, not out of breath, replied, "Wife, I'm waiting for you."

Arriving at the village, they found Liu Wangcai in the yard, dressed in a red wedding robe, adorned with a large red silk ball, resembling an oily meatball. Behind him were sedan bearers with a red sedan chair at Lin Kong's gate.

Inside the yard, Lin's father brandished a hoe angrily, while Lin's mother held a teary-eyed Lin Wan.

Unbelieving that so much could happen in their short absence, Jiang Yuan hurried the ox into the yard, ignoring the sedan bearers and toppling the sedan chair.