Her words were half-true and half-false. One of the men with a kind face listened and let out a long sigh, “Well, that’s a long story. Actually, our Hu Family Village used to be a prosperous place within a radius of ten miles. If it weren’t for someone insisting on blasting the mountain to change the river’s course two years ago, Changshan Gully wouldn’t be in its current state.”

“As a result, the river course wasn’t changed, but Changshan Gully collapsed several times due to this, crushing people to death. That’s why everyone is in a state of panic.”

He angrily scrubbed the clothes in his hands. The people around him quickly nudged him with their elbows, laughing and changing the subject.

“Judging by your husband’s appearance, he looks like an immortal from a painting. No wonder Madam is so considerate.”

“Indeed, you two are a perfect match.”

Everyone chatted and laughed, introducing Hu Family Village quite thoroughly.

Li Ruantang had a good understanding and smiled, asking, “I heard that you rely entirely on a peddler to deliver messages to the outside world?”

“Yes, Madam, the person you mentioned is Peddler Sun. In our village, besides her, no one else is willing to come.”

“This Peddler Sun, originally she was……”

“Husband Li!” The quietest man among them suddenly spoke up, “Didn’t you say that there was still porridge cooking at home when you came? If you don’t go back for so long, what if the pot burns dry? Your wife-master has a big temper, and she’ll definitely cause trouble for you again.”

The kind-faced Husband Li was stunned. He had been talking happily and hadn’t paid attention to the time.

The men hurriedly washed and rewashed the clothes in their hands. Before long, they bid farewell to Li Ruantang and Meng Jun and left in twos and threes.

“Wife-master.”

Meng Jun gently tugged on Li Ruantang’s sleeve. Her face was getting paler and paler. The male concubine was worried. In any case, they had almost finished asking what they needed to ask.

“Let’s go back and ask Madam Hu if she has any medicinal ingredients to replenish qi and blood.” As soon as he finished speaking, Li Ruantang beside him swayed and seemed unable to stand steadily.

“Wife-master!” The male concubine was startled. Without caring about picking up the bamboo basket, he immediately hugged the person who was about to fall to the ground.

“I’m… fine.”

Li Ruantang’s voice was intermittent. She struggled to stand up straight, her fingers hesitantly resting on Meng Jun’s shoulder.

“Wife-master, is your head hurting?”

Li Ruantang slowly shook her head. The wound indeed hurt, but this situation was likely more related to her squatting for too long and standing up too abruptly.

At this moment, her vision was darkened, and her ears were ringing. It was as if her entire being had floated out of this world. Her face turned even paler, frightening the male concubine who was clinging to her, his shoulders trembling slightly.

He hugged her waist tightly, his eyes turning even redder. “Wuu, Li Ruantang, you can’t die.”

If she died, he might never be able to return to the capital city in this lifetime. Even if he could go back, how would he explain it to the Tian family? After all, when they fell off the cliff, it was he who reached out and pulled Li Ruantang.

There were so many people on that outing, each of them a witness.

The more the male concubine thought about it, the more distressed he became. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, tears dripping into Li Ruantang’s collar.

“Silly Jiu Jiu.”

Li Ruantang, who had come back to her senses, gently patted his shoulder. “I’m really fine.”

“Wuu.” The male concubine’s face was streaked with tears. He raised his eyes to carefully examine her complexion, still somewhat unsure. “Really?”

“Mm.”

“Then you have to link fingers with me and promise not to leave me alone.”

He cried with genuine sincerity, “Li Ruantang, I… I’m so scared.”

Those beautiful phoenix eyes looking at her were tinged with red, tears falling one after another, yet he still stubbornly raised his little finger. It seemed that as long as she agreed to this promise, even life and death could not separate them.

So silly.

Li Ruantang’s heart softened at his tearful plea, and even her voice unconsciously became gentler. She reached out and hooked her little finger with his. “Don’t be afraid. I promise you.”

“Then you have to keep your word this time!”

The male concubine sniffled and stood on tiptoe, urging her to promise that they would safely return to the capital together.

Li Ruantang happened to lower her gaze at that moment.

His lips accidentally yet precisely touched her chin, mere millimeters away from Li Ruantang’s slightly pale lips.

In an instant, the redness that originally tinted the corners of his eyes and brows bloomed like camellia flowers, spreading a blush across the male concubine’s temples.

“I… I……”