Chef Hua
Chapter 162: Episode 105: Escort Master Also Takes Care of Home Security

Chapter 162: Episode 105: Escort Master Also Takes Care of Home Security

The courtyard suddenly fell silent.

Pan Ping’an touched his swollen cheek and turned to give Pan Taigong a somewhat aggrieved look, while Hua Second Mother was firmly held by Jing Taihe, unable to break free, and could only twist her neck to one side and curse silently. In the Pan Family courtyard, which just a moment ago was in an uproar, now everyone looked troubled, their heads bowed in silence.

What to do, what else could they do?

The way the Antai Garden shopkeeper Zhu conducted himself, Hua Xiaomai had seen much of it by the riverside today—summed up in three words, it was "unreasonable"—if Shopkeeper Zhu had any intention of resolving things amicably, why else would he have brought those three burly men with him?

In this era, although the status of traders wasn’t high, they were not to be underestimated for their wealth! As for them, in the eyes of others, they were nothing more than rural "clay-legged" commoners, without money or backing; even in terms of physical strength, they were no match, so how could they argue?

Moreover, with Shopkeeper Zhu traveling all the way to Fire Knife Village, he probably did not come for a friendly and reasoned discussion, did he?

After a moment of silence, Jing Taihe looked up and seemed to smile at Hua Xiaomai, "Little sister, you know that your second sister has to see Doctor Xing every month for a pulse check. Would you accompany her to the county tomorrow? You two sisters are usually busy with your own things and rarely have a chance to go out together. Besides, it’s getting hot; we should make some light summer clothing. While you’re out tomorrow, you could stop by the silk shop and pick up some fabric, what do you say?"

His words were nonchalant, but Hua Xiaomai understood their meaning all too well.

Jing Taihe was obviously worried that Shopkeeper Zhu and his men would come knocking tomorrow and wanted to ensure her and Second Mother’s safety by sending them away!

But how could they be at ease leaving him alone at home?

"I’m not going." Hua Xiaomai shook her head without a second thought, "By the calendar, it indeed is time for second sister to see the old immortal for a pulse check, but these past two or three months, it has always been you, brother-in-law, who accompanied her. With you there, she feels somewhat reassured. What use could I be? You should accompany second sister; I’ll stay to watch the house."

Hua Second Mother also shook her head vigorously, "Yeah, by sending me and little sister away, are you planning to deal with Shopkeeper Zhu alone? I tell you, no way! I say, tomorrow morning, let’s just close up the house and all three of us go to the county. I refuse to believe that if no one is at home, he would actually wait at the door all day!"

Hua Xiaomai inwardly shook her head.

Even if they could get Shopkeeper Zhu to come up empty tomorrow, what about the day after? Avoiding trouble for the moment didn’t mean escaping forever!

...Strange, they hadn’t done anything wrong, so why must they live in fear?

Jing Taihe was in no rush, smiling warmly at Hua Xiaomai and Second Mother, "I’ve got a bit more work at the forge these past few days, I really can’t leave, I..."

"Enough of that, stop talking nonsense!" Hua Second Mother, with no patience to listen any further, waved her hand dismissively, "I get what you mean, but it’s not something you can shoulder alone, and even if you could, I wouldn’t agree!"

Thus, they were once again deadlocked.

Pan Taigong was getting on in years and could hardly stand, his calves trembling. Seeing this, Hua Xiaomai’s heart softened. She quickly found a stool for him to sit on and brought him a bowl of hot water from the kitchen, urging him to drink it slowly.

Watching her actions, Pan Ping’an’s ears reddened, and he awkwardly pursed his lips, hesitantly saying, "Xiaomai girl, I know I handled this poorly. You’re upset with me, and rightly so, but..."

"Let’s deal with the trouble at hand first. We can talk about our issues later," Hua Xiaomai said without looking at him, her voice indifferent.

"Oh..." Pan Ping’an responded pitifully, then tentatively suggested, "How about, first thing tomorrow, I inform Lu Taigong about this matter? No, I’ll go get him right now! It’s a bit late, but we can’t worry about that now—he’s seen more, and being the headman of Fire Knife Village, maybe he could have some ideas to help!"

"Yes!" Hua Second Mother clapped suddenly, "When it’s time to collect taxes, he’s more diligent than anyone. If something like this happens in the village, he can’t just stand by and do nothing. Let’s go get him!"

Pan Ping’an nodded vigorously and dashed out of the courtyard, disappearing in an instant. Hua Xiaomai didn’t say much, only feeling in her heart that Lu Taigong might not be of much help after all.