Inviting the Moon to the Farmhouse

Chapter 187 Relieve anger

The following evening, Xia Yao and Acheng returned home together as expected.

Xia Lanyue had prepared the meal well in advance.

Ah Cheng was also well-mannered, and upon meeting her, he smiled and apologized, "Sister-in-law, I was ignorant before and did many wrong things, please don't hold it against me."

"You call me sister-in-law, what can I say?" Xia Lanyue responded "generously," adding, "Let bygones be bygones."

Acheng nodded with a silly grin.

Xia Lanyue felt somewhat nauseous looking at his face, but she endured it out of consideration for his feelings.

Looking at the table full of dishes, Acheng said to Xia Lanyue, "Thank you for your hard work, sister-in-law. You've prepared so many dishes. They look delicious."

Xia Lanyue smiled but did not respond.

The three of them sat down at the table to eat.

Xia Yao picked up a piece of meat and offered it to Xia Lanyue, but Xia Lanyue stopped him with her chopsticks, saying, "Give it to Acheng, don't give it to me."

Xia Yao was taken aback and then handed the dish to A-Cheng.

Acheng didn't notice anything amiss, simply handed over the bowl and accepted it, saying, "Thank you, cousin," before enjoying his meal.

However, Xia Lanyue refused any food Xia Yao offered her.

Xia Yao thought Xia Lanyue was angry, so he didn't dare to provoke her anymore and just focused on eating.

However, before the meal was even finished, Acheng started acting strangely.

His stomach was rumbling loudly, so loud that everyone could hear it clearly.

Xia Yao asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

Acheng's face scrunched up as he clutched his stomach. "Cousin, I think I have diarrhea..."

Then came a loud fart.

Everyone present was shocked. Xia Yao exchanged an awkward glance with Xia Lanyue, then scolded Acheng, "There's a toilet outside, hurry up and go, don't disgust people here."

Xia Lanyue frowned, her body unconsciously leaning back, trying to stay as far away as possible.

"Oh," Acheng said with difficulty, using the table for support as he got up, then walked out with his bottom tucked in.

Once A-Cheng's figure disappeared at the courtyard gate, Xia Lanyue could no longer hold back and burst into laughter, "Hahaha..."

Xia Yao seemed to understand something, turned to look at Xia Lanyue, and scolded her with a doting expression, "You..."

Xia Lanyue tilted her head back triumphantly and blew on her bangs. "He deserved it. He got off easy."

"Sigh," Xia Yao sighed, and said nothing more.

However, Xia Yao's brows soon furrowed as he looked at Xia Lanyue in disbelief, "A-Yue, you..."

Xia Lanyue glanced at Xia Yao's belly and gestured towards the door, "Hurry up, or you won't be able to get to the outhouse."

Happy days always pass quickly. Before she knew it, Xia Lanyue had been living with Xia Yao for a month.

This means that Dai You has been missing for a month.

Xia Yao claimed he was inquiring about Dai You's whereabouts, but he hadn't heard from him. However, Xia Lanyue felt that the lack of news might be good news. With Dai You's abilities, he could live well even if he left this place.

Another one is Jiang Di. Wang Xiang said that Jiang Di and his mother went to a neighboring town and have settled down. Jiang Di also asked Wang Xiang to tell her not to worry.

This is the best news Xia Lanyue has heard in the past month.

Xia Lanyue smiled and said to Wang Xiang, "That's great. Xia Yao said that many people from various towns came looking for Jiang Di. I was worried, but now that I hear they're alright, I'm relieved."

Wang Xiang smiled but did not reply.

Xia Lanyue continued, "Brother Wang, I'm getting married next month. Please come and have a drink with me then."

Wang Xiang said with a smile, "Miss Dai, you've finally achieved your goal! Congratulations! But, is there any news about Brother Dai?"

Xia Lanyue's smile faded. "Not yet."

“Aren’t you going to wait for Brother Dai to come back? This is a major life event. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to make a decision on your own without informing your parents?” Wang Xiang said.

“It’s okay, my family doesn’t care about me, so there’s no need for extra trouble,” Xia Lanyue said.

"This... doesn't make sense, does it?"

Xia Lanyue knew Wang Xiang meant well, but Wang Xiang was unaware of her and Xia Yao's situation, so it was no wonder he thought that way. "Thank you for your advice, Brother Wang. Xia Yao and I have already made this decision. If, if Brother Wang sees Dai You, please pass on this message to him for me."

Wang Xiang didn't speak, but silently lowered her eyes.

Xia Lanyue took it as his tacit consent.

She had always had a vague feeling that they were still in contact, but she didn't dare to bring it up, fearing that Dai You would really stop contacting them in order to avoid her.

Xia Lanyue left the shop and wandered aimlessly through the market, where she saw Tian Yu, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.

Tian Yu stepped forward to greet her, "Miss Yue, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Xia Lanyue nodded happily, "I'm fine. How have you been, young lady?"

“Okay, I’ve been taking care of the household chores by myself lately. My husband’s family went to the capital to take the imperial examination. I have to thank you and your brother, Miss,” Tian Yu said happily.

Xia Lanyue then remembered that, according to the dates, it was already time for the imperial examination.

This made her think of Xia Yao. If it weren't for her, he would have gone to the capital with Ma Ruisheng right now to realize his dream.

Thinking about all this, Xia Lanyue felt even more guilty towards Xia Yao. She had to treat him even better.

So, I cooked Xia Yao's favorite dishes that evening and waited for him to come home.

However, it was already dark, and there was still no sign of him. Xia Lanyue unknowingly fell asleep on the table.

Xia Yao had already left Zhao Lizhang's house, but he ran into Li Tao on the way and was blocked.

Li Tao, her face contorted with anger, stood in front of Xia Yao.

"Tell me, did you do it?!" Tears welled up in Li Tao's eyes.

Xia Yao remained calm, glanced around, and pulled Li Tao away into the distance.

Li Tao did not resist and followed him to a secluded spot on the edge of town before they stopped.

When Xia Yao turned around, he saw Li Tao with tears streaming down her face.

Xia Yao's gaze softened considerably, and he raised his hand slightly before stopping it in mid-air.

Li Tao cried and said, "I never imagined that you would put oleander juice in my food. You are so cruel."

Xia Yao avoided her gaze. "What are you talking about?"

"Stop pretending. Doctor Zhang said I've been poisoned by oleander, and that stuff can cause miscarriage."

Xia Yao lowered his eyes. "How could I possibly tamper with your food? But you miscarried, so you should be resting at home now. Don't let a guess harm your health."

"Hmph," Li Tao sneered, "Rest well? Do you know how I've been these past few days? I've been so angry that I can't sleep at all."

Xia Yao looked at Li Tao and said, "Now that you've lost your child, you need to take good care of yourself. You still have a long life ahead of you."

“The child is gone, you’re no longer a threat, you’ve got what you wanted?!” Li Tao’s voice began to tremble. “I really underestimated you before.”

Xia Yao didn't say anything more, but he just didn't look at Li Tao.

"Speak up!" Li Tao roared. "You're so eloquent, aren't you? Now you're afraid to admit it? You heartless and ungrateful scholar."

"I told you, it wasn't me, do you believe me?"

“I don’t believe it. Only you will despise this child. No one else will care about the child, and no one will care whose child it is,” Li Tao shouted.

"Since you don't believe me, what else can I say?" Xia Yao said calmly.

Li Tao seemed to know that she couldn't hear Xia Yao admit it, so she took a deep breath and said, "Just say it, so I can give up."

"It really wasn't me."

Xia Yao still didn't give Li Tao an answer, and Li Tao seemed to have anticipated this outcome. She asked another question, "Then will you marry me?"

“Dai Xiyue and I are husband and wife,” Xia Yao said.

Upon hearing this, Li Tao stepped forward and began yelling and punching Xia Yao.

Xia Yao silently endured it, neither arguing nor retaliating.

Finally, after Li Tao got tired, she stopped and leaned against a tree, her face full of helplessness.

"I'm going back. You should go back soon too," Xia Yao said, turning around and leaving resolutely.

"Stop right there!" Li Tao shouted from behind, but she couldn't stop Xia Yao from walking away. Her voice said, "You'll regret this, I promise."