Chapter 628: 628: Setting Rules

“Has Madam not returned yet?”

“In response to the Old Master, Madam has already returned. She has been in the Waterside Pavilion on the south side ever since she got back and hasn’t come out.”

The backyard of the official residence was built around a pond, with the Waterside Pavilion’s southern side neighboring the main house, separated just by a wall.

“Oh, I’m going to check on her.”

Di Yelei casually replied and then walked into the Waterside Pavilion.

In the room, Liu Sisi was gently rocking the crib, humming a lullaby. But her gaze was fixed on a point in the void, completely unfocused.

Di Yelei waved his hand in front of her eyes, but she still maintained her original action, immersed in the dream she was weaving for herself.

“Sisi!”

He gently turned her face, causing her gaze to meet his.

“Ye Lei, you’re back. Huh? Is it already dark?” Liu Sisi only realized at this moment that it had turned dark.

“Sisi, did anything happen today?”

“No, nothing happened.” Liu Sisi got up and casually poured a cup of cool boiled water to drink.

“Are you sure nothing happened?”

Di Yelei raised one eyebrow. Why would Sisi lie to him? This was something that had never happened before. It seems he must find some time to revisit the academy and have a good understanding of what’s going on.

“Really, nothing happened! Oh, have you eaten yet? Let’s go, let’s eat together.”

She took his arm and walked closely with him, a silent compromise.

The secret in her heart could never be revealed to anyone. Even Di Yelei was no exception!

Di Yelei also noticed Liu Sisi’s deliberate evasion, so he didn’t say anything else, only quietly accompanying her. He decided to ask again when he got the chance.

After all, everyone had one or two little secrets deep in their hearts that they couldn’t share with anyone.

“Ye Lei, near the newly built wharf, there is a section of the river channel… ”

As they walked, Liu Sisi began to recount the day’s events.

“Oh, I’m already aware of that matter, and I’ve brought in experts with experience in dredging rivers to take a look. You don’t need to worry.”

Di Yelei interrupted her straight away.

“By the way, as soon as I returned to the county today, I heard that you had people collecting locusts on the hillside in exchange for coarse grains. Is this true?”

“Correct! Didn’t I go to the porridge shed yesterday? I observed the people who came to collect porridge. I found that while these people were drinking porridge, they were slandering the people giving the porridge. Although these kinds of people only make up a small portion, it gave me an idea.”

“This is a good idea, it can both aid the disaster-stricken people and prevent locust disaster, it really serves a dual purpose. My Sisi really is smart!” Di Yelei praised Liu Sisi without hesitation.

“Is that your sincerest sentiment?” Liu Sisi raised her eyebrows.

She had played the villain yesterday, driving away his second sister-in-law. If she were to say that Di Yelei was still unaware of this news at this point, she simply wouldn’t believe it. But he didn’t say anything, and she didn’t know what he was thinking.

“Of course it’s my true words! What’s wrong? Why are you so suspicious?” Di Yelei asked with a curious expression.

Liu Sisi stopped in her tracks and looked at him. She couldn’t find any hint of other emotions on his face, so she continued moving forward.

“I also thought of it on the spot, but I’m afraid the aftermath may be a bit much. I’ll need your help to manage it.”

“You silly girl, I am your husband, doing these things is what I should be doing in the first place. Besides, you did these things for my sake, and for the good of the common people in Macheng County. I understand all that.”

“I really didn’t think that much. I just acted on instinct.”

Liu Sisi felt somewhat awkward: “I just don’t know how many locusts there are. Whether or not the coarse grains in the granary can last until the end of the month is uncertain.”

“Don’t worry about it. If there really isn’t enough grain, I can also open the granary and take out some of the stored grain for emergency use.”

“Absolutely not!”

Liu Sisi exclaimed in shock: “By doing that, you’d be knowingly breaking the law. If we really run out of grain, we could just buy some more in Lin County.”

Di Yelei couldn’t help but laugh, gripping Liu Sisi’s hand tightly: “Alright, I’ll send someone to Lin County tomorrow to buy more grain.”

“Hey! Hand in hand in broad daylight, how improper! You really have no manners!”

The voice of Ms. Zhao, full of criticism, rang out.

As it turned out, the two of them had walked all the way to the side hall while talking. Due to their engrossing conversation, Liu Sisi’s hand was still hanging on Di Yelei’s arm. She forgot to let go and was caught by Ms. Zhao.

Liu Sisi quickly let go of Di Yelei’s arm, subdued her expression, and took a half step back.

Looking at the situation, the smile on Di Yelei’s face immediately faded: “What are you talking about, mother? Sisi is feeling unwell from the heat today. I was just lending her a hand. Is there anything wrong with that? Besides, we’re just at home, there’s no outsiders here. Even if I helped my wife, there’s nothing wrong with that, right?”

But Ms. Zhao seemed in no mood to give up: “What do you mean there’s nothing wrong? What’s this about no rules, no square? Rules should start from small things!”

Di Yelei wanted to say more, but Liu Sisi pulled at his sleeve, so he stopped speaking.

“I was indeed wrong about this. I won’t make the same mistake next time.” Liu Sisi admitted her mistake quickly with a faint smile, leaving everyone present somewhat surprised.

“Sisi…”

Di Yelei looked at her in disbelief. Ms. Zhao was clearly nitpicking, yet she agreed. This was totally unlike her usual self.

Ms. Zhao was also a little surprised, but she still wasn’t satisfied thinking about her second son who was still suffering outside.

“If you know your mistake, that’s good! Hmph! Today I chatted with Granny Song, our neighbor, for half a day. Her daughter-in-law is respectful and establishes rules before her mother-in-law every day. It’s amazing! Some people claim to be filial but have never set any rules…”

Ms. Zhao spoke sarcastically, growing more and more irritated the more she spoke.

When the Dou family’s daughter married Di Yelei, she never stopped establishing rules before Ms. Zhao. Not until she miscarried because of this and the third family branch broke off. When Liu Sisi married into the Di family, she directly used the excuse that they had already separated from the family. Not even a single rule has been set since. Now hearing other people’s old ladies still setting rules, she couldn’t help but stir, wishing she could immediately punish Liu Sisi severely!

Liu Sisi initially had her head lowered but slowly raised it, looking at her father-in-law and Di Yelei who were both dumbfounded. Even Di Ah-bao and Di Cheng had their mouths wide open, clearly not expecting Ms. Zhao to act this way.

Liu Sisi giggled, covering her mouth. This old woman was really amusing! At her age, she was still making daydreams!