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Chapter 854: Chapter 857: Commemoration
"Just do your job well at the Tan Family,"
"Yes, Madam, then I’ll be heading back now."
Gu Changsheng saw Qiao Duo’er sewing children’s clothes, showing no interest in making further conversation, so he wisely took his leave.
"Madam, don’t stand up for me in the future. It doesn’t matter what those people say about me."
Almond poured tea for Duo’er. She was very touched that the madam had got so upset for her sake today, yet she was also worried.
Qiao Duo’er dismissively said, "Their childish nonsense could never hurt me. I merely took the opportunity today to warn the instigators behind the scenes, so the Tan Family won’t constantly be the subject of idle gossip."
Some people had better keep quiet, otherwise, their whole family might find themselves reunited in jail.
"Madam, do you know who it is?" Almond looked at Qiao Duo’er.
Qiao Duo’er explained, "There are only so many households in the village, and even fewer with a grudge. It’s easy to guess who it is."
Almond understood; she estimated that those rumors were probably spread by the mad Zheng Shi.
Otherwise, those claims wouldn’t be so baseless and self-contradictory.
Yet, the fact that some people believed the words of a madwoman was beyond her comprehension.
"Grown so old without being able to distinguish right from wrong, they might as well have lived their lives as dogs!" Almond couldn’t help but criticize.
Qiao Duo’er dissatisfiedly said, "Don’t insult my dogs, Fat Fat and Fatty are very clever!"
At that moment, the two large dogs were lying by her feet, seemingly dozing and waiting, but they were actually staying vigilant.
Almond chuckled, some people indeed were not as good as dogs.
The two of them chatted and laughed, but their hands moved swiftly, both hurriedly sewing the small garments.
Suddenly, Tan Zhenghong rushed in like a whirlwind.
He grabbed Duo’er’s hand and carefully examined her before finally letting his heart settle back into his chest.
Thankfully, his wife was unharmed.
"You must never scare people like that again," Tan Zhenghong patted his chest. If he had known, he would have sent Duo’er home first, instead of forgetting the time amidst his busyness.
Qiao Duo’er raised an eyebrow, "I had her acupoint pressed, kneeling for two hours was punishment enough for her."
Especially since there had been a small stone under Yan Clan’s knee at the time.
"She got what she deserved!" Tan Zhenghong was still furious.
"Don’t be angry, arguing is exhausting. Hurry up and make me a stewed old duck soup to invigorate me," Qiao Duo’er quickly changed the subject.
If they kept talking, Tan Zhenghong might end up going and giving Yan Clan a thrashing, and it really wasn’t worth it for such a wretched person.
Tan Zhenghong immediately went to the backyard to catch a duck. After slaughtering and cleaning it, he began to cook the soup.
Qiao Duo’er took advantage of the time to put Tan Zhenghong’s discarded duck blood to good use, making fine, soft duck blood tofu.
Once the duck soup was ready, she poured the blood tofu into it. The added ingredient made it even more delicious, and Qiao Duo’er was particularly fond of it.
Almond took a taste and immediately gave a thumbs-up.
"Madam, you’re truly amazing; you can think of anything!"
Without any modesty, Qiao Duo’er replied, "Of course, who do you think I am!"
The duck blood, seasoned with spices, was so good she might have swallowed her own tongue with each bite.
On the second day of June, Qiao Duo’er and Tan Zhenghong packed up some things and went to the mountain behind their home.
Today was the birthday of the original body, and they went to pay their respects.
Tan Zhenghong dug a hole and placed the original body’s only two sets of clothing into it, then covered it with earth to create a small mound.
Qiao Duo’er took out the offerings one by one: braised pork, roast chicken, braised fish, marinated duck, marinated beef, and cumin lamb—all hearty dishes.
These were all foods that Silly Sister had craved but never had the chance to eat.
Tan Zhenghong also lit two candles and offered a stick of incense for her.
