The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1003: Chapter 980: Prestige in Troubled Times 48

Xiao Hui pulled Xiao Yi to prevent Xiao Yi from making a sound out of anger.

She and Xiao Yi listened quietly.

They heard Mrs. Zhao and Ms. Jin discussing how to incite the Old Madam to cause trouble, how to send the Old Madam to the third branch, and then they would come under the pretext of visiting the Old Madam, eat, drink, and take things, making Xiao Hui tremble with anger.

The first, second, and fifth branches have been in Southern Yi for almost a year, but the third branch is just sitting there doing nothing.

Even the youngest Sixth Uncle knows he has to work hard to earn money since coming to Southern Yi. Over the past year, he’s either been fighting pirates by the sea or farming in the village. Xiao Ling has managed the plots given to them very well, and the grains harvested each year are enough for him to live comfortably for years.

Although the third branch has bought quite a few plots since arriving, they are unbearably lazy and put on airs, refusing to work the land and merely relying on the adoptive sons and goddaughters recognized by the first branch to do it.

Those are children. Who has taught them how to farm well?

Moreover, wherever you go, you learn from those around you.

No one knows what those children were like before, but over the six months at the first branch, they’ve learned cunning and laziness, grabbing food, causing trouble behind the scenes.

Xiao Hui recalled what Xiao Yin had told her.

Xiao Yin quietly told Xiao Hui that the ten children at the first branch were creating a drama like scheming in a palace.

It’s clear what kind of moral values they are being taught at the first branch.

If these three households send the Old Madam over and visit her daily, stealing things or using her name to take things, or having her ask Anning for them, then taking them back to the first branch; the third branch will have no peace in the future.

Thinking about this, Xiao Hui trembled with anger, feeling even more fearful.

Once Mrs. Zhao and Ms. Jin finished their discussion and left, Xiao Hui quickly pulled Xiao Yi and left.

Xiao Yi’s eyes were red with anger.

But today is a great day for Xiao Ling’s wedding, so even if Xiao Yi is angry enough to cry, she must hold back her tears not to bring misfortune to Xiao Ling.

After finally entertaining the guests and tidying up the tables and chairs inside and outside, cleaning the kitchen, and organizing everything neatly, Anning took the children home.

As they were leaving, Xiao Ling came running with a food box: ”Third Sister-in-law, here are leftover dishes from today. You’ve been busy all day, so take it home for a meal rather than cooking tiredly.”

Anning smiled: ”Okay, I was just worried I’d have to cook tonight.”

She let Xiao Song take the food box.

The food box was large, with many layers making it extremely heavy. Xiao Song couldn’t carry it alone, so he and Xiao Ying carried it together.

Upon reaching home, Anning asked Xiao Hui to help Aunt Xu heat the food, so everyone could eat a little.

It has been a particularly busy day, and almost no one at home had eaten properly.

The children were fine with snacks and fruits, sneaking secluded bites when hungry, but the adults had no time to eat, enduring hunger.

Upon returning home, Anning drank several glasses of cold tea, and when the food was ready, she ate three large bowls by herself.

After eating, Anning went to heat water to wash up. Xiao Hui pulled Xiao Yi into the room: ”Mom, we have something to tell you.”

Anning smiled and let the two girls sit down: ”What’s the matter? Do you want to buy something or eat something?”

Xiao Hui shook her head: ”No, while Yi and I were resting by the corridor today, we overheard Aunt and Fifth Aunt talking...”

Xiao Hui and Xiao Yi recounted what Mrs. Zhao and Ms. Jin had said to Anning: ”Mom, it’s no big deal if Grandma and Aunt eat and take some things, I know you and Dad aren’t worried about those, but our family secrets are too many. With people coming and going, knowing Aunt’s character isn’t great, I fear they’ll discover something, and then our family would be...”

Anning smiled and handed each of them a fruit: ”Alright, I know, I’ll discuss it with your dad.”

She then patted Xiao Yi’s head: ”You two have had a tiring day, quickly wash up and sleep, your dad and I are here, don’t worry.”

Xiao Yi laughed while eating her fruit: ”Mom, one day I’ll give Xiao Kai from the fifth branch a good beating.”

Anning chuckled: ”The little girl is quite feisty, leave this to your dad and me, the sky won’t fall.”

After sending off the two girls, Anning took a bath and lay in bed, resting peacefully.

She was almost asleep when Xiao Yuan came back.

Xiao Yuan entered the inner room after bathing, still carrying traces of moisture.

He sat by the bed, noticing Anning sweating on her forehead as she slept, and he took a fan to fan her.

Anning felt a refreshing breeze and opened her eyes, half awake: ”You’re back.”

Only then did Xiao Yuan lie down: ”I was discussing things with Lao Si earlier. In a few days, I’m planning to head to the salt field again, also I’ve found a way to buy a big ship. Moreover, the shipyard by the seaside is almost finished building ships, and I want to send someone to the South Ocean to take a look.”

Anning moved inward: ”In less than ten days, there will be an earthquake, be quick in what you do. This time take Song’er and his brothers along, while I take Huihui and them to Prefecture City.”

Xiao Yuan chuckled: ”Is there something going on?”

Anning revealed Mrs. Zhao’s scheme: ”Nowadays, we have numerous matters and no time to haggle with them. While doing business, I’ll take the children out to see the world, and also hide from this storm. When returning, the situation will surely change.”

”What are you going to do in Prefecture City?”

Xiao Yuan asked quietly.

Anning snuggled into his arms with a smile: ”It’s to build your influence, of course, when things get chaotic, Southern Yi won’t remain calm, and I’m considering preparing earlier. There’s a group in Prefecture City causing unrest, and if I can incite them, we can annex Southern Yi under pretense of pacifying the rebellion.”

Xiao Yuan laughed hearing this: ”Alright, you can go, just be careful.”

Anning responded: ”I know, don’t underestimate our girls. Each of them is no less skilled in martial arts than their brothers. Even if anything happens, they wouldn’t be in danger either.”

Among Anning and Xiao Yuan’s thirteen children, each has excellent martial arts skills.

Anning and Xiao Yuan have been Saints in small worlds; they’ve amassed countless cultivation techniques, not to mention martial arts. They taught their children self-made cultivation techniques, which are top-tier in any world, and although the children have learned for a short time, the skills are so superior they aren’t lacking.

In this world, where most only practice external power, they are equivalent to second-tier masters even when put in a High Martial World.

These children have virtually no opponents when it comes to martial arts in the Qi Dynasty.

Understanding this, Xiao Yuan feels at ease letting Anning take the five girls to Prefecture City.

Anning thought for a moment and said to Xiao Yuan: ”Perhaps I should ask my sister-in-law to join us.”

She was concerned that if she leaves, the Old Madam might target the fourth branch, if she insists on managing the Hui Family, it might disgust them terribly.