Before Lin Qingqing could appreciate the beauty of Beijing, she had already boarded the train to Henan with Xu Qingtong and his family.

Huixian is located in the eastern part of Taihang Mountain, adjacent to Shanxi Lingchuan and Huguan across Taihang Mountain. The Xu family is not a big surname in Huixian, but has become a big family because of Xuchangxian.

Mrs. Xu was taken to Beijing by Xu Changxian, and later moved back to her hometown in Huixian because she missed her hometown. Xu Changxian spent a lot of money to expand her ancestral home, making her look brand new for her mother to live in.

When Xu Changxian and his family entered the door, they came to the main hall to pay homage to their mother. The main hall was very exquisite, and the hall was painted in red. There were four red pillars in the corridor in front of the door, facing the large yard.

After seeing each other, Xu Changxian and his wife sat on both sides. Gong waved to Xu Xiangtong and said, "Yi Tong, come to my grandmother's place and let my grandmother see."

Xu Xiangtong was very sensible and hurriedly approached: "Grandma, are you in good health?"

While pulling Xu Liutong to sit beside him, Gong said, "Okay, that's fine... I haven't seen you for a few years, and Liutong has grown into a big girl, becoming more and more outstanding... Grandma misses you!"

Xu Changxian said: "Mother, let Xitong be with you when you come back this time and enjoy your happiness."

Gong smiled and said, "Okay, it's good to come back." He turned to Xu Youchong who was standing aside and said, "Yuchong, you haven't seen your father and mother for several years. Go and treat them to you."

Xu Youchong was born to Duan, the second wife of Xuchang Xian. Duan gave birth to his eldest daughter Xu Ying, the third son Xu Youhao and the fifth son Xu Youchong, but he fell ill after a few years because he was sick when he gave birth to Xu Youchong. Xu Changxian lost his beloved person and therefore did not like this son. Gong thought of the love between his grandparents and grandchildren, so he brought the grandson with him when he returned to his hometown.

Hearing his grandmother's words, Xu Youchong then walked to Xu Changxian and his wife, bowed and said carefully: "Son asked his father, "Good mother! Father, mother worked hard all the way."

Xu Changxian didn't look at him right away, and just asked, "Have you made your grandmother angry in the past few years?"

Before Xu Youchong could answer, Gong said, "Youchong is not only filial, but also studies very hard, just like when you were a child."

Liu Yueqin, who was sitting beside him, took the speech and said, "Mother, you have worked hard to take care of the fifth brother over the years. Changxian is usually busy with government affairs and rarely cares about the children's studies. This time he returns to his hometown, he has time to take care of the fifth brother's homework."

Mrs. Gong knew the implicit sound of Liu Yue's strings, so she said, "Since you are back, I will naturally leave this child to you to take care of you, and I am happy to be free."

Turning to Xu Xiangtong, Gong said again: "Xi Tong, you are not familiar with your hometown for the first time. I have asked your fifth brother to take you around these two days."

Xu Xiangtong said: "Grandmother, there are many famous places in Beijing. Where can I go to play in our hometown?"

Gong said, "This place is not as good as Beijing City... When your father was young, he could only go up the mountain to play. Now it's cold. When it's spring, I'll let your fifth brother take you up the mountain to play."

When Liu Yueqin heard that Gong was always talking, she felt a little unhappy, so she said, "Okay, Qingtong, don't bother your grandmother, hurry up and ask Qingqing to accompany you to see if the room has been cleaned up."

Xu Xiangtong's room was on the west side of the backyard, and a flower stand was set up in front of the door. By early winter, a bare wisteria was climbed.

After the servants were all sorted out, Xu Qingtong pulled Lin Qingqing to sit on the warm kang. Xu Qingtong said, "Qingqing, no matter how I think about it, why don't I like it, I want to go back to Beijing."

Lin Qingqing reached out and made a stop tone, saying, "Yi Tong, the master will be unhappy when he hears it. This is your hometown, and you can be with your parents and brothers. Isn't it the same place?"

Xu Xiangtong said: "You have been in Beijing for a short time, so I don't know how good it is. There are theaters, parks, and all kinds of delicious and fun things. It's not like this, the remote countryside, and it's barren and desolate everywhere."

Lin Qingqing said: "There are fun things in the countryside. Didn't the old lady just say there are mountains? When I was young, it was spring, and my father often took me up the mountain to collect herbs. You don't know how fun it is on the mountain, but now it's winter, so it looks a little desolate."

Xu Xiangtong asked, "Really? What's fun on the mountain?"

Lin Qingqing said: "In spring, there are hares and various wild fruits on the mountain. The mountains and fields are filled with colorful mountain flowers, which are so beautiful."

After hearing what she said, Xu Xiangtong became a little yearning: "I have never climbed a mountain, and we will go climbing the mountain together in spring!"

Although Xu Changxian got out of office, he helped many villagers when he was in office. He heard that he has returned to his hometown to settle down, and there are endless people visiting him. The Xu couple was busy welcoming and seeing him off, so they only told Lin Qingqing to study for Xu Xiangtong, so they no longer asked about their affairs.

Although Xu Qingtong said that his parents were spoiled, he was still a little afraid of his father and was still restrained at home in Beijing. He never thought that he would go back to his hometown these days, but instead he was as free as a guest at Hangzhou, and he felt extremely happy.

In Gong's upper room, Xu Xiangtong pulled Lin Qingqing to pay tribute.

As the grandson and grandson were talking, a servant came over and said, "Old lady, Mengjin's cousin has arrived and sent a cart of sweet potatoes."

Gong said: "This Yao travels so far every year to deliver sweet potatoes, so she is also determined. Hurry up, ask him to come to my house."

The servant left, and soon he brought a handsome boy of sixteen or seventeen years old into the house.

Just as he was about to salute, he heard Gong say, "Jiayao, in the inner room, don't be so polite." While signaling the servant to give him a seat, he said to him, "I have sent a message to your parents, telling them not to let you run far away to deliver sweet potatoes. I have nothing here, so you can keep these sweet potatoes for the winter."

Gong Jiayao said: "My grandma, there are some left at home. My father said that our Mengjin sweet potatoes are the sweetest, and you also like to eat them the most. I must send them to you."

Gong nodded and said, "Yes, the sweet potatoes that belong to Mengjin in Henan are sweet, so it is hard for your parents to always worry about."

Gong Jiayao said: "My parents said that our family is difficult, thanks to the help of my grandparents and grandparents, you don't care about the grandparents and grandparents next to me, but the sweet potatoes in our own fields cannot be bought outside."

Gong smiled and said, "Where are you talking about outsiders, your relatives should naturally walk around more and help each other. Don't rush back this time, stay for two more days, and you just happen to see your cousin."

While speaking, Gong turned his head to look at Xu Xiangtong, and then said, "Xi Tong, this is Jia Yao, my mother's cousin, Da You Chong is two years old, and he is your cousin."

Xu Qingtong looked at Gong Jiayao with his eyes squinted. Seeing that he was rustic, he felt a little disgusted. He only hindered his grandmother's affection and said "um" gently, saying hello.

Mrs. Gong saw it and did not bother with her. She only ordered her servants, "Go and call You Chong and tell him that Jia Yao is here."

Gong Jiayao has often traveled to Xu'an in Huixian County over the years, sending sweet potatoes in winter and melons in summer. Because he is about the same age as Xu Youchong, the two of them are naturally very familiar with each other.

After asking Gong's wife for help, Xu Youchong approached Gong Jiayao, shoved his chest lightly, and said, "Brother Jiayao, you are finally here."

Gong Jiayao said: "I have thought about it for a long time. It's sunny this autumn, and the persimmon biscuits are slow. My father said I can't just bring you sweet potatoes, so I just waited for the persimmon biscuits to be dried and delivered together."

Xu Youchong said: "You have delicious food as soon as you come. I love your sweet potatoes and sweet persimmon cakes the most."

"What's so delicious about sweet potatoes?" Xu Xiangtong, who was beside him, muttered in a low voice.

Although Gong is old, she still has a clear ear and eyes. When she heard Xu Xiangtong's words, she said calmly: "Yu Chong, it's hard for your brother Yao to travel. Take him to eat something and take a break."

Gong Jiayao said: "My grandmother, I'm not tired. You love roasted sweet potatoes the most. I'll roast them for you later."

Gong said, "No hurry, it's not too late to wait for you to rest for two days before baking..." He turned to look at Xu Youchong, and then continued, "Yuchong, I'm going to let Jiayao meet your father, so he will stay for a few more days. This time, you two will live together."

Although Gong Jiayao is a country child, she is born with some knowledge. Because she knows some words and reads some books, she talks about strange stories in the countryside, which is very popular with Xu Youchong. After hearing this instructed by his grandmother, Xu Youchong immediately agreed: "Grandma, don't worry, I'm just looking forward to Brother Jiayao coming."

After taking Gong Jiayao's hand, Xu Youchong continued, "Grandma, then I'll take Brother Yao down first." Seeing Gong nodding with a smile, Xu Youchong and Gong Jiayao went out of the house together.

When Xu Qingtong faintly heard the two of them walking to the door, Xu Youchong said that he wanted Gong Jiayao to tell him a story quickly, and suddenly felt a little curious.

After leaving Gong's house, Xu Qingtong said to Lin Qingqing: "Qingqing, do you think that the countryside is really good at telling stories?"

Lin Qingqing said: "The Fifth Young Master is so happy with him, right?"

Xu Xiangtong said, "My fifth brother has been in the countryside for a long time and thinks everything is rare." After a pause, Xu Xiangtong said, "Have you ever eaten roasted sweet potatoes? I just heard him say he wanted to roast sweet potatoes for his grandmother."

Lin Qingqing shook her head and said, "Sweet potatoes are sweet potatoes? Isn't that just cook porridge? How can I eat them when I roast them?"

Xu Xiangtong raised his lips and said, "Why should I ask you a Jiangnan native... Let's go find Brother Wu. I want to see how the countryside roasts sweet potatoes and tells stories."
Chapter completed!