Chapter 1003: Chapter 1003: The Jiang Family’s Affairs

The young girl tilted her head and thought for a moment. “Which room does Little Ya’er live in? I’ll stay next door to her.”

Zhou Qiao reached out her hand. “Come on, I’ll take you to see it first.”

She and Daniu had known early on that the young girl would be living at the Manor from now on. Though the Cui Family’s house was habitable, the farmers’ homes there were really far apart. For a five-year-old girl to stay alone in a house, it was understandably worrisome.

Especially considering that a murder had just occurred, and one of the victims was Little Ya’er’s grandfather. The little girl was understandably frightened.

In any case, once she grew older or no longer felt scared, she could naturally move back then.

Although Zhou Qiao had social anxiety, she really liked children.

As soon as Shu Yu had discussed it with Daniu, Zhou Qiao readily agreed.

After arriving at the Manor, she immediately began tidying up Little Ya’er’s room.

However, aside from a bed, bedding, and a wardrobe, the room didn’t have much else. Little Ya’er’s belongings were still at the Cui Family’s home, and they’d need to wait for her to bring them over.

Ah Ning followed Zhou Qiao to see the room, then turned back and said, “I’ve decided not to stay next to Little Ya’er, after all.”

Zhou Qiao was puzzled. “Why not?”

“The bed here is quite large. If I come in the future, I’ll just share it with Ya’er.” After all, even if she visited often, she wouldn’t be staying overnight frequently.

Staying for just a day or two and making her sister-in-law specifically prepare a room was too troublesome.

Zhou Qiao assumed she simply had a close relationship with Little Ya’er, so she didn’t say much more.

By the time lunch was ready, Ms. Guo had returned with Little Ya’er.

The little girl’s eyes were red, which made it evident she had cried again while offering her respects.

After lunch, Ah Ning accompanied Cui Ya to pack her belongings, while Zhou Qiao and Ms. Guo helped move them over.

There weren’t many things–a few clothes and daily necessities for a child. Even with everything brought over, it only filled a corner of the room.

Seeing that there wasn’t much else going on at the Manor, Shu Yu took Ah Ning back to the city.

It was peak time for leaving the city, and even after passing through the city gate, the mule carriage moved at a snail’s pace.

Shu Yu lifted the curtain and looked outside, a smile on her lips. She was in a good mood today. Thinking that the sunflowers would soon sprout tall and that planting alfalfa later could yield some income, she felt even more cheerful.

Just as the mule carriage arrived in front of the Auspicious Wine Shop, Shu Yu suddenly called out, “Stop here.”

“Second Sister, what’s wrong?” Ah Ning tilted her little head, curiosity evident.

Shu Yu got off the carriage and said to her, “Wait for me here. I’m going into the wine shop to buy two flasks of wine.”

It seemed like the wine flasks at home were empty.

Come to think of it, since returning to Jiangyuan County, she hadn’t yet visited the Auspicious Wine Shop.

Back then, the shop was run solely by Jiang Yi and Madam Deng, with just a small storefront.

Looking at it now, it seemed the Auspicious Wine Shop had bought the neighboring store and opened up the space. Not only was it larger, but it also appeared refurbished and well-maintained.

She had heard from Ding Yuehua that after she left for the southwest, the Jiang family fell into complete disarray.

Jiang Ren, who had driven out both the second and third brothers, faced setbacks everywhere in business. Not only that, but he also accrued significant debt, and the wines they sold were reportedly diluted heavily with water, angering many customers.

The Jiang family’s wine business went from bad to worse until Jiang Ren became a figure everyone despised, much like a rat chased out of hiding.

Seeing that the business showed no signs of improvement, he even pawned off several shops but still couldn’t recover. In the end, he simply fled, abandoning his wife and son. From then on, he disappeared without a trace.

But his son, just twelve years old and spoiled beyond measure, became utterly lost once his father fled.