However, Mu Shuangshuang still considered it.

Xing Beichen helped with harvesting the rice, right under her watchful eye. She could monitor Xing Beichen anytime, and if something seemed off, she could have him take a break.

After all, before coming to this small village, he was a young master, and his physical condition naturally couldn’t compare to the villagers who worked all year round!

Meanwhile, the people in the third branch and the helpers invited by Mu Shuangshuang had already started working diligently.

On the other hand, Old Mu Family was arguing about whether they should work or not.

Mr. Mu believed that everything that was right there should be harvested from the field.

Mu Danian and Mrs. Lin, however, thought that their whole family was about to enjoy life in the county, and these things in the countryside should be outsourced.

In essence, they just didn’t want to go into the fields themselves.

"Dad, you are the father of an official now. If you still go to work in the fields, wouldn’t it be a joke to the villagers?"

In the courtyard of Old Mu Family, Mu Danian was racking his brains to change Mr. Mu’s viewpoint.

Mrs. Lin also put on a pitiful expression, saying, "Dad, look at how scorching the sun is outside? We’ve not worked out there for so long, and if we were to go now, wouldn’t we get sunburned to death?

I was hoping to take care of my skin before going to the county. If it stays as dark as it is now, people in the county will immediately know I’m a rural woman!"

Mu Danian: "Second sister-in-law is absolutely right; we’re going to the county to enjoy life!

If others see us being dark and robust, and treat us like peasants without giving us the respect we deserve, what should we do? Dad, let’s just hire someone to do the work!"

Mr. Mu also wanted to hire help, but so far, he hadn’t received a single penny from Da De.

He didn’t have money himself, and was too embarrassed to ask Da De for it.

Without money, how could he hire someone?

"Enough talking, we can’t delay the harvest. The sooner we gather the crops and sell the rice, the money can be used for supplies in the county.

Let’s rent the land to villagers later, collect the rent, and we won’t starve in the county!"

Mr. Mu spent the whole night pondering over this.

He concluded that while the county is a place to visit, nothing in the countryside should be left behind.

As people grow older, prosperity may just be a secondary concern.

Returning to one’s roots is unavoidable.

Mu Danian and Mrs. Lin’s faces fell instantly.

Reluctantly, they took the tools prepared by Mr. Mu.

They walked slowly out of the courtyard and soon encountered Mu Dade and Mrs. Jin.

Mu Dade and Mrs. Jin acted as usual, but Mrs. Jin looked at Mu Danian with eyes full of resentment.

Mu Danian noticed and was startled, thinking that Mrs. Jin might have discovered what happened last night.

But he then thought, Mrs. Jin, though she usually seems frail, is definitely not easily fooled. If she knew he went into her room, she would surely make it known to the whole family.

"Dad, where are you headed?" Mu Dade asked.

Mr. Mu opened his mouth, about to speak, but Mu Danian interrupted, "Big brother, Dad wants us all to go to the fields, but second sister-in-law and I think it’s better to hire someone.

You’ve become the county magistrate, maybe not a lot of money, but at least for hiring people. Help your brothers and lighten our load!"

Mu Dade smiled, "That’s all? I thought it was a big deal; from afar, you didn’t look happy!"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Lin knew Mu Dade was about to pay up, and excitedly asked, "Big brother, you agree to pay to hire people?"

"Yes! Dad, no need for you to go. Yinyin and I will cover the hiring cost."

Mu Dade exchanged a glance with Mrs. Jin.

Mrs. Jin immediately understood, smiling at Mr. Mu, "Dad, you might as well go back and rest. I’ll go see the village chief and ask which of the villagers are willing to help us. I’ll pay them wages!"

Mr. Mu initially wanted to refuse, but thinking about having help, he could relax a lot more.

He simply accepted Mrs. Jin’s kindness!

"Alright then, you all don’t have to work. Go back inside and take a break!" Mr. Mu said.

Once Mr. Mu spoke, the children who were dragged in as helpers instantly jumped for joy.

They rushed to the back yard, each entering their own rooms.

Mu Dade said again, "Fifth, it seems like there are some mice in my room that made a noise throughout the night. Could you help me check it out?"

Without a second thought, Mu Danian agreed. "Sure!"

On a usual day, Mu Danian, who had just stolen from Mu Dade, would avoid suspicion and definitely wouldn’t go.

This time, he was so happy about not having to work that he lost his judgment.

Seeing Mu Dade invite Mu Danian over, Mrs. Lin feared Mu Dade would give some benefits to Mu Danian behind her back, and said, "Big brother, I’ll come along too!

I’m really handy when it comes to catching mice; all the mice in our second branch were caught by me!"

Mu Dade was naturally pleased.

His plan was for both of them to come to his place, then he wouldn’t need an excuse to catch them.

The three of them arrived at Mu Dade’s room, and while Mu Danian focused on finding mouse holes, Mu Dade went over to Old Mu Family and spoke with Mr. Mu.

He intentionally made it seem like Mu Danian and Mrs. Lin sent him out, saying that once the mice issue was handled, he’d return.

Mr. Mu listened to Mu Dade and looked suspicious.

Mu Danian was usually lazy and barely cleaned his own place. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Doing someone else’s task seemed unlike him.

Out of affection for Mu Dade, Mr. Mu advised, "Son, you’d better check. Don’t let Fifth and second daughter-in-law stay in your room alone!"

Mr. Mu was well aware of Mu Danian’s fondness for stealing and Mrs. Lin’s pilfering habits.

But for the sake of their reputation, he couldn’t say it directly.

Mu Dade thought that today, heaven was truly on his side.

He wanted Mu Danian and Mrs. Lin to come to his room, and with one sentence, tricked them.

He went to see his father to make him suspicious of Fifth and second daughter-in-law!

Everything turned out as planned.

"Dad, don’t say that. Fifth and second daughter-in-law are family with me; it’s no big deal leaving them alone in my room.

Besides, I’m taking them to the county later. We’ll all be living under one roof, so better let them adjust now!"

Seeing Mu Dade say this, Mr. Mu couldn’t say much more.

Fortunately, after a while, Mu Danian and Mrs. Lin returned!