Chapter 419: That Woman Cannot Stay

The two generations held hands, preparing to return; those who were trading also feared the Snow was too heavy, and after getting what they wanted they left one after another. The flow of people was truly lively.

When Ying took the old ancestor back, he could only temporarily place the old ancestor inside the house he lives in, making the home even more cramped.

Their Tulou can house three or four people per family; these Ancient People don't insist on a separate room per person—any space is enough for sleeping.

But adding another person still requires consulting Qinghuan.

Ying brought the old ancestor to the Tulou entrance; the old ancestor felt a bit embarrassed and asked, "Ying, will Qinghuan welcome me?"

"Don't worry, old ancestor; she will welcome you. Endure it for now; after Spring I will cut down all the trees here, rebuild many more houses, and then you can move in. How does that sound?"

Ying didn't expect the old ancestor to stay this time; the old ancestor nodded, "Alright, that's fine…"

"Ying, you're back?"

When Nan Qinghuan and A Mu stepped out of the house, they saw that the old ancestor had also arrived. She was momentarily stunned, then, seeing the bundle she carried, understood that the old ancestor had brought many wild fruits for her today. She was truly flattered and surprised, not expecting her to come again—was the old ancestor coming to seek refuge with them? "A Mu, please come in and sit."

A Mu was delighted to see her mother arrive, hurriedly ushered the old ancestor inside. The old ancestor, a bit embarrassed, looked at Nan Qinghuan and asked, "Qinghuan, is there any part of you that feels unwell right now?"

Nan Qinghuan: "……"

"Old ancestor, I'm fine. Please have a seat; we'll be eating soon."

Ying glanced at Nan Qinghuan and felt it was still necessary to discuss matters with Qinghuan.

"A Mu, please prepare some hot soup for the old ancestor; it's cold outside, warm the body. Qinghuan, come in with me; I have something to tell you."

Nan Qinghuan naturally understood what Ying wanted to say, and promptly nodded, "Alright."

The mother and daughter warmed themselves by the fire outside, drinking hot soup; then Ying called Nan Qinghuan inside their house and closed the door.

"Ying, what about it? How did the Great Elder handle it?"

She wasn't feeling well today, and with the Snow falling outside she stayed in, even missing the Market Day, so she didn't know what was happening outside.

Ying pulled her aside to sit, then gently brushed her long hair, "Qinghuan, the Great Elder was dealt with by the old ancestor; he won't be coming back now."

"You had the old ancestor deal with that old man?"

Not to mention, Nan Qinghuan thought it was rather novel—the man actually knew to have someone else take care of that old man.

Smart, indeed.

Ying gave a bitter smile, tightened Nan Qinghuan's hand, "It was the old ancestor who helped me. I don't want any conflict with the Great Elder; after all, he saved me back then."

Ying is not a cold‑hearted person, so if the Great Elder were willing to stay and not oppose them, he would still shelter him out of past gratitude. Yet the Great Elder insisted on leaving, even claiming that the Heavenly God would descend here to punish them; that infuriated Ying.

Therefore, he didn't keep him.

Hearing Ying's words, Nan Qinghuan smiled, "Indeed," she thought, having also heard those stories—her man is a loyal and righteous person.

She knew that deep down.

"Ying, I support all your decisions; you've done well. For the Tribe to develop, we must also change the mindset of these old ways, otherwise they'll block us and cause trouble."

"I understand."

Ying now is very different from before; he is no longer a savage nor unreasonable as he once was. Now he is like the ancients.

Gradually, he is courteous and cultured.

Nan Qinghuan reached out and gently embraced him, "Ying, you're so kind…"

"Qinghuan, I still have something to tell you."

Nan Qinghuan seemed to guess, smiled, "You want to say let the old ancestor stay here, right?"

"You know?"

Ying hadn't expected Nan Qinghuan to be so clever—how did she guess? Nan Qinghuan smiled; indeed, the old ancestor, once so unenlightened, has now come around. It seems the reform of the Ancient People's thinking is half successful; after all, that old ancestor once had Yao burn her to death!

"Of course I know. Let her stay, then. But next year won't work; our child will be born, and there won't be room here."

She still didn't want to live with the elder; their habits differ. A Mu gets along well because she's quiet and not nagging, but adding another mother of a mother makes it difficult.

That's troublesome.

Young people don't like living with the elderly.

Ying was delighted that she agreed, nodded, "Don't worry. When Spring arrives we'll build houses together; I'll construct many more homes for them. Qinghuan, our Tribe will keep expanding."

In truth, Ying still felt some pressure; the small Tribe was easy to manage before, but now with more people, responsibilities have increased.

Especially since members of the Tribe have already dispersed here; Ying's Tribe is nearing two thousand people.

Thus there's no choice but to expand territory and build more houses.

Nan Qinghuan wanted to tell him that in the future this place won't be a Tribe; trade will be newly established, and halting development will be impossible.

Once the gears of history turn, no one can change it.

"Alright, then when Spring comes we'll build houses again, also construct farms, and…"

"Farms? What's that?"

Nan Qinghuan had her own plan; after Spring, this place will undergo a complete transformation.

She and Li Xiang's Eden will gradually be realized.

Nan Qinghuan was about to explain when Ying murmured, "The Great Elder left, but Qingfeng and other tribe members stayed. Qingfeng is willing to remain here as a tribe member. Qinghuan, do you agree?"

"What? She wants to stay?"

Hearing that woman's name made Nan Qinghuan displeased, because she knew that woman had feelings for Ying; if she stayed, how could that be? She'd be giving herself a rival. She wondered if she'd lost her mind. This matter was non‑negotiable!

Ying, hearing her refusal, also knew that Qinghuan didn't like Qingfeng; actually he was glad Qingfeng could stay, since they grew up together.

But… he paused, "If you don't agree, I'll make her leave."

"I don't agree."

Nan Qinghuan immediately stood and clarified her stance, "Ying, that woman has feelings for you; I saw it that night. I know you're not interested in her, but women are hard to deal with; she wants to stay because of you, right?"

Women understand women best.

Ying, knowing she'd be angry, said, "Qinghuan, if you're unwilling, I'll drive her away."

Having said that, Ying stood up to go out, intending to tell Qingfeng to leave, when suddenly, as the words fell, Youchao Xuan's voice shouted from outside.

Ying, Goddess, I have something to say to you.