Chapter 014

Chapter 014

As the mule cart approached the hillside, Tong Sui lowered her eyes in advance.

Xiao Zhen stopped the cart about a hundred paces from where the refugees' bodies lay. Pointing to the desolate forest to the west, he said, "There are nineteen in total. Go into the woods and find a suitable pit. Don't go too far; I'll take care of things here."

By "take care," he meant both tidying up and handling the bodies.

Tong Sui was brave, but unless necessary, she did not want to face those sights directly. She jumped off the mule cart and tried to walk around it from the rear, away from the "battlefield." After taking two steps, she saw the refugees Xiao Zhen had moved to the back of the cart and immediately turned around, lowering her head as she walked half a circle around the black mule.

"Take this, just in case."

Xiao Zhen called out to her, handing her the iron sword.

Tong Sui remembered that four refugees had escaped earlier and did not refuse. She took the sword and entered the forest.

The forest was dimly lit, but Tong Sui, who often hunted in the mountains, was accustomed to such conditions. She only needed to be wary of any hidden refugees.

She moved northwest along a diagonal line closer to Xiao Zhen. The terrain was uneven, and after about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Tong Sui discovered a pit large enough for seven or eight people to hide. It was roughly four feet deep, with lush green grass growing from the bottom to the gentle slopes around it, even adorned with a few delicate wildflowers.

Thinking about the purpose of the pit, Tong Sui felt a chill run up her spine. She stepped back a few paces and looked through the dense tree trunks, vaguely seeing Xiao Zhen bent over, dragging something into the forest.

Tong Sui felt even colder. After a moment of silence, she blew a whistle used by hunters to communicate, clear and bird-like.

Xiao Zhen looked up at her.

Tong Sui waved and pointed to the side.

Xiao Zhen responded with a gesture.

With nineteen people, he could not move them all alone quickly. Tong Sui did not want to stay in this place any longer than necessary. She steeled herself and walked toward Xiao Zhen.

Noticing her approach, Xiao Zhen picked up two shovels, then intercepted her halfway into the forest: "Go dig the pit; you don't need to help here."

A group of newly-turned bandits would not have proper weapons; some had sticks, others had shovels, and only two had knives.

Tong Sui felt the silent care from her husband.

She nodded, took the shovel, and returned to the pit.

Tong Sui was still strong. While Xiao Zhen carried the bodies back and forth, she focused on digging, head down. By the time Xiao Zhen finished moving all the bodies, she had widened the edges of the pit and continued to deepen it.

Xiao Zhen picked up the other shovel and joined her.

After nearly an hour of continuous digging, Tong Sui's arms were sore.

The pit was almost ready. Xiao Zhen asked Tong Sui to collect more broken branches and dead leaves while he continued digging.

Tong Sui made several trips, continuing until Xiao Zhen told her to stop. On one return, she noticed that the branches and leaves previously piled beside the pit were gone, including the bodies she had not dared to look at closely.

Instinctively, she glanced into the pit.

It was filled with broken branches and dead leaves, covered with another layer of soil, leaving no trace of clothing.

Tong Sui felt an inexplicable urge to cry but feared Xiao Zhen might misunderstand. She lowered her head and pushed the soil she had dug out back into the pit with the back of the shovel.

Xiao Zhen kept working, glancing at her several times.

With a large amount of branches and leaves filling the pit, it ended up only a foot lower than the surrounding ground.

Xiao Zhen then scooped more soil from nearby and added a few shrubs on top.

Once the bodies were completely concealed, all the fear, tension, and exhaustion Tong Sui had suppressed suddenly overwhelmed her. She stood there, trembling uncontrollably, her pale, sweaty face now stained with dirt.

This sight reminded Xiao Zhen of the morning after a summer night rain when the roadside was dotted with bowl flowers. Their thin white petals, speckled with light mud blown by the wind and dewy droplets, were common in the countryside. Adults paid them no mind, but children loved picking them, especially the unopened buds. Placing the curled white stem between their lips and blowing gently would cause the petals to bloom, leaving a faint sweetness in their mouths.

Xiao Zhen walked over, took the shovel from her loosely gripped hand, and threw both shovels deep into the forest.

He held her hand, feeling her tremble more distinctly.

Xiao Zhen lifted her onto his shoulder and turned to walk out of the forest.

Tong Sui, lying on his shoulder, began to cry, unable to hold back her sobs.

Xiao Zhen listened for a while and said, just before they reached the edge of the forest, "If someone sees you like this, they might think I did something to you inside."

Tong Sui paused her crying and looked ahead.

Everything was quiet except for the mule cart parked by the road; no one else was passing by.

But Tong Sui had no more tears left. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and whispered, "Put me down."

Xiao Zhen continued walking and placed her near the driver's seat on the cart.

Tong Sui glanced at the back of the cart, relieved to see no bloodstains.

The black mule had a water bag attached, which Xiao Zhen took down and asked, "Do you have a handkerchief? To wipe your face."

Tong Sui, of course, had a handkerchief and unfolded it.

Xiao Zhen poured some water onto it.

The cool water helped calm Tong Sui further. She quickly glanced at Xiao Zhen, noticing a bloodstain on his cheek, and hurriedly offered the handkerchief: "You should wipe yourself too."

Xiao Zhen: "Once blood is spilled, it's hard to wash off. Why waste another piece of fabric?"

After saying this, he casually wiped his sleeve. The sleeves of this outer robe were slashed in several places, making them difficult to mend. He planned to burn it as soon as he got home.

In recent years, the government had been powerless to pursue killings of bandits and vagrants, but anything could happen. Tong Sui opened a bundle and took out the outer robe Xiao Zhen had worn yesterday, which was waiting to be washed: "Change into this one. Don't let anyone see."

Xiao Zhen complied.

Tong Sui folded the bloodstained robe neatly and stuffed it between the bundle and the cart's side rail.

Xiao Zhen drank some water, then climbed onto the cart's shaft to drive.

"Should we tell the family about this?" Tong Sui asked closely beside him.

Xiao Zhen: "Just say we encountered vagrants and the mules ran too fast for them to catch up. There's no need to mention anything else."

Tong Sui: "Or maybe we shouldn't mention it at all?" She still feared that someone might pry and uncover the truth.

Xiao Zhen: "I need to use this incident to remind the village head to make some arrangements. It wouldn't be good to keep it entirely secret."

Tong Sui understood and asked again: "Apart from your arm, did you get hurt anywhere else?"

Xiao Zhen: "I took a few hits with sticks, but they weren't serious. We have medicine for wounds at home; it'll heal in a couple of days."

His tone was so relaxed that Tong Sui felt less worried.

They had been delayed for so long that it was almost noon, and the warm sun made everyone drowsy.

Xiao Zhen was hungry and asked Tong Sui to fetch two corn cakes prepared by her mother-in-law. This kind of food could be eaten cold.

Tong Sui had no appetite but listened as he ate the cakes nonchalantly.

At first, she was surprised, but then she remembered that he had served six years in the military and had likely killed many people on the battlefield. It made sense now.

—

Upon returning to Lingshui Village, since they needed to stable the mules, Xiao Zhen drove the cart directly to the back door of the Xiao family compound and entered from there.

The Xiao family heard the commotion, and everyone except Lin Ningfang came to the backyard.

Mrs. He and Xiao Yuchan were more interested in what was inside the bundles on the cart.

Before Mrs. He could ask, the elder, Xiao Mu, asked solemnly, "You said you'd be back before lunch. Being delayed so long, did something happen on the way?"

Seeing their grandson and granddaughter-in-law with dirt on their pant legs and shoes, and knowing they hadn't helped their in-laws with farming, the situation was clearly not normal.

Tong Sui looked at Xiao Zhen.

Xiao Zhen glanced at his family and said sternly, "We encountered a group of vagrants who had taken over a mountain. It took some effort to shake them off."

Mrs. He's face turned pale with alarm. "Are there bandits here now? How many were there?"

She had heard rumors of a powerful bandit gang in the Western Ridge of Longxing Mountain, which the government had failed to suppress despite several attempts. However, because it was far away, they hadn't come to harm Lingshui Village. Smaller gangs of ten or twenty men rarely dared to attack such a large village.

Xiao Zhen: "We saw about a dozen, but we're not sure if there were others who didn't come down the mountain."

Xiao Mu: "Alright, come with me to the house and tell me more. Yuchan, Liu'er, help Aman unload the things."

The elder led his children and grandchildren away.

Mrs. He gave her daughter a meaningful look, and she followed closely behind, hoping to overhear any news even if she couldn't enter the room.

Tong Sui hadn't brought back anything valuable, and the remaining cakes were counted. She told Xiao Yuchan the number and asked her to take the cakes to the kitchen.

Disappointed, Xiao Yuchan left.

Tong Sui and Liu Chu carried the bundles to the eastern courtyard.

After experiencing a life-threatening ordeal, stepping back into this unfamiliar little house gave Tong Sui a sense of relief and comfort.

Liu Chu sympathized, "You must have been terrified. Rest in the room while I heat some water for a bath. You'll feel better after washing up."

Feeling weak, Tong Sui had to trouble her. "Sister-in-law, please heat more water. Second Master will need to wash up when he returns."

Liu Chu smiled and agreed.

After heating the water, Liu Chu moved the bathtub from the east wing room's back door, helped clean it, and adjusted the temperature.

Considering that Xiao Zhen might return at any moment, Liu Chu went back to the main room.

Tong Sui locked the south room's door, started to undress, and noticed dirt under her fingernails. She spent some time cleaning them before starting to wash herself.

After rinsing off, Tong Sui sat on the north room's bed, letting her damp hair dry in the sun. Only then did she feel hungry.

Her long hair was nearly dry when Xiao Zhen returned, holding a bowl with two steaming corn cakes.

Tong Sui was surprised. "Did you heat them?"

Xiao Zhen: "Second Aunt heated them."

While they talked inside, Second Aunt was sneaking around outside. Xiao Zhen thought of Tong Sui's hunger and asked Second Aunt to heat the food.

He spoke briefly, but Tong Sui could imagine Mrs. He's reluctance and even haggling over how many cakes to heat.

Tong Sui: "Actually, one cake is enough for me. You can have the other one."

Xiao Zhen: "We ran so far. Eat more."

Tong Sui: "..."

She lowered her eyes and began to eat in small bites.

Xiao Zhen caught a faint scent of soap. Looking at her rosy cheeks after the bath, he then glanced at her jet-black, fluffy hair.

The man stood motionless by the bed. Tong Sui could feel his gaze on her. Was he watching her eat?

Tong Sui felt quite uncomfortable and reminded him, "There's still hot water in the pot; you should go wash up too."

Xiao Zhen: "Mm, but I have a wound on my arm, so I'll need your help when washing my hair later."

Tong Sui nodded.

As soon as Xiao Zhen left, Tong Sui quickened her pace with eating. The morning's work had been physically demanding, and two buns were just enough to fill her up.

Listening to the water sounds from the south room, Tong Sui tied her hair neatly in front of the bronze mirror.

After washing the bowls in the main room, she heard him calling for her.

Tong Sui's heart raced as she pushed open the slightly ajar door of the south room. She found that Xiao Zhen was not sitting in the bathtub as she had expected, but on a small stool outside it, wearing only long pants and exposing his strong upper body.

Their eyes met, and Xiao Zhen, with one hand on the edge of the tub, leaned his head into it.

The knife wound on his arm made Tong Sui forget about any shyness. She rolled up her sleeves, stood beside him, untied the cloth binding his hair, and gently pressed his neck with her left hand while pouring water over his head with her right.

After rubbing soap mud through his hair once and rinsing it off with the water from the tub, she scooped clean water from a basin to rinse it again. That finished the task.

Just as she was about to take a towel to dry his hair, Xiao Ye's voice came from outside: "Second Brother, I noticed some blood on the cart when unloading the mule. Are you hurt?"

Concerned for his brother, Xiao Ye rushed to the north room, lifting the curtain and finding no one inside. He called out again, puzzled: "Second Brother?"

Xiao Zhen: "I'm washing my hair."

Xiao Ye's footsteps immediately headed toward the south room.

Xiao Zhen still had his head down, seeing her nervously wringing her hands through the wet strands of his hair. He promptly said, "Wait outside; I'll be out soon."

Xiao Ye was about to say, "What's there to hide between brothers?" but suddenly remembered today was different because his second sister-in-law might be inside. He chuckled awkwardly: "Alright, I'll wait in the north room."

Tong Sui bit her lip secretly. Waiting was fine, but what was the chuckle about? It seemed like he thought something improper was happening between her and Xiao Zhen.

Feeling annoyed, Tong Sui wasn't as gentle when drying Xiao Zhen's hair.

It was the first time she helped him, so Xiao Zhen had nothing to compare it to. He only felt that her touch was already quite light.

After drying his hair, Xiao Zhen stood up to leave.

Tong Sui hurriedly said, "Clothes!"

Xiao Zhen saw her blushing and annoyed but not daring to look at him. He picked up the clean outer robe placed nearby and quickly put it on.

In the north room, Xiao Ye rudely pulled off the outer robe his brother had just put on, saw the knife wounds, and clenched his teeth in anger: "Which mountain did they hide on? Second Brother, let's go kill them and avenge you!"

Xiao Zhen: "They're already dead. Your second sister-in-law is timid and fears official retribution. Keep this to yourself, even within the family."

Xiao Ye: "Did you kill all of them?"

Xiao Zhen remained silent, implying yes.

Xiao Ye felt relieved, smiling but then paused, saying softly: "Your second sister-in-law must have been scared stiff; no wonder her face looked so pale."

Xiao Zhen: "If there's nothing else, go back. I still need to apply medicine."

Xiao Ye: "Then I'll help you apply it before leaving."

Xiao Zhen glanced at him.

Xiao Ye: "…Oh, now that you have a second sister-in-law, you think my rough hands are useless."

Xiao Zhen: "From now on, call me from outside if you need me. I'll come out myself. Don't barge in recklessly."

Xiao Ye huffed: "You're always so particular. It's broad daylight; if you behave properly, why would you fear me barging in?"

Xiao Zhen, tall and with long legs, sat on the bed with his feet firmly on the ground. Hearing this, he lifted a foot and kicked at his brother.

Xiao Ye jumped back like a monkey, turned, and shouted toward the south room: "Second Sister-in-law, I was just concerned about Second Brother, and he kicked me!"

Xiao Zhen: "Get lost."

Tong Sui had heard everything. At first, she felt warm from her younger brother-in-law's concern, but then became annoyed by his lack of tact.

Of course, Tong Sui didn't overlook her husband's mischief. Clearly, Xiao Ye offered to help, yet he insisted on leaving the task of applying medicine to her.

Taking advantage of Xiao Ye not coming out yet, Tong Sui quickly said, "You brothers chat well. My elder sister-in-law just called me over, so I'll go see her."

The brothers listened as a light, quick set of footsteps moved from the south room to the main room outside.

Xiao Zhen lowered his eyes.

Xiao Ye laughed loudly: "Fine, do it yourself then. I won't bother you anymore. You don't appreciate it!"