Chapter 47: Small River Village (Part 1)

Chapter 47: Small River Village (Part 1)

Xu Linshi had originally planned to take the children to their maternal grandparents' house during the field break in May. Now, coincidentally, her youngest son's teacher was returning to his hometown for half a month of lectures... After some consideration, she decided to take the youngest and Xiao Rou for a short stay at their maternal grandparents' place. As for the eldest, he could visit on his own when he had time later.

Xu Linshi had this plan partly because Zebo and his brother were due to return soon. If they came back and found her absent, there would surely be rumors about her not caring for them as an aunt.

With this decision made, she went to discuss it with Xu Tangshi.

Xu Tangshi, being a reasonable mother-in-law, did not make things difficult. Upon hearing Xu Linshi’s proposal, she agreed immediately and even advised her to bring more gifts to her parents’ home to avoid any gossip.

Once Xu Tangshi gave her consent, Xu Linshi and her three children set off for Small River Village the next day in a carriage...

Xu Linshi’s visit to her parents’ home lasted about half a month. Originally, Cuiguo and Cui Zhu wanted to accompany Xu Zerou, but Xu Linshi was concerned that bringing four or five people might leave Xu Tangshi feeling lonely. So, she left Cuiguo and Cui Zhu behind, along with Madam Jiang, who taught Xu Zerou etiquette.

As soon as they boarded the carriage, Xu Zerou relaxed slightly, her straight back loosening a bit.

Xu Linshi understood her daughter’s fatigue and did not say much, only instructing Jixiang to drive the carriage.

Xu Zerou smiled sweetly, burying her head in Xu Linshi’s chest and cooing, "Mother, you’re so kind~"

Xu Linshi stroked her daughter’s soft, fair hand, her eyes filled with tenderness. She hoped her daughter would always live such a happy life, not necessarily in great wealth, but at least free from hardship. Such a life was what her father and brothers could provide.

"Xiao Rou, do you blame Mother and Grandmother for being too strict with you?"

Xu Zerou shook her head obediently, "I’m grateful, how could I blame you? I know you’re doing it for my good."

Seeing her understanding daughter, Xu Linshi felt deeply touched. She gently caressed her daughter’s smooth, dark hair and began recounting amusing stories from her childhood.

She spoke of the clearest river with the most fish, the mountain with the most persimmon trees and chestnut trees...

While the two shared these stories, Zeping sat quietly beside them, engrossed in reading "Youxue Qionglin." The book had four volumes and thirty-three sections, all of which they had already completed.

Now, Zeping was reviewing. Traditional characters differ from simplified ones; a single wrong stroke can ruin the entire character.

Despite having an exceptional memory, he still strived for caution and frequent review.

Seeing her clever and studious youngest son, Xu Linshi felt immense happiness. Her eldest was steady and ambitious, her second child gentle and obedient, and her youngest smart and lively. Plus, she had a considerate husband. She felt blessed beyond measure.

Worried that reading in the carriage might strain his eyes, she said, "Zeping, be careful not to hurt your eyes."

Hearing his mother’s reminder, Zeping acknowledged it and put the book away in the box.

Unlike women, men naturally have less to say, so Zeping opened the window, knelt on the seat, and gazed out at the scenery.

The carriage driven by Dahu to Prefecture City belonged to the Xu family, while this one was borrowed from another merchant by Jixiang for a fee.

They had already left Qingshui Town and were now on a mountain road, which was bumpy and slow compared to the flat official roads in town.

Through the window, Zeping enjoyed the lush greenery, feeling a sense of freedom.

Just as he looked back, he noticed a cart following their carriage...

The cart was driven by a middle-aged man, and a woman with a pockmarked face tightly held a child against her chest, concealing the child with fabric similar to her clothes...

Zeping found this behavior strange and told Xu Linshi, "Mother, there’s a cart following our carriage..."

Hearing her son’s words, Xu Linshi was alarmed. She recalled the incident where a child almost got abducted from the silk merchant and feared it might be kidnappers.

She wanted to ask but hesitated, considering the lack of physical strength among their group. Ultimately, she chose safety over justice.

She could not risk her children’s lives or betray her family.

Gently, she said, "Zeping, listen carefully. You didn’t see anything. We’ll reach your grandparents’ house in half an hour."

Small River Village was quite remote. It took nearly an hour by carriage from Qingshui Town, and at least two hours on foot. Along the way, they would pass through several villages: first Da Wan Village, then Xiao Wan Village, followed by Gaojia Village, Liuhu Village, Dahua Village, and finally Small River Village. Beyond Small River Village was Houyan Village, the most remote and poorest village.

Xu Linshi silently prayed that if the child was lucky, the cart would follow them until the fork in the road near Small River Village, where she could call for help from her father.

If not, and they lost the cart anywhere along the way, she clenched her fists, knowing she could not be blamed.

Seeing Xu Linshi’s stern jawline, Zeping wanted to speak but held back. He silently watched the cart following their carriage through the window.

His gaze was complex. The man driving the cart was in his forties, wearing coarse linen clothes, and looked strong from years of labor. The woman had a pockmarked face but wore makeup and fine cotton clothing, making them seem unrelated.

The child, though obscured, wore tattered clothes and shoes with exposed toes, adding to Zeping’s suspicion that the child did not belong to either of them.

He noticed the couple in the cart did not interact at all, each lost in their own thoughts.

Xu Linshi, fearing Zeping would be discovered, quickly admonished him, "Zeping, sit down!"

Zeping understood his mother’s concerns. Compared to the strong man, they had no means of self-defense. His mother was a gentlewoman, his sister a delicate lady, and Jixiang, despite being somewhat strong, was still slight.

In modern terms, he was just a skinny kid.

Zeping sighed silently, wondering if he was truly powerless.