Chapter 30: She’s still so young, how can she be getting married?

Chapter 30: She's still so young, how can she be getting married?

Wei Pozi stared intently at Yu Tuozi.

Visibly, Yu Tuozi’s breathing became more stable while he was in a deep sleep, and his complexion had turned much rosier.

Wei Pozi could hardly believe her eyes.

What kind of luck would it take to encounter such an extraordinary master?

Xingxing ran in, holding the string of prayer beads and showing them to Wei Pozi: "Grandma, look, the bald uncle gave these to Xingxing just now..."

Wei Pozi looked at her granddaughter, then at the prayer beads in her hand. She seemed to understand something, tears welling up in her eyes.

She personally placed the prayer beads around Xingxing’s wrist.

The little girl’s wrist was slender, and although the prayer beads were small and delicate, they were still too long for Xingxing, barely wrapping around twice before fitting properly.

Xingxing opened her eyes wide, marveling at the smooth, dark beads on her wrist.

Wei Pozi earnestly instructed, "Xingxing, the master who gave you these prayer beads is an extraordinary person. You must wear them carefully."

Xingxing, somewhat bewildered but understanding the gravity, listened attentively to her grandmother’s words.

She nodded seriously, very obediently: "Grandma, Xingxing will remember."

Outside in the threshing ground, the Yu family was still arguing with the Xiang family. Eventually, under the mediation of village head Li from Beimanggou, both sides reached an agreement: no private punishment, but to send Pu to the authorities for attempted murder. The Xiang family would compensate Yu Tuozi with five taels of silver as reimbursement for his medical expenses.

The Xiang family took the silver and handed it to the head of the Yu clan, taking away the adulterous man surnamed Xiang.

As for Pu, she was kept in the woodshed, to be sent to the authorities the next day.

Most people in the threshing field had dispersed, some members of the Yu family seeing that the matter was resolved, returned home with their families.

Someone asked the head of the Yu clan, "How many days does Tuozi have left? We’ll come back to pay our respects then."

The head of the Yu clan sighed, "It’s probably just a few days. Fortunately, the Xiang family compensated some silver; we’ll do our best to give Tuozi a proper send-off."

Everyone nodded in agreement and dispersed.

However, the next day, when others were about to escort Pu to the authorities, Yu Tuozi, who everyone thought had only a few days left, managed to prop himself up against the door and walked out with great difficulty.

Only then did everyone learn from Yu Lao that a high monk had visited the previous day and saved Yu Tuozi.

Pu, disheveled and in a sorry state, immediately cursed, saying Yu Tuozi had pretended to be dead, causing her much suffering; she joyfully shouted for someone to release her, since Yu Tuozi wasn’t dead, the accusation of her murdering him was baseless.

Yu Tuozi coughed violently, glanced at Pu for a moment, said nothing, and with great difficulty, walked back into the house.

Pu, however, had a cloth stuffed in her mouth and was still taken to the county town.

Although Yu Tuozi hadn’t died, the fact that she had tried to harm him was undeniable. Attempting to kill one’s husband was a grave crime, and Pu was eventually sentenced to branding and exile—this was all to happen later.

At Wei Pozi’s home, an unexpected visitor arrived.

It was Wei Pozi’s nephew, Wei Feng.

Wei Feng was twenty years old and unmarried. He was not tall and rather thin, with little flesh on his face. Xingxing, upon first seeing him, was somewhat frightened and hid behind Wei Pozi.

Wei Pozi, suddenly seeing a relative from her natal family, was naturally overjoyed.

Her natal family lived far away, and Wei Pozi had many responsibilities, so she could only visit during festivals.

To have her nephew come to see her filled her with happiness.

Wei Pozi repeatedly invited Wei Feng to sit down, her voice tinged with sadness: "Feng, how is the family? Why do you look so thin?"

"Second Aunt, don’t mention it. These days, making a living isn’t easy," Wei Feng sighed heavily. "I used to work with the fur merchant in the county town, but with all the disasters and calamities, there haven’t been any good furs... life has been tough."

"Let’s not talk about that," Wei Feng paused, looking at Xingxing hiding behind Wei Pozi, "I heard from someone that Second Aunt has raised a little girl. Is this her?"

He looked somewhat embarrassed, patting his pockets: "I came in a hurry today and didn’t bring any gifts."

Wei Pozi, seeing Wei Feng’s tattered clothes and shoes nearly worn through, felt deeply saddened: "What gifts do we need? Come, Xingxing, greet your Uncle Wei."

Xingxing timidly looked at Wei Feng and softly called, "Uncle."

Wei Feng didn’t stay long, saying he was collecting furs in the countryside and happened to pass by, so he came to see his aunt. Seeing her well, he felt relieved.

Wei Pozi grew even more sorrowful and, when Wei Feng was leaving, gave him a string of coins.

Wei Feng hurriedly refused, but Wei Pozi insisted, and he reluctantly bid farewell, leaving with a guilty expression.

Wei Pozi stood at the door, watching Wei Feng’s figure disappear into the mountains, feeling melancholic before returning home.

Seeing her grandmother seemed troubled, Xingxing thought for a moment, washed a wild fruit, and offered it to Wei Pozi: "Grandma, eat the fruit!"

Wei Pozi touched Xingxing’s little head wistfully, murmuring, "When our Xingxing grows up, it would be best if she marries a honest and hardworking man right here in Nan Tuo Village. That way, Grandma can always see her..."

Xingxing was thoroughly confused.

Wasn’t she still a child?

Why was she talking about marriage?

Marriage, she knew, meant moving out of the family home, like the neighbor’s sister who was about to get married!

But she was still so young, did she have to get married too?

Xingxing suddenly became panic-stricken. She grabbed Wei Pozi's hand and said anxiously, "Grandma, Xingxing doesn't want to get married. I don't want to!"

Seeing Xingxing's bewildered look, Wei Pozi came to her senses and laughed. "Look at me, what am I saying? Our Xingxing is still a little girl. Not getting married, not getting married—okay, go play now, Xingxing."

Xingxing hesitated. "Really?"

Wei Pozi smiled again and pinched Xingxing's cheek. "Really. Little girl, do you think Grandma needs you to worry about her?"

Xingxing then chuckled happily, holding the small sandbag that Wei Pozi had sewn for her, and went out to play with her friends.

Xingxing had been in Nantuo Village for quite some time now, gradually making friends with children her age in the village. They played together every day, having a lot of fun.

They mostly played under the big elm tree in front of Yu's house, chasing each other around, enjoying themselves immensely.

Suddenly, while Xingxing was laughing and running away, she collided with someone with a loud "thump."