Chapter 272: A Thought Arises

Chapter 272: A Thought Arises

Children always place great importance on their friendships.

Although Ju Geer had been hit on the head by someone, he recovered almost completely within three days. After Su Rouer gave him a long list of warnings, she finally let him go out.

Ju Geer then went to find Zhao Meng to play, inviting him to join the other kids in the village.

Zhao Meng himself was a bit dazed and cautiously asked Ju Geer, "Ah Ju, you... you're not mad at me, are you?"

Ju Geer was surprised, "Why would I be mad at you?"

Zhao Meng hesitated, "But your uncles came to my house that night... Your family was really angry, right?"

Ju Geer knew about the incident because Wei Pozi, the family matriarch, had told him the next day. He didn't care much about it and waved his hand, saying with a sense of justice, "Your dad is your dad, and you are you. I know the difference. My family is mad at your dad, don't worry about it!"

After a moment, Ju Geer suddenly realized, "Wow, Ah Meng, you're not mad at me because of this, are you? ... I mean, Zhao Ah Meng! Your dad is always hitting you and your mom, and this time he even tried to hit you with a stone. Why are you still defending him?"

Zhao Meng quickly waved his hands, "No, no! I was just worried that you might be mad and wouldn't play with me anymore..."

To be honest, seeing his dad lying in bed for the past two days, groaning in pain, Zhao Meng actually felt quite pleased—these were the most relaxed two days for him and his mom, not having to worry about when his dad would get drunk again and start beating them...

The two boys cleared the air and happily went out together to play with others.

Zhao Meng's mother leaned against the door frame, watching the two boys' backs, and smiled faintly.

...

As the twelfth lunar month arrived, the farming families became busy preparing for the New Year.

This year was a bountiful one, and every household had stored some grain. For the New Year, they gritted their teeth and bought some cloth to make new clothes for their children.

Wei Pozi was preparing to pickle garlic for the Laba Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday, so Shuangyun pulled Shuangyue from the main household's courtyard, and the two sat together in the warm kitchen, peeling garlic while quietly gossiping about village affairs—

There was a young widow in the village whose husband had died just six months ago, and she had already started flirting with someone. Coincidentally, her late husband's older brother came to Nantuo Village looking for someone and happened to see a man fastening his belt as he left the widow's yard. The older brother was furious and almost got into a fight with the widow's lover.

The widow was quite feisty and scolded her late husband's brother, "I became a widow at a young age, and my bed is missing a man to keep me warm in winter! What, you don't want me to find someone? Do you want to get into my bed yourself?!"

This nearly made her late husband's brother pass out from rage.

Shuangyun and Shuangyue were talking about this drama.

Shuanglian from the third branch of the family pushed open the half-closed kitchen door and came in. Shuangyun and Shuangyue were interrupted, and the secretive gossip atmosphere vanished.

The two smiled at Shuanglian but didn't continue the previous gossip, instead lowering their heads to peel the garlic.

Before entering, Shuanglian could hear the two chatting animatedly, but she couldn't make out what they were saying.

After entering, Shuanglian noticed that the two seemed guilty and stopped talking. A thought crossed her mind—were they talking about me?

Shuanglian felt a bit hurt. She had come in to fetch hot water, but her expression suddenly turned sour.

Shuanglian poured the hot water, put the kettle down heavily, and carried the basin out.

Shuangyun and Shuangyue exchanged glances behind Shuanglian, both feeling puzzled.

Who had upset her?

Why did she suddenly give us such a look?

Shuanglian carried the hot water out, feeling more and more resentful.

Shuanglian had no problem giving Shuangyun and Shuangyue a cold look, but she wouldn’t dare do the same to Su Rouer. She carried the hot water inside, and Yu Sanbao tested the water temperature in the basin with his hand.

Because Su Rouer had recently experienced pregnancy complications, although she only needed to rest in bed, Yu Sanbao was still not at ease and often stayed at home to accompany her.

At the shop, Bai Ge'er would help manage things.

The water felt warm, and Yu Sanbao nodded in approval. He took it and casually said, "Alright, you can go and rest now. I'll take care of things in the room."

Shuanglian curtsied in response and, seeing Yu Sanbao carrying the hot water towards the inner room, she left the room with a sense of melancholy.

Third Master Yu is really good to Third Madam Su...

Once when she went out, she overheard villagers gossiping about Third Madam Su, saying that her family had committed murder and been exiled.

At that moment, a thought flashed through Shuanglian's mind.

Third Madam Su’s family background isn’t exactly impressive...

Although she is a maid, she comes from a decent family...

If Third Madam Su can have it, why can't she?

Once such thoughts arise, they are like wild beasts escaping their cages. Even if forcibly suppressed, they lurk in the shadows, ready to pounce and devour.

The next day, the clear sky turned as unpredictable as a child’s mood. At noon, it was sunny and bright, but by the afternoon, heavy snow began to fall.

After more than half an hour, a thick layer of snow had accumulated on the ground.

Su Rouer was on edge.

Especially as it approached the time for the whole family to have dinner, Su Rouer's face grew even more pale. She wrapped herself in a cloak and went to the main courtyard.

Wei Pozi was alarmed when she saw Su Rouer's face: "Third Madam Su, why is your face so pale?... Are you feeling unwell?"

Su Rouer shook her head, looking anxious: "Mother, Third Brother said he would return today. When the snow started falling, it was around the time he was supposed to come back... I'm worried that Third Brother might be trapped in the mountains..."

Hearing this, Wei Pozi's face also changed.

This sudden snowstorm... what if Third Master Yu is stranded somewhere along the way...

But with the snow still falling outside, the Yu family could do nothing but worry.

Su Rouer’s worry turned her face pale, and she felt a twinge of pain in her stomach.

Xingxing quickly took out a soothing herbal pill from her sachet.

This was something Xingxing had begged Daxisipo for after Third Aunt had experienced pregnancy complications, just in case such a situation arose again.

Daxisipo had joked that she must have owed Xingxing from a past life, but she still quickly made the pills for her.

At the time, Xingxing had gathered her treasured jewelry and put it in a small box to give to Daxisipo. Daxisipo had laughed, saying they were just children's trinkets and that she, an old woman, didn't want them, telling Xingxing to take them back and stop showing off. But deep down, she was pleased, feeling that she hadn't doted on Xingxing, the little girl, in vain.

Now, with Daxisipo's pill, Su Rouer's complexion improved significantly.

There was no news from Yu Sanbao all night, and the family had little appetite for dinner.

The next morning, as soon as the snow stopped, Su Rouer was desperate to search the mountains for Yu Sanbao.

Wei Pozi scolded her for being reckless and told Li Chunhua and Bai Xiaofeng to keep an eye on her. She then sent Yu Laotou with his eldest and second sons into the mountains towards the county town, searching for him along the way.