Chapter 5: A Request for Water

Chapter 5: Asking for Water

The terrain was mountainous, and the narrow country path was not only bumpy but also treacherous. Lin Shu lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to peer outside.

Scattered villagers could be seen along the road, all clad in coarse hemp, some with patched garments. Some carried bamboo back-baskets, while others shouldered bamboo poles with a basket hanging from each end. Glimpses of fresh green produce, likely unsold vegetables and fruits, were visible in the baskets.

As the carriage passed, the villagers respectfully stepped aside, their eyes alight with curiosity: "Only wealthy families can afford a carriage like this!" The path led to several villages, with Sweetwater Village being the farthest. No one knew where this carriage was headed.

All ten-plus villages under Jingxi Town were impoverished. Those who could afford a plow ox were considered well-off. In spring, most farming relied on human labor. In Sweetwater Village, only the village chief’s family and Old Man Liao’s household owned a plow ox. Old Man Liao hitched his family’s ox to a cart and went to town every morning, helping villagers bring back daily necessities. Those who wanted a ride paid three to five copper coins. Near sunset, on his return trip, he could take a few more passengers. Old Man Liao earned a considerable sum each day from his ox-cart business.

A carriage as impressive as this was a rare sight even in Jingxi Town.

The carriage moved along the narrow, winding country path under the glow of the setting sun, as if dipped in gold. Soon, it fell in behind an ox cart.

The ox cart belonged to Old Man Liao from Sweetwater Village. It carried three village women and an assortment of items—bamboo back-baskets filled to the brim, tightly packed bamboo crates, pots, jars, and even a large vat tied to the cart.

The path was too narrow for Old Man Liao to make way, so the carriage could only follow slowly behind.

Old Man Liao felt a pang of anxiety, but his ox cart, no matter how fast, couldn't outpace the carriage.

"Nanny Gui, you and Uncle Shi Qing can leave me here. If we squeeze, there might be room for one more on that ox cart ahead. I’ll ride on it," Lin Shu suggested.

Nanny Gui glanced at the simple ox cart, padded with straw, and frowned without speaking. Shi Qing, however, said, "It won’t take much longer. I’ll take the young lady home."

Lin Shu didn’t insist further. Shi Qing wasn't known for his kindness; she suspected Lin Yao might have asked him to secretly bring something for her parents.

When the ox cart reached a wider section of the road, Old Man Liao finally let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly made way for the carriage.

Shi Qing called to the horses, and the carriage quickly picked up speed. Its wheels kicked up a cloud of dust, covering the people on the ox cart.

A moon-faced middle-aged village woman spat and sputtered. "Where did these rich folks come from? What are they doing in our countryside?"

Another woman, with narrow eyes and thin lips, possessing a shrewd look, stared at the departing carriage with fascination. "The last time I saw a carriage was two years ago. The Marquis's carriage was far more luxurious, and her servants put on more airs than the county magistrate."

At the mention of "Marquis," the third woman, who had been silent with downcast eyes, suddenly went pale.

Sitting between the other two, she stood out with her delicate looks, though her expression was overly meek.

The speaking woman realized her mistake and lightly slapped her own mouth, apologetically saying, "Look at my big mouth, always saying the wrong thing. Sister-in-law He, please don’t take it to heart."

He Guixiang was usually gentle and easygoing, but this time, she pursed her lips tightly and remained silent.

"Oh dear, Sister-in-law He, it’s been two years. You should let it go. Lin Yao went to the capital to live in luxury—she’s a Marquis's daughter now! That’s such amazing luck, something we couldn’t even dream of! Anyway, girls marry and leave home sooner or later. Just think of her as married far away. Speaking of marriage, Zhou Ye was unlucky—otherwise, he could’ve married a Marquis's daughter. But you didn't come out empty-handed either. Zhou Ye is strong and good at everything. Since you bought him, even if he marries someone else later, he’ll still support you in your old age. If you’re really worried, have Zhou Ye wait for your Xiao Pu. It’ll only be five or six years at most. Though Xiao Pu’s health isn’t great—who knows if she can bear children…"

Seeing the conversation taking an inappropriate turn, the moon-faced woman immediately pinched her arm. "Will you just stop talking!"

What kind of comfort was that? Every word stabbed right at the heart.

"I meant well… Wait! Sister-in-law He, that carriage just now… Could it be your Lin Yao coming back to see you?"

"I remember now! The driver is the same one from two years ago! Sister-in-law He, it must be your daughter coming back to see you!"

In Sweetwater Village, more than just the shrewd woman on the ox cart had good memories.

Someone recognized the guard who had come to the village two years ago to fetch the Marquis's daughter and immediately started shouting excitedly.

"The Marquis's people are here! The Marquis's people are here!"

"Go tell Lin Laoer! The Marquis's people are here!"

By this time, the sun was setting, and farmers working in the fields were gradually returning home. Lin Laoer lived at the end of the village, and his land was far away, so he hadn’t returned yet. His wife, He Guixiang, had taken the ox cart to town that morning, leaving only Lin Xiaopu, the sickly charge, at home.

Several young girls from the village split up to run. Two went to find Old Man Liao’s ox cart to see if Auntie He had returned, while two faster runners headed toward Lin Laoer’s fields, shouting as they ran: "Uncle Lin! Brother Zhou Ye! Someone from the capital’s Marquis's household is here—"

In the fields, Zhou Ye and Lin Dashan were preparing to return.

Lin Dashan’s back was slightly hunched, and his coarse hemp clothes were soaked through with sweat.

Zhou Ye took the farm tools—the hoe and sickle—from him and walked silently behind him.

Lin Dashan was skilled at hoeing and considered strong in Sweetwater Village, but Zhou Ye stood a full head taller than him, with broad shoulders, long legs, and a robust build. His sleeves were rolled up halfway, revealing solid muscles and faintly protruding veins. After a day’s work, he had done more than three times the labor of Lin Dashan, yet he still looked refreshed, with only a thin sweat on his brow.

Hearing the shouts, both men paused.

"A Ye, that’s the Fan family’s second girl. What did she just say?" Lin Dashan’s voice was dry and hoarse.

After a moment of stunned silence, Zhou Ye replied calmly, "She said someone from the Marquis's household is here."

Lin Dashan, sure he hadn’t misheard, quickened his pace. Remembering something, he pushed Zhou Ye and urged, "A Ye, you’re faster. Go ahead first. Don’t keep the Marquis's people waiting! Only Pu is home, and she’s shy. What if she doesn’t even open the door, leaving them outside…"

Zhou Ye gave a grunt of acknowledgment and set off. Without even needing to run, his long legs ate up the ground quickly, soon leaving Lin Dashan far behind.

By the time he reached home, the Lin family’s courtyard was already surrounded by curious villagers. Even the village chief and his family had come.

A large carriage stood outside the Lin family’s courtyard.

The so-called courtyard was merely a small enclosure fenced with high, tightly-woven bamboo, requiring one to press right up to the gaps to see inside. The gate was made of two wooden planks, making it look almost proper. The gate was barred from the inside.

Zhou Ye approached and looked at the outsiders.

He recognized the driver—it was the same man who had sternly taken Lin Yao away two years ago. The village chief was hunched slightly, trying to make conversation with him, but the man responded only occasionally without even lowering his head, maintaining a haughty demeanor.

"Zhou Ye is back!" someone shouted.

Shi Qing glanced at him briefly before looking away. The people he needed to see were the Lin couple.

Zhou Ye stepped forward and observed the proper courtesies. "Uncle Lin will be back shortly. Would you like to come inside for a bowl of water, honored guest?"

Shi Qing replied, "No need to trouble yourselves. I’ll leave after delivering my message to the Lin couple in person."

"As you wish." Zhou Ye nodded. His bamboo water canteen had long been empty, and his mouth was parched.

Just then, the motionless carriage’s curtain was lifted slightly, and a pair of bright, dark eyes looked out at him. A soft glow of the setting sun caught those eyes, as if warm-toned stars had been sprinkled into them. Those starry eyes crinkled slightly at him. "Big brother, could I also have a bowl of water?"

Her soft, sweet voice was even sweeter than Sweetwater Village’s mountain spring.

Author's Note:

Dear readers, if you like this story, please give it a favorite with your money-making little hands! Sending hearts~