"Don't cry. All good things must come to an end. I've been able to stay in Wangjia Village for a while thanks to your support."
Wang Susu raised her hand to wipe away her tears, looked at Su Huaiyue, and said firmly: "Miss Su, the road ahead is long and arduous, you must be careful with everyone. I have some savings here, you can take them with you, so that you can take care of me on the road." As she spoke, she was about to take out her purse from her arms.
Su Huaiyue quickly stopped him and said with a smile, "Susu, I appreciate your kindness. Every penny you earn in Dongzhou is soaked with your sweat. Keep it to develop your business so that you can help the village more in the future."
Wang Susu wanted to persuade him again, but seeing Su Huaiyue's determined eyes, she had to give up.
She sighed heavily, feeling reluctant to leave: "Then Miss Su, take care on your journey."
Su Huaiyue hugged her back as a comfort.
After seeing Wang Susu off, Su Huaiyue sat at the table and unfolded the secret letter given by Lord Li.
The letter paper was a little cold under the candlelight, as if telling the fickleness of fate.
She read it over and over again, her brows furrowed as if she could pinch a fly to death, trying to find a clue of hope between the lines, but found nothing.
The letter praised all the heroes who had contributed to the end of the famine, but did not mention a single word about the Wei family's contribution. She knew that the emperor's face was unpredictable and she could not afford to offend him. It was like walking on the edge of a cliff, and one careless step would lead to eternal damnation.
Wei Che, standing aside, stood tall and straight like a green pine or cypress, his face as cold as frost and snow, but his eyes were filled with respect and concern for Su Huaiyue, like a burning charcoal, bringing a touch of warmth to the cold atmosphere.
"If there were no dissatisfaction in the court, why would the emperor not mention a word about the Wei family's contributions?" Su Huaiyue sighed and looked at Wei Che.
"Those in the court who are dissatisfied with the Wei family will definitely take advantage of this situation to make trouble, not to mention that this famine and salt shortage can destroy the right prime minister's arm. We are lucky to be able to reach the place of exile safely."
Su Huaiyue's eyes tightened, feeling that he was right. There would definitely be many dangers along the way because they were involved in the interests of certain people in the court.
And since the emperor kept urging them to set off, it must not be that simple.
The road ahead is confusing and full of unknowns.
"It seems that we have to set off. However, the road ahead is long and arduous, with hundreds of miles to go, so we must prepare enough food." Wei Che said in a deep voice, his voice like a huge bell, echoing in the house, making people feel the firmness in his words.
Su Huaiyue nodded and replied, "Yes, the harvest is good. After the villagers sell it, there is still a lot left. Let's go and stock up on some dry food tomorrow, just in case."
Wei Ersao was packing clothes in the next room. When she heard that they had to stock up on food, her eyes lit up like the morning star twinkling in the night sky.
She had been following along all the way and was often punished to eat. She was afraid of being hungry, and the feeling of hunger was like a lingering nightmare that could not be shaken off.
Now that I hear there is an opportunity to stock up on food, I am more than happy to do it.
"That's great! Now we have to stock up more to avoid going hungry on the road." Wei Ersao muttered softly, as if talking to herself, her eyes full of desire for food, as if she had already seen a stable journey in the future.
At this moment, there was a sudden noise outside the door.
When Su Huaiyue and others went out to see, it turned out to be Wang Erniu from the village.
Wang Erniu is mentally retarded and acts silly all day long, but he has a heart as kind as gold.
He usually had a good impression of Wei Ersao, and that impression was like an innocent first love, pure and simple.
When he learned that she was leaving, he was so anxious that his eyes turned red, like a wounded deer. He rushed to Wei Ersao with a few pieces of silver and a bag of dry food tightly in his hands.
"Second sister-in-law, don't go... This is for you..." Wang Erniu said vaguely, his voice seemed to contain sand, with a bit of anxiety and reluctance, and his eyes were full of pleading.
Wei Ersao was delighted, her eyes rolled, and a plan came to her mind, like a cunning little fox.
She said softly, "Erniu, thank you. Second sister-in-law won't leave. Please put the things here first. Later, Second sister-in-law will make you something delicious."
When Wang Erniu heard this, he smiled foolishly, as if he had obtained the whole world. He stuffed the things into Wei Ersao's hands and turned and ran away.
Mrs. Wei Er hurriedly hid the silver and dry food in her bag, secretly rejoicing, like a cat that had stolen some fish. A barely perceptible sense of pride appeared on her face, and she looked around quietly, fearing that she would be discovered.
But her little action could not escape the eyes of Wei Zhi and Wei Li.
These two children are very clever and love to play mischief on weekdays. They can't stand adults playing tricks the most.
"Mom, Second Aunt has hidden some silver!" Wei Zhi shouted at the top of his voice. His voice was like a sharp whistle, breaking the silence. His little face flushed red, and his sense of justice overflowed.
"That's right, she also stole things from Wang Erniu." Wei Li also echoed, as if in a duet, one singing in unison, with his hands on his hips, looking very angry.
Mrs. Wei's face changed suddenly, like an eggplant hit by frost, and it lost its luster in an instant. Just as she was about to explain, Mrs. Wei came over tremblingly with a cane.
Although the Wei family was exiled, their strict family rules were like a cage made of steel, and no one could violate them. Madam Wei always attached great importance to the family's reputation, like a guard protecting the family's honor, and she was meticulous.
"Nifeng, what are you doing? Although our Wei family is in trouble, we must not lose our integrity. How can you covet such a small profit and deceive a fool." Old Madam Wei spoke harshly, her eyes full of disappointment, like a deep cold pool, bottomless. Her voice trembled slightly, full of heartache.
Wei Ersao's face was filled with shame. She lowered her head and stammered, "Madam, I... I was wrong. I was afraid of being hungry on the road, so I was confused for a moment..."
Her voice became smaller and smaller, like a child who had made a mistake, and she didn't dare to look directly into Madam Wei's eyes.
Seeing this, Su Huaiyue hurried forward to smooth things over: "Grandma, my second brother and sister-in-law are also worried about the difficult journey. Don't get angry and get sick. We will return the money and food to Erniu later."
She gently held Madam Wei's arm and soothed her in a gentle tone.
Madam Wei snorted, like a thunder of dissatisfaction, and turned back to the house.
Mrs. Wei Er shed tears of grievance, like pearls that had broken off the string, rolling down. Her shoulders trembled slightly, and she didn't know who to tell about her grievances.
Wei Zhi and Wei Li were laughing secretly, like little mice who had stolen some fish. They were secretly proud of their "heroic" performance and winked at each other. However, when they saw Wei Ersao crying sadly, they felt a little at a loss.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the room was solemn and depressing, and everyone was immersed in their own emotions.
Su Huaiyue looked at the swaying branches outside the window, secretly thinking about the itinerary for the next few days.
Time flies, and the three-day deadline is up in a flash.
During these three days, Su Huaiyue and his family worked day and night to prepare supplies and say goodbye to the villagers one by one.
Every inch of land in Wangjia Village carries their attachment and reluctance, and every familiar face brings warmth to their hearts.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
