The morning mist is like a layer of gauze, lingering over Wangjia Village, wisps of it have not yet completely dissipated, as if covering this quaint village with a hazy and faint sadness.
Su Huaiyue was dressed in plain clothes, with a slender but upright figure. She stood quietly at the entrance of the village, like a tree that had taken root there but was about to be transplanted.
Her eyes were gentle as she slowly swept over the group of villagers in front of her who were wearing simple and patched clothes but whose eyes were as hot as if burning with fire. Her heart felt like a pot of mixed feelings had been overturned, and emotion and reluctance surged like a tide.
"Ms. Su, now that you are leaving, we don't know when we will see you again. We all feel reluctant to let you go!" An old lady walked out of the crowd with a staggering gait.
She was old, and the years had carved deep wrinkles on her face. The cane she was leaning on trembled slightly with her steps, and she seemed to use up all her strength with every step.
The old lady walked forward tremblingly, and held Su Huaiyue tightly with her hands, which were as dry as old tree bark. Her hands were covered with rough calluses left by labor, but at this moment they were filled with endless warmth.
Tears quickly accumulated in the old lady's cloudy eyes, like a lake bursting its dam, rolling down her wrinkled cheeks and hitting the ground under her feet.
Su Huaiyue felt a pang of pain in her nose, and her eyes instantly turned red. She gently held the old lady's hand, as if she were holding the most precious treasure in the world, and her voice couldn't help but start crying: "Grandma, don't be sad. You must take care of yourself, and don't be too sad for me."
The old lady nodded repeatedly and wiped her tears with her sleeve, which was already soaked with tears. "Hey, good boy, I know. These are the pancakes I just made. They're still warm. Take them with you on the way. Don't go hungry."
As she spoke, the old woman solemnly stuffed a bundle of steaming cakes into her arms.
The misty water vapor blurred Su Huaiyue's vision. She knew that the cake was filled with grandma's love and concern for her. It warmed her hands and her heart.
"Brother Wei, take this dagger." At this time, a burly young man from the village strode over. He walked with a vigorous and bold manner, with the unique boldness of a farmer.
The middle-aged man handed over a dagger. The dagger gleamed with cold light, and the blade was so sharp that it could easily cut through paper.
"You have difficulty walking, and the roads are not safe. It would be more reassuring to have something to protect yourself with."
Wei Che took the dagger with both hands, full of respect and gratitude. After examining it carefully, he thanked him solemnly: "Thank you very much. Wei Che will remember this. If there is a chance in the future, I will definitely repay you with gratitude."
This dagger, flashing coldly in the sunlight, carries the villagers' concern and protection for them along the way.
The village chief led several young and strong men and pulled out five horse-drawn carriages.
Although the wooden body of the carriage was a bit old, it was wiped clean and the copper ring on the shaft gleamed in the dim light.
"These carriages are to thank you for helping our Wangjia Village. Since Miss Su refuses to accept our money, then you can take these carriages with you. The road is difficult and arduous, and walking is too difficult."
The village chief walked forward. His face was weathered, but his eyes were full of sincerity and concern.
The village chief knew that, according to the rules, exiles were not allowed to ride in carriages, but Lord Li pretended not to see it.
After all, they had seen all the good deeds the Wei family had done for the village before.
Lord Li couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
At first, he was inevitably a little alienated and had some opinions towards these exiles, but along the way, it was all thanks to Su Huaiyue who, with her smart mind and kind heart, helped everyone resolve difficulties and dangers time and time again. From the desert to the ancient castle, to this famine-stricken village, she led everyone out of the haze in every situation.
If someone said that such a person was not worthy of riding in a carriage, Lord Li would be ashamed.
At this time, several strong men were struggling to load bags of grain and bundles of firewood onto the carriage. The bags of grain were bulging and the bundles of firewood were solid and tight.
Under the pressure of the heavy objects, the carriage made a creaking sound as if it could not bear the weight, and the body of the carriage shook as if it would fall apart in the next second.
Su Huaiyue looked at everyone busying around, her eyes moistened again. She really couldn't resist the enthusiasm of the elders and villagers. "Okay, everyone, these are enough for our food and clothing for the whole journey. If we load more, I'm afraid this carriage will collapse within five miles."
After hearing what Su Huaiyue said, everyone stopped what they were doing. These supplies were only half of what they brought, and there was still a mountain of food and firewood piled on the ground.
As the sun rose to noon, the warm sun gradually dispelled the morning mist, but the time of separation was getting closer and closer, like a sharp blade, cutting everyone's heart.
Su Huaiyue slowly looked around, his eyes sweeping over every familiar face, and the scenes of them laughing and working together flashed before his eyes like a kaleidoscope.
She bowed and said goodbye to each one, her voice trembling slightly. "My fellow villagers, I am grateful for your kindness. I will never forget these days. I wish you all good health, happiness every year, a bountiful harvest every year, and your children grow up smart."
After she finished speaking, she turned around, and each step she took seemed to carry a thousand-pound weight. The sound of her soles rubbing against the ground sounded like sighs.
Wei Che followed behind and took one last look at everyone. His eyes were filled with affection and gratitude, as if he wanted to carve these faces deeply into his heart.
Then he jumped on the horse and tightened the reins. The horse neighed softly, as if saying goodbye to the villagers.
Lord Li and the officials behind him rode in two carriages respectively, and the other families also got on the carriages.
The carriage started slowly, the wheels rolled, and the dust raised gradually blurred the vision, but it could not cover up the affectionate farewells behind us.
Su Huaiyue couldn't help but lift the curtain and looked back at the village that was gradually getting farther away, with a sore nose.
The blurry village seemed to have become the most cherished and reluctant phantom in her heart. As the distance got farther, it became clearer and clearer.
The carriage moved slowly along the winding official road, sleeping in the open and eating food all the way.
Wei Yunrou looked at the surrounding scenery. The Dongzhou area was well governed by Ma Youwei, and everyone began to follow the example of Wangjia Village and reclaim their own wasteland.
However, the more she looked, the more familiar the road in front of her seemed. She asked Su Huaiyue, who was dozing off beside her, "Sister-in-law, why does this road look like it's going to Dongzhou?"
Su Huaiyue didn't open his eyes, only replied: "We take the official road to the place of exile. Going southwest, we just pass through Dongzhou. After leaving Dongzhou, we will first pass through the garrison on the southwest border, and then head north. We will be almost there in about two or three months."
Wei Yunrou stretched her neck and asked Wei Che, who was driving the car outside, "Brother, is what my sister-in-law said right?"
"Yes." Wei Che said with certainty, but with his back to the crowd, the corners of his mouth inadvertently rose slightly.
"Sister-in-law, you really are a walking map. You can know everything with your eyes closed." After this incident, Wei Yunrou has admired Su Huaiyue even more and is determined to be her loyal supporter.
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