Chapter 21 The Crowd's Unrest
Yun Zhao covered the food tightly and ran back to his room on the second floor in a flash.
"Zhaozhao, where have you been?"
Xu Qingyi was terrified when she turned around after feeding her son porridge and found that her daughter was missing.
He hurriedly went up to her and looked her up and down, only to find that she had returned sneakily, carrying something in her arms.
"What is this? What is this?"
Upon hearing this, the Wei family members craned their necks to look.
"Zhao Zhao used copper coins to buy it~"
Yun Zhao playfully bounced around, placing the items on the table as if presenting a treasure.
"My auntie thought Zhaozhao was cute, so she gave her an extra egg! Hehe!"
She excitedly shoveled the pork knuckle into the empty bowl, muttering to herself.
"You can dip steamed buns in pork knuckle sauce, and eggs too!"
Xu Yifei was so surprised he couldn't close his mouth, but then he saw her mysteriously pull an egg out of her sleeve.
"This is what Auntie gave to Zhaozhao. Uncle, would you like Zhaozhao to share half with me?"
"Our Zhaozhao is so lovable that even the cook can't help but give her extra eggs!"
Xu Yifei smiled and hugged Yun Zhao, peeled an egg for her and put it to her mouth.
"Zhaozhao, eat. Your uncle can just eat steamed buns with sauce!"
Yun Zhao didn't stand on ceremony and took a big bite with a loud gulp.
"Zhaozhao, eat more so you can grow taller and protect your mother and younger brother!"
She was nodding her little head, and seemed to be in a good mood.
Upon learning the source of the food, everyone expressed their gratitude to Yun Zhao.
There weren't many eggs, and they shared them.
The adults unanimously left most of the food for the children and urged them to finish it quickly.
While everyone's attention was focused on the food, Yun Zhao made an excuse to come to Xu Qingyi's side and secretly took out a small piece of silk cloth.
"Mother, Zhao Zhao has gone to find Sister Zhi Chun!"
She unfolded her handkerchief, inside which were the most common pastries in the capital.
"You...you went by yourself?"
Xu Qingyi was startled; how dangerous!
"Zhao Zhao went quietly, Mother, don't worry. Zhao Zhao is short, no one saw me! Sister Zhi Dong told me to bring this to warm my little brother!"
Yun Zhao placed the warm hot water bottle into Yun Huaijin's swaddling clothes, looked up at Xu Qingyi, her little face full of determination.
"Don't worry, Mother. Zhao Zhao is a big boy now. Let Zhao Zhao do the things that Mother and Uncle can't do!"
Xu Qingyi felt a pang of sadness and hugged her daughter tightly.
Wei Jingchen had just peeled an egg, breaking off only a small piece for himself and giving the rest to his younger siblings.
Out of the corner of his eye, he then saw Xu Qingyi holding Yun Zhao, with a handkerchief clutched in her hand.
That fabric clearly comes from the palace.
He remained silent, urging his younger siblings to eat the eggs quickly.
The egg was still stuck in his throat when the officials downstairs started banging a gong.
After everyone went downstairs, the officials didn't say anything explicitly, but only claimed that they were going into town to make purchases.
Gao Minglang nudged his wife, and Madam Gao immediately led two people forward, expressing her desire to go shopping with them.
"They're probably waiting for us to give them money."
Wei Jingchen suddenly spoke.
Yun Zhao looked up at him and asked, "Brother Jingchen, what will you do if your family runs out of money?"
"That's just how it is. But if you need to make purchases, you can try to find out what the officials are thinking."
He paused for half a second, then added.
"It would be best to let Third Master go."
Yun Zhaoming understood: his eldest uncle was tall and strong, his second uncle was cunning, and his third uncle looked honest and timid.
Only those who are honest and timid will go along, so that the officials will feel at ease.
Yun Zhao understood, and the others naturally understood as well.
Xu Qingyi took out some copper coins. "Ayan, go and ask if we can send one or two people to help with the shopping."
"good."
Xu Yiyan isn't very brave, but he's willing to risk everything for his family.
He mustered his courage, stepped forward, and stuffed the copper coin into the officer's hand.
"Sir, you see, we have a baby at home. Could you please allow us to come to town to buy some things?"
The official weighed the copper coins in his hand, glanced at Xu Yiyan, whose face was deathly pale, and let out a sneer.
"Okay, only women can go, and each person will have to pay fifty coins."
"Only women can go?"
Xu Yiyan felt a pang of panic and turned to look at her sister.
"Okay, I'll go. You guys stay here and take care of Zhaozhao and Xiaojin!"
Xu Qingyi agreed without even thinking about it.
At this time of year, it was already difficult to go to town to buy things.
"Sister, this is too dangerous!"
Xu Yifei immediately objected.
Instead, Yun Zhao tilted her head back and asked, "Mother, can't Aunt Wei come along?"
The Wei family is kind and honest, and since they come from a poor area, they know better what they need on the road.
"Yes, Sister-in-law Wei, would you be able to come with my sister? We'll pay for it!"
Xu Yinan said anxiously.
Bai Ling subconsciously turned to look at her son.
In this family, sometimes what the son, Wei Jingchen, said was much more effective than what Wei Mingde said.
Wei Jingchen gave his mother a reassuring look, then stepped forward.
"Madam Yun, how about this? We'll borrow one tael of silver from you and repay it after we get to Lingnan."
"Of course, if there's anything the Wei family can do to help us in the future, we'll certainly do our utmost!"
Yun Zhao nodded in silent agreement.
Having always relied on the Xu siblings, over time, they became annoying to others.
It would be better to borrow some money so that they can buy some necessities.
Xu Qingyi agreed after a moment's thought.
When it was time to take a headcount, Wu Lianzhen and Xu Qingshi rushed over.
Looking at Yun Zhao standing beside Xu Qingyi, Wu Lianzhen started being sarcastic again.
"It seems you guys have a lot of money, even bringing your children along and helping others give money?"
Xu Qingyi didn't even glance at him, but simply hugged Yun Zhao tighter.
Wu Lianzhen wanted to say something, but Xu Qingshi pulled her back.
"Big sister, Fourth Sister-in-law is just straightforward, please don't take it to heart. She's just short of money on the road."
Why spend this money to bring Zhaozhao along? Fourth Sister-in-law is only thinking of you all!
Unable to understand Xu Qingshi's purpose, Xu Qingyi simply nodded slightly to indicate that she understood, and did not respond.
Only Yun Zhao knew that they were planning to ease the tension so that they could take advantage of the mother and daughter in the future!
When the officials arrived in town with the prisoners, they took them directly to the market.
The town's market was bustling, but the arrival of officials and prisoners caused the people to instinctively disperse.
Gradually, a circle formed in the market, enclosing the prisoners inside.
"Hurry up, buy whatever you need quickly."
The officers stood to the side, roaring menacingly.
Yun Zhao was surprised that the officials dared to take them to a crowded place.
This meant she couldn't secretly buy more things and wait for Zhichun and the others to come and pick them up.
Seeing this, Xu Qingyi bent down and whispered to her, "Zhaozhao, be good, stay close to your mother, look around and see if you can see Sister Zhichun!"
"Yes, Mother, don't worry!"
Yun Zhao tugged at his mother's clothes, looking around with a curious expression.
Zhichun and the others were not among the crowd.
Suddenly, her gaze fell on one person.
This person... looks so familiar.
She seems familiar.
She was just too short now, so she had to crane her neck to try and see more clearly.
There was some commotion in the crowd, and Luo Hao immediately sensed that something was wrong.
He shouted, "Officials are on official business; all bystanders, please leave!"
Unexpectedly, the crowd not only failed to quiet down, but instead intensified their actions.
"Quickly, get the prisoner away!"
Luo Hao made a quick decision and called the other officers to take the men away.
Xu Qingyi was startled and quickly dropped what she was holding to pick up Yun Zhao.
During the evacuation, someone suddenly shouted something.
"Help!"
The three words exploded like oil droplets falling into hot water.
Yun Zhao's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately hugged her mother's neck tightly.
The next second, a pair of hands grabbed her and suddenly pulled her away from Xu Qingyi's embrace!
"Mother!"
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