A troublemaker? A jinx?
Jiang Yushu stood still, pretending not to hear anything, unwilling to take it to heart. She thought to herself: Hey, here we go again! Don't you have any new insults to come up with?
Guo Honglei's face darkened. He quickly stepped forward to block his wife's way and said sternly, "Mother, please calm down. Don't blame the innocent. This has nothing to do with her. It was all my idea!"
"You're lying! Stop covering up for her! I think this is a rotten idea you two came up with together!" Wang's eyebrows shot up. The anxiety and worry she had been accumulating for days suddenly turned into rage, pouring out all at once. She demanded angrily, "It's common knowledge that the further north you go, the more chaotic it gets. Everyone's trying hard to stay in the south, and yet you're planning to go to Changping! Changping County is in such a state of chaos, how can we possibly get there?"
Guo Honglei took a deep breath and patiently explained, "You misunderstood. Changping County is located in the central part of Western Cangzhou, not the north. It's nearly 300 miles from Yongzhou, which has been occupied by enemy troops, and about 150 miles from here. In fact, the difference between staying here and going to Changping to cultivate the land isn't that great."
"There's a huge difference between the prefectural capital and the county seat! If the Northern Qiong conquers Xicang, the people of northern and central Taiwan will undoubtedly suffer first. Therefore, we must find a way to stay in the prefectural capital, away from the fighting." Wang had been unable to sleep or eat well recently, feeling dizzy and disoriented. She stubbornly said, "Be patient, wait a little longer. Xiaodie and Yipeng might bring us good news soon."
Jiang Yushu shook her head, stepped around her husband, and calmly advised, "Old Madam, you are wise. The idea of the whole family going to Changping to seek refuge with Uncle Mu is indeed what we discussed. You may think it's a bad idea, but I dare not object. But today is the twelfth day of the twelfth month, and the prison warden has announced that all prisoners will be sent to the army and farmland before the fifteenth day of the twelfth month. It seems that cousin Liao and her husband are unable to help. If we just sit and wait, we will eventually be dealt with by the government. Wouldn't that be disastrous?"
"I've been making careful inquiries these past few days," Guo Honglei solemnly explained, "according to prison practice, prisoners who remain unaccompanied by their deadline will be sent to several northern counties."
Wang slumped down in a chair, looking old and frail. She asked dejectedly, "North? What counties are there in the north?"
"Silu, Xinyang, Heqin—" Before Guo Honglei could finish his words, Wang interrupted him evasively:
"No, none of them are appropriate. The Guo family can't go to those chaotic places to cultivate land!"
Jiang Yushu took advantage of the situation and said, "That's why we must prepare for a rainy day. Hurry up and write a letter to Uncle Mu: Apart from those who are sent to the army, the rest of us want to go to the county to farm. I ask Uncle Mu to consider the old marquis's face and be kind and take care of us."
"This, this..." Wang frowned, hesitant. She was old and weak, and her family, both her own and her husband's, had been prominent, honored, and wealthy for most of her life. She had never experienced any real setbacks, and now, suddenly, she was in such a state of destitution, she felt both aggrieved and angry, and she was at a loss.
Seeing this, Guo Honglei confessed, "Actually, I sent a letter to Changping yesterday morning. If nothing unexpected happens, my uncle's men will come to pick us up before the 15th."
"What?"
"The letter, the letter has already been sent?" Wang was shocked at first, then she slammed the table and stood up, pointing her finger at her second son, gritting her teeth and cursing, "Well, so you didn't intend to discuss this with me at all! Rebellious son, rebellious son, you have never cared about your mother since you were a child, always acting on your own—kneel down! Kneel down right now!"
The aging mother's face turned ashen and she almost fainted from anger. Guo Honglei sighed and knelt down silently.
Facing the extremely angry old man, Jiang Yushu was at a loss for words and tried to persuade him with restraint: "Old Madam, calm down. We really want to discuss this with you, but every time we start talking, you firmly oppose it."
"Jiang!" Wang felt disrespected and seethed with rage. She raised her index finger and glared at her daughter-in-law, saying, "At this point, you still dare to argue that you didn't instigate Hong Lei? Kneel down!"
"Don't blame her--" Guo Honglei immediately wanted to stop him, but saw his wife waving her hands and slowly kneeling beside him, and his heart was suddenly filled with mixed feelings.
Seeing the two men kneeling down obediently, Wang's anger subsided a little, and she shouted, "You are disrespectful to your elders, which is unforgivable. You should reflect on yourself and not know your mistake and get up!" After saying that, she turned around and went back to her room.
The servants wandered outside the door and watched, no one dared to say a word.
"I'm sorry for getting you into trouble." Guo Honglei knelt down and whispered, "I knew Mother would be furious. I told you not to come, but you didn't believe me and followed anyway."
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Sometimes you have to bow your head, kneel to heaven, kneel to the earth, kneel to your parents, kneel to the powerful and elders... Oh, my knees hurt so much.
Jiang Yushu gave a wry smile and answered slowly, "Never mind. I was the one who suggested 'execution first, report later.' If you were the only one being scolded, I'd feel bad. If I were the only one being scolded, it would seem like the mother-in-law is favoring her son, and I won't accept that! We came together to come up with the idea, so we should all be punished. That's what's fair." She thought for a moment, then asked softly, "I see you kneeled down without a word. You seem quite adept at it. Hey, how many times has the old lady made you kneel down to reflect on your actions?"
Guo Honglei stared intently at the mottled and dilapidated wall. After a long silence, he replied calmly, "I can't remember."
Jiang Yushu was stunned, and responded cautiously and sympathetically with a "hmm".
In the hot summer of June, cicadas are chirping non-stop.
The two knelt for a short while before Wang Qiaozhen, hearing the news, arrived. Panting from the heat, she fanned herself with a handkerchief and leaned forward, saying, "Tsk, you're quite bold, acting on your own initiative. You've even infuriated the old lady, turning pale."
After all, she was his biological mother, so Guo Honglei asked worriedly, "Is Mom okay?"
Wang Qiaozhen folded her arms, looked down and replied, "Don't worry, she's just angry, she's fine."
"That's good." Guo Honglei breathed a sigh of relief.
Jiang Yushu knelt down and couldn't help asking, "Sister-in-law, do you also think we should just sit there and wait for news from Cousin Liao?"
"Hmph." Wang Qiaozhen sneered and replied disdainfully, "To tell you the truth, I never counted on Liao Xiaodie at all! But Gong Yipeng has some connections with the prince. From what I remember, he's very honest and kind. If the Guo family is in trouble, he should be willing to help."
Jiang Yushu suddenly realized, "So that's how it is."
"I believe Brother Gong, too. But according to investigation, the eldest son of the Xicang prefect and his family were indeed massacred in Yongzhou. Brother Gong is a subordinate of Prefect Wan, so he must be in a difficult situation." Guo Honglei had made up his mind and said in a deep voice, "The Guo family shouldn't force others to do things, and we can't force them. We can only make other plans. Let's go to Mu Shibo instead!"
Jiang Yushu rubbed her knees and said regretfully, "If we had known this would happen, we should have asked my sister-in-law to help persuade the old lady."
"Don't!" Wang Qiaozhen raged, sneering, "Mother-in-law always likes sweet-talkers, and Liao Xiaodie is the sweetest of all. Not only did she coax her into staying with her for several years, she even secured a marriage and a dowry. Ever since I was exiled, I've been scolded every time I said 'no' to her. Luckily, you two did it in secret, otherwise I'd be scolded sooner or later!"
Jiang Yushu couldn't help laughing and asked jokingly, "Sister-in-law, aren't you afraid of being punished by the old lady to kneel?"
"Why should I be afraid? She was first my aunt, and then my mother-in-law. We've known each other since childhood." Wang Qiaozhen was undaunted. She held her chin high and said proudly, "I just pleaded for you. The old lady said 'this won't happen again.' Stand up. You don't have to kneel anymore."
"Thank you, sister-in-law!" Jiang Yushu smiled happily, stood up, and pulled her husband with her, "The punishment is over, get up quickly."
Wang Qiaozhen was sweating profusely from the heat, and she curled her lips and said, "The old lady is so angry that she's confused. At this critical moment, if she uses family discipline, who will do all the work? But, Honglei, you know your mother's personality very well, but you still don't know how to flatter and persuade her. No wonder you're nicknamed 'Dumb Wood'!"
Jiang Yushu asked in surprise, "So your nickname is 'Dumb Wood'?"
"...No." Guo Honglei frowned uncomfortably.
"Hahaha." Wang Qiaozhen covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed, urging, "Alright, forget about being stupid or sweet. Second brother, quickly ask someone to get some information! If we can't stay in the city, go to a nearby county, but definitely not to the north. If I'm assigned to the north, I might as well commit suicide to avoid being slaughtered by enemy soldiers later."
Wang Qiaozhen often kept saying "I'd rather die", but the young couple had no time to persuade her and just turned around and went on with their business.
at night
Under the oil lamp, Jiang Yushu sorted out the manuscripts, while Xiaotao and Cuimei did needlework.
Since ancient times, exiled female prisoners have always suffered more than male prisoners, especially young women, who were at risk of being bullied by their male companions and insulted by officials. Female prisoners were vulnerable, and when bullied, they often either committed suicide or endured the humiliation in silence.
Therefore, Xiao Tao was both thankful for her innocence and grateful for the protection provided by the host and his wife. Loyal and enthusiastic, she handed over the half-embroidered shoe and asked respectfully, "Madam, please take a look at this pattern. Is it still wearable?"
Jiang Yushu turned her head and praised, "How exquisite! Wait, are you making this for me again?"
"Yes." Xiao Tao explained, "I walk a lot these days, so my shoes are really worn out. I'll make you a few more pairs as a backup."
Jiang Yushu was completely helpless! She couldn't persuade him, and he wouldn't listen. If she spoke a little harshly, he would be terrified and even on the verge of tears. She frowned in distress and advised, "Don't bother. I have enough shoes. I want to embroider them for you."
Xiao Tao was very respectful, but continued to embroider seriously.
Jiang Yushu was helpless, and suddenly remembered something, so she asked quietly: "Xiao Tao, does your second young master have a nickname called 'Dumb Wood'?"
"Stupid?" Cuimei moved closer curiously.
Xiao Tao was grateful and told everything she knew. She nodded and replied, "Yes." @Infinite good articles, all in Jinjiang Literature City
"That's strange." Jiang Yushu held up her chin and asked in confusion, "He's a noble young man from a marquisate, who dares to laugh at him and call him a 'dumbhead'?"
Xiao Tao hesitated to speak, glanced at the door and window, and whispered, "It seems that the old lady took it."
"Why?" Cuimei asked excitedly.
@Unlimited good articles, all in Jinjiang Literature City
Xiao Tao held the embroidery needle and threaded the thread. "I heard that the second young master didn't speak until he was five years old, and everyone mistakenly thought he was, was--" She hesitated and paused.
"Mute?" Cuimei responded.
Jiang Yushu found this irritating and blurted out, "Where? He speaks fluently!"
Cuimei shrank her neck and smiled awkwardly.
"This servant only heard it from hearsay and doesn't know the details." Xiao Tao said hurriedly, "Apart from the Marquis and others, Nanny Pan knows the most about those old events. She is the Second Young Master's wet nurse."
"Hmm." Jiang Yushu seemed to be thinking. "During this journey, I could see that although Nanny Pan was quiet and taciturn, she was diligent and efficient. When the Second Young Master was injured, she was so distressed that she cried and was concerned and loving."
Xiao Tao asked, "How about I ask Madam Pan to come and chat with you?"
Jiang Yushu shook her head. "It's late. There's no need. Let's do it another day."
The next afternoon. Xicang Prefecture Governor Gong's Mansion
Liao Xiaodie, dressed in a crimson nightgown, leaned against the headboard, clutching a letter. She sighed softly and said wistfully, "I never expected Honglei to distrust me so much. That day, I personally visited him in the prison and offered him soothing words, but I'm afraid he ignored them all." She held up the letter and said coldly, "Look, the next day he wrote to his old friends in Changping County for help!"
"Thankfully, Madam was cautious and intercepted the letter in time." The trusted maid bowed and said, "Don't worry, I have already made arrangements as you instructed. I will definitely intercept the letter sent by the Guo family and prevent them from sending people to the government office to disturb you, my Lord."
Liao Xiaodie said indifferently: "Humph, the Guo family wants to go to Changping County? Dream on, they can't escape!" Just as the voice fell, someone outside the door suddenly called out:
"Sir! I pay my respects to you."
Upon hearing the warning, Liao Xiaodie quickly hid the letter and crawled into bed, looking sickly.
Gong Yipeng was sweating from the heat. He hurried into the house, handed his black gauze hat to the maid, and asked with concern, "I heard from the maid that you had a heat stroke. Are you feeling better?"
"Alas, my illness is not serious." Liao Xiaodie struggled to stand up and asked anxiously, "How is it? Did the prefect Wan agree to assign the Guo family to the Border Army Weaving Bureau?"
Gong Yipeng was so frustrated that he slapped his thigh and replied dejectedly, "I tried my best to persuade him, but Mr. Wan still doesn't agree! It seems that we can only arrange for them to farm on the outskirts of the city."
"How can that be possible?" Liao Xiaodie was shocked, her eyes wide open, and she said in a hoarse voice, "You know, no one in the Guo family wants to farm? The old lady is the first one who can't stand the scorching summer heat, the wind and the sun! Besides, every time I visit, my cousin's wife complains about this and that, and she clearly says she doesn't want to farm."
Gong Yipeng wiped the sweat off his face with a frown on his face. "The work at the Border Army Weaving Bureau is easy, and it's not exposed to the sun or rain. It's certainly better than farming. But if the convicts want to work in the weaving bureau, they must get the prefect's approval. Mr. Wan is firmly against it, and I, I have no choice!"
"Brother Peng," Liao Xiaodie said earnestly, "You and I have both received favors from the Jingyang Marquisate. Now that they're in trouble, if we don't offer our full assistance, wouldn't we be considered ungrateful? First, our reputations would be ruined, and second, our long-standing friends and relatives in the Guo family would surely blame us."
"I understand." Gong Yipeng held his head, sighed in frustration, and murmured, "But I really have tried my best."
Liao Xiaodie, always disdaining her foolish and cowardly husband, was extremely dissatisfied and tried to persuade him, "Everything depends on human effort. If you think about it carefully, there will always be a way. Today, I braved the scorching sun to deliver some precious old ginseng to the prefect's wife. She was very happy. You can try to ask the prefect again. Maybe he will agree. If you succeed, everyone will praise you for your loyalty and righteousness. You won't suffer any great loss."
"Alright." Gong Yipeng was exhausted, but he forced himself to stand up and said, "Well, you rest, I'll try again. If it really doesn't work, I'll have to ask the Guo family to go to the outskirts of the city to cultivate the land."
Liao Xiaodie waved her hand without responding. She was shrewd and tactful, maneuvering between the various parties with ease, half-hiding and half-revealing, keeping a clean record from beginning to end.
So, on the thirteenth day, the Guo family waited for a whole day in vain;
On the 14th, they still hadn't received any response. The remaining prisoners left one after another, and the prison gradually became deserted.
In a blink of an eye, it is June 15th.
Wang was so anxious she fell ill, sweating profusely. She struggled to ask, "What's going on? Xiaodie and Yipeng haven't responded, and General Mu hasn't sent anyone to pick us up." She closed her eyes, tears welling in the corners of her eyes, and wailed in a trembling voice, "God, please give the Guo family a chance to survive, cough cough cough."
The younger generation gathered around the bed, Jiang Yushu was puzzled. As the head of the family and a son, Guo Honglei could only remain calm and comfort her, saying, "Don't worry, mother. We'll be patient for a while. Uncle Mu is a reliable person and may come to pick us up later."
However, the Guo family never received any help from their old friends and elders.
Only Pan Kui, a captain from the Heqin County Guard, arrived.
"Sir Pan, please." The prison manager led the way respectfully and attentively.
Pan Kui, dressed in military uniform, led his men as they strode with their heads held high. He was not in a good mood and demanded in a loud voice, "How can this be! Why do they always push leftover prisoners onto the Heqin Guards? Are we born to pick up leftovers?"
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Jiang Yushu: Leftovers? (⊙o⊙) I couldn’t even refute it…
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