Chapter 162: Dead Trees
Revived in Spring Xun Ke started chatting with her in a nagging voice.
In Aunt Cheng's memory, everyone left temporarily to avoid the robbers some time ago, but because she was sick and unable to leave for the time being, she stayed in the village.
As for those abandoned fertile fields, of course they were overgrown with weeds because of this reason. She could still remember the autumn season and spoke with some order and logic.
The only thing he seemed a little at a loss when mentioning the memories of the falling stars at night and the subsequent mobilization of the White Lotus Sect to fight against the imperial court's troops, as if he didn't understand what Xun Ke was talking about.
But on the other hand, she was able to talk to Xun Ke accurately about what the village was like six years ago, including Xun Ke's former playmates, the conditions of his former neighbors, and even remembered who was more careless and who was nicer to others. But once she tried to connect these six years, it would become like "thieves came some time ago, everyone left first, only she got sick."
Her memory seemed to be cut off by a knife, and six years of time fell silent. The only concepts she had were the village before the disaster and the previous period of time.
However, just looking at her current situation, she could understand that if Gu Dan and Xun Ke had come a day or two later, no, even just one day later, she would probably not have survived.
Gu Dan took out a clean towel from the package, added some water, moistened the towel, wrung it out, and handed it to Xun Ke.
He then took out the uneaten food from the large package he brought with him - those were all kinds of cakes specially prepared by Lin Xiaoyi for the royal family. Not only were they unique and interesting in shape, they also tasted top-notch in the world, with a fragrant aroma and were particularly filling.
Gu Dan took out all the food that Lin Xiaoyi had prepared and placed it in front of Aunt Cheng so that she could choose.
In fact, she did not choose them. These foods were delicacies she had never seen before. They were one of the solid evidences that Xun Ke had learned a lot. So she began to praise Xun Ke for his study.
"Everyone has said for a long time that you will be capable. You are smarter than Da Niu and Er Niu. How long do you plan to stay this time? When my husband comes back, I will ask him to make some more furniture for you."
Aunt Cheng's thinking in this regard was very clear. She could still clearly remember that her husband was a carpenter. He talked about the tragic situation in the village after being robbed. Then she made up her mind that after her husband came back, she would make furniture for the neighbors even if she didn't make money.
“These things are delicious.”
Aunt Cheng showed an embarrassed smile on her face while eating the cakes that Gu Dan and the others brought from the imperial capital. She probably had never come into contact with such things in her life. The color, fragrance and taste were all blended together. In addition, her stomach was empty at the moment and she was extremely hungry, so it was inevitable that she ate voraciously and ate very fast, and she might even choke.
"Xun Ke is very capable and has passed the imperial examination in the imperial capital. The current queen's daughter likes him very much and often plays with him. These foods are specially prepared by the queen to help him return home in glory. They are gifts prepared for you. You should eat as much as you can, otherwise the queen will be unhappy!"
Gu Dan told the story seriously and half-truthfully, and handed the water over. He almost believed it himself.
"Oh, the queen's daughter? That means she's a princess!"
Aunt Cheng was very surprised, and her eyes could not help but turn around and around Xun Ke, "Our village hasn't produced such a person in hundreds of years! This is a great honor for our family!"
Xun Ke also forced a smile and said confidently: "That's right, the Queen's daughter always pesters me and refuses to leave no matter what. This time I came back just to see how everyone is doing. I am also a person with a background, and I will not allow others to bully me!"
"OK!"
Aunt Cheng clapped her hands, extremely happy. "Our village is pretty good, but we were robbed a while ago. I heard from Daniu's family that the taxes are a bit heavy, and they can't support two children if they continue like this. Can you tell the queen about this?"
She still had some concept of the empress and the emperor, and understood that they were ordinary figures compared to ordinary people. She even stopped taking the food and asked with some hesitation and expectation.
"Of course, I have already made an agreement with the Queen before I came here. This village will not have to pay taxes for the next few decades. Everyone can live a stable life. This is all thanks to Xun Ke."
Gu Dan continued speaking in accordance with her words, with a righteous look on his face, speaking firmly and sincerely.
“We don’t have to pay taxes for decades?!”
Aunt Cheng's eyes were filled with a light that was hard to look at. Her face was full of disbelief, and then she was overjoyed. "Everyone will be very happy when the villagers come back. Even if the things were stolen, life will be better in the future."
Vitality filled her body again. On her dark and smelly face, there was a smile that made people dare not look directly at it. She even spoke to Xun Ke in a more polite manner. At least she no longer treated Xun Ke as a child.
Xun Ke's fists, hidden under his body, had already turned pale with clenched fists, but there was still a smile on his face, just like a prodigal son who had returned home in glory, ready to bring his fellow villagers to wealth and glory.
After Aunt Cheng had eaten her fill and the rain outside had gradually stopped, she did not forget to congratulate Xun Ke before leaving, telling him to treat the princess well and not to make the queen angry. Since the village had been exempted from taxes for decades, the queen must be a good person. Aunt Cheng's home was in a shabby little courtyard.
Judging from the appearance alone, the house she lived in was completely no different from the surrounding houses. There was even a peculiar stench in the house. However, she seemed to be completely familiar with all of this and did not show any abnormality. She just said that she was incompetent and had not taken care of her home for a long time since she fell ill.
She said goodbye to Gu Dan very warmly. She regarded Gu Dan as Xun Ke's friend and said that when the dates were ripe next year, he and Xun Ke could come to her house to pick dates. The dates in her house were big and sweet. Every time the dates were ripe, the little guys in the surrounding villages liked to come over to ask for some sweet dates.
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Gu Dan saw the jujube tree in her yard.
Already dead.
Even the bark had been peeled off, leaving no trace of greenness.
At this time of year, everything should be withering.
Gu Dan just smiled and nodded, and while Aunt Cheng was not paying attention, the green mango quietly fell on the jujube tree.
The enchanting green color climbs up the branches at a very fast speed, and the lush and vigorous jujube flowers bloom in every corner, bringing endless vitality.
As the jujube tree flowers bloomed, the sound of iron hooves hitting the ground could be heard faintly in the distance.
(End of this chapter)