The Lu family of three looked at each other, completely bewildered, not knowing what the reason was.
However, no one came for the time being, so they went inside to pack their things and prepare to stay.
Before long, the entrance became lively, with everyone standing at the door watching, their joy barely concealed.
Jiang Jiuniang looked up and saw a smiling auntie looking out the door. She seemed to have no ill intentions, so she smiled and said, "Aunties, come in and sit down. The house might be a little messy, we haven't had time to tidy it up yet."
These were things they had just unloaded from the carriage; a huge pile of them was placed in the yard, and they hadn't had time to tidy them up yet.
The auntie didn't hesitate and immediately said, "Then we'll come in. You're so pregnant, let us help you get ready!"
As he spoke, he walked in first, then waved, and a string of wives, children, and other family members followed him in, instantly making the courtyard lively.
"Hey, isn't this the third son's wife? Is she pregnant again? Did the third son come back with you this time?"
A head peeked out from the crowd. Jiang Jiuniang recognized the face; it was Zhang Saozi, her former neighbor, one of the few scattered households in the village.
"Sister-in-law Zhang!"
Jiang Jiuniang had the original owner's memories, so she naturally knew Zhang Saozi. Zhang Saozi was an honest and hospitable person. As a neighbor, she had frequent interactions with the Lu family, and she took special care of Jiang Jiuniang, who was pregnant and widowed. She would invite Jiang Jiuniang to try any delicious food she cooked.
During the severe drought, Zhang's family returned to her parents' home early on and did not flee the famine with the people of Lujia Village. They lost contact with each other, but unexpectedly, Zhang returned.
For some reason, Jiang Jiuniang burst into tears instantly. She knew this was the original owner's emotion, but the original owner had been gone for so long, was it a bit inappropriate for her to still be able to control her emotions like this?
Because she truly felt the joy and excitement in her heart.
Aunt Zhang walked over with a smile. Seeing her crying like this, she felt a little envious, but still said, "Look at you, you've become more and more beautiful over the years. When I heard from Uncle Lu that you had reunited with your third son, I was truly happy for you!"
Jiang Jiuniang couldn't help but hug her. She was still the same as before, chubby and soft to hold.
Aunt Zhang is the type of person who gains weight even from drinking water. She never lost weight, even during the drought years, and she looks even rounder now.
"Aunt Zhang!"
The dog carried the things out and saw Sister Zhang, and excitedly rushed over.
Aunt Zhang didn't even have time to talk to Jiang Jiuniang. She just stared at the young boy in front of her, then her eyes lit up with surprise: "Is this Gou'er? He's grown so big and handsome. I almost didn't recognize him! Let me take a good look!"
Aunt Zhang hugged the dog tightly, her affection and joy evident in her actions.
"Oh my, when Dog was little, he was such a skinny little monkey, he would get sick every other day, but now he looks much better!"
Aunt Zhang stroked the dog's head affectionately, tears welling in her eyes, just like she was looking at her own child.
"I'm all better now! I've even started learning martial arts!"
The dog straightened its little body, eager to perform a show for Aunt Zhang right then and there.
"Great, great, great!"
When Lu Baichuan came out, she said a few more words to him, mainly about how Jiang Jiuniang and Gou'er had had a hard time in the past few years, and that she must take good care of them in the future and not let them down.
Lu Baichuan readily agreed and expressed his gratitude to Sister Zhang.
Afterwards, Sister Zhang briefly recounted the events that had occurred over the years to them.
Not long after they fled the famine, the current emperor, who was then Prince Chen, came with people to provide disaster relief. He recalled many refugees, gave them money and food, and even transported water from a great distance. It was thanks to these things that everyone survived.
Zhang's family fled the famine with her maternal family. They were lucky enough not to encounter any bandits or anything like that on the way. However, they lacked water and food. Her youngest son couldn't make it. He fell ill halfway through the journey, couldn't see a doctor, and had nothing to eat or drink. He died within two days.
Aunt Zhang burst into tears. At that moment, she thought that even her youngest son, who was as strong as a calf since childhood, couldn't hold on, so the dog, who had been weak and sickly since childhood, was probably already...
So, before Old Man Lu returned to move the grave, she always felt that Gou'er was gone too. Every time she burned paper money for her youngest son, she would also burn some for Gou'er, and she would always say that her son should take good care of Gou'er on his way to the underworld...
When Old Man Lu returned, things had already settled down. She learned that the whole family was doing well, had even established themselves in Jingzhou, and were even planning to move their ancestral graves. While she was happy for them, she also cried when she got back. That night, she burned a lot of paper money for her youngest son, saying that she didn't know he had been all alone all these years and that she should burn more money for him.
When Old Man Lu and his eldest son returned, they brought several cartloads of good things. At that time, every household in the village received warmth from the Lu family, including quilts, grain, rice, and even money.
Zhang's family had a good relationship with the Lu family before, and they were one of the few acquaintances in the village. Old Man Lu had given them a lot, and because of this, her family was doing quite well. Now her husband had set up a small stall on the street selling pancakes, and the income was quite considerable.
Following Old Man Lu's advice, the family sent their two sons to school and their daughter to the city to study under an accountant. Over the years, she has been working as an accountant for wealthy families, and her future looks very promising.
She still occasionally thinks of her youngest son who died young. If he hadn't gotten sick, he would be about the same age as a dog by now.
Thinking of this, I couldn't help but start crying again.
The dead cannot be brought back to life. Although Jiang Jiuniang was heartbroken, there was nothing she could do to help. She could only advise her to grieve in moderation.
While they were talking, the others had already quickly tidied up the things in the yard. Some even went to the large cabinet in the main room and took out thick cotton quilts and bedding to air them out in the yard so that they would be warm when they slept at night.
Jiang Jiuniang was somewhat surprised. Zhang Saozi wiped away her tears, composed herself, and explained, "The Lu family is our great benefactor. We are able to live a good life now thanks to your help. We have no way to repay you, so we take turns coming to clean your house. Someone comes every day, so now no one knows where everything is in your house better than us!"
At this point, a smile returned to Zhang's face.
This was something Jiang Jiuniang and her husband hadn't expected. They thought someone was living there, but it turned out the villagers had been helping to clean it. They were afraid the uninhabited courtyard was even cleaner and tidier than the villagers' homes.
The villagers are simple and honest; this is their way of repaying the Lu family.
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