Chapter 118: Chuzhou · Younger Sister Wei Wei Yuyi 1 [Grateful Thanks for Everyone's Support

You hour.

The sky had already grown dark.

In the village beside the water gate of the Chuzhou Canal, the crowd returning from work by the river through wind and snow dispersed within the village, each heading to their own home.

The husband and wife, carrying a wooden sign and holding a pitch-pot, entered their own courtyard.

The two called out, "Mother, we are back."

"Wei Yuyi is back!" An old woman's voice came from inside the house. After setting down the pitch-pot filled with arrows, the couple entered the room.

Inside the room, an old woman with sightless eyes was fumbling as she did needlework.

"Mother, why are you handling needle and thread again?" Wei Wei Yuyi asked with some reproach.

The old woman, paying no heed to Wei Wei Yuyi's tone, said, "Little Dog lost his mother long ago; there is no one in the house to do needlework. When clothes tear, no one mends them. I am just lending a hand."

"In your condition, what help can you give? I think Sister—" Wei Wei Yuyi was nudged by her husband, cutting off her words before she could finish.

The old woman paused briefly, then continued sewing the old garment in her hands.

Wei Wei Yuyi washed her face in the basin inside the room; when she lifted her head, her sallow complexion appeared much fairer.

At that moment, the sound of someone calling at the gate came from outside.

In the small courtyard, a child held up a fish half a foot long: "Grandma Wei, my father told En to deliver this fish."

Wei Wei Yuyi walked out of the house and said irritably, "Where did this fish come from? Take it back; your family should eat it yourselves."

"Father caught it from the river; he said to nourish Grandma Wei!" The child placed the fish on the ground and turned to run.

Wei Wei Yuyi's husband smiled at his wife, whose expression was somewhat awkward, then walked over, picked up the fish, and followed his wife to the adjacent kitchen, whispering, "There are still more people in this world who know gratitude and repay kindness."

Wei Wei Yuyi said nothing as she cleaned the fish on the cutting board; her husband continued, "When you have time, would you like to go to Yang Zhou to visit Eldest Sister?"

"The family just acquired fields outside, and you also took over the pond; we do not have much silver left. Moreover, Second Girl is taking care of Sister."

"That is true; Second Girl is a good one. Once Eldest Sister bears a son, she will secure her standing in that high-ranking household."

"What kind of talk is that? My father said daughters can also support the household and establish themselves," Wei Wei Yuyi said as she washed the fish clean in the basin.

The sturdy man helped light the firewood in the stove, saying, "At noon, I saw someone being killed."

Wei Wei Yuyi's hand trembled; she looked at her husband in surprise, her expression somewhat panicked as she asked, "What do you mean, someone was killed?"

Wei Wei Yuyi's husband fell silent.

"Speak! Why do you only say half?"

"I was up in a tree by the canal helping a boat owner secure a pulley when I saw someone at the cargo depot killing people with bows and arrows, right while gongs and drums were beating. Later, when I went to find you, I noticed several ox-carts leaving that place; I glanced and saw they were all full of people. At your pitch-pot stall, I have seen that group before; they were the ones riding tall, great horses."

Wei Wei Yuyi said in a fearful voice, "Do not scare me!"

The man said, "I should not have spoken; I simply could not bear to keep it bottled up. I have frightened you!"

Wei Wei Yuyi said, "Do not speak of this to anyone else, or you may invite disaster upon your life."

"I know that; I am only telling you. Shall we still go to the canal side tomorrow?"

"Yes; if we do not go, they will come knocking at our door again, just as before."

The stove fire flared up, and the couple began making fish soup.

By evening, many soldiers and Yamen Runners had gathered by the canal.

Every boat was searched by the Yamen Runners; even those with female passengers were inspected by Guan Guan Pozi.

After nightfall, gate guards frequently patrolled in formation.

On the boat,

Before dinner, Xu Xu Zaijing took a hot bath on the boat before going to the cabin where Bai Shi was; Bai Shi held a visiting card in her hand, and seeing Xu Xu Zaijing's puzzled look, Bai Shi said, "It is from the Eldest Daughter of the Yan family; she will come to pay a visit tomorrow."

Xu Xu Zaijing said, "Department Magistrate Yan is thoughtful, having arranged so many guards."

Bai Shi nodded.

Gu Gu Tingyi walked over and asked Xu Xu Zaijing about what had happened since arriving in Chuzhou.

Xu Xu Zaijing naturally did not tell them about his involvement in the killings, saying only that the Chuzhou Imperial City Bureau and the local government had jointly suppressed the perpetrators.

Having learned of her father's situation, Bai Shi, apart from occasional thoughtful looks in her eyes, felt much more relaxed.

She smiled as she listened to Xu Xu Zaijing describe how skilled Miss Wei, the pitch-pot player by the canal, was at her craft.

Listening to Xu Xu Zaijing's words, Gu Gu Tingyi's eyes were full of eagerness: "Mother, tomorrow I will go with Brother Jing to have a look; I must see just how skilled this Miss Wei is!"

Children possess keen instincts; thus, Gu Gu Tingyi also smiled at her Pei Erge, feeling that since Xu Xu Zaijing's return, her mother's mood had improved greatly.

Xu Xu Pingmei held Gu Gu Tingyi's small hand, smiling happily as well; seeing her younger brother's relaxed demeanor, she too felt reassured.

Gu Gu Tingyi continued, "Mother, shall we send someone to keep watch tomorrow?"

Bai Shi nodded.

Snow fell rustling.

Deep into the night, most lamps and candles on the boats along the canal were extinguished.

However, many lanterns and bonfires were lit along the shore.

Although Chuzhou soldiers provided protection, the Hou Fu personal guards on the boat still kept watch in the snow, daring not to slacken.

Before dawn, the snow stopped.

Judging by the sky, it would be a clear day.

On several large boats, servants went ashore to wait for that Miss Wei.

Perhaps knowing that nobles were present, the gate guards had early on swept the snow completely clean.

At the third quarter of the Si hour,

Wu Da Da Niangzi arrived at the shore in a carriage; after alighting, she saw Xu Xu Pingmei and Gu Gu Tingyi waiting to welcome her on the boat. Wu Da Da Niangzi, her daughter, and their maids were invited into the cabin.

As she boarded, the beautiful young lady of the Yan family caught a glimpse of Xu Xu Zaijing standing there; her pretty face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head.

Inside the spacious cabin, Bai Shi conversed with Wu Da Da Niangzi, while Gu Gu Tingyi, acting very much like a host, kept the young lady of the Yan family company.

At this moment, a servant returned and reported, "Wu Da Da Niangzi, the Young Master and Young Miss mentioned that Lady Wei has arrived."

Seeing the puzzled look in Wu Da Da Niangzi's eyes, Bai Shi explained a few words; Wu Da Da Niangzi nodded, then beckoned a maidservant beside her, whispered a few instructions into her ear, after which the maidservant disembarked and headed straight for the largest restaurant by the canal.

On the boat, Gu Gu Tingyi came excitedly to the cabin and said, "Mother, Brother Jing and I are going to see this Lady Wei!"

Bai Shi instructed, "Go then. Put on an extra cloak!"

"Understood, Mother."

Bai Shi watched Gu Gu Tingyi, his eyes wide open, full of envy as he watched his Pei Erge run ashore, where Xu Xu Zaijing, leading several servants, maids, and personal guards, was walking in that direction with the group.

Wu Da Da Niangzi said to Bai Shi, "Da Da Niangzi, why not invite Lady Wei to the restaurant, set up a screen, and let the young ladies enjoy the spectacle?"

Seeing the looks in Gu Gu Tingyi's and Xu Xu Pingmei's eyes, Bai Shi smiled, shook her head, and said, "Then we shall trouble Da Da Niangzi."

"It is my own family's property; it is no trouble at all."

Just as Wei Wei Yuyi's husband was about to leave after setting down the wooden plaque and the pitch-pot set, he spotted a neatly dressed maidservant approaching with four Yamen Runners.

He simply stood there to see what was happening.

The maidservant first squatted in salute and said, "Lady, greetings. The Da Da Niangzi of our Department Magistrate's household invites you to the restaurant over there for a game of pitch-pot; we beg your consent."

Having spoken, the maidservant lowered her head and waited quietly for a reply.

Wei Wei Yuyi whispered to her husband, "He is the local parent-official; it is not good to offend him. I shall go."

"Mm."

"Then please lead the way, Mother," Wei Wei Yuyi said; just as she was about to move the pitch-pot set, one of the Yamen Runners beside the maidservant hurried over to help carry the wooden plaque and pitch-pot.

The noble Young Master in blue clothes from yesterday had also received news from his servants; carrying his own pitch-pot set, he came over, and upon seeing this scene, he hurried forward and asked, "What is happening here?"

Finally able to drink some vinegar.

Three chapters remaining.

What follows concerns some matters regarding the Wei family.

Tonight I will write about Yang Zhou.

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(End of Chapter)