Chapter 40
At the edge of the quarry, there was a simple thatched hut, a resting place for patrolling bailiffs.
Fu Zhen and his wife, along with He Jing, were led to that place.
Looking at the distant hut, Fu Zhen and He Jing exchanged glances, both puzzled.
The bailiff casually remarked, “Good fortune has come to the Fu family; someone has come to redeem you and your wife.”
Hearing this, the couple was deeply shaken.
But Fu Zhen quickly thought of their impoverished situation and wondered how there could be money to redeem him and his wife.
After a moment of silence, Fu Zhen asked, “Sir, could there be a mistake?”
The bailiff, having received half a jug of wine, seemed much friendlier, “No mistake. It's the Fu family. Your sister-in-law has already paid the ransom, and she's here.”
Fu Zhen frowned slightly, sister-in-law?
Though he had been away from home for several years, news of his family's affairs had still reached the quarry a few months ago.
It turned out that their second son had been switched at birth.
The man he knew as his younger brother wasn't his biological sibling but the son of the magistrate of Wuling County.
His real younger brother had been raised as the magistrate's son for twenty-one years.
Two months ago, his real younger brother was sent to Lingnan. On the way, he was ambushed by bandits who broke his legs. Soon after, Fu Zhen heard that his brother was forced into marriage with an ill-tempered and unattractive woman.
Fu Zhen had worried about this for over two months, but he also knew his concern was futile; he had to stay in the quarry until his service term was completed.
Now hearing that his sister-in-law had come to redeem them, Fu Zhen was full of doubts.
"What about me?" Hearing that someone had come to redeem Fu Zhen and his wife, He Jing felt a mix of hope and fear.
The bailiff glanced at him and said indifferently, “Your parents have come to see you.”
That statement extinguished all his hopes.
Yet, knowing that his parents had come to visit brought him a glimmer of light.
Yuying waited inside the hut for a while and finally saw the people she was waiting for.
Fu Wei's elder brother was a tall and sturdy man, with a rugged and handsome face, sun-darkened to a bronze complexion due to constant exposure to the elements.
Upon closer inspection, the man's features bore a resemblance to Fu Wei.
Yuying then looked at the petite woman hiding behind the man.
The woman was covered in dirt, her face smeared with charcoal ash, making it hard to discern her features, except for her large, distinctively black and white eyes.
Those eyes, filled with timidity and curiosity, looked towards Yuying.
Yuying locked eyes with her and was momentarily taken aback.
For an instant, she was reminded of the first time she saw little Fu Ning.
Both mother and daughter shared a pair of similar and beautiful eyes.
The couple was dressed in tattered clothes, appearing like beggars if seen on the streets.
Yuying called out, "Elder brother, sister-in-law."
Just as she finished speaking, another young man, about seventeen or eighteen years old, entered. Seeing Uncle He and Aunt He, his eyes immediately reddened, and with a choked voice, he cried, "Father, Mother..."
Aunt He quickly ran to embrace her son, tears streaming down her face as she trembled, "My child, you've suffered..."
Looking up at her son, Aunt He touched his face and sobbed, "Er Lang, you've become darker and thinner."
Uncle He, standing by, couldn't help but tear up as well.
The reunion of parents and their child is always a deeply moving scene.
Yuying, her heart softening, pondered for a moment before turning to approach Bailiff Huo.
She quietly asked Bailiff Huo, "I wonder if Bailiff Huo could make an exception and allow He Jing to stay outside tonight and return him early tomorrow morning."
With her back to the others, she handed over four strings of ten-coin copper coins to Bailiff Huo, saying, “This is for the officials and bailiffs to enjoy some drinks.”
Bailiff Huo tucked the coins into his clothes, then went to speak with the other bailiffs. After a moment's consideration, they nodded in agreement.
Returning, Bailiff Huo stated, “He must be returned before dawn tomorrow.”
Yuying nodded, then relayed this to Uncle He.
Uncle He expressed his gratitude repeatedly.
Yuying then addressed Fu Zhen and his wife, "Elder brother and sister-in-law, do you have anything to pack? If so, do it now. We’ll leave shortly. We'll rest at the inn tonight and head back to Lingshui Village in the morning."
After a long silence, Fu Zhen spoke, “Are you really... Er Lang’s wife?”
Fu Zhen noticeably hesitated when referring to Er Lang.
Despite the excitement of leaving, Fu Zhen remained cautious.
Yuying didn’t mind his wariness and nodded, “Yes, I am Er Lang’s new wife, surnamed Yu.”
She added, “Mother, An An, and Ning Ning are all waiting at home for you to return.”
Hearing about his mother and children, Fu Zhen appeared momentarily dazed, though he didn’t show much emotion, indicating a reserved nature.
Wen Xing, clutching her husband’s sleeve, also teared up at the mention of their children.
Fu Zhen glanced at Uncle He and Aunt He, then told his wife, “Wait here for me.”
Saying this, he went back to gather their few tattered clothes.
Wen Xing, petite and timid, clutched her tattered dress nervously, her head bowed shyly.
The more Yuying observed, the more she felt Fu Ning resembled her mother, growing fonder of her sister-in-law.
Thanks to Bailiff Huo's assistance, they quickly left the quarry.
By the time they came out, it was already past noon.
Fu Zhen glanced back at the quarry he had been in for three years. Being able to leave early felt somewhat surreal.
Since He Jing still had a term of service, Bailiff Huo and two other bailiffs accompanied them to the inn.
They ordered some food and drinks; Yuying, Uncle He, Aunt He, and the Fu couple shared a table.
They didn't order extravagant dishes, just a few bowls of meat noodles.
Aunt He transferred all the meat from her noodles into her son's bowl, whispering, "Er Lang, just wait for three months. In three months, your father and I will have saved enough money to get you out."
He Jing nodded, his spirits low, seemingly skeptical about returning home in just three months.
Yuying reassured, “Your parents are right. In three months, we'll definitely get you out. Now that your elder brother and sister-in-law are free, it's not just empty words.”
Hearing this, He Jing looked up at Fu Zhen's wife and then at his elder brother, who was about to leave, feeling distressed.
Fu Zhen, though not showing much emotion, spoke firmly, “Take care of yourself after I leave, and don't let others bully you.”
Uncle He added, “Bailiff Huo and the bailiffs have been informed to assign you lighter work.”
He Jing nodded, then lowered his head to eat his noodles.
This meal was the best that Fu Zhen and his wife had in three years, and He Jing in a year.
Knowing they all did physical labor, Yuying felt a single bowl of noodles wouldn't be enough, so she asked the waiter to bring three more bowls.
"Wēn Xìng, after eating half a bowl, couldn’t finish and gently pushed it towards her husband."
"Fú Zhèn didn’t say anything and finished the remaining noodles."
"After finishing the meal, they asked the waiter to bring some hot water to their room for washing. But Fú Zhèn and Hé Jìng simply washed up at the well in the backyard, while Wēn Xìng freshened up inside."
"After washing up, Yu Ying remembered her sister-in-law’s clothes were too tattered, so she gave her the only set of spare clothes she had."
"After three years of labor in the quarry, her clothes were so worn they hardly retained their original shape, with frayed cuffs and hems beyond repair, barely enough to cover the body."
"Yu Ying knocked on the door, calling out, 'Sister-in-law, it’s me.'"
"It took a while before her sister-in-law came to open the door."
"When the door opened, Yu Ying finally saw the true appearance of Ah Fu and Fu Ning’s mother."
"She had washed up; the dirt on her face and the mess in her hair were gone. She had delicate features and large eyes, but her cheeks and eye sockets were sunken from long-term exhaustion and poor nutrition."
"Her skin was dark and dry due to exposure to the elements, and her lips were severely chapped. Even her long hair was rough and unkempt."
"With proper care and nourishment, her health can gradually be restored."
"Despite her appearance, she still looked very young."
"But considering that Ah Fu was already eight years old, his aunt's age couldn't be too young, probably just blessed with a youthful face."
"Yu Ying said, 'I've brought a set of clothes for my sister-in-law to change into.'"
"Wen Xing, not good at socializing and somewhat shy, but realizing it was her brother's wife who had redeemed her and her husband, extended her hand in a gesture of invitation, saying tremulously, 'Please, come in.'"
"Yu Ying entered the room and placed the clothes on the table, saying, 'These are my clothes. They might not fit perfectly, but you can alter them when we get back.'"
"Wen Xing whispered, 'Thank you.'"
"Yu Ying looked at her and said, 'Rest well tonight, we will be able to go back home tomorrow morning.'"
As Yuying turned to leave and reached the door, a soft voice came from behind, “An An and Ning Ning...”
Yuying paused and turned back.
Wen Xing's eyes were slightly red as she continued, “Apart from not being able to speak, have they grown up healthy?”
Yuying nodded and replied, “An An is very sensible and looks after his grandmother and sister. Ning Ning is also well-behaved and obedient.”
Hearing this, Wen Xing burst into tears.
Fu Zhen, hearing his wife's crying, quickly returned and saw his brother's wife at the door and his own wife crying inside, puzzled.
Yuying nodded to him and said, “I'll head back first.”
After Yuying left, Fu Zhen asked, “What happened?”
Wen Xing shook her head, speaking softly, “I miss An An and Ning Ning.”
Fu Zhen was silent for a moment before saying hoarsely, “We'll see them the day after tomorrow.”
Back in her room, Yuying opened the window for air and looked towards Lingshui Village.
She wondered how they were doing without her these past couple of days.
Having left for only a few days, Yuying already felt reluctant to be away. She realized she had grown attached to the Fu family.
The atmosphere at the Fu house was somber without Yuying.
Fu Ning stopped smiling, and Fu An spoke less. The once lively courtyard had become quiet.
With Yuying away, Fu Ning had been sleeping with Luo, while Fu An shared a bed with his uncle.
Fu An didn't sleep with his uncle before because he was a stranger to them, and he didn't want to see his grandmother sleeping on the floor while he slept in a bed.
Now that he was familiar with his uncle and his grandmother no longer slept on the floor, Fu An was comfortable with the arrangement.
Lying in bed at night, Fu An tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
After a long while, unable to hold back any longer, Fu An asked in the darkness, "Uncle, Auntie didn't really go back to her maternal home, did she?"
Fu Wei responded with a faint "Hmm."
He knew very well that it was unlikely for Yuying to return to her maternal home because doing so could risk exposing her true identity.
She saw through the situation but did not speak of it, probably because she had no reason to ask her to stay, nor dared to.
His mother understood this, and his nephew had a vague idea as well, hence his question.
Hearing the affirmative response, Fu An's eyes reddened, "So, Auntie will really come back?"
Previously, Fu An had hoped Yuying would leave the Fu family soon, but now he didn't want her to leave at all.
Fu Wei said, "Your auntie is a person of her word. Unless something unforeseen happens, she'll return when she said she would."
Tomorrow is the fourth day; she should be coming back.
"If Auntie is coming back, then why have you been sleeping poorly these past two nights, Uncle?" Fu An was puzzled.
His restlessness stemmed from the worry that Yuying might not return and that he might never see her again.
Fu Wei fell silent, then heard his nephew add, "Uncle, you wake up in the middle of the night calling for Auntie, as if she never left. I've heard it clearly; you must be unaccustomed to her absence."
Fu Wei: "……"
"After a long silence, he said, 'Don’t mention this to your aunt when she returns.'"
"Ah Fu, ever curious, asked, 'Why can’t we tell aunt if uncle is missing her?'"
"Fú Wēi suddenly found himself at a loss for words."
"Fú Ān asked again, 'Is it because uncle is shy?'"
"Fú Wēi inwardly sighed and admitted, albeit reluctantly, 'Yes.'"
"'Then I won’t tell her. Let uncle tell her himself, maybe auntie will be happy.' Fú Ān wasn’t too concerned about this, so he didn’t dwell on the answer. What he really cared about was something else."
"'Where has auntie gone, exactly?'"
"The young but precocious Fú Ān sighed deeply, murmuring, 'I wonder if auntie is hungry, cold, being bullied, or... if she misses us.'"
"Hearing this, Fú Wēi's eyes softened, and he suddenly remembered her resilience, smiling faintly."
"'No, your auntie can take care of herself.'"
Chapter 40
At the edge of the quarry, there was a simple thatched hut, a resting place for patrolling bailiffs.
Fu Zhen and his wife, along with He Jing, were led to that place.
Looking at the distant hut, Fu Zhen and He Jing exchanged glances, both puzzled.
The bailiff casually remarked, “Good fortune has come to the Fu family; someone has come to redeem you and your wife.”
Hearing this, the couple was deeply shaken.
But Fu Zhen quickly thought of their impoverished situation and wondered how there could be money to redeem him and his wife.
After a moment of silence, Fu Zhen asked, “Sir, could there be a mistake?”
The bailiff, having received half a jug of wine, seemed much friendlier, “No mistake. It's the Fu family. Your sister-in-law has already paid the ransom, and she's here.”
Fu Zhen frowned slightly, sister-in-law?
Though he had been away from home for several years, news of his family's affairs had still reached the quarry a few months ago.
It turned out that their second son had been switched at birth.
The man he knew as his younger brother wasn't his biological sibling but the son of the magistrate of Wuling County.
His real younger brother had been raised as the magistrate's son for twenty-one years.
Two months ago, his real younger brother was sent to Lingnan. On the way, he was ambushed by bandits who broke his legs. Soon after, Fu Zhen heard that his brother was forced into marriage with an ill-tempered and unattractive woman.
Fu Zhen had worried about this for over two months, but he also knew his concern was futile; he had to stay in the quarry until his service term was completed.
Now hearing that his sister-in-law had come to redeem them, Fu Zhen was full of doubts.
"What about me?" Hearing that someone had come to redeem Fu Zhen and his wife, He Jing felt a mix of hope and fear.
The bailiff glanced at him and said indifferently, “Your parents have come to see you.”
That statement extinguished all his hopes.
Yet, knowing that his parents had come to visit brought him a glimmer of light.
Yuying waited inside the hut for a while and finally saw the people she was waiting for.
Fu Wei's elder brother was a tall and sturdy man, with a rugged and handsome face, sun-darkened to a bronze complexion due to constant exposure to the elements.
Upon closer inspection, the man's features bore a resemblance to Fu Wei.
Yuying then looked at the petite woman hiding behind the man.
The woman was covered in dirt, her face smeared with charcoal ash, making it hard to discern her features, except for her large, distinctively black and white eyes.
Those eyes, filled with timidity and curiosity, looked towards Yuying.
Yuying locked eyes with her and was momentarily taken aback.
For an instant, she was reminded of the first time she saw little Fu Ning.
Both mother and daughter shared a pair of similar and beautiful eyes.
The couple was dressed in tattered clothes, appearing like beggars if seen on the streets.
Yuying called out, "Elder brother, sister-in-law."
Just as she finished speaking, another young man, about seventeen or eighteen years old, entered. Seeing Uncle He and Aunt He, his eyes immediately reddened, and with a choked voice, he cried, "Father, Mother..."
Aunt He quickly ran to embrace her son, tears streaming down her face as she trembled, "My child, you've suffered..."
Looking up at her son, Aunt He touched his face and sobbed, "Er Lang, you've become darker and thinner."
Uncle He, standing by, couldn't help but tear up as well.
The reunion of parents and their child is always a deeply moving scene.
Yuying, her heart softening, pondered for a moment before turning to approach Bailiff Huo.
She quietly asked Bailiff Huo, "I wonder if Bailiff Huo could make an exception and allow He Jing to stay outside tonight and return him early tomorrow morning."
With her back to the others, she handed over four strings of ten-coin copper coins to Bailiff Huo, saying, “This is for the officials and bailiffs to enjoy some drinks.”
Bailiff Huo tucked the coins into his clothes, then went to speak with the other bailiffs. After a moment's consideration, they nodded in agreement.
Returning, Bailiff Huo stated, “He must be returned before dawn tomorrow.”
Yuying nodded, then relayed this to Uncle He.
Uncle He expressed his gratitude repeatedly.
Yuying then addressed Fu Zhen and his wife, "Elder brother and sister-in-law, do you have anything to pack? If so, do it now. We’ll leave shortly. We'll rest at the inn tonight and head back to Lingshui Village in the morning."
After a long silence, Fu Zhen spoke, “Are you really... Er Lang’s wife?”
Fu Zhen noticeably hesitated when referring to Er Lang.
Despite the excitement of leaving, Fu Zhen remained cautious.
Yuying didn’t mind his wariness and nodded, “Yes, I am Er Lang’s new wife, surnamed Yu.”
She added, “Mother, An An, and Ning Ning are all waiting at home for you to return.”
Hearing about his mother and children, Fu Zhen appeared momentarily dazed, though he didn’t show much emotion, indicating a reserved nature.
Wen Xing, clutching her husband’s sleeve, also teared up at the mention of their children.
Fu Zhen glanced at Uncle He and Aunt He, then told his wife, “Wait here for me.”
Saying this, he went back to gather their few tattered clothes.
Wen Xing, petite and timid, clutched her tattered dress nervously, her head bowed shyly.
The more Yuying observed, the more she felt Fu Ning resembled her mother, growing fonder of her sister-in-law.
Thanks to Bailiff Huo's assistance, they quickly left the quarry.
By the time they came out, it was already past noon.
Fu Zhen glanced back at the quarry he had been in for three years. Being able to leave early felt somewhat surreal.
Since He Jing still had a term of service, Bailiff Huo and two other bailiffs accompanied them to the inn.
They ordered some food and drinks; Yuying, Uncle He, Aunt He, and the Fu couple shared a table.
They didn't order extravagant dishes, just a few bowls of meat noodles.
Aunt He transferred all the meat from her noodles into her son's bowl, whispering, "Er Lang, just wait for three months. In three months, your father and I will have saved enough money to get you out."
He Jing nodded, his spirits low, seemingly skeptical about returning home in just three months.
Yuying reassured, “Your parents are right. In three months, we'll definitely get you out. Now that your elder brother and sister-in-law are free, it's not just empty words.”
Hearing this, He Jing looked up at Fu Zhen's wife and then at his elder brother, who was about to leave, feeling distressed.
Fu Zhen, though not showing much emotion, spoke firmly, “Take care of yourself after I leave, and don't let others bully you.”
Uncle He added, “Bailiff Huo and the bailiffs have been informed to assign you lighter work.”
He Jing nodded, then lowered his head to eat his noodles.
This meal was the best that Fu Zhen and his wife had in three years, and He Jing in a year.
Knowing they all did physical labor, Yuying felt a single bowl of noodles wouldn't be enough, so she asked the waiter to bring three more bowls.
"Wēn Xìng, after eating half a bowl, couldn’t finish and gently pushed it towards her husband."
"Fú Zhèn didn’t say anything and finished the remaining noodles."
"After finishing the meal, they asked the waiter to bring some hot water to their room for washing. But Fú Zhèn and Hé Jìng simply washed up at the well in the backyard, while Wēn Xìng freshened up inside."
"After washing up, Yu Ying remembered her sister-in-law’s clothes were too tattered, so she gave her the only set of spare clothes she had."
"After three years of labor in the quarry, her clothes were so worn they hardly retained their original shape, with frayed cuffs and hems beyond repair, barely enough to cover the body."
"Yu Ying knocked on the door, calling out, 'Sister-in-law, it’s me.'"
"It took a while before her sister-in-law came to open the door."
"When the door opened, Yu Ying finally saw the true appearance of Ah Fu and Fu Ning’s mother."
"She had washed up; the dirt on her face and the mess in her hair were gone. She had delicate features and large eyes, but her cheeks and eye sockets were sunken from long-term exhaustion and poor nutrition."
"Her skin was dark and dry due to exposure to the elements, and her lips were severely chapped. Even her long hair was rough and unkempt."
"With proper care and nourishment, her health can gradually be restored."
"Despite her appearance, she still looked very young."
"But considering that Ah Fu was already eight years old, his aunt's age couldn't be too young, probably just blessed with a youthful face."
"Yu Ying said, 'I've brought a set of clothes for my sister-in-law to change into.'"
"Wen Xing, not good at socializing and somewhat shy, but realizing it was her brother's wife who had redeemed her and her husband, extended her hand in a gesture of invitation, saying tremulously, 'Please, come in.'"
"Yu Ying entered the room and placed the clothes on the table, saying, 'These are my clothes. They might not fit perfectly, but you can alter them when we get back.'"
"Wen Xing whispered, 'Thank you.'"
"Yu Ying looked at her and said, 'Rest well tonight, we will be able to go back home tomorrow morning.'"
As Yuying turned to leave and reached the door, a soft voice came from behind, “An An and Ning Ning...”
Yuying paused and turned back.
Wen Xing's eyes were slightly red as she continued, “Apart from not being able to speak, have they grown up healthy?”
Yuying nodded and replied, “An An is very sensible and looks after his grandmother and sister. Ning Ning is also well-behaved and obedient.”
Hearing this, Wen Xing burst into tears.
Fu Zhen, hearing his wife's crying, quickly returned and saw his brother's wife at the door and his own wife crying inside, puzzled.
Yuying nodded to him and said, “I'll head back first.”
After Yuying left, Fu Zhen asked, “What happened?”
Wen Xing shook her head, speaking softly, “I miss An An and Ning Ning.”
Fu Zhen was silent for a moment before saying hoarsely, “We'll see them the day after tomorrow.”
Back in her room, Yuying opened the window for air and looked towards Lingshui Village.
She wondered how they were doing without her these past couple of days.
Having left for only a few days, Yuying already felt reluctant to be away. She realized she had grown attached to the Fu family.
The atmosphere at the Fu house was somber without Yuying.
Fu Ning stopped smiling, and Fu An spoke less. The once lively courtyard had become quiet.
With Yuying away, Fu Ning had been sleeping with Luo, while Fu An shared a bed with his uncle.
Fu An didn't sleep with his uncle before because he was a stranger to them, and he didn't want to see his grandmother sleeping on the floor while he slept in a bed.
Now that he was familiar with his uncle and his grandmother no longer slept on the floor, Fu An was comfortable with the arrangement.
Lying in bed at night, Fu An tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
After a long while, unable to hold back any longer, Fu An asked in the darkness, "Uncle, Auntie didn't really go back to her maternal home, did she?"
Fu Wei responded with a faint "Hmm."
He knew very well that it was unlikely for Yuying to return to her maternal home because doing so could risk exposing her true identity.
She saw through the situation but did not speak of it, probably because she had no reason to ask her to stay, nor dared to.
His mother understood this, and his nephew had a vague idea as well, hence his question.
Hearing the affirmative response, Fu An's eyes reddened, "So, Auntie will really come back?"
Previously, Fu An had hoped Yuying would leave the Fu family soon, but now he didn't want her to leave at all.
Fu Wei said, "Your auntie is a person of her word. Unless something unforeseen happens, she'll return when she said she would."
Tomorrow is the fourth day; she should be coming back.
"If Auntie is coming back, then why have you been sleeping poorly these past two nights, Uncle?" Fu An was puzzled.
His restlessness stemmed from the worry that Yuying might not return and that he might never see her again.
Fu Wei fell silent, then heard his nephew add, "Uncle, you wake up in the middle of the night calling for Auntie, as if she never left. I've heard it clearly; you must be unaccustomed to her absence."
Fu Wei: "……"
"After a long silence, he said, 'Don’t mention this to your aunt when she returns.'"
"Ah Fu, ever curious, asked, 'Why can’t we tell aunt if uncle is missing her?'"
"Fú Wēi suddenly found himself at a loss for words."
"Fú Ān asked again, 'Is it because uncle is shy?'"
"Fú Wēi inwardly sighed and admitted, albeit reluctantly, 'Yes.'"
"'Then I won’t tell her. Let uncle tell her himself, maybe auntie will be happy.' Fú Ān wasn’t too concerned about this, so he didn’t dwell on the answer. What he really cared about was something else."
"'Where has auntie gone, exactly?'"
"The young but precocious Fú Ān sighed deeply, murmuring, 'I wonder if auntie is hungry, cold, being bullied, or... if she misses us.'"
"Hearing this, Fú Wēi's eyes softened, and he suddenly remembered her resilience, smiling faintly."
"'No, your auntie can take care of herself.'"
