Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 160

The little bun obediently puckered his lips and planted a kiss on Shen Changge’s cheek, making Shen Changge burst into hearty laughter. He then asked Ying Su where there was a bamboo grove at the foot of Mount Dongjun, took some tools, and went to cut a few stalks of bamboo.

Before long, he had woven a fairly large chicken cage, which delighted The little bun to no end.

When Shen Changyun and the others came, they had borrowed Wang Dachui’s ox cart. Ying Su’s family also had a newly bought ox cart, so with two carts, it was more than enough to carry everything. Ying Su even took all the grain from home with her.

Liu Chuncao, having guessed the Shen brothers’ intention and knowing that Ying Su and her son might leave, came together with Madam Li and Li Jinfeng to check. To their surprise, they saw Ying Su locking the courtyard gate, with the carts already packed, clearly about to depart.

“Cuihua, you’re leaving already?” Madam Li’s heart filled with reluctance. After all, they had lived together for several years. She walked over, picked up Huzi, and held him tightly.

“My mother isn’t in good health. If I go back sooner, I can take care of her sooner,” Ying Su said with a smile.

She pulled a money pouch from her sleeve and pressed it into Madam Li’s hand, holding her hand tightly. With genuine sincerity, she said, “Thank you, Mother-in-law, for all your care over these years. I’ll always remember this kindness. If you ever need anything from me, Cuihua, in the future, just come find me.”

The fact that Cuihua and her son were still alive was entirely due to Madam Li’s kindness. Ying Su knew this well. In this life, if Madam Li ever sought her help, as long as it was within her ability, she would never refuse. It was also her way of repaying Madam Li on behalf of the real Cuihua, who had already passed away.

The little bun, too, was deeply attached to Madam Li. But he understood that he was not the same as Dazhuang. Though his wet nurse loved him as well, there was still a layer of distance. He was always well-behaved in front of Madam Li and never threw tantrums.

Madam Li, of course, was unwilling to take the money. In recent days, thanks to Cuihua’s good fortune, her eldest son and his wife had already earned plenty. As the old saying went, “Good fortune doubles when shared.” She could see clearly that Cuihua was the sort of person who remembered kindness and knew how to repay it.

“I can’t accept this money. What could an old woman like me possibly spend it on? Whatever the family lacks, Dalang and his wife buy. Now that they can make money, I lack neither food nor clothing. How could I still take your money?” Madam Li stuffed the pouch back into Ying Su’s hand.

“Huzi is still so young. There’ll be plenty of expenses in the future! Keep this money for him to buy meat to eat.” With reluctance in her eyes, Madam Li pressed her forehead against Huzi’s.

“Please accept it. From now on, Huzi and I won’t always be by your side, and we won’t be able to show our filial piety,” Ying Su insisted, pushing the pouch back into Madam Li’s hand.

Just as Madam Li was about to refuse again, The little bun urged gently, “Grandmother, please just take it!”

Seeing her usually thrifty son so generous this time, Ying Su couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“Just thinking that I won’t be able to see Huzi often anymore makes me really sad…” Madam Li stroked the boy’s head.

Huzi, ever considerate, said softly, “Grandmother, later Mother and I will come back to visit you.”

Hearing this, Madam Li’s eyes reddened, and tears began to fall uncontrollably. Old folks always cherished children. Though Huzi wasn’t her biological grandson, she had watched him grow up. He was such a sweet and sensible child, she couldn’t bear to part with him.

When The little bun saw his grandmother crying, he quickly reached out his little hands to wipe away her tears, comforting her: “Don’t cry, Grandmother. Mother and I will come back soon to see you.”

This heartfelt parting between the elderly and the young stirred bittersweet emotions in Ying Su’s heart. Perhaps this was true kinship, the sorrowful sweetness of it made her feel warm inside.

Li Jinfeng, too, was wiping away tears, crying, “Why are you leaving so suddenly? I thought you’d stay a while longer!”

Ying Su smiled and comforted her, “There are still plenty of things I haven’t brought with me. I’ll have to come back in a few days. And when you get married, I’ll certainly return as well.”

Sniffling, Li Jinfeng said through her tears, “How could you not come back? I’m counting on you to add something extra to my dowry!”

Her words made everyone laugh. Remembering that the two Shen brothers were standing nearby, her face flushed, and she laughed shyly.

“Have you packed everything properly? If you can’t carry it all, Dalang and I can help send you back,” Liu Chuncao offered warmly.

Through their time together these days, she could see that Ying Su was no longer the same as before. No matter how big the problem, she always found a way to solve it. That alone won Liu Chuncao’s deep respect.

Moreover, Ying Su had entrusted the town shop entirely to her and her husband, never treating them as outsiders. However much silver they made in a month, whatever share they gave her, she accepted directly without ever checking the accounts. That level of trust made Liu Chuncao and her husband feel both comfortable and grateful, and they sincerely wanted to treat Ying Su well.

“It’s all packed. It’s getting late, by the time we get home, it’ll probably be dark. We’ll head off now.” Ying Su took Huzi back from Madam Li’s arms.

They climbed onto the ox cart and sat atop the bundles of clothes and bedding, so the ride would be softer. After all, the road to Xiling Village was twenty li long, full of bumps and potholes, by the time they got home, their behinds would be sore.

Shen Changyun and Shen Changge each drove one cart, and Ying Su had placed cushions under their seats to make it a bit more comfortable.

Madam Li’s whole family reluctantly escorted them to the village entrance. Many villagers, seeing Ying Su and her son leaving with such a large move, grew suspicious and began whispering among themselves, if Cuihua really left, would Dongjun Village lose her blessings?

Thinking of this, some hurriedly said, “Let’s go stop the cart, we can’t let Cuihua just leave like that! You, go tell the village head!”

As they spoke, someone ran off to fetch the headman, while others rushed to block Ying Su’s cart, smiling as they asked, “Cuihua, where are you going?”

The ox cart halted. Ying Su replied coolly, “I’m going back to my parents’ home. Why?”

The villagers fawned, smiling, “Why are you bringing so many things? Looks like you’re moving!”

“Whether I move or not, that’s my business, isn’t it? I’m a widow, if I want to return to my parents’ house, is there anyone who won’t allow it?” It was already late, and Ying Su didn’t want to waste words on them. She signaled Shen Changge to drive on.

But those villagers stubbornly blocked the way. Madam Li and the others, seeing this, hurried over and demanded, “What are you doing?”

One man chuckled and said, “Cuihua is a blessed person, our Dongjun Village all benefits from her fortune! If she leaves, what will happen to our village?”

Hearing this, Ying Su’s anger rose. These people were shamelessly selfish. Just because she was blessed, did she have to stay in Dongjun Village forever? Back then, when Feng Qiufang called her a jinx, weren’t many of these same villagers shouting that she should be burned to death?