Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 161

“The blessings that Immortal Elder gave me, I already used them all on that osmanthus tree by the Dongjun River. I don’t have a single bit of blessing left on me. If anyone wants blessings, just go worship that osmanthus tree. Looking for me is useless!” Ying Su spoke with a completely serious face, spouting nonsense.

The people listening were half in doubt, but when they thought about how that osmanthus tree had come back to life, they couldn’t help but believe her a little. Still, they blocked the way, saying, “Cuihua, after all, the Immortal Elder enlightened you. You can’t just leave…”

“Cuihua is my daughter-in-law. I already said she can leave. What right do you have to keep her?” Madam Li said bluntly. Li Dalang and his wife chimed in too, “Don’t delay Cuihua. Our younger brother’s wife is going home, what are you blocking her for?”

Seeing how the Li family protected Shen Cuihua like this, the crowd’s momentum weakened a bit.

“If you keep blocking, when my big brother loses his temper, his anger isn’t something you can bear!” Ying Su threatened them with Shen Changge.

Shen Changge cooperated by putting on a fierce expression. After all, he had crawled through piles of corpses on the northwest battlefield, his murderous aura was heavy. Seeing his demeanor, several people couldn’t help feeling afraid. Considering too that he held an official post, they dared not make trouble anymore and gave way.

With a flick of the whip, Shen Changge urged the ox cart forward. Shen Changyun followed close behind. By the time Village Head Zhang arrived at the entrance, there was no one left.

Shen Changge, long used to riding horses in the northwest, almost treated the ox cart as if it were a horse, driving it fast. The scenery on both sides flew past, the wind blowing across their cheeks cool and refreshing. The little bun was overjoyed, standing in the cart, shouting and laughing.

Hearing him, Shen Changge also shouted along.

Ying Su watched the little bun, so carefree and innocent, pure childlike joy on his face. The corners of her lips curved up unconsciously.

When she came back to herself, she realized the family’s ox was being driven so hard it was huffing and puffing, and her younger brother had been left far behind. She quickly called out, “Big brother, don’t wear the ox out! Changyun can barely keep up!”

Hearing that, Shen Changge laughed heartily, then pulled the reins to gradually slow the ox.

By the time they reached Shili Town, the sky was already dim. Each of them ate a bowl of thin-skinned, meat-filled wontons for dinner, then hurried on toward Xiling Village.

When they reached the village, it was already past the hour of the dog (7:00 to 9:00PM.) The whole place was dark, with only a faint glow from a few houses.

As soon as the two ox carts entered, the barking of dogs broke out, causing quite a stir. Ying Su lifted the lantern high, just a kerosene lamp covered with a roughly pasted paper shade to keep the wind from blowing it out.

When they arrived at the gate of the house, it was pitch dark. Shen Changge reined in the cart, jumped down, and lifted the little bun off.

“Quietly, father and mother are probably asleep,” Ying Su whispered as she jumped down too.

“No way, father and mother definitely aren’t asleep!” Shen Changyun said confidently. “They just didn’t light the lamp to save oil.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Hefu’s voice came from the courtyard, cautious and probing, “Who’s there? Is it Gedan and Yunzi?”

(Note: Changge’s nickname – Gedan, Changyun’s nickname – Yunzi)

Shen Changge pulled a face. “Dad, I’m this old already, can’t you stop calling me by my childhood name?”

At that, Ying Su, Huzi, and Shen Changyun all burst into laughter.

Inside, the sound of a latch being lifted came, and then the courtyard gate opened, revealing Shen Hefu’s dark face. Seeing Ying Su holding the little bun’s hand, he exclaimed with joy, “Cuihua’s back?”

Cuihua quickly called him “Dad,” then told the little bun, “This is your grandfather.”

The little bun sweetly called out, “Grandpa.”

That made Shen Hefu overjoyed. He quickly took the little bun into his arms, hugging him tightly. “Good grandson, you’ve grown so big already! Truly…”

He was so happy he couldn’t even find the words. Thinking how delighted his wife would be to see her grandson, he hurriedly said, “I’ll take Huzi to let your mother see him first!”

Shen Changyun sighed. “Ah, I’m about to lose my place.” Nudging Ying Su’s shoulder, he said, “Sis, you’ll have to dote on me more from now on!”

Ying Su knocked him on the head. “How old are you, still fighting for affection? Shameful!”

Shen Changge also knocked him on the forehead, imitating Ying Su, “How old are you, still like a child? Shameful!”

The two laughed together while Shen Changyun held his head in grievance.

After the three siblings bantered for a bit, they quickly drove the carts into the courtyard. Inside, oil lamps had already been lit. From the courtyard they could hear Mother Shen’s delighted voice, calling her good grandson sweetly. Whatever the little bun said made both Father Shen and Mother Shen laugh aloud.

Afraid the chicks would suffocate, Ying Su quickly uncovered the chicken basket. Seeing the little chicks still lively, she scattered a handful of bran, mixed with water, and fed them.

Father Shen came out to tell them there was hot water in the pot. It was summer, and they were sweating a lot, so he urged the three to wash up.

Shen Changge and Shen Changyun splashed water on their faces, then, after a word to their parents, went to stay at Wang Dachui’s house. They had arranged it beforehand, and Wang Dachui had left the door open for them.

After Ying Su washed up, she wiped herself down in the dark of the courtyard before entering the house.

The little bun was already sprawled on Mother Shen’s bed, happily chatting away, calling “Grandpa, Grandma” with every sentence. It was clear he was overjoyed, and the elders too were delighted.

Ying Su called him out to wash his face and rinse his mouth. Huzi obediently climbed down and went out to wash up.

Seeing such a small child going out alone, Father Shen couldn’t bear it and wanted to help, but Ying Su stopped him.

“Dad, he must do his own things. He needs to build the habit of independence from young.”

Shen Hefu hesitated, but chose to listen to his daughter and didn’t interfere.

Outside, Huzi said, “I can wash my face by myself, Grandpa, don’t worry.”

Hearing that, Shen Hefu’s face filled with pride. He said to Mother Shen, “Huzi is such an obedient, sensible child. Cuihua raised him well.”

Mother Shen agreed. Ying Su noticed her complexion looked better than last time and asked, “Mom, how’s your health lately?”

Mother Shen, seeing her worry, quickly replied, “Much better, much better. Before, even moving a bit left me exhausted and breathless, and the wind gave me headaches. Now I can walk around the courtyard.”

“I’ve just met a doctor, quite skilled. Tomorrow I’ll go with big brother to invite him here to take a look at you,” Ying Su said.

Mother Shen quickly waved her hand. “No, no, the medicine you gave me last time, I haven’t finished it yet.”

Ying Su knew she was only worried about money. She said, “Mom, nothing is more important than health. Don’t worry about the cost. No matter how much, as long as it cures you, it’s worth it.”

“You child…” Mother Shen’s heart warmed at her daughter’s love, but she also felt distressed. “Earning money isn’t easy. Save it well, don’t go spending on unnecessary things.”

“Mom, don’t worry about that. Just focus on getting better. Once you’re healthy, you can help me watch over Huzi, right?” Ying Su leaned close and said.

Thinking of that, Mother Shen agreed. In her current state she couldn’t do anything, not even cook a bowl of rice for the children. She secretly resolved to nurse herself back to health well, so she could look after her good grandson.