Tuoba Yan's expression was awkward, his face shifting through several emotions, even confusing Ah Jiu.
"Is there any kinetic energy?" Ah Jiu pressed.
Tuoba Yan finally managed a sheepish grin and scratched his head. "Yes."
"That's good then."
Ah Jiu lowered his head and smiled with satisfaction. This way, he, as a ghost, would be even harder to kill.
"Sister Ah Jiu, once I've repelled the enemy, I will definitely come to find you."
Tuoba Yan squeezed the horse's belly, and the hooves pounded as he vanished around the corner of the alley.
Tuoba Yan took out the half-bottle of clear oil he had left from his怀, his gaze determined. Though it was useless, he carefully put it away.
Ah Jiu withdrew his gaze, feeling that Little Yan Yan's complexion seemed off today. He had never looked so weary, even when enduring hardship. Could ghosts get tired too?
Back in the courtyard, Meng Shaode and Cai Lihua were looking at the document with their heads together.
There was a portrait on it, and Tuoba Yan was listed as the guarantor.
"It seems to be real," Cai Lihua said, finally snapping to her senses. She also wanted to stop their journey and fatten up their daughter.
"I think it's real. Little Yan has paved the way for us this time," Meng Shaode said.
"Didn't Tong Zi return to the city a while ago?" Mao Junlan asked.
Yes, Tong Zi had returned to the city after Ah Jiu had healed people at the Yi Zhuang in Nanzhou County. Hua Lan Medical Hall's reputation had soared. Though his medical skills were not exceptional, he had seized the opportunity to return to the city and uphold the establishment's name.
"Dad, Mom, why don't we go into the city for a while to see the situation?" Ah Jiu knew they had fled from Menghua City all the way to Nanming City.
Once war broke out, it would advance from north to south, crushing everything in its path. Furthermore, the Heba Village under Liu County was outside the city. Even if the fighting didn't reach the city walls, it would be the first to be affected.
"That's the only way," Meng Shaode said thoughtfully. Having traveled extensively as a镖师 (bodyguard/courier), he knew the routes. "If we don't go into the city and instead head straight for Lingnan, we would have to pass through Nanzhou County."
Ah Jiu glanced at her father again, knowing what he was about to say. "Nanzhou County has already been sealed off due to the plague."
"Then when do we set off?" Mao Junlan, who had been anxious all along, also felt that entering the city was the only option.
"Let's set off tonight to avoid alarming the other villagers," Cai Lihua said, her face etched with weariness. She truly didn't want to relive the days of famine, but there was no other choice.
Moreover, she was someone who judged people clearly and held onto her affections and grudges. She had no good feelings towards the villagers of Heba Village and had no intention of notifying them to flee together.
Meng Shaode, however, felt indebted to the village elder. "I'll go and inform the village elder. If we suddenly leave, it might seem unrighteous and unbenevolent."
"This is still considered unrighteous and unbenevolent? It's more like doing one's utmost. If you want to go, go, but I don't have the leisure to be a good person."
Cai Lihua's voice was low and sarcastic. She didn't stop her husband from going to deliver the message, but she felt a bit resentful.
After speaking, she huffed and called for Mao Junlan to help her pull out the cart and hitch it to the ox.
Ah Jiu watched their backs as they busied themselves and let out a sigh. She also longed for stability.
More than anyone.
She even fantasized about having a few acres of land, planting spiritual fruits and crops. Even if the seeds became weaker with each generation, Ah Jiu would still have time to follow the seasons. Spring planting, autumn harvest, summer growth, winter storage – what a wonderful life of the four seasons.
The cart had already been hitched to the ox's neck. A few bags of grain were piled on it. The remaining half were left at Grandpa Niu's house.
Ah Jiu looked at the door of the main hall, feeling a sense of guilt.
Her grandmother had said that if Grandpa Niu didn't show up in half a month, it would be a sign of great misfortune.
Thinking of this, Ah Jiu felt a void in her heart as she left.
Looking up at the roof ridge, she saw Wang Shi open her eyes and then lower them, gazing down at Ah Jiu in the courtyard.
"Something wrong?"
"I want to know if Grandpa Niu can still come back?" Ah Jiu lowered her head, biting her lip, suppressing the sadness in her heart.