"It's fine. The water didn't rise any further at the critical moment, and Xiao Yun and I were stranded up high for several days. Fortunately, there was a small hut built by a hunter where we could shelter. We only returned to the city after the water receded."
Fu Yu never expected that their slight deviation would cause them to escape the troubles of the Duke's mansion. Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, he didn't know.
"When Xiao Yun and I returned to the city, we passed by the Fang family's home and went to her mother's place first." Fu Yu didn't mention that they were so disheveled that not even their own mothers would recognize them.
At that time, Fang Xiaoyun suggested they go to her mother's home to clean up before returning home. After all, in this small county town, Fu Yu was somewhat of a celebrity due to his father-in-law's position. If he returned looking so unkempt, she feared they would be laughed at by acquaintances they might meet on the way.
The Fang family lived on the outskirts of the city, on the path back to town.
"Fortunately, the Fang family lived at the end of the village. Before we even reached their doorstep, my mother-in-law recognized us. Seeing that no one was around, she pulled us inside."
"When my mother-in-law saw us, she first cried, then laughed, and then cried again while laughing."
"Later, we learned from my mother-in-law that our family had been implicated by Duke Meng's mansion, and that you and the two children had already been escorted to the capital. I was very anxious and wanted to go to the capital immediately to find you, but my mother-in-law wouldn't allow it. She said that your father and Xiao Tao had received the news and had already taken all the family's savings to go to the capital with them."
Fu Yu still remembered his mother-in-law's words: "Since heaven has let you two young people live, you should obediently stay at home and wait. When your father and Xiao Tao return with accurate news, we will make plans. Otherwise, if you go now, you'll just be walking into a trap, taking two more lives."
"Your mother-in-law is a sensible person." Hearing his son's words, Meng Qingping also greatly admired his mother-in-law's wisdom.
"Yes, even though our hearts were like being cut by knives and burned by fire, we had to endure and wait. Fortunately, when my father-in-law and Xiao Tao returned, the news they brought back wasn't too bad. My father-in-law then represented me and sold the courtyard and land left by my maternal grandfather."
"The property left by your maternal grandfather belonged to you and your mother. You can dispose of it as you wish, but..." Meng Qingping thought of how good his father-in-law and mother-in-law had been to their family, and his heart couldn't help but sigh again.
Afraid that his father would become more sorrowful, Fu Yu quickly added, "Uncle Ma also secretly sent Xiao Hua to gather everything we could find in our home and send it to my father-in-law's house."
"Your Uncle Ma took great pains." Meng Qingping thought of how he and Magistrate Ma had diligently governed that small city together over the years, and his heart ached again. He feared they might never have the chance to see each other again.
"Yes. When you were escorted to the capital, Uncle Ma temporarily took over your position as magistrate."
"It would be a blessing for the city if your Uncle Ma could take over the position of magistrate."
"We don't know what happened after we left." Fu Yu shared the same thought as his father. He really hoped Magistrate Ma could take over as magistrate. After all, he had grown up in that small city, and he hoped the city would continue to prosper.
"What happened then?" Meng Qingping was very eager to know how his son and daughter-in-law found their way to them.
"After discussing it with my father-in-law and mother-in-law, I intended for Xiaoyun to stay at her mother's home while I came to find you. However, Xiaoyun refused, insisting on coming with me." Thinking of his wife's stubbornness, Fu Yu's heart felt a mix of bitterness and sweetness.
Fang Xiaoyun, who had been silent, spoke up at the right time, "How could I rest assured letting you go north alone? Besides, I want to see the children as soon as possible. I don't want to wait another day."
"Yes, we couldn't wait any longer. My father-in-law's original intention was for us to travel with the escort agency, as it would be safer on the road. However, the escort agency wouldn't be heading north for a few more days, so while my father-in-law and mother-in-law were at a banquet, we secretly took our donkey cart, packed some light belongings, and set off."
"You two, how could you be so daring? There are countless bandits in Beizhili."
"Countless? How come we didn't encounter any?" Qi He, who had been silent, asked curiously.
Hearing Qi He's question, before Meng Qingping could answer, Jiang Tou'er chuckled, "You brat, you don't know this? Those robbers are as cunning as monkeys. What's the use of them robbing exiled prisoners?"
"That's true. These people have no money, no possessions, and they all stink." Qi He's careless remark drew a burst of laughter from the officers.
"Haha... You're good at talking, boy. You've got a way with words."
"Why are you laughing? Am I wrong?"
"Right, right, absolutely right." Nianzai patted Qi He's small shoulder and said with a smile.
"Then what happened next?" Meng Qingping was not in the mood to laugh. Although his son and daughter-in-law were by his side, he was still worried about their experiences on the journey.
"Father, we were very lucky. As soon as we set foot in Beizhili, we met Brother Wu and the others. They were going to Liaodong to trade goods, so we traveled north together."
"Your luck is indeed very good." Meng Qingping said "you all," and not only Fu Yu understood, but Wu Laoda also heard it. However, he said nothing, just smiled sheepishly.
Often, when they were forced to take risks, it was out of necessity. They had to live, and they had families to support.
Therefore, many times, even when they knew the road ahead was perilous, they would still forge ahead without hesitation.
As the saying goes, they had to support themselves and their families.
Moreover, this was the only season to go to Liaodong. Otherwise, when the weather got cold and there was heavy snow, they would freeze to death on the road.
Fortunately, this journey, as Fu Yu's father said, they were very lucky and did not encounter any bandits.
Everyone listened silently as Fu Yu recounted their experiences on the journey. Suddenly, Qi He exclaimed, "Brother Nian, quickly smell it. Doesn't something smell burnt? I smell a scorched odor."
As Qi He spoke, Fu Xinci suddenly remembered the potatoes she had buried in the fire. She quickly pointed at the fire and shouted, "Brother Qi, the potatoes, the potatoes I buried in the fire."
"Ah?" By this time, Qi He also remembered this, and he and Nianzi carefully dug into the fire.
When the two of them dug out dark lumps emitting a burnt aroma, everyone's eyes were instantly drawn to them. The stomachs of the merchants who hadn't eaten lunch yet rumbled uncontrollably.
"What is this?" Fu Yu asked, looking at the dark lumps, rubbing his shrunken stomach, and asked puzzledly.
"Yes, what is this? It smells quite good too." Wu Laoda was also very curious about what it was.