The Meng clan members were even more anxious than the constables. They were already at their limit. Without any prompting from the constables, everyone, regardless of gender or age, hurried forward as if snatching steamed buns.
Meng Qingping, calm as always, first led several children to sit under a large tree at the edge of the village, choosing a relatively hidden spot to begin. His old bones and legs, carrying Yu'er all the way, were also struggling.
Fu Xinci watched everything, sitting silently beside her grandfather, enduring the sticky, sweaty odor on her body, her eyes fixed on a spot, thinking of a plan.
The small village before them was not large, with only a dozen households, nestled behind a patch of large trees. Looking closely, they could see low thatched cottages.
At this moment, the village chief also received the news and hurried over with the villagers.
The village chief was a lean man in his forties. Although his rough linen tunic was patched, he showed no fear in his gaze towards the constables and these exiled people.
The boy who had delivered the message to them did not have so many worries, his curious eyes darting over everyone as if watching a spectacle.
At this juncture, it was Jiang tou'er's turn to perform. With a fawning smile, he stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Brother, my companions and I are escorting these disgraced officials' families to Liaodong. We are passing through your territory, parched and weary. We wish to rest our feet and ask for a drink of water."
Jiang tou'er's polite words were very down-to-earth, and he did not seem as ferocious as constables were rumored to be. The village chief's wary expression finally eased.
He pointed to a small hill behind the village and said, "Sir, you are too kind. Our village draws water from the spring behind that hill. However, it hasn't rained for many days, and the water from the spring has become scarce."
After speaking, the village chief had a young boy lead them to fetch water.
Jiang tou'er thanked the village chief, then instructed the dark-skinned big man and Nianzi to fetch water. He also asked a few of the Meng clan members who usually enjoyed grabbing food to gather some dry firewood and branches, intending to use the village chief's stove to prepare some food.
It was so hot, and everyone had been traveling for hours without food or water. At this moment, even a bowl of rice gruel per person was necessary, or lives would be lost.
Those clan members who usually fought for food and drink were about to find an excuse to refuse. Seeing Jiang tou'er glaring at them, they immediately bowed and scraped, chuckling as they went to collect firewood.
Qi He watched as the dark-skinned big man and Nianzi followed the young boy to fetch water. He nimbly took the empty water pouch from Grandpa Meng's hand and, with a cheerful laugh, followed behind them.
Qishan stumbled and placed his younger brother next to his second uncle. Unable to do anything else, he lay down on the ground, no longer wanting to move.
Meng Xiaohe, seeing her elder brother's state, was frightened and at a loss, only able to secretly wipe away tears. Qitian, having a bit more sense, quickly lifted his hem and fanned his brother.
Little Qiren knew that his elder brother was exhausted from carrying him. His eyes were teary, and he dared not cry out loud, for fear of being reprimanded by the constables.
This scene made Fu Xinci feel exceptionally distressed. She stood up and took a few steps forward.
"Ci'er, we are strangers in this land. Don't wander too far."
"Okay." Her grandfather's words reminded Fu Xinci. She returned to his side and, lowering her voice, asked, "Grandfather, can we ask Grandpa Jiang for some cornmeal and cook some thin porridge ourselves?"
Frankly, she really couldn't stomach the sour tasting wowo tou from the original owner's memories.
Meng Qingping also knew that the two children disliked that food and would only eat a few mouthfuls to fill their bellies when they were extremely hungry.
However, they had no connection to these people, and to avoid being disliked, he tried his best not to cause trouble.
Favors were like something that diminished with each use, especially considering their current awkward status.
Seeing her grandfather hesitate, Fu Xinci did not insist. After all, she was not the real eight-year-old girl. She could also understand her grandfather's concerns.
At worst, she would endure during the day and, when night fell, she would secretly take out food from her space and eat it with her grandfather and Yu'er.
Just as Fu Xinci was frowning, her little face full of worry and bitterness, staring at a wilting goosefoot plant in front of her.
She saw Qi He, like a playful monkey, leap back with the water pouch. "Grandpa Meng, drink water, it's very cool."
"Did Xiao Qi drink?"
"I drank."
"Oh." Meng Qingping, seeing that Qi He had drunk, smiled and took the water pouch. He first let Yu'er drink, then Qiren, and after all the children, from youngest to oldest, had drunk, he was the last to drink.
Fortunately, they had long learned to be careful, not causing any commotion among the Meng clan members behind them.
After drinking the cool spring water, Qishan felt much better, although his face was still flushed, and the heat in his body had not yet dissipated.
Qi He weighed the now empty water pouch and thought about going to fetch more water for the journey.
Fu Xinci noticed Qi He's intention. A flash of inspiration struck her, and she stood up to follow him. "Brother Qi, I'll go with you to fetch water."
"Sure." Qi He was not afraid of the heat, but having someone to accompany him made him very happy.
"Brother Qi, sister, I want to go with you too." Yu'er, seeing his sister going to fetch water with Brother Qi, wanted to follow.
However, before Qi He could reply, Meng Qingping first spoke to stop him. "Yu'er, Xiao Qi and your sister are going to fetch water. It's so hot today, even moving makes you sweat. You should stay here and wait with grandfather."
"..."
Seeing that his grandfather wouldn't let him go, Yu'er remained silent, looking longingly at Qi He and his sister.
Fu Xinci also feared Qi He might agree. She quickly crouched down and whispered in Yu'er's ear, "Yu'er, be a good boy and wait here with grandfather. Sister will bring you something delicious when she comes back."
Upon hearing about delicious food, not only Yu'er's eyes lit up, but Xiao Qiren's also followed suit.
Thinking of the small pastries his sister had given him last night, Yu'er couldn't help but swallow, waved his hand, and said generously, "Sister and Brother Qi, go and come back quickly."
"Okay!" Qi He replied even faster than Fu Xinci, and, acting like an older brother, he beckoned to Sister Fu and headed towards the small hill behind them.
At this hour, it was the hottest time of the day. To step out of the shade of the trees required immense courage.
Fu Xinci reached up to wipe the sweat-dampened hair from her forehead and looked up at the scorching, intensely radiant sun. She really wanted to just retreat into her space and not come out.
Unfortunately, Liang Jingru had not given her the courage.
Qi He walked ahead. Seeing Sister Fu, who was behind him, silent, a row of white teeth showed on his tanned little face.
"Sister Fu, if you're too hot, you can go back to the shade and stay. I'll go fetch water myself."