Although Meng Yutang cried, he still felt a secret joy in his heart. His brother’s leg was crippled, but at least he was alive.
In this world, for people like them, as long as they could live, nothing else mattered.
“Big Brother.” Only by holding his brother’s warm body could he feel that his brother was still alive.
“Yutang.”
On the way, Commander Qi had already told them about Eagle Beak Cliff and Meng Family Town.
Meng Yuting had been in a dazed state. At this moment, with his younger brother’s real embrace, he felt truly alive.
Bao’er returned from his studies with his granduncle and Uncle Xinyu to find white mourning banners hanging at the entrance of their home.
(After Meng Xiaohe got married, Meng Yutang brought Bao’er back to raise him. During the day, Bao’er attended school with the Fu Yu father and son, and at night, he shared a room with his uncle.)
Fu Yu looked at the white banners at the entrance of the main house and guessed that the former Duke Meng must have passed away.
Just as he was about to ask Bao’er if he dared to enter the courtyard alone, he saw Meng Yutang, with red eyes and wearing mourning clothes, walk out from the courtyard.
Meng Yutang came out at this hour because he knew Bao’er would be returning from his studies and he was afraid that Bao’er would see the scene at the doorstep and be afraid to enter.
When he stepped out of the courtyard and saw Fu Yu bringing Bao’er back, he quickly greeted them.
“Uncle Yu.”
“Yutang, this is…?” Fu Yu did not probe further.
Meng Yutang, aware of the irreconcilable animosity between his grandfather and his second granduncle, did not explain in detail. He briefly mentioned the news of his grandfather’s passing and the death of his father and second uncle in battle.
Fu Yu listened without saying much. He could guess that it was likely that the two cousins had died in battle together, and the elder one could not bear the blow and passed away.
The deceased were gone. He gently said, “My condolences,” and took Yu’er home.
Bao’er had been standing by the side without a word. Now that his granduncle had gone home, he sidled up to Meng Yutang and hesitantly called out, “Little Uncle.”
“Bao’er, be good. Come in quickly with your little uncle. Your father is back.”
“My father?” Bao’er’s voice was filled with surprise and uncertainty. He thought he had misheard.
“Yes, your father is back.” After speaking, Meng Yutang took Bao’er’s hand and walked into their courtyard.
As the last ray of sunset disappeared, the sky gradually darkened.
Grandpa Meng sat in his room, without lighting a lamp.
In the darkness, the old man felt a moment of uncertainty. The person he had hated his whole life was gone just like that?
Could he then let go of his immense hatred for that person and live the rest of his days in peace?
Outside, he heard Madam Fang calling Fu Yu to bring dinner. The Meng family’s dinner had always been eaten by Fu Yu, his two sons, and Qi He, accompanying the old man.
Tonight, Qi He had not yet returned.
“Father, Xiao Yun and the others have picked a lot of shepherd’s purse today and made steamed buns. They say they taste good. Let’s hurry and try them while they’re hot.”
“Mm. Has Xiao He not finished his shift yet today?”
“It seems so. Xiao Yun saved him some buns, we’ll eat first.”
“Mm.” The old man washed his hands and sat by the low table, waiting for his children and grandchildren to sit down before picking up his chopsticks in order.
Ning’er seemed to know that the atmosphere at home was different from usual. After eating a large bun, she quietly went to find her sister.
In the kitchen, dinner was also being eaten at two tables. Madam Fang, along with Fu Xinci and Madam Tian and her daughter, sat at one table, and the two maids sat at another.
There were no rules about not speaking while eating or sleeping here. Madam Tian quietly gestured towards the main house of the Meng family and lowered her voice to speak to Madam Fu, “Sister-in-law Yu, the elder aunt and the two sisters-in-law over there seem to be in a stupor.”
“Sigh.” Although the person in the main house and their own family were considered enemies, death was like a extinguished lamp, and Madam Fu could not say much.
Ke’er was clever. Seeing that her mother was talking about the sad matters of the main house while eating dinner, she quickly interrupted, “Auntie, these shepherd’s purse stuffed steamed buns taste really good. Shall we go pick some more tomorrow?”
“Alright. No need to go elsewhere, our fruit forest has plenty, and it grows better than outside.”
“Exactly. Ke’er’s father said that in the past two years, Uncle Eleven has taken such good care of our fruit forest that people in town are envious.”
“Mm, especially when the flowers bloom, many people stand by the river and watch.”
“I see many flower buds, so this year should yield more fruit than last year.”
“The more, the better. We seek abundance.”
When it came to their harvest, Madam Fu’s words clearly became more numerous.
Ke’er also secretly tugged at her mother’s sleeve, urging her mother not to talk about the matters of the main house anymore.
Madam Tian was not foolish. With her daughter’s reminder, she realized she had said something she shouldn’t have. She ate her steamed bun and refused to speak proactively anymore.
Qi He returned very late, when all the stars were out in the sky.
After he briefly washed up, Yu’er brought him a bowl of hot steamed buns and egg soup from the kitchen.
After a large mouthful of egg soup, Qi He regained a bit of his spirit and said, “I was so hungry my back was sticking to my stomach.” After speaking, Qi He picked up a plump white bun and took a big bite.
Grandpa Meng sat opposite him. After Qi He finished eating, he began to chat with him about family matters.
“Xiao He, have your father come to the house tomorrow. I have something to discuss with him.”
“Yes, I’ll go tell my father first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Mm. I, this old man, am thinking that this way of yours is not sustainable. Tomorrow, your father and I will discuss building a few sturdy rooms by the forest. This way, when you are tired, or when it’s windy and rainy, you’ll have a place to shelter from the wind and rain and rest.”
“Mm.” Qi He felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing Grandpa Meng’s words. “It’s still Grandpa Meng who cares about us. Grandpa Meng, look at my face. Not only has it gotten darker from the sun these past few days, but I’ve also lost weight from hunger.”
“Indeed. The sea wind is also strong, look how chapped this little face is.”
The more Grandpa Meng thought about it, the more he felt this matter could not be delayed. “The season is still good, but after some time, when the rainy season arrives, you will suffer even more. After I talk to your father tomorrow, we will start construction immediately.”
“Mm.” Qi He was excited, wishing he could go find his father right now.
The next day was another sunny day. Qi Yuanshan was invited over early by his son.
After he heard what Uncle Meng had to say, he slapped his thigh, “Uncle Meng, if you hadn’t reminded me, I would never have thought of it.”
It was not Qi Yuanshan’s fault for not thinking of it. He had been so busy lately, with matters at the Thousand Households Office piling up one after another, that he had no time to consider such a small matter.
“It’s fine that you didn’t think of it. Uncle will think of this matter for you.” Grandpa Meng said, and then he picked up a drawing he had made the night before and showed it to Qi Yuanshan.