Chapter 14 Who doesn't have some troublesome relatives!
r, one becomes strong. When it comes to their children, Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru also wiped away their tears. "Mother, shall we start packing our luggage now""Second brother, get me some paper and...She hurriedly pointed to two little dogs on the pier, smiling and teasing her granddaughter.
"Funiua, when we settle down and have a home, Grandma will get you a little dog, okay"
Jia Yin put on a smile and quickly soothed Grandma with coos and giggles, showering Old Li with kisses and affection until her face was covered in drool.
Li Laotai was amused by her, and the two generations were playing when Wu Cuifang pulled Wu Er to run onto the boat, crying.
"Mother! Look who I've found!" Wu Cuifang pushed Wu Er in front of Li Laotai.
Li Laotai had sharp eyes and immediately recognized Wu Er. The smile on her face vanished instantly.
"Auntie, it's me, Wu Er. Ohhh, I finally found my family!"
Wu Er feigned wiping tears, but secretly sized up Li Laotai.
Seeing her dressed neatly and holding a chubby baby, he was even more certain that the Li family had become wealthy. He would cling to them no matter what and refuse to leave.
"What a coincidence, running into you here."
Li Laotai's voice was cold. After being related to the Wu family for over ten years, she had no good feelings towards them at all.
Wu Cuiflower wasn't stupid either. Seeing her mother-in-law like this, she knew her brother wasn't going to be welcoming. She bravely gave up, knelt down and hugged the old woman's legs.
"Mother, my father has been killed by bandits who robbed our grain. My younger brother is begging for food at the docks and was just beaten nearly to death. Mother, please spare my younger brother! He's all I have left!"
Jia Yin nestled in Lao Li's neck, twisted her head to look at Wu Er, and disgustedly crawled back.
She instantly knew this wasn't someone to be trifled with, keeping them around would only cause trouble.
But she wouldn't speak, only whining and whimpering, expressing her displeasure.
"Your father-in-law passed away" Old Madam Li frowned. After all, they were peers, and hearing the news of death suddenly made her feel a little uncomfortable.
Wu Cuifua nodded, crying with snot and tears.
"Mother, let's bring our younger brother along. The Sun family's ship is so big, it won't be any different with one more."
"What nonsense are you talking about Just because someone's boat is bigger, doesn't mean it has to carry more people. There are so many boats at the dock, have you seen anyone just randomly let disaster victims on board"
Li Laotai didn't like Wu Cuifang's self-assured tone and retorted sharply.
"Mother, our Wu family only has this one child left, you can't just stand by and watch him die! Please go beg Mrs. Sun for mercy. Our Funiang just saved Miss Sun..."
"Silence!" Seeing Wu Cuifang speak more and more recklessly, and still trying to use favors to get her way, Li Laotai became even angrier.
Wu Cuifua ignored them all, yelling even louder, attracting several dockworkers to gather and making Li Laotai's face even more unsightly.
Luckily, it was Li Lao Er who drove back and immediately covered Wu Cuifang's mouth.
"Mother, this kind of commotion isn't the solution. It's better to ask for help and plead for them. At worst, we can drive them away when we reach Kyoto."
The son spoke up, and Old Li couldn't ignore him.
If they really didn't bring Wu Er, Wu Cuifang could make the whole dock come to watch the joke.
"You tell him to go down first, wait by the shore, I'll go ask."
Mrs. Li, her face dark with displeasure, took Jia Yin and went to see Madam Sun.
Mrs. Sun happened to be free and idle. Upon hearing Li Laotai explain the situation, she did not refuse.
Every family has some troubles, Ma said. She was willing to take one more person along, but just don't cause any trouble on the boat.
"Madam, please rest assured. I will have people keep a close eye on him at all times and won't allow him to leave the ship. If he so much as acts out of line, you needn't say a word. I will throw him into the river myself."
Li Laotai spoke resolutely, causing Sun's wife to laugh, "It doesn't have to be like this, just drive them away at the dock."
"A kind and compassionate wife will surely be rewarded."
Having had a few words with the others, Old Li put Jia Yin down and coaxed Miss Sun to play. Then she hurried off to deal with Wu Er.
Li Laosi carried several buckets of water, Wu Cuifang helped wash Wu Er clean and changed him into a clean set of clothes. Tao Hongying helped cook a large bowl of porridge.
Wu Er, after a good meal and drink, was ready to wander around the ship.
The result was locked directly in the cabin, not allowed to take a step outside.
Li Laotai pulled Wu Cuifua aside, making sure the siblings could hear clearly.
"How many days are left until we reach Kyoto Wu Er dares to cause trouble and bring shame upon our family, I'll have Lao Si throw both of you siblings into the river! If you have the guts, try it!"
She glared fiercely at Wu Cuiflower, "It's better for you two to drown than to cause trouble and disgrace our Li family, leading us all to be thrown off the ship!"
Wu Cuiflower shrank her neck in fright, and Wu Erzi finally behaved.
However, after just one hour, the Sun family's large ship set sail again.
In a blink of an eye, two or three days passed. Wu Er took advantage of the opportunity and was occasionally allowed to walk on deck.
He was envious, seeing the wealth and prosperity of the Sun family, and wanted to devise some wicked schemes.
But Old Mrs. Li arranged for her family to keep an eye on him, always following behind him.
He had bad intentions, and no chance.
Thus, all went smoothly. Amidst everyone's eager anticipation day and night, the grand vessel finally reached Kyoto.
The Kyoto Pier was larger than any pier I had docked at before. There were no wars or refugees here.
Although the common people passing through weren't dressed in fine silks and robes, their standard of living was clearly a step up compared to those in Minnanling Pier.
Jia Yin was held by Lao Tai Li, she came out of the cabin and looked up to see such a prosperous scene.
But her heart wasn't as excited as the Li family's, instead she secretly sighed.
Such prosperity probably only exists in Kyoto. In lands ravaged by famine, war and turmoil, corpses litter the ground, and wails of mourning echo everywhere. Yet, under the feet of the rulers, there is a scene of unrestrained revelry.
Isn't this another kind of "the aroma of wine and meat from wealthy households while there are frozen bones on the road"
"Funiu'er, we've arrived in Kyoto!"
Old Li was overjoyed, bouncing her granddaughter in her arms. "We won't have to be afraid of the ruffians anymore!"
Zhao Yuru and Tao Hongying also had red eyes, reaching out to touch Jiayin's little face.
Our little Fu Nu is blessed. She'll be living in Kyoto now, so there's nothing to worry about.
Jia Yin spat out a bubble of saliva in response, which made the three women—mother-in-law and daughter-in-law—laugh again.
"Mother, everything is packed. You go tell Mrs. Sun, let's get off the boat quickly" Li Laoer and his brothers, carrying their belongings, came to Li Lao Tai's side.
Mrs. Li responded with a nod and, holding Jia Yin, went to Mrs. Sun's room.
Sun's wife was feeding her daughter, when she saw Old Lady Li enter, and invited her to sit down.
"Madam, thank you so much for your kindness during this time. Now that we've arrived in Kyoto, our whole family would be inconveniencing you if we stayed any longer. As soon as the boat docks, we will have to depart."
Li Laotai was very grateful and sincerely thanked her.
Mrs. Sun was a little reluctant and asked unconsciously, "Are you leaving already"
Instead, she took hold of Old Lady Li's hand, truly earnestly trying to persuade her to stay.
"Li Daniu, your whole family came here as refugees. You probably don't have much to rely on in Kyoto. Why don't you stay with our Sun family We can't promise to protect you for your entire lives, but at least we can ensure you have food and clothing."
Mrs. Sun spoke plainly, and it was out of good intentions.
But Old Li shook her head immediately, for staying at the Sun family meant they would only be servants, forever looked down upon.
Later generations who study and take exams will all be affected.. To appreciate it so attentively was something new.This is the hot spring valley built with all the village's strength and effort, isn't itThis will be their whole village's treasure chest from now o...