CHAPTER 369: CHAPTER 337: ARE YOU MUTE?

Song Erlang went out to look for Er Ya, and just as he reached the door, he heard Wei Qian’s words, feeling surprised inside.

As Second Lang’s wife saw her husband return, she quickly waved him over, thinking he didn’t know, and recounted Wei Qian’s words, telling him that Sanlang had received a letter, learned that their family’s house and fish pond were gone, and now homeless, had specially sent people to take them to the Capital.

Song Erlang nodded dumbfoundedly, "Yeah, I heard it."

Second Lang’s wife’s long-depressed mood lightened up, "Then quickly pack up your things and let’s go."

After saying this, she looked at Wei Qian, "Are we leaving immediately?"

Wei Qian said, "As long as Second Master and Second Madam are ready, we can leave anytime."

Second Lang’s wife was delighted, seeing her husband still unmoved, she quietly pinched his arm, "Why are you still standing there not moving?"

Song Erlang muttered, "There’s nothing in this place, how do you expect me to pack? Besides, since Sanlang arranged for someone to pick us up, surely we wouldn’t have to lug all this shabby bedding along, right?"

"That makes sense." Second Lang’s wife realized she’d gotten too excited.

Song Erlang glanced at Wei Qian, thinking that he wouldn’t be able to develop such poise and authority even in eight lifetimes.

Having someone incredible like this under him, it was obvious Sanlang was doing exceptionally well in the Capital.

Feeling inadequate, Song Erlang thought for a moment before saying, "Brother Wei, there are so many of you, before you leave, could you help our family look for Sanyang? She has been missing for a long time now."

Wei Qian nodded, "Before coming here, Mr. Song instructed us to do our best to find Miss San."

...

Wei Qian and his people brought a lot of food by cart, all were cooked foods, leaving some in Song Erlang’s tent, and sending the rest to the Wen Family.

This was all at Song Wei’s behest.

However, Song Wei probably didn’t anticipate that the Wen Family had many people, and before Wen Shun could get his share, the few sacks of food were already snatched up by his uncle’s kids, guarded over their sleeping area, forbidding anyone from stealing or taking it.

Mrs. Wu complained about the small amount, grumbling, "That Song Sanlang, enjoying his life in the Capital, just sends this little amount, is it to shoo away beggars?"

Just after she said that, Second Lang’s wife’s mocking laughter was heard from outside, "Shooing beggars might get some thanks, giving it to your family? I’d rather feed it to dogs!"

While speaking, her hands weren’t idle, she directly snatched the buns that Mrs. Wu just got, threw them on the ground, and stomped them fiercely, as if seeing the white buns as Mrs. Wu herself, "Even with food, you can’t keep your mouth shut? Old dirty hag, if my Sanlang hadn’t sent food, you wouldn’t even have warm dung to eat!"

Mrs. Wu was scolded harshly, her forehead veins bulging.

The Zhou Brothers couldn’t bear to listen anymore, stepping forward together, eyebrows raised, faces cold, glaring fiercely, as if warning Second Lang’s wife to keep quiet or else they’d show no mercy.

With support, Second Lang’s wife wanted to let off steam, she didn’t even blink, "Want to hit me, is that it? Go ahead, your mothers can all come at me, let’s see if after hitting me, you can still live."

Earlier when Wei Qian came to deliver food, the Zhou Family members all saw clearly, they were undoubtedly well-trained masters, each highly skilled, not people to easily offend.

Considering Song Wei who held office in the Capital, and the considerable amount of food just sent, the Zhou Brothers exchanged glances, immediately backing down, in a moment, their stern faces softened, calling her "Big Sister", saying the earthquake forced them into desperation, fighting over food, and that it was their own fault that night, hoping she’d be magnanimous, as one who’s going to Beijing to enjoy life as a lady shouldn’t bother with minor folks like them.

Seeing Second Lang’s wife remain unmoved, the two brothers started blaming their mother, saying she had the highest seniority in the tent, not stepping up to mediate was one thing, but actually hitting people was outrageous, and asked her to apologize to Song Erlang’s wife to settle the matter.

Mrs. Wu kept a stiff face, absolutely refusing.

She had been domineering in the village for decades, never bowing to anyone except being bested by Granny Song.

Moreover, in her eyes, Song Tian was just Song Sanlang’s watchdog, relying on power to bully, daring not to step forward before having support?

Seeing their mother’s stubbornness, the Zhou Brothers became anxious.

Even the two sisters-in-law also got angry.

A simple apology could get so much food at such a critical time, why hold onto pride and suffer?

Fearing that Second Lang’s wife would take back the food, the two wives quickly joined in persuading their mother-in-law to give in.

The more they persuaded, the worse Mrs. Wu’s expression became, even more unwilling to apologize to Second Lang’s wife.

Father Wen took Second Lang’s wife aside and advised her that it’s wise to leave some room in dealings, not to push too hard, as it would only cause trouble later on.

Knowing the type of person Mrs. Wu was, Second Lang’s wife didn’t expect her to apologize, and having humiliated her openly, she already felt satisfied.

——

Wei Qian and his men searched for a long time near Upper River Village, inquiring from surviving villagers, but no one had seen Sanyang.

They all said that in such a perilous situation, the little girl had no chance of survival, her body perhaps buried beneath layers of snow.

Without certainty, Wei Qian would not make hasty conclusions. Upon returning, he simply told Second Lang and his wife that they could not find the person.

The couple remained silent.

In their hearts, like a clear mirror, they knew the chances of survival were slim, but they still clung to the last glimmer of hope.

Now, hearing Wei Qian say this, Second Lang’s wife almost concluded that the child was no longer alive. She quietly wiped away tears, "Let’s set off at dawn tomorrow!"

She could wait, but Duobao could not. If the days continued like this, her son would surely freeze to death. Having already lost her third daughter, she could not afford to lose her only son.

——

Before leaving, Wei Qian made a point to see his former masters, Lu Xingzhou and Fanghua.

Having prepared in advance, the earthquake did not affect their family much, and now they lived on flat ground before the mountain.

Fanghua did not expect Wei Qian to personally come to Ningzhou. Surprised, she asked about Wen Wan’s situation in the Capital.

Wei Qian did not want his master to worry about it, but as a Hidden Guard, he couldn’t lie. He had to recount in detail what happened to Wen Wan after Fanghua left Ningzhou.

Actually, nothing special occurred. If there was danger, Wen Wan could foresee it and find a way to change the course of events.

So, in Wei Qian’s view, Wen Wan’s life was always calm, without major waves.

Except for when the Su Family set up Xie Zheng, and Wen Wan made them chop off that mother and daughter’s fingers to threaten Su Yu...

Even knowing her daughter was fine, Fanghua was still worried. She instructed Wei Qian to be especially vigilant against the Su Family, especially Su Yi, that malicious woman, who might find a chance to turn the tables someday.

Wei Qian promised that as long as he was alive, he would protect the Song Family fully.

For the Hidden Guard she had painstakingly nurtured, Fanghua naturally had complete trust.

Before leaving, she entrusted him, if possible, to secretly send a message of safety to the Imperial Palace.

...

The southern weather warms quickly. After the beginning of spring, the ice melted and the snow thawed. In just half a month, while Second Lang and the others were still en route to Beijing, the snow in Ningzhou had already melted, gradually revealing the land’s true appearance.

The government began organizing people to rebuild houses for the displaced residents.

This current Pingjiang County Magistrate was wise and capable, organizing the post-disaster reconstruction efficiently, giving hope to many despondent survivors, who volunteered to join the rebuilding effort.

This spring, it seemed that every inch of Pingjiang County’s land was filled with burgeoning vitality.

——

Outside the gates of the West Mountain Temple, a luxurious and exquisite carriage was parked.

The carriage belonged to the Kangding Bo couple, who had brought their son home to honor their ancestors at the end of the year. Unfortunately, they encountered the earthquake, and the couple had been distributing porridge at the temple for over a month. Now that the disaster situation was gradually stabilizing, the couple was preparing to return to the Capital.

Currently, the Kangding Bo couple was still in the temple, bidding farewell to the Abbot.

At the age of ten, the Heir of Kang Ding, Li Run, emerged first. Just as he lifted the curtain to get on the carriage, he found a disheveled little girl had somehow gotten inside. She must have snuck in to eat, her dirty little hands clutching half-eaten pastries. Caught off guard, she trembled with fear, curled up in a corner of the carriage, and looked at the young heir with wet eyes full of fear.

Li Run paused his action of getting on the carriage, directly confronting her, "Who are you?"

The little girl shook her head vigorously.

She did not remember.

Seeing her remain silent, Li Run asked again, "Are you mute?"

The little girl still shook her head.

Li Run’s brow furrowed slightly, "If not, then why don’t you speak?"

The little girl firmly clutched the soft pastry in her palm.

She did not know who she was, nor did she know her name. She was just very hungry and had seen servants placing pastries on the carriage, so she had seized the chance to slip in and steal some to eat.

She really only wanted something to fill her stomach.

Lady Kang Ding came out the gate, seeing her son standing in front of the carriage, holding the curtain but not getting in, she was puzzled and asked aloud, "Run’er, what are you doing?"