Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

When it came to Da Mao, the usually gentle Liu Zhi’er instantly flared up!

“That’s the point! To be a mother is to be tough! To be a mother is to be strong! If you want Da Mao to grow up carefree, it ultimately depends on you being strong and standing up for yourself.”

Liu Sisi didn’t say any more, as many things were better left unsaid, and saying too much might be counterproductive.

“Go to sleep! It’s not early anymore.”

As she spoke, she turned around with her back to the inside. It took quite a while for her to stop thinking wild thoughts and finally fall asleep.

On the other hand, Liu Zhi’er lay there tossing and turning, thinking about what had been said, and only managed to force herself to sleep as daybreak approached.

As a result, the next day they both woke up late. By the time she arrived in front of the shop, Aunt Cao was already waiting for her there.

Today, Liu Sisi didn’t rush out the door. She was waiting!

Waiting for news from the city side to arrive.

Pining for news of the city, not only Liu Sisi but also County Magistrate Su and Xin Quan were eager for it. Native officials rushed, batch after batch, back and forth, and the hectic pace continued all morning.

“How come the messenger still hasn’t arrived? Has something happened on the way?”

Not stopping, County Magistrate Su paced back and forth in the front hall.

It wasn’t until Xin Quan finally spoke up that he stopped.

“Lord Su, can’t you just sit down and wait patiently? You’ve been pacing here since early this morning, and it’s making my head dizzy. What time is it now? Could the messenger grow wings and fly?”

“How can you blame me? The matter is too important, and my heart is flustered.”

County Magistrate Su finally stopped his pacing and, suppressing the anxiety in his heart, sat down in a chair.

“I woke up this morning, and my right eye kept twitching! People say that the left eye twitches for wealth and the right eye twitches for disaster. Is there going to be some unfortunate incident today?”

“Pooh, pooh, pooh! It’s just an old wives’ tale. What bad things can happen? Don’t always think about things that don’t exist!”

Xin Quan forcefully threw away the date kernel in his hand and glared at County Magistrate Su. The kernel bounced twice on the table, vanishing somewhere.

“Don’t forget, I staked my own wealth and life on this, as well as my uncle’s future. There is no room for you to back out at this moment!”

“I also staked a niece on it! If it doesn’t work out, I don’t even know how to explain it!”

The more County Magistrate Su spoke, the more restless he felt, as if several cats were jumping around in his heart!

“No! I still feel uneasy in my heart. I have to send another team of people to check it out.”

As he spoke, County Magistrate Su turned and ordered the governmental office’s runners nearby, “Come on! Send two more people to see why the messenger hasn’t arrived yet. And send another two people to the black prison to see if that Di is still behaving.”

A moment of hesitation crossed the face of the governmental office’s runner. “Your Honor, the two people who went to check on the messenger just returned and said they didn’t see anyone. And the men who went to the black prison also just returned, saying that the man surnamed Di was still sitting against the wall without any unusual behavior.”

“Stop your endless chatter! I told you to go and check again, so hurry up! Our generous monthly payments of food, drink, and silver must have gone to feed the dogs!”

County Magistrate Su reprimanded, and the government office’s runner had no choice but to leave and pass on the message again.

In contrast to the vigilance of the two men here, Liu Sisi in Liuping Town was quite composed.

“Miss, a message came from over there, saying that the messenger has already crossed the Dadu River and is moving quickly along the official road towards the county, so he should arrive at most two hours from now. Please instruct, miss.”

A figure suddenly appeared in front of Liu Sisi, as if emerging from the void, and knelt down at her feet.

“Quite a fast pace indeed! It’s hard to imagine that the Li Sect has so many experts!”

Liu Sisi chuckled lightly.

Today, she wore a plain light blue dress and had her hair done up in a simple cloud bun adorned with a few small pearls. No other embellishments were worn, making her look especially spirited and capable.

“Instruct them to proceed as planned. No one will be allowed to harm a single hair on him! If necessary, activate the fifth plan!”

Ye Lei, I won’t let anyone separate us for any reason!

“Yes, Miss.”

The figure bowed and then vanished towards the doorway, disappearing from sight as if it had never been there.

Knock, knock, knock!

“Madam, someone is seeking an audience outside.” Old Cheng’s voice came from outside.

“Who is it?”

Who would come looking for her at a time like this?

“It’s someone from the old house.”

Sure enough, it was someone from the old house. Led by Old Cheng, Ms. Xin entered.

“Third Sister-in-law, how has your health been recently?” Making conversation, Ms. Xin greeted her formally.

With a casual glance, Liu Sisi noticed that Ms. Xin’s stomach was slightly protruding. It had been four months, after all!

“Good. Sit down, sister-in-law, and tell me what’s going on. What brings you here?”

Following Liu Sisi’s words, Ms. Xin sat down and hesitated for a moment before whispering, “Third Sister-in-law, are you going to the city today? And to the government office?”

“Why would you ask that?” Liu Sisi raised an eyebrow in surprise. How did the other person know?

“I… Third Sister-in-law, if you’re going to the city, please take Cui’er with you. Let her stay by your side, much better than having Ms. Gao with you!”

Growing more anxious with every word, Ms. Xin continued, “Third Sister-in-law, Cui’er will never do anything to harm you. Please let her be with you! Let Cui’er repay your kindness for helping her escape last time!”

“Cui’er, do you know something?” Liu Sisi asked seriously.

Thinking back to yesterday evening’s incident, Ms. Xin’s eyes darkened, and she unconsciously grasped her square headscarf tightly in her hand.

“No, not really! Really not, Third Sister-in-law, don’t ask. Just let Cui’er be with you, Cui’er…”

As Ms. Xin spoke, she slowly knelt down.

“What are you doing? If you don’t care for yourself, at least think about the child in your stomach. Get up!”

Liu Sisi scolded her hastily, but when Ms. Xin didn’t budge, Liu Sisi sighed helplessly, “It’s not that I don’t want to take you with me. I just didn’t plan to go to the city myself. How can I take you?”

“Cui’er heard that you’ve been going to the city every day lately. How come…?”

It seemed like the other person had been keeping a close eye on her!

Liu Sisi suddenly changed her mind.

“Get up! Didn’t you say you wanted to go to the city with me? What are you still kneeling for?”