ebookland Chapter 185 The Wolf Appears
Chapter 185 The Wolf Appears
When Song Wanyin and Xiao Jingheng walked out of the house, they saw a new green outside the door. The air in the forest after the rain was particularly fresh.
The flowers, plants and trees in front of the door were washed greener by the rain, and the water droplets on the leaves sparkled with crystal light, like big and small pearls falling on a jade plate.
The old man was working hard in the vegetable garden in front of the door, carrying a hoe and loosening the soil, weeding and applying fertilizer in the vegetable field, while the old woman was picking fresh vegetables on the side.
"The vegetables we grow are big and fresh. You can cook some vegetable porridge and steam some steamed buns and send them to the young couple later."
"I know. I saw that young lady looked frail and she had a serious illness last night. I guess she must be hungry from all the torment."
Song Wanyin and Xiao Jingheng saw how loving the couple was. The scene was very warm and they felt the deep affection between them.
Although the old man and the old woman lived in poverty, they had experienced ups and downs together, had gone through most of their lives together, and were able to stick to their original aspirations, which was in line with the saying:
Hold your hand and grow old together.
The old lady had picked a basket full of fresh vegetables. She turned around and saw them. She said kindly:
"You guys are up? That's great. I'll go make breakfast for you. You should eat more later."
Song Wanyin said gratefully:
"Ma'am, I'm sorry to trouble you."
The old lady smiled and said:
"It's not a problem, everyone has problems.
To be honest, seeing you two reminded me of my poor son.
If he were still alive, he would probably be as old as you are now, and would have married and had children long ago."
Song Wanyin asked with concern:
"Auntie, what happened to your son?"
The old lady's eyes dimmed, tears welled up in her eyes, and she choked up and said:
"When he was eighteen years old, he went hunting in the mountains, hoping to bring us some game to improve our food.
Who would have thought that he would never come back.
Later, we went up the mountain and searched for seven days and seven nights before we found his relics.
The bow and arrow he often used for hunting was covered with bloodstains, and there were broken limbs in the grass, as if it had been attacked by wild beasts.
I had only one son, and he died at a young age, leaving only the two of us to depend on each other."
Song Wanyin could understand her grief over the loss of her son very well, and comforted her softly:
"Auntie, don't be sad. If your son knew about this, he would also be worried about you."
Xiao Jingheng immediately changed the subject and said:
"Auntie, we are here to say goodbye to you. I see you have a bullock cart at home, can you take us for a while?"
Seeing that they were leaving so soon, the old lady turned to look at the old man and asked:
"His father, they want to take the bullock cart, please go back and give them a ride."
The old man readily agreed:
"No problem, but the oxcart runs slowly. If you want to enter the city, it will probably take two days."
Xiao Jingheng shook his head slightly and said:
"Master, we don't want to go into the city. We want to go back to the valley."
When the old man heard this, he was shocked and shook his head and waved his hands:
“You can’t go to that place, as ferocious wild animals often roam the valley.
If you are unlucky, you may encounter bandits along the way."
Seeing that he refused to agree, Xiao Jingheng took off a silver crown from his head and handed it to him, saying:
"Master, please accept this silver crown as our transportation fee."
This time, the two of them rolled down the hillside and his purse fell off, but fortunately some valuables were left behind.
The old man refused to accept it no matter what, so under their constant persuasion, he had no choice but to accept the silver crown and said:
"Okay, let me be frank with you. If you encounter any accidents, don't blame me for not telling you in advance."
After half an incense stick of time, the old lady prepared breakfast and the four of them sat around the table to eat.
The breakfast was very simple. Although it only consisted of a small pot of vegetable porridge and four steamed corn breads, it was the best food this poor family could offer.
Song Wanyin was used to eating delicacies from land and sea on weekdays, and she would occasionally change the taste and eat it with gusto.
"Auntie, your cooking skills are really good. This is the most delicious food I have ever eaten."
Xiao Jingheng only drank the vegetable porridge, fearing that she would not be full, he handed the steamed bread in his hand to her:
"Junior sister, I'm not very hungry.
Eat more and replenish your energy, as you will have a long journey ahead."
Song Wanyin's expression immediately became nervous and she asked with concern:
"Brother, is your wound hurting again? Just drinking vegetable porridge is not enough to fill you up."
Xiao Jingheng stuffed the steamed bread into her hands without saying anything and persuaded her:
"My injuries are not serious, but you look haggard.
Come eat quickly, after that we should set off."
After breakfast, the old man fed the cows grass, took some dry food and water, and took them on the road.
It was a sunny morning. Song Wanyin and Xiao Jingheng sat side by side on the ox cart. The journey was particularly bumpy.
In order to make Song Wanyin sit more comfortably, Xiao Jingheng stretched out his arm and whispered:
"Junior sister, lean on my arms, it will be more comfortable."
Song Wanyin was still worried about touching his wound, but suddenly the ox cart under her passed a bump and bumped heavily, forcing her into his arms.
It seems that this time he is really taking the initiative to throw himself into my arms.
In order to ease her embarrassment, Xiao Jingheng changed the subject and said:
"Junior Sister, where did you import the silk goods from?"
Song Wanyin showed a proud look on her face and smiled:
"I found many ways and channels to import new silk and satin goods from Shu.
This batch of silk is not only of high quality but also of bright colors, making it an excellent choice for making Chinese clothing.
If I can't find these silks and satins, I'm afraid I'll lose my credibility and I won't be able to explain myself to the dignitaries."
Xiao Jingheng said with lingering fear:
"Junior sister, why didn't you tell me in advance that you were going into danger alone?
If anything happens to you, how can I explain to your brother and sister-in-law?
They have entrusted your safety to me, so I cannot be put in an unjust position."
Song Wanyin thought that she had disturbed him too much recently. Firstly, she didn't want to make him worry, and secondly, it was an emergency, so she didn't think too much about it and said apologetically:
"Brother, I was not thoughtful enough about this matter and I am sorry to have made you worry.
However, I also sensed something was wrong through this incident.
Although I was attacked by a tiger on the way, there were assassins lurking in the dark, and they were here to take my life.
I thought it was an assassin sent by the second and third branches of the Gu family, but I found something suspicious."
Xiao Jingheng's eyes were deep, and he asked:
"what have you found?"
Song Wanyin couldn't help but take a breath and said:
“The blades in the hands of those assassins were engraved with white fox totems. My initial guess is that the mastermind behind them must be some high-ranking official.
But I can’t figure it out. I haven’t offended anyone.”
Xiao Jingheng's heart suddenly sank and he fell into deep thought. He silently memorized the white fox totem and planned to investigate it thoroughly after returning.
We must nip all sources of trouble in the bud.
After a long journey, they finally reached the halfway point of the valley.
There is a thin layer of mist in the valley, giving people a mysterious feeling.
The higher the old man went, the more horrified he felt. He trembled with fear and said:
"I, I don't dare to go up, otherwise you can get off here."
Song Wanyin looked around, stood up and got off the ox cart with Xiao Jingheng, and said gratefully:
"Thank you sir."
The old man immediately drove the ox cart down the mountain as if he was running for his life, wishing he could grow a pair of wings and escape from here.
Song Wanyin and Xiao Jingheng walked up the winding and rugged path carefully, for fear of disturbing the wild beasts lurking in the dark.
The valley was full of towering trees and overgrown weeds, making it very difficult to walk.
Xiao Jingheng could only pick up a branch, chop the weeds with force, and struggle to open up a path forward.
Song Wanyin followed closely behind. She didn't know how long she had walked, but her legs felt like they were filled with lead and she had difficulty walking.
Suddenly, a ferocious wolf jumped out of the woods, staring at the two prey that came to its door with greedy eyes.
Song Wanyin's pupils trembled suddenly. These beasts were elusive and hard to guard against. She looked at Xiao Jingheng in fear and said:
"Brother, run!"
Xiao Jingheng was not afraid of the wolf. He protected Song Wanyin behind him with his body and comforted her:
"Little sister, don't be afraid.
Find a secluded place to hide, close your eyes, and don't come out no matter what noise you hear."