Chapter 98: Fubao

When Fubao came earlier, she had ridden in a carriage, unable to see the scenery outside. Now, tied to Pear Blossom’s chest, her little head peeked out, watching the trees, houses, and fields retreating along the roadside. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and she couldn’t help but call out loudly.

Pear Blossom felt sorry for her, having been confined to the yard for over a month without being able to come out, so she didn’t stop her and let her shout.

However, Pear Blossom had the system plan the route, avoiding areas where there were many refugees or dense populations, and detouring around them. Although it added an extra fifteen minutes, according to the information from the system, there were indeed many refugees and bandits wandering within a ten-mile radius, and some areas had even experienced conflicts. So, Pear Blossom figured it was fine to take the longer route.

On the way, she dealt with two small thieves and saved a few passing villagers before reaching the village entrance.

Over the past few days, three groups of ill-intentioned people had come to the village. Although their numbers were small, the frequency of the copper gong sounding had increased, and the villagers realized that things outside had become chaotic. They decided not to go out unless absolutely necessary.

The vigilance at the village entrance grew stricter. In the past, those who didn’t want to send anyone out would now come to the entrance whenever they had the chance, afraid of encountering outsiders.

When Pear Blossom returned, the guards on duty hurried to ask her about the situation outside.

Pear Blossom raised the long knife in her hand and said, “Uncle Ji, the situation outside isn’t looking good. We need to stay alert. If anything happens, we must immediately sound the gong to alert everyone.”

Li Jiu looked at the bloodstains still on her knife and couldn’t help but feel a jolt in his heart. “I understand, don’t worry. As long as I’m here, not a single thief will get through.”

Then he noticed the little head peeking out from her chest, and his fierce expression instantly softened into a smile. “Ah, Fubao’s back!”

Fubao had a strong impression of the big-bearded Li Jiu, and she got along well with his grandson, Er Hanzi. She greeted him loudly, “Grandpa Ji, Fubao’s back!”

“Good, good, good, well done, child. It’s good you’re back—good you’re back—” Li Jiu said, thinking about how this child was picked up by the princess to shield her from others’ ears, and wasn’t actually the granddaughter of the Zhen family. He didn’t know what to say for a moment, so he turned to Pear Blossom and said, “Pear Blossom, you’re truly righteous. This child is really lucky to have encountered you.”

Pear Blossom didn’t answer, she just smiled and said, “Uncle Jiu, I need to head back first. I’ll talk to you more later when we practice at the village chief’s house.”

“Alright, go ahead.”

Not long after entering the village, the villagers quickly learned that she had found the buyer of Fubao and bought her back.

However, sharp-eyed people could tell that this was likely a ruse from the start. When the town security was tightening its checks, the princess staged this act to take the child out. Now that the storm had passed, she had asked Pear Blossom, who was friendly with her, to bring the child back.

But these were just their speculations. Now, Pear Blossom’s family had good relations with both the princess and the town security. With the situation outside chaotic, it was uncertain how long the ruler would remain on the throne. Both the officials and the bandits were unreliable, and no one wanted to stir up trouble, so no one spoke up.

Fubao greeted people all the way back, even meeting with Dog (Goudan) and Huer, feeling overjoyed inside.

By the time they arrived at the large courtyard at the foot of Dongshan, Mrs. Xiong eagerly came out to greet them. Before Pear Blossom could dismount, she reached out and took Fubao from her.

Fubao, seeing her warmth, sweetly called out “Grandma Xiong” one moment and “Grandma Xiong” the next, making Mrs. Xiong laugh with delight.

In the past, because this child had been sold, she had even fought with Mrs. Zeng, and the insults between them had been endless. But now that Fubao was back, how could she not be happy?

Now that her daughter had become close with the princess, this child was practically like a granddaughter to her. Who wouldn’t dote on their own granddaughter? Thinking that Mrs. Zeng and Fubao were not blood relatives, she didn’t have to worry about any competition in the future, which made her feel a bit smug.

“Good Fubao, Grandma Xiong missed you so much.”

Fubao blinked her beautiful big eyes, counting on her fingers, and said, “Fubao also missed Grandma Xiong, and Uncle Daniu, Uncle Erniu, Aunt Xinghua, and Grandpa Xiong.”

“You’re kind-hearted, not like some people who don’t even think about their grandma.”

Fubao returned to the familiar environment and became much more cheerful. Looking up at the blue sky, the distant mountains, and the vast green fields of seedlings, she felt like a bird just released from a cage. Her short legs started running happily around the yard.

Mrs. Xiong knew Pear Blossom would soon take her up the mountain to see Dong Yun, so she wisely went to prepare the meal.

After the meal was cooked, Pear Blossom didn’t stay to eat at home. She packed food for the three of them and, carrying Fubao, went up the mountain, causing Mrs. Xiong to complain that Pear Blossom had forgotten her mother now that she had a wife.

When they reached the cave, Pear Blossom covered the entrance and Fubao curiously asked, “Pear Blossom, what are we doing here?”

Just as her words finished, hurried footsteps approached them.

“Fubao—”

Fubao turned her head at the sound, and a familiar figure appeared in her sight. As soon as she recognized who it was, her eyes reddened, and she cried out, struggling to jump out of Pear Blossom’s arms and ran toward Dong Yun.

“Mom—”

Dong Yun immediately embraced her, holding her tightly.

She had watched her be born and had escaped with her. They had never been apart for a day, but this time, after more than a month apart, it was nothing but longing and anticipation for Fubao. For Dong Yun, it was a torment of aching hearts.

In the past, she had been fearless of death, even saying that if they faced an impossible situation, she would die with Fubao. But when it came to such a moment, no matter how tough her heart was, she couldn’t bear to part with her.

“Mom, I missed you so much—” The little girl clung tightly to Dong Yun’s neck, refusing to let go.

“I missed you too, my darling—” Dong Yun’s eyes were red and swollen, her small face pressed against Fubao’s, “My precious little heart.”

“Mom, I won’t ever leave you again—” Fubao sobbed.

“We won’t be apart, we’ll be together forever.” Dong Yun kissed her forehead, showering her with gentle kisses, wishing she could kiss away all of Fubao’s tears.

Pear Blossom walked over, carrying the food box, and saw the tender scene between mother and daughter, her heart softening as well. She wisely didn’t disturb them.

After finally calming down her daughter, Dong Yun sat her down at the table and asked, “Are you hungry? Mom will feed you.”

Fubao nodded and then looked at Pear Blossom, saying, “Eat together, Pear Blossom should eat too.”

Dong Yun saw the large bag of rice and knew that Pear Blossom hadn’t eaten yet, having rushed to bring Fubao back. Her heart warmed.

It was then that she realized, in all her care for Fubao, she had neglected Pear Blossom. Her eyes softened as she looked at the girl in front of her and said, “Sit down, let’s eat together.”

Today, Fubao was the center of attention. Everything they did revolved around her. After the little girl had eaten her fill and went off to explore the cave, the two of them finally felt at ease and sat down to fill their own stomachs.

Pear Blossom recounted everything that had happened on the road, including the elimination of most of the refugee group, without leaving out any details.

Though she didn’t elaborate on the process, Dong Yun, having escaped from the hands of the Beizhen Fusi, knew well the brutality of such situations. However, compared to the Beizhen Fusi, the refugees were no match in cruelty. Although she was still worried, she also trusted Pear Blossom’s ability.

She still cautioned, “I know you’re skilled, but don’t let your guard down. Those people are ruthless, who knows what they might do?”

Pear Blossom looked at her and replied earnestly, “I know, don’t worry. Now… I have you and Fubao. I won’t let anything happen to me.”

Dong Yun’s expression didn’t change, but her ears turned a little warm. She said, “I’m glad you know.”

Hearing her response, Pear Blossom’s heart skipped a beat. That last sentence was spoken with a hint of testing, but since Dong Yun didn’t deny it, did that mean they were now a family?

She didn’t dare ask directly, because the last time she mentioned this matter, it had ended in ambiguity. Since Dong Yun had implicitly acknowledged it now, why bother with verbal confirmation?

“From now on, Fubao will sleep with us on the mountain at night, and I’ll take her back when I go down in the morning?” Pear Blossom asked.

Dong Yun hummed in response. After not seeing her for several days, Fubao couldn’t be away from her, and she couldn’t be away from Fubao either. However, the child was young, lively, and active. If they tried to confine her in the cave, she might get sick from boredom. Now that the villagers knew Fubao wasn’t her biological child and the past events had not affected her, this arrangement seemed like the best solution.

But with the child sleeping with them at night, their personal matters would inevitably have to be restrained.

Dong Yun thought for a moment and said, “Won’t it be too tiring for you to go up and down the mountain every day? If it’s really too much, you can sleep at home…”

Pear Blossom immediately became displeased upon hearing this.

“Has Big Sister forgotten about me now that she has Fubao?”

Dong Yun glared at her, “What nonsense are you talking about…”

It was just that she had been so diligent these past few days, running up and down, obviously thinking about their bed matters. Now that Fubao was here, it would be inconvenient to do anything. Wasn’t this her way of saying all that effort had been in vain?

Pear Blossom guessed her meaning, pouting and softly saying, “I came to be with you, not because I have to do anything. Besides, we’ve been so busy lately, I haven’t caught up on my studies. Big Sister, you’ll need to spend more time helping me review.”

Upon hearing this, Dong Yun’s expression softened a little. “As long as you want to study, it’s no problem. I’ll teach you.”

Pear Blossom smiled, “Now that spring plowing is over and things are getting messier outside, I won’t be going to the escort agency for now. During the day, I’ll be patrolling the village and training with the villagers. Fubao won’t be a problem, but you’ll be quite lonely up there on the mountain.”

Dong Yun shook her head, pointing to a thick stack of books in one corner of the cave. “I also have my own work to do. Those are the books Jin’er brought me before. I fled when I was sixteen. Although I’ve always studied since I was young and am not dull, I am far from your teacher’s talent and intelligence. These years on the road, I haven’t had the time to continue my studies. Teaching you isn’t a problem, but I still have many areas I need to improve. These days, while you’re busy, I can’t afford to slack off.”

Pear Blossom felt that her sister was somewhat different from the woman she had been in the Zeng family courtyard. At least she had regained some confidence and picked up her books again.

Thinking back to the conversation they had about the phoenix and the eagle, she couldn’t help but feel a bit excited. She definitely didn’t want to see her sister continue to avoid things. She was happier than anyone to see her sister regain confidence.

And didn’t this also mean that her own goals could be advanced more actively?

At this moment, she didn’t have time to think about that. She nodded seriously and replied to Dong Yun, “Okay, Big Sister, you study during the day and teach me at night.”

Fubao also ran over to join in the fun, snuggling into her mother’s arms, looking up with a small face and saying, “Whatever Pear Blossom learns, Fubao should learn too.”

Pear Blossom smiled, “Of course, Pear Blossom has always been open with Fubao.”

Dong Yun looked at her with a slight smile, “I’ll teach you the more basic things, like military strategy, politics, and tactics. You should learn more from your teacher.”

Pear Blossom didn’t think her sister should only teach the basics. She said, “Big Sister has her strengths, and the teacher has his. I’ll learn from both.”