Chapter 23: Reaching the First Small City

After getting up from the ground, Liu Laotai hurried back to her family’s resting place.

She didn’t want to stand there and be scolded by the village head, nor did she want to be beaten black and blue by the Yun family.

The village head saw Liu Laotai leave and looked at the people who were watching the commotion, “What are you still looking at? It’s still early. Go to sleep. We have to leave at dawn.”

The villagers heard the village head’s words and, seeing that there was no more excitement to watch, went back to their resting places.

Yun Nian’an closed her eyes again, but she couldn’t sleep. Instead, she focused her mind on her space.

She started looking for seeds and other things in the space.

Then she started planting them in the black soil. All night, Yun Nian’an used her mind to plant the seeds and water them with a little bit of spiritual spring water.

She didn’t dare to water too much because she wasn’t in a hurry to eat these crops.

She was afraid that if she used too much spiritual spring water, the crops would grow with a different taste or that others would notice, so Yun Nian’an only used a little bit.

The next morning, the village head led everyone to continue their journey.

They didn’t stop at noon, and everyone just ate a couple of dry flatbreads and continued on their way.

It wasn’t until dusk that they passed the first city.

But when they entered, they saw notices posted on the city walls.

Those who knew how to read were reading them aloud.

The content was roughly that another country had invaded, and those who could run should run quickly.

Wang Laotai saw this and became anxious. She had lost all her money to the Yun family.

She didn’t have any food either. How would she survive?

She had been thinking that if all else failed, she could sell some land, but after fleeing famine, the land was completely unsaleable.

With the barbarians invading, who would want to buy land?

Wang Laotai’s eyes darted around, and then she saw Yun Nian’an.

She went to Yun Nian’an and said, “Nian’an, my grandson Wang Yu is a scholar after all.

He will become a scholar in the future, and even if he marries a girl from an official family, it’s only right! Don’t you think so?”

Yun Nian’an heard Wang Laotai say this to her and nodded.

She was too lazy to argue with Wang Laotai anymore. She could say whatever she wanted.

Wang Laotai saw Yun Nian’an nod and was overjoyed.

“Nian’an! My Wang Yu will be a high official in the future. If you follow my Wang Yu, you won’t be at a loss, right?

It’s just that we are in trouble now, and we need your help. I won’t hold it against you for what you did to me before, okay?”

Yun Nian’an narrowed her eyes and was about to speak.

Yun Laotai directly cursed from the side, “You, with your foul mouth, what do you mean your grandson will be a high official? Do you think anyone can become a high official?

He hasn’t even passed the scholar exam yet, you’re just treating him like a treasure.

And what did I tell you last time? Stay away from us, or don’t blame me for slapping you in the face.”

She slapped Wang Laotai hard in the face. Wang Laotai looked at Yun Laotai in disbelief and shouted, “You shrew! I was talking nicely to your granddaughter. What are you trying to do?”

Yun Laotai heard Wang Laotai say this and cursed, “Ptui, you shameless woman, I know what you’re thinking! You think I don’t know that you’re trying to use my granddaughter to get ahead?

Liu Laotai got up from the ground and hurried back to her family’s resting place. She didn’t want to stand there and be scolded by the village head, nor did she want to be beaten black and blue by the Yun family.

The village head saw Liu Laotai leave and looked at the people who were watching the commotion, “What are you still looking at? It’s still early. Go to sleep. We have to leave at dawn.”

The villagers heard the village head’s words and, seeing that there was no more excitement to watch, went back to their resting places.

Yun Nian’an closed her eyes again, but she couldn’t sleep. Instead, she focused her mind on her space. She started looking for seeds and other things in the space. Then she started planting them in the black soil. All night, Yun Nian’an used her mind to plant the seeds and water them with a little bit of spiritual spring water. She didn’t dare to water too much because she wasn’t in a hurry to eat these crops. She was afraid that if she used too much spiritual spring water, the crops would grow with a different taste or that others would notice, so Yun Nian’an only used a little bit.

The next morning, the village head led everyone to continue their journey. They didn’t stop at noon, and everyone just ate a couple of dry flatbreads and continued on their way. It wasn’t until dusk that they passed the first city. But when they entered, they saw notices posted on the city walls. Those who knew how to read were reading them aloud. The content was roughly that another country had invaded, and those who could run should run quickly.

Wang Laotai saw this and became anxious. She had lost all her money to the Yun family. She didn’t have any food either. How would she survive? She had been thinking that if all else failed, she could sell some land, but after fleeing famine, the land was completely unsaleable. With the barbarians invading, who would want to buy land?

Wang Laotai’s eyes darted around, and then she saw Yun Nian’an. She went to Yun Nian’an and said, “Nian’an, my grandson Wang Yu is a scholar after all. He will become a scholar in the future, and even if he marries a girl from an official family, it’s only right! Don’t you think so?”

Yun Nian’an heard Wang Laotai say this to her and nodded. She was too lazy to argue with Wang Laotai anymore. She could say whatever she wanted.

Wang Laotai saw Yun Nian’an nod and was overjoyed. “Nian’an! My Wang Yu will be a high official in the future. If you follow my Wang Yu, you won’t be at a loss, right? It’s just that we are in trouble now, and we need your help. I won’t hold it against you for what you did to me before, okay?”

Yun Nian’an narrowed her eyes and was about to speak.

Yun Laotai directly cursed from the side, “You, with your foul mouth, what do you mean your grandson will be a high official? Do you think anyone can become a high official? He hasn’t even passed the scholar exam yet, you’re just treating him like a treasure. And what did I tell you last time? Stay away from us, or don’t blame me for slapping you in the face.”

She slapped Wang Laotai hard in the face. Wang Laotai looked at Yun Laotai in disbelief and shouted, “You shrew! I was talking nicely to your granddaughter. What are you trying to do?”

Yun Laotai heard Wang Laotai say this and cursed, “Ptui, you shameless woman, I know what you’re thinking! You think I don’t know that you’re trying to use my granddaughter to get ahead? Stop showing off and embarrassing yourself. He’s not even a Tongsheng (a student who has passed the first level of the imperial examination) yet, and you’re telling everyone that your grandson is going to be a high official. I’m telling you! Don’t even think about it. Even if he becomes a high official in the future, my granddaughter wouldn’t want him!

Don’t you open your eyes and see what your grandson looks like? He looks like a toad hanging from a rope. His character is also bad! I want to see which academy would be willing to accept your grandson. Humph!”

She grabbed Yun Nian’an’s hand and said, “My dear, don’t listen to this old woman’s nonsense. Grandma will find a good family for you.”

Yun Nian’an nodded repeatedly when she heard her grandma say this.

Wang Laotai looked at Yun Nian’an and shouted, “Nian’an, if you still want to marry into my family and become my grandson’s wife, you have to listen to me now. You have to tell your grandma to give us some food. Also, return all the silver you took from our family. I’m telling you, this is not the time to be stubborn. If you insist on making a fuss, don’t blame me for not recognizing you as my future granddaughter.”

Yun Nian’an covered her mouth and chuckled, “Wang Laotai, you must have a delusion. Can’t you see how much I hate your whole family? What do you mean you won’t recognize me as your future granddaughter? That’s so funny!

You should worry about staying alive first, then talk about marrying a granddaughter-in-law.”

She pulled Yun Laotai and went back to the Yun family’s group.

Wang Laotai was so angry that she trembled all over. She thought, this shrew! How could her granddaughter be any better? She’s learned everything from her.

The village head waved his hand in front and looked at everyone, “We’ve reached the first small city. Some of you stay behind to watch our things. If you want to buy anything, you can go now. It’s better if we stay together.”

Yun Laotou took out two silver taels and handed them to Yun Lao Da, “Eldest son, take Lao San and Nian’an to have a look. See if there’s anything you want to buy. If Nian’an likes anything, buy it for her.”

Yun Lao Da nodded when he heard his father say this. Then he went to Yun Lao San, “Third brother, let’s go buy some things.”

Yun Nian’an saw them going to buy things and wanted to follow them. Yun Lao San asked Yun Lao Da, “How much silver did father give you?”

Yun Lao Da said, “Two silver taels.”

Yun Lao San frowned when he heard this and looked at Yun Laotou in the distance. He went to Yun Laotou, “Father, why did you give so much silver? What are we going to buy with two silver taels? We won’t even use it all.”

Yun Laotou shook his head when he heard Lao San say this, “You haven’t fled famine before, so you don’t know how hard it is. All these notices are posted, saying that the barbarians have invaded the Great Dynasty, and everyone is fleeing. Plus, there’s been a drought for years! The price of food has increased several times. Do you think other things will still be the same price as before? So it’s good to bring more silver. Don’t come back and ask me for more if you don’t have enough.”

Yun Lao San nodded and turned to leave.

Yun Laotou said from behind, “Lao San, when you buy things, see if there’s anything that our dear one wants to eat. If the bun shop is still open, buy some buns for our dear one or buy some candy.”