Chapter 25: Entrustment

After taking Grandma Yao home, Tang Xiaorou said, “Grandma Yao, why did you expose them? The Tang family will retaliate.”

Grandma Yao smiled. “I know. I thought this through. I’d do it again.” She invited Tang Xiaorou to stay the night. “It’s late. You can’t go back. Stay here.”

Tang Xiaorou thanked her.

“Thank you, Grandma Yao.” It was past nine; she couldn’t return to town.

Inside, Grandma Yao gave Tang Xiaorou water. “You and your mother suffered. Your future will be bright.”

Tang Xiaorou smiled. “Thank you.”

Grandma Yao knew Tang Xiaorou’s capabilities; their future would be good. “Xiaorou, our lives won’t be easy. Can I ask you a favor?”

Tang Xiaorou replied honestly. “Grandma Yao, my mother and I will be leaving for Jiangsu Province soon.  What favor? If it takes a long time, I might not be able to do it.”

“You’re going to Jiangsu Province? That’s convenient.”

Grandma Yao smiled. “Don’t worry, you can do it.” She pushed a simple wooden box. “I might not have much time to care for Bingcheng. I hope you can take him and care for him until he’s an adult.”

Tang Xiaorou was stunned. She hadn’t expected this request.

Grandma Yao explained. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I can’t trust anyone else. Bingcheng is a good child; he’ll be obedient and won’t cause trouble.” She urged Tang Xiaorou to open the box.

“This is a thank you for taking care of Bingcheng. I know it’s not much, but it’s all I have.”

Tang Xiaorou hesitated.

She knew Grandma Yao and Bingcheng would struggle, but taking care of Bingcheng until adulthood would be difficult.  As she hesitated, Grandma Yao opened the box.

It was full of gold and silver fish, rubies, sapphires, yellow and pink diamonds, and several pairs of jade bracelets.  One pair was imperial green jadeworth a courtyard house in later years.

Tang Xiaorou quickly closed the box. “Grandma Yao, you shouldn’t have done this. Put it away.”  If others saw this, they might be killed.

Grandma Yao insisted on pushing the box. “Xiaorou, I sincerely ask you to care for Bingcheng. I’m afraid he’ll struggle after I’m gone; he might not even survive to adulthood.”  The world was harsh, and their family background wasn’t good. She was afraid her grandson would die.

Tang Xiaorou frowned, thought for a long time, and said, “Grandma Yao, you should leave with us.”

“Wh… what…”

Tang Xiaorou repeated herself. “Since you’re worried about Bingcheng and can’t live in Qingshan Village, leave with us. We’ll settle down in a new place and start over.”

Grandma Yao hadn’t considered this possibility and was stunned.  She hesitated and shook her head. “I’m old. I’ll only burden you. Take Bingcheng.”

But Tang Xiaorou insisted. “We leave together, or I won’t take Bingcheng alone.”  If Bingcheng left, Grandma Yao would be even more vulnerable.  If something happened like last time, she might die unnoticed.

“Girl, you…”

Before Grandma Yao finished, Tang Xiaorou decided. “That’s settled. We leave tomorrow morning. But you and Bingcheng need to get a certificate and letter of introduction from the village chief.”  She found a corner to lie down and sleep.

Grandma Yao shook her head, amused.  But she was also tempted. Who wants to die if they can live?  She hadn’t seen Bingcheng grow up or get married; she wasn’t ready to die.

Grandma Yao’s eyes showed determination.

The next morning, Tang Xiaorou woke up to find a worn bag next to her the wooden box.

She sat up to find Grandma Yao and Bingcheng already packed.

“Xiaorou, you’re awake. Let’s go.”

“You… you already got the certificate from the village chief?”

Grandma Yao smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

Tang Xiaorou was surprised by her speed.  “Okay, let’s go.”

Yao Bingcheng was stunned.

“Grandma, are we going on a long journey? Where are we going?”

“Bingcheng, we’re going to a new place to start over.”

Yao Bingcheng was worried. “Grandma, we… we don’t have any money.”  They were poor; sometimes they didn’t have enough to eat, let alone start a new life elsewhere.

Tang Xiaorou patted Yao Bingcheng’s head. “Don’t worry, I have money.” She had tried to return the box but couldn’t.  Grandma Yao was determined to give it to her.  This would be enough to support Bingcheng until he was old.

After Tang Xiaorou and Grandma Yao left Qingshan Village, chaos erupted.

“Mother, why are you kicking us out? This is our home! We won’t leave!”

Li Cuilan cried on the ground, refusing to move. She knew what happened last night and that Tang Jianhua wasn’t Grandma Tang’s son. 

But why should they leave? They helped build the house; they deserved a share. 

Why should they be kicked out?

“Get out! All of you! Go to Widow Xia’s place!”