It was said that on the day the imperial envoy arrived in Yongning Prefecture, the sky, which had been clear for who knows how long, suddenly poured rain, raining continuously for three days and three nights.

The parched land was moistened, and the gloomy people cheered and shouted as if they had finally seen the dawn, saying it was an auspicious sign from heaven, heralding the new emperor as a wise ruler favored by the heavens.

Gu Yundong was still in Xuangong Prefecture and was unaware of the buzz of rumors spreading elsewhere. Even if she knew, she wouldn’t care.

At this moment, she stood in front of the bulletin board at the city gate, looking at the newly posted notice, furrowing her brow slightly.

The notice was about the refugees like them. Yongning Prefecture already had relief food and silver, the chaos had subsided, and order was slowly being restored. Naturally, these people would need to return.

For those who returned, the prefecture would provide a certain amount of travel expenses and exempt them from taxes for three years.

Of course, staying was also an option. The refugees would be resettled on-site and registered again by the yamen. This option didn’t include the three-year tax exemption or any silver.

Moreover, the quality of the settlement place depended on luck. Generally, it wouldn’t be in a bustling town, and even slightly better villages wouldn’t be available. There would be no allocated land, at most, they would be given two mu of wasteland to cultivate themselves.

Most people would choose to return, as the idea of “falling leaves return to their roots” was deeply ingrained in their minds. With silver and three years of tax exemption, returning to their hometown meant being with familiar relatives and friends.

Furthermore, many people’s properties and houses were in Yongning Prefecture, so giving up would result in too much loss.

But for Gu Yundong, these things didn’t hold much temptation.

After reading the notice, she returned to Aunt Ke’s house with her basket of vegetables.

Aunt Ke sat in the courtyard, sewing shoes for the two children with a needle and thread. She had just realized that this girl, who was skilled in cooking, couldn’t sew clothes or shoes. Yangshi could sew, but her work wasn’t good-looking.

Aunt Ke doted on the two children, allowing Gu Yundong to buy some scraps of cloth and sew them herself.

As she sewed, she chatted with them. She had placed three small stools in front of her, and the two children, along with the tall Yangshi, sat obediently, listening.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Aunt Ke looked up at her and asked, “Why are you back so late today?”

Gu Yundong closed the courtyard door and placed the vegetable basket on the grindstone beside her before recounting the contents of the newly posted notice.

Aunt Ke’s hands paused for a moment, then continued sewing as if nothing had happened.

Yangshi and Gu Yundong were still unclear about what they heard. Gu Yundongshu understood and hugged her waist excitedly. “Can we go home now? Is there food to eat at home?”

Gu Yundong looked down at the bright-eyed little guy and asked, “Do you want to go back?”

Gu Yundongshu was taken aback, blinked his eyes in confusion, and said, “Doesn’t Big Sister want to go home?”

If not home, then where would they go? This was Aunt Ke’s home, not theirs. They couldn’t live here forever, and the rent was expensive.

Gu Yundong patted his head and said, “Going back to that home, there are grandparents, uncles, aunts, and their families. We might have to serve them forever and never eat the food we ate a few days ago.”

Gu Yundongshu suddenly remembered the past and his face changed completely.

Aunt Ke glanced at Gu Yundong sideways, warning her not to scare the child or lose face.

Gu Yundong pretended not to see and continued to entice, “And do you remember why we couldn’t divide the family before?”