Chapter 175 – Clearly Caring
Long San watched as Yan Xiaosi disappeared into the distance before respectfully asking, “Master, Yan Xiaosi has gone up the mountain. Shall we return now?”
Long Yu emerged from the carriage, looking up at the towering Big Sister Peak. “Since we’re here, let’s take a walk on the mountain. I’ve heard there are many precious medicinal herbs here. If we can find a hundred-year-old wild ginseng, it would be a great gift for Murong Qinjian.”
Long San was doubtful about finding such a rare herb in the dark, but before he could express his thoughts, Long Yu had already leaped up the mountain with light steps. Long San quickly followed, not wanting to lag behind.
As night fell on Big Sister Peak, Ms. Zhong paced anxiously outside the cave, waiting for Yan Xiaosi’s return.
Yan Shuqin and Yan Shuxue looked worried and disheartened.
Unable to wait any longer as darkness enveloped the mountain, Ms. Zhong grabbed a lantern and said to her daughters, “Qing’er, Xue’er, stay in the cave. It’s so late and Xiaosi still isn’t back, I’ll go down the mountain to look for her.”
“Mom, take second sister with you, I can stay here in the cave by myself.” Yan Shuqin offered, concern evident in her eyes.
“But it’s dark in the cave. Will you be afraid to be alone here, big sister?”
Yan Shuqin forced a bitter smile. “I’m not afraid. Finding Xiaosi is more important. If my leg was fine, I would go down the mountain with you.”
In a poor family, fear of the dark is a luxury they cannot afford.
To prevent her mother and sister from worrying, Yan Shuqin limped back into the cave.
Ms. Zhong, in a hurry to find Yan Xiaosi, said nothing more and, accompanied by Yan Shuxue, prepared to descend the mountain.
Just then, a small figure appeared out of the darkness.
“Mom, second sister, I’m sorry I’m late,” apologized Yan Xiaosi.
Hearing Yan Xiaosi’s voice, Ms. Zhong raised the lantern, illuminating Yan Xiaosi’s face. Seeing that she was uninjured, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Remembering what happened earlier in the day, Yan Shuxue rushed forward and hugged her tightly. “Xiaosi, you’re finally back.”
Holding Yan Xiaosi close, she whispered, “Did uncle give you any trouble?”
Yan Xiaosi whispered back, “Second sister, did you tell mom and big sister about what happened today?”
“I did as you said and didn’t tell them,” Yan Shuxue replied.
Yan Xiaosi knew that revealing the day’s harrowing events would only worry them for no benefit. “Don’t worry, Yan Bozhang is now in the county jail.”
Yan Shuxue was astounded. “Xiaosi, uncle is the steward of the county court. How did you manage to get him thrown into jail?”
“It wasn’t me. General Zhan was the one who sent Yan Bozhang to jail,” explained Yan Xiaosi, frowning slightly. “But tonight might not be very peaceful for us here.”
Aware that the Yan family would surely come to seek retribution once they learned of Yan Bozhang’s imprisonment, Yan Xiaosi braced herself for confrontation.
Yan Shuxue also realized the gravity of the situation, gripping her sister’s arm anxiously. “Xiaosi, what should we do?”
“There’s no turning back now. We can’t show fear in the face of the Yan family,” Yan Xiaosi replied firmly. “Our grandfather knows about my connection with General Zhan. Even in his rage, he wouldn’t dare to kill me.”
Their quiet exchange was indistinct to Ms. Zhong. “What are you whispering about? Xiaosi, since you’re back, let’s go inside the cave,” she said.
“We were discussing the house construction, mom. The builder is all set – he’s Brother Dazhuang’s uncle. He’ll bring the workers the day after tomorrow morning,” Xiaosi explained, easing her mother’s concerns.
After a long day outside and climbing the mountain, Yan Xiaosi felt hungry at the mention of dinner. “Mom, I want fried wild mushrooms with pork. Put lots of mushrooms in it.”
“Alright, go rest inside. I’ll cook for you,” Ms. Zhong said, picking up some firewood.
Inside the dark cave, Yan Shuqin was on edge. Hearing footsteps, she asked cautiously, “Mom, Shuxue, is that you? Didn’t you go to look for Xiaosi? Why are you back so soon?”
Yan Xiaosi replied promptly to reassure her elder sister, “It’s us, big sister.”
With Ms. Zhong holding the lantern and Yan Shuxue carrying firewood, the mother and daughters entered the cave, brightening it up. Seeing Xiaosi, Yan Shuqin relaxed her guard.
“Xiaosi, you’re finally back. You naughty girl, we were so worried about you,” she scolded gently.
Kneeling to check her sister’s ankle, Yan Xiaosi said, “Big sister, your ankle is almost healed. Does it still hurt much?”
Knowing Xiaosi was diverting the topic, Yan Shuqin lightly tapped her, “It’s not as painful now. But tell me, what did you do today that kept you out so late? Don’t tell me you spent all that time discussing house construction with Brother Dazhuang’s uncle. You’re too restless to sit for so long. Did you end up playing around in the county town?”
Yan Xiaosi touched the spot where she was tapped and gave a silly grin, skillfully avoiding the question.
“Big sister knows me best. After chatting with Uncle Sanbo, I got distracted with everything happening in the county town, so I stayed a bit longer to explore. I wasn’t expecting it, but I got lost and ended up returning much later.”
