Chapter 49: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
Chapter 49: The Chen Family’s Misfortunes
Sui Sui felt her storytelling was lacking today, not up to her usual standard.
She concluded it must be because she hadn’t heard enough stories.
Despite being very sleepy, she firmly nodded.
【I want to hear a story!】
Upon hearing Sui Sui’s response, the system smiled warmly.
【Sui Sui, you did great.】
【Be brave and express what’s in your heart.】
Sui Sui thought Lele’s advice was probably about speaking up courageously.
She used to be afraid.
But now…
She could give it a try.
After all, she had her brother!
Her brother was her greatest support and asset!
After finishing her conversation with the system, Sui Sui’s consciousness was greeted by a beautiful aunt.
The aunt appeared poised and graceful.
Seeing her, Sui Sui’s bright eyes sparkled even more.
This aunt…
She looked like a heroine!
The aunt had a name written on her head, which Sui Sui didn’t recognize.
Xie Daoyun, upon seeing Sui Sui, was momentarily dazed.
Through time and the system, Xie Daoyun seemed to see her young daughter.
In a flash, the image shifted to the later turmoil of war and the pain of receiving news of her children’s deaths.
She thought so much time had passed.
So long that even after a hundred years, she had slowly forgotten everything.
Yet, in a fleeting moment, it felt as if time had pulled her back to the past.
Xie Daoyun took a moment to compose herself and then spoke softly, trying to make her voice sound gentle and loving.
【Hello, Sui Sui, I’m Aunt Ling Jiang.】
Sui Sui didn’t know why Aunt Ling Jiang looked so sad.
But since she had taken the initiative to greet her, Sui Sui wanted to be a polite child.
Sui Sui quickly responded.
【Hello, Aunt Ling Jiang, I’m Sui Sui.】
Seeing Sui Sui’s adorable and carefree smile, Xie Daoyun’s eyes became misty.
She thought the world must be quite good now.
Perhaps it wasn’t perfect, but at least there wouldn’t be constant wars and rebellions.
Suppressing her emotions, Xie Daoyun gently said, 【Sui Sui, today’s story is: In this world, among the countless people, the only one you can truly rely on is yourself.】
Sui Sui didn’t quite understand and wanted to ask but didn’t know how, so she just listened quietly.
Moreover, Aunt Ling Jiang looked so sad.
Sui Sui thought, if she behaved well and didn’t ask too many questions, maybe the aunt would feel better?
Xie Daoyun was telling the story, but she was also speaking about herself.
Her early life was full of splendor.
Her later years were filled with desolation and sorrow.
Her life felt so long.
So long that by the time Xie Daoyun finished her story, Sui Sui had already fallen into a sweet dream.
Seeing this, Xie Daoyun felt a sense of relief.
In the middle of the night, Xie Daoyun reflected on her life.
She gently tapped Sui Sui’s little head, her voice soft, unsure if she was speaking to herself or to Sui Sui.
【Sui Sui, the world is good now. You should strive to be yourself.】
The next day, the weather remained gloomy.
Although Prince Qing wasn’t in a hurry to return to the capital, it wasn’t ideal to delay too long.
So, he inquired and consulted experienced elders who said the chance of rain was low.
Returning, Prince Qing organized everyone to pack up and set off.
Sui Sui had hoped to tell her brother a new story today.
However, after breakfast, she found…
Her mind was blank.
Sui Sui: ?
She clearly listened carefully to the story last night.
She remembered it was Aunt Ling Jiang who told the story.
So why did she forget?
Sui Sui puzzledly scratched her face.
Physician Liu, observing from the side, thought she might be feeling uncomfortable and asked softly, “What’s wrong with your face? Is it itchy?”
Recently, it was the season for willow catkins.
Some people are allergic to the drifting catkins, and Physician Liu had encountered many such cases before.
He asked because he was concerned Sui Sui might be affected.
Sui Sui shook her head: “No, I just wanted to scratch it.”
Knowing it wasn’t an allergy, Physician Liu felt much relieved.
Feng Xuanrui, who didn’t understand, came over to take Sui Sui’s hand and said, “Sister, let’s go!”
Sui Sui obediently let him lead her.
The two children got into the carriage, with Qingshui following them.
Physician Liu, worried about the three children alone, also joined them.
Prince Qing rode a horse and didn’t join them in the carriage.
They weren’t far from the next town.
Although they weren’t in a hurry, they arrived by noon.
Seeing it was still early, Prince Qing reviewed the map and decided to continue.
After a quick resupply, they set off again.
By dusk, they reached the next town.
Compared to the previous town, this one was quieter.
With nightfall just beginning, the town’s streets were very quiet, with only the taverns and brothels having any lights; other places had none.
Physician Liu observed and couldn’t help but sigh, “It’s really quiet.”
Prince Qing looked up at the dark, cloudy sky and nodded, “It must be due to the weather.”
Prince Qing was relieved that it hadn’t rained during their journey.
However, looking at the pitch-black sky, he felt it was highly likely to rain tonight.
Sui Sui’s bedtime story for the night was missed again.
The system was speechless.
Sui Sui had gotten used to it.
She thought Lele was right.
Things in the world will never be perfect.
So, seeing things from a different perspective seemed quite okay.
And, she really didn’t remember the story from yesterday.
Sui Sui decided to review it tonight.
Maybe she could recall some details and tell her brother about it.
The siblings had traveled all day, and their bones ached.
After dinner and washing up, they went to bed.
After Physician Liu had put the children to sleep, he finally went to bed himself.
Looking at the dark, gloomy sky outside, Physician Liu muttered softly, “In such weather, the lives of those scoundrels must be tough too, right?”
After getting beaten up, their bones must be hurting in this weather.
In fact, the Chen family’s life was more than just difficult.
Chen Dalang and Tian Cuihua felt that recent times had been full of misfortunes!
First, Chen Dalang was sleeping at home when unknown black-clad men broke in and broke his left leg.
The leg injury wasn’t too severe; it could be fixed with some treatment and rest.
However, with spring planting about to start, having a leg injury meant the family lost a laborer…
Tian Cuihua stood in the yard, scolding for half the day, still feeling unsatisfied.
She believed it was definitely because the villagers were envious of them and took malicious action!
Then, misfortunes continued.
A few days later, when Chen Dalang went to the outhouse, he lost his balance and fell into the pit. If he hadn’t struggled to get out, he might have suffocated!
(End of Chapter)
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