Chapter 34: She Accepted It

Early in the morning, Hong Xiaoduo woke up naturally. Looking at the bright sky, she found it hard to fathom. Given her current situation, even if none of the children had woken her up crying from nightmares last night, she shouldn't have slept so soundly, right?

She hadn't even dreamt. How big could her heart possibly be?

She tilted her head to look at the row of bedding still neatly folded on the sleeping platform. Oh? Was she now even less capable than a bunch of children? So sleepy?

"Mother, you're awake?" As soon as Hong Xiaoduo sat up, she saw Yaoguang sitting on a small stool, calling out to her happily.

Before Hong Xiaoduo could respond, she saw Yaoguang jump up and run toward the door. She immediately anticipated what would happen next.

"Brother, Mother is awake," Yaoguang announced to the person outside as she opened the door.

Immediately after, just like the day before, Tianxuan brought in water for washing, and Yuheng brought over the wooden comb Hong Xiaoduo had just bought the previous afternoon.

As soon as Hong Xiaoduo put her legs down, Kaiyang nimbly rushed over to place her shoes by her feet, while Tianquan climbed onto the platform to tidy her bedding.

The group of little ones was like a well-trained squad, each with a clear division of labor.

For some reason, it occurred to Hong Xiaoduo that the reason they were like this—aside from other factors—was probably because they had been conditioned by serving that wicked person before.

Feeling a pang of sadness in her heart, she leaned over and insisted on putting on her own shoes, forcing a smile on her face. Otherwise, they would likely start overthinking, wondering what they had done wrong to make her unhappy.

Thinking that she had already slept late and the children must be hungry, she quickly washed up.

"Mother, we’ve checked everything. Nothing was left behind; it’s all packed on our cart," Tianquan said, noticing Hong Xiaoduo looking at the sleeping platform.

Hong Xiaoduo nodded and led them out of the room to the front desk to pay the bill.

"If you're not in a rush, you could stay for a few more days. I won't even charge you for the room—there aren't any guests anyway, and it's just sitting empty," Grandma Lanhua said. She had known since the day before that they were leaving this morning and was very reluctant to see them go.

Although they had only interacted for two days, Grandma Lanhua genuinely liked this guest and her seven little charges.

They were good-looking, sweet-talking, sensible, and diligent. They even helped clean the inn every morning.

"Grandma, perhaps we will meet again if there is an opportunity in the future," Hong Xiaoduo said, collecting the change from the innkeeper. She thanked her and wished her a prosperous business.

Walking to the entrance and not seeing Tianxuan, she realized something and headed toward the stables. Sure enough, he was there, feeding the donkey some fodder.

"Tianxuan, let's go, let's have breakfast first," Hong Xiaoduo called out. She watched as Tianxuan answered her, all the while looking back at the donkey cart with great concern.

She took the seven little ones to have some braised noodles at a stall next to the inn. When they came out, she bought some flatbreads from a street vendor and a stack of meat pies to eat on the road.

The little ones held the food happily and followed Tianxuan back to the inn’s stable at a trot.

Standing in front of the donkey cart, Hong Xiaoduo looked into the carriage and felt deeply moved. She was the adult, the one who should be taking care of these seven little ones, but in reality, it seemed they were the ones doing everything, leaving her with nothing to worry about.

Looking at the carriage, the bits and pieces they had bought the day before, along with their newly purchased cotton-padded jackets, were arranged neatly. It didn't look cluttered, wouldn't interfere with their seating, and could even serve as backrests.

The tent they had bought yesterday was tied to the back of the carriage, fastened securely enough that there was no need to worry about it falling off on the road.

"Alright, get on," Hong Xiaoduo said, first lifting Yaoguang up. The other children climbed on themselves using the footstool.

"Mother, why aren't you getting on?" Seeing that she made no move to board, Tianxuan asked in confusion, then quickly added, "Mother, you go sit, it’s fine. I’ll walk and lead the cart; I won't get on."

You see, whenever she hesitated even slightly about anything, they would immediately start to analyze why.

"It's not that I'm afraid it can't pull us. Didn't the cart owner say that our combined weight is well within its capacity? It's just that it's new, so I’ll walk along for a bit first to be safe." Upon hearing this, Tianxuan immediately understood: Mother was worried that he wasn't skilled at driving, and since they didn't know the donkey's temperament yet, she wanted to walk alongside in case the donkey got out of control, so she could help stop it.

"Did you fill the water?" Hong Xiaoduo couldn't help but ask.

They had bought three water skins the day before to carry water with them, as finding water sources on the road wouldn't be easy.

Tianxuan nodded immediately, saying they were all filled.

"Then let's go." Hong Xiaoduo closed the carriage door and smiled. Tianxuan nodded back with a smile, excitedly flicking the reins. The donkey, possessing a good sense of humanity, lifted its hooves and started walking. The donkey cart didn't look as grand as a horse carriage, but it was quite steady.

Grandma Lanhua and her son stood by the roadside, waving at them and wishing them a safe journey.

"Mother, actually, you should have bought a horse to ride," Tianxuan said as he walked.

Hong Xiaoduo glanced at him and said, "When we were buying cotton jackets, you were the one nagging to buy the cheapest ones. A horse? A single horse costs over ten taels of silver. But, once our purses are a bit fuller, we will buy one."

Yes, she definitely wouldn't admit that she wasn't sure if she knew how to ride a horse, which was why she hadn't dared to buy one.

It wasn't that she liked walking or didn't mind the fatigue; she just wasn't fully at ease with the newly purchased donkey cart. After walking another mile or two, she would get on and sit.

They were almost out of the town when they heard someone calling from behind: "Young Lady Hong, wait a moment!"

Tianxuan pulled on the reins, and he and Hong Xiaoduo looked back. It was a man dressed like a servant, whom they didn't recognize.

The man quickly reached them and handed her a brocade pouch. "My master is Dong Yuefan. He said you would know who he is. Because of urgent matters, he cannot come in person to see you off, so he sent me to deliver this. He says that meeting is a matter of fate and requests that you please accept it. My master also said that if you are not in a hurry, try to find a place to rest early in the day, stick to the main roads, and by all means, do not try to take shortcuts through remote mountain paths."

Hong Xiaoduo smiled and took the pouch. It felt heavy; she didn't need to look to know it was likely silver. "Please thank Brother Dong for me again. Tell him that mountains and rivers may be vast, but if fate permits, we will meet again. I also wish him a bright future and a smooth official career. And thank you, young man, for the trouble of running this errand."

Why did she say "again"? Because he had already done her a massive favor.

After saying this, Hong Xiaoduo turned and walked away.

The servant watched her turn away, then looked down at his own now-light and empty hands. He looked up again in disbelief. Shouldn't she have been a little polite, declined a bit, and then accepted it?

Tianxuan watched the servant's reaction, and when he saw the man looking over, he quickly turned away and continued driving the donkey.

After walking a few steps, he stole a glance at Hong Xiaoduo. Seeing her expression remained as usual, he was stunned.

***

Back in Dong Yuefan’s residence, he was complaining to his good brother, who had finished packing but hadn't yet mounted his horse to leave.

If he had known it would be like this, he would have gone to see Sister Xiaoduo off himself.

"Brother Dong, where is Sanjin?" Dong Yuefan looked at the several guards holding horses nearby and noticed one seemed to be missing. He didn't know where he had gone.

His good brother had brought several guards, but they usually stayed in the courtyard next door and didn't eat together. Now that they were about to leave, why was one missing? Had the relaxed life here allowed them to develop lazy habits? Or had he found a sweetheart in town? *Heh*, didn't his good brother always brag that his men weren't lecherous? So much for that claim!

Before his good brother could answer, his own servant, whom he had sent to see Sister Xiaoduo off, returned.

Seeing that the servant returned empty-handed, he immediately laughed, "Well done! What did you say? Did she accept it?"

"Hmph. Only a fool would refuse silver delivered to their doorstep," Mu Zitao said, looking at him as if he were an idiot.

Dong Yuefan rolled his eyes at him and continued looking at his own servant.

Hearing the words of his master's good brother, the servant didn't quite know how to answer his own master, because if he told the truth, it seemed it would validate what General Mu had just said.

"I just said exactly what you instructed, Master, and didn't say anything else," the servant replied, looking at his master. He didn't dare to lie.

Others might not understand, but as his personal servant, he knew his master’s temperament best. It was fine to make minor mistakes, but if he were to be clever and lie, his master would not go easy on him once found out.

"See? That’s what I like about her. If she wants it, she takes it; if she doesn't, she doesn't. How straightforward and nice," Dong Yuefan said happily.

"Fine, as long as you're happy, Brother Dong. I must take my leave. One piece of advice before I go: if you want to return to the capital early, you must be as disciplined as before. Do not act so recklessly and whimsically."

Watching his subordinate Sanjin outside the gate, Mu Zitao walked out while reminding his good brother.

His guards followed him, leading their horses.

Watching the group mount their horses and ride away, Dong Yuefan covered his nose and mouth with his sleeve to shield himself from the dust kicked up by the horses' hooves. He waited for his good brother to look back and wave, but the man didn't even turn his head before disappearing from sight.

A sigh, drooping shoulders, and a sorrowful look made even the servant unable to bear watching.

Mu Zitao, who had slowed his pace after leaving the town, felt a bit regretful. Since he knew which direction she was heading, why had he set off so early? They were just in a donkey cart; how fast could they possibly be?

Should he follow slowly behind? Or just overtake them...