Chapter 61: Everyone Wants a Piece of Wen Yao
As soon as Sister Qing heard that, she was furious. This kind of blatant mockery? She immediately looked like she was about to roll up her sleeves and bang on the door.
“Second Aunt, it’s so late. Who’s out there?” Wen Yao poked her head out of the window again and called out loudly.
She was really just curious—who on earth would be climbing their wall this late at night?
But as soon as her voice rang out, Sister Qing, who was about to make a scene to snoop around, backed off. The way Wen Yao had dealt with Li Erhu’s family was still fresh in everyone’s memory.
This little brat was scary even without a mother. Better to avoid trouble than stir it up and end up with her making a fuss at her own front door next time.
Wen Yao didn’t know that her casual curiosity had resolved a potential problem before it even started. She also didn’t know that ever since she made a scene at Li Erhu’s house, her reputation for being fierce had spread far and wide.
“No one, no one. You kids go back to studying, don’t worry about what’s going on outside.” Li-shi smiled as she spoke, her attitude toward Wen Yao now ridiculously good.
She used to be envious and gossipy behind Wen Yao’s back—how her late sister-in-law had raised her well, taught her to read and write from a young age—but now that Wen Yao was willing to teach her own kids to read, it was a whole different story. She was even hoping one of them might have a knack for learning and bring her the title of “scholar’s mother” someday.
“Wen Yao, are you thirsty? Teaching must be tiring. Second Aunt will go boil some water for you.” Li-shi asked considerately.
Wen Yao was actually a bit thirsty—the water in the room had long gone cold—so she didn’t refuse. “Then I’ll trouble you, Second Aunt.”
“No trouble at all, keep on studying!” Li-shi grinned up at the window, all smiles, then ran off to the kitchen to heat up water in a smaller pot since the big stove was occupied with braising meat.
The whole family worked all the way until the Hai hour (9–11 PM) to finish preparing all the pig intestines. They packed everything into clean tubs and set it aside to cool. Tomorrow, they’d load it all onto a handcart and take it to the Jiao family.
Wen Yao’s tutoring time ended there—two students had already fallen asleep: Datuo and Wen Ying.
Originally, Li-shi had told Wen Xiuzhu to carry Wen Ying home, but Wen Jun said the night was cold, and if Yingzi was carried out asleep and caught the wind, she could get sick. Now that Wen Jun was studying medicine with Doctor Jin, when he said something might cause illness, no one dared argue. So the couple just left their child behind for the night, figuring they were all going to the Jiao family’s place together in the morning anyway.
Before they left, Madam Luo made them seal the braising broth tightly and lock it in the cellar.
“Grandma, isn’t that a bit much?” Wen Yao watched her grandma’s over-the-top precautions in confusion.
Madam Luo was adamant—better safe than sorry. With both families out of the house, someone had to be on guard.
“Don’t worry about it. Go to sleep,” Madam Luo waved her off.
Wen Yao shrugged and left. If Grandma wanted to fuss, let her. As long as she was happy, whatever.
The next morning, just as dawn broke, Wen Yao was still in dreamland when she heard Madam Luo’s voice.
She turned over and muttered to Wen Ying beside her, “Did I just hear Grandma?”
Wen Ying rolled over, ran to the window, and peeked out. “Second Sister, it’s really Grandma. Dad and Mom are here too.”
Wen Yao sat up groggily, glanced at the faint morning light, and groaned. “So early? The sky’s barely even bright…” Ugh, she wanted to sleep in so badly. Sharing a bed with two kids was no joke.
Wen Ying dressed quickly and got drowsy little Datuo dressed too, then led him outside.
Wen Yao buried herself in the blankets, but after tossing and turning, she finally gave up and dragged herself out of bed—still yawning as she stepped out.
Madam Luo glanced at her. “What, were you fishing in the middle of the night?”
Wen Yao replied, “Nope. Caught two loaches.”
Sure enough, the two “loaches” were already munching on the pancakes Madam Luo had brought.
Madam Luo gave her a light swat on the back. “Go wash up and get ready. Your dad and the others will push the cart—you can sleep on it a bit.”
“Waaah, Grandma’s the best,” Wen Yao said dramatically, playing up the act.
Madam Luo pushed her away in mock disgust and went off to organize the Wen brothers and load up the cart. She even left a space open on the cart for Wen Yao.
Wen Jun wouldn’t be going with them today. Doctor Jin had originally said he could have two days off, but Madam Luo wouldn’t allow it. Who takes leave right after becoming an apprentice? Besides, it wasn’t even their own family’s major event. Right now, Wen Jun’s studies were the family’s top priority. They had plenty of people going anyway—one more or one less made no difference.
Before they left, Madam Luo plopped Datuo onto the cart and called to Wen Yao, “Wen Yao, get up there too. Hold Datuo so he doesn’t fall.” She even winked at her.
Wen Yao and Grandma were definitely on the same wavelength, but she still said, “Let Yingzi ride. I can walk.” After all, how could she take advantage of an eight-year-old girl like that?
But Wen Ying ran off as soon as she heard that. “I don’t want to ride, I wanna walk!” Of course she did—if Datuo fell, Grandma would scold her.
Alright then. With no other choice, Wen Yao “reluctantly” climbed onto the cart with Datuo, leaning back against the buckets of braised intestines as the cart wobbled its way down the road. She even nodded off halfway through.
Seeing his sister fall asleep, Datuo tried his hardest not to move, staying steady with great effort.
When they finally arrived at the Jiao family’s village, they saw someone waiting at the entrance from a distance.
“Mom, Dad—it’s Auntie and Uncle,” Wen Xiuzhu said, craning his neck to look.
Madam Luo and Old Man Wen hurried forward, and the couple at the village entrance came to meet them.
“Sis, Brother-in-law, you’re finally here!” Little Madam Luo grasped her sister’s hand affectionately, while Jiao Laohan greeted Old Man Wen.
Wen Yao jumped down from the cart with Datuo and went up with the others to pay their respects.
As soon as she saw Wen Yao, Little Madam Luo lit up. “Wen Yao, you’re finally here. Everything’s ready at home—we’re just waiting for you. Come on, let’s go.” She tucked Wen Yao’s hand under her arm and started walking.
Madam Luo stepped in without a word, casually pulling Wen Yao away and linking her arm around the other side, chatting casually as they walked into the village.
And just like that, “Little Miss Popular” Wen Yao could only share a helpless laugh with her two sisters as they followed along.
