Chapter 32 is like a completely different person.

Chapter 32 is like a completely different person.

On the way back, Jiang Huaiyu suddenly rushed up to Jiang Yutang and closely observed her.

Jiang Yutang was startled by his actions and took a step back: "Third Brother, what are you doing?"

The other person stared at her face without moving, their gaze finally settling on her eyes.

The slightly red corners of her eyes and her swollen eyes indicated that she had definitely been crying. Thinking of what my younger sister had just said—that she was looked down upon by the people there because of the iron chains on her feet—I felt moved and heartbroken.

He raised his hand and gently patted Jiang Yutang's head twice, tenderly comforting her: "Once we get to Danzhou, everything will be alright after the dust settles. At that time, I will spoil you like the young lady of the Grand Tutor's mansion back then!"

Upon hearing Jiang Huaiyu's solemn promise, Jiang Yutang was only stunned for a moment before breaking into a smile. Her two delicate eyebrows hung between her brows, and her eyes, which seemed to shimmer with the light of spring, were filled with starlight. The dimples that appeared and disappeared on her face made her look even more adorable.

"Yes! We'll work hard together and live a good life!"

She will do what the original owner couldn't do.

The two returned to the corner of the Jiang family's house to rest, one after the other. Everyone was discussing what to eat when they saw them return. Jiang Songzhi waved to them.

"My sister-in-law just took her medicine to prevent miscarriage and said she was a little hungry. We were discussing what to eat tonight when you two came back."

Zhu lowered her head shyly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks: "I'm sorry."

Jiang Yutang covered her mouth with her hand and laughed, explaining, "It's nothing. I asked the doctor to add some hawthorn to it because I was worried you wouldn't have a good appetite. I didn't expect it to work so quickly."

"But......"

Zhu's gaze swept over everyone, her voice so soft that only those who were close could hear her, "We don't have much food to begin with. If I have a good appetite, I'll only cause more trouble for everyone."

"It's nothing," Jiang Huaiyu said nonchalantly, putting her arm around Jiang Jiuzhe's shoulder. "Second sister-in-law, just eat. If it's not enough, your second brother will give you his share without us having to tell you."

"Yes, you have someone in your belly, so you should eat more," Mu Shi advised from the side.

Xiaoxiao nestled in her arms, her bright eyes looking at Zhu Shi, revealing a set of small teeth as she smiled at her.

"Second sister-in-law, you don't need to worry about food, there's plenty to go around."

Jiang Yutang patted his chest and assured everyone that while everyone was talking, he went to the cart to find something to eat.

When they left the village today, the woman prepared a lot of dry food for them. These cakes looked like they were made with care by herself, unlike the ones given out by the yamen runners, which were hard and chewy.

She took out a few flatbreads, took out the Lao Gan Ma chili sauce she had brought, and walked over to her brothers, saying, "Could you kind people please fetch some more water? We'll have porridge and flatbread tonight."

The four older brothers laughed and went to the river to fetch water.

She checked and realized that there wasn't much food left from last time; only hot pot ingredients, some dried meat, and biscuits remained. Even though she always brought a lot of food each time she came, it was still too much for ten mouths to eat.

It seems she'll have to go back to restock tonight; at this rate, she goes back every two days.

While serving the porridge, Jiang Yutang scooped a spoonful of Lao Gan Ma chili sauce onto everyone's plate. At first, everyone hesitated to take a bite because of the dark, gooey liquid, but after tasting it, they immediately exclaimed how delicious it was.

Jiang Shengan stared in shock at the charred food: "What is this? Pickled vegetables?"

Jiang Yutang chewed on the rice-scented snack, pondered for a moment, and nodded: "More or less."

Jiang Huaiyu wolfed down her food, and after finishing it in two bites, she handed the pancake to Jiang Yutang: "Give me some more."

"Third brother, you're getting a sore throat from eating too much." Jiang Yutang chuckled as she scooped a spoonful of soup for him.

The summer night sky is at its most beautiful, especially outdoors, where countless stars fill the sky like scattered grains of rice. The faint chirping of cicadas fills the air, and your closest family members are by your side.

It was as if this was not an exile, but just an ordinary outing.

Jiang Yutang leaned against a tree, watching the people in front of her, each exchanging their belongings. Unfortunately, she had already exchanged all her valuables, and if she wanted to exchange for anything valuable in the future, she would have to do so with other people.

If we were in the previous village, it would have been great to visit people and exchange some items.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yutang slapped his knee in exasperation: "Ouch!"

Otherwise, they're just poor people. They have no business sense at all, and they're not well-prepared. It's no wonder that other people make all the money!

"Little sister?" Jiang Songzhi looked at her in confusion.

Jiang Yutang chuckled twice and said, "I'm swatting mosquitoes." Then she clapped her hands at the air.

“No.” Jiang Songzhi frowned and shook his head, adding, “Did we forget something? The ginger soup hasn’t been made yet, has it?”

Jiang Yutang was stunned, then immediately got up and ran towards the yamen runners' carriage: "I'll go borrow a pot from them!"

When the constable heard that she wanted to borrow the pot to make ginger soup for the refugees, he agreed without hesitation. Pointing at the group of refugees, he cursed, "I specially found someone to make ginger soup for you. Tomorrow morning, put in extra effort on your journey. Anyone who dares to dawdle will have their legs broken!"

He then called over a few people to fetch water and start a fire, leaving the rest to Jiang Yutang himself.

After simply boiling the medicinal soup, he called out to all the refugees to come and drink it. The sick refugees eagerly brought their bowls to get the medicine, while the healthy ones, worried about being infected, actively lined up to participate in the treatment.

When they returned, the others had already gone to sleep. Jiang Yutang found a spot, spread out a burlap sack, and slowly lay down, but then she heard Yun Shi's voice beside her.

"Mom, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Madam Yun turned over to face her, a kind smile on her face: "Mother is relieved. I couldn't sleep until you came back."

She gently stroked Jiang Yutang's hair, carefully examining her only daughter's face, and after a long while, she said, "Tang'er has become sensible, and I'm so happy. Everyone says you're like a completely different person."

Jiang Yutang was startled and gave an awkward, dry laugh.

"Oh, this, this is no big deal. People always grow up. Let's just consider it a good deed for the baby in Second Sister's belly. We'd better get to Danzhou before Second Sister gives birth, otherwise we'll run into trouble on the way."

Yun nodded: "Yes, but the journey is long, and I don't know how much longer it will take."

"So we must hurry and not let this cold delay our journey."

Yun seemed surprised that she had thought so far ahead; her surprise was mixed with joy.

After everyone around her had fallen asleep, Jiang Yutang quietly got up, tiptoed to the cart, picked up the bundle and books she had brought back, and disappeared into the grove of trees. A flash of light followed.

When the moonlight illuminated the woods again, they were empty, with only the chirping of cicadas remaining.