"That’s right, that’s right! Big Sister is so smart! I want to learn from Big Sister and become smarter too," Dashuang said, her little hand propping up her chin thoughtfully.
Xiaoshuang didn’t say anything, but he seemed to be thinking about what Gu Qingli had said as he touched his schoolbag.
Indeed, the children are teachable and understood her intentions.
Gu Qingli was genuinely impressed by the intelligence of the two. She had only hinted that they should use their eyes to observe and their hearts to think when doing things.
Back when she was a student, her teachers had often earnestly guided her.
Gu Qingli got up early and waited at the village entrance.
Just then, an ox-cart slowly approached.
Chen Erlang, who was on the cart, spotted Gu Qingli at once and hastily told his father to stop.
He climbed down and strode quickly to Gu Qingli, speaking gently, "Li’er, are you going to town, or...?"
Was she waiting for him?
Gu Qingli glanced at him. "Please call me Yunjing’s wife."
"Li’er, we were once engaged, after all. Can’t you be like you used to be?" Chen Erlang looked heartbroken.
Gu Qingli wanted to vomit. She said coldly, "You said it yourself, that was in the past. I’m married now. Why should I treat you like before? Are you trying to ruin my reputation in front of everyone? Make them think I’m still infatuated with you? Chen Erlang, you’re an educated man. Don’t you even know the most basic etiquette and shame?"
"Then why are you here?"
"Ha! You think I’m standing here waiting for you?" Gu Qingli sneered. She wasn’t Gu Qingmei, coming out in this cold weather to see him off to school.
Gu Qingli really didn’t want to talk to such an imbecile.
"Erlang, let’s go." Father Chen couldn’t stand it anymore. Only today did he realize it was all his son’s wishful thinking, pestering her relentlessly. It was utterly disgraceful.
Fortunately, no one had passed by this early.
"Ah! Brother Erlang, wait for us!" Just as Chen Erlang turned, Gu Qingmei arrived with Gu Dahe, her third uncle, and his nephews.
Chen Erlang looked at Gu Qingli, saw she didn’t even glance their way, then gritted his teeth and went to meet the approaching Gu Qingmei.
"Mei’er, you’re going to town too? Let’s go together then."
Gu Qingmei shot Gu Qingli a smug look and boarded the ox-cart. Gu Dahe, her third uncle, and his nephews, operating on the principle that "only a fool doesn’t take a free ride," silently climbed aboard.
Father Chen merely gave them a cold glance and drove the ox-cart away.
Not long after they left, Ms. Wu came down with the two children.
"Li’er, have you been waiting long?"
"No, Mom. Dashuang, Xiaoshuang, let’s go."
Actually, it wasn’t far to town, and walking was good for one’s health. She’d rather walk than sway about in that ox-cart.
The four of them were in good physical condition now, and they arrived in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Master Xu’s school was a bit out of the way, but it had a good environment, located in one of the town’s few affluent areas.
"Mom, Sister, this is it," Dashuang said.
The courtyard gate was open, allowing students to enter at this time.
The mother and children entered the courtyard. It was quite spacious, with a small garden in the middle. In the center of the garden was a rather unique pavilion.
The house was built around a central courtyard. A door to a room on the left was open, and the sound of reading drifted out from within.
Dashuang led them to a room on the right and knocked on the door.
A deep male voice came from inside, "Come in."
Dashuang and Xiaoshuang nodded to Ms. Wu and Gu Qingli, then pushed the door open and went in.
Soon, the three of them came out.
The first to emerge was a tall, middle-aged man in a black robe. He had a square face, thick eyebrows that slanted upwards towards his temples, and sported a neat beard. His eyes were calm and tranquil, his nose well-defined, and his hair was tied up in a teacher’s bun, fastened with a wooden hairpin.
On the surface, he looked like a handsome middle-aged uncle, but one glance at his eyes told you he wasn’t easy to deal with—a handsome uncle with a thorny disposition.
"You are Gu Qingyun’s and Gu Qingyang’s family?" Master Xu asked, his gaze indifferent as he looked at them.
Ms. Wu curtsied and said, "Yes, I am their mother, and this is their sister."
"Mm, you may go back. Rest assured, they will be fine here."
"Alright, thank you, Master." The mother and daughter curtsied again and then left.
Master Xu couldn’t help but look at the mother and daughter again. To think there were women in the countryside who understood etiquette.
As soon as they were out, Ms. Wu clutched her chest and let out a breath. "Phew! Li’er, that Master Xu looks so intimidating."
"It’s not that exaggerated. He’s just a bit stern."
A person like that shouldn’t belong in this small town. He’s definitely no commoner. Perhaps he came here to live in seclusion. With him teaching the twins, Gu Qingli felt even more reassured. Such a man would possess true knowledge and ability.
Ms. Wu gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Oh, my courage..."
"It’s alright, you’ll get used to him after seeing him more often. Mom, shall we look around, or head back?" Gu Qingli comforted Ms. Wu before asking.
Ms. Wu replied, "Let’s go buy some rice and flour. We’re running low at home."
The mother and daughter went to the grain shop, where Ms. Wu bought twenty catties each of rice and flour. After that, they didn’t buy anything else. Each carrying a bag, they headed back.
Ms. Wu didn’t go; Gu Qingli went to pick up the two children. She also hoped to bump into Xiao Yunjing.
「Five days passed in this manner」
Xiao Yunjing still hadn’t returned, and Gu Qingli was getting a little restless.
She decided to make a trip to the Capital City herself. So, that afternoon, Ms. Wu went to pick up the children while Gu Qingli stayed home to prepare for her journey the next day.
"Li’er! Li’er! Something terrible has happened!"
Just as they were about to have dinner, Ms. Wu ran in, crying.
Gu Qingli hurried out. "Mom, what’s wrong?"
Ms. Wu was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe. She stammered, "Li’er... Dashuang... Xiaoshuang... they’re gone!"
"What? What do you mean, gone? Mom, tell me clearly!" Gu Qingli was stunned. What did ’gone’ mean?
"In-law, don’t panic. Take your time and tell us," Ms. Jiang said, patting Ms. Wu’s back as she and the rest of the Xiao Family came out upon hearing the commotion.
Ms. Wu wiped her tears, still sniffling and sobbing. She continued, "This afternoon, I went to pick up Dashuang and Xiaoshuang at the usual time, but they didn’t come out for a long while. I went to ask Master Xu, and Master Xu said they left right after school finished! Then I searched all the way back here, but there was no sign of them. I waited a bit longer, and still nothing. I think... I think something might have happened to Dashuang and Xiaoshuang!"
Everyone listened and finally understood what had happened.
"In-law, don’t panic. You and my wife go inform the Village Chief. Third Daughter-in-law will take us to town. Eldest, hurry and get the ox-cart!" Mr. Xiao, upon hearing this, immediately began issuing orders before anyone else could react.
"Yes, yes, thank you, In-law! We’ll go right away." Ms. Wu didn’t stand on ceremony and pulled Ms. Jiang along as she left.
"Xiao Han, take your younger brothers to the Gu Family’s place," Mr. Xiao instructed further.
"Yes, Grandfather. We’ll go immediately. You all be careful." Xiao Han nodded, then turned and led his two younger brothers, running towards the Gu Family’s house.
"Eldest, Second, you go with Third Daughter-in-law. Assess the situation and act accordingly," Mr. Xiao said to Eldest Brother Xiao, who was bringing out the ox-cart.
"Yes, Father. We understand," Eldest Brother Xiao and Second Brother Xiao replied in unison.