Chapter 1781: Returning to Hedeng Village

Chapter 1781: Returning to Hedeng Village

Although Xia Yi would return to the capital in the future, and there would be a new county magistrate in Chenggu County, if Granny Fang and Yuan Gui wanted, Xia Yi would probably arrange things for them.

However, Yuan Gui, sitting on the carriage shaft, smiled and said, "No, we're going back to Hedeng Village."

Shu Yu was momentarily surprised. "Back to Hedeng Village?"

Inside the carriage, Granny Fang gave a wry smile. "Ah Gui is doing this for me. It's because I don't want to stay at the county yamen. I want to go back to the village. Ah Gui is worried that I'll be alone and have no one to take care of me, so he wants to come back with me. Actually, it's better if he stays at the county yamen. He's skilled in martial arts, and if the new county magistrate takes a liking to him, he'll have a bright future. I don't want to hold him back. Miss Lu, can you persuade Ah Gui for me?"

"No need to persuade. I think Hedeng Village is quite nice, very peaceful."

Granny Fang disagreed. "Peaceful, huh? You're a young man at the age when you should be getting married. Working at the county yamen, it would be easier to find a spouse, and there's no need for him to come back with me."

Shu Yu glanced at Granny Fang and then at Yuan Gui outside the carriage. She seemed to be contemplating something. "Grandma, why don't you want to live in the county town? It's more convenient there, isn't it?"

Granny Fang suddenly turned her head, seeming unwilling to answer.

Narrowing her eyes, Shu Yu wondered if there was something about the county town that Granny Fang was wary of. When they first met Yuan Gui, he had also mentioned that Granny Fang was quite averse to coming to the county town. It was only due to necessity that they had entered the town to see the doctor, but they ended up staying for quite some time due to the rebel situation.

Shu Yu stared at Granny Fang for a moment, but the latter only gave a forced chuckle.

She sighed inwardly. Clearly, there were some things that Granny Fang didn't want to elaborate on.

Shu Yu changed her question. "Have you ever considered going back to Dong'an Prefecture? Grandma Fang, you came here to escape calamity from Dong'an Prefecture, and Yuan Gui was originally from there too. Wouldn't it be nice to return to your hometown?"

Yuan Gui pursed his lips but didn't say anything. However, Granny Fang seemed to be lost in some kind of memory, and her voice suddenly grew heavy. "Dong'an Prefecture... that place is a sorrowful land for me. I've lost all my relatives. What's the point of going back there?"

Shu Yu was taken aback. "You've lost all your relatives? Grandma Fang, how can you be so sure? Have you gone back to see for yourself?"

Granny Fang shook her head, but she didn't seem willing to continue the conversation.

"Grandma..."

Shu Yu felt a bit helpless. She wanted to inquire further, but Granny Fang suddenly pointed ahead and said, "We're about a mile away from Hedeng Village. Miss Lu, we haven't been back for over twenty days. The house must be very dirty. If we don't host you properly later, please don't take offense."

This sudden change of topic left Shu Yu somewhat amused and exasperated.

It seemed that she would have to inquire and find out more when they arrived in the village.

As expected, the carriage soon arrived in Hedeng Village. Granny Fang's house was located inside the village, so the carriage passed through the village on its way.

Initially, the village was quiet, but the actions of the rebel group had clearly affected this place as well. There were destroyed traps at the village entrance.

Now that they were entering the village, apart from a few people moving around, most were still hiding indoors. Even the children were nowhere to be seen outside.

Fortunately, it was winter, and there wasn't much work to be done in the fields. Everyone was staying indoors to keep warm.

Hearing the sound of the carriage wheels approaching, people nervously peeked out from their houses.

It wasn't until they saw Yuan Gui sitting on the carriage shaft that they breathed a sigh of relief.