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“Xiu Qi, your arrival is timely. With the great battle impending, Cibo came over to ask if there were any areas where he could be of service. I’m not as skilled as you in troop deployment and formation, so I’ll leave the arrangements to you,” Liu Xiu said as Han Yu entered, clearly stating his stance. He had always trusted Han Yu and had no worries that Han Yu would behave like Yin Shi, acting out of personal interest or disposition. Han Yu was a true gentleman.

If Han Yu knew what Liu Xiu was thinking, he would likely be somewhat embarrassed. He really didn’t qualify as a true gentleman. It was just that he seldom resorted to intrigue, and even when he did, his methods were exceedingly clever and went unnoticed, which led to such a misunderstanding with Liu Xiu. He felt rather apologetic about it.

Both sides were making preparations for the war, each with their own reliance and concerns, and the conflict erupted as expected.

Now, Su Wenyue was leading three children and her mother’s family to a rather desolate area. The sudden rain made it difficult to travel, especially with children, and caused great inconvenience. Therefore, they decided to settle down in a small village not far ahead, intending to wait for the rain to stop before continuing their journey.

“May I ask who you guests are?” Just as Master Su was about to send the housekeeper to scout the village, an old man with white hair, wearing a straw raincoat, came out from the village and approached them with an inquiry.

“Elder, we are a caravan just passing through. The rain has made it difficult to travel, and besides, it’s getting late. We’d like to rest for a bit in the village. I wonder if you could be so kind as to accommodate us?” Master Su respectfully addressed the old man with a bow.

“So you’re a passing caravan. Indeed, this weather isn’t suitable for travel, and it looks like the rain might continue for some time. I have a few empty rooms in my house that you can use,” the old man replied kindly, without any rejection, and started leading the way forward, bringing the group into the village.

The villagers rarely saw so many visitors, even in the rain, and they came out to curiously watch Su Wenyue and her group, murmuring to each other now and then.

When Su Wenyue entered the village, she also looked around. The small village had no more than ten households, mostly elderly and women with children. The men were either conscripted into the Imperial Court’s army or had left to make a living elsewhere. This gave the village a desolate and lonely feeling. Moreover, with the world falling into greater chaos and the rising food prices, the commoners’ days were becoming increasingly difficult, their faces gaunt and malnourished, making Su Wenyue and her group stand out all the more.

It was only from their conversation that they learned the old man leading them was named Liu, the Village Chief. His own son had gone off to the army, leaving just his daughter-in-law and two grandsons at home.

“Mr. and Mrs. Su, please rest in the main house for a while. The room I’m offering has been vacant for a long time and is rather dirty and messy, so I’ll have my daughter-in-law clean it up first,” Old Man Liu said, just as a middle-aged woman headed to a side room, the Old Man’s daughter-in-law.

“We couldn’t trouble you further. The fact that you are willing to lend us rooms is already deeply appreciated. My servants and sister-in-law can handle it,” Master Su promptly replied, not looking down on the old man because of his status, as though it were a given.

“It’s no trouble at all, we’re used to attending to these small matters.”

“Then we are indeed in your debt, thank you kindly, elder,” said Master Su, eventually allowing the servant girl to join in and help.

Old Man Liu was hospitable, having Mr. and Mrs. Su and Su Wenyue sit in the main house while he poured water for them, attending to their needs. He would have liked to serve the others as well, but the house did not have enough cups.

“Laugh at us if you will, but we’re too poor to afford tea leaves. All I can offer is plain water; please don’t mind it,” Old Man Liu said with a restrained manner, bringing forward a plate of peanuts—what little his family had grown and all that remained for such hospitable purposes. His grandson clung to Old Man Liu’s leg, eyeing the plate of peanuts, salivating, but too timid to approach and ask for some.

The three well-behaved children sat beside their mother, intrigued by the other child around their age. Seeing Old Man Liu’s grandson coveting the bowl of peanuts, Little Si Yu was the first to speak up.

“Mother, does this little brother want some peanuts? Si Yu noticed he can’t take his eyes off the peanuts on the table and he is drooling. Mother, could we let him have some?” Sister Yu meant well, but being a child, she spoke without pretense, rapidly and directly. Hearing Si Yu’s words, Old Man Liu felt a bit uncomfortable but didn’t scold his grandson.

Their stock of food was limited, and it was hard enough to get by as it was, let alone eat well. Peanuts, once a treat, had become a luxury, and it was natural for the grandchild to react so.

Having children of her own had softened Su Wenyue’s heart. Seeing Old Man Liu’s grandson, who was six or seven years old but looked frail and only slightly taller than her own three children, she felt pity for him. She smiled as she handed the plate of peanuts to Si Yu to take them to Old Man Liu’s grandson.

The children of Su Wenyue’s family were not shy. With her permission, Little Si Yu happily took the peanuts to the little boy, with Brother Xing and Brother Chen following closely to protect their sister.

“Little brother, here are some peanuts for you,” Si Yu sweetly offered to Old Man Liu’s grandson.

Old Man Liu’s grandson, previously gazing eagerly at the peanuts on the table, now stood dumbstruck, staring at Si Yu, not reaching for them. Instead, he glanced at his grandfather, Old Man Liu, for guidance.

“Huzi, what are you waiting for? Didn’t you want some peanuts? That considerate little girl has brought them to you, go on and take a handful,” Old Man Liu encouraged his grandson, who seemed a bit bewildered; his grandson’s name was Huzi.

“Thank you, sister,” Huzi said in a small voice. He quickly grabbed a handful of peanuts from the plate, careful not to take too many, and began to shell and eat them.

About a quarter of an hour later, Old Man Liu’s daughter-in-law had finished cleaning the rooms. She cleared out four rooms, with Mr. and Mrs. Su occupying one, and Su Wenyue with the three children occupying another, while the remaining two rooms were allocated to the servants. Those who couldn’t fit inside made do under the eaves, setting up a tent to cope.