Capítulo 1191: Chapter 1195: River God (5)
Lady Xu and Lady Liao were barely noticeable in the original owner’s mories, so Su Li vaguely knew that these two were rather docile won.
Actually, it should be said that most of the won married into the Zheng Family Village were quite docile, though there were a few fiery ones, but they have vanished over the years.
Rumor has it that so couldn’t bear their own children being sent to the River God and ran away from ho, while others went insane or foolish because they couldn’t accept the reality.
The original owner never thought deeply about it, but when Su Li pondered over it, he always felt a chilling fear, sending shivers down his spine.
“Miss Su, you better decide quickly, there’s only two days left for us to consider.”
Su Li: “But that child is the lifeline of another woman, I can’t…”
Lady Bai looked over with a strange expression, her eyes showing too much white, bringing a touch of ridiculous mockery to her expression.
She let out a few strange chuckles from her throat, “Miss Su, haven’t you ever suspected… that Zheng Erlang might be unfaithful to you outside?”
Even though it wasn’t said outright, the implication in Lady Bai’s words was already very clear.
“Take your ti to think, but you have to give an answer by tomorrow.”
Outside, the sound of three croaks echoed, and Lady Bai’s expression changed. She hurriedly rushed outside.
There’s no pond or water hole near these houses, where did the frog sounds co from?
Su Li quickly followed after, but Lady Bai’s big steps moved fast, and Su Li only saw three vague, blurry figures by the gate.
One shadow cast under the moonlight held Su Li’s gaze the longest.
A slightly rounded belly, like a woman three months pregnant.
There hadn’t been a newborn in Zheng Family Village for a long ti; many wives were unwilling to give birth.
Children are born, raised for a few years, nurtured with an inseparable bond, only to be sent to the River God?
A single child could take half a mother’s life, and a few more could drive her mad if not kill.
Then there were the words Xiao Li whispered to Xiao Tong, her father wanted her mother to have children, right?
Standing at the door for a while, Su Li locked the courtyard gate again and went back inside.
A night without incident.
Early the next morning, the two young n who were instructed by the village chief to send Su Li ho ca again.
The two young n, one nad Zheng Qiu and the other Zheng Dong, were cousins.
But, in fact, all the residents in Zheng Family Village descended from the sa ancestors and were almost all related by blood.
That being said, Zheng Qiu and Zheng Dong should address Su Li respectfully as sister-in-law.
As soon as Su Li opened the courtyard gate, Zheng Qiu and Zheng Dong squatted down at the gate, like gate gods, one on each side.
From inside the yard, their figures were practically invisible; no one knew when they had arrived.
Zheng Qiu held a small bag of white rice, with the mouth of the bag tightly tied with a string, placed snugly between his stomach and leg on the ground.
Zheng Dong, on the other hand, brought a fresh grass carp, carried in his hand by threading a piece of straw through the fish’s mouth.
The fish was lively, occasionally flicking its tail.
Upon hearing the door open, the two stood up simultaneously, casting a reserved yet bold glance at Su Li.
Su Li’s gaze circled the items in their hands and asked coldly, “Did the village chief send you?”
Zheng Qiu hurriedly waved his hand, “No, I was just worried about you… both of you, so I ca to check.”
“Cook the white rice for Xiao Tong.”
It seed that the small bag of rice in Zheng Qiu’s hand was just enough for two people’s worth over two days.
Having spoken first, Zheng Dong wasn’t willing to be outdone. He edged closer to Su Li with the grass carp in hand, as if seeking praise, “I bought this fish from town overnight.”
“Make so fish soup for Xiao Tong.”
In past years, a single grass carp wouldn’t have ant much, as Zheng Family Village bordered the Tongtian River, where there were plenty of fish and shrimp. Villagers could easily catch a bunch from the river anyti they wanted a feast.
But since the Tongtian River had been claid by the River God, no one dared approach the riverbank except on the day of sacrifice, let alone catch fresh fish from the river.
To feast on fish or shrimp, villagers had to trade with people from other villages or walk several hours to buy from town.
This way, fish and shrimp seed slightly more valuable than other food.
Of course, that slight value was minor, as grains were precious when stomachs couldn’t be fully filled.
“Raise them well, then send them to the River God in style?”
Su Li’s gaze was icy sharp, leaving the two young n flustered, “No, that’s not what we an.”
Clenching her itchy palm, Su Li said expressionlessly, “Go back and tell the village chief not to waste any more effort on .”
Zheng Qiu and Zheng Dong’s faces flushed with embarrassnt, not expecting Su Li to see through their intentions so clearly.
Even though they felt now wasn’t the right ti to say this…
Zheng Qiu glanced at his cousin beside him, eagerly wanting to hold Su Li’s hand, “Miss Su, with Zheng Erlang gone, and Xiao Tong… you’re all alone, I just want to take care of you.”
Every word was snatched by his older cousin, Zheng Dong was displeased. He pulled Zheng Qiu back by his clothes from behind, preventing any contact with Su Li.
“Big brother, you’re being unfair, the village chief said we could compete fairly. Whoever Miss Su favors, that’s the one. Why don’t you follow the rules?”
Turning his head, Zheng Dong earnestly said to Su Li, “Miss Su, rember not to say what you just said again. The village chief won’t allow it. For the survival of our village, we need new children.”
“You fool, what nonsense are you spouting to Miss Su.” Zheng Qiu hurriedly covered Zheng Dong’s mouth.
Survival, new children, pregnancy, illegitimate children…
A line connected all these confusing matters, was it what she thought it ant?
“Uncle Zheng, Uncle Four, why are you here?”
Xiao Tong rubbed his sleepy eyes, forcing a smile.
Su Li noticed his listless look, with swollen red eyes. Evidently, he had cried under his blanket throughout the night.
The little one must be terrified, yet during the day, he desperately masked his emotions to avoid worrying his mother.
He was just an eight-year-old child, his life barely begun, about to be cut short here.
Su Li gently took Xiao Tong’s hand, holding him close. In a voice only they could hear, she whispered, “Don’t be afraid, mother won’t send you to the River God, trust .”
Xiao Tong hurriedly wanted to speak, but Su Li pressed her finger against his soft lips, “Shh, our secret.”
Xiao Tong hesitated, yet his mother’s embrace made him reluctant to leave.
Zheng Qiu and Zheng Dong, not reading the mood, interrupted the tender mont between mother and son, “Xiao Tong, uncle brought you sothing to eat.”
In an instant, Xiao Tong’s face turned pale. Uncle Zheng’s and Uncle Four’s actions were constant reminders of eating well for the final journey.
Su Li was furious, “Get out of here.”
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