Chapter 213 - 213 Let"s go Together
213 Let’s go Together
The four little ones slowed down after they heard Lu Jiao’s warning. Lu Jiao hurried up and followed them.
The baby boar didn’t die but it did get hurt. It struggled inside the trap. The two wild rabbits fell between the bamboo sticks. They weren’t injured but were stuck and couldn’t move.
Lu Jiao carefully carried up the wounded pig and the wild rabbits.
The four little ones excitedly circled the animals and talked about them non-stop.
Since the baby pig was so badly hurt it could barely move, Lu Jiao wasn’t worried that it would hurt the four little ones.
“You guys stay here and keep an eye on the boar and rabbits. I’m going to get some mint around the area.”
Once she made toothbrushes with the baby boar’s fur, she naturally needed to make some toothpaste as well. Sadly, baking soda was not a thing right now, so she could only make toothpaste with herbs.
The four little ones agreed immediately, “Sure mommy, go ahead.”
Lu Jiao didn’t go far. She found some mint nearby and planned on adding wrinkled giant hyssop, aconite, figwort, and sunflower petals to it to make toothpaste. A paste made out of those ingredients would clean the teeth, freshen the breath, and kill germs and other toxins.
Once Lu Jiao got the mint she needed, it was already late. She placed the boar and rabbits into her basket and led the children down the mountain.
The four little ones were thrilled and asked Lu Jiao, “Mommy, can we keep the rabbits?”
The rabbits were very cute and the four little ones were tempted to keep them as pets.
Lu Jiao thought about it and didn’t decline, “Sure. If you want to.”
Since they already have two dogs and a sheep, what are two more rabbits? They could keep them if they wanted.
“However, if you decide to keep them, you have to take responsibility for them. You have to remember to feed them fresh gra.s.s.”
“We know!”
By the time the five of them got home, it was already dark. Lu Jiao told the children to go play while she cooked dinner.
The four little ones held onto the two rabbits and excitedly ran to the east bedroom to report to Xie Yunjin their achievements of the day. They also told him about how Lu Jiao planned on making them toothbrushes.
Now that the four little ones’ spirits were back up, Xie Yunjin finally stopped worrying about them so much.
After the four little ones showed him the rabbits, they brought up the matter of tomorrow’s visitation.
“Mommy said we can go visit grandma tomorrow. Daddy, you should come along.”
The First Born stared at Xie Yunjin expectantly.
Xie Yunjin’s face clouded over as he thought it over. Logically speaking, he shouldn’t tag along tomorrow given that he had given Lu Jiao a divorce letter. Technically, they were no longer involved. However, he remembered how Lady Tian gave them silver without hesitation when he was wounded.
Xie Yunjin felt that it would be best for him to go with Lu Jiao tomorrow. Ever since they got married, he hasn’t paid the Lu family a visit.
The Lu family must be the topic of gossip around the Apricot Flower Village. However, Lady Tian never blamed him. He should really go and thank her personally.
Xie Yunjin answered, “Sure.”
The First Born was over the moon, “Then, we can all go together tomorrow!”
The First Born ran out to tell Lu Jiao.
Xie Yunjin knew what he wanted to do before he did and called for him to stop, “First Born, I’ll tell your mom about this myself. Don’t tell her for now.”
If the First Born told Lu Jiao, she might overthink it and question his intention. So it was better for him to personally address this.
The First Born smiled and nodded to show that he understood.
Xie Yunjin asked the four little ones to go make a nest for the rabbits.
The four little ones ran outside to do as told.
During dinner time, Xie Yunjin casually brought up plans for tomorrow to Lu Jiao, “I heard from the First Born that you will be taking them to your mom’s tomorrow?”
Lu Jiao nodded, “Yes, the four little ones want to visit Apricot Village. Since we won’t be home for lunch, do you want me to leave you some food in the pot?”
Lu Jiao looked up at Xie Yunjin, who nonchalantly announced while drinking porridge, “I plan on coming with you.”
Lu Jiao stared at Xie Yunjin in shock. They were separated. Why would he go with her?
Xie Yunjin could tell how much Lu Jiao detested the idea of him tagging along.
Xie Yunjin’s gaze darkened and he explained, “Ever since we married, I’ve never visited the Lu family. I thought your parents blamed me for that. However, not only did your mother not blame me, she even brought food and money to me when I was injured. I really think I should personally thank my in-laws.”
Xie Yunjin’s explanation was reasonable and logical and it didn’t contain any personal feelings or selfish intentions.
Lu Jiao didn’t know what to say. He was being righteous and generous. If she objected now, she would appear small-hearted. Plus, she knew that Xie Yunjin’s visit would give the Lu family much face.
However, they were going to separate in the future.
She said to Xie Yunjin, “But we are…?”
Lu Jiao stopped given that the four little ones were here. She looked back down.
Naturally, Xie Yunjin knew what she was trying to say and his eyes grew gloomy.
“That’s a future matter. I should at least visit now to make sure they know I’m not trying to avoid them.”
Since he’s said all that, Lu Jiao felt like stopping him would make her seem petty. The guy just wanted to go to thank her parents.
Lu Jiao finally gave in, “Sure. If you want to come, come. Will your legs be okay?”
Xie Yunjin’s tense mood relaxed a little and his face softened, “I’ll be okay.”
The two didn’t continue the conversation. However, the four little ones watched them talk nicely to each other and were now smiling hugely. Their eyes sparkled as they stared at their mom and dad.
After dinner, Lu Jiao boiled water for Xie Yunjin to clean himself with. Now that his legs were pretty much healed, he was able to clean himself.
Lu Jiao also boiled water to bathe the four little ones with. After bathing, she told them a bedtime story before going to sleep.
Before sleeping, Lu Jiao thought of a problem. Xie Yunjin’s legs were no good and the four little ones were little. How were they going to get to the Apricot Flower Village?
“Xie Yunjin, how are we going to get to my mom’s place tomorrow?”
Xie Yunjin’s already thought of that problem. Before, the Lu family would come to visit by taking the small roads on the north side of the mountain. However, there was no way the family could walk that road. They had to go the long way.
“Tomorrow morning, go to the Village Leader’s place and ask to rent the oxcart. We’ll take the large south road to get to the Apricot Flower Village.”
Xie Yunjin’s suggestion made some memories return to Lu Jiao’s brain. There was a south road that connected the Xie Village and the Apricot Flower Village. However, that road went through several mountains. On foot, it would take most of a day to arrive at the Apricot Flower Village. Therefore, the Lu family normally took the shortcut when visiting.
“Okay, I got it. I’ll ask the Village Leader tomorrow morning.”
“Okay.”
Lu Jiao left.
The next day, Lu Jiao woke up extra early. Unexpectedly, the four little ones, who normally would still be deep asleep, were already awake.
Lu Jiao laughed, “How come you’re awake so early today?”
The Fourth Born excitedly announced, “We are going to grandma’s house!”
The other three also giggled along. The more Lu Jiao watched them, the funnier she found this to be. So it appeared that no matter the era or location, children loved to visit relatives.
“Then you guys box a little bit while I go to the Village Leader’s place to rent their oxcart.”
The four little ones asked, “Mommy, we are going to go to grandma’s house on the oxcart?”
“That’s right.”