闪乐

“Alright, I’ll take Xuan’er and leave first.”

Feeling the motherly love from Li Xiu’e for her child, Su Qingluo relented and no longer insisted, “Mother, you should hurry up as well. We’ll wait for you in the cave.”

“Alright.”

Li Xiu’e’s eyes were filled with tenderness.

As mother and daughter talked, Jifeng and Jiyu came down from the mountain. Seeing the items stacked under the eaves, they unloaded their baskets and began to work quietly.

“Da Zhuang, Er Zhuang, where are Brother Meng and the others? Have they reached the cave?”

Upon hearing the movements, Li Xiu’e lifted the curtain from the house and came out to help with packing.

Jifeng looked up and smiled, “They will arrive soon. We met them on the way. The three horses are having trouble climbing the mountain, so they’re moving slower.”

Li Xiu’e relieved her mind, “After you two finish packing, have a meal. After eating, take Grandma Liu, Sister Yu, and Xuan’er with you to the cave.”

“Alright.”

Jifeng and Jiyu breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that the Little Prince would be going with them; their movements were even quicker now.

“I’ll carry the pots, and the oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar.”

Upon hearing that she could leave first, Grandma Liu was touched, and she volunteered to carry the large iron pot.

“No, you’re too old, and the mountain road is difficult. If you hurt your waist, it’ll be troublesome.”

Li Xiu’e was startled and quickly stopped her, “Brother Meng is strong, we’ll let him carry it when he comes back.”

“It’s not a problem. I can carry it.”

Grandma Liu bent down, determined to carry the large iron pot on her back.

“Hey, Sister Liu, why are you doing this? With so many young and strong people in the family, how can we let you carry the pot?”

Li Xiu’e anxiously grabbed the pot, and the two began a tug-of-war. “Grandma Liu, don’t carry it. Save your strength to cook for everyone.”

Su Qingluo raised the curtain and smirked at the scene, pulling the Little Prince out with her.

“You see, even Sister Yu agreed. Don’t carry it. Listening to Sister Yu is always right.’ felt more confident when she had Su Qingluo’s support.

“What can I do then? I can’t go up the mountain empty-handed, can I?” Feeling embarrassed, Grandma Liu released her hand.

Su Qingluo smiled kindly, “Grandma Liu, just pack your things and take them up the mountain. There’s no need to feel bad. We’re all family here, and there’s no need to be formal.

Li Xiu’e nodded with a smile, “Sister Yu is right. We still need you to cook for the whole family. As long as you can safely get to the mountain, that’s the best thing.”

“Alright, I’ll pack up with Sister Yu.”

Grandma Liu’s heart softened, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Su Qingluo reminded with a smile, “Grandma Liu, bring more clothes and bedding. The cave is cold, so be careful not to catch a cold and get sick.”

“Alright, Sister Yu, don’t worry. I know.”

Grandma Liu wiped her tears quietly, went back to her room, and soon came out with her clothes and bedding rolled up, filling a large basket.

Jifeng and Jiyu finished eating and came out, carrying their bamboo baskets.

Su Qingluo put a bamboo hat on the Little Prince, held him in her arms, and covered him with her own raincoat.

The Little Prince hugged his sister’s neck, smelling her signature feminine scent, feeling bubbles of happiness in his heart.

“Mom, we’re leaving. Don’t delay too long, hurry up and join us.” Before leaving, Su Qingluo held Li Xiu’e’s hand, reluctant to part.

“I know, you all go on without worry.”

Li Xiu’e smiled reassuringly, sent them out the door and stood outside, watching them until they were out of sight before turning back into the house. “Yin’er, how are the dikes upstream? Is there any danger of breaking?”

Worried about Li Xiu’e being alone at home, Su Qingluo communicated with Little Kingfisher through mental transmission.

Little Kingfisher circled above the dike, its small eyes gleaming brightly, “Not yet, but the water is almost overflowing the dike. If the rain doesn’t stop, even if the dike doesn’t break, the water upstream will rush downstream, turning into a flood peak..”