Chapter 123: Looking for Qin Anming

Zhuang Zhuang nodded obediently and helped Xiaoguo to start the fire and bring out the bowls.

Xiaoguo still had a lot of preparation work to do, so she made a simple meal.

After Zhuang Zhuang was done eating, Xiaoguo took out the imperial edict.

Zhuang Zhuang had never seen an imperial edict before, so he didn’t know what it was. However, he didn’t ask. He knew that his mother would tell him everything. All he had to do was wait and listen.

Xiaoguo explained everything in simple terms. Although Zhuang Zhuang couldn’t understand completely, he roughly got the idea.

His grandparents would be sent back to the capital to rest in peace.

“Mother, will I be going with you?”

When Xiaoguo heard this, she nodded. “Yes, Zhuang Zhuang has to go too.”

Zhuang Zhuang had to go. He was the only descendant of the Jiang family. When he gets there, he will have to kowtow and remember the burial spot. In the future, during festivals and on memorial day, Xiaoguo would have to bring Zhuang Zhuang to visit his grandparents’ graves in the capital.

Zhuang Zhuang nodded in understanding. The capital? He still remembered that his grandmother often mentioned two things. One was his father, and the other was the capital. However, he was still young and it had been too long. He had long forgotten what his grandmother had said.

Zhuang Zhuang nodded earnestly. “Don’t worry, Mother. I will escort Grandpa and Grandma safely to the capital for burial.”

Xiaoguo looked at Zhuang Zhuang lovingly and held his head in her hands. “What a good boy you are, Zhuang Zhuang, you have really lived up to my expectations!”

Zhuang Zhuang pouted and smiled, revealing his little teeth.

Xiaoguo didn’t have much time since they were setting off the day after tomorrow. Although the village chief and the county magistrate were responsible for most of the work, she still had to prepare some items like joss paper and incense sticks for the burial. In addition, there was still the issue of the animals at home. Before Xiaoguo left the village chief’s house, she asked him how long it would take to get from the county to the capital.

The old village chief had been to the capital before, so when he heard Xiaoguo’s question, he stroked his beard and said, “A smooth trip will take at least seven days without stopping. If you stop to rest, it will take at least ten days.”

When Xiaoguo heard this, she frowned. Based on a ten-day schedule, it would take at least twenty days to travel back and forth. If there was bad weather in between, it would take at least a month. She was quite concerned that the house would be left empty for so long.

Xiaoguo was planning to leave Zhuang Zhuang at home and go to the county city to bring her brother back if things couldn’t be sorted out. However, it was too late now. If she were to go now, she would not make it back home before dark. If she brings Zhuang Zhuang along, she would be worried. If she leaves him behind, she wouldn’t feel at ease either. Eventually, she decided to go the next morning instead.

After dinner, Xiaoguo went to bed early. She would set off before dawn the next day. She had to make sure that the preparations were done properly. She could not afford to miss out on any single item that was required for the ceremony.

Xiaoguo fell asleep amidst all her thoughts. Zhuang Zhuang knew that Xiaoguo had a lot on her mind, and didn’t disturb her. He lay quietly beside her and fell asleep too.

Before dawn the next day, Xiaoguo got up and set off. She had told Zhuang Zhuang the day before that she was going to the county. As there were a lot of things that she had to settle, she could not bring him along. Zhuang Zhuang understood as well.

Xiaoguo wasn’t sure when she would be back, so she prepared extra food. At least, if she didn’t reach home by noon, Zhuang Zhuang would have something to eat.

After ensuring that everything was in order, Xiaoguo set off.

When she arrived in the county, Xiaoguo knocked on the door of the restaurant. Although it was a little intrusive, Xiaoguo had no choice. She was worried that she might miss something out since she didn’t have any experience in this area. However, Qin Anming was different. He had single-handedly arranged the funeral of their parents, so he would know better what to prepare.

In addition, she would probably need someone to help with the burial tomorrow. Xiaoguo had never brought Zhuang Zhuang on a trip like this before. If Qin Anming was around, she would feel more at ease.

Xiaoguo waited for a while before knocking again three more times.

In the restaurant, Ling Long, who was cleaning the hall, heard a knock on the door. She was a little surprised. It was still very early.

“We’re not open yet,”

Linglong spoke as she rushed out through the door.

“Linglong, it’s me, Xiaoguo.”

Xiaoguo recognized Linglong’s voice.

When Ling Long heard that it was Xiaoguo, she quickly put down the broom and unlatched the door.

“Sister Xiaoguo? Why are you so early today?”

Linglong asked Xiaoguo curiously.

“Is my brother here? I need to talk to him about something.”

When Ling Long heard this, she could tell how anxious Xiaoguo was and quickly went to the backyard to look for Qin Anming.

“Xiaoguo!”

Within a short while, Qin Anming ran over anxiously from the backyard. His clothes were in disarray. It was obvious that he had just woken up.

“Brother! It’s nothing serious! Don’t worry!”

Xiaoguo quickly said, afraid that he would trip and fall.

“What happened?”

Qin Anming heaved a sigh of relief when he heard that Xiaoguo was fine. He had just woken up when he heard Ling Long knocking on the door hurriedly. She said that something had happened to Xiaoguo. Qin Anming ran out before he could properly put on his clothes.

Xiaoguo felt a little guilty. It was her fault for not making things clear. She had caused Linglong to misunderstand and had indirectly given Qin Anming a fright.

“It’s fine, Brother! I just need to move my in-laws’ graves to the capital for burial.”

Xiaoguo tried her best to summarize everything for Qin Anming.

“How can you go alone with Zhuang Zhuang? No! I have to go with you! I would be worried sick if you go by yourself!”

They would be gone for at least a month. He wouldn’t feel at ease to let them go without him.

“It’s fine, Brother… County Magistrate Liu is going with us. There are also troops escorting us. I’ll be traveling in the carriage with Zhuang Zhuang. It’s really fine!”

Xiaoguo comforted Qin Anming. Seeing that his hair was standing on ends, she quickly comforted him.

Even though Xiaoguo kept assuring him, Qin Anming was still worried. He wanted to say more, but Xiaoguo quickly told him the purpose of her visit.

“Brother, I’m here today because I want you to come with me to buy some joss paper and other things that I will need tomorrow. I’m worried about missing out on certain items. Also, there will be no one at home for a month to take care of the small animals at home. I need you to come back and stay for a while. I’m really worried about leaving the house empty.”

Qin Anming agreed immediately. That was true! There was still a pile of things at home! What if there were troublemakers who broke into the house while Xiaoguo was gone?

“Sure! I’ll talk to Ruyi about it later.”

Seeing that Qin Anming had agreed, Xiaoguo was prepared to tell Ruyi about it.

At this moment, Ruyi came out of the bathroom. Ling Long had woken her up and was frantically telling her about Xiaoguo. She slipped on her shoes and came out of her room. Once Ruyi came out, everyone also came out from their rooms. They all looked flustered and asked Xiaoguo what had happened.

When Xiaoguo saw how worried and concerned everyone looked, her eyes turned red and her heart was filled with warmth.

“Thank you everyone. I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

Xiaoguo calmed them down and told them everything, including her plan for Qin Anming to come home and stay for a while.

When everyone heard this, they heaved a sigh of relief. Ling Long stuck out her tongue in embarrassment. She had been too impulsive.

“No problem! Of course.”

After hearing this, Ruyi immediately told Qin Anming that he could go back with Xiaoguo today.

As Xiaoguo had a lot to prepare, she couldn’t stay any longer and quickly left with Qin Anming.