Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

Although Ms. Xin had a miscarriage and injured her body, her complexion was actually better than before.

Seeing Liu Sisi’s arrival, she welcomed her warmly and asked her to sit down: “Has Third Sister-in-law been very busy lately? Why do you have the leisure to visit Cuihua today?”

“Indeed, I’ve been quite busy recently. But I came here today for two reasons. First, to thank you for saving me back then. Second, to see if you need anything here?”

Liu Sisi helped Ms. Xin up with a smile on her face and assisted her to sit down on the bed.

Ms. Xin smiled faintly: “You’re making a big deal out of this, Third Sister-in-law. Look at Cuihua now, I have no worries about food and clothing. What else do I need? On the contrary, it’s Ah-Bao, who is idle at home all day and has no ambition. I just can’t feel at ease. Sigh! If only he could be half as good as Third Brother!”

Liu Sisi had an idea in her mind, so she continued the conversation.

“What you said is true! It’s not right for my little brother, a grown man, to stay at home all the time. Your third brother is now the sub-captain and in charge of the heavy responsibility of guarding Macheng County. But he doesn’t have a few trustworthy people around him. It’s a pity.”

Ms. Xin held Liu Sisi’s hand warmly: “Where is this coming from, Third Sister-in-law? Isn’t it said that ‘brothers fight together like tigers, and father and son soldiers fight together on the battlefield’? Since Third Brother lacks people around him, why not let Ah-Bao try? If it really doesn’t work out, you can just send him back. What do you think, Third Sister-in-law?”

Liu Sisi laughed and was very happy: “Having the help of my little brother is the best! When I get back, I’ll tell Ye Lei tonight. I’m sure Ye Lei will be delighted when he hears about it!”

Little Cui’er smiled shyly: “I’m just adding trouble for Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law…”

Everyone knew what kind of person Di Ah-bao was and how he was regarded in the village. Little Cui’er didn’t make any demands, but instead wanted to find a job for Di Ah-bao. Liu Sisi thought about it, and this matter would probably fall on Di Yelei. He would have to find him a job that was easy, didn’t cause any worries, earned a lot of silver, and most importantly, didn’t have to worry about him making blunders.

After discussing with Di Yelei when she got back, Di Yelei couldn’t come up with a conclusion for quite a while. In the end, he decided to let him be an Observation Envoy. In those days, the Observation Envoy was a leisurely job, just a title, and was actually just an idler who helped wealthy families with their plans.

This was like giving free money to Di Ah-Bao!

When Ms. Xin heard about this, her face did not show any emotions, and she just smiled faintly. On the contrary, Di Ah-Bao grumbled for a long time, and in the end, with a glare from Ms. Xin, he finally agreed reluctantly.

Now that Di Ah-Bao was to serve as the Observation Envoy for Di Ye-Lei, both he and his wife, Ms. Xin, moved into the official residence with Di Ye-Lei and the others.

Only Di Gaoyuan and his family from the second branch were left behind, which greatly angered Ms. Wang!

Outside, the spring plowing was in full swing. But this year, it started raining from the beginning of spring, and now, when rainwater is needed, there are one after another sunny days, and not a drop of rain has fallen.

Every day, Di Yelei would be busy from morning until night, trying to do his duties even better.

At the moment, he is the temporary commander of Macheng County and is also the sub-captain in charge of armories and other matters. Even if he wanted to take a break, he couldn’t find the time due to the difficulties in handling the handover procedures.

Di Ah-Bao followed him every day, gradually looking more like brothers. On the other hand, Ms. Xin lived quietly in the small courtyard assigned to Di Ah-bao, either making a summer shirt for Elderly Mr. Di or a small purse for YingEr. She was so quiet that she hardly ever went out.

Liu Zhi’er and Da Mao stayed in the small town. The lease for the mansion hadn’t expired yet, Liu Zhi’er’s dumpling shop was doing well, and Aunt Cao couldn’t stop grinning at the money she earned. In the end, they decided that Aunt Cao would move into the mansion and live with Liu Zhi’er and her child. Also, Miao Cuihua naturally joined them.

Miao Cuihua was thriving in the bookstore, and she loved living in the small town to save time on travel. Naturally, she agreed wholeheartedly.

Surprisingly, with Miao Cuihua the ‘giant’ present, nobody dared to bully Liu Zhi’er and her son.

However, there was one thing that Liu Sisi couldn’t rest easy about; it was that the Cao family kept pestering Liu Zhi’er!

As time quickly passed by and it was late March, the imperial court’s official appointment for Di Yelei arrived!

“Former sub-captain of Macheng County, Di Yelei, has been conscientious and strict with himself, thus being appointed as Captain Zhiguo. He is responsible for escorting supplies to the border city within three days. No mistake is allowed!”

Accompanying this appointment was a long letter personally penned by Nan Tianzong.

The letter’s content mentioned their well-being, followed by a detailed analysis of the court’s power dynamics and relationships among the complex and conflicting factions. Later, he hinted at the critical situation in the border city and the need for Di Yelei’s help.

And to offer this help, Di Yelei naturally had to go to the border city!

“Do you really have to go? Can’t you say no? There are plenty of people who can transport the supplies. Why do they specifically have to send you? Why don’t I write Brother Nan a letter and ask him to find someone else?”

While helping him pack, Liu Sisi softly questioned him, desperately trying to hold back her tears.

Di Yelei stood by her side with his eyes full of reluctance, speaking softly, “This is a difficult favor granted by the Imperial Envoy. Moreover, it is a court appointment, not something that can be easily declined. Besides, I’m only going to the border city to escort the supplies to the capital. I’ll be back quickly.”

“Really? Will it be fast?”

At last, Liu Sisi raised her head, looking at him with hopeful eyes.

“Can you… make it back before the baby is born?”

The child in Liu Sisi’s womb was over seven months old. For Di Yelei to head to the border city and escort the supplies back, it seemed impossible!

But, at this moment, staring into Liu Sisi’s big watery eyes brimming with hope, he could not bring himself to say no.

He reached out and wrapped his arms around her like wings, protective of her and the child in her womb.

“I will! I’ll be back before you give birth. I promise!”

Di Yelei solemnly vowed, all but swearing an oath, finally making Liu Sisi smile through her tears.

“Alright! This is what you promised, and I won’t forget!”