Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 254 - 171: Jumping into the River to Escape_1

Chapter 254: Chapter 171: Jumping into the River to Escape_1

Huo Liren curled his lips and said, "Some indeed were carried into the Song River after they died, but there were also deserters who jumped into the river to escape because they were afraid. But jumping into the Song River during the torrential rain is also death..."

Tears streamed down Qian Yeejin’s face as she raised her voice, "My father was brave in battle and even became a Seventh Rank Official; he would not jump into the river to flee. He must have been washed away after dying in battle."

Qian Sangui and his wife had been staying in the bedroom, just wanting to hear news of their son. Hearing these words, they also began to cry.

Huo Liren’s words had two meanings: one was being washed away by the river after death, and the other was deserting and jumping into the river. Either way, it was death. It’s just that one is an honorable death, and the other is a death without honor.

Thinking of that cruel scene, Qian Yixiu’s tears also fell, and she went over to hold Qian Yeejin, saying, "Our father is a hero; he surely died on the battlefield. If brother ever has the chance to go up north, he should burn paper offerings and kowtow by the Song River for father."

Qian Yeejin nodded as the siblings embraced and wept bitterly.

Seeing that his careless words had caused trouble, Huo Liren quickly said, "Yes, yes, your father was brave in combat and did not jump into the river to escape; he must have been carried away by the river after dying in battle."

Actually, Liang Jinzhao had already returned to the Capital City and gathered some information, guessing that their father had been swept into the Song River. But he never dared tell them, as he felt it was too cruel. Perhaps not knowing the truth was much better than knowing it.

Having made the children cry, and with sobs carrying from the bedroom, the group hastily finished their meal and then followed Wan Dazhong to the Wan family to rest. Before leaving, Liang Jinzhao told Qian Yeejin that he had left eight wild rabbits and eight wild chickens for them, and had sent the other game to the Qian family.

Once the courtyard returned to calm, Old man Cai latched the gate securely.

Qian Yeejin and her siblings returned to the main room where Lady He, leading Qian Xiaoyu, and Cai Xiaohua had already cleared the bowls from the table.

Qian Sangui and Lady Wu walked out of the bedroom arm in arm, while their niece also came from the side room to the main room, all of them wiping away tears sorrowfully. No one spoke; there were only gentle sobs.

Cheng Yue, seeing that everyone had left, also entered the main room. However, she showed not a hint of sadness; instead, her face was full of smiles, her eyes crinkling into crescents, and her step exceedingly light, like a joyful little bird. Her mother-in-law had never been so exuberantly overjoyed before.

Seeing her in such a state, everyone was a bit panicked, guessing if she had relapsed into illness upon hearing Huo Liren’s words.

Qian Yixiu and Qian Yeejin hurried over to hold her, asking, "Mother, what’s wrong with you? What are you laughing at?"

Cheng Yue giggled, pulling her daughters, "Brother Jiang must have become a deserter and fled by jumping into the river. Mother said that if Brother Jiang promised to come back, he would surely find a way. Good children, stop being sad. Your father will come back after a few days."

Her words startled everyone in the room.

Qian Sangui’s face darkened as he rebuked sharply, "How could Manjiang possibly become a deserter? Daughter-in-law, you must not speak nonsense."

Cheng Yue’s face puckered in grievance, her eyes welling up, as she saw her father-in-law rebuke her.

Lady Wu also said, "Yueyue, these aren’t things to say lightly. If outsiders heard, we would be cursed to death, and Jinwa would also be unable to hold office in the future."

Qian Yixiu sat her mother-in-law down and persuaded, "Mother, words like father became a deserter and escaped by jumping into the river must never be spoken again. If someone with ulterior motives hears, they might accuse our family of deceiving the Imperial Court and claiming relief money fraudulently, which could lead Grandfather and Brother to be taken to jail."

Cheng Yue said aggrievedly, "Mother isn’t a fool; how could she say it out loud for outsiders to hear? Mother is just happy and wanted to share with the family," her displeasure evident as she looked at them. "You all couldn’t possibly be hoping that Brother Jiang does not jump into the river, hoping he dies in battle just to make him a hero, right? If that’s the case, Yueyue would be devastated. Brother Jiang is so smart; he would surely escape by jumping into the river."

After speaking, she defiantly tilted her head a bit höher.

It was impossible to reason with her, nor could it likely be clarified.

Qian Yeejin could only coax, "Mother, we all do not wish for father to die. But even if mother has these thoughts, please do not say them out loud. Just be quietly happy at home. Even at home, please don’t say it again; if Great-grandpa and Great-grandma hear, they’ll scold not just mother, but also Grandfather and Grandmother."

Cheng Yue, seeing the expectant gazes of her family, nodded in agreement, "Mother isn’t stupid; mother won’t say anything. She’ll just think it to herself."