PFC Chapter 34 What a coincidence!
Chapter 34 What a coincidence!
In the darkness, Wenwen tossed and turned, grimacing and quietly inhaling and exhaling, rubbing her sore legs.
I accidentally stuck my elbow back, startling my grandmother and waking her up. She's old and doesn't need much sleep anyway.
Grandmother turned around in a daze and was almost frightened when she saw her strange appearance. "Wen'er, what's wrong with you?"
Wenwen quickly whispered to comfort her, "Grandma, it's alright, I'm fine, don't worry."
Grandmother glanced at her from head to toe, then pulled her leg over and began massaging it without saying a word.
The elderly woman looked at the child's tiny arms and legs, feeling sorry for the child who was suffering, and tried to be as gentle as possible.
The movement of the grandmother and grandson woke up Mrs. Ren.
Before long, the Wen family members all woke up, even the younger ones rubbing their eyes and looking for their mother.
Wen Qilin and the others had already become alert while the grandfather and grandson were talking, almost thinking that some fool had run into them again.
Those members of the Wen family who possessed even a modicum of fighting ability had made preparations for battle in advance.
Wenwen was both amused and exasperated; her fall had successfully woken up her family.
She looked up at the distance.
Several soldiers were dozing off by the campfire, and the guards standing watch in the distance were also swaying.
The other prisoners' circle was some distance from the Wen family's encirclement.
They seemed to be a little scared and a little isolated.
That's alright, this situation is actually advantageous to the Wen family, which is exactly what Wenwen wanted.
It's another night perfect for some underhanded tactics.
Wenwen made up her mind that since everyone was awake and the situation allowed, they should make something to eat.
While it's true that eating too much too late is bad for your health, shouldn't we analyze each case individually? Their current situation is special.
Even the strongest horse would perish if it had to endure hunger and carry heavy loads for 50 li (25 kilometers) during the day without some wild grass.
Before going to bed tonight, the constables removed everyone's shackles. Although there were still warnings and threats, at least tonight would be a little easier.
Wenwen pretended to cough and gave her fourth brother and eldest sister a meaningful look.
The family acted swiftly, taking advantage of the cover of night. Each person found their position and formed layers of cover, while the men on the outer circle split into several directions, watching the front intently.
Wenwen patted each of the children, pinched their little cheeks, and coaxed them, "Wake up, wake up, sister will give you something yummy."
Kids really are like mothers who feed their children. As soon as they hear about something delicious, none of them stay in bed. They roll over and get right up, heads close together, their eyes shining brightly. Wenwen looked at their eyes, wanted to laugh but gritted her teeth and held it back.
Wenwen gave the children some easily digestible pastries and bread, as well as dried meat and yogurt. With the help of her older sisters, the children ate and drank their fill and were all put to sleep. Only then did Wenwen move away from the group of children.
Wenwen turned around and plopped down among her sisters. In the darkness, she didn't bother to sort or divide the food. She pulled out a bunch of food from the middle, including dry rations, jerky, chicken legs, and a pile of fruit. She lowered her voice and said, "Eat whatever you can get. I can't tell the portions. Just tell me if you don't have enough."
The sisters didn't hesitate to offer food and looked after each other, ensuring everyone had a full meal. If someone had the same dish, they would definitely give it to the sister next to them. This moment perfectly demonstrated their kinship, laying a solid foundation for the bond between the sisters.
While her sisters were eating, Wenwen immediately prepared another bundle for her mother and the others, which contained dry food, chicken legs, and fruit.
Of course, my grandparents got an extra portion of bread and pastries.
Finally, it was the turn of the people in the outer circle. Fourth Brother had been eagerly waiting on the sidelines.
Wenwen gave him a look and immediately understood.
The pillars of the Wen family are all big men; even if they look thin, their appetites are not to be underestimated.
Wenwen prepared large portions of food for everyone, including dry rations and meat, so everyone would definitely be full. If they still weren't full, they could make up for it with fruit.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal tonight, which included staple foods, meat dishes, and even dessert at the end.
Compared to the Wen family in the past, this meal was nothing, but now, the Wen family members were very satisfied.
Wenwen has always been seen as a child who needs love and care by her family.
Unexpectedly, the Wen family suffered a sudden misfortune, and this frail child unexpectedly protected everyone.
The elders found it hard to believe, but the facts were undeniable, and they could only secretly resolve to show Wenwen even more love and care in the future.
Her older siblings have always clearly favored her since she was little, always giving her the best things and indulging her every whim. Now that their younger sister has shown her such great affection, how could they not continue to show her favoritism? Of course not.
Her younger siblings' admiration and dependence on her grew day by day, and they all clearly looked up to Wenwen.
In an instant, Wenwen felt something. She felt a huge warm current surge from the bottom of her heart, flowing through her limbs and bones. These branches of warm current eventually converged and surged into her mind, as if her soul and body were fused more tightly and solidly.
She knew today was a good day.
A gentle breeze blew by, dispelling all the feelings in Wenwen's mind.
The moon will soon be hidden; there is still time before dawn.
The Wen family members quickly fell asleep and slept soundly through the night until dawn.
There was only a sliver of light on the horizon when the bailiffs rang their gongs once again. The prisoners, though they had complaints, dared not utter a word. They got up and tidied themselves up without much prompting.
Once the light had increased slightly and people could be roughly seen, the constables urged them to set off.
"Lord Zhu said to set off early so that we can rest a little longer when the midday sun is too strong."
The prisoners didn't need to listen to their explanations. The adults had been in charge all along; when to set off and when to rest was entirely up to them. At this moment, the prisoners were simply letting it go in one ear and out the other, focusing only on the path ahead and following along step by step.
It wasn't until they had walked about seven or eight miles that it was fully light.
Wenwen held her palm up to her eyes. "Hmm, I can see clearly now. Today's lesson can begin."
When she subtly extended her hand, her family knew that this child was going to work hard.
As they walked, the family members subtly changed formation, and the teacher slowed his pace, gradually moving closer to the children.
Such a change would only lead outsiders to believe that Master Zhou was unwell and his pace was not keeping up, without any other suspicion.
Under everyone's cover, Wenwen and her teacher conducted another unique lesson.
A learned teacher taught as he walked, and a student with a strong thirst for knowledge learned as he walked, undeterred by difficulties.
Even during the midday break, Wenwen would linger by her teacher's side.
The teacher felt that Wenwen had a stubbornness that wouldn't give up until she achieved her goal.
During a break, the teacher mentally calculated that there were quite a few cards today, and Wenwen's reading speed had improved. She could remember some words after hearing them once, and understand others after hearing them explained once. This child is very intelligent.
He was genuinely afraid that the knowledge he had accumulated would one day dry up.
Wenwen only let her teacher go when the sunset painted the sky red and only the afterglow shone through.
Before it got dark, the scouts chose a grove of trees to stop.
The area was full of trees and bushes, overgrown with weeds, and there was a pond not far away.
The yamen runners busied themselves setting up stoves near the pond.
The Wen family settled down on the side away from the pond, while the other prisoners kept their distance.
The Wen family didn't care; in fact, they were more than happy to have it.
Wenwen looked up and around, and a tall tree in the distance caught her eye. The tree was very tall and covered with bright yellow fruit.
Oh dear, what a coincidence! She's experienced at climbing trees.