The Daily Life of Farming and Raising Children in Ancient Mountain Residences

Chapter 196: Restless Sleep

Old Man Lu, seeing Mrs. Lu and her two sons come out from the valley side, instructed Shitou and A Xu to return first. He then asked Mrs. Lu, “Are we going to the Shen family now?”

Mrs. Lu shook her head, “Let’s go to the Chen family. Also, have Sanlang call Shen Lie.”

She knew very well what was going to be discussed, and Mrs. Lu didn’t want to involve the Shen family in this mess any further.

—

The Chen family wasn’t surprised that the Lu family would come by. When Mrs. Lu asked Wei Qinghe to inform Zhou Cunzheng and mentioned Chen Dashan’s name, both Old Man Chen and Mrs. Chen had already guessed what might be coming.

The Lu family was now like being roasted on a fire, and it wasn’t just them. Which family in the valley wasn’t under pressure? The situation outside was unstable, and seeing Wang Chunniang’s crazed behavior today, it was clear she wanted to lash out at anyone. No one was at ease, but they still trusted Old Man and Mrs. Lu. They were just waiting to see how the Lu family would respond.

Old Man Chen looked at the burlap sacks the Lu family was carrying and asked, “What are these for?”

Mrs. Lu replied, “I’m putting on a brave face to ask for a way out for Shuanzhu’s children.”

This left Old Man Chen and Mrs. Chen momentarily uncertain about her intentions.

Mrs. Lu glanced at the Shen family’s house and asked, “May I speak here for a moment?”

Old Man Chen nodded and signaled for Ershan and Xiaoya, who were playing outside, to come in and leave. Mrs. Lu then had Sanlang go and fetch Shen Lie.

Chen Dashan, who had earlier learned about the day’s events, watched coldly as Sanlang went to find Shen Lie. He didn’t say anything, just waited for Shen Lie to arrive.

Shen Lie and Sang Luo had left the Chen family not long ago. Shen An and Shen Ning didn’t know much about what had happened during the day, and Shen Jin and Shen Yin were still quite shaken. Shen Lie didn’t want to make them recount Wang Chunniang’s rambling again, so he asked Mrs. Chen for details. Naturally, Mrs. Chen only knew part of it, but it was enough for everyone to understand the situation.

When Sanlang came to fetch him, the Shen family’s faces were not pleasant. Hearing that Mrs. Lu was waiting next door, Shen Lie said to Sang Luo, “You stay here. I’ll go over.”

Sang Luo, not wanting to get involved in the Lu family’s troubles, nodded. After Shen Lie left, she had Shen An close the door.

—

By the time Shen Lie arrived, the Lu family had already been invited into the Chen family’s cave. Both Old Man Lu and Mrs. Lu couldn’t sit still. When Shen Lie arrived, they instinctively took a step forward to greet him but hesitated due to embarrassment.

It was supposed to be an apology, but since this wasn’t the first time, neither Old Man Lu nor Mrs. Lu had the courage. Mrs. Lu, feeling ashamed, said, “I truly regret today’s events. I know that our Lu family’s apology means nothing. You might not want to hear it, but I’ve only brought our own family here because I feared troubling you with our useless ones.”

“Speak frankly,” Shen Lie said, his expression cold despite his attempt to restrain himself. He had lost patience with the Lu family’s main branch and didn’t want to hear any more empty words. He was only interested in how the Lu family planned to handle the situation and what their explanation would be.

Mrs. Lu had no more pride left and didn’t know how to continue. Despite the difficulty, she had to speak up, “Our family has decided to send the main branch away.”

“Send them away?” Chen Dashan asked before Shen Lie could speak. “Where to? How will you ensure that it doesn’t compromise the secrecy of our valley?”

In Chen Dashan’s view, there was only one way to send them that wouldn’t affect the valley, but that family had seven members. Chen Dashan looked at the three burlap sacks Mrs. Lu had brought. They didn’t seem like they would be sufficient for such an undertaking. If it were that easy to part with them, this situation wouldn’t have arisen.

Mrs. Lu clearly knew that, even though the decision had been made, stating it now felt difficult. She said, “Last year, when Erlang said that we spent over two months in this mountain area, it was thanks to you and Shen Lie’s skill that we didn’t get lost. So… I would like to ask you to accompany Erlang and Sanlang deeper into the mountains. The deeper the better, somewhere that won’t be reached by anyone for at least a few years, or even longer.”

“I know my two useless sons well. If they are given a cave with some defenses, they wouldn’t dare step out even if beaten. They wouldn’t be able to make it out.”

This was essentially a form of exile. The Chen family had asked Chen Dashan about the situation when he returned, but they only knew it was dangerous and didn’t feel it deeply. The true understanding came from those who had traversed the deep mountains, like Shen Lie and Chen Dashan, and Lu Erlanglang, who looked at Mrs. Lu with full awareness.

Shen Lie lowered his gaze. The initial hint of mockery in Chen Dashan’s eyes when he first heard about seeking a way out for the children had now mostly faded.

“Are you really clear about what those deep mountains are like? If you’re unsure, you can ask Uncle Lu. He’s been there. With wild beasts around, I can barely guarantee my own safety, let alone escort anyone.”

“No need to ask,” Mrs. Lu shook her head, “I know.”

“Shuanzhu is fifteen, Tiezhu is thirteen. They’ve been taught skills and we’ve found a suitable cave for them. If they can survive, it’s already a success. If not… that’s their fate.”

“I’m too ashamed to ask for anything more from you. The valley needs to keep some people. This matter shouldn’t involve you. I’m only asking you to come along because I know my Erlang and Sanlang aren’t skilled enough. I don’t expect you to protect them, just to accompany them. If you have the energy to help look after them a little, I’ll be very grateful. In the end, it’s my own selfishness.”

At this point, she looked at Chen Dashan with a hint of pleading, “Can you help with this trip?”

Chen Dashan lowered his gaze and was silent for several breaths. After Mrs. Chen glanced at him a few times, he finally looked at Shen Lie and asked, “If Uncle Lu and I leave for a month or two, can you and Uncle Shi manage the valley?”

The trouble with the Lu family’s main branch was one thing, but if either he or Shen Lie left, it would affect not just them but the entire valley and its seven families.

Shen Lie thought for a moment and said, “The people in the valley can move around nearby. If they need to go further, they can team up with a few people from Zhou, Feng, Zheng, and Gan’s families. It’s just that Uncle Shi and I can’t go far.”

It was the season for gathering mountain goods, which meant the area everyone in the valley could move around was greatly reduced.

Old Man Lu sighed, feeling a heavy heart, and Mrs. Lu also lowered her head.

Shen Lie didn’t press the matter further but advised Chen Dashan, “There aren’t enough people to spare in the valley. Can you manage seven people with just the three of you? If you encounter trouble on the way, even a few loud complaints could lead to problems.”

He had no doubt that Wang Chunniang would cause trouble if given the chance.

Mrs. Lu spoke again, “The eldest is timid and afraid in the forest, so he won’t cause trouble. I’ve talked to the children; Shuanzhu and Tiezhu will be a help. If you’re still worried, I sealed their mouths a few days ago, so Wang Chunniang won’t be able to make a fuss.”

At this, Chen family members, including Lu Erlanglang and Lu Sanlang, all looked at Mrs. Lu.

Mrs. Lu lowered her eyes and said, “I used an old remedy I’ve seen before. She should be unable to speak by now.”

Hearing that she was mute, Chen Dashan didn’t say anything more. “Alright, I’ll accompany them on the trip.”

What other choice was there? Either kill the entire family of seven or risk them causing a big problem in the valley someday. He could only take responsibility for accommodating them.

He asked Mrs. Lu to prepare cloths to blindfold them. Since it was troublesome to leave the valley with them blindfolded and it would attract attention, they agreed to set off at dawn.

Chen Dashan didn’t refuse the food and meat left by the Lu family. He felt no guilt taking it, as it was a small price compared to the time and effort he would spend.

Once the Lu family had left, Qin Fangniang, who had been silent, sighed. She didn’t know what to say about such a situation.

Mrs. Chen said, “It’s not easy. Out of six grandchildren, five are being sent away. What will happen in the future is hard to say.”

Being a grandmother herself, Mrs. Chen could empathize. However, her sympathy was mostly for Old Man and Mrs. Lu and the children. As for the older ones… Mrs. Chen advised Chen Dashan, “Take care of yourself. If possible, help the Lu family’s uncles and nephews a bit, but don’t overdo it.”

A grandparent’s concern for their own family was natural. Even though Mrs. Lu’s plea involved the valley, they couldn’t refuse.

When Chen Dashan sent Shen Lie out, Shen Lie privately reminded him, “On this trip, you need to be extra cautious around the couple. Keep your distance and let the Lu family handle their own issues.”

Fools aren’t scary; it’s the foolish, poisonous, and selfish ones who are truly dangerous. Such people should never be trusted.

Chen Dashan nodded, “I understand.”

“If they really cause trouble, there are plenty of opportunities along the way to deal with those two, but it’s not his place to handle it. Lu Erlang is not foolish. If he had to deal with such consequences, he and Shen Lie wouldn’t have stayed together over the years. If Lu Erlang wasn’t going, he wouldn’t have taken on such a troublesome task.”

The two exchanged glances, understanding each other. Shen Lie patted Chen Dashan on the shoulder and asked, “I’m not in a position to leave recently. I plan to take Xiao An and Xiao Jin up to continue training. There are plenty of people in the inner circle now, and there are places to stay upstairs, out of sight. Would you like your second son to join?”

When manpower is being divided into several parts, Shen Lie realized that their valley’s martial strength was still insufficient. Moreover, who knows when they might encounter places they can’t handle. It’s crucial to focus on their own growth.

Chen Dashan brightened up at the suggestion and smiled, “Yes, of course. He’s thirteen now. It’s better to have him improve his skills rather than just learn farming and carpentry from his grandfather and father.”

Shen Lie laughed and said, “Alright, then get some rest. I’ll head back now.”

He needed to update Sang Luo about the Lu family’s situation and still hadn’t checked on Shen Jin. With some resolution on the Lu family’s matter, it was time to visit.

—

Sang Luo listened to Shen Lie’s explanation about the Lu family’s arrangements and, once confirmed that the inner circle was indeed difficult to reach, said nothing more. She had no sympathy for those who brought misfortune upon themselves and their children. How could she feel sorry for them?

Mrs. Lu had done her best to secure a way out for that family. It was doubtful if the couple would appreciate it, but she hoped the five children wouldn’t waste the old lady’s efforts.

She looked at Shen Lie and said, “You should go check on Xiao Jin and the others. If necessary, talk to him more. That child has suffered a lot in the county, which explains his strong reaction.”

Shen Lie nodded and left with Shen An.

—

Lu Family

Before Old Man Lu and Mrs. Lu entered the cave, they saw Lu Shuanzhu standing at the cave entrance, looking out. When he saw Mrs. Lu, he hurriedly stepped forward, wanting to ask something, but seeing his grandmother’s disappointed expression, he hesitated and did not dare to ask.

Mrs. Lu glanced at him and said, “Do you want to ask why your mother is mute?”

Lu Shuanzhu lowered his head.

Mrs. Lu continued, “There’s a remedy for it. If she’s still alive when things settle down, I’ll tell you what medicine to use.”

Lu Shuanzhu felt a bit relieved to hear that there was a remedy.

Seeing his reaction, Mrs. Lu no longer felt as heartbroken about sending the entire first branch away.

What else could she do? The children’s biological parents are their nature, and she could only be thankful that her grandchildren were at least upright.

“Get ready and go to bed early. We leave at the break of dawn.”

Upon hearing this, although the children were sad and scared, they understood it was a done deal. Only Lu Dalang remained in a daze, staring at Old Man Lu and Mrs. Lu as if he couldn’t believe that he and his five children were truly being abandoned. He moved his lips, wanting to plead, but knowing his parents so well, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

—

That night was destined to be sleepless. Shen Jin and Shen Yin, one recalling old memories and the other just learning some truths, both dared not sleep. Even though Shen Lie tried to comfort them, it had little effect. Shen An, being younger, ended up staying with them upstairs.

Lu Dalang, too, could not sleep well, turning over and over, trying to find a way to plead for mercy. In the early hours of the morning, exhausted, he finally fell into a fitful sleep, dreaming repeatedly of the times he had been surrounded by wolves while carrying grain into the valley.

The difference was that in the past, there were always Shen Lie, Chen Dashan, Lu Erlang, and Shi Dalang to protect him. This time, he was alone. As the wolves attacked, he was jolted awake from his nightmare with a gasp.

Inside the deepest part of the cave, a single oil lamp cast a faint light through the winding walls, beds, and shelves, barely reaching his spot.

Realizing it was just a dream, Lu Dalang felt his heart racing uncontrollably.

Unable to sleep any longer, he was overwhelmed by fear, breathing heavily as he lay in bed for more than a quarter of an hour. He repeatedly glanced at the small cave where Wang Chunniang was kept, and the thought from earlier that day resurfaced.

The scenes from his dream replayed in his mind. Driven by some strange impulse, he got up, quietly approached Mrs. Lu’s bed, and carefully crossed over Old Man Lu, who was sleeping outside. He reached under Mrs. Lu’s pillow.

Lu Dalang didn’t remember how he reached the wooden gate. He reached for the cold lock.

“Dad? What are you doing?”

A voice from behind startled him so much that he almost lost his breath. Lu Dalang turned around to see Lu Shuanzhu half-sitting on the second bed, staring at him, not knowing how long he had been watching.