Leave of Absence
Although Wei Zhi was not a local, he always seemed to identify areas severely affected by disasters. The subordinates who had already received a lesson yesterday did not dare to make any unnecessary moves. Wherever Wei Zhi wished to inspect, they obediently escorted him.
Bai Laoye walked beside Wei Zhi, feeling a sense of unease. As evening fell and everyone rested in another county, Bai Laoye immediately summoned a trusted follower and whispered, "Return home immediately and check if anything has occurred. We will still be in this county tomorrow and are expected to return to Luojiang County the day after tomorrow." In case of any emergency, please send someone to inform us.
"Sir, are you returning home overnight?"
"Yes, go back overnight, but be cautious on the way."
"Understood."
They all resided in the post station. Wei Zhi did not wish to cause any disturbance, and the local officials, having experienced the legendary fairness and integrity of Mr. Wei, refrained from offering any further advice. Therefore, most of them stayed at the post station. Only the local gentry and officials resided in their own homes. Those who had friends in the area also chose to stay with them.
At this moment, Wei Zhi stood by the window, observing Bai Laoye's attendant leading out a horse and bidding farewell before galloping away.
Gradually, both the horse and the rider disappeared into the night.
"Sir," a guard appeared behind Wei Zhi.
Wei Zhi instructed, "At this moment, you should head towards Qili Village in Luojiang County. Do not approach, but observe any unusual activity inside and tail anyone entering the village if needed."
The guard acknowledged and quietly departed.
As Qili Village settled into the night, Man Bao, with a round belly, sat on a bench in the yard, cooling off and digesting.
Qian Shi muttered, "It's been almost an hour since supper. Are you still feeling bloated?" "Have you been eating other things as well?"
"I only had some snacks, Mother." "When will we know about the tax exemption from Grandfather Bai when he returns?"
"Perhaps soon."
Today, the Zhou family was delighted. Man Bao returned home at noon, mentioning that Luojiang County might also be exempt from taxes because Grandfather Bai had traveled to Brazil to gather information.
Though it was an uncertain rumor, the family was elated. Even Qian Shi, who was rarely cheerful, opened the money box to count coins for Zhou Si to purchase meat at the market.
In an effort to save more money, Man Bao had been buying meat every third day in smaller quantities. This time, she greatly enjoyed her meal.
In her joy, she couldn't help but play with Bai Shanbao. After finishing his supper, they read together and then went to the kitchen for some snacks.
As a fresh batch of warm treats emerged from the stove, the two children squatted down to eat them and inadvertently overindulged.
Text: ### Noticing that her massage was ineffective, Qian Shi advised, "Enough sitting, get up and walk around." "In a quarter or half an hour, you should feel better." ###
Meanwhile, Bai Shanbao was leisurely strolling and digesting, accompanied by his grandmother. Zheng Shi held a lantern to light the way, scolding him, "You ran to the kitchen when I wasn't watching." How can you love snacks so much, just after dinner?
"Snacks taste better than regular meals."
Liu Shi chuckled and said, "If I don't provide you with meals, you'll only have snacks for two days." Silly child, snacks may be enjoyable, but you can't survive on them alone. "Consume fewer calories in the future, take care of your body, and leave space for the many delicious things you will get to enjoy in the future."
"What delicious things are there outside?"
"I can tell you, but you won't appreciate them until you're grown." "Wait until you can go out and find out for yourself."
Bai Shanbao took note of this.
After walking for three-quarters of an hour, Bai Shanbao returned home to wash up and sleep. He went to bed later than usual, which led to a sound, deep slumber at night, where even the sounds from the neighboring courtyard were inaudible.
Liu Shi leaned against the headboard and, upon seeing the maid enter, inquired, "Has the child awoken?".
"No, he's sleeping soundly." Unless there's thunder, he probably won't wake up.
Nodding, Liu Shi asked, "Has there been any news from next door? Is it Master Li who has returned?"
"No, I am Master Li's attendant, tasked by him to check for any issues at home and to promptly inform him if there are any."
Perplexed, Liu Shi asked, "Why would he ask when everything will be fine in the village?".
"You're right." "The old lady next door said the same thing, so she asked everyone to go to bed."
Liu Shi lowered her gaze and asked, "I recall that Master Li took an attendant with him, didn't he?".
"Yes, his name is Dongshu, and he has been by Master Li's side all along."
After a moment of consideration, Liu Shi ordered, "Tell Shan Bao not to go to school tomorrow." Ask someone to request a day off on his behalf.
The maid hesitated and inquired, "What reason should be provided?".
"If I say I'm ill, the child gets worried and insists on staying by my side to take care of me."
The maid acknowledged and helped Liu Shi retire for the night.
The next day, after their morning meal, Man Bao went to school. However, halfway through the day, Bai Shanbao was nowhere to be found. Man Bao couldn't help but seek him out at Bai Erlang's place, asking, "Why hasn't Shan Bao come?".
Bai Erlang was conversing with a classmate and replied, "How should I know?".
Suddenly realizing, he clapped his hands and laughed, "Of course, he must have overslept or not woken up at all." "Ha ha ha, Bai Shan must have overslept. How embarrassing."
"Who said he overslept?" Mr. Zhuang's voice rang out from above, and Bai Erlang looked up to see the teacher standing at the window, which startled him into lowering his head.
Mr. Zhuang snorted as he entered the classroom, gesturing for Man Bao to return to her seat. He informed the class that "Grandmother Bai is ill, and Shan Bao is attending to her, so he's taking a day off." Zhou Man, please take notes for him and give them to him after school. Make sure he copies the instructions and completes his homework.
Now, no one envied Bai Shanbao. Instead, they expressed sympathy for his situation.
However, Man Bao felt uneasy, not knowing how Liu Grandma was faring. After school, she grabbed her notes and ran to inform Little Qian Shi before hurrying to the Bai household.
Little Qian Shi was busy serving the students food and could only manage to shout, "Come back after you've eaten."
Man Bao hollered back, "I'll come back later after eating."
She dashed to the Bai residence, knocked on the door, and was about to head to the backyard when the servant realized he had forgotten to mention something. Hurriedly, he caught up, saying, "Miss, the old lady and young master aren't at home. They're at Master Tang's house next door."
Intrigued, Man Bao asked, "Didn't Granny Liu fall ill?" "Why isn't she resting at home?"
Has she fallen ill?
He remembered that she had looked quite well when she had left earlier today.