Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 139 - 138: Dung Escape Technique

Chapter 139: Chapter 138: Dung Escape Technique
"Aunt."
Da Lang appeared in front of the barn, just as Qin Yao was placing the saddle on Old Huang’s back.
"Are you going into the city to see father?" The young boy asked curiously, his eyes filled with unmistakable concern, which Qin Yao saw through at a glance.
How could he not be worried, with Liu Ji having consecutively missed two rounds of home leave? Aside from sending a driver to retrieve living expenses, there wasn’t even a trace of news.
The adults always say that a dog can’t change its habit of eating feces, and Da Lang expressed complete worry about this.
He couldn’t imagine, if Father continues like before, indulging in drink and pleasure outside without any heart in studying, what terrible consequences might ensue.
At this moment, Qin Yao’s calmness, in the eyes of the young boy, was the calm before a storm.
Any moment could see a complete eruption, overturning everything!
Qin Yao led the horse out and told Da Lang, "I’ll be back by evening."
Her actions implicitly confirming she indeed went to the city to look for Liu Ji.
Da Lang responded with a sound, "Then, then I’ll make dinner and wait for you to come back and eat. There’s meat; I’ll make meat soup slices for us, and add a bit of tofu. Aunt Zhou’s family made tofu this morning."
Qin Yao, hearing this long tirade, couldn’t help but laugh, "I can’t take you with me; you can’t ride a horse, and if you fall halfway, I won’t care."
Saying this, she patted his small shoulder, "Don’t worry, I’m fine."
Da Lang wanted to laugh but nearly cried; he wasn’t worried about her; he was worried about father’s fate!
"I’m leaving, go back inside, the sun is high. Take a nap to recharge your energy and practice two more characters in the afternoon."
Today, it was Second Lang and Sanlang’s turn to go to the water mill, collect the money box, wash dishes, and feed chickens, doing housework. Da Lang and Si Niang were free and should cherish the time learning.
"Hyah!"
Qin Yao tugged the reins, and Old Huang immediately galloped away.
In the blink of an eye, both horse and rider vanished on the winding road at the village entrance, heading towards the county city.
Over an hour later, Qin Yao arrived in Kaiyang County, as usual, paid the entrance fee, parked the horse, and entered the city on foot.
It was already evening, the sun about to set, and the streets were filled with vendors packing up and preparing to return home.
Street-side shops had a few remaining customers, the small tea stand the busiest, with a storyteller in the center, holding an audience reluctant to leave.
The red lanterns outside the tavern were being taken down by the staff, lit, and hung up again, casting a festive glow.
Two taverns faced each other, a perfect time for dinner, with staff standing out on the street calling for customers, shouting as people passed by.
Qin Yao coldly refused a waiter blocking her way and stepped forward intending to head to the academy, when suddenly she heard a familiar voice from upstairs and immediately halted.
The waiter, frightened by her cold demeanor, suddenly grew tense, why did she stop?
Could it be she intends to scold him?
Apparently, he overthought.
Qin Yao turned around, her ears sharp, looked up towards the tavern’s second-floor eaves: five or six young men dressed as scholars were facing away from the street, leaning against the railing, raising cups and composing poetry.
As enthusiasm surged, their outer robes unfastened, hairpins removed, wild hair flowing, rising up to dance.
One hand clasped a pipa girl’s shoulder, the other raised a cup to toast to the Heavenly Palace Fairy, considering themselves refined and romantic; others just saw drunken lunatics.
The companions clapped in applause, repeatedly saying, "Marvelous, marvelous! Mr. Fan’s lines are truly marvelous!"
Upon hearing this voice, cold air surged through Qin Yao’s body.
The waiter at the door sensed something amiss, glanced upstairs, oh, it turned out the academy’s students were accompanying Fan Xiucai drinking and making poetry.
But why did the lady in front of him look gloomy? Could she be the wife of a scholar upstairs?
Thinking thus, the waiter instantly perked up, intending to inquire, when a group of scholars clasped shoulders and descended the stairs.
They had been here since morning until evening, presumably tired, intending to move on to the next round of fun.
The waiter thought, which scholar will the lady go after? There might be a spectacle soon!
Looking back expectantly, "Huh? Where’s that lady just now?"
"Lady?"
Among the scholars, the most handsome one suddenly shuddered!
He looked up towards the waiter, face flushed with intoxication, "What lady? Whose lady?!"
The waiter quickly pointed north, "There, there she is!"
Expecting to witness a commotion, why did she leave? Wasn’t she supposed to belong to one of the scholars here?
Right then, a gust of wind blew by, dispersing the alcohol smell by three parts, the handsome scholar stared at the rapidly departing figure, a rumble of thunder struck his heart!
"Brother Liu?"
A companion waved a hand in front of him, laughingly asked, "What are you looking at? See a fairy?"
Liu Ji dazedly swatted away the hands before him, vigorously rubbed his eyes, and once more looked at that familiar back.
But hesitating for a moment, the sky darkened, and the figure became blurry.
But that person’s silhouette, even turned to ash, he’d recognize!
Just as he hoped to confirm once more, the city gate slowly closed, only seeing one mount riding out of the city, disappearing into the verdant mountains.
"Liu Ji?" Fan Xiucai, seeing others unable to move him, stepped forward himself, grabbed Liu Ji’s shoulder, and said with a drunken smile:
"Let’s go, let’s go, to Xingwang Gambling House for a round, brother will show you the sights!"
What gambling house?
What sights?
Liu Ji was already flustered and scared, but remembered to avoid offending these people, and with quick wits, suddenly clutched a nearby pole, bent over, clutching his stomach, portraying pain.
"Trouble, trouble, waiter! Waiter! Where’s the toilet? Quickly take me!" He anxiously shouted.
The waiter hurried forward to guide him, holding his stomach, apologizing to Fan Xiucai, saying:
"Brother Fan, you go first, I’ll come shortly, oh dear, can’t hold it, quickly, quickly!"
Afraid he’d soil the tavern’s entrance, the waiter hastened his pace, seeing him walk zigzagged, returned to support him, the two rushed into the backyard, a distant voice of anguish shouted:
"Oh! Pants, my pants...."
In front of the tavern, frowns aligned among the scholars, seemingly sensing a distinct aroma in the air, subconsciously covering their noses, escaping alongside Fan Xiucai.
Liu Ji reluctantly stayed in the latrine for two full quarters before emerging; the alleged diarrhea was fabricated.
The alcohol was thoroughly sobered, as he walked back to the academy, reflecting, only feeling fear.