Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family-Chapter 851 - : Trouble Caused by the Snowball!
Chapter 851: Chapter 851: Trouble Caused by the Snowball!
Di Xuan might have spoken lightly, but Liu Sisi could discern the hardship and peril in his words.
“Good child, you’ve suffered. Looking at you now that you’re back, you’ve lost weight and your skin has darkened, but your spirit seems much improved.”
Liu Sisi thought for a moment, “Remember two days ago, Elder Di brought two mountain goats, saying they were raised on his own manor and kept in the backyard. Dad has been reluctant to slaughter them. Tonight, we can kill one to nourish you well.”
Di Xuan’s voice choked up a bit, “Mother, there’s no need for you to go to such trouble for Xuan’er. I have grown up, I am no longer that ignorant Di Xuan from before.”
No wonder the scholar had said, “Traveling thousands of miles is better than reading thousands of books!”
These past few years, he had been outside, seeing much and hearing even more, especially when he left his parents’ protection and truly integrated with those hard laborers who relied solely on physical strength for survival. That was when he realized how narrow his previous understanding was!
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Seeing those sellers of children, various acts of abuse happening right beside him, thinking back to his past suspicions and narrow-mindedness that almost trapped him, it was foolish!
Liu Sisi paused, then quickly grasped the meaning behind Di Xuan’s words.
“It’s good to be sensible. Now that you’ve grown up, remember to help your dad with his worries and focus on your studies, so as not to waste your time. You just arrived home today, and it also happens to be the year’s first snowfall, so go back earlier to wash up and rest. Your dad might return later.”
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.
She intended to bring up the matter of Thirteenth Luo but remembered her initial verbal agreement with Princess Consort Luo, which she had not disclosed to Di Xuan. Now that the marriage arrangement had fallen through, naturally there was no point in mentioning it. She couldn’t help but feel regret; she truly liked Thirteenth Luo and thought he would have been a perfect match for Di Xuan.
“Xuan’er will keep mother’s teachings in mind.”
After paying his respects, Di Xuan then withdrew.
In the evening, Di Yelei returned along with Di Hongyuan, and upon their arrival, called for Liu Sisi and the children to gather around the brazier for hot pot.
Di Hongyuan’s face was beaming with joy, “I remember during those three years of mourning in Macheng County, how the grass hut was exposed to wind from all sides, unbearably cold. Third Sister-in-law, fearing for the children getting cold, would always make hot pot with vegetable leaves for meals at night. The scalding leaves warmed us from the inside, helping us endure that tough winter. Now thinking about it, nothing beats this hot pot, with the light snow fluttering outside, enjoying the hot pot while admiring the snow, it’s a unique scenery indeed.”
Indeed, as Di Hongyuan said, the light snow outside was falling thick and fast, quickly accumulating a thick layer on the ground. The surrounding area turned a hazy white, making it indistinguishable whether it was day or night at the moment.
The smile on Di Yelei’s face faded, and he couldn’t help but gently pat Liu Sisi’s hand.
“Back then, with the chaos of war, it was cold and everyone was hungry, it was hard on you and the children to maintain the vigil at Dad’s tomb. I’ve been unfilial… not being able to mourn for my own father,” – was an eternal pain in Di Yelei’s heart.
“Mourning for father is what a daughter-in-law ought to do. As for the three children, they suffered being young, cold, and hungry at that time,” Liu Sisi quietly narrated the facts.
This only made Di Yelei feel even more remorseful.
“Third Brother, why be so fixated on formality? It’s hard to fully serve both family and country since ancient times. You gave up the small family for the greater family, Dad would certainly not blame you from the heavens.”
Di Hongyuan spoke earnestly, patting Di Yelei on the back, “To think, we two brothers, one scholarly and one martial. Even though you’re a military man, when did you become more sentimental than I, a frail scholar?”
His words immediately straightened Di Yelei’s back, and he nodded repeatedly, “Right, right, what big brother says is correct. Since ancient times, family and country have been hard to balance! Come on, let’s eat, let’s eat! The taste of this mutton soup pot is really delicious!”
In the midst of speaking, he stretched out his chopsticks skillfully, picking up a piece of wing meat and placing it in Liu Sisi’s bowl, “This mutton is tasty, especially the wings…”
“Pfft! Hahaha…”
Before he could finish his sentence, everyone burst into laughter, “Do mountain goats have wings? Dad, you’ll have to show Chou Chou someday!”
Di Yelei also noticed his slip of the tongue and chuckled, his white teeth flashing, “What I meant was the mutton is delicious, and so are the chicken wings. Eat up, everyone; we’re all family here. Please, don’t be shy.”
Di Cheng, beside him, glanced at everyone and couldn’t help but raise his wine cup, “Uncle, Third Uncle, Third Aunt, Cheng’er toasts to you all! No matter how many hardships we’ve faced in the past, the fact that we are gathered here today is a blessing from the heavens. Let’s drink to that!”
“Yes, let’s drink to that!”
Di Yelei said happily, unable to resist tilting his head back and downing his cup of wine in one gulp. Di Hongyuan was not to be outdone and followed by quickly finishing his drink as well.
Liu Sisi also smiled and took a small sip from her cup.
“Come on, let’s eat, let’s eat!”
The crowd once again burst into merriment, some eating and others drinking.
Midway through the meal, a few little ones gathered together, chattering away. It wasn’t clear who suggested it, but Niuniu and Di Qiu came over and dragged Di Xuan out of the house to build a snowman outside.
The inside of the house was as warm as spring thanks to the underfloor heating, but outside, a chilly wind howled. Laughter and voices drifted in from outside the window from time to time.
Liu Sisi leaned against the floor-to-ceiling half-moon window and looked out, watching the children hop and frolic back and forth. What started as building a snowman turned into a snowball fight, and in no time, the snowballs mixed with the falling snowflakes filled the air with a fluttering silver-white dance.
Suddenly, a snowball flew in from outside the window, accompanied by a scream, and hit the table in front of the window, only to be swiftly batted back outside by the quick reflexes of Di Yelei. Instantly, another cry from the children followed, and a moment later, there was the thunderous wail of Chou Chou.
“What’s going on, what’s happened? Why is he crying so loudly?”
Liu Sisi hurriedly left the house and was immediately greeted by the cold wind, causing her to shiver at once.
Di Qiu came running up quickly and reported, “Third Grandmother, it was a snowball that flew out from the house and hit Third Cousin’s nose, and then he started crying.”
But wasn’t the snowball that flew out from the house just casually thrown by Di Yelei?
Chou Chou was still crying his eyes out, and Liu Sisi quickly stepped forward to embrace him, “What’s wrong, what’s wrong? Chou Chou, does it still hurt? Come, let mom have a look.”
Chou Chou did as instructed and let go of his hands, revealing two streaks of blood on his nose.
This sight made Liu Sisi’s heart ache unbearably.
“Stop crying now, let’s go back inside, and mom will tend to your wounds.”
Inside the house, Di Yelei had come to meet them, “What happened? How did he get hurt so badly? Quick, someone go for the doctor.”
Liu Sisi glared at him irritably, “You still have the nerve to ask, isn’t it the snowball you threw out that caused all this trouble!”
——
Happy New Year! Craft Paper wishes everyone a happy new year.
During the New Year season, Craft Paper also needs to spend time with family—necessary socializing is unavoidable, which will inevitably take up a lot of time. Therefore, from the first to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, the updates will be 4000 characters. If there is time, I may also add more updates. Normal updates will resume starting from the sixth day of the Lunar New Year. After the Spring Festival, Craft Paper’s new story will soon meet with friends, and I hope friends will continue to support Craft Paper as always. Thank you, everyone! Mwah!
Here, Craft Paper wishes everyone a Happy New Year! May all go well with you, and may you find success in all you do! May this year be as good as the last, and may the next year be even better! May all your wishes come true, may your income grow higher by the day, and may each year be better than the last!
