The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law-Chapter 1004 - 999: Youyou Comes Looking

After the flood subsided, the villagers hastily left the mountaintop.

The Gu Family, having buried Gu Wen, still followed the old custom of mourning on the mountaintop, a practice that everyone found ominous.

Years had passed among the folks of the village, and no one knew if there would be another chance in this lifetime to be neighbors again.

But under the current circumstances, with life and death uncertain, no one could afford to look after anyone else.

Moreover, Huang Xiangwen might have contracted the illness, and people are selfish; they naturally did not wish to take the Gu Family members with them in their escape.

Erya insisted on staying behind, waiting until the funeral rites were done before leaving. Shunzi, a man of kindness and loyalty, naturally wanted to stay as well.

Shunzi’s parents were loath to part with their eldest son but could not persuade the Wang Family to stay.

But now, with everyone looking out for themselves and the limited amount of food they could carry, who would want to feed extra mouths? Thus, under normal circumstances, the Wang Family would certainly not wish for them to leave—they still needed to work after all. But now, they eagerly wished for them to go; fewer mouths to feed meant more chance of survival for the others. frёeωebɳovel.com

Therefore, the Wang Family’s eldest daughter-in-law incited the old lady to take the meager leftover food and leave first; as for the second branch, whoever wanted to follow could do so on their own.

Because of this, the Gu Family’s group now had a few more people.

Shunzi’s parents, along with a younger brother and sister.

Huang Xiangwen was grieving and couldn’t be bothered with these matters.

When Gu Youyou and Jin Zijin found them, they were on the mountain wailing.

The cries were pitiful and loud, which carried especially far in this silence where even the sound of birds was rare.

Moreover, Gu Youyou’s hearing was more sensitive than most, so she had heard Huang Xiangwen’s voice from several mountains away.

Gu Youyou and Jin Zijin exchanged a glance and hurried toward the mountain from where the sounds came.

With limited items they had brought, they took one of the white linen clothes they wore, tore it up, and tied it around their heads—albeit a crude attempt by the younger generation to demonstrate mourning and filial piety.

Gu Youyou paused, then stepped forward.

Sanya, her eyes red, was the first to see Gu Youyou, as if she couldn’t believe her own eyes.

"Isn’t big sister in Beijing? How come she’s here?"

"Big sister?" she called out, surprised.

"Who, who has died?" Gu Youyou asked, stunned.

Qin Changlin turned around and explained to Gu Youyou, "Sister Youyou, it’s your second uncle who has passed away. He... he had tuberculosis."

Qin Changlin had sent a message to Gu Youyou, but by then the flood had already started, so Gu Youyou had not received his letter.

Tuberculosis, or consumption in ancient times, was incurable due to the lack of medical equipment, people’s limited understanding of medicine, and the absence of antibiotics.

But Gu Youyou had already started researching antibiotics and other medicine, so just because others couldn’t cure it didn’t mean she couldn’t.

But the person was already dead.

Gu Youyou said nothing, simply bowing her head a few times in front of the newly formed grave mound, like any ordinary younger relative might.

"There’s no one left around here; come with me," Gu Youyou said.

When facing Huang Xiangwen, Gu Youyou really didn’t know what to say.

Similarly, Huang Xiangwen seemed not to have much to say to Gu Youyou either, making the scene rather awkward.

They turned their gaze to Jin Zijin, who stood behind Gu Youyou. After a long thought, Huang Xiangwen asked, "Is it for real this time?"

Jin Zijin’s identity had been announced to the whole country, including the matter of him selecting a consort and choosing Gu Youyou.

"Yes, it’s for real," Gu Youyou said.