Chapter 2040: Chapter 22: Battle Situation

Wufu tasted the postpartum chicken soup for the first time, along with the meat dishes meant to stimulate her milk production. However, she only started the supplements seven or eight days after giving birth, and her body’s strength had already declined. Whether she could recover was uncertain.

But better late than never, Wufu ate to her fill and also learned about the current situation of the Old Zhou family.

Zhou Xiuer got married, just this June, to a family running a Cloth Shop in a neighboring county. The family was fairly well-off, and they only had one son, who personally chose Zhou Xiuer. If she managed the relationship well, she might live a good life.

As for Yongyong, he was being raised by Zhou Xueli. He bought twenty acres of land for the main branch and registered it under Yongyong’s name. Now, with a rice shop opened, he brought Yongyong in as an apprentice to learn social skills and life management.

"How old is he to be an apprentice?" Wufu asked.

Zhou Xueli chuckled and replied, "He’s twelve by nominal age, eleven by actual age. Learning slowly is better than staying at home. He’s not academically inclined, but he can recognize a few words and know how to do calculations. At least he won’t be completely ignorant in the future."

Hearing this, Wufu calculated silently. Indeed, she was almost twenty-one, and the boy had grown up.

"Thank you," Wufu smiled at him.

Zhou Xueli sighed, "There’s nothing to be grateful for. As his uncle, I couldn’t just ignore him. The main branch only has him left."

Wufu stayed silent.

Zhou Xueli didn’t say much else and changed the topic, asking, "Wufu, about the war between Beiyan and Nanyue, Beiyan..."

Wufu paused, put down her chopsticks, and looked at him, "Uncle, Beiyan is determined to unify the world." She paused again and added, "The world has been divided for too long; it will inevitably reunite someday."

Zhou Xueli pulled a slight smile, "I’m just talking. In fact, it might be better if Beiyan wins. Ever since the new emperor ascended the throne, life for the common people has become increasingly difficult."

"Uncle," Wufu shook her head. How the new emperor was isn’t something someone like Zhou Xueli should talk about. If the wrong people heard, he could lose his head.

Realizing his slip of tongue, Zhou Xueli closed his mouth tightly and whispered, "I’m just saying." With that, he sighed again.

Life hadn’t been as comfortable as before these past two years, especially with the wars and the grain requisitions. They might even conscript soldiers, and their family had contributed a lot of grain.

"Uncle, if you can’t stay here any longer, you could go to Beiyan," Wufu suggested.

Zhou Xueli smiled and nodded, feeling slightly assured.

"Uncle, I can’t stay long. I have some people in Huayang County. Tomorrow, I’ll have Xiao Qi send a message," Wufu said.

Zhou Xueli’s expression changed slightly, "Wufu, you..."

"Uncle, it’s not that I’m afraid of causing trouble. Before my incident, I was leading soldiers, and now I’ve been missing for a few days. The camp must be worried."

"The camp," Zhou Xueli’s voice trembled, "has the conflict already reached here?"

Wufu frowned. Beiyan had already reached the Shu region; did Wozi Village know nothing at all? Were all outside news completely blocked?

"Uncle, there’s really no news here? Not even in the prefecture city?" Wufu asked.

Zhou Xueli shook his head, "There was another grain requisition a few days ago."

Wufu nodded.

"Don’t let Xiao Qi go. He’s your guard, too conspicuous." Zhou Xueli looked outside. Xiao Qi stood there like a pillar, resembling a sturdy young ox, and said, "I’ll deliver the verbal message tomorrow. Let him protect you and your child."

Wufu thought about it and realized he had a point, so she whispered a few instructions. She couldn’t let anyone know she was here; it had to seem like they had left Wozi Village.

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