Xie Rui wake up hearing the sound of his parents and brothers. He knew his father and brothers are going to town. So he immediately get up to catch up with them. But too late they already left the house when he rushed out.
" Brother Rui,here come eat something" his mother warmly called out.
" A-niang they already left? " He asked with pout.
His mother smiled " yes. The earlier the better. Now come on eat something, come with me to mountain for dig some wild vegetables"
He nodded his head, silently pick up his porridge. His family really poor. This dynasty even don't have potatoes. Almost one week in this world he understands that, this is not the ancient China dynasty he knew. This is unknown to him. But here,this alien place gives him the love and care, the unknown peace he felt ,he became greedy for this.
Xie Rui finish his breakfast. Both of them pick up a bamboo basket and sickle with them, close the fence then went forward smiling happily.
Xie Rui eyes slowly memorize everything. This village its not a big nor small. More than 140 houses. With mountains and river enclosed the safety of this place . When he crossd by the farm lands his eyes went wide, because the crops all slightly withered. It looks like about to die. As a agriculture student he understands this. But he couldn't do anything about this right now. His heart ache at the site of plants....
On the way to mountain Xie mother dragged him along with talking to some neighbours...
They reached finaly. Xie Rui look at the lush green his eyes sparking with excitement.xie mother turned towards her son " brother Rui just here pick some wild vegetables " Xie Rui looks disappointed for a moment then" a-niang look here , there is less less vegetable.you pick here,i will go in just few steps away " he looks at her with pouty face. His mother sighed" then be careful " she said sat down to pick some vegetables.
Xie Rui nodded his head, happily went other side,just few meters away from his mother. His eyes wonders around the place, he find some ordinary vegetables so he silently picked them. Then suddenly his ears picked up, nearby the bushes he felt a moment. His hand clenche the sickle tightly , he slowly, silently walked to the bushes. There Wild Rabbit and the new born babies cuddling together. His eyes sparkling with joy. He slowly removed his outer robe, with all his strength he catched while shouting for his mother.
Mother xie, hearing his son yelling, she immediately went to his side. " Maa, here i catch the Rabbit nest,come help me" mother xie stunned a minute then helped her son.
" Xie 'er are you alright? " Xie mother sighed after confirming that he is alright.
"A-niang I'm fine , we will raise this rabbits, we have a rabbit to eat meat in future" he smiled happily. His mother just just nodded her head with untold emotions. Because in that old house they worked day and night but they never allow to eat meat. She doesn't remember when was the last time she ate meat. Even worse her childrens suffered with them. She felt bad for them. But now she will make sure to give meat to her childrens. fatten them up. But it's still long way to go....
Xie Rui look at his mother being emotional,he understands her thoughts well " a-niang let eat meat tonight. Kill the big rabbit. Keep the little ones to grow up" he said with decision. Xie mother nodded her head. Both of them went to their home. Its already mid noon. " A-niang, you go take a rest. I will prepare something for us to eat. " Xie mother wants to argue but her tierd face and body can't take it so she went to rest.
Xie Rui went to kitchen, his eyes swept around. " Expect some salt, some seasoning, some yellow rise ther is nothing here. I need a reason for take out some things " he sighed..
He light the kitchen, put the iron pot , he took out 5kg Rice bag that he stored in the space. And 4 eggs. He plan to make simple egg rice. He also prepared Wild vegetables fry. Once everything done he called his mom for lunch.
Xie mother walked to the kitchen smelling the nice smell " Xie 'er what did you cook? Smell good" said she walks in,saw the table of dish her eyes widen " this.....this...." Xie Rui look at his mother " a-niang i saw some pheasant eggs on the mountain and i exchange some white rice for one rabbit cub from our village aunt , sorry I did not ask you bef... " When he finishes he was filled with mother Xie 's warm hug...
" My Xie 'er grown up. " Mother Xie hugged her son. She knew her son. He never asked anyone about anything, even to them. But now life changes everything... " A-niang I'm hungry " said while hugging his mother and smiling... His mother chuckled " okay okay lets eat" both of them eat their fill.. mother xie washed the dishes. Then she went to clean the back side of land for home gardening. Xie Rui also joined with his mother...
Near the Xishan Town group of 6 people walking towards the town...
Wei zhen " xiao chen lets change our clothes here, don't alert the county magistrate Yang " he said while drinking some water.
Yichen coldly looked at the distance " Uncle zhen this Yang lei dare to assassinate us"
" Xiao chen i got the information about he and fiveth prince are in collide. This Yang lei is a cousin of his mother,the imperial concubine. He helped her with financial support. But i don't know how... We need to investigate " wei zhen said. Turning towards the elite guards" xiao yi, xiao Tang both of you stay in the town to investigate. Bai and Heizi come with us, we will stay in the boarder near Village this way we can do our investigation without any one finding out."
" Yes general wei" the four of them said while Wei zhen sighed " just called me brother Wei, you yichen same as them brother Wei is enough" he said..
Yichen nodded his head. " We will seperate here, be careful with your action. "
"Yes your highness " xiao yi and xiao Tang bow to him then seperate from them...
Few minutes later the group of four enter the city gate. Pretending as a farmers, wearing the cotten simple looking robes, crown replace by simple hairpin they are all look like a normal farmer but hint of a dangerous aura. They already handled the horses to xiao yi. So they have to walk...
Xiao Heizi went to collect the information about around. So the three of them sat under the tree.
As they sit they saw some men sitting and eating some cornbread while chatting. " Xiao chen are you hungry? " Wei zhen asked his nephew. " No im not. We will wait for xiao Heizi" he said..
After the day work Xie father and brothers sat for lunch,they didn't have much just some home made bread and water. While they were eating they hear people nearby. Xie father look at his Eldest son , Xie Da nodded his head while took out some bread, walking towards them " hmm brothers here " Xie Da said holding out the food towards Wei zhen who puzzledly saw the youth. " Eat something. I hear you guys, don't shy. We are all villagers. We must help each other " said he still looking at the handsome man . He doesn't know why he felt strange and his cheeks slightly burning the red...
Seeing the younger man blushing Wei zhen breath caught the hand gripping the clothes tightens. He gulps " Th.... thank you" he took the food.. Xie Da went to his father's side sat down,shook of the thought, start eating his own food.
Yichen watched from the side " He is still younger than you. " Yichen know his uncle not interested in women or ger. When they were in the camp the marriage about wei zhen was serious topic. But Wei zhen said he is not interested in women or ger, they understand.. this is not a problem. Here men and men gets married and live their lives.
Wei zhen " i thought he is kinda cute and looking good" his eyes trail on the younger man. He doesn't know truly know how to express his thoughts. But right now, there are some important things to do.
Xiao Bai went to the Xie father and brothers " Uncle we are new here. We travel from far away, we want to settled down here. If you suggest us some place to stay We are thankful to you. "
Father Xie patted his thigh" why are you polite? You are look like my son's age. But bit older. We are from boarder near Village. Its peaceful there, if you want to settle you can come with us. I will talk to Village chief. What you say? " Father Xie said while looking his sons. They all nodded of agreeing.
Xiao Bai look towards Yichen, who nodded his head " then we will trouble you" said laughing. Xie Er asked " what do you do for living? " He just curious about new people. Xiao Bai patiencely answer his questions " we are traveling escort team. If merchants want to go long distance, they hire us as guards to protect. "
Xie father sighed" people like us still have to work for single sip of porridge. This year really big blow for us farmers. Still life has to go. " He looked at the sky with emotions..
Yichen who silently watching everything felt pang of pain. Yes this year really truoble .in the camp soldiers eat corn porridge and vegetable broth. That's already a treat in the year of feminine for the soldiers who day and night protect the boarder. If this continues.... He closed his eyes,took a deep breath to control himself from letting out his emotions.
Wei zhen patted his shoulders, comforting his nephew Achen.
Father Xie said" lets go. We finished our work today. We took you to Village to find Village chief." Starting to pack their belongings.
Xiao Heizi come at the same time as per the order, he get change of silver for use and some daily clothes. Wei zhen stood up" sorry for bothering you uncle, please take care of us " he bowed to father Xie who waved his hand to dismiss his courtesy " no need for that. Just helping you settled down. Let's get going. If we want to reach the village it takes some time "
Xie father and brothers lead the way for them. While the prince and others followed them.
Xie Rui nodded satisfied with his workmanship. The sun almost settled down. Mother Xie lit the lamp. With support of his mother he prepared pot of white rice, rabbit meat stew, stir fry wild vegetables with rabbit meat and boiled eggs for his father and brothers. He happily half filled the rice bucket with the reason ' borrowing ' . He take a casual walk and find some pheasant eggs.
Mother Xie really happy for her son's luck. Both of them prepare the dinner with joy.while cooking Xie Rui really asked about he doesn't know about this place. His mother the country women told everything about she knows. She didn't doubt her son because in the eyes of her , her son is the most innocent and naive person. He doesn't know about the world beside them....