"Dayun came over to say hello to me and Yuzhi, saying that she had to go with her mother-in-law to do something and it would take her two days."
At Aunt Dayun's house, Dayun and Yang Ruoqing were trying to recall the scene at that time.
"I originally wanted to ask a few more questions, but seeing that they were in a hurry, and her mother-in-law holding the second daughter beside her, and urging her several times, I couldn't ask any more questions."
"Why, it's been three days and you haven't come back yet?" Dayun asked.
Yang Ruoqing shook her head, "I just came from her house and the door was locked."
With that said, Dayun walked a few steps quickly to the door of the house and looked into Xiaoqin's yard separated by a wall.
Then he turned around and said to Yang Ruoqing who was following behind him: "It seems that this door has been locked for more than three days. Not only Xiaoqin did not go to school, but her mother-in-law and two daughters also did not come back."
Yang Ruoqing's face was full of suspicion, "Four members of the family are missing. Where did they go?"
"Xiaoqin doesn't have a natal family. Grandma Xiaoqin has two brothers in her natal family, namely Brother Daping's eldest uncle and second uncle. Could it be that the four of them went there?" Yang Ruoqing said.
Dayun said: "It's possible that he is probably visiting relatives. Wangfu has no brothers or sisters, so the only relatives left are Granny Xiaoqin's natal family."
"Which village is Grandma Xiaoqin's natal family in?" Yang Ruoqing asked.
Dayun thought for a moment and said: "To the north of Qingshui Town, in a village called Zuojiawan."
Zuojiawan?
Yang Ruoqing has never been to that village, but she often heard it mentioned when Old Yangtou and Blacksmith Luo talked about it.
There are Zuojiawan and Youjiawan, which are two villages along the river. Zuowan is on the left side of the river and Youwan is on the right.
When Lao Yangtou and Luo Tiejiang were young, they went to Tiaheba in that area.
"Aunt Dayun, do you know any relatives in Zuojiawan?" Yang Ruoqing asked.
Dayun shook his head, "In our village, Granny Xiaoqin is the only one who married from Zuojiawan. It seems that there are no other girls who married to Zuojiawan."
"What? Qing'er, do you want to go to Zuojiawan to find Xiaoqin?" she asked again.
Yang Ruoqing nodded.
"I have been working with Xiaoqin for more than a day or two. I know her character well." Yang Ruoqing continued.
"Even if the elderly and children at home are sick at the same time and have to miss work, it will not last more than two days."
"As long as it lasts more than two days, she will definitely come to me in person and tell me. If I am not at home, she will definitely go to my parents to make it clear."
"It's obviously not normal to be away like this for three days without any sign of coming back," she said.
"Qing'er, what you said makes sense." Dayun said, "Let's do this. If you go to Zuojiawan to find Xiaoqin, I'll go with you!"
…
Zuojiawan.
Also coming with Yang Ruoqing and Dayun was Yuzhi.
"My maternal cousin is getting married in Youjiawan, across the river from Zuojiawan. We will leave the carriage at my cousin's house later."
Come on immediately, Yuzhi said to Yang Ruoqing.
Yang Ruoqing nodded.
The three people soon arrived at Youjiawan, and under the leadership of Yuzhi, they quickly found her cousin's house.
Cousin Yuzhi's face was somewhat similar to Yuzhi's, and she was very happy when she saw her cousin coming over.
The parents-in-law and men also came over to warmly receive Yuzhi and the others.
Yuzhi said: "This trip is to accompany two relatives from my village to Zuojiawan to find someone. The carriage will be left here for you first."
Her cousin nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay."
Then, Yuzhi introduced Yang Ruoqing and Dayun to her cousin's family.
Yang Ruoqing felt that Yuzhi's cousin's family was honest and upright. After she recognized each other, she turned around and took out two bundles of gifts from the carriage and gave them to them.
"I came here for the first time and brought some food for the child." She said.
Granny Yuzhi waved her hands hurriedly, "You are relatives of my wife's cousin, that is, our relatives."
"How can I ask you to spend money on coming all the way here? It's absolutely impossible!" said the old woman.
Yang Ruoqing smiled and said: "Mom, we didn't spend any money, we just bought some food for the children. You're welcome, just accept it."
Then, Yang Ruoqing winked at Yuzhi and Dayun again, and Yuzhi and Dayun also persuaded them.
Yuzhi winked at her cousin again, and her cousin came over to persuade her mother-in-law: "Mom, since my cousins have this kindness, let's accept it. They are all relatives, and they have a long future."
It seems that her mother-in-law is very fond of this daughter-in-law. When the daughter-in-law said this, the mother-in-law listened.
The old woman took the two bundles of gifts handed over by Yang Ruoqing and weighed them secretly. They were heavy.
This is definitely more than just snacks for children, what else is there? The old woman felt curious.
But he still pressed it and told the old man and son beside him: "Old man, hurry to the village to get wine. Mule, you go to the butcher to weigh the meat. Wife, make a fire and cook, so that you can entertain the distinguished guests!"
According to what was discussed in advance on the carriage, Yang Ruoqing said to the old woman: "Auntie, there's no need to go to such trouble. We are in a hurry to go to Zuojiawan across the way to find someone."
The old woman said: "Going to Zuojiawan? I'm familiar with Zuojiawan. Which one are you looking for? I'll let the two mules take you there."
After listening to it twice, Yang Ruoqing suddenly understood that this mule was the name of the old woman's son.
Haha, what a unique name.
Yang Ruoqing said: "There is a woman named Jin'e in our village. Her natal family is in Zuojiawan. Do you recognize her, aunt?"
Grandma Xiaoqin's name was Jin'e, and she later married Wangfu. Gradually, everyone stopped calling her by her original name. They all called her Daping Niang, or from the Wangfu family.
"Jin'e?" The old woman squinted her eyes and thought for a moment, "Her? Hahaha, of course I recognize her, but there is someone in this yard who I recognize more than me, old man, don't you think so?"
The old woman's smile was a bit strange, and she glanced sideways at the old man standing beside her.
The old man's dark face drooped, "You're a crazy woman, you're still going crazy when you're old, talk about your serious business, don't let the juniors laugh at you!"
The old woman gave the old man a look that said, "I'll settle the score with you later." Then she turned to Yang Ruoqing and said, "Let the two mules take you there, and come over for dinner when you finish the work later!"
…
The three of them had a few sips of tea at Yuzhi's cousin's house and immediately set off for Zuojiawan across the river.
The mule led the way, and behind, Yuzhi's cousin Yuxi accompanied Yang Ruoqing and the three of them while walking and talking.
"You have to take a boat from Youjiawan to Zuojiawan. There is a ferry in front with a small boat. The ferryman is from Youjiawan."
"A lonely old man and his little granddaughter are ferrying by the river all day long. He's quite a nice guy. He must be here right now," Yu Xi said.
The three nodded.
Dayun couldn't help but ask Yu Xi: "Earlier, your mother-in-law deliberately pushed against your father-in-law, saying that he was familiar with Jin E. Your father-in-law always looked embarrassed. Is there something behind this?"
