Lotus Bay.
The autumn wind is bleak, suddenly warm and then cold.
Continuous waves of rice, yellow and wheat rise and fall faintly like waves on a river when the wind blows. The common people faced the loess and turned their backs to the sky. They were wearing short jackets and holding sickles in their hands. They were harvesting the crops in the fields with quick movements.
Gu Tao carried the bamboo basket and walked lightly along the field ridge, passing through familiar farmland one after another, and finally saw the figure of his eldest brother.
A smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, and she shouted loudly: "Brother, second brother, it's time to eat!"
Gu Daliang cut another piece of rice, and then he straightened up and wiped the sweat from his face. His face was dark red from the sun. When he saw Gu Tao, he couldn't help but frown and said, "Why are you here today, mother?"
Xu Ping also stopped what he was doing and shouted: "I'm dying of thirst, sister-in-law, give me a bowl of water first!" He rushed to the field ridge, threw the sickle away, and sat down there.
He was used to being lazy like his brother and had never done any farm work. But ever since his brother left home, Xu Ping had been surrounded by Gu Litian's command. When the crops were confiscated, he had to carry water and chop firewood for two families every day. He always wanted to He was lazy, but Gu Litian didn't give him any face and beat him with a bamboo stick!
Xu Ping suffered a lot and had several quarrels with Gu Litian.
The old man's beard stood up in anger and he cursed: "Your brother asked me to discipline you before he left. If you don't obey, you will be beaten! If you don't listen to me, then get out! Just be like your brother and don't learn from me." !”
Xu Ping didn't want to hear him say bad things about Xu Ling, so he specifically went against him.
Gu Litian really didn't care about them.
But within two days, the government counted those who had served, and Xu Ling's name was among them.
In previous years, Xu Ling had no money and was forced to serve in the army. He always tried his best to escape or cheat, and suffered a lot.
Now that Xu Ling is not at home, if the government sentences Xu Ling to desertion, he will most likely be labeled as a criminal.
But it is even more difficult for the Xu family to come up with the money from the donation.
In the end, it was Gu Litian who came forward to serve Xu Ling for one month of farm service.
Gu Litian's family was separated from Gu Litian's grandparents and uncles because Gu Tao married Xu Ling. Gu Litian only had a pair of children and six and a half acres of land. For the family's food rations, he regarded these lands more than anything else. Lives matter.
If the autumn harvest is delayed, I'm afraid we will be hungry at the end of this year.
Now that Gu Litian is serving for Xu Ling, only Gu Daliang is left in the family. He said nothing and wanted to serve for his father, but his father said that this was his beloved daughter as a father and had nothing to do with him as an elder brother. , I don’t want him to go.
Gu Daliang had no choice but to stay at home and work desperately. He would get up before dawn and would not go home until the moon was over.
Fortunately, Xu Ping still had some conscience and knew that he was in the wrong, so he came to the fields to help Gu Daliang with farm work.
As for Xu An and Xu's mother, they both went to Gu Tuo's home to help her mother and sister-in-law weave cloth.
Gu You said with a sad face: "My sister-in-law has severe morning sickness and vomits everything she eats. My mother feels sorry for her and wants to pickle some pickled cabbage roots for her to eat, so I asked for the job of delivering food."
When Gu Daliang heard that his wife was vomiting violently, he quickly asked a few questions.
Knowing that it was no big deal, he muttered again: "Don't worry about what those people in the village say."
Gu Tuo lowered his head and helped take out the food from the basket. His eyes were a little hot and he said softly: "I know."
Xu Ping took the rice into his mouth and said carelessly: "Sister-in-law, no matter how kind you are, my eldest brother will definitely be able to collect the money and come back! Then we will be able to enjoy it!"
Gu Daliang glanced at him sideways and grunted twice, but did not pour cold water on him, but he was not optimistic about Xu Ping's trust in Xu Ling.
Xu Ling has been out for so long without even a letter! Even if you ask someone from your hometown to pass on a message!
When someone leaves, it’s like they’ve heard nothing from him! Fortunately, when he saw Xu Ling leaving money to his sister, he thought about it and thought that this heartless bastard could really make enough money back!
The people in the village didn't mind watching the excitement, and since Xu Ling left, they have said all kinds of unpleasant things!
Seeing that Gu Litian went to serve on behalf of his son-in-law for the sake of his daughter, they all laughed so hard that they said that Gu Litian and his family were all fools!
Otherwise, how could you believe Xu Ling's lies?
Gu Daliang was angry when he heard those words, let alone Gu You?
She did not marry Xu Ling voluntarily. Now when she walks in the village, her whole family is laughed at. You can imagine how sad she feels.
Gu Daliang loves his sister very much and doesn't usually let him go out.
Seeing Xu Ping still mumbling nonsense about Xu Ling coming back, Gu Daliang glanced at his sister who lowered her head and said nothing, and couldn't help but give Xu Ling a chopstick.
"Eat your food and get to work quickly after you finish your meal!"
Xu Ping staggered after being beaten, and Gu You quickly stopped him, "Brother!"
Xu Ping quickly ran behind his sister-in-law and made faces at Gu Daliang.
Gu Daliang was annoyed when he saw his face that was somewhat similar to Xu Ling's!
After delivering the meal, Gu Tao packed up the dishes and went back to the village.
Her mother-in-law helped her keep an eye on the girl, but she was always a little worried. Mrs. Xu disliked the fact that Gu Tao gave birth to a girl, and she would complain about it every now and then.
Even in the Gu family, Gu Tuo's mother couldn't say anything.
Gu You lowered her head and looked at the road without squinting when someone suddenly called her.
"Cousin!"
She looked back and saw that behind her were Gu Yao and her husband, Zhao Zhen.
Zhao Zhen is dressed in a green cloth coat and a pair of black silk shoes. He is tall and handsome, not to mention he has a bookish aura, which makes people's eyes light up just by looking at him.
Seeing Gu Yao looking over, he nodded slightly, then looked at Gu Yao's face, staring intently, as if he loved Gu Yao very much.
Gu Yao looked a little proud and asked with worry: "Cousin, is there no news about Xu Ling's departure?"
Gu You knew that when Gu Yao stopped her, it was most likely to mention Xu Ling.
For some reason, Gu Yao paid special attention to Xu Ling. When she learned that Xu Ling had gone out to make money, she and the villagers had the same idea. They all felt that Xu Ling had definitely taken the opportunity to escape and would never come back.
Every now and then, Gu Yao would talk to Gu You. They used to be cousins and grew up together like biological sisters. However, their relationship became estranged after they fell into the water.
Every time Gu Yao came to see Gu You, she would always talk about Che Luulu. She was just talking about how good Zhao Zhen was and how knowledgeable she was. She would take the imperial examination to become a high official in the future and show off what Zhao Zhen had bought for her. He also asked with concern whether she was doing well and how Xu Ling was treating her.
Gu Yao asked over and over again about these things that anyone with a discerning eye could see.
Even a good-tempered person like Gu You would have been annoyed a long time ago.
So when Gu Yao stopped her, she just smiled and said hello, then made excuses to leave.
Unexpectedly, Gu Tuo said: "Cousin, my husband bought me half a piece of cloth today and said he wanted to make me a new dress. But I was not very good at female prostitutes when I was in my boudoir. Your craftsmanship is the best. , Grandma always praised you for your skill in the past, how about you come and help me! If there is any leftover fabric, take it back and make a new dress for Da Ya!"
Gu Yao got her wish and saw that the smile on Gu You's face disappeared and she smiled more obediently and wisely.
"This kid is really pitiful. He has such a bastard father..."
Gu Tao clenched his palms, enduring the dense pain.
