Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

Chapter 401: Fulfilling a Vow, Making a Wish!
Having bought a new horse carriage yesterday, they naturally have transportation for their trip up the mountain today.

On the carriage, Liu Sisi hugged YingEr on the left side, Second Sister held Da Mao on the right side, while Guihua and Ms. Xin sat next to them. Di Yelei and Zhang Peng led the way on horseback, accompanied by Zhang Yun and Di Xuan.

YingEr wanted to ride a horse too, but was restrained by Di Yelei and kept in the carriage.

Liu Sisi looked at the light snow still falling outside and swallowed the words she wanted to say.

It took quite a while to appease her.

Originally, Guihua wanted to sit next to Liu Sisi, but Ms. Xin had moved faster. Before Guihua could approach, Ms. Xin had already grabbed a seat and clung to Liu Sisi’s arm.

“Third Sister-in-law, I never expected your family to buy a horse carriage just like that. It is so convenient to have a carriage to commute in the future. How nice!”

Ms. Xin squinted her eyes and smiled.

Liu Sisi smiled warmly: “This carriage isn’t that expensive, just a little over ten taels of silver. I heard that when Ah Bao was helping his sister-in-law out initially, he spent a lot of money. So I guess it’s not that difficult for them to afford a few dozen taels of silver.”

Guihua, who was sitting opposite of them, had a sneer in her eyes and eagerly chimed in: “You’re absolutely right! I used to hear people talking about how their place was a gold mine. I’m sure Ah Bao’s family must have made quite a bit of money, right?”

If Liu Sisi’s words were a veiled jab, Guihua’s words were a blatant, naked sarcasm!

Ms. Xin’s face didn’t show any change of expression, she remained charming and innocently smiling.

“Auntie Guihua is right, that place is indeed a gold mine, and a comfortable nest for men. However, since Cui’er got married, everything there and its past are now unrelated to me. Please, Auntie Guihua, don’t mention it again.”

“To bring the matter back, with Ah Bao’s ability, it’s not a matter of whether he can afford a horse carriage or not, but rather that he couldn’t maintain the horse and the coachman even if he could afford them.” Ms. Xin sighed.

Indeed, buying a horse carriage was easy, but the subsequent expenses were quite a bit of money!

“…Hmph!”

Guihua wanted to stab her again, but seemed to recall something and eventually held back her words.

Liu Zhi’er, who was sitting beside them, had a heavy heart and never revealed a smiling face.

When they last visited the Goddess of Mercy’s temple, climbing up the mountain had been more difficult; they had to ascend the stone steps leading from the foot of the slope one step at a time.

This time, some rode horses and some sat in carriages, so the journey was much faster.

When they arrived at the foot of the slope, they didn’t stop to climb the stone steps from the previous visit, but rode horses and drove carriages along the mountain path towards the Goddess of Mercy’s temple.

Liu Sisi gently lifted the curtain and looked at Red Maple Ridge, which was covered in lush maple trees that had shed their brilliant foliage and put on a clean white gown.

The fine snow continued to fall from the sky like countless white grains of salt being sprinkled by an invisible pair of hands, densely covering the earth in a layer of silvery white.

At the moment, it was still early, and they could see the monks cleaning the road, but the mountain path was already crowded with people coming to offer incense!

The carriage had to come to a halt when it reached the area near the waterfall.

Having no other choice, everyone had to get off the carriage and proceed on foot.

Liu Sisi didn’t know if it was because of her pregnancy, but recently she had been experiencing bouts of dry heaving in the mornings, especially when she was jostled around while riding in the carriage. As soon as she got off the carriage, her legs went weak and she squatted down on the side of the road, dry heaving until she threw up all the food she had eaten that morning.

“Sisi, how are you feeling? Are you still very uncomfortable? How about we go over there and sit for a while?”

Guihua, who had been patting her back gently, said with concern, “I also had severe morning sickness when I was pregnant, but it doesn’t seem to be as serious as yours.”

Liu Sisi forced herself to stand up, rinsed her mouth with a few sips of clear water, and shook her head, “I’m fine, there’s no need to sit anymore. Let’s continue up the mountain and offer the incense first.”

Although she had initially vowed before the Buddha not to have children.

But when there was truly a little life growing slowly inside her, she prayed for his safe growth, and once he was born, she would raise him well.

Di Yelei, who had originally squeezed to the front, turned back and found out the unusual situation here, hurriedly jumped off the horse and strode over.

“Sisi, are you feeling uncomfortable again? Come! I’ll carry you up.”

As he spoke, he came to her, ready to lift her up into his arms.

Liu Sisi stared at him with a cold face.

“Get away! Don’t touch me with your dirty hands!”

As she spoke, she slapped his outstretched hand away, supporting her body to climb up the mountain.

The coldness in her eyes stopped him, making him feel at a loss, and his outstretched hand froze in place.

This caused not only Di Yelei but also the others nearby to notice the issue.

Everyone’s probing gazes focused on Di Yelei, who could only force a bitter smile, as this matter could not be explained in a few words!

Going up the mountain, following the crowd to burn incense and worship, they came to the statue of Goddess of Mercy, and Liu Sisi finally bowed deeply.

In the blink of an eye, she had been in this strange world for quite some time, and now she had a little life connected to her bloodline in her belly. No matter why she came to this world initially, she was truly grateful — grateful that Heaven had given her a home, a child connected to her bloodline.

After arranging the incense and candles, she looked back and saw that Liu Zhi’er was still kneeling on the pumpkin, knocking his head continuously while sincerely praying.

“I beg the highly compassionate Goddess of Mercy to show mercy, allowing me to find my two children and reunite our family. If I can find my children, even if it means shortening my life by three years, I will have no complaints. I beg the Goddess of Mercy to grant my request. I beg the Goddess of Mercy!”…

As she spoke, her head knocked loudly, causing Liu Sisi, who was standing beside her, to feel heartache.

Looking up at the kind and merciful Goddess of Mercy, Liu Sisi sighed inwardly.

Everyone came to ask the Goddess of Mercy for help, but if She could help with everything, even with a thousand hands, She couldn’t manage all the injustices in the human world!

After all, we must rely on ourselves.

Everything depends on our efforts!

After leaving the temple, Liu Sisi was already starving. They had eaten breakfast early and vomited the remaining food, and her stomach was churning with hunger at this moment.

Today, their group didn’t go to the temple for dinner; instead, they went to a snack stand not far from the temple to eat.

The food at the snack stand was very simple: millet porridge with pickled cabbage. Eating it, Liu Sisi felt it was no less delicious than rare delicacies. After devouring two bowls, she finally put down her bamboo chopsticks.

“This millet porridge is so delicious! We have millet at home too, but I’ve never discovered that millet porridge can be this tasty!”