readsfreenovel Chapter 223 Farewell
Chapter 223 Farewell
The day of departure arrived quickly.
Because it was a move to settle in the capital, the Xiao family's procession was quite large, with rows of carriages forming a spectacular sight.
This is all thanks to the fact that the imperial court sent people to take away all the grain seeds beforehand; otherwise, there would have been even more.
This time, in addition to a few people who looked after the old house, all the other servants and slaves were brought along, as well as some important items from the house.
Aunt Xiao and her younger sister have arrived and are now in the carriage.
The people of Xiaojia Village knew that today was the day the Xiao family was going out, so they waited at the village entrance early in the morning. When the carriage arrived at the village entrance, the Xiao family members got off the carriage and said goodbye to everyone.
Xiao Siyue accompanied Lin Dandan, who was from her maternal grandmother's family, to observe the situation outside from the carriage.
"Sister Dandan, please sit down first, I'll go down and take a look." Xiao Siyue also quickly got off the carriage.
"Oh, go ahead." Lin Dandan thought to herself, "Yue'er's family is so popular in the village; the whole village has come to see them off."
After getting off the carriage, Grandpa Xiao walked towards the village chief at the front.
"Brother, you've all worked so hard." Grandpa Xiao was very moved. The villagers had come to his house to say goodbye a few days ago, but they still came to the village entrance to see him off today.
They left very early today, but judging from the villagers' expressions, they must have been waiting for a long time. It's September now, and the weather is still quite cold in the morning.
The village chief quickly said, "Dayong, we don't have much to give you. You've done so much for the village these past few years, it's only right that we come to see you off."
"Brother, you're too kind. We're also members of the village, and it's only right that we help the village," Grandpa Xiao replied politely.
"I know you're a good person. Be careful on your journey. This is the last I can take you." The village chief patted Old Master Xiao on the shoulder after saying this, showing his reluctance to part with him.
"Hey, brother, don't worry, we'll be careful. You also need to take care of yourself. Leave everything to others, don't try to shoulder everything yourself anymore. You're not young anymore, it's time to enjoy your retirement." Old Master Xiao earnestly advised. You see, the village chief is only a little older than him, but he has so many worries that he looks much older than him.
The two had a deep bond, and he also wanted to let the other person live a few more years.
"I know all that. Take care of yourself too. I'm waiting for you to come back so we can have a drink together," the village chief said cheerfully.
"Then it's a deal. When I come back next time, I'll bring a few jars of good wine, and we brothers can drink our fill."
"Then I'll look forward to tasting the fine wine you brought from the capital."
Both of them laughed heartily, which lessened their reluctance to part.
Old Mrs. Xiao was also saying goodbye to the village chief's wife.
"Dayong's wife, you'd better take a good look around Beijing this time. When you come back next time, tell me what Beijing is like," the village chief's wife joked.
"Oh, I'll have to write that down carefully, and I'll tell you about it when I get back," Old Mrs. Xiao replied with a smile.
"To be honest, I really envy you. The farthest I've ever been in my life is our county town. I wouldn't even dare to dream of going to the capital." The village chief's wife held Old Lady Xiao's hand, full of envy.
"Auntie, when you have time, you and Uncle should travel around. We're getting old, so while we can still walk, we should travel more." Old Mrs. Xiao said this because the village chief's family was well-off; after all, traveling required money, otherwise she wouldn't have said that.
"You're right, but you know my old man is always worried about the village." The village chief's wife was somewhat tempted, but considering the village chief's personality, she had no choice but to give up.
"That's true," Old Mrs. Xiao said, finding it difficult to dissuade her.
The rest of the Xiao family were also saying goodbye to the villagers or their relatives.
"It's getting late, so we won't keep you any longer. You should set off now," the village chief urged after chatting with Grandpa Xiao for a while.
"Alright, then we'll be going, brother. Take care, and write to us if anything happens." Old Master Xiao said goodbye with reluctance.
"Alright, get in the carriage now."
Before getting into the carriage, Grandpa Xiao said loudly to the villagers, "Thank you all for coming to see us off today. Please take good care of yourselves."
“Grandpa, we will, and so will you. Don’t forget about Xiao Family Village!” someone in the crowd waved in response.
"Don't worry, folks, no matter where we go, Xiaojia Village will always be our home, and we will never forget it," Grandpa Xiao assured him.
"We know that your family is kind-hearted and has helped us a lot over the years, but we have no way to repay you. However, we will always remember your kindness. If you need anything from us, just send us a message and we will definitely help you."
"Thank you all, we understand your kindness." Old Master Xiao clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.
"Fellow villagers, go back now. It's cold and the dew is heavy. We can have a proper chat when you come back next time." After saying this, Old Master Xiao got into the carriage, and the rest of the Xiao family followed suit.
The villagers were very reluctant to see the carriage disappear into the distance.
"Let's go back." The village chief's wife said softly as the carriage disappeared from sight.
"Hey, let's go back." The two helped each other walk into the village, and the rest of the people followed one after another.
"Do you think Da Yong and the others will come back next year?" The village chief couldn't help but ask as they walked.
"How would I know? But they should come back," the village chief's wife said. Although the Xiao family said they would come back often in the future, they probably didn't think it would be easy for them to come back from such a far place as the capital. Besides, the whole Xiao family had left this time, so what would they do back here?
"Hmm," the village chief nodded, saying nothing more, but his voice sounded somewhat muffled.
"Alright, Dayong is going to the capital to enjoy life. Do you have to be like this? Anyone who doesn't know better would think that Dayong and the others are going to do something and never come back." The village chief's wife said irritably, looking at the somewhat dejected village chief.
"What are you saying, old woman? I'm just a little reluctant to part with it," the village chief said awkwardly, feeling a bit embarrassed by his wife's words.
"I know, let's hurry back, it's freezing." The village chief's wife pulled her clothes tighter and took the lead.
"Hey, old woman, wait for me! Why are you walking so fast?" The village chief quickly sped up to catch up.
"Why don't you hurry up?" Despite their advanced age, the two of them walk quite fast.
The village chief's son and daughter-in-law looked at the old couple with amusement and followed silently behind.