Chapter 16: Of Humans and Emotions

Sweet Treasure could feel the hesitation and oppression within the household, yet she could not resonate with it. She did not know what lay ahead. To her, it was roughly this: her family would take her to a new place to continue living—whether they survived or perished made no difference. It did not matter. The outcome was inconsequential. If death came, it would suit her just fine.

The weather was truly cold. Without a house to shelter from the wind and snow, without a warming brazier, even wearing her new padded jacket and being held in an adult’s arms, Sweet Treasure’s small face was frozen stiff, trembling uncontrollably.

Eldest Su and Second Su went to the government office to receive their exile orders. The entire family, carrying only simple belongings, placed Old Man Su, Sweet Treasure, and the three little ones onto a wooden cart and silently set off.

Old Lady Su seemed the quickest in the family to calm herself and accept reality. Yet, turning her head to look back at the home that was gradually fading into the distance, she could not help but shed tears.

Old Man Su sat on the wooden cart holding Sweet Treasure, staring blankly in the direction of their home, as if he had aged ten more years overnight.

“Father, mother, the government won’t send escorts personally. We must reach Yongzhou within the stipulated time, or face punishment,” Eldest Su said in a low voice.

Old Lady Su nodded hoarsely. “Let’s go.”

Yongzhou was thousands of miles away from Great Pagoda Village. Setting aside the dangers of the journey, even if all went smoothly, it would take two months on foot. The officials had given them until early spring, the third month, to arrive. Their time was tight.

As they walked along the muddy path from their doorstep to the village entrance, the family was momentarily stunned upon seeing a crowd gathered there.

It was the village chief of Great Pagoda Village and dozens of villagers.

“Brother Su, sister-in-law,” said Chief Guo, who was even older than Old Man Su by a few years. He approached the wooden cart and pulled out a small cloth bag, pressing it into Old Man Su’s hand. “Nothing like this has ever happened in our village before. Don’t take to heart the gossip and rumors—people mean no harm. You are leaving, and it’s unlikely we will meet again. This is a small token from the village. We wish you a safe journey.”

“Brother Guo, this won’t do! You must take it back!” Old Man Su felt the weight of silver coins inside the bag and hurried to return it, but the village chief held his hand firmly.

“At times like these, don’t refuse. Yongzhou is far, and you’ll need money along the way. Let us contribute what we can,” the old chief’s voice choked, his eyes reddening.

At that moment, hesitant villagers began stepping forward one after another. Some silently, some with a few sorrowful words of farewell, each placing items onto the wooden cart until it was packed full.

There were still-warm steamed buns, jars of pickles, pancakes wrapped in oil paper, dried mountain delicacies and wild game, freshly mended shoes, and carefully folded clean clothes...

Even the gossiping woman who had just argued fiercely with Old Lady Su came forward, thrusting a bundle of dried vegetables into her hands, eyes red and voice trembling.

“Our family is poor to the bone. I turned the house upside down. The only thing that won’t spoil is these dried vegetables from after winter began. Take them... The harsh words I said, just dismiss them as nonsense. You have a stubborn temper and sharp tongue—fine to argue with me, but once you’re there, you’ll have to soften. When meeting tough people, sometimes it’s better to bow your head.”

Old Lady Su’s throat tightened, she smiled through tears. “I will.”

At this moment, all grudges and disputes melted away.

After a simple farewell, the family resumed their journey, the Great Pagoda Village hidden beneath a blanket of snow, gradually disappearing from sight.

“Father, mother, will we ever come back?” Su An and her two brothers clung to the back edge of the cart, sobbing uncontrollably as they looked toward Great Pagoda Village.

“We will, we will come back,” came the reply.

Though they spoke these words, the adults knew in their hearts it was a kind lie to comfort the children.

They would never return in this lifetime.

...

Great Pagoda Village belonged to Ning Shui Town in Yu Prefecture.

Five miles north of the town lay the slope that led to Yongzhou, a necessary passage.

Liu Yuelan and He Da’s family waited there to see them off.

No one had expected to meet their loved ones under such circumstances; the two young women wept bitterly.

“We only learned of this great calamity when the villagers from Great Pagoda came. Worried we might miss you if we rushed to the village, we came early to wait here. Luckily, the Liu brothers are here, too,” said He’s parents, both with swollen, red eyes.

Mrs. He brought a large bundle and added it to the already overflowing wooden cart. “There’s not much at home, just a bag of tapioca flour—at least something to eat. Dear in-laws, please don’t be offended... Da Xiang, that reckless girl, is simple and straightforward. I know you all are kind to her. From now on, please continue to look after her.”

Her voice broke, unable to finish the sentence.

He Da stood silently, watching her bent, patchy-clad parents in the biting cold wind, tears choking her speech.

Old Lady Su stepped forward, embracing He Da, her voice trembling. “Dear in-laws, don’t worry. Whether it’s Da Xiang or Yuelan, as daughters-in-law married into my family, I treat them as my own. Don’t mention such trivial concerns. In our current situation, you coming to see us off is already a great comfort. It is my Su family that has brought hardship to Da Xiang and Yuelan.”

“Mother, don’t say that. I have never regretted marrying into the Su family!” He Da wiped her tears. Liu Yuelan also stepped forward and said, “We are one family now; there is no burden or blame. Even in the borderlands, we will live well!”

The Liu family came with Liu Yuelan’s elder and second brothers.

Seeing their sister determined to face hardship alongside the Su family, the brothers held back what they wanted to say.

They had brought something, too: half a bag of home-made charcoal, considered a precious commodity.

Before parting, Liu Yuelan’s eldest brother quietly slipped a few dozen copper coins into her hand. “This is what the second brother and I saved from odd jobs. Your sister-in-law doesn’t know. Take it for emergencies. Since mother and father are unwell, I didn’t bring them. I wanted to take you home as a fallback, but you have made your choice and won’t listen to us... Go now. Don’t worry about home; the two of us will take care of them.”

Finally, the brothers leaned close to the cart to gaze at their niece, whom they had yet to meet.

Sweet Treasure also opened her dark, shining eyes to look at them.

She did not understand the pain of parting from family, but a heaviness pressed upon her chest.

She seemed not to like seeing her grandparents and parents cry.

The wooden cart rolled onward again, the wheels creaking over the snowy ground.

Those who had come to see them off became small black dots, then vanished into the vastness.

The air remained heavy.

Sweet Treasure turned her little head in the swaddling, frowned briefly, then moved her tiny hand.

The familiar sound of something thudding onto the ground made the Su family halt in unison.

They slowly looked down.

Sure enough, a familiar, beautiful pear rolled in the snow at their feet.

This scene unexpectedly broke the gloom.

“Sweet Treasure, little ancestor! Don’t be naughty!”

“Mother, doesn’t this look like the little ancestor trying to cheer us up?”

“This is not a game! Stop fooling around! Pick up the things!”

Amid the chaos and commotion, the oppressive weight that had hung over the Su family since noon briefly lifted.