Chapter 2399: Farewell, Zhengdao Village (Patreon)

Chapter 2399: Farewell, Zhengdao Village


On that evening, estate was particularly lively.


Wu Shi brought her parents, and her brothers had gone into the mountains in the afternoon to hunt some wild chickens and rabbits to add to the feast.


During their time in Zhengdao Village, the Xu and Fang families had made friends with many of their neighbors. Those who could attend the gathering came, and while there was a sense of reluctance, there was even more envy among those who couldn't come.


Everyone knew that their future lives wouldn't be easy, and many regretted not helping to capture the rebels earlier. If they had, they might be leaving now as well.


The cost of the final feast was shared by Shu Yu and the villagers. This was a significant occasion for Zhengdao Village, so the village had to show its appreciation.


With the Xu and Fang families heading to the capital, they would need to spend money everywhere they went. Their finances were tight, so it made sense to be frugal.


Shu Quan knew he had missed out on a rare feast, and he regretted it deeply.


After a satisfying meal and a night of rest, they set off to the county town the next day to handle their household registration documents.


Shu Yu and Meng Yunzheng didn't join them; they took a trip into the mountains instead.


They had a premonition that after leaving this time, they probably wouldn't return to the southwestern region for at least ten years, and certainly not to Zhengdao Village.


They didn't intend to hunt; they were just revisiting familiar places.


"I remember this place. Those people from fifth Team tried to plot against us back then, but you dealt with them all," Shu Yu said as she walked hand in hand with Meng Yunzheng.


"Now it seems like fifth Team has a completely different group of people," Meng Yunzheng remarked.


"Is that so? I hadn't noticed."


The two of them walked slowly, eventually arriving at a small hill. Shu Yu had intended to turn back, but when she saw a wooden sign standing in front of the hill, she paused. "It seems like this is Second master Shu's grave."


Meng Yunzhe looked at the sign, confirming that it indeed bore the name of Shu Family Second master. However, the grave appeared to have been neglected for a long time. Even in death, it seemed that no one cared to visit Second master Shu's resting place.


"Do you think the Shu family will relocate this grave now that they're leaving?" Shu Yu asked.


Meng Yunzheng raised an eyebrow. "What do you think?"


Shu Yu glanced around, shook her head, and replied, "I doubt they will."


Relocating a grave was a significant undertaking, and even if the Shu family harbored resentment towards Second master Shu, it was unlikely they would bother to move it now.


They didn't stay to investigate further and continued walking toward the mountains.


By the time they descended the mountain in the afternoon, those who had gone to the county town for registration had returned.


They had been efficient, having successfully completed their household registration documents, obtained route permits, and purchased everything they would need for the journey. Each family had a mule carriage, and they excitedly rushed back.


Subsequently, they began to pack their belongings in a flurry.


Although they had lived in Zhengdao Village for several years, they didn't have much stuff. Besides essential clothing and bedding, as well as pots, pans, and dishes, they didn't have much else.


Everyone worked diligently, and by nightfall, they had already finished.


However, despite their early preparations for bed, they couldn't sleep. Perhaps they were too excited, but more likely, they were feeling restless.


By the next morning, when Shu Yu loaded the luggage onto the carriages in preparation for departure, she noticed that all three families had arrived yawning.


The Xu and Fang families quickly boarded their carriages, but the Fang family seemed more reluctant to leave.


Fang Xiyue's parents held the child in their arms, repeating their advice to Fang Xiyue and Ma Lu over and over before finally letting them board the carriage.