"Second Uncle!"
"Mother, your son is unfilial!"
"Second Brother!"
In a secluded alley in Youzhou City, there was a dilapidated small courtyard. The courtyard was located in the middle of a row of uneven, rundown small houses. Weeds grew densely at the entrance, and with a gust of wind, withered leaves swirled down, creating a desolate scene.
This was a small courtyard rented by Murong Tengge for Zhou Fugui's family. Although it was a rundown place, Zhou Fugui's family finally had a place to settle in Youzhou. At the same time, although the courtyard was in a remote location, it also saved them from much disturbance.
Zhou Fugui had killed over two hundred people, most of whom were Xianbei. Although the Yan Dynasty court had declared them rebels, many Xianbei people, especially those from the Xianbei Duan tribe, still harbored resentment towards Zhou Fugui. Considering Zhou Fugui and his family, Murong Tengge chose this place for them to settle down, for which Zhou Fugui was extremely grateful.
When Zhou Fugui returned home and met his mother, Madam Liu, his sister-in-law, Madam Gu, his younger sister, and his nephew Hutou, he was overcome with grief. They embraced and wept. However, because Zhou Fugui had escaped from death, there was joy amidst the sorrow.
Despite mixed emotions of grief and joy, Zhou Fugui remained exceptionally angry.
This good family had been persecuted by Duan Mu and his son. His mother had lost her eldest son, his sister-in-law, Madam Gu, had become a widow, his nephew Hutou had lost his father at a young age, and Zhou Xiaomei... her life was ruined. Although Zhou Fugui had killed over two hundred people from the Duan and Qin families, his anger was far from appeased. If he had another chance, Zhou Fugui would still have acted without hesitation.
"Second Uncle, you have finally returned safely. Your late husband in heaven must be so relieved," said his sister-in-law, Madam Gu, her voice choked with tears as she clutched Zhou Fugui's sleeve.
"Second Uncle, Second Uncle, you are so amazing!" Hutou hugged Zhou Fugui's thigh and grinned up at him.
To avenge his brother and sister, Zhou Fugui had furiously slaughtered the entire Duan family and the entire Qin family. In Hutou's young mind, his Second Uncle Zhou Fugui was a heroic figure who could hold up the sky, and Hutou was immensely proud of this.
"What's amazing? Little Hutou, you've grown taller," Zhou Fugui said with a smile, ruffling Hutou's hair.
"Mmm, Hutou wants to grow up quickly. When I grow up, I will kill all the bad guys and be a hero like Second Uncle," said Little Hutou, clenching his fist.
Zhou Fugui smiled at this. He then looked at his younger sister, Zhou Xiaomei, who still looked dejected, and asked, "Little Sister, are you alright?"
"Second Brother..." Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiaomei burst into tears and threw herself into Zhou Fugui's arms, sobbing.
"Little Sister, try to be cheerful... " Zhou Fugui embraced Zhou Xiaomei and comforted her, "You must continue to live, and not just live, but live a splendid life. Otherwise, you will be letting down all that your second brother has done."
"Mmm, Second Brother, don't worry, I... I won't try to..." Zhou Xiaomei choked out.
After being defiled, Zhou Xiaomei had attempted suicide several times, but fortunately, she was saved.
"Alright, Fugui has returned safely. It's a joyous occasion, why are you all crying?" Madam Liu, Zhou Fugui's mother, said after wiping away her tears. She then glanced at Xiaoqing beside her and gave Zhou Fugui a meaningful look.
Xiaoqing stood timidly to the side, wanting to come forward but not daring to. Her face was a complex mix of excitement, happiness, fear, and regret, which left Zhou Fugui feeling perplexed.
"Wife, daughters, come with me to cook for Fugui. Hutou, you too." Madam Liu then called Madam Gu, Zhou Xiaomei, and Hutou away, leaving only Zhou Fugui and Xiaoqing in the courtyard.
"Xiaoqing, what happened? Is it about Xiao Yunü?" Zhou Fugui asked, walking up to Xiaoqing.
After returning home, Zhou Fugui had immediately noticed that one person was missing from the family – Xiao Yunü. Therefore, he now suspected that something had happened to Xiao Yunü, but he had no idea what it was.
"Wah..." Upon hearing this, Xiaoqing could no longer hold back. She threw herself into Zhou Fugui's arms and wept sadly, "Fugui Ge, I'm sorry to you. I don't want to live anymore... Wuwuwu..."
"Xiaoqing, what exactly happened? Please tell me. No matter what it is, I won't blame you," Zhou Fugui asked gently, holding Xiaoqing's increasingly thin body.
"Xiao... Yun... Nu, she... is lost..." Xiaoqing answered with sobs in Zhou Fugui's arms. "The day you entered the city, I was so distraught that by accident, Xiao Yunü got lost. I've been searching for her these past few months, but, but... Wuwuwu..."
Xiaoqing's tears of sorrow soaked Zhou Fugui's clothes. She cried even more heartbrokenly.
"You've suffered so much..." Zhou Fugui gently stroked Xiaoqing's hair to comfort her. "Xiaoqing, you don't need to be sad, nor do you need to blame yourself. Fate has its course, and human efforts are sometimes in vain. How can this be your fault? It was her destiny, and what can be done about it?"
With consecutive major events, the family was in complete disarray. Errors made in chaos were understandable and not anyone's fault. If anyone was to blame, it should be Duan Mu and his son, but they had already been sent to the netherworld by Zhou Fugui...
Xiao Yunü was so young. After getting lost, her fate... Zhou Fugui dared not think further.
Although Zhou Fugui was comforting Xiaoqing upon hearing this, he was also extremely saddened and remorseful, and at the same time, he couldn't help but put the blame on the Xianbei people.
However, Zhou Fugui, just like before, did not hate all Xianbei people. Among the Xianbei, there were good people like Murong Tengge and Murong Huiying, and there were also wicked people. Zhou Fugui naturally hated the wicked Xianbei people who oppressed and exploited the common folk.
"Fugui Ge, you really don't blame me?" Xiaoqing asked, tears in her eyes, looking up at Zhou Fugui.
"I truly don't blame you!" Zhou Fugui nodded.
"Fugui Ge, you are so good, wuwuwu..." Hearing this, Xiaoqing was so moved that she hugged Zhou Fugui tightly, wishing she could melt into his body. She then continued to cry sadly.
"Xiaoqing, you... Hutou, why are you here?" After a long while, Zhou Fugui, who was still holding Xiaoqing tightly, suddenly noticed a small figure at his feet and asked.
"Second Uncle, are you bullying Aunt Xiaoqing?" Little Hutou had long since sneaked into the courtyard and had been watching the two embracing for a long time...
"You little rascal, who's bullying her?" Zhou Fugui hurriedly let go of Xiaoqing and looked down at Hutou awkwardly.
"Aunt Xiaoqing is crying, and you say you aren't bullying her?" Hutou looked at Zhou Fugui in confusion. "Aunt Xiaoqing is a good person. She's the best to Hutou. You mustn't bully her."
"She's the best to you, so she's a good person? And what you said about your second uncle... is that bullying her? You little rascal, what do you know?" Zhou Fugui's face turned slightly red. He bent his fingers and gently tapped Hutou's head while scolding him. "Tell me, what are you here for?"
Xiaoqing's face had long been flushed with embarrassment. Hearing this, a shy smile appeared on her face, though tears still lingered.
"Oh dear, Second Uncle, don't hit me! Grandma is calling us to eat," Hutou shouted, covering his head with his hands.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
"Fugui, you suffered in prison. Eat more."
"Second Uncle, this servant thanks you."
"Second Brother, these are dishes I made. Try them."
"Grandma, Mother, Little Aunt, you are all giving Second Uncle food, what about me?"
"..."
This was the first reunion meal Zhou Fugui had had at home since he was conscripted three years ago. Therefore, although the food was simple, Zhou Fugui found it exceptionally delicious. During the meal, Madam Liu, his sister-in-law Madam Gu, his younger sister, and Xiaoqing kept piling food onto Zhou Fugui's plate until it was completely full.
Zhou Fugui had escaped from death and reunited with his family. The joy of their gathering together, talking and laughing, helped to alleviate the sorrow of the passing of Zhou Fugui's eldest brother.
"Second Uncle, what is this Snow Rime City? Where is it? When will you be back after you go there?" asked his sister-in-law, Madam Gu, while eating.
Madam Gu and the others did not know what kind of place Snow Rime City was. Moreover, after Zhou Dashan's death, Zhou Fugui had become the pillar of the Zhou family, so Madam Gu and the others were extremely worried.
"It's just a border town," Zhou Fugui replied. "After going to the border town, I should be back in a few years."
Zhou Fugui knew very well what kind of place Snow Rime City was – a place of constant conflict. Going to Snow Rime City, compared to conquering Jiangnan, was no less dangerous. However, to ease his family's worries, Zhou Fugui pretended to be relaxed.
"If you don't become a general, you are not allowed to come back!" Madam Zhou, the elder lady, still held onto the idea of him being a general...
Before, Zhou Fugui was a subordinate general of the Great Yan Dynasty, a renowned general in his own right. But now, he had been stripped of everything by the Yan Dynasty court... Madam Liu was naturally regretful.
"Great General, Great General..." Zhou Hutou, with his small belly protruding, walked around on the ground in a mock general's stride.
"Hahahaha!" Everyone couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
"Fugui Ge, please have some wine." Xiaoqing shyly refilled Zhou Fugui's wine bowl and said.
"Mother..." Zhou Fugui picked up his wine bowl, took a sip, and said, "I don't actually care about being a general or not. I only wish for my Zhou family's peace and safety, and I will be content."
"Useless..." Madam Liu glared at Zhou Fugui. Then, she glanced at Xiaoqing and said with a smile, "Fugui, Miss Xiaoqing is a good girl. You must not let her down. Today, you have returned safely, and I can finally feel at ease. Today is a good day, and you are not young anymore. Why don't you consummate your marriage today?"
"Dàniáng..." Hearing this, Xiaoqing was so embarrassed that she didn't know where to put her hands and feet, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into...
"Mother, oh my dear Mother..." Zhou Fugui said, a mix of laughter and tears in his voice. "My elder brother's mourning period... has not yet passed."
An elder brother is like a father, and the mourning period must last for three years.
"What about the mourning period? Why are you making so much trouble?" Madam Liu glared at Zhou Fugui and said.