Jiang Xia sighed helplessly, “Jiang Yinan, your younger brothers have already washed their faces. Are you the only one who doesn’t dare? Are you even a man? Could it be that you’re afraid of washing your face?”
Jiang Yinan clenched his small fists tightly, “I’m not afraid at all! I just don’t want you to wash it for me. Who knows what you’re really thinking!”
He couldn’t forget how this woman had once beaten him so badly he couldn’t even crawl.
Now, did she think she could earn his forgiveness just by saying a few nice words?
Jiang Xia smiled, “Alright then, wash it yourself.”
Jiang Yinan glanced at her before slowly walking over and casually scooping up some water to wipe his face.
“That won’t do—you won’t get clean like that!” As she spoke, Jiang Xia’s damp hand had already touched Jiang Yinan’s cheek.
She quickly wiped his face clean.
Jiang Yinan looked displeased, “Don’t touch me!”
Jiang Xia couldn’t help but laugh, “As if I enjoy touching you!”
However, the three little ones, now clean and standing in a row, looked completely different from when she first saw them.
They truly were her sons—so handsome!
All three children had well-defined, angular features. When they grew up, they would surely be the dream of many girls.
Jiang Xia took a deep breath and said, “The water vat is empty. You three wait here at home and don’t run off!”
With that, she picked up the worn-out shoulder pole nearby, hung two empty buckets on it, and walked out.
Having grown up in the countryside herself, she was quite familiar with these kinds of farm chores and could handle them with ease.
Watching Jiang Xia’s retreating figure, the three children stood frozen in place.
After a long while, Jiang Linxi said in his childish voice, “Second Brother, Third Brother, don’t you think that woman seems… different somehow?”
Jiang Yangdong pursed his lips and nodded.
But Jiang Yinan retorted, “Xiaoxi, you’re just too young and easily fooled. How can you trust such a wicked woman?”
Jiang Linxi, scolded, felt indignant, “But… but she just called me by my name…”
Hearing this, Jiang Yangdong also said awkwardly, “She called mine too.”
As he spoke, he glanced at Jiang Yinan, “Second Brother, she used to call us ‘little bastards.’”
Jiang Yinan fell silent.
Though only seven years old, with his eldest brother out working every day, he was the oldest among his younger brothers.
Taking care of them was his responsibility.
Now, he wasn’t sure what to do either.
Seeing Jiang Yinan silent, Jiang Linxi whispered, “And before, fetching water was always our job. If we were slow, we’d get beaten when we got home. But today, she didn’t say anything and just went out herself.”
The three children stood at the doorway, looking outside with worry as they gazed toward the end of the path.
“Does she even know where to fetch water? What if she gets lost?”
“Can she even carry the water?”
“Will she even come back?”
By the river.
Having absorbed all the memories of the Original Owner, Jiang Xia naturally knew where the village stream was.
When she reached the riverbank, she first filled the two buckets with water, tested the weight to see if she could carry it, then poured some out to ensure she wouldn’t spill any on the way back.
After finishing, Jiang Xia sat on a stone slab, cupped some water, and washed her own face.
This river was called Qingshan River, named after the first village it flowed past—Qingshan Cun.
Jiang Xia washed her face, gazing at her reflection in the clear river water.
What a classical beauty this face is.
What a pity, though—how could such a heart be so malicious?
Jiang Xia sighed helplessly, and the beauty on the water's surface sighed along with her.
Ah, a beauty is a beauty—even frowning and sighing look so lovely.
Jiang Xia indulged in a moment of narcissism.
Just then, a strange rustling sound came from nearby.
Jiang Xia immediately stood up, alert. "Who's there?"
A black-clothed person emerged from the woods by the river and looked at Jiang Xia. "Young Madam!"
Jiang Xia recognized the face before her in an instant.
This was the attendant by her husband's side, named Qingzhu. After all, she had spent five years in the city and was quite familiar with him.
Jiang Xia said, "It's you. How did you know I was here?"
Qingzhu was somewhat surprised by her words.
The Jiang Xia of the past didn't speak like this, and after running away like this, why wasn't she afraid upon seeing him?
Thinking back to how he had seen her wiping the faces of the three young masters outside the thatched cottage earlier, could it be that the Young Madam had truly changed?
Qingzhu replied expressionlessly, "Young Madam, the Young General sent me."
"To protect his sons at all times, right?" Jiang Xia finished his sentence.
Qingzhu was puzzled but added, "And also to protect you, Young Madam."
Hearing this, Jiang Xia pursed her lips slightly.
To be honest, in the Original Owner's memories, the man she married was actually quite decent.
He was handsome enough, wealthy, and treated her well.
Though he lacked a bit of romance, he was loyal and steady—a reliable partner for a lifetime.
Jiang Xia thought for a moment and said, "Go back and tell your general that I will take good care of our four sons."
"He needs protection more than I do right now. You are his right-hand man. It's not appropriate for you to be distracted protecting me at a time like this."
Qingzhu was even more astonished by her words.
Was the Young Madam… showing consideration for the Young General?
Wait, how did the Young Madam know the Young General's identity?
Qingzhu stared at Jiang Xia in surprise. To avoid bringing Jiang Xia back to the capital for the Old General's knowledge and to protect the Young Madam, the Young General had never revealed his identity to her.
Jiang Xia seemed to sense Qingzhu's confusion and said, "I'm not a fool. After five years, how could I not know?"
"But don't worry. I am his wife, and we have four sons together. Even if I know his identity, I won't cause any trouble."
In truth, the Original Owner really hadn't known. If she had, would she have been willing to run away?
Jiang Xia had deduced it from the Original Owner's memories.
Unexpectedly, she had guessed correctly.
Listening to Jiang Xia's words, Qingzhu was utterly shocked.
After a long pause, he took out the bundle from behind him and said, "Young Madam, please accept this."
Jiang Xia took the bundle and saw that it contained some fabric and sewing supplies. She understood that Qingzhu knew their mother and sons were struggling.
That was why he had bought these daily necessities.
If he had given money, given the Original Owner's temperament, it would likely have been squandered quickly.
Jiang Xia smiled. "Thank you."
As she spoke, she picked up the water buckets and said, "Go back. Staying by my side would draw too much attention. I'll take good care of myself and the children."
Qingzhu was about to offer to carry the water for her, but Jiang Xia had already deftly hoisted the two buckets and strode toward home.
Watching Jiang Xia's small, thin back, Qingzhu still found it unbelievable. With a flicker of movement, she vanished.
Meanwhile, Jiang Xia wobbled along, carrying water as she made her way home.
This body was truly delicate, severely lacking in exercise. Just carrying water for a short distance was this exhausting.
Jiang Xia slowly followed the path back home. Turning a corner, she saw three little sprouts standing in front of her thatched cottage.