On the morning that Ouyang Qian set out for Sichuan in a carriage,
Weixuea was working with other servants on household chores.
Weixuea, now somewhat accustomed to the household tasks, was starting to find them a bit enjoyable.
While she enjoyed doing laundry and cleaning, her rather careless nature contrasted with her surprisingly thorough cleaning, which earned her the affection of the other servants.
However, her cooking skills were quite lacking.
"...Xuea, you can't hold the knife like that...!"
-Bang!
"Hurry up and turn it off! If you keep this up, Xuea's hand will be cut off!!"
"The cutting board is cut!!"
"Fire!! Put out the fire first!! Gaidong, go get some water. Water!!"
"The potatoes are turning black!!!"
The incident where Weixuea, beloved by the servants, stood with her hands raised against the wall for nearly an hour was well-known among them.
As a result, a ban was issued among the servants, prohibiting anyone from asking Weixuea to cook.
Weixuea remained dejected for a while but regained her spirits when promised that she would be taught properly when she grew older.
"Xuea, can you bring some laundry?"
"Yes!"
As usual, the day started with cleaning and laundry.
Carrying the laundry with all her might, she returned to the courtyard and saw a carriage outside. It was the same carriage she had ridden in when they went to the Nine Dragons Hall.
"What is it...?"
There was even another carriage behind it, suggesting they were going somewhere far.
Weixuea hurried back and asked another servant.
"Sister Hongwa, what are those carriages for?"
"Huh? Oh, I heard Young Master is going to Sichuan."
"Uh...? Where is Young Master going?"
"Yeah, so I heard Elder prepared the carriage in a hurry."
"Huh? Xuea, didn't you hear anything? Why didn't anyone tell the personal attendant?"
"Since Xuea is still young and hasn't been here long, and it's a trip that will last almost a month, that's probably why."
"Oh... That could be it."
"A, a month...?"
A month...? A whole month?
Weixuea's eyes wavered.
A whole month without Young Master...?
No, could that really happen...?
Weixuea couldn't understand why her heart felt so heavy.
"When is he leaving?"
"Probably when Young Master coughs, they'll set off. It should be soon."
If what the servant said was true, it was about time for Ouyang Qian to get up.
Weixuea, seemingly in shock, stopped in her tracks.
The servant, finding her adorable, patted her head.
"Xuea, after you finish the laundry, let's go to the warehouse and move some supplies together?"
"Yes..."
"Want some snacks?"
"Yes...!"
After finishing the laundry and hanging it up, Weixuea started moving supplies with the other servants to the cargo cart.
"Is this enough? It's a long trip."
"They might stop along the way to buy more."
"Ugh... I'm not sure if Young Master will be okay for a month."
"But since you've been here, Young Master seems a bit gentler, doesn't he?"
"...Yeah, the other day when I accidentally touched his shoulder, he asked if I was okay."
"Really? If you touched him, wouldn't you have gotten slapped?"
"That's what I mean! I find my work so easy these days... Is it okay for me to be so comfortable?"
While chatting and working, the cart was soon filled with supplies.
Weixuea suddenly asked the servants.
"Sister, are you going with Young Master in this carriage too?"
"Yes, once we gather the clothes to take... "
"Hongwa! Elder is here!"
"Oh, oh! I'll be right there! Xuea, come quickly."
"Yes...!"
The servant ran off, and Weixuea followed closely behind.
[Wait.]
Weixuea stopped at the voice.
She looked around to find the source of the voice, but no one was around.
"Who, who is it?"
There was no answer.
Thinking the voice might have come from inside the cargo cart, Weixuea struggled to climb in.
The cart was packed with various supplies, and no one was inside.
There were spaces where someone could hide, but they were empty too.
After confirming no one was there, Weixuea tried to leave the cart but was pushed by someone.
"Ouch!"
Pushed into an empty space, she fell on her knees and groaned.
She turned around but saw only carrots. No one was there.
Weixuea, frightened by the repeated strange occurrences, wanted to leave the cart quickly.
"Then when will we set off?"
Ouyang Qian and Elder's voices were heard from outside.
Weixuea suddenly thought that if she stayed here, she might be able to go to Sichuan.
She was confident in her hiding skills.
Even her grandfather, who was good at finding things, couldn't find her when they played hide-and-seek.
'Should I just stay here?'
She felt a bit guilty but quickly shook her head, thinking it wasn't right.
She was scared to leave without telling her grandfather.
She was also scared of being away from him for a month.
If she waited quietly, Young Master would return. Weixuea decided to get up and wait.
[Wait.]
"!"
Weixuea, startled by the voice, sat down.
It was the same voice from before.
"Who, who is it?"
Again, there was no answer.
The voice sounded familiar, but Weixuea couldn't place it.
"Alright, I've taken care of everything. Let's go!"
"What kind of departure is this...!"
Neigh!
"Ah!"
Before she could react, the carriage started moving.
Weixuea, panicking, watched as the carriage moved further away from the estate.
'What... What should I do? What can I do!?'
As she fretted, she felt someone gently stroke her head.
The touch was soft.
Despite the situation, Weixuea felt strangely drowsy from the touch.
As her eyelids grew heavy, a faint voice was heard.
[Sorry, take care.]
When Weixuea opened her eyes again, it was night, and she was surrounded by carrots.
"So, that's why."
After hearing her explanation, Ouyang Qian asked Weixuea.
"Caught by a ghost and ended up in the carriage. It's not my fault, right?"
"Yes! That's right!"
"What are the carrots for?"
"...I'm hungry... There was nothing but carrots."
Sigh.
Hearing this, Ouyang Qian sighed deeply, and Weixuea quietly averted her gaze.
After listening to her story, Ouyang Qian quietly clenched his fist.
"...So, that's it."
"Huh...?"
"Does that even make sense!"
Ouyang Qian's fist hit Weixuea's head.
"Ouch!!"
******************
What should I do in this situation?
I see a troublemaker, holding her head and groaning.
What should I do with this kid?
How did she manage to hide in the carriage?
Even if we left in a hurry, is this even possible?
I don't fully understand the extent of Tian Wai Tian's power, but
I know they can easily erase an entire estate if they want to.
I don't know what Sword Ancestor is thinking, but I assume he can already see the entire estate.
So, does he know Weixuea is in the carriage?
"It hurts...!"
"I hit you to make it hurt, you brat."
I didn't say anything and left without much thought, but it was a very urgent situation.
Did you think I would just put you in the carriage and set off?
"Why did you follow me?"
"I didn't mean to follow... It was really a ghost..."
Hearing the ghost story again, Weixuea covered her head.
"I'm sorry...!!"
Seeing this, I lowered my hand. What should I do? Should I send her back?
I can't turn the carriage around. We're already running short on time, and I can't afford to turn back for this.
"Should I assign a guard to her...?"
If she walks, it will take a few days, even if she's late.
But with a few days, I can't just send her off.
I feel uneasy sending her away like this.
Noticing my expression, Weixuea quickly grabbed my sleeve.
"Can I go with you...? I can do the work! I'll work hard, please take me with you. Young Master..."
"It's a long trip, and Grandfather will worry."
"Grandfather said if Young Master listens and works hard, he can do what he wants!"
But the important thing is, you're not listening to me. What are you doing...?
"Other servants will be bothered if they have to take care of you too..."
As I said this, I looked at the others, and their expressions were strange. It was as if they were saying:
'Hang in there, Xuea, keep pushing!'
'Thank goodness... At least Xuea is here to provide some comfort!'
It was as if I was the villain. Is that what this is?
I rubbed my face, feeling the complexity of the situation.
Why is everything always so complicated?
"What are you following me for?"
Weixuea hesitated before answering.
"I feel uneasy without Young Master. My heart feels so heavy... Can you take me with you?"
Tears welled up in Weixuea's eyes.
Her words made my heart feel a bit itchy.
But apart from that, I was puzzled by why Weixuea was acting this way.
In this life, our only connection was when I gave her snacks in the market.
I tried not to pay her too much attention.
But why? It was a mystery. It's definitely not affection.
Even if it were, it would just be a child's infatuation. I thought it would fade with time.
I had to think that way.
Weixuea, looking like a lost cat, clung to me.
Her eyes, on the verge of tears, were visible.
But this isn't right. I had to send her back.
I don't know what will happen in Sichuan, and taking her along would be too risky.
I need to find a way to send her back, either with a guard or by calling someone from the estate.
I can't let Weixuea control me. That's not why I came back.
With a firm resolve, I said in a decisive voice.
"...If you cause trouble, I'll send you back immediately."