Chapter 288: Entrusting

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“The Song family is our family’s in-laws. In the past, the Song family has taken care of our family many times.

“I’ll take care of them when you’re gone,” Qin Dazhuang said in a low voice.

Qin Xiaoyao wiped away her tears and nodded.

She then gave her father some further instructions before leaving.

After leaving the Qin family’s house, Qin Xiaoyao returned to the Song family’s residence.

Ever since Song Ye was sent back by Qin Xiaoyao and her family learned that Song Que had been forcibly taken out of the town, everyone waited at home anxiously for news.

When they saw that Qin Xiaoyao had finally returned, Madam Liu and the others immediately surrounded her.

Madam Liu’s face was full of worry when she saw that Song Que had not returned with her.

“Sanya, Que’er…”

“I haven’t found him yet, but I’ll continue to look for him.” Qin Xiaoyao reached out to hold up Madam Liu.

“Mother, let’s go to the hall first. I have something to say.”

“Mm-hmm,” Madam Liu answered.

Thus, the whole group went to the hall.

After everyone sat down, Qin Xiaoyao’s gaze swept across everyone’s faces.

After that, she told them about the town gates being closed and that Song Que might have been captured to serve in the military as an able-bodied man.

Madam Liu’s tears poured out when she heard this.

“What should we do? Que’er… with his physique, how can he take it if he goes to the military camp?”

Song Ye and Song Yun were also very anxious.

“I’ve already thought about it. After I’ve settled you guys down, I’ll set off to look for my husband.

“If I can’t find him, I won’t come back!” Qin Xiaoyao said in a low voice.

As soon as she said these words, the hall instantly fell silent.

Madam Liu’s heart had calmed down substantially, but at the same time, she was worried about the people in the house.

“But… based on what you’ve just said, the Liao army may arrive at any time.

“If you’re not around, we…” Madam Liu didn’t really care about herself, but Yun’er and Ye’er were still young, and she was afraid she couldn’t protect them.

“That’s right, Mrs. Song! The family can’t do without you. Why don’t you wait a few more days for the situation to become clearer before you set off?” Wang Xiaomei looked at Qin Xiaoyao and said in an earnest tone.

“I know you’re anxious, but the town gates are closed and Brother Song’s whereabouts are unknown. If you leave the town now, you won’t know where to go.”

Qin Xiaoyao looked at Wang Xiaomei, frowned, and thought for a moment before rejecting her idea.

“The earlier I set off, the higher the chance of finding my husband.

“I’ll make the arrangements for our home right now.”

As she spoke, Qin Xiaoyao looked at Madam Liu.

“Mother, you don’t need to worry too much.

“Before I came back, I went back to my maiden family’s house. I’ve already discussed this with my father and two brothers.

“After I leave, they will take turns to come here and look after all of you.

“If you encounter any trouble thereafter, you can tell them.”

Qin Xiaoyao paused for a while.

“Next, if the Liao army really attacks, you will move to the Qin family’s house for a few days,” she continued.

“That place is closer to the illegal construction area, and the population there is denser. It’ll be safer with more people looking out for each other.”

Madam Liu nodded.

With that, Qin Xiaoyao turned to look at Wang Xiaomei.

“Xiaomei, don’t open our porridge shop for business for the time being. I’ll go to the Liu family later and tell your big brother about this.

“After the Liao army retreats, you guys can choose a day to reopen your business.

“In addition, during the period when the shops are closed, the workers’ wages will be halved. Let everyone relax. This turmoil will not last long.”

“Alright!” Wang Xiaomei answered.

Qin Xiaoyao nodded.

She continued, “When I’m not around, we’ll postpone the opening of new branch shops.

“Henceforth, you will still be in charge of the porridge shop in the town center. I’ll put you overall in charge of the shops in the west of the town as well.”

Wang Xiaomei immediately raised her head to look at Qin Xiaoyao.

Wasn’t her big brother in charge of the porridge shop in the west of the town?

“As for the matters in the shop, let your big brother take care of them. What I meant is, you will be overall-in-charge.

“In other words, your big brother will answer directly to you in the future.

“It’s not just the porridge shop. When I’m not around, I’ll leave all the matters in the Song family to you.”

Wang Xiaomei got a big shock.

“From now on, you’ll be the head of the Song family, and also the head caretaker.

“I’ll give you a list of some of the items in the house later.

“When I’m not around, you have to help me take care of the Song family,” Qin Xiaoyao said earnestly.

While Wang Xiaomei felt very touched, she also felt a great weight on her shoulders.

It never occurred to her that Qin Xiaoyao would entrust the Song family to her.

“Mrs. Song, I…” This trust Qin Xiaoyao placed in her made her feel touched and scared at the same time.

After all the time they had spent together, Mrs. Song and the Song family had become her family.

The Song family treated her even better than her own parents.

Aunt Song treated her like her own daughter, Yun’er and Ye’ er treated her like their own older sister, and Brother Song and Mrs. Song doted on her like their own younger sister.

Every time Mrs. Song bought things for the family, she never treated her differently just because she was a servant or a long-term worker.

Whether they were stuff for eating or for use, she received the same treatment as Yun’er. This included the valuable silk clothes and jewelry as well.

Now, Mrs. Song was going to look for Brother Song and was entrusting the Song family to her.

She was naturally willing to take on this heavy responsibility and protect the Song family and ensure a peaceful life. However, she was afraid that she was not capable enough to protect the Song family.

If something really happened, how could she face Mrs. Song and Brother Song when they returned?

Qin Xiaoyao reached out her hand and patted Xiaomei Wang’s shoulder.

“You’re the only one who can take on the main responsibility in the family now,” she said.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiaomei’s heart sank.

Finally, she nodded at Qin Xiaoyao.

“Mm-hmm!” she said with determination.

Qin Xiaoyao finally had a smile on her face.

“However, I have two requests,” Wang Xiaomei suddenly said.

Everyone was stunned.

Qin Xiaoyao looked at Wang Xiaomei. “Go on.”

“Firstly, I want to acknowledge Aunt Song as my godmother and become a true member of the Song family,” Wang Xiaomei then said.

Qin Xiaoyao’s face broke into a smile.

When she saw Madam Liu and the others smiling as well, she nodded.

“Mother actually had this intention long ago. It’s just that she never had the chance to bring this up. For this matter, you just have to offer her a cup of tea later.”

Wang Xiaomei’s face lit up and she looked at Madam Liu, visibly touched by the gesture.

When she saw Madam Liu nodding affectionately at her, her eyes became a little moist.

After wiping away her tears, Wang Xiaomei looked at Qin Xiaoyao again.

“Secondly, please take my indenture with you, Mrs. Song,” she said.

Everyone in the room was shocked when they heard this.

This is particularly so for Qin Xiaoyao. She didn’t expect that Wang Xiaomei’s second condition wasn’t intended to take care of her own interests.

By asking Qin Xiaoyao to take away her indenture, Wang Xiaomei was effectively putting her fate in Qin Xiaoyao’s hands.

When she returned in the future, no matter how well Wang Xiaomei did, Wang Xiaomei would still be under Qin Xiaoyao’s control.

Xiaomei did this to let Qin Xiaoyao leave with peace of mind.

After the initial shock, Qin Xiaoyao quickly recovered.

“I do not doubt the people I use. Xiaomei, you don’t need to do this,” she said.

“I’ll return the indenture to you later. From now on, you’re a member of the Song family.”

A look of gratitude flashed across Wang Xiaomei’s eyes.

Then, she suddenly knelt down in front of Qin Xiaoyao.

“I appreciate Mrs. Song’s kind intentions. However, both of my conditions must be fulfilled.

“If Mrs. Song does not agree, then please forgive me as I shall not be able to

accept Mrs. Song’s request..”