Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 222 - 221: Impossible to Get Lost

"Do you have a maternal aunt?"

On the official road from Jinshi Town to Kaiyang County, Liu Li sat on the crossbar of his family’s carriage, curiously asking Liu Ji, who was driving the carriage ahead.

Both families departed early this morning and traveled on the rural road for over an hour. Now they finally reached the wide and flat official road.

Since the journey began, the Da Lang Brothers and Sisters were especially excited, as it was their first time traveling far.

They popped out of the carriage window to look around, climbed to the door to ask questions, almost bursting with joy.

But upon arriving at Jinshi Town, fearing being discovered by the teacher that they weren’t going for a funeral, they shrank their necks and hid in the carriage, covering their mouths and dared not make a sound.

Liu Li and his family’s driver, Da Zhuang, followed Qin Yao’s family carriage all the way. Observing the Da Lang Brothers and Sisters hiding like this, Liu Li couldn’t hold back and asked the question in his heart.

Most of those familiar with the Liu Family’s old house in the village had already learned that Qin Yao and her husband were taking their four children to the prefecture exam, granted leave with a reason that surprised many.

The reason for the leave was shocking and made the village children cry with envy.

It was said that the maternal aunt had died, one wonders if the Liu family’s aunt knew whether she would be angered to death by such an unfilial descendant.

Liu Ji drove the carriage, blew against the wind, with his wife beside him sharpening a knife, the atmosphere was just right.

He hummed a strange tune from God knows which countryside, turned his head upon hearing Liu Li’s question from behind, and cheekily replied with two words:

"Guess!"

Liu Li snorted, he refused to guess.

The weather was great when they set out today, with bright sunshine all the way, the road sides shaded by forest trees, the temperature wasn’t too hot, it was a good day for traveling.

At noon, the two families passed Kaiyang County and entered the road heading towards the prefecture city.

From this point on, they completely left the Kaiyang County boundary.

Traveling over three hundred miles, Qin Yao had planned beforehand, to travel sixty miles a day.

Such a distance wasn’t tiring, they could sleep in a bit in the morning before setting off, and usually reach the post station before sunset, avoiding traveling at night.

With four children along the way, they chose main roads over small paths whenever possible.

The time allotted for this journey was sufficient.

They set out on April 30th, theoretically able to reach the prefecture by May 5th, with five days left for preparation before the exam on the 10th.

If accidents occurred, at worst they’d be delayed by a day or two, still in time.

In previous years, there were unlucky ones lost on the road, missing the exam, having to wait regretfully for the next session.

But with Qin Yao, getting lost was impossible.

Before departure, she consulted Manager Wu, confirmed the route details multiple times, even marked where spring water could be collected, leaving no chance of getting lost.

From maps bought at the bookstore and routes hand-copied by the owner, Qin Yao redrew two more detailed maps after returning home.

She took one, Liu Li took another, cross-referencing each, even at similar crossroads, they wouldn’t go wrong.

Initially, upon knowing Qin Yao’s family was heading to the prefecture, Liu Li was greatly opposed internally.

Considering their family relationships were decent, he was reluctant to offer his opinion.

Prior to departing, Qin Yao handed him a map, greatly easing Liu Li’s concerns.

Watching the journey, seeing the four children staying quietly inside the carriage livening up only for restroom breaks, he was completely relieved.

On day one, departing from Liu Family Village, the first mountain road delayed them a bit, so at noon, Qin Yao didn’t stop, letting everyone munch on dry food, rest for fifteen minutes, refill spring water by the roadside, then continuing.

To Da Lang Brothers and Sisters, the journey’s beginning was purely joyful and pleasant.

Especially after exiting Kaiyang County, fresh things came one after another, different landscapes, dialects, pedestrians, dazzling them with joy.

Si Niang was like the queen of whys, relentlessly asking:

"Mother, what is that?"

"Mother, look over there!"

"Mother, why are the fields here full of tall grass?"

The sound of ’mother’ reverberated in ears, Liu Ji’s head was nearly exploding from the noise.

But glancing beside him, the usually ill-tempered wife unexpectedly cuddled Si Niang, with Da Lang, Second Lang, Sanlang stacked like an acrobat behind, patiently answering every question.

"Those in the field aren’t grass, they are ramie crops planted by locals. The dam over there is a drying yard for ramie. Those hanging on bamboo poles, the white pieces resembling tree vines, are ramie used to make ramie clothes."

Si Niang asked in surprise, "How do you make them into clothes?"

Qin Yao patiently explained how ramie is crafted into threads, then how those threads become ramie yarn, and finally how weaving looms turn these yarns into fabric worn by the people.

In the past, children only saw the grandmother and aunt in the old house make silk cloths for sale, with ramie clothes bought outside. Listening to Qin Yao’s explanation for the first time, they happily understood a ramie item’s creation wasn’t easy.

Second Lang remarked, "No wonder ramie fabric costs so much."

Da Lang admiringly added, "For ramie yarn to undergo so many processes, wonder how people in the past thought of it, they were really clever."

Sanlang and Si Niang tilted their heads, asking Qin Yao, "Mother, why do you know so much?" It puzzled them. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Before Qin Yao could answer, Liu Ji promptly pulled out their books, "Look, it’s all in the books. Reading more, studying more, naturally you understand."

"Quickly finish today’s homework, we are about to reach the post station, soon you’ll have no time for homework." Liu Ji mischievously advised.

Si Niang glanced woefully at her father, reluctant to move, snuggling into Qin Yao’s lap, even mimicking Sister-in-law Zhou’s family’s puppy barking, amusing Qin Yao.

She lowered her head, asking the squirming Si Niang in her lap, "What agreement did we make before setting out?"

The young girl answered without hesitation, articulately saying, "Early reading in the morning for one hour, a half-hour nap at noon, then rise and read two articles, commenting afterward."

Qin Yao nodded, "How much do you still have left?"

"Reading two articles, commenting afterward..." The young girl’s voice grew weaker.

Qin Yao lifted her out of her lap, pushing her along with Da Lang, Second Lang, Sanlang into the carriage.

She threw Liu Ji a glance, "You too, I’ll drive."

The recently gloating Liu Ji immediately lamented, resignedly entering the carriage, sitting with four mocking little brats — studying! (gritting his teeth)