Chapter 254 - 171: Jumping into the River to Escape_1
Huo Liren curled his lips and said, "Some indeed were carried into the Song River after they died, but there were also deserters who jumped into the river to escape because they were afraid. But jumping into the Song River during the torrential rain is also death..."
Tears streamed down Qian Yeejin’s face as she raised her voice, "My father was brave in battle and even became a Seventh Rank Official; he would not jump into the river to flee. He must have been washed away after dying in battle."
Qian Sangui and his wife had been staying in the bedroom, just wanting to hear news of their son. Hearing these words, they also began to cry.
Huo Liren’s words had two meanings: one was being washed away by the river after death, and the other was deserting and jumping into the river. Either way, it was death. It’s just that one is an honorable death, and the other is a death without honor.
Thinking of that cruel scene, Qian Yixiu’s tears also fell, and she went over to hold Qian Yeejin, saying, "Our father is a hero; he surely died on the battlefield. If brother ever has the chance to go up north, he should burn paper offerings and kowtow by the Song River for father."
Qian Yeejin nodded as the siblings embraced and wept bitterly.
Seeing that his careless words had caused trouble, Huo Liren quickly said, "Yes, yes, your father was brave in combat and did not jump into the river to escape; he must have been carried away by the river after dying in battle."
Actually, Liang Jinzhao had already returned to the Capital City and gathered some information, guessing that their father had been swept into the Song River. But he never dared tell them, as he felt it was too cruel. Perhaps not knowing the truth was much better than knowing it.
Having made the children cry, and with sobs carrying from the bedroom, the group hastily finished their meal and then followed Wan Dazhong to the Wan family to rest. Before leaving, Liang Jinzhao told Qian Yeejin that he had left eight wild rabbits and eight wild chickens for them, and had sent the other game to the Qian family.
Once the courtyard returned to calm, Old man Cai latched the gate securely.
Qian Yeejin and her siblings returned to the main room where Lady He, leading Qian Xiaoyu, and Cai Xiaohua had already cleared the bowls from the table.
Qian Sangui and Lady Wu walked out of the bedroom arm in arm, while their niece also came from the side room to the main room, all of them wiping away tears sorrowfully. No one spoke; there were only gentle sobs.