It was said that on the day the imperial envoys arrived in Yongning Prefecture, rain started to fall from the sky which had been clear for an unknown amount of time.
It rained heavily for three days and three nights.
The dry land was moistened, and the lifeless people cheered and shouted as if they had finally seen the light.
Everyone said that this was an auspicious sign from heaven, announcing that the new Emperor was a wise ruler and was blessed by heaven.
Gu Yundong was still in Xuanhe City, and she didn't know about the news spread over there.
Even if she knew, she wouldn't care.
She was standing in front of the bulletin board at the city gate, frowning slightly as she looked at the notice that had just been posted.
This notice was about the refugees who fled the famine. Yongning Prefecture had received food and money for disaster relief.
The chaos had calmed down and order was slowly being restored.
Naturally, those people could go back home now.
Anyone going back would be given a certain amount of money by the government and would be exempted from taxes for three years.
Of course, you could also choose not to go back. The refugees would then be resettled on the spot by the Yamen.
In that case, there would be no tax exemption for three years and no money given.
Also, your settlement would depend on your luck.
Simply put, it will not be in a prosperous and wealthy town, or even in a slightly better village.
No distribution of lands, at most, you would be given only two acres of wasteland to reclaim by yourself.
Most people would choose to go back, as the idea of returning to their roots was deeply ingrained in everyone's minds.
You can have money, be exempted from the tax for three years, and when you return to your hometown, you will still have family members and friends.
What's more, many refugees had their businesses and houses in Yongning Prefecture, so giving them up like this would be a huge loss.
But these, for Gu Yundong, did not represent much temptation.
After reading the announcement, she returned to Madam Ke's house with her vegetable basket.
Madam Ke was sitting in the yard, holding a needle with thread, making shoes for the two little ones.
She had realized that this girl, while was very good at cooking didn't know how to make clothes and shoes, and Mother Yang knew how to do it, but the things she could make didn't look good.
Madam Ke liked the two children, so she asked Gu Yundong to buy fabrics and decided to sew them herself.
While she was talking and sewing, there were three small stools in front of her, the two children and the slender Mother Yang, were sitting there orderly, listening.
Hearing the door open, Madam Ke raised her head and glanced at her, "Why did you come back so late today?"
"A new notice was posted at the city's gate, so I went to take a look."
"What did the officials say ?"
Gu Yundong closed the courtyard door, put the vegetable basket on the stone mill, and then repeated the contents of the notice.
Madam Ke's hand paused, then continued sewing as if nothing had happened.
Mother Yang and Gu Yunke after listening to her were still confused, not understanding.
But Gu Yunshu instantly understood, and immediately hugged her waist happily, "We can go home? There is food at home?"
Gu Yundong looked down at the little guy whose eyes were shining, and asked, "Do you want to go back?"
Gu Yunshu was stunned for a moment, then blinked his eyes in confusion, "Eldest sister, don't you want to go home?"
If not, where would they go? This was Madam Ke's home, not their home. They couldn't live in someone else's home forever, and the rent was so expensive.
Gu Yundong patted his head, "If we go back to that house, there are our grandparents, our two uncles, two aunts, and all of our cousins. We may have to serve them forever, and we will never be able to eat the food we ate two days ago for the rest of our lives."
Gu Yunshu suddenly remembered the old days, and his expression completely changed.
Madam Ke gave Gu Yundong a sideways glance. Look at her scaring the child, so shameless.
Gu Yundong pretended not to see it, and continued to scare him, "Besides, do you still remember why we couldn't separate the family?"