Chapter 723 Very Smart
Finally, Clarissa stopped laughing and asked Nora, "Do you think that if we beat up the old couple downstairs, we can escape?"
Nora blinked in surprise as the answer was obvious to her.
However, Clarissa shook her head and disagreed,
"No, you are wrong. Even if we beat them up and tie them so that they cannot come after us, we still cannot escape."
Puzzled, Nora asked, "Why not?"
Clarissa thought that it would be difficult for her to explain. Therefore, she related how in Kuddelkogh Village, Aunt Anne used children to keep surveillance on her.
Then, she further elaborated. "Do you get it now? Although we are in Uncle Jasper's hands currently, the truth is that the whole village, even the few nearby villages, are working together."
"The moment we try to escape, one yell from Uncle Jasper will bring out the entire village to help him capture us."
"I'm sure you can beat up Uncle Jasper and Aunt Emma. But, can you beat up perhaps a hundred other villagers? Even if you can, we have no idea where the exit out of this complex terrain is. What if we lose our way? Will we starve or thirst to death?"
Nora thought that Clarissa's explanation made sense.
Frustrated, she sighed and whinged,
"I think that waiting for a month is a waste of time. During that time, things may get worse. What you said made sense, but I am still anxious."
Clarissa understood the reasons for Nora's concerns.
The period of one month was what she overheard from Uncle Jasper and the other man.
In the end, nobody knew whether they would do as they say.
They were at the mercy of others, and there were too many possibilities in between. The earlier they escaped, the better it would be for them.
This line of reason led Clarissa to abandon her earlier reservation to wait around for another month.
Instead, she changed the subject and proposed, "We'll cross the bridge when we come to it. We must not be reckless and wait for the opportunity. Meanwhile, we'll play by the ear."
This proposal was more acceptable, and Nora nodded in agreement.
The discussion then ended with Nora agreeing with Clarissa's plan.
As usual, during noon, they helped Aunt Emma prepare lunch and do other chores as well. Uncle Jasper was out for business and did not have lunch with them.
At last, Clarissa and Nora had a chance to be alone with Aunt Emma. Immediately, they thought of the unfinished conversation they had the day before.
Uncle Jasper barged in and interrupted their conversation yesterday.
At that time, Clarissa sensed that something was amiss, and she gave a different answer.
Surprisingly, Aunt Emma did not correct Clarissa even though Clarissa gave a different answer.
So, Clarissa suspected that Aunt Emma was harboring some secrets.
The long-awaited opportunity was here, and Clarissa asked again, "Aunt Emma, you did not finish your answer to my question yesterday. You were saying that the girls here do not know about the red band. Do you mean you're not from this village?"
Immediately, Aunt Emma's expression changed.
She averted her gaze from Clarissa's eyes.
Instead, she talked about other topics to avoid Clarissa's question.
"Oh, the water is running, I'd better go and wash the rice."
As she spoke, she walked to one side.
Clarissa and Nora exchanged glances as they noticed the glint of a hidden secret in Aunt Emma's eyes.
They were not going to let Aunt Emma off so easily. When Aunt Emma was done with the rice, they said to her again, "Aunt Emma, you're not from here, are you?"
Instead of answering, Aunt Emma bowed her head and pursed her lips.
Clarissa quickly continued, "It's okay. It's just a trivial question. It's just that I noticed that the breakfast you prepared is not what the locals usually have. You must be an outsider married here. Where is your hometown?"
Aunt Emma took a deep breath.
After a pause, she replied, "Don't ask. Even if you do, I won't tell you."
After another pause, she continued, "It's been too long anyway. I can't remember anything now."
Then, she turned around and went out.
Clarissa and Nora looked at each other.
Both of them dared not push Aunt Emma too hard lest she informed Uncle Jasper, and them having figured out his ulterior motives would be exposed.
In which case, their present haven would instantly become unsafe.
Such a possibility made Clarissa and Nora stop pestering Aunt Emma.
After lunch, Aunt Emma packed some food and sent it to Uncle Jasper, who was working in the field.
Nora could not move much, so she rested in her room.
Clarissa wanted to survey the terrain, so she kept asking Aunt Emma to take her along.
But, Aunt Emma was hesitant. Clarissa pleaded with her, "Oh, I am so bored in the house all day. Please take me along. Besides, I don't feel comfortable that Nora and I are staying here for free, not doing anything. Let me go with you. Once I know where Uncle Jasper is working, then I can help you send lunch to him."
Facing Clarissa, Aunt Emma thought that she appeared to be such a vulnerable and gullible young lady, and she sighed inwardly.
Clarissa was so innocent to be thinking of ways of showing her gratitude.
She was to be secretly sold off, yet here she was trying to repay her gratitude.
However, Aunt Emma was concerned that Clarissa would be suspicious if she kept turning down Clarissa's requests.
So, Aunt Emma did not turn Clarissa down and agreed, "Okay, come with me then."
Clarissa's face lit up with joy, "Sure."
Then, they left the house and headed for the mountain behind.
Beyond the fields were mountains where Clarissa had never been.
Along the way, Clarissa saw the fields planted with species unknown to her, and she asked Aunt Emma about it.
Aunt Emma happily pointed out what were the different species grown there. When they came across a plant with huge leaves, Aunt Emma explained, "This is poppy."
Clarissa was shocked.
She looked around and estimated that there must be hundreds of acres of undulating lands around her and exclaimed in surprise, "Can the local people plant this without control? Won't the government take action?"
Aunt Emma laughed sarcastically, "There is no government here."
As soon as her words left her mouth, Aunt Emma realized that she had spilled the beans, and she stopped talking immediately.
Clarissa glowed at Aunt Emma's reply.
There was no government?
Was this some remote autonomous region?
Clarissa had a rough idea of where this place was from what she heard from the villagers earlier and the number of years the place was at war.
As she walked, she quietly memorized the terrain, landmarks, and features that would help her map out the place.
After walking for about half an hour, they arrived at the field.
Uncle Jasper scowled when he saw them coming as he sat smoking his pipe. He asked his wife,
"Why did you bring her here?"
Aunt Emma answered in a low voice without any expression, "She insists on coming along. Says to show her gratitude by delivering lunch to you."
Uncle Jasper chuckled sinisterly.
As he took the food, he told Aunt Emma, "Don't let it happen again. This little lady is smart. Don't let her discover anything."
Immediately, Aunt Emma froze.
She lifted her head and looked at him quizzically.
But, she did not dare to contradict him and replied,
"Okay."
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