"To be honest, I know a little, but I really don't know how that person died."
Wu Dalei shook his head.
"I've been working at the yamen for over ten years and have never seen such a death. It was as if all the bones in his body were shattered, yet without any damage to the skin or flesh. This method of killing is simply not something a human can achieve."
As he spoke, fear flashed in Wu Dalei's eyes.
It seemed he was convinced some demon or monster was at play.
At this, Ajiu felt a chill. Bones shattered inside without external wounds?
No wonder her father said those two bodies looked like deflated human-shaped skins.
While stunned, Wu Dalei added, "Even if my elder brother were still alive, he wouldn't have been able to determine the cause of death."
Ajiu believed this. The key point was the absence of external injuries, making it impossible to investigate.
Could there really be demons and monsters in this world?
"It's too scary," Ajiu murmured.
Meng Shaode quickly regained his composure, pulled his daughter into his arms, and comforted her with concern.
"Don't be afraid, daughter. You have me. We'll set off now. Go see if your mother has finished packing."
Ajiu nodded dully. Throughout the dynasties, a saying has been passed down: When something abnormal happens, there must be a demon.
Misfortune never comes singly. Just like this three-year drought, people can barely survive, how can there be peace? The princes of the court are all fighting for their own fiefdoms, and now war has broken out.
Ajiu pondered as she entered the kitchen.
Cai Lihua was collecting the watermelon rinds, dried by the scorching sun for several hours.
"Daughter, this is called 'Xigua Cui' (Watermelon Green). It can be used in soups or eaten directly. Moreover, it is both food and medicine, and it can help with water retention and dampness."
Ajiu snapped back to attention. "Mom, you know medicine too?" This indeed made Ajiu's eyes light up. When did her mother become so knowledgeable?
"What medicine? It's actually just dietary therapy. You might not understand if I explain it. Dietary therapy means that food can cure illnesses and nourish the body."
"So that's how it is." Ajiu suddenly felt her mother was amazing, hiding so much treasure within her.
The remaining four watermelons were packed into a basket. The peaches were put into a sack, and pots and bowls were wedged into the gaps between the watermelons.
Now, there was no place for the large iron pot.
Cai Lihua simply twisted some dry grass into a rope and tied it, hanging it outside the carrying basket.
"Daughter, if your father carries it, doesn't it look like he's carrying a turtle shell?"
Cai Lihua moved on quickly, now chuckling to herself.
"It does." Ajiu pictured the scene and immediately covered her mouth, laughing so hard she couldn't stand up straight.
"It does look a bit like it. However, we still need to figure out how to bring along Wu family's younger brother's wife and children, and his mother."
Meng Shaode suddenly entered the kitchen. Seeing the mother and daughter laughing happily, he felt much brighter.
To his surprise, Cai Lihua's smile instantly vanished. "We meant well, and they treated us so poorly. And you still want to take them? If you ask me, that young woman is respectable. As for that old woman, hmph... she's not as kind-hearted as your mother."
At this, Meng Shaode's old face twitched a few times.
This was the first time his wife had so openly praised his mother.
"Lihua, actually, I know why you're angry. If it were me, I'd be angry too. But Wu's brother is a decent person, isn't he? Didn't you hear him say that the people they've encountered on the road are all very dark-hearted?
Besides, with what happened yesterday, if I want to go hunting, who will protect you?"
Meng Shaode's words were clear: he was determined to take the Wu family, including Mrs. Wu.
Two men, one goes out, the other stays to guard the home in case of any trouble.
Ajiu suddenly recalled the matter of the two dead people that Uncle Wu had mentioned earlier.
If it were truly that mysterious, they might indeed need help.
"Mom, let's just say it's for mutual support."
"Yes, our daughter is so sensible." Meng Shaode quickly added fuel to the fire.
But it wasn't vinegar he was adding, it was oil, and not just any oil, but lamp oil.