"This kid is quite sensible," Meng Shaode said, turning to look at the two figures, one tall and one short, with a large height difference.
"What do you mean, Old Meng? Didn't we agree that our daughter is still young and we'll keep her by our side for a few more years?" Cai Lihua mumbled while plucking chicken feathers, her tone clearly unfriendly.
"I was just saying that. Besides, I'd be happy to keep our daughter with me her whole life even if she never married."
Old Meng quickly changed his tune.
"That's more like it. Anyway, I absolutely refuse to allow talk of romance at such a young age."
"Whatever you say," Old Meng dared not argue further.
Cai Lihua, mimicking a man's technique, smoothed out the usable feathers and set them aside. She planned to make a feather duster from the thicker ones. Her mouth, however, didn't stop:
"If we get through this major hurdle, we'll find someone who's at least a prince or a noble, if not a wealthy, influential official. Otherwise, they won't be worthy of our daughter."
"What the madam says is reasonable."
Bamboo grove.
This patch of bamboo was already sealed solid. Fortunately, it was a solid bamboo variety, just the right thickness.
If it were ordinary hollow bamboo, it would have been dried out and brittle from the drought of the past few years. It would shatter with a single cut and couldn't be used to make arrowheads.
"Is this the solid bamboo you were talking about?" Xiao Yanyan scratched his head.
"Yes, the skin is a yellowish-green, and it's very sturdy," Ajiu said, ducking inside first.
She had realized that Xiao Yanyan was like a newborn baby, having seen nothing before.
She took a step inside and immediately recoiled, scared. Fortunately, Xiao Yanyan's tall figure blocked her.
"What's wrong, Sister Ajiu?"
"Nothing." Ajiu steadied herself and stared intently at Madam Wang, who was sitting cross-legged in the bamboo grove.
"Grandma, you sure run fast."
Xiao Yanyan finally noticed it was his grandmother.
"If I don't run, should I wait there to die? Fearing death is human nature. What cultivation is for is to cultivate this true nature. You, a child, wouldn't understand."
Madam Wang slowly opened her eyes, showing no sign of shame.
Her words made Ajiu's mouth twitch. Why did everything she say sound so reasonable?
She couldn't be bothered to argue with her anymore.
Ajiu reached out and took the knife from Xiao Yanyan.
"Sister Ajiu, tell me what to cut, and I'll cut it. You can just sit and watch."
Tuoba Yan did not give her the knife.
"That one is suitable, about this thickness," Ajiu pointed.
She sat down on the spot, hugging her knees, and directed, "And that one to your left."
"Girl, do you see that my mouth is much better?"
Madam Wang shuffled closer, her face almost touching Ajiu's.
Ajiu's eyes calmly turned to look at him. "Yes, the swelling is gone. It should be fine."
"Hahaha." Madam Wang let his hand fall from stroking his beard and lowered his voice mysteriously.
"Granddaughter, if you could give me more spiritual spring water, I would recover faster, and I guarantee that within a month, I'll be able to bring rain to the world. How about it?"
Ajiu looked into her grandmother's eyes and blinked slowly, as if looking at an old fool.
"Grandma, guess if I believe you."
She was definitely trying to trick her out of the spiritual spring water. If she could make it rain, Ajiu would eat this solid bamboo.
Madam Wang twisted his head aside, furious but having to suppress his voice. He looked quite choked.
"Why are you so stubborn? Can't you trust old man for once?"
"I won't believe someone who has a mental illness and doesn't admit it."
Ajiu would never fall for it. Every time it was for a little bit of gain. Thinking of this, Ajiu's eyes reddened with anger.
How precious that water was. With Grandma's selfishness, how would the family survive to reach Nanming City?
"..." Madam Wang's face turned as dark as charcoal.
"The world does not understand true nature, buried deep within the heart with nowhere to find it. How can they comprehend that this world is merely an illusion? Alas, alas, falling to this state is also a matter of cause and effect."
Ajiu tilted her head and stretched her neck to look at Madam Wang. "Fallen? Grandma, the way you're talking nonsense sounds like you've been possessed by some great immortal."