"Yes, Mother, Jiu is fifteen now, a grown girl. You can't hit her or scold her like before."
Even Meng Shaode began to scold his mother.
Wang Shi's old face turned dark and her chest heaved. She turned away, stopped eating, and sat far away.
Huffing and puffing, she couldn't figure out where this girl got the spiritual spring water from, making those seeds grow like they were soaked in spiritual energy.
"Daughter, eat more," Cai Lihua patted her daughter's back.
"Slow down, this soup is a bit too salty."
"We won't lack these things once we reach Nanming City," Aunt Li said, not daring to eat her own bowl first but giving it to the two children.
"I still have a bracelet on me. When we get there, I'll pawn it for some food."
As she spoke, Aunt Li placed the bowl on a stone for the two children to lean on and eat slowly.
She took out a handkerchief from her怀, opened it to reveal a pair of silver bracelets.
"This was my dowry when I married Old Li. If you don't mind, sister-in-law, please keep it safe. We are a widow and orphans, we still have to rely on you for food and drink."
Cai Lihua looked at the pair of silver bracelets handed over and felt instantly distressed.
"That won't do. This is your dowry from when you married Old Li. Keep it for yourself, it's a memento after all."
"What memento is there?" Li's wife lowered her eyes and smiled bitterly.
"Those taken for conscription to fight, who ever comes back alive."
She blinked hard, holding back her tears.
"Sister-in-law, please accept it. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease riding in this carriage."
"This..." Cai Lihua could see that this girl had lost all hope.
"Then I will keep it for you. When we reach Nanming City, this will be family assets..."
A Jiu sensed something was wrong and nudged her mother with her elbow.
"I can't accept this. This is your personal belonging. If you really want to, pawn it yourself when we reach Nanming City. Otherwise, what will the children eat?"
Cai Lihua suddenly understood her daughter's meaning.
Looking closely, Li's wife's eyes were devoid of any light. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she had given up on living.
She pushed the bracelets back. Li's wife hugged her face and cried uncontrollably.
Cai Lihua didn't comfort her much, just exchanged a look with her daughter. It was her daughter who was sharp-eyed, realizing the child wasn't lacking food but wanted to die.
"Big sister, don't cry. I even gave birth to a baby on the road, and I survived with no food or drink."
Beside them, Zhaodi comforted her in a hushed voice, handing her own baby to see.
Li's wife took a deep breath, pulled aside the corner of the cloth-wrapped clothes, and saw the infant sucking its fingers. Tears fell silently.
"My Tie Chui also liked to suck his fingers when he was born."
"The elders say that babies who suck their fingers are well-behaved," Zhaodi smiled shallowly, looking at the baby in her arms.
"Yes, my Tie Chui was very well-behaved. He didn't cry when he was full and didn't hinder my farm work."
Li's wife covered her face and sobbed. When she lowered her hands, she forced a calm smile and said.
"I must live well, otherwise, my two children will have no mother."
A Jiu lowered her head and ate her meal as if nothing had happened.
Thinking like this is good. Back then, how much she wanted to live. Heaven didn't want her to live, but she refused.
"Stop crying, sister. After all, Old Li and I grew up together, practically like brothers. His wife is my wife," Meng Shaode waved his hand grandly.
"Ah?"
A Jiu and Cai Lihua stared blankly.
"What?"