A Jiu's face fell instantly. She sat on the edge of the bed, watching the flickering oil lamp.
There was half a nest of embers left, giving off a sense of weariness.
"I'll beg Grandpa Niu tomorrow morning, or perhaps he can hide me in a sack on his cart. As long as we can get past the city gates, everything will be easier."
A Jiu wasn't sure if they would be searched.
"Sister A Jiu, you're planning to go alone? Take Little Yan Yan with you."
Tuoba Yan, upon hearing "Sister A Jiu," understood that even if they could enter the city, she didn't intend to bring anyone else.
"Don't interrupt. I'll have trouble even getting in by myself," A Jiu replied flatly.
"By the way, Girl Jiu, didn't your paternal grandmother say she was confident she could get people out? Where is she?"
Mao Junlan felt they had been well looked after by the Meng family all the way and should now be discussing matters together as a family.
"She's sitting in the carriage outside," A Jiu sighed.
"Even if I have a way, I still need to get into the city." Granny Wang pushed the door open, unnoticed.
"Grandma, how did you get in? I've already put a crossbeam on the door!" Tuoba Yan was startled.
This old lady was like a ghost, appearing out of nowhere and nearly giving people a heart attack.
"Can't I climb over a wall?" Granny Wang glanced at Tuoba Yan, then looked at A Jiu with tenderness in her eyes.
"Child, don't worry. I just thought of a method, but one person must get into the city first."
"What method?" they all asked in unison.
"Don't you remember that your eldest sister-in-law's maternal grandfather is a doctor at the Hua Lan Medical Hall in Nanming City? You'll be fine if you find him."
A Jiu was stunned. She knew her sister-in-law's family were medical practitioners, but in her past life's memory, she had barely spoken a few words to this sister-in-law.
Moreover, her eldest brother, Meng Nanxing, had moved out with his own family right after getting married. And she herself had been sold to the Li family long ago.
Besides, Meng Nanxing had disappeared somewhere. Even if she entered the city and used this connection, would the officials let them pass?
A Jiu voiced her concerns.
"At this point, what's wrong with putting aside your pride and asking for help? But that's a matter for later. The main thing is you need to get into the city tomorrow. Once you find the medical hall, tell them my in-law is on her deathbed and has come to seek refuge. Have him tell the officials that it's a visit from a relative, and then you'll have a legitimate reason."
This was Granny Wang's first time getting involved in worldly affairs, not for any other reason than A Jiu's conduct and character impressed her.
Coupled with the spiritual spring water that had been serving him and aiding his cultivation along the way, he had become involved in this karma and therefore felt obligated to help.
"Grandma's words make sense," A Jiu frowned in thought. "That's all secondary. I still need to get into the city tomorrow."
"This..." Granny Wang stroked his beard, contemplating, and paced back and forth, not disturbing anyone.
"I'll go and persuade that old fellow. He ate our watermelon and still won't help us? How can this be?"
Saying that, Granny Wang pulled open the door.
"Grandma, please don't. You can't make things difficult for him."
A Jiu grabbed her sleeve. Her grandma always came up with things on the spur of the moment. Was there something wrong with her head after all?
"Why would I make things difficult for such a common mortal?" Granny Wang flicked her sleeve and walked to the door of the main hall.
"Open the door, I have something to say."
A Jiu leaned on the doorframe, looking towards the main hall in the courtyard, stamping her feet anxiously.
"Grandma, he doesn't owe you anything. Can't you speak more politely?"
Granny Wang looked back at her granddaughter. "Alright, I'll listen to my granddaughter. I'll be polite."
She raised her hand and knocked on the door. "If you don't listen to what I say, don't blame me when you regret it in the future."
"..." A Jiu's face turned black. She felt that she was the most suitable person to enter the city tomorrow, and she could also visit her in-laws to check on their health, perhaps even for free given the family ties.
It was a real headache.
Creak. "What can I do for you?"
Given such impoliteness, Grandpa Niu naturally had no pleasant tone.
"Your granddaughter is not dead at all..."