"Fetch water," Wang Shi said, ignoring everything else, for water was of paramount importance.
A Jiu casually produced a waterskin and handed it to Wang Shi.
Wang Shi, still not quite satisfied, wiped her mouth and got up to leave, "This old woman only cares about the result. You can squabble amongst yourselves."
With that, she went out to the main hall.
"Lihua, what do you mean by this? A Jiu already pleaded for me, and Mother is no longer angry. Why do you still have me tied up?"
Meng Shaode was also bewildered.
Cai Lihua's grip didn't loosen at all, making Meng Shaode yelp in pain.
She then shoved him into the cowshed.
"Mother, what exactly is going on?" A Jiu was confused.
Cai Lihua clapped her hands, "It has nothing to do with your grandmother. Tying you up was my idea. I was truly afraid you'd get lost. The world outside is in chaos, what if something happens? But your father has other intentions."
"Ah?" A Jiu didn't understand, "What did Father do?"
"That Qian Shi is almost recovered now. She comes to our house every few days, saying thank you for saving her life. But she can't come to express gratitude every few days! She's worn down our doorstep with her thanks. Later, Mother noticed how your father looked at her, his eyes were glued to her."
This matter…
"Mother, I think it's impossible. Qian Shi just recovered from a serious illness, her hair is sparse and her body is emaciated. How could she possibly attract Father's attention? Mother, you must be overthinking it."
A Jiu couldn't believe it was possible. Moreover, after her father changed his ways, he was completely devoted and doted on her mother.
"I don't care, a man's heart is fickle. And you, my daughter, should never believe a man's vows of eternal love, especially those with sweet talk."
Saying this, Cai Lihua suddenly looked at Tuoba Yan, her face beaming with a smile, "Auntie isn't talking about you. Right, you brought my Jiu'er back this time. Auntie hasn't thanked you properly yet."
"No need to thank me. If Uncle and Aunt hadn't asked me, I would have come to pick up Sister Jiu'er anyway. That place is really not fit for humans to stay."
Tuoba Yan scratched his head, thinking about his aunt's words. The meaning was clear: men with sweet talk have fickle hearts.
"What? Are they all dead?" Cai Lihua's attention was drawn.
"Yes, Auntie. Think about it, the entire Nanzhou County has less than two thousand people, and a thousand of them are sick, killing seven to eight hundred."
"Ah? Xiao Yan, then you mean they're almost all dead." Cai Lihua looked at her daughter with concern, "Jiu'er, how are the food and drinks? You look thinner and darker."
"Not at all, Xiao Yan is exaggerating a bit." A Jiu winked at Tuoba Yan, signaling him to stop, knowing her mother was worried sick.
"No way." Cai Lihua put her hands on her hips and pondered for a moment. Her gaze fixed on the cowshed, she strode over and untied the ropes.
"Wife, you've thought it through? That's right, it's all in the past. You shouldn't have tied me up." Meng Shaode chuckled and pulled the ropes off his arms and legs.
"Don't flatter yourself. Go, go hunting. That fox isn't good to eat. Bring me something good to supplement my daughter's health."
Cai Lihua pointed to the door and added, "If you don't bring anything back, don't come back either. Scram..."
Meng Shaode's face turned extremely ugly. Seeing his wife raise her hand, he quickly grabbed his bow and arrows and fled out the door as if running for his life, "I'm going, I'm going right now."
A Jiu covered her mouth, wanting to laugh, but didn't dare to let out a sound.
"Sister-in-law, it's already dark. You're rushing Brother Meng up the mountain like this, what if something unexpected happens?"
At this moment, Mao Junlan cautiously stepped forward to speak.
"Who told him to offend me? Besides, are there man-eating tigers out there?" Cai Lihua looked towards the door, her face contorted with displeasure.
"Sister Jiu'er, maybe I can go with Uncle?" Tuoba Yan asked A Jiu for permission.
"Go ahead, be careful too." After A Jiu spoke, Tuoba Yan smiled like a three-year-old child, "Okay!"
"Mother, please don't be angry. Father isn't that kind of person... How about you make me something to eat? Jiu'er is hungry." A Jiu saw her mother's eyes widening until they almost appeared bloodshot.
"You're hungry? Mother will go stew some water melon and jade for you..."
As expected, this trick worked.
But Xiao Yanyan suddenly ran back, "Sister A Jiu, Uncle is back. He just reached the foot of the mountain and found a large piece of meat."
"..." A Jiu's pupils contracted. Meat could be found?