"Agreed," Ah Jiu felt it was feasible from the start, after all, her father's analysis made sense.
"However, this season, I think we can only plant cabbage, and even then, we'll be lucky if they grow into full heads before the snow."
There were no suitable crops to plant at this time.
"Cabbage it is, anything is better than freezing or starving," Cai Lihua had already made up her mind to follow the group.
Applause came from the direction of the cave.
"Brother Meng is indeed clever."
"Absolutely. Brother Meng, your arrows are also very sturdy."
"Not at all. I think Brother Meng's arrows are not just sturdy, his arm strength is also immense. He managed to shoot through stone in one go, and so accurately."
Listening, Ah Jiu understood how her father had managed to carve out the stone cave.
"This is nothing, I can also make gunpowder," Meng Shaode's voice carried far on the wind.
Ah Jiu's scalp tingled. Such boasting, wasn't he afraid of attracting too much attention?
"Really?"
A commotion erupted from that side, followed by hearty male laughter.
"We have a few skilled fighters among us. Brother Meng, you have found a sparring partner."
Ma Peng courteously addressed him as 'Brother' and called out to Chu Lin,
"Since you're idle, bring your brother over to meet this Brother Meng. From now on, we're all brothers."
Ah Jiu didn't know how late those grown men were rowdily celebrating. She and her mother had already made several trips to spread leaves in the cave.
One pile was for the sheep to sleep on, and another was for the mother and daughter's nest.
Lying down initially felt decent. There were many caves here, enough to house hundreds of people without crowding.
By the dead of night, a cold wind howled into the cave entrance, scattering fallen leaves throughout. Ah Jiu instinctively curled up, but soon she was still awakened by the cold.
Beside her, Cai Lihua shivered, already curled up like a shrimp.
Ah Jiu mused, this cave was a wind trap; the wind was particularly fierce.
Suddenly, Ah Jiu remembered the mental cultivation technique her grandmother had taught her. She sat cross-legged, and a warm current began to circulate slowly within her body.
Soon, her entire body felt warm and comfortable, from the inside out. It wasn't hot or dry, like a gentle spring breeze flowing within her.
Unexpectedly, after meditating for what felt like only half an hour, she opened her eyes. Grayish-white morning light was already streaming into the cave.
The ewe was curled up, protecting her lambs. Ah Jiu looked closely, only to find three lambs nestled in the mother sheep's embrace.
She got up to check and discovered that one lamb, already weak from birth, was stiff.
Frozen to death?
"Mom, Mom, this little lamb froze to death," Ah Jiu called out to Cai Lihua.
Cai Lihua didn't respond. Ah Jiu turned to look and saw her mother shivering.
She rushed over and touched her; her forehead was burning hot.
Ah Jiu quickly took out the spiritual spring water and offered it to Cai Lihua's mouth. "Mom, drink some water."
But Cai Lihua's face was pale, her lips purple, and her teeth chattered uncontrollably.
What could she do? Ah Jiu remembered the ear acupuncture needles and inserted a few into Cai Lihua. Soon, a fine sweat appeared on Cai Lihua's forehead, and she stopped trembling.
But this was not a permanent solution; she would still catch a cold tomorrow.
"Mom, are you feeling any better?" Ah Jiu asked softly.
Cai Lihua nodded weakly, exhausted.
"Mom, you rest. I'll go find Ma Peng and trade for some bedding," Ah Jiu said, getting up and grabbing the dead lamb, cradling it in her arms.
As soon as she stepped out of the cave, she saw that many men, women, and children were already awake. Many were coughing and looked listless; it seemed many had caught a cold.
"Auntie, where is Chief Ma?" Ah Jiu asked someone nearby at random.
She learned he was in the largest cave and hurried inside, "Ma Peng?"
"Who?" Ma Peng, shirtless and practicing martial arts, sheathed his long saber and, facing the dim light from outside the cave, saw a young girl.
Ah Jiu glanced around his cave. There was a tiger skin, a bedding roll, and an oil lamp on a smoothed large stone.
"Would you trade that tiger skin for this little lamb?" Ah Jiu placed the lamb on the stone table.
"What?" Ma Peng stepped forward in surprise, looking at the little lamb, which was no bigger than a puppy, and frowned. This was clearly an unequal exchange.
"You're really…." Ma Peng looked closer and was speechless:
"Miss Meng Jiuer? What are you doing here?"