"Grandfather, don't worry. It's been a while now; if they were going to show up, they would have by now."
"That's true, I was being short-sighted. Perhaps these four wolves often roam this area and have scared off other game."
"Mm, that's possible." Fu Xinci nodded, thinking her grandfather's suggestion was plausible this time.
Meng Qingping felt the same. Without his worries, his mood naturally lightened considerably. Using the faint starlight, he found a small puddle not far from the temple entrance, but safely away from any wolf blood, to wash his granddaughter's clothes.
However, just as he squatted down, the aroma of food wafted to his mouth.
"Grandfather, let's eat something before we work," Fu Xinci said, bringing a spiced chicken wing mid-joint to her grandfather's mouth.
Meng Qingping really wanted to tell his granddaughter to eat first, but as he opened his mouth, the chicken wing her granddaughter was offering filled it. The rest of his words were blocked, leaving him with only one thought: eat.
And indeed, the chicken wing tasted wonderful. It was not only flavorful but also not greasy, with a perfect tenderness, suitable for an elderly person like him.
Once this thought arose, it became unstoppable. Under his granddaughter's feeding, Meng Qingping ate three chicken wing mid-joints before stopping.
"Cier, Grandfather really can't eat anymore."
"Grandfather, it's fine. The smell of blood is so strong here, it masks any other scent."
"Grandfather knows, but Grandfather truly can't eat any more."
"Mm, you're right. We can't just eat meat all the time; we need some staples, or our stomachs will feel uncomfortable." Fu Xinci said, taking out a soft steamed bun. She broke it in half, offering the larger part to her grandfather and taking a bite of the smaller part herself.
"Mmm, this is much better. Those cornmeal buns scratch the throat."
Hearing his granddaughter's words, Meng Qingping was filled with mixed emotions. Just over a month ago, their family, while not rich, was at least well-fed and clothed.
Thinking of the suffering his two grandchildren and he had endured on the exile journey, he couldn't help but shed tears.
In the darkness, Fu Xinci didn't notice her grandfather crying. She was still battling with her half of the steamed bun. It wasn't until she had finished it that she noticed her grandfather holding his bun without eating.
"Grandfather?"
"Ah, Grandfather will eat now." Meng Qingping blinked, hiding his sadness, and began to eat with large bites.
Although Fu Xinci found her grandfather's behavior a bit unusual, she didn't press him. She took a sip of water and handed the bottle back to her grandfather.
While her grandfather ate his bun, she pulled over the dirty clothes and began washing them herself.
Feeling the stains from the wolf blood on the fabric, she took out some laundry detergent from her space. Pouring just a little, she gently scrubbed.
Yes, this stuff was the best for washing clothes. She had always liked its faint floral and grassy scent.
Tonight, she felt extremely fortunate. Not only had she encountered those four unlucky wolves, but she had also eaten a full meal, bathed, and washed her clothes.
The more she thought about it, the happier she became. If she were not afraid of her grandfather noticing something amiss, she would have sung a slightly off-key tune to entertain herself.
Alas, it was difficult to find joy.
After finishing his bun, Meng Qingping looked at his well-behaved and sensible granddaughter washing his clothes. With a heart full of affection, he took the clothes from her, saying, "Cier, you're still young, your hands are not strong. Let Grandfather wash them."
"Grandfather, it's fine. I'm almost done. Believe me, look." Fu Xinci said, then stretched out the garment. However, she had overestimated her height, and the other end of the garment dragged onto the muddy ground.
Fu Xinci: It's over. I have to wash them again.
"Here, give them to Grandfather."
"Mm." This time, Fu Xinci had no reason to refuse and handed the clothes to her grandfather.
As Meng Qingping washed his granddaughter's clothes with relish, he pondered that he still couldn't rest easy to find his wife.
Otherwise, his foolish son might do something even more foolish, and what would become of his daughter-in-law and two grandchildren?
The thought that his grandchildren might suffer even more was unbearable. He would die of heartache.
For the sake of his son's family of four, he had to keep living. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to close his eyes.
Fu Xinci was unaware that her grandfather had made a choice between life and death.
...
In the ruined temple, a large iron pot was set up again. The wolf meat, cut into pieces, was thrown into the pot. The members of the Meng clan weren't sleeping, all staring expectantly at the large iron pot. They had all heard earlier that Commander Jiang had promised them meat.
Meng Yutang swallowed and moved closer to his grandmother, closing his eyes to avoid seeing.
Li Shi glanced at her noticeably thinner grandson and the horrifying whip marks on his back. She whispered, "Tang'er, we have to endure a little longer. You absolutely must not snatch any. They will beat you to death."
"Grandmother, don't worry. Tang'er understands."
Along the way, Meng Yutang had been whipped the most. He had transformed from the spoiled, tantrum-throwing, car-demanding, food-demanding little fatty into a completely different person.
He had not only lost a lot of weight but also his disposition had changed.
He had gradually come to understand his predicament. He was no longer the pampered young master of the Duke's mansion but merely a small prisoner on the road of exile.
Although it was difficult for him to accept the drastic change, the reality of the situation left him no room for defiance.
What was hardest for him to accept was that his own mother, who used to call him her "heart and soul" and dote on him immensely, wouldn't even spare him an extra glance for half a bun.
If it weren't for his grandmother, who pleaded for him when he was beaten by the guards, and who secretly saved him a bite of food when he was denied meals, he might have starved to death long ago.
The phrase "judging the hour and assessing the situation" had been taught to him by his tutor before, but he had been unwilling to learn and hadn't understood it. However, his experiences these past days had made him understand.
He had not only learned to judge the hour and assess the situation but had also been forced to learn to be adaptable and no longer dared to make a scene.
Seeing her grandson looking down in silence, Li Shi glanced at the temple entrance. After careful consideration, she lowered her voice and said to her grandson, "Tang'er, Grandmother is old and can no longer protect you. If you want to live, you must follow your second paternal granduncle."
Meng Yutang: "..."
"Your father and mother have offended too many people, especially your mother. When the Duke's mansion was prosperous, she didn't treat these clan members as people and spoke without restraint. At that time, our family had power, and these clan members depended on us, so they tolerated it."
Li Shi's hatred for Mei Shi reached its peak as she spoke. She took a deep breath, suppressing her profound hatred deep within her heart, and said, "Now, we are nothing. Your father and brother are both imprisoned and will be beheaded in the autumn."
Li Shi's tears began to fall uncontrollably as she thought of her sons and eldest grandson meeting such an end.
"Grandmother." Seeing his grandmother's tears, Meng Yutang's eyes also reddened. He wanted to cry too.