Chapter 10
Snowy Night
The Wang Family would naturally have some thoughts about the 20 taels of silver they had obtained from selling the snake skin and gallbladder. But it was not to the point of brooding endlessly over it. The family had also not split up because of conflict over the money, and everything was controlled by the old lady. Everyone was used to being poor for many years, so they did not think that they should have much money on hand.
“Our family doesn’t have much money. Over the years, we’ve spent quite a bit on the medicine and treatments for your Father and Second Brother. We even owed a lot of debts and favors. I plan to use this money to repay our debts.”
The poverty of the Wang family was not a result of just one or two things.
The second son of the Wang Family had been paralyzed and bedridden for almost five years. When Old man Wang was young, he had a major illness which caused him problems when he became old. He started limping last year and would even sweat from time to time from the pain. Most of the time, he could not do anything and still had to take medicine to maintain his condition.
Furthermore, they were such a large family. If anyone had a headache or fever from time to time, even if the medicine only costs a few cents, it would be a huge expense in total.
When it came time to be conscripted, the three brothers took turns to go. The conscripts’ tasks were heavy. Every time they returned, they would fall seriously ill and had to recuperate for a month or two before they could recover.
After a few years, the family did not manage to save any money. Instead, they owed more than ten taels of silver.
It was said that other than these things on the surface, their parents also owed a large sum of money. However, it was unknown how much they owed, who the creditors were, and when they would be repaid.
If their parents did not say, they would not dare to ask.
Old Madam Wang did not intend to list out everything in detail for everyone. She only said, “Our family owes more than 13.8 taels of silver. This is something that we should pay back. We’ll take 15 taels to return to our creditors with interest. Eldest, the three taels of silver that your family owes to your in-laws will be repaid in spring. Second son’s family…”
After explaining everyone’s division of labor, Old Madam Wang said, “The remaining silver will be kept at home, but no one is allowed to think about the money. Just pretend that it doesn’t exist!”
“I know what you’re thinking. The weather is cold now, and there’s absolutely no food in the fields. Your respective families aren’t rich either, so you must be living a tight life.” Old Madam Wang looked at the room full of wives. No matter what their expressions were, she said sternly, “I don’t care what you’re thinking, but at this critical moment, don’t think about biting the hand that feeds you! The meat, grain, and even firewood belong to our Wang Family. No one can think of taking anything away from our family at this time! Even if your original family and parents were to starve to death immediately, you cannot touch the reserves.. Otherwise, I’ll beat you to death here today, understand?!”
Madam Ma’s eyes constricted. She really wanted to ask her mother-in-law for some meat and grain and secretly send them back to her family.
Her family was even poorer than her in-laws. Perhaps her poor mother would starve to death.
“I’ll give my share…” Madam Zhang opened her mouth. But before she could finish speaking, she was frightened by Old Madam Wang’s murderous gaze.
Madam Zhang was Old Madam Wang’s maternal niece. Her surname was Zhang, so everyone called her Madam Zhang.
“Are you the only compassionate person? You’re the only one who cares about your family?!” Old Madam Wang looked at her resentfully and then glanced at Wang Chuanfu. “Eldest, explain it to her!”
Wang Chuanfu said, “Um… Third Sister-in-law, when we went out previously, the other villages were already at the point of eating children. At that time, they weren’t short of food. They even asked if there were any children in our village whom we could trade for food…”
He did not want to say these words, afraid that it would scare people.
At this point, Wang Chuanfu could not continue.
The snow was too heavy. Everyone was afraid of death. When they were afraid to a certain extent, they dared to do anything.
Madam Zhang’s face turned pale.
Eating people?!
They dared to eat people even before they ran out of food. Then, if they really ran out of food and knew that she had excess food to bring back to her family, would her family be in a good position? In fact, even the Hu Family Village where her in-laws lived might be implicated…
Everyone had also figured this out and did not dare to have any other thoughts.
Seeing that these wives were all frightened, Old Madam Wang reminded her sons a few more times before letting everyone disperse.
In a few days, it will be the new year.
The villagers felt better after obtaining the python meat and could truly begin to prepare for the festivities.
Mixed grain biscuits, glutinous rice balls, and python meatballs were all on the list.
Those who had decorative cloth at home also tore the red cloth into strips and hung them on the surrounding branches.
Old Master Hu was also in a good mood. He took out some red paper from his inventory and wrote a couplet for each family, collecting a token copper coin for it.
Everyone had a couplet pasted on their door, and it looked very festive.
In the blink of an eye, the new year was approaching.
The old people were right. Two days before the new year, heavy snowfall descended again. It was heavier than any of the previous snowfalls. The blanketing
snowflakes covered the ground in no time.
The snow that had just melted froze again.
The village chief called on the young and strong men in the village to patrol the village and let the others retreat into their rooms if there was nothing serious. The family, regardless of gender and age, as long as they had no disagreements, squeezed together. It was at least warmer that way.
Little Ah Yu was also wrapped up in layers of blankets by her family, hiding under the blanket.
The little lamb did not die even after a few days. It always nestled in Little Ah Yu’s arms and warmed up with her.
Seeing that it had no intention of dying, the family even gave it some paste to eat. It only took a few mouthfuls and was barely hanging on.
[Little Blessing, don’t feed it anymore. This thing is so precious!] That night, Little Ah Yu felt the little lamb twitching in her arms, so she took some Myriad Spirit Water from the space and held it in her palm for it to drink.
The little lamb sniffed and lapped it up greedily, then licked Ah Yu’s entire palm.
Because it was too ticklish, Little Ah Yu tried her best to hold back her laughter, afraid that she would wake up her family.
In the past two days, Little Ah Yu had fed the little lamb the Myriad Spirit Water two or three times. The little lamb’s energy was becoming stronger and stronger.
Little Ah Yu still wanted to give the water to her mother and the others to drink, but she never found the chance.
The elf also said that her family could not know where she had taken it from. Otherwise, her family would be swallowed up.
As such, Little Ah Yu did not dare to take it out directly.
After the little lamb drank the water, it seemed to have endless strength. It broke free from Ah Yu’s hand and jumped to the ground.
The bedroom door was not a door. It was made of old cotton and bamboo that was completely useless. The little lamb crawled out through the soft cloth at the bottom.
“Little lamb!” Little Ah Yu was anxious. She shouted softly and was about to follow.
[Little Blessing, you’re not dressed yet!]
Actually, she was already wearing a lot. After all, the blankets at home was not warm enough. She was only not wearing the thickest coat.
[You’ll freeze outside!]
Unfortunately, no matter how Meatball shouted, Ah Yu ignored it. She only felt worried that the little lamb had disappeared.
The night in winter was very dark, and the Wang family did not have the money keep the oil lamps lit. It was dark all around.
Little Ah Yu crawled out of the blanket and pressed the blanket down. She followed her memories and left the bedroom.
She was going to look for the lamb.
The lamb was her playmate.
[Go back!] Meatball paced around in the spatial pocket anxiously.
This little brat really gave it a headache.
Little Ah Yu hurriedly stepped out of the bedroom. The sleeping Wang Chuanman and Liu Shi did not sense her.
She had been coaxed by Meatball to drink two spoonfuls of Myriad Spirit Water every day. Her body was already very healthy, and her vision was very good.
The courtyard was outside the bedroom. As soon as Ah Yu came out, the cold wind hit her.
Ah Yu shivered but still walked forward firmly.
Because she vaguely saw the silhouette of a lamb.
[I really have to hand it to you!] Meatball had no choice but to activate the little energy in the spatial pocket and create a warm protective shield for Little Ah Yu.
Ah Yu instantly felt that she was no longer cold, but she no longer had the energy to care about this. She only chased after the lamb.
The barrier was burning with loving energy, and Meatball’s heart ached terribly. If it didn’t do this, this brat would freeze to death immediately!
Just as the Meatball was feeling helpless, it suddenly felt a special energy.
[Eh? What’s that?]
[Blessing, it’s in that direction. Hurry up, someone needs your help!]
[No, no, no. Go back and call the adults! Go back first!]