quite the pragmatist, aren't you What do you want"Xu Shengli sat down again, raised a glass of wine and asked."Brother Xu, I'm just a weak woman. I seek your protection. All I desire is to have enoug..."Father, please calm down. She's already married and a mother-in-law now. Whatever decisions she makes, she has to take responsibility for them. Let's focus on the present and worry about Mother's health, which isn't good."

Liudashan also furrowed his brows and said.

He thought his younger sisters were all spoiled by their mother, selfish and self-centered, not caring about family ties at all. They just followed Zhang Huolang away. If the other party treated her well, it wouldn't matter. But if the other party had any ill intentions, they wouldn't even have a chance to lend a helping hand.

After the old man Liu finished scolding his youngest daughter, he calmed his rapid breathing and then asked:

What did the doctor say

The doctor said that her mother had been through a lot these past few years, and her health wasn't good to begin with. After the stroke, she was completely unable to move. He was helpless and wanted to cure her, but he could only go to a bigger place where there might be famous doctors.

However, Dr. Wang also said that doctors in big cities might be able to cure it, but it would cost a lot of money. A couple hundred taels would be hard to avoid. Besides, before treating the illness, Mother's body needs to be nourished well...

After that, Liu Dashan said no more. It wasn't that he didn't want to say anything, but what was the use Their family could only scrape together ten taels of silver at most now. One hundred taels would be impossible even if they sold their entire family.

"If we don't treat it, how long will your mother last"

Old Liu slumped and asked dejectedly, "A single copper coin can truly stump even a hero."

"If it is left untreated, careful tending will take about a year and a half."

This time, it's Liu Dahui replying.

Old Liu listened and waved his hand, saying:

"Alright, you guys are exhausted from last night. Go get some rest and eat something. I need to think about this."

Actually, everyone knows that Old Liu's words "just think about it" mean he has already decided to give up on treating Old Mrs. Liu. As an ordinary farming family, they really can't afford such a large sum of money. As the head of the family, he cannot let his whole family starve for one person.

When Liubo lay in bed, she was panicked. She heard the doctor's words clearly, especially when she learned that her most beloved youngest daughter had left Fenghe Town without a word, not even telling her own mother. She started to cry, regretting that she shouldn't have provoked the little troublemaker, the eldest girl. It was too late, though; now there was nothing she could do.

Ripples did this without any burden, because from the day she was born into this family, her presence would bring blessings to the household. Unfortunately, due to the existence of Liu Pozi, her good fortune was forcibly suppressed.

And after she grew up and had seen Liu Pozi's face several times, she was certain that this family would be destroyed because of Liu Pozi's presence. That's why she took action to deal with Liu Pozi so she couldn't cause havoc.

Otherwise, she would be sold when she was one year old. Zhuang Sisi would also divorce Liu Dashan because of this matter. After He Hua gave birth to her daughter, she would also be afraid that her daughter would be sold the same way, so she would make a fuss and insist on dividing the family.

Lao San would be manipulated by Liu Pozi into marrying her niece. Their life together would be neither good nor bad, lacking any sense of happiness.

Liupingping, because she sold her niece's silver, was able to marry that young scholar. Not only did she provide the money, but she also frequently visited her natal family and asked for money, draining her family's resources to support her husband.

Although she lived a life of wealth and luxury after being demoted to a concubine, she was never able to hold her head high. Her children were also reduced from legitimate sons to illegitimate ones, and they resented her for it their whole lives.

These were thoroughly changed by the arrival of ripples, and when the old woman struck her, her lifespan entered countdown.

But Liu Pozi only persisted for three months before passing away. After the Liu family finished the funeral, their life became increasingly peaceful. And Lianyi, since then, would also pick up silver coins and bring them home, gradually restoring the vitality of the Liu family. Life wasn't as hard anymore.

Unfortunately, the good times did not last. When Lian'er was six and a half years old, a drought struck Xuzhou, where Liujiacun was located. The crops in the fields had died because they lacked irrigation.

During this time, the oil lamps in Lao Han's house would stay lit very late. Finally, after the harvest was completely hopeless, Lao Han gathered his whole family to discuss matters.

Ripple sat with her younger siblings at the entrance to the main room, ears pricked, listening to the family meeting inside. As members of the family, they were also indirectly attending.

Old Liu looked around at his three sons and their wives, and the grandchildren peeking in from behind them. He cleared his throat and said:

The third daughter-in-law mentioned leaving Liujiazhuang before, and I've been thinking about it for a long time. I still can't make up my mind because this is the root of our Liujia family, and besides, the higher officials won't just leave us alone.

But now there is nothing harvested in the fields, and the food at home can only last until spring. This is assuming everyone will be able to survive without starvation. The village has been quiet so far, with no plan or movement. So I called you all here to discuss what to do—should we leave or wait a little longer

The eldest and second brother glanced at each other, then turned their attention to the third brother's wife, wanting to hear her side of the story.

Lao San Liu Dahu knew about this, his daughter-in-law had also quarreled with him before, so he spoke up:

"Big brother, second brother, Xue'er told me about this, and I think she makes sense. That's why I suggested it to Father."

Now there is no grain harvest, but the grain prices in town have skyrocketed. Wealthy families are all hoarding grain, and how much silver can our peasant families afford to buy that increasingly expensive grain every day

Moreover, I also went to town these two days to inquire about the situation. The county magistrate has no intention of opening the granaries and releasing grain at all. Some people even spread rumors in private that the county magistrate has already sold all the grain in the granaries to wealthy families and merchants.

If this continues, something is bound to happen. When everyone is starving, anything is possible. Xu'er has worked for a big family before and can see that something bad will definitely happen in the future. So she wants her father to take their whole family away from Liujiazhuang.

While there's still food at home and the streets haven't descended into complete chaos, go to Youzhou Prefecture city to seek refuge. Her previous master lives there; at least we have some face to save. Perhaps we can find a way out.

Liu Dahua finished speaking in one breath and then looked at his elder and younger brothers, waiting for their decision.

"You are right, but without a guide, we can't go anywhere!"

Liu Dachuan frowned and said.

It's not that I don't feel attached to my hometown, but having a way to survive is better than starving to death here.

Liu Dahu, upon hearing that his second brother didn't object, immediately said:

"Second brother, I've inquired about this. Some wealthy families have already started preparing to leave Fenghe Town. We can blend in with them. Passports can be bought with silver."

"How much money do we need as a family"

Old Man Liu asked.

"I asked for ten ounces."

"A gasp escaped everyone's lips. They felt a pang of sympathy, for this was the harvest they had worked for all year."

"This silver our family can come up with, but we need to make sure the permit is definitely processed."

Old Man Liu spoke with great courage. After finishing his words, he glanced at Ripples who had just poked her head out. Ripples gave Old Man Liu a sweet smile.

Old Man Liu's face wasn't as heavy anymore. If it weren't for his granddaughter, Dayu, who brought good fortune to the family, their Liu clan would have been forced to stay in Liujiacun and defend their home this time.ut on a stern face and, accompanied by the midwife, took over the delivery room.Although the Lady of the Minister was furious, she knew she was in the wrong. The inner courtyard was under her jurisdic...