Chapter Six: Midnight Warning

shopkeepers who weren't in trouble were standing there with their heads bowed, like quails, not daring to breathe a word.The steward tentatively inquired, "My Lord, who would be most suitable to manag..."Mother, I see that Hongying has plenty of milk now, and Fu'er isn't hungry. That nanny goat is also a burden on us. Why don't we slaughter it It would save everyone from hunger, wouldn't it"

Wu Cuifua spoke more and more confidently, her expression becoming increasingly righteous, as if she were doing everything for the sake of everyone else.

The Li family was sitting in a circle, eating dinner. It was quite lively at first.

As soon as she said that, a deathly silence descended.

Wu Cuiflower was glared at, feeling a little ashamed. But the words were already out of her mouth, and she couldn't take them back. She could only look expectantly at Old Mrs. Li.

Old Lady Li's face was gloomy. With a snap, she put down the bowl and said coldly.

That sheep is Funiu'er's food! I have been lenient with you in the past, but you even covet a child's food

Let me tell you, second sister-in-law, you better give up your thoughts, or don't blame me for being ruthless! These days, who doesn't have a few daughters-in-law starve to death at home

Wu Cuifang was so frightened that her face turned pale, and she shrank her neck and dared not speak again.

Jia Yin had been nestled in Tao Hongying's arms all along, naturally hearing these words. She was moved that her grandmother stood up for her.

She strained to move her little head to the other side and reached out a tiny hand toward Old Li.

Seeing this, Old Lady Li hurriedly took the grandchild from Tao Hongying's arms and patted her gently with her thin hands.

"Don't be afraid, Funiu'er. With grandma here, no one will let our Funiu'er go hungry."

Wu Cuifua was holding back her words, about to say something when Li Laer tugged her arm harshly.

She looked up at everyone and realized that besides Old Lady Li who was still smiling while coaxing Jia Yin, the rest of them were looking at her coldly, including her husband and son.

Wu Cuifang hurriedly bowed her head and buried her face in the bowl. Even though there was no congee inside, she didn't dare to raise her head.

Jia Yin pressed against Li Lao Tai's chest, listening to her heartbeat, filled with an immeasurable sense of emotion and satisfaction.

The Li family truly loves her, and just because of this love, she absolutely cannot let the Li family go hungry!

That evening, Jiayin planned to wait until everyone in the Li family was asleep and sneakily put some more food into the grain bag.

But she still overestimated the baby's stamina. Before it even got dark, she fell asleep with a little burp...

As night fell, the Li family was exhausted after a long day's journey.

At this point, everyone was sleeping soundly. Even Li La Er, who was on night watch, had fallen asleep leaning against a stone by the fire.

Jia Yin was suddenly woken up by the urge to urinate. She wanted to call out to Tao Hongying, who was sleeping beside her, but hearing her soft snores, she felt reluctant to do so.

This woman gave her a new life, and even without the chance to recover from childbirth, she continued her long journey.

Just as he was hesitating, two people came up to the donkey cart and were seen clearly by Jia Yin.

Her mind, which was still a bit muddled, suddenly cleared!

There's a thief!

Watching the two figures stride past the donkey cart and head straight for the nanny goat, soundly asleep under the tree.

Jia Yin opened her mouth wide and let out a loud wail.

Li Laoer, the night watchman, jumped up in fright at the sound of crying. It was almost a reflex action.

What are you two doing!

He jumped up and saw two shadowy figures under the tree. He immediately roared, grabbed his stick, and charged toward them.

The rest of the Li family were also awakened. They grabbed whatever weapons they could find and surrounded the two sheep thieves.

Those two men were probably doing this for the first time. They had never seen such a scene before, and they were so scared that they just froze in their tracks, huddled together trembling.

Even so, one person was still holding onto the leg of a milk goat in their hand, whether they had forgotten to let go or didn't want to.

"Damn you, stealing my sheep from right under my nose I'll kill you!"

Wu Cuiflower was originally hiding behind, seeing that the two men were too scared to move, she came up with the courage and went up to kick the two of them a few times.

Li Laosì stepped forward to pull the sheep out, but the man refused to let go.

The several men of the Li family became even angrier and, holding onto the two people, beat them up soundly.

These two people look so thin, like monkeys, with sunken cheeks.

They had no strength to fight back, only whimpering in pain. They must have been starving terribly.

Li Laotai and Tao Hongying holding Jiayin watched from the side.

Although Tao Hongying was indignant, she was afraid of scaring Jia Yin. She turned her face away and soothed him in a low voice.

Li Laotai took a close look at the two of them, guessing they were also unlucky people fleeing the famine.

Out of desperation, I resorted to this. It's not like I wanted to kill them.

It hurts, it makes you remember. That's enough.

She waited a while, then loudly stopped her grandchildren, “That’s enough.”

When Li Laosi and the others heard this, they all stopped.

"Get out! If you dare to steal chickens again, I'll break your dog legs!"

Li Laoer kicked one of the men hard, and the crowd parted to let the two of them leave.

Two men were beaten black and blue, they didn't dare to have any more crooked thoughts, and they ran away crawling, as if afraid that the Li family would catch them and beat them again.

"Oh my, you were just robbed of your food earlier tonight and now you've been burglarized How are you supposed to live like this"

Wu Cuifua plopped down on the ground with a sigh, her little toes kicking the nanny goat either intentionally or unintentionally.

Li Laotai and several others glanced at Wu Cuiflower, too lazy to pay her any mind.

Seeing no one respond, Wu Cuifang's face darkened. Her shifty eyes darted to Tao Hongying before she started rambling again on her own.

"Mother, listen to me! This goat is the root of all our problems. If it weren't for it, we wouldn't be kept awake at night like this! We should just slaughter it as soon as possible and save ourselves from all this trouble!"

She sat on the ground, her eyes fixed on the goat Li Laosi was holding in his hands.

It seemed as if, with just a nod from Old Lady Li, she could pounce and take a bite.

Li Laotai's face fell, her eyes filled with anger.

"Second daughter-in-law! How did I tell you this morning Are you asleep, or have you forgotten that I'm your mother Do you really think I wouldn't throw you away"

Her tone was both cold and harsh. While she had been strict before, she had never spoken to her several daughters-in-law like this, clearly showing that she was exasperated.

Wu Cuifua was so frightened that she trembled, her mouth opened and closed several times, but she couldn't utter a word.

"This sheep belongs to Funiu, and from today on, whoever dares to mention slaughtering it, I'll sell her to a broker!" Li Laotai's eyes swept across the whole family.

But everyone knows that this sentence was said to Wu Cuifang.

Li Laoer quickly pulled his wife up from the ground and slapped her hard.

Wu Cuiflower now dared not speak out of turn. She huddled behind Li Laoer, her face flushed red and white, looking like a palette.

The next morning, Zhao Yuru cooked a meal for Li's family.

During mealtime, I saw those two sheep thieves again. They looked as hungry as wolves.

They stared intently at the bowls of food belonging to the Li family, their eyes gleaming with envy, but they didn't dare come near them.

"In a while, we'll continue our journey. Old Fourth, you keep an eye out and don't let them get too close."

Li Laotai glanced at the two people, instructing Li Lao Si.

Li Lao Si nodded, tightened his grip on the chopper in his hand. These two men had no family around, just like outlaws.

It's the Li family who brought their whole household, it's not worth getting tangled up with them.oday is your birthday, and this is the best present ever!"Let's go inside and talk slowly."Yes, yes, come in, hurry up!" Mr. Tang was coaxed back, grabbed Mu Xu and walked into the house.Mu Xu only ha...