Afraid of every potential risk and hardship, Ancient Wen Heng was starting to get a clear picture of how these people made decisions.
He still stood up respectfully and bowed to them. "If I may, I’d like to say a few words."
Gu Sanbu waved a hand, gesturing for him to speak.
"Actually, we could leave a few people here to stand guard in shifts. If anything happens, the rest of us would only be a day or two behind. It shouldn’t cause a major delay.
You’re all worried about our food supply, but do you really think that problem will be solved by just continuing to wait here?"
"But if so many of us leave, the other refugees arriving later will just follow us. If any of them have malicious intentions, our people might not be able to fend them off.
Staying here at the city gate, even though fetching water is a hassle, we have the city guards keeping order. Other people will be more restrained," Village Chief Shi said. Thinking of the old and young in his village, he really didn’t want to move.
"..."
Ancient Wen Heng struggled to suppress his frustration. ’These people are so indecisive. If they keep wrangling like this, they won’t co up with a plan even by tomorrow.’
He turned to Gu Sanbu. "Sir, I just returned and haven’t had a chance to see my father yet. Why don’t you all continue discussing? I’ll go check on him first."
"Of course, you should," Gu Sanbu said, pleased that the Gu Family always kept their elders in mind. "Your family must have many questions for you. If we need you, I’ll send soone to get you."
Ancient Wen Heng bowed to the elders present before quickly turning to leave.
"That young man, Wenheng, studied under a Scholar for a few years. His etiquette is impeccable. And he’s a truly filial son to always be thinking of his parents." Since all dynasties ruled through the principle of filial piety, everyone naturally had a good impression of Ancient Wen Heng.
***
"Seventh Wife, I heard you’re planning to trade that water for grain?" Jin Qianqian never imagined that just a short while after sitting down, the first person to seek her out would be Gu Yuanjin.
"Eldest Brother?" Jin Qianqian imdiately stood up, not daring to remain seated. "We’re family. What I said earlier was for outsiders. Do you need water? Please, take this and use it."
’What I said before was just out of anger. I’m not so cold-hearted that I’d hoard an entire dinsion of food and still fight everyone for life-saving rations.’
"I can’t do that. A deal is a deal. Look, I have about half a bag of millet here. Just give however much water you think is fair for it." Gu Yuanjin placed the bag in front of her.
Jin Qianqian said, "Eldest Brother, please, take it back. This water is nothing. Tomorrow, my husband can lead you all to a water source. It’s a whole lake, you can have as much as you want."
But Gu Yuanjin was stubborn. "Even so, that’s for tomorrow. Let’s settle today’s business today. You carried this all the way back here; I can’t just take advantage of you."
Jin Qianqian looked to Li Cuicui for help, but her mother-in-law just turned her head away, determined not to get involved.
Jin Qianqian handed him a bamboo canteen herself. "This one is full. Please, Eldest Brother, take it and use it for now. And take the grain back, too. Otherwise, my husband will bla when he returns."
Ancient Wenheng, who had just returned, thought, ’...’ ’Looks like I’m destined to be the scapegoat.’
Gu Yuanjin hesitated. "This...?"
"Please, Eldest Brother, just take it all back. You wouldn’t want to put in a difficult position, would you?" Jin Qianqian put on a troubled expression, looking every bit the put-upon young wife.
"Alright, I’ll talk to Seventh about it when he’s free," Gu Yuanjin said, feeling it was improper to argue with his sister-in-law. He had to concede.
Once Gu Yuanjin had left, Li Cuicui sighed. "Your eldest brother was getting that water for your eldest sister-in-law. With Le Tian and Le Jia still not back, it’s as if they’ve taken her spirit with them.
We have to force her to eat a little sothing every day, but otherwise she keeps her lips sealed. If she doesn’t pull herself together soon, her body won’t be able to take it for much longer."
Li Cuicui felt both helpless and angry at her eldest daughter-in-law’s stubborn despair. ’So many other people’s family mbers are missing, but everyone else is forcing themselves to hold on.’
’You have to stay alive to have any hope of a reunion. If she works herself into an early grave, that will be the real tragedy.’
"Actually, no news is good news," Jin Qianqian said, watching Gu Yuanjin carefully help his wife drink so water in the distance. "Hasn’t anyone tried to talk to her?"
"We’ve tried, but she won’t listen. She does nothing all day but stare at the city gate," Hong Daya said, having walked over at so point. "Every ti soone cos out, she rushes over. The cycle of hope and disappointnt has left her completely obsessed."
Jin Qianqian was speechless. "..."
"But thankfully, you two are back. Mother can worry a little less now. Over the past few days, she never let it show, but every ti Eldest Sister-in-law ran to the gate, she’d follow. She claid she was afraid her daughter-in-law would offend one of the Lords, but really, she was hoping for the sa thing."
Jin Qianqian said, "Second Brother and his wife are so clever. They’ve probably already found a new way to survive by now.
And Le Tian and Le Jia are strong young n, and they’re quick-witted. I’m sure they’ll be fine."
"That’s what we all say. But you haven’t seen it... every ti the city gates open and they drag out people beaten half to death, our hearts pound with fear." Even though Hong Daya usually argued with Wang Caiyue, she didn’t wish that kind of suffering on them.
"Hey, Seventh Wife! We’re all brothers in this family. How can you give water to Eldest Brother and Fifth Brother but leave out Third Brother and my family? Isn’t that taking things too far?" Liu Liu said, dragging Gu Yuanshui over. Li Xiaohua and her family followed right behind, planting themselves directly in front of Jin Qianqian.
"What do you think you’re doing?" Li Cuicui shot to her feet. "Don’t forget that you brothers have already split from the main family. What belongs to them is their decision to make.
Third Brother, Fourth Brother, what is the aning of this? Are you going to join your wives in this nonsense?"
"Mother, we haven’t said anything wrong," Gu Yuanshui said, glancing at Jin Qianqian. "It’s just that Seventh Wife isn’t being fair. We’re all blood brothers, but she’s treating us like we’re on different levels."
Jin Qianqian replied, "I treat people with the sa kindness they show . So, Fourth Brother, and you, his wife, how do you think I should treat you?"
As Jin Qianqian spoke, she gave a pointed look at the other couple standing behind them. The question applied to them just as well.
"Don’t give any of that philosophical nonsense," Gu Yuanshui said, waving his hand dismissively. "You shouldn’t have used a few canteens of water to sow discord among us brothers. Just hurry up and give us our share, and we can let this go."
"I don’t recall us owing you anything, Fourth Brother." Ancient Wen Heng’s cold voice sounded from behind them.
Gu Yuanshui and Gu Yuanhuo spun around, their expressions quickly shifting to wide smiles. "Seventh! You’re really back, safe and sound! We’ve been worried sick about you these past few days.
We brothers haven’t had a chance to properly catch up. Co on, let’s step aside and have a chat."
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