Although they split from the family as soon as they married, aside from two mu of land and a dilapidated thatched hut, the couple had to slowly acquire everything else themselves.
The couple had bad luck. They had suffered this terrible ordeal before they even had a chance to build up their savings.
Throughout the entire journey, none of his brothers had been seen offering the couple a helping hand.
Lao Gouqi and his wife were honest people. Even when they were starved to skin and bones, they never asked anyone else for help.
Now, seeing Mrs. Gu Jin get berated by her mother-in-law, people couldn't help but feel some sympathy.
'This young wife must be at her limit. Otherwise, she wouldn't be leaning on her husband like that in front of everyone.'
"Eldest Sister-in-law, we should find a good place to rest. Once it's dark, we won't be able to find any firewood," a fourth aunt from a related branch reminded Li Cuicui.
Li Cuicui shot Jin Qianqian a venomous glare, then started ordering her other daughters-in-law around, telling them to clear out the spot where their family would be resting for the night.
"Second Sister-in-law, that Mrs. Jin is getting bolder and bolder. Cuddling like that in public... I feel embarrassed just looking at them," the third brother's wife, Li Xiaohua, said, curling her lip in disdain.
Wang Caiyue didn't even look up. "Let them be. Who knows if our wretched lives will even make it to the Capital City? What's the point of worrying about this now? Can you eat it? Can you drink it?"
"Tell me about it." Liu Liu tossed a rock off to the side. They would all be sleeping on the ground later, and if they didn't clear away the rocks, their backs would be sore and aching, making it harder to travel the next day.
'Everyone knew the score. All along the way, no one dared to speak to Seventh and his wife. Wasn't it just because they were afraid the couple would latch onto them and ask to borrow food?'
She glanced at Jin Qianqian out of the corner of her eye and saw she was now slumped on the ground. A flash of pity crossed her eyes.
'But that bit of pity wasn't enough to make her share her own family's rations. The journey is still long, she'd heard, and her own life is already a complete mess. Better to look after myself first.'
Hong Daya finished clearing her resting spot. After a moment's hesitation, she also cleared the area next to it. "Qianqian, I'll help you clear this area. You can put your bedding down here in a moment."
"Thank you, Fifth Sister-in-law." Jin Qianqian thanked her sincerely. She really didn't have the energy to move.
Ancient Wen Heng also nodded gratefully at Hong Daya. He laid out the bedroll from his back, then helped Jin Qianqian over to lie down. "You rest for a bit. I'll handle everything else."
Jin Qianqian was so exhausted she couldn't even lift a hand. She blinked twice and then slipped into darkness.
Ancient Wen Heng covered her with a small blanket and beckoned to his young nephew, Gule Shun, who was nearby. "You rest here with your Seventh Aunt, and Seventh Uncle will give you a treat."
Gule Shun looked at Ancient Wen Heng with anticipation, licking his lips. "Really?"
"Seventh Uncle wouldn't lie to you. You stay here and be good, don't run around." Ancient Wen Heng crouched down and patted his nephew's head, his heart aching that a child so young had to suffer such hardship.
'In any case, the resources Jin Qianqian had given him gave him confidence. Although he didn't know how much that girl actually had saved up, it was still something to rely on.'
'Besides, she had just stuffed some beef jerky and dried milk tablets—for restoring energy—into his cloth bag. The milk tablets were perfect for coaxing a child!'
At this thought, he quickly slipped a dried milk tablet into the child's mouth, not forgetting to add, "Suck on it, don't swallow it."
Gule Shun pressed his lips together. A milky aroma, tinged with a hint of sweetness, filled his mouth, making his eyes sparkle.
Ancient Wen Heng's eyes crinkled with a smile. "Wait here obediently, and Seventh Uncle will give you another one when I get back."
Gule Shun nodded obediently. He knew that even if he wanted to run off, his parents wouldn't approve. Besides, staying here with Seventh Aunt meant getting another treat, so he definitely wouldn't wander away.
Ancient Wen Heng looked up and saw that his other brothers had already gone off to look for firewood and wild vegetables. He quickly unloaded his own things. Autumn was setting in, and without a fire, their bodies wouldn't be able to stand the cold of the night.
***
Li Cuicui hadn't expected that as soon as she turned around, she would see the Seventh Wife already lying on the ground. A sudden rage flared within her. 'I've never seen such a lazy woman. No wonder my own life is getting harder and harder.'
At that moment, she completely forgot that each of her sons had only received meager rations when they split from the family, and that her seventh son hadn't even had time to build up any savings.
"Wife, don't go over there and make trouble," Gu Dashishi said, stopping her. "The Seventh Wife hasn't looked well these past few days. Their rations have been cut repeatedly, and with all the traveling, she might not hold out for much longer."
"That can't be, can it?" Li Cuicui's heart skipped a beat. "I gave them a few wild vegetable buns at noon. Did those two fools not eat them?"
"Who knows?" Gu Dashishi felt a surge of panic as well. People were disappearing from their traveling party every day. 'Could it be our family's turn this time?'
Li Cuicui's earlier anger vanished. Her gaze on Jin Qianqian was now complicated. A part of her hoped Jin Qianqian would pull through, but another part feared she would drag down her son.
"Let's get the fire started. Later, we'll soak a vegetable bun and give her a small bite to see if she'll come around," Gu Dashishi said as he organized their belongings. He silently decided he would eat a few bites less himself.
"Sigh." Li Cuicui let out a breath and didn't say anything more. But as she worked, she paid special attention to Jin Qianqian's side, terrified that her daughter-in-law would draw her last breath and leave her son a widower.
***
On this parched land, finding food was incredibly difficult, but dry firewood was plentiful.
Ancient Wen Heng didn't have to go far before he was struggling back with a large bundle of dry firewood.
"Seventh, put that firewood aside for now. Let's us brothers go a bit deeper and see if we can find some wild vegetables," his eldest brother, Gu Yuanjin, called out with the others.
Gu Yuanmu also found it strange, taking the firewood from his hands and tossing it onto the pile. "You're usually the most eager to look for vegetables. You're acting a bit off today."
Ancient Wen Heng felt a pang of guilt but quickly found an excuse. "Mrs. Jin's health isn't holding up. I'm a little worried about her."
The other brothers fell silent. None of them offered to help. Finally, Gu Yuanlei said awkwardly, "Then let's hurry and find more vegetables. We can make some extra soup for Seventh Sister-in-law later."
Following the memories in his mind, Ancient Wen Heng didn't say much more. "Then let's go and get back quickly."
His brothers all held some resentment over the fact that he'd been able to attend a private school for a few years. Even though there was no tuition, the farm work had truly fallen entirely on their shoulders.
'They were all sons of a farmer. Why was Seventh the only one to get that chance?'