Chapter 30: Is this really something a fool could achieve?

In the end, Li Yuan shifted his gaze away due to the stinging pain in his wounds. His once-handsome face was now marred by three bloody gashes, with the raw flesh exposed, looking ghastly and terrifying. Before he could catch his breath, Old Madam Li woke up. The first thing she did was spit out a mouthful of blood and glare at Lin Siyan as if she were her mortal enemy.

Terrified, Lin Siyan scrambled to hide in Li Yuan’s arms. It had been a long time since she had felt the embrace of someone without shackles, but at this moment, she was truly seeking protection.

Gu Yuru took the opportunity to ask softly, "Mumu, come with Mother."

Li Mumu truly found it hard to refuse, but it was not yet the right time. "Mother, wait a little longer."

Gu Yuru was stunned, looking at her youngest daughter in confusion, only to see her daughter winking at her. She felt a moment of bewilderment—was this really the Mumu who was said to be born simple-minded?

"Mumu!"

Li Mumu gave a bright smile. She couldn't pretend to be foolish forever; she needed to let everyone know she was no longer simple. "They bullied Mother, so Mumu wants to take revenge for Mother!"

Gu Yuru shook her head. "Mother doesn't need that." She could handle it herself.

The black bear was gone, but everyone feared it or other wild beasts might return, so they left someone to stand watch. Could they rely on the yamen runners? They were the absolute tyrants on this road of exile.

"You all sleep; I’ve already had some rest," Gu Mingjing said. He was young and full of energy; when he fought alongside his father and brothers, he had gone two or three days without closing his eyes. At worst, he could just nap at noon the next day.

Li Yuan wanted to sleep, too, but he had lost too much blood and lacked the strength. His wounds were screaming with pain, making sleep impossible. Gu Mingjing, wanting to avoid disturbing the others, held back the urge to rush over and beat him.

The next morning, Li Mumu woke up to the sound of Old Madam Li’s cursing. A thick, milky scent filled the air. The goat gave plenty of milk, enough for everyone to have a small bowl, along with a wild bird egg—the nutrition was sufficient.

Having rested for the night, Old Madam Li had recovered quite a bit. She was currently pointing at Lin Siyan’s nose, berating her with the most vulgar language imaginable. Gu Yuru quickly covered Li Mumu’s ears. However, Li Mumu could read lips, and Old Madam Li’s words were not only highly abusive but filled with forbidden profanities.

As for Lin Siyan, she didn't dare to breathe a word, resorting to her old trick of playing the weak victim. But while Old Madam Li didn't care about matters that didn't concern her, this time she had nearly lost her own life, which was a different story. Lin Siyan’s feigned weakness didn't pacify her; instead, she struck out. Two crisp slaps landed on her face, sobering her up instantly.

Li Yuan hadn't closed his eyes all night. He was physically miserable and had developed a fever. He lifted his eyelids and muttered, "Mother, please calm your anger."

The more he spoke, the angrier the old woman became. "Calm my anger? I’ll calm your mother’s legs!"

Li Mumu really wanted to ask who the "scum-father’s" mother was, but it was early in the morning and she wanted to watch the show without getting burned.

"Aren't you fine? Siyan was just afraid something would happen to me; she had no bad intentions!"

"And what if something had happened to me? I nearly died! What use are your farts of words if I’m dead?" Old Madam Li remained relentless.

"Then what do you want?" Li Yuan asked weakly. "She is with child. Don't you care about your own grandson?"

"Hmph, if I’m dead, what use is a grandson?"

Li Mumu sipped her goat milk, secretly adding a bit of sugar to mask the gamey taste. "Grandmother, it’s a little sister."

Old Madam Li frowned. "What did you say?"

"The one in Aunt Lin’s belly isn't a little brother; it’s a little sister."

"What?" Old Madam Li said, finding it unbelievable.

Lin Siyan panicked. "What little sister? It’s clearly a son! Don't spout nonsense. Mother, some people just can't stand to see me doing well." As she said this, she deliberately glanced in Gu Yuru’s direction.

Unexpectedly, the next moment, Old Madam Li slapped her. Lin Siyan was stunned. Li Mumu laughed, though it wasn't very kind.

"The old saying goes that little children are the most accurate at telling the gender of a baby. When Yunzhao said her mother was carrying a brother, it was indeed a brother. When it came to Yunjue, she said it was a sister, and she was born." Old Madam Li believed in these things deeply; otherwise, she wouldn't have treated the female lead as a lucky charm. "Besides, she’s a simpleton; who could have taught her?"

Was she simple? Lin Siyan was curious. Was Li Mumu really a fool? Why did nothing good ever happen whenever she spoke? Could this really be something a simple-minded person could achieve?

"Mumu, tell Grandmother, what is in this little harlot’s belly?"

"A little sister," Li Mumu said crisply.

Old Madam Li scrutinized Lin Siyan’s belly. Lin Siyan had lost some weight in the past few days, and it was hard to tell if the belly was round or pointed. "If it’s a boy, fine. If it’s a girl, watch your skin."

Lin Siyan couldn't help but shudder. She had known for a long time that it was a girl, having consulted a trusted doctor early on. She hadn't dared to speak of it, but she knew she couldn't hide it forever. She had to think of a solution.

Li Mumu watched her eyes darting around and realized—or rather, remembered—the plot in the novel where Lin Siyan would hire someone to claim her unborn child was a "lucky star," which had pleased Old Madam Li immensely.

A lucky star? She would wait and see whether the child in her belly was a lucky star for the Li family or a disaster.

As expected, the Li family went hungry for another morning. Old Madam Li cursed Li Rong and Li Fengzhu as they walked, calling them useless for only knowing how to eat and drink well themselves without bringing any food back for the family.

Li Rong lacked all spirit; serving a man at night and walking all day—she was a pregnant woman herself. If this continued, how could she hold up? During a rest stop, she discovered she was spotting. She knew the child was at risk. She had originally planned to use this child to turn her life around, but now, even if the child were to die, she had to ensure it died for a meaningful purpose.

"Hurry up and keep up!" the yamen runner urged impatiently.

Li Rong’s face looked ghastly, but she braced herself and walked over to Gu Yuru. Gu Yuru was surprised to see her former sister-in-law approaching.

"Third Sister-in-law."

"Don't call me that; it’s inappropriate," Gu Yuru said in a low voice.

Li Rong pouted. "I’ve called you that for ten years; I’m used to it. And in my heart, you are still my Third Sister-in-law."

Gu Yuru remained unmoved, merely holding her daughter’s hand and continuing forward. Everyone was exhausted; they were too tired to even speak.

"Fine, fine, Miss Gu, can I ask you for a favor?"

Li Mumu looked at Li Rong. This aunt of hers was definitely up to no good; she wasn't the type to do anyone a kindness. Suddenly, she realized something and pulled on her mother to leave, but Li Rong, unwilling to give up, reached out to grab Gu Yuru’s arm.

Even though nothing had happened, Li Rong fell heavily to the ground. "Ouch!"