Chapter 35: Who Is Trying to Harm Mu Mu?

Seeing everyone’s anxious expressions, Li Mumu felt a playful urge. "The immortal said… said…"

"Oh, hurry up and tell us!" Old Madam Li was frantic. "What exactly did he say?"

"Perhaps she’s forgotten," Zhao sneered. "What kind of immortal is this, anyway? Insisting on taking a foolish girl with him."

"Shut your mouth," Old Madam Li snapped, glaring at her. "How dare you speak ill of an immortal."

The old woman now treated the blind man like a living deity and would not tolerate anyone criticizing him. "Mumu, think carefully. Did the immortal say when we might be able to return to the capital?"

Li Mumu shook her head. "The immortal said Mumu must be careful, as someone wants to harm me."

Everyone’s eyes darted toward Lin Siyan. Lin Siyan was truly at a loss for words. "You... why are you all looking at me? When have I ever harmed her?"

"You haven't harmed her yet, but who’s to say about the future? After all, you’re the one who caused Yunzhe’s death," Zhao continued to stir the pot, then invoked the old madam's logic: "Could the immortal possibly be wrong?"

"Brother Yuan, you know me. I wouldn't even dare to step on an ant; how could I ever harm anyone? That blind man is likely a fraud from who knows where. For all we know, someone might have bribed him." As she spoke, Lin Siyan glanced toward the Gu family.

Unexpectedly, Old Madam Li defied expectations and slapped her again. Lin Siyan had suffered quite a few blows today. "You little harlot, do you think an immortal can be bribed? Even if he could, hasn't everything he said come true? Since you arrived at the Li household, we haven't had a single good day. Third Son, your crushing defeat in battle was also cursed by this wretch."

Li Yuan’s eyes flickered. He had indeed delayed military intelligence because of his dalliance with Lin Siyan, so he could not claim to be entirely blameless.

"Mother, hasn't the disaster already been averted?" Li Yuan still seemed to be protecting Lin Siyan.

However, Li Mumu felt that her scumbag father couldn't be entirely unbothered in his heart.

Old Madam Li glared at Lin Siyan hatefully. "Whether the disaster is averted remains to be seen."

Li Mumu smiled triumphantly. From this day on, whenever anyone in the Li family had a headache, a fever, or a stumble, it would be blamed on Lin Siyan and the child in her womb.

The hour was late, and Old Madam Li lacked the energy to settle scores. She told her daughters-in-law to prepare dinner; now that they had supplies, they should at least have one full meal.

"Be frugal!" Old Madam Li exclaimed, her heart aching when she saw Lin Siyan taking a generous amount of rice. "You wasteful thing, five taels of silver for one meal? You really are something."

Lin Siyan had grievances she couldn't voice, so she put some of the rice back. She had already eaten her fill outside earlier anyway, so going without was fine.

"Mother, didn't the fortune teller say we would have good news soon? There's no need to be so frugal. I haven't eaten meat in days, and there's no oil in my belly—I can't even go to the bathroom."

Old Madam Li nodded slightly; it did make some sense.

"Didn't you see Mother nod? How is that little bit supposed to feed everyone?" Li Sheng saw she had only taken one bowl of rice and barked unhappily, "You eat the best of everything yourself, but you won't even give us a bit of rice. Third Brother, what kind of woman have you chosen? She’s far worse than the previous sister-in-law."

Li Yuan furrowed his brow, looking as if he had swallowed something foul. Lin Siyan felt even more humiliated; she had once been the apple of Li Yuan’s eye, but now anyone could berate her.

"Hurry up, are you trying to starve us to death?" Li Ye also urged impatiently.

Lin Siyan glanced at Li Yuan and found him staring at Gu Yuru. In an instant, a tidal wave of hatred rose within her.

Gu Yuru, however, remained unmoved. At that moment, she was washing the rice while pondering her younger daughter’s behavior.

The inn’s kitchen had been borrowed by the Li family. To avoid unnecessary conflict, the Gu family simply lit a fire outside to prepare a few simple dishes.

After waiting in vain for Gu Yuru’s response, Li Yuan withdrew his gaze in frustration and let out a deep sigh.

"Huh?" Song Qiang exclaimed.

Zhang Yi hurried over. "Sister-in-law, what is it?"

Song Qiang shook her head, looking puzzled. "Sister-in-law, look at this meat. I only sliced it once, just enough for tonight, fearing it would spoil by tomorrow. But why does it seem to have grown larger?"

Zhang Yi chuckled. "Sister-in-law, what’s gotten into you? First you said the rice was multiplying, and now you say the meat is growing. It’s lucky they didn’t shortchange us; would they give us extra? I think you’re just exhausted. My cooking isn’t as good as yours, but let me take over today. You go sit and rest."

Song Qiang shook her head. "Sister-in-law, I’m not joking!"

Zhang Yi pursed her lips. Though her hair was messy and she was weary, her refined temperament remained. "I’m not joking either. Sister-in-law, you are truly just too tired."

Song Qiang was baffled, but she felt Zhang Yi had a point. They were strangers, after all; it was good enough that they weren't being cheated. She must have misread the situation, perhaps due to being busy.

Once the rice was in the pot, Gu Yuru beckoned to Li Mumu, who was playing with her brothers. "Mumu, come to Mother."

Since there was food today, Li Mumu didn't need to worry about how to improve their diet, so she sat quietly. She guessed that the mathematical ability she had just displayed must have aroused her mother’s suspicions.

However, she hadn't intended to keep that a secret forever. She stood up and walked toward Gu Yuru with a smile. "Mother."

As soon as Li Mumu opened her mouth, Gu Yuru popped a piece of candy into it.

Li Mumu’s space was stocked with countless supplies—dozens, if not hundreds, of varieties of candy—and the space kept food from rotting or spoiling. Yet, she felt that no candy had ever tasted as good as this one.

In the apocalypse, it wasn't the zombies that were terrifying, but the lack of human morality. She hadn't felt such genuine affection in a very long time. "Mother! It’s so sweet."

Gu Yuru stroked her head, led her daughter to a corner, bent down, and lowered her voice. "Mumu, do you have something to tell Mother?"

Li Mumu knew that a daughter of the Duke’s mansion could never truly be a fool.

"Mother, Mumu is not foolish anymore."

It took a long while for those words to sink in for Gu Yuru. Her daughter had whispered similar things while nestled in her arms before, but back then, she had known all too well that her daughter was different from other children.

But at this moment, she believed it. She pulled her daughter’s small body into an embrace, her eyes turning red instantly. "Mother... Mother knew it. Mumu is no less capable than other children, just... just a little late."

Li Mumu’s heart ached. It was a pity that the innocent little life that knew nothing had long since been kicked to death by her biological father.

"When did this happen?" Gu Yuru asked, her voice trembling.

Li Mumu replied truthfully, "Ever since I fell from upstairs, I’ve felt different than before."

Gu Yuru pulled back slightly to look closely at the little girl before her. Li Mumu swallowed nervously. Her mother should believe her, right?