Chapter 8: It Was All Her Doing

When Li Mumu returned the silver notes to Madam Gu, Zhang Xiang did not lose his temper; instead, he smiled warmly and said, “Captain Ling is truly a straightforward man.”

The others were confused by his words, but curiously, Zhang Xiang still reminded them to keep the notes safe before leaving.

“This…” Madam Gu held the silver notes, puzzled. “What is going on?”

Zhang Yi and Gu Yuru shook their heads, while Song Qiang, unable to ponder more, quickly glanced at the notes. “Only two hundred taels.”

Madam Gu frowned. Just two hundred taels? Even the constables wouldn’t disdain such an amount, considering their meager salaries.

“Two hundred taels is the savings Yunhe has accumulated over many years. He’s just a captain; this is more than his pay for two years. The second branch of the family—if you’re ungrateful, that’s one thing, but to disdain this?” Madam Gu couldn’t help but speak out. She was no pushover herself and had dealt with many quarrelsome young ladies in her youth.

Song Qiang reluctantly fell silent, fearing the old lady might start dragging the Song family into this, which would be even more embarrassing.

“How could he refuse so much money and return it to us? Mother, what on earth is he thinking?” Gu Yuru suspected Zhang Xiang was greedy, yet he returned the silver notes after receiving them?

Something was definitely amiss.

They pondered for a while but couldn’t figure it out.

Of course, they couldn’t.

Li Mumu smiled brightly.

Just as Zhang Xiang was about to approach, she swiftly entered the space and rapidly wrote a letter. By the time the silver notes reached her hands, they had already turned into that letter.

The letter, forged in Ling Yunhe’s name, promised Zhang Xiang a reward of five hundred taels if he safely escorted them to the northern lands.

Naturally, Zhang Xiang couldn’t distinguish the handwriting, and upon seeing the five hundred taels, his heart leapt with joy.

A mere letter—he scorned it.

Using the same method, Li Mumu transformed the letter back into silver notes when retrieving it.

Zhang Xiang never knew about the silver notes at all.

As for the five hundred taels reward, Zhang Xiang would have to come back to claim it.

“Is this food for people? I won’t eat it. Where’s the foolish girl who went to get the buns? Why isn’t she back yet?” Li Rong’s sharp voice shattered the silence.

Li Mumu sneered inwardly—this was exile, not her cozy warm bed.

Having something to eat was already fortunate; if they refused it, so be it. One meal a day—let’s see how she manages at night.

Old Madam Li also looked toward the Gu family, sighing heavily. The meaning was clear without words.

***

With the help of his sons, Master Gu sat down. “Madam, there’s so much food; we can’t finish it all at once. Let’s share some with them.”

Just as Li Mumu contemplated how to dissuade her grandfather from playing the good guy, her gentle and kind grandmother suddenly roared, “If you can’t finish it, then eat more. Are you afraid of getting stuffed?”

Li Mumu was stunned. The Gu family of more than a dozen fell silent.

Master Gu did not lose his temper, seeming quite accustomed to this. “Madam, what’s wrong with you?”

“None of your business,” Madam Gu said coldly.

Li Mumu saw her otherwise imposing grandfather now meek as a kitten, barely suppressing a laugh. She hadn’t expected him to be so henpecked.

But it was good—her grandmother was sensible.

Madam Gu seemed to be venting her anger at the Li family. “Yuru, take these back for you and the children to eat. Remember, only for you and the children.”

Before, Gu Yuru would have been quick to plead with elders and her husband, but now she was no pushover. Taking the food, she nodded. “I understand.”

Then she took her daughter back to the Gu household, creating a clear division between the two families. Outsiders might think there was some deep grudge.

Li Yuan saw the mother and daughter return with food, which was much better than the thin soup and rough sour buns given earlier.

Yet he wore a displeased expression. “Why is there only so little? There are so many people—how can this be enough?”

He moved to take the food from Gu Yuru, but she dodged.

“What are you doing?” Li Yuan snapped angrily.

Gu Yuru rolled her eyes. “Why should I share? Mother gave this just for me and the children.”

Li Yuan widened his eyes, as if not understanding. “What about my mother? What about Siyuan? And me?”

Li Mumu pointed to the battered bun, trampled beyond recognition. “Father, eat it!”

“Get lost!” Li Yuan angrily stomped it a few more times.

Li Mumu was certain that whenever he lifted his foot, it was meant to kick her.

Alas, all he could do was vent his impotent rage.

“Wasting food will bring retribution,” Li Mumu’s innocent eyes blinked as she warned.

She wasn’t lying; just wait and see.

“Shut up!” Li Yuan roared angrily.

“Gu Yuru, I could overlook the trouble your foolish daughter caused Siyuan before, but only if you stop making a scene. Hurry and fetch more food—Siyuan is still pregnant,” he commanded.

***

Lin Siyuan shook her head. “I’m fine. It’s just that the old madam is elderly—she can’t eat these things. It would be too much for her body.”

Sure enough, a calculating green tea lady. Li Mumu didn’t believe that if her mother really brought food, Lin Siyuan wouldn’t eat it.

Old Madam Li swallowed hard but said nothing, only pursed her lips at Gu Yuru and sighed deeply, making sure everyone heard.

“Ah~”

Seeing the Li family gather around, Li Mumu quickly fed herself and shared food with her three brothers.

The Li family did not snatch it; after all, they thought Gu Yuru would return for more.

Gu Yuru, watching her children devour the food, felt a pang of heartache and coldly asked, “Didn’t you say my mother’s things were dirty?”

Li Yuan frowned. “I… when did I say that? Who told you?”

His gaze fixed on Li Mumu, who was eating a meat bun heartily. “You stupid fool, how could you tell your mother that?”

Seeing her daughter scolded, Gu Yuru pulled her close.

Li Mumu’s heart warmed, and she smiled foolishly, speaking with utmost seriousness and devotion: “Father said it was dirty and wouldn’t eat it.”

“Yes, I said the buns were dirty and couldn’t be eaten, and told your mother to bring clean ones,” Li Yuan said. “You really are an idiot. Did you get it wrong?”

Li Mumu looked innocent.

“Forget it. I shouldn’t have let her deliver the message. Yuru, go get some more,” his tone softened slightly.

Li Mumu was surprised. “But grandmother said no, only for mother, brothers, and me. No one else!”

Tell me, isn't that infuriating?

Li Yuan gritted his teeth, about to say they could share Li Mumu’s buns, but saw she had finished not only hers but also her brothers’ portions.

Only two large buns remained in Gu Yuru’s hands.

All eyes in the Li family were fixed on them.

Gu Yuru had already made up her mind, but hearing it come from Li Yuan’s mouth made her heart shrink sharply.

“Then don’t eat them. One for mother, one for Siyuan!”