Chapter 9: The Life Raft

ned their cotton-padded jackets, revealing their battered and bruised bodies.The petty official gasped in shock. What else was there to misunderstand These people were the very mud-legged barbarians!...Old Mrs. Li pointed to the big boat with her granddaughter and laughed, 。"Your ship looks quite large, it must be spacious inside." 。If you don't mind, could you give us a ride Being on the same boat, this goat milk can be shared by both children. 。" Li Laoer and the others' eyes lit up as well. They moved forward in perfect unison to pay their respects. 。"Sir, we are all strong and can help with the work." 。And we also know some martial arts. We can help if you encounter trouble on the way. 。" Tao Hongying was equally unwilling to yield, following up with 。I can help with laundry and cooking. My ancestors were imperial cooks, so my dishes are both delicious and clean. 。"Even the young lads of Jia Ren and Jia Yi were clamoring, “We can scrub the deck and run errands at night.” 。The middle-aged manager didn't expect the Li family to have such a proposal, but after thinking about it carefully, it wasn't impossible. 。They left in a hurry this time, they didn't bring enough people, otherwise the master wouldn't only have one wet nurse by his side. 。If this family helps out with the work on board, he'll definitely have it easier. 。But he's just a steward, he still has to go back and ask his master. 。"Elder sister, I must go and report back to my master." 。The master is probably asleep right now. Tomorrow morning, I'll have someone give you a reply, okay 。Of course, Old Lady Li wholeheartedly agreed. The middle-aged steward then took the young servant back onto the boat. 。The Li family all breathed a sigh of relief, their eyes meeting with newfound joy. 。Only Wu Cuiflower, who had gained her freedom, muttered to herself. But under Li Laoer's cold gaze, she didn't dare speak loudly. 。Old Li instructed Li Lao Si to take good care of the sheep, then hugged Jia Yin and sat there in a daze. 。This matter concerns the Li family's future destiny. If it succeeds, their entire family will not have to trek thousands of miles 。In this troubled world, settling down a day earlier also means avoiding more accidents and dangers. 。Jiayin felt the trembling in Grandma's palm, sighed inwardly, and turned her little head to look around. 。Under the cover of night, everyone else in Li's family also had their eyes open, none of them could fall asleep. 。The bonfire beside the donkey cart was flickering in the river wind, just like the Li family's mood at the moment, wavering and uncertain. 。Even if there was just a sliver of hope, they desperately wanted to grasp it. 。Jia Yin stretched out her little hand and grasped Li Lao Tai's big hand, babbling softly to call her. 。"Funiu'er, are you hungry Jiarren, quickly squeeze some goat's milk and boil it!" Li Laotai hurriedly patted her granddaughter and called her grandson to help. 。The Li family seemed to be turned on by this shout, and they all got up and busy themselves. This somewhat eased the anxiety they had felt before. 。Children's bodies can't hold up for too long. Jia Yin drank the goat's milk and fell asleep again after a while. 。By the time she woke up, dawn had already broken. 。The Li family truly didn't sleep all night, everyone stayed up with red-rimmed eyes, anxiously waiting for the people on the boat to come over. 。When the sun completely jumped out of the horizon, a small servant finally jumped off the big boat and ran to Li's family. 。"Our madam has agreed, hurry and pack your things and come aboard with me!" The moment the servant's words left his mouth, the joy on the faces of the Li family became impossible to conceal. 。The servant's arrival brought more than just good news; it was the hope for the Li family's survival. 。No more sleeping rough or living in fear. 。Even the usually strong Li Lao Tai turned her head and wiped away a tear. 。Tao Hongying hugged her daughter tightly, kissing her again and again. Li Laosan and Zhao Yuru burst into tears, holding each other tightly. 。Jiaxi and Jianan were bouncing all over the place, letting out their excitement. 。After a night of anxious waiting, everyone can finally relax. 。Li Laotai took the granddaughter from Tao Hongying's arms, pressed her small face against hers, and said in a low voice: 。"All thanks to our granddaughter, she's blessed us with food and helped the whole family find a way to survive!""Grandma, let's go quickly!" 。How many people are watching We'll be in trouble if we delay any longer. 。“

The servant couldn't help urging, and the Li family also came to their senses and hurriedly packed up. >>> 。Li Lao'er was originally an accountant, and the only donkey in their family was entrusted to him for sale. 。Although I only got half the silver, it went very smoothly. 。In the meantime, everyone had also packed their belongings. 。With envious and covetous gazes from other refugees, he quickly followed the servant onto the boat. 。The middle-aged manager was waiting by the ship's railing last night. When he saw that Nanny Goat was the first to be carried onto the boat by Lao Si, he laughed and pointed at the little servant boy. 。Your accommodation has been arranged. Please follow Wang Fu to put your luggage away. 。The Li family are all polite and courteous. 。"My name is Wang Jian, you can call me Manager Wang from now on." 。“ Then, he turned to Old Lady Li and said: 。"Old Woman, our mistress heard that your child hasn't yet reached the full moon, and she asked me to bring the child to her." 。Okay, let's go together after you get things organized. 。Our wife spends the whole day on the ship, feeling quite stifled. 。Just chat with your wife casually, no need to be nervous. 。Li Laotai wouldn't dare refuse, so she took Tao Hongying and hurried to the cargo hold to change into clean clothes. Then she hugged Jiayin and followed Wang Guanxi to a room at the front of the big boat. 。"Madam, the Li family's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law have arrived." 。" Wang Guan shi gently knocked on the door and heard a response before carefully pushing it open, leading Mrs. Li and the others inside. 。This large ship already looks quite grand and imposing, but the decorations in the rooms on board are even more delicate and luxurious. 。 The polished yellow pear wood table and chairs were lustrous, and the delicately carved window shutters were covered in soft white paper. 。There was also an orange-yellow bronze incense burner on the table, with wisps of fine smoke rising from the holes at the top. The entire room was filled with a scent that made one feel calm and contemplative. 。Li Laotai had never seen such a scene before. She was stunned by the opulence around her. 。But it was just a fleeting moment, and she quickly suppressed her curiosity, lowering her gaze and standing respectfully behind Wang Guan. 。Tao Hongying also stood at the end, holding Jiayin properly, her gaze fixed on the floor half a meter in front of her feet, quiet and composed. 。The woman sitting on the chair by the window looked to be in her thirties, wearing a pale purple satin dress. 。Her raven hair was styled simply into a bun, with a delicate jeweled red hairpin adorning her head. It complemented her fair skin and red lips, instantly revealing her status as someone who lived a life of luxury and privilege. 。The little girl she held in her arms was about half a year old, delicate and beautiful. Her jet-black eyes were bright and lively, and she wore a scarlet dress that spoke of wealth and privilege. 。The noblewoman was pleased with the well-mannered demeanor of Li's daughter-in-law, and upon seeing the swaddled bundles in their arms, her eyes softened even further. 。She had no children in her early years. In order to have a child, she went everywhere to burn incense and pray to Buddha, doing good deeds to accumulate merit. 。She only got a daughter when she was close to thirty, and now that her love for her daughter is overflowing. 。So, this morning when Wang the Manager said it, she agreed. 。After all, poor families value silver very much. 。Li Jia'neng is truly remarkable for being willing to give up gold and silver for his children. 。Please have a seat and relax. 。Mrs. Sun raised her hand, gesturing for Li's wife and daughter-in-law to sit down. 。Li Laotai and Tao Hongying thanked each other, only daring to sit halfway on the chair. 。After a moment's thought, Old Mrs. Li lowered her voice and said sincerely, 。"Thank you, madam, for allowing our family to board your ship. Please rest assured, we will behave ourselves and not cause any trouble on board. We will also do our best to repay your kindness." 。“That’s well said,” Mrs. Sun felt relieved upon hearing it, and just as she was about to speak, she saw Jia Yin straining her neck with all her might, as if eager to catch a glimpse of the drama unfolding. 。The baby's face is so pure and white, chubby and round. Just looking at it makes people feel happy. 。. The two waved their hands and knew, they didn't care at all, but Lao Li still prepared a meal for Liu Yang!Fortunately, Liu Yang had a big heart and didn't mind his parents ignoring him. Otherwise,...