Chapter 30: On the Way

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: On the Way

"Hurry, something’s happening." The group, who had been resting, was woken by the person on watch.

Everyone’s first reaction was to grip their makeshift weapons, their faces tense.

"What is it?" Liu Chunsheng, who was near the edge of the group, didn’t see any outsiders and was the first to ask.

Gu Mingxia had a mysterious look on his face. "A miracle has appeared."

At those few words, everyone shot upright, their eyes fixed on Gu Mingxia.

In that moment, everyone’s eyes were shining. It meant they had found hope for survival again.

"Where?" Gu Daping, looking thrilled, started getting his bamboo tube ready, already wondering how much water they would each get this time.

Gu Mingxia pointed toward the front of the column. "It’s all with the village chief and his people. Based on our numbers, our group has been allocated two large buckets. We should go in batches so we don’t arouse any suspicion."

Everyone nodded in understanding and began walking forward in an orderly fashion, in twos and threes according to their family groupings.

’My supply won’t last much longer,’ Jin Qianqian thought, a bitter feeling rising in her heart despite seeing everyone’s joyful expressions.

At first, she thought she had stored too much water, but after giving it out all along the way, her supply of purified water was about to run out.

All that was left now were drinks and juices. If she actually started handing those out, it would cause a huge commotion.

Ancient Wen Heng said, "Don’t worry. Once we get a little closer to Shangjing, the high-ranking officials and nobles there—whether for the sake of their reputation or to maintain stability—won’t be as merciless as the ones we’ve met so far."

Many places they had passed clearly had water sources, but the local officials were only concerned with the stability of their own jurisdictions, forcefully blocking the refugees. Otherwise, so many people wouldn’t have died along the way.

Jin Qianqian, however, was overcome with self-blame. "Why didn’t I think to stock up on more water back then? I could have saved more people."

"You’ve already done so much," Ancient Wen Heng said, looking at the girl before him. At the beginning of their journey, she couldn’t stand being covered in filth and just wanted to wash herself. Now, she carefully rationed every single drop of water.

He had even seen her secretly give her own drinking water to a few children, then sneak sips of the carbonated drinks she couldn’t reveal to quench her own thirst.

"Eldest, you and your brothers, come over here for a minute." They had just finished distributing the water when Gu Dashishi, with his hands behind his back, called the Gu family’s brothers together.

They all looked at each other. ’Shouldn’t we be resting right now? What’s he stirring up trouble for?’

"I called you over because there’s something I need to discuss with you," Gu Dashishi said, waiting until all his sons were seated on the ground.

"Where’s Mom?" Gu Yuanjin asked, looking at the gathering of only men and finally sensing something was off.

Usually, the old lady made all the decisions in the family. Why was the old man speaking up now?

Gu Dashishi glanced at his eldest. "Your mother? I sent her to check on how your sister is doing. She’ll be back in a bit."

The brothers exchanged a look. ’He sent the old lady away.’ They wondered what important matter their father had to discuss that required such secrecy.

"Dad, if you have something to say, just say it. It’s my turn on watch today, and I need to get some rest," Gu Yuanmu said with a yawn. If he didn’t rest well, he wouldn’t have the energy for the night’s journey.

"What’s the rush? Is your sleep more important, or is your younger brother’s marriage more important?" Gu Dashishi slapped his thigh. Beside him, Gu Yuanlei shyly lowered his head.

"What? Little Lei found someone?" Gu Yuanjin’s face lit up with joy. If the youngest got married, he could finally start his own household.

"He certainly has," Gu Dashishi said, his face also beaming with pleasure. ’I can finally report to my ancestors. My life’s work has been worth it—I’ve raised all my sons and seen them all married. From now on, I can enjoy a peaceful retirement.’

But when he thought about their current situation, Gu Dashishi’s expression darkened, and his cheerful mood vanished.

"Whose daughter is she?" Ancient Wen Heng was already trying to recall which family Gu Yuanlei had been close to recently. ’Who played matchmaker?’

"She’s not from our group," Gu Dashishi said, not beating around the bush. "Just now, when the youngest went out to look for wild vegetables, he found a girl who had fainted. He took pity on her and gave her a few sips of water. Well, when the girl woke up, she was so grateful she insisted on staying by his side to repay him for saving her life."

At this, the very tips of Gu Yuanlei’s ears turned bright red, and he hung his head even lower.

"So?" Seeing his other brothers were all stunned, Ancient Wen Heng had to ask, "Our family just got a wife for free?" ’Isn’t this a bit too hasty?’

"How can you say ’for free’?" Gu Yuanlei, forgetting his shyness, lifted his head and looked nervously at Gu Dashishi.

Gu Dashishi patted his hand reassuringly before turning back to the other Gu brothers. "This girl has a father and mother. Of course she wouldn’t follow our youngest for nothing. We still have to provide a proper bride price."

As the eldest brother, Gu Yuanjin naturally nodded. "That’s only right. But everyone’s struggling right now. They won’t ask for too much, will they?"

The other brothers’ hearts began to pound. ’Dad isn’t about to ask us to lend him Silver Taels, is he?’

"No, no, no! Lan Ying said she doesn’t want a bride price. She just needs some water to keep her family alive," Gu Yuanlei blurted out excitedly, speaking before Gu Dashishi could.

"No bride price? Just some water?" Gu Yuanmu nearly jumped to his feet. Seeing his father glare at him, he swallowed the rest of his words and muttered, "That’s practically a death sentence—worse than asking for money."

The brothers all understood. No wonder they had all been called over. Their help was needed.

"It’s not much. We all just received water today. Half a bamboo tube from each person will be enough."

Gu Yuanhuo was the most impatient. "What? ’Half a tube each is enough’? My whole family only got a tube and a half total! What kind of girl is so precious she costs three or four tubes of water?"

Sitting to the side, Ancient Wen Heng almost couldn’t hold it in. He struggled to suppress his laughter. He figured no one could have imagined that a bride could be "bought" not with a bride price, but measured in water.

He quickly composed himself, the old saying coming to mind: ’A woman in chaotic times is worth a peck of rice; a woman in prosperous times is worth ten thousand in gold.’

He didn’t know whether he should marvel that these few tubes of water were now more valuable than rice, or if they were worth even more than that.

"Isn’t this a perfect opportunity? Think about it. Right now, you only need to give up a little water to settle your brother’s marriage. It’s a much better deal than paying with real gold and silver later on."

The more Gu Dashishi spoke, the more he felt it was a bargain. He didn’t even bother discussing it further and said directly, "Here are my bamboo tubes. Remember to fill them up for me."

Gu Yuanjin was hesitating, about to reach for them, when Gu Yuanmu and Gu Yuanshui, who were beside him, stopped him.