1.5

If the original owner still remembered her mother, who died to protect her, she could apply to be reborn to the time when Mrs. Bai was still alive.

But the original owner's choice was to be reborn in the palace, seduce Xiao Jie, and take revenge on Xiao Shu, without ever considering saving Mrs. Bai's life.

Wushuang clasped Mrs. Bai's hand, the chill of the evening air seeping through their thin clothes. With a warm smile, she promised, "Don't worry, Mom. I'll make sure you have white flour and meat every day until you've had enough."

Mrs. Bai laughed through her tears, her voice trembling with emotion. "White flour and meat? How could I ever get tired of such delicious food?"

Seeing Mrs. Bai's insistence to eat more, Wushuang urged, "You should eat the noodles before they get cold."

The bowl of noodles, now reheated by the shop owner, was a comfort on the cold night. The noodles were slightly broken, but the rich, meaty aroma was irresistible. Wushuang took a hearty bite, savoring the flavors.

Looks like I underestimated my appetite. One bowl might not be enough; I could eat three more. But let's not overdo it—eating too much at once is never a good idea.

The shop owner had returned with a collection of fine supplies. He had spared no expense, buying the best blank plaques and high-quality paints. He rearranged several tables to accommodate Wushuang's work, his eagerness evident.

Wushuang, keen to earn the remaining silver, set to work immediately. The shop was illuminated by candles, casting a warm glow over her as she painted. Her brush moved steadily, each stroke meticulously capturing the essence of the steaming noodles on the plaque.

Time seemed to stretch as she worked from dawn until dusk, and even as night fell, she continued her labor. The shop owner had arranged candles around her, creating a circle of light in the dim room.

By midnight, her body ached from sitting in one position for so long. Her waist, in particular, was a persistent source of discomfort.

Mrs. Bai, ever attentive, came over and began rubbing Wushuang's back with gentle concern. "Yaya, you must be so tired. Let me help."

The plaque, now completed, showcased a bowl of noodles that looked almost too real. The intricate details—the sheen of the broth, the glistening pieces of meat—made it the most eye-catching sign among the plain wooden plaques.

The shop owner's face lit up with satisfaction. He beamed at Wushuang, his eyes sparkling with gratitude. "This is perfect! Here's the remaining silver." He handed over the second tael of silver with a flourish. "And please, have some more noodles." He had prepared two large bowls of noodles, rich with chunks of meat.

As Wushuang and Mrs. Bai dug into the freshly made noodles, the flavors were even more pronounced. The noodles were tender, the meat was succulent, and every bite was a warm comfort.

This is the real deal. No wonder people rave about these noodles.

After their meal, the shop owner offered them a place to stay for the night. "Miss Wushuang, Madam Bai, it's late and curfew is in effect. Please, stay here. I have an empty room you can use."

Mrs. Bai murmured her thanks, almost overwhelmed. Wushuang, recognizing the shop owner's shyness, took the lead. "Thank you, boss. We're grateful for your hospitality. Without you, we'd be struggling to find a place to stay."

"It's no trouble at all," the owner said, a bit flustered. "I won't disturb you. There's hot water in the kitchen if you need it."

The next morning, after bidding farewell to their generous host, Wushuang and Mrs. Bai ventured out.

At the bun shop next door, Wushuang bought six large buns. Each bun was hefty, filled with generous portions of meat. They cost three copper coins each—pricier than usual, but worth every penny.

Wushuang ate two buns, leaving the rest for Mrs. Bai. At first, Mrs. Bai hesitated, reluctant to eat so much, but Wushuang insisted. "Mom, these buns are a treat. You need to eat them now, or they'll go to waste."

After a bit of persuasion, Mrs. Bai ate four buns, her earlier reluctance giving way to enjoyment.

With their hunger satisfied, Wushuang took Mrs. Bai to the grain store. She bought ten kilograms of brown rice and ten kilograms of black flour. Despite Wushuang's preference for finer grains, Mrs. Bai was determined to save money, insisting on the cheaper options.

"Mom, if you keep insisting on frugality, you'll never enjoy anything," Wushuang said, a hint of frustration in her voice.

But then again, I guess if I earn more, she won't have to be so stingy.

Next, they went to buy clothes. Wushuang decided against making clothes herself. "Mom, it's freezing outside. Making clothes from scratch will take too long. If we get sick, the medical bills will be higher than buying ready-made clothes."

Mrs. Bai countered, "You won't freeze. It's warm in the snow house. You can wear fewer clothes. Let's just wait until you finish making your clothes."

Wushuang sighed in exasperation. "Mom, do you think my painting of the plaque will make people want to eat noodles?"

Mrs. Bai considered this and nodded. "Yes, the noodles in the painting look very appetizing. I'd want to eat them if I saw them."

"Exactly," Wushuang said. "The plaque will attract more customers to the shop. If we keep wearing tattered clothes while dealing with these business owners, they might think less of us. We need to present ourselves well."

Mrs. Bai's concern was evident. "But…"

Wushuang pressed on. "No 'buts,' Mom. If we're dressed poorly, they'll think I'm unfilial. And you know what they say about appearances."

Mrs. Bai's worry melted into determination. "Alright, I'll buy you a dress. I'll make my own clothes."

Wushuang shook her head. "No, I need you with me when I paint. I can't handle being alone."

Seeing Mrs. Bai's reluctance, Wushuang continued, "If I'm going to be judged on how well we present ourselves, we need to look the part."

"Alright, alright," Mrs. Bai relented, "but let's keep it reasonable."

Wushuang successfully persuaded her mother into a clothing store. They selected four sets of thick jackets and skirts—two for themselves and two for Mrs. Ma and Mrs. Qian, who had helped them in the past.

Mrs. Bai was initially reluctant to buy clothes for herself, but when it came to helping others, she agreed without protest. Wushuang spent three hundred copper coins per set, a significant portion of their silver.

As they tried on their new clothes in the store's changing room, the warmth was immediate. The cotton-padded jackets provided a comfortable heat against the biting cold.

Mrs. Bai, though feeling a pang of guilt over the expense, smiled with relief. "These clothes are much warmer. I'm glad we bought them."

Wushuang observed her mother, feeling a mix of relief and satisfaction.

There's something gratifying about seeing her comfortable and warm. Even if it means spending almost all of our silver, it's worth it.

With the new clothes on and the cold no longer biting at their skin, Wushuang and Mrs. Bai prepared to face the day, ready to continue their journey in a world that was, for them, still full of challenges and opportunities.