Chapter 38 – Cannon-Fodder Old Woman Fleeing Famine (Part 8)

After Wang Daya left, Zhang Zhaodi couldn't help but scheme. With all the pancakes Grandma had been making lately, she thought it wise to slip some back to her own family during a visit. But she feared her strict sister-in-law, Zhao Xiaohua, would notice and punish her for slacking off, so she waited. When Xiaohua went into the outhouse, Zhaodi stealthily tucked a few pancakes into her room, planning to take them tomorrow.

Later, while flipping more pancakes, she casually probed, "Sister-in-law, why is Mother having us make so many pancakes lately?"Xiaohua smilingly replied, "I have no clue. Let's not guess—just do as Mother says."

Zhaodi envied Xiaohua, who at least had a son. With none of her own, she felt vulnerable and quickly set aside her earlier curiosity.

Meanwhile, Wang Daya and her second son reached the town. Passing the old grain shop, she noted that prices had surged yet again—proof that buying early paid off. She suspected profiteering, but as an ordinary woman, she wouldn't intervene.

At the donkey-cart dealer, the owner initially demanded 5 taels silver, which the clever second son haggled down to 4 taels 200 wén, and even got extra hay thrown in—his smooth tongue had succeeded!

The donkey-cart would ease travel for the children and mask their supplies and necessities.

Next, they visited the pharmacy and bought various medicines: wound balm, hemostatic powder, rodent repellent, cold remedies… Despite having meds in her space, Wang Daya wisely chose local remedies to avoid suspicion. It cost 4 taels silver, and with no bargaining allowed, it drained most of their funds.

Impressed, the second son realized their family was still financially stable, and vowed to serve his mother well.

Wang Daya then stocked up on essentials—grass paper, lime, water skins, machetes, raincoats... She bought anything she thought might be useful. She loaded everything into the donkey-cart, tucked it into her space, then handed the remaining 30 wén to her son and sent him off to get treats.

She had one more plan: to replenish funds for future tolls she anticipated during the famine exodus. Dressed in a male gown, tall heels hidden under the long coat, and sporting a fake beard, she headed back to the pawnshop as a man. There, she pawned two pieces of jewelry and fetched 50 taels silver in small change.

Knowing her space couldn't hold living things, she planned to haul the cart back at night to avoid village attention. She instructed her son to head home and relay the plan while she stayed behind to bring the cart back later.

But she overestimated her abilities. Maneuvering the donkey-cart was trickier than expected, and her stumble-prone steering slightly derailed their timeline—another small bump on the long, rugged road ahead.