At the beginning of the famine, I became famous all over the world with my useless system

Not only Zhao'er, but several others looked at Lin Qing in surprise.

It was Gu Ermiao who reacted first. He pulled his mother aside and asked in a low voice, "Mom, are you serious?"

Seeing Lin Qing nodded, Gu Ermiao showed an unconcealable worry on his face.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally spoke up to stop it.

"Mom, you know we've only just had a few full meals. Besides, my eldest brother has to take the imperial examinations in the future, and who knows how much money he'll have to spend... Even if the sour jujube cakes can bring in some income, the sour jujubes will always be picked... So, isn't it a bit hasty to add more people now?"

He originally wanted to say, "What's more, she's a girl", but then he remembered that his mother was also a girl, so he swallowed the words.

"So why don't we find her a job?"

Lin Qing knew that her second son was considering it honestly, but looking at Zhao'er's pitiful appearance, she really couldn't bear to just leave him alone.

"Er Miao, I know what you want to say. Our abilities are limited, and there are so many pitiful people in this world. How can we lend a helping hand to everyone? But don't forget how we got through when we couldn't afford to eat.

"Saving lives isn't a business that's all about returns and gains and losses. Besides, money is earned, not saved. Besides jujube cakes, we can do other businesses."

Gu Ermiao was obviously not convinced, and immediately came up with other excuses.

"Mother, they say people's hearts are hidden in their belly. You can't just pick up someone on the street and bring them home. What she just said is one-sided. Who knows the real reason? Besides, she was sold to someone as a concubine by my father, so maybe she has her own problems..."

"Gu Ermiao!"

Lin Qing suddenly called out his full name in a cold voice, which frightened Gu Ermiao so much that he shut up in panic. He instantly realized what he had said that was extremely treasonous, and cold sweat broke out on his back.

My mother was almost sold to the Jia Mansion by my uncle. According to him, isn't my mother also at fault?

Thinking of this, Gu Ermiao apologized eagerly.

"Mom, I...I didn't mean that...Please don't be angry..."

"Ermiao, mother knows you're a good child. You said that for the sake of our family. Just because you can eat anything you want, you can't say anything you want. Think before you speak in the future. Otherwise, illness will come from your mouth and disaster will come from your mouth."

Gu Ermiao showed regret on his face and was obviously reflecting seriously.

Ever since she woke up, her mother had always been smiling. No matter what dangers or hardships she encountered, she remained calm and composed. Aside from the time she hit her uncle, he had never seen her speak so harshly...

Gu Ermiao, ah Gu Ermiao, how can you be so complacent?

Mother just promised them not to split up the family. Aren't you forcing her to change her decision?

Just as he was thinking about how to reform himself, he was even more shocked by what his mother said next.

"But I'm not a prophet, and your words aren't entirely without truth. Let's observe Zhao'er's character. I promise you, if she has ulterior motives, I'll be the first to kick her out of the house. Okay?"

Seeing that his mother handed him the ladder first, Gu Ermiao couldn't help but take advantage of the situation. He smiled with his teeth showing: "Okay, I'll do as you say!"

The mother and son who successfully reached a consensus never expected that their good plan would be rejected by the person involved.

Zhao'er had stopped crying by now, gathered her clothes together, and said, "Aunt, I am very grateful for your kindness, but I am an unlucky person. My mother got sick when she gave birth to me, which caused my sister and brother to be born with deficiencies.

"My family used to be okay, but because of my mother's illness, we gradually fell into poverty and became bullied by everyone. Now we can't even afford to eat...

"Don't be afraid of Auntie laughing at you. If it weren't for this, Father wouldn't have sold me as a concubine. You've been so kind to me, and I naturally want to repay you. But I'm really afraid that if I follow you home, I'll bring misfortune to your family too... Then I'll be guilty of a thousand deaths!"

Zhang Maoen originally wanted to praise Lin Qing for her noble act, but when he heard Zhao'er's refusal, he wanted to praise her for being sensible and knowing right from wrong. However, he was shocked when he heard her explain the whole story.

This, in this world, not only are there people who steal food, but there are also people who sell their daughters as concubines?

Lin Tingting listened to Zhao'er's words of grievance and almost cried again. He smiled and comforted her, "Feudal superstition is not good! If you are scared to live a good life because of these unfounded things, that is not right!"

Gu Ermiao was now completely on his mother's side: "That's right, and besides, our family isn't living a good life either. I was afraid you'd want to run away after seeing this!"

Zhao'er, who was about to cry, almost laughed at his words, but she pursed her lips tightly and dared not smile.

Gu Sihe was overjoyed when he heard his mother say that she wanted to take Zhao'er back home. He was still young and didn't understand what his second brother was worried about. He was just happy that he was going to have a sister!

He had always envied little boys who had older sisters at home. Now that his wish had come true, he had been trying to please and tease her to make her happy. Now he even resorted to acting like a spoiled child and looked at her pitifully.

"God must have heard me say before bed every night that I wanted a sister, so he sent you here, right? Sister Zhao'er, if you don't agree, I will wake up crying in my dreams every night!"

Suddenly, Gu Ermiao's voice of pouring cold water came from the corner.

"I'm thankful that you don't wet the bed at night!"

This time, Zhao'er couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Looking at Gu Sihe's funny appearance, he couldn't help but think of his infant brother, and his heart softened.

If she had known that she couldn't go back this time, she should have hugged him tightly.

When Gu Sihe saw Zhao'er start to lose consciousness, he knew that she must have had some thoughts. After holding her hand and begging for a few more words, he saw Zhao'er finally nod slowly and couldn't help jumping up.

"Wow, I'm going to have a sister!"

Zhang Maoen had been watching quietly from the sidelines. Seeing that things had finally come to a happy conclusion, he was deeply moved. He said with a sigh, "Madam, this girl has decided to go home with you. This is truly a good thing. To celebrate, please accept this small gift."

Seeing that he handed over a bulging small purse without hesitation, Lin Qing looked not pitiful but sincere, and it was obvious that he was sincerely congratulating her.

"Mr. Zhang, thank you for your kindness, but it's unnecessary. I believe we can live a good life on our own."

Although Zhang Maoen thought she was dreaming, he still showed great respect on the surface.

"In that case, please accept this jade pendant, madam. Don't worry, it's not made of fine material, but it can be considered a keepsake of our family. If you encounter any trouble, just give it to the messenger or the government, and someone will surely be willing to lend a hand."

Lin Qing hadn't expected Zhang Maoen to be so generous, but she knew she shouldn't refuse him again. Smiling, she accepted the jade pendant and said, "A promise from the prefectural prince is a hundred times more valuable than money."

Zhang Maoen's ears were filled with such compliments, but he was actually happy from the bottom of his heart when he heard Lin Qing say this.