After returning to the capital, the eldest daughter saved her entire clan with her medical skills.

Today was a rare sunny day, and Xue Ruanruan, who rarely had such a leisurely time, decided to take a stroll in the market.

The jade pendant's space was filled with rice straw and wheat stalks, and large patches of lush pasture grew there, making it perfect for raising livestock such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and deer.

When the time comes, they can be cured into delicious bacon and stored away, then sent to their fathers and brothers far away on the frontier to enjoy.

The border region is harsh and cold, with a severe environment where a fierce and brutal war with the Turks could break out at any time.

If you can't even fill your stomach, how can you have enough strength to fight off the enemy?

Regardless of the emperor's intentions, Xue Ruanruan would never allow her father, brothers, and clansmen to be in danger.

The streets were bustling with people, and the cries of vendors filled the air. Xue Ruanruan headed straight for the cattle, horse, mule, and sheep trading area on West Street.

That place was the main trading center for livestock in the capital, with the largest and most complete selection of livestock; you could buy almost anything you wanted there.

Women rarely come here, so before leaving the mansion, she deliberately changed into men's clothing and used a disguise technique, swaggering among the various vendors.

"Young master, would you like to buy cattle, sheep, donkeys, horses, or mules? Just name your name, and I can get you anything."

A man in a cotton robe saw Xue Ruanruan and immediately followed, his eyes gleaming.

Those who have been in the livestock business for years need to have the ability to judge people to survive in a chaotic environment.

This young master is clearly a big customer; if we treat him well, we might be able to make back all the money we lost during the winter.

"Either is fine, but cubs are best."

Xue Ruanruan was dazzled by the sights, but she rarely saw any cubs.

The adult livestock were so thin and emaciated, looking like they could die at any moment, that she couldn't bear to look at them.

“Young master wants cubs? That’s not easy to find. As you know, there have been many days of heavy snow since the beginning of winter this year, and livestock are in dire need of food. Even if the cubs are born, they won’t survive.”

The broker looked troubled. He had thought he had encountered a big customer, but he hadn't expected that the customer wanted to buy a cub.

This year, grain prices have skyrocketed, and ordinary people can't even afford to eat grain themselves. Some poorer families have started eating straw and bran and competing with livestock for food.

Many families couldn't afford to raise livestock and had to sell them at the market. Aside from the high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital, ordinary families couldn't afford to buy livestock.

This has made business very difficult this year. He hasn't been able to open for business for quite some time. He's even more anxious because his family is waiting for him to earn money to buy food.

“Young master, I have two calves at home, they were just born a couple of days ago. I don’t know if they will suit your taste.”

Suddenly, a weathered, aged voice reached my ears.

Looking in the direction of the sound, one could see an old man dressed in coarse linen clothes filled with willow catkins, his face covered with wrinkles, standing up from the corner.

His face was haggard, and his body trembled slightly, like a candle flickering in the wind.

His rough, large hands rubbed nervously back and forth, as if trying to ease his inner tension, while his eyes were fixed on Xue Ruanruan, revealing endless expectation and hope.

"Yes"

Xue Ruanruan originally thought of finding a broker to help her buy it, to save herself the trouble and effort, but looking at the hopeful old man, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.

Standing beside him was an old yellow ox, which looked very old but was well taken care of, unlike the other livestock which were thin and bony.

The old ox seemed to understand that its owner was going to sell it. Its eyes welled up with tears, and it rubbed against the old man's hand affectionately, reluctant to part.

"Then I'll go back and fetch it for you right away."

The old man was so excited he didn't know what to do. After saying that, he turned and walked out, forgetting even to lead the old ox.

"Grandpa, I'll go with you to take a look."

Xue Ruanruan couldn't bear to see the old man make another trip, since there was a carriage available and it would be more convenient on the road.

"Hey, good."

The old man thought Xue Ruanruan didn't trust him, so he nodded repeatedly in agreement.

The broker looked regretful; a sum of money had just vanished. He wished he had taken in some young calves instead.

The old man's home was in a village on the outskirts of Beijing. He led his old ox and opened the gate to the courtyard, only to hear crying coming from inside.

Startled, he stumbled and ran into the house.

“My son, why couldn’t you hold on a little longer? I’ve already found a customer to buy the two calves from our house. I’ll go buy you medicine as soon as I get the money. Why are you in such a hurry?”

The old man's heart-wrenching cries came from inside the house.

“Dad, you’ve taken our old ox to sell, leaving only two calves. If you really disregard our lives for the sake of our third brother, then this family must be divided.”

A slightly sarcastic and harsh female voice came from inside the house, full of imposing manner.

"That's right. To support my brother-in-law's education, the whole family has tightened their belts and saved every penny. Now, to treat his illness, they've even sold the family's most valuable asset, the old ox. My sister-in-law and I both disagree with this."

Another woman angrily chimed in, and the two of them, working together, quickly gained the upper hand.

"Alright, stop talking. Your parents are just waiting for our third brother to pass the imperial examination so that our whole family can live a good life."

Zhao Daniu tugged at his wife's sleeve and said in a muffled, low voice.

"The whole family can live a good life? Keep dreaming. You'd be better off relying on my eldest son, second son, and third son."

Since I married into the Zhao family, the whole family has tightened their belts to support my brother-in-law's education. But so many years have passed, where is the money? Where are the good days?

"Since you're so sick, you might as well just die out there, so you won't be a burden to us poor folks."

Wang, hands on her hips, pointed at Zhao Daniu's nose and launched into a tirade of insults, her words dripping with vile language, clearly implying a veiled attack.

The elderly couple from the Zhao family realized that their daughter-in-law was scolding them, so they lowered their heads and remained silent.

“Sister-in-law is right. I think it’s better to separate this family. My two dogs said they want to pass the imperial examinations so we can have a better life. It’s always better to rely on our own children than on others.”

Zhao Erniu's wife, Li, also looked impatient. In the past, she thought her brother-in-law was good at studying, and even the teacher praised him, saying he would definitely pass the imperial examination.

She had no choice but to watch helplessly as her in-laws used all the family's money to support her brother-in-law's education.

But times have changed. My brother-in-law is seriously ill and bedridden. It's uncertain how many days he'll live. Hoping that he will pass the imperial examinations and bring a good life to the whole family is simply wishful thinking.

It would be better to divide this family as soon as possible. Over the years, the couple has secretly saved a lot of money. Once the family is separated, she can go back to her parents' home and beg them to let her son Erniu work at the docks to move goods. Their lives will definitely be better.

"You! You should have a conscience. Although it cost some money for your third brother's education, he later earned money to support his studies by copying books for others and tutoring rich young masters. Otherwise, do you think our family could afford to send him to an academy!"

Even a clay figure has its temper, and the old man could no longer tolerate it.