Chapter 54: Father, does it hurt that much?

Gu Yuru frowned, showing no intention of moving, but Gu Mingjing was blunt. "I told you to leave, but you insisted on staying. Not only are you of no help, but we'll also have to look after you."

Liyuan's face flushed even deeper.

"Alright, Mingjing," Old Master Gu said in a stern voice. "Let us be on our way as well. Your mother and the others must be worried about us."

Seeing that everyone was about to leave, Li Mumu hurriedly spoke up, "Grandfather, we can't leave just yet."

Gu Jian smiled. "Does Mumu want to stay and kill wolves? The wolves have already been killed by us."

Li Mumu shook her head and explained, "Grandfather, they say the northern region is very cold, and wolf pelts are useful."

Hearing her explanation, everyone's eyes immediately lit up. "Look at that, a whole group of adults and we're not even as thoughtful as a little baby. Mumu is right. How about this, Yuru, you take the children and go ahead to give your mother some peace of mind, and we menfolk will follow shortly."

Since there was no longer any danger here, Gu Yuru didn't have to stay, especially since her mother and sisters-in-law must be terribly worried. "Understood, Father. But you must still be careful."

Gu Yuru held a child in each hand and, just as she was about to leave, seemed to have completely forgotten about Liyuan's existence.

However, Liyuan wasn't going to let himself be left behind. "Yuru, wait for me."

He struggled to his feet. Whether he was putting on an act or truly that weak, he tried several times without managing to stand up.

Old Master Gu sighed. "Yuru, his injuries are rather severe. Take him along and get some medicine applied."

Gu Yuru did not argue. Signaling her eldest son to help support Liyuan, she headed in the direction of their retreat.

Zhang Xiang and the remaining bailiffs ran a considerable distance before stopping. Upon thinking of her eldest son, who had been bitten to death by wolves, Old Madam Li wept as if she were about to lose her breath.

Madame Zhao wept as well, knowing she was now a widow. Life had been difficult enough while her husband was alive; without a man, and with no son to lean upon, how was she supposed to survive the days ahead?

"Boss, do you think they... can they win against the wolves?" a bailiff asked, breathing heavily.

Zhang Xiang shook his head. "Hard to say. There were quite a lot of wolves. Let's rest a bit and then move on. In case they can't win, we'll be far enough away that the wolf pack won't be able to catch us."

Liu Zi kept looking back over his shoulder, his face full of anxiety. "Boss, shouldn't we go back and check? There's strength in numbers."

"Strength in your mother's foot!" Zhang Xiang roared. "Has your brain been kicked by a donkey? If they win, they'll naturally come back. If they lose, and they can't even beat them, us going back wouldn't be worth a damn."

"But..."

"But my foot! If you want to go back, go ahead. I still need to keep my head to drink and eat meat," Zhang Xiang cursed.

"Boss, they are imperial criminals. If they die, we won't be able to give a proper account."

"They went to hunt the wolves of their own accord. If they die, it's due to their own overestimation of their abilities, not our fault. You brat, watch your mouth," Zhang Xiang scolded.

Someone advised Liu Zi to say no more, but Liu Zi felt it wasn't right. Their mission this time was to escort the prisoners, but they were also supposed to deliver them safely to their place of exile.

"If you brat want to go and throw your life away, I won't stop you," Zhang Xiang said with a sinister smile. At that moment, he wished Liu Zi would just drop dead, because his team had no room for disobedience.

Ignoring the look in Zhang Xiang's eyes, Liu Zi said, "Boss, I'm going to take a look."

Zhang Xiang sneered and said nothing more.

Old Madam Gu couldn't set her mind at ease regarding her husband and children. "Official, I will go with you."

"Hold on, you cannot go," Zhang Xiang blocked Old Madam Gu.

Just at that moment, four figures were seen approaching from not far away.

"Mother, look quickly, it's Yuru, it's our younger sister," Song Qiang shouted loudly.

Old Madam Gu took a deep breath, only to realize that her husband and sons were missing. "Yuru, where are your father and the others?"

"Mother, Father and the others are very safe, please rest assured."

As soon as Gu Yuru finished speaking, Old Madam Gu let out a complete sigh of relief. "Then... why didn't he come back with you?"

"Isn't it all because of Mumu?"

Everyone looked toward the little girl in confusion. After taking a sip of water, Gu Yuru explained, "Mumu heard that the northern region is bitterly cold and harsh, and thought that wolf pelts would come in useful. So Father took Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Younger Brother to skin some wolves to bring back, so we can make winter coats to wear, and any extras can be sold for money."

Old Madam Gu smiled. "So that's how it is. I never knew our Mumu was so resourceful and capable of managing life."

Song Qiang seized the opportunity to chime in, "Mother, don't you think Mumu is getting smarter by the day? Now she's accomplished in both literature and martial arts, she's simply a little prodigy."

Old Madam Li was listening, but she had no time to retort, being too busy checking her son's injuries. She saw that he was covered in blood, yet she had no idea how to tend to wounds.

"Mumu, come over here this instant! Your father is so badly injured, aren't you going to come and take a look?" Old Madam Li called out with displeasure.

Li Mumu raised an eyebrow. "But I only know a little bit of medical theory, I don't know how to treat wounds."

And even if she knew, she wouldn't want to treat him.

"Then... just come over here anyway." Old Madam Li was certain she regretted her actions. Had she known this little girl was so formidable, she would never have let her go to the Gu family.

Li Mumu walked over and saw that a wooden arrow she had shot was still lodged in the calf of her scumbag father's leg. Though the shaft had been snapped off, the sharp tip remained deeply embedded inside.

"Grandmother, I really don't know how," Li Mumu said, deliberately brushing against the exposed stub of the arrow as she spoke.

Liyuan broke out in a cold sweat from the agony. "Stop moving!"

Li Mumu shrugged her shoulders. "Grandmother, Daddy won't let me touch it."

Old Madam Li's heart ached terribly. One son had already died today, and this most promising son of hers could not afford to have anything happen to him.

"Don't listen to him! You're the only one here who knows medicine, you do it."

Li Mumu nodded, her voice crisp and clear. "Alright."

However, she didn't know how to pull it out properly, and every time she moved, she aggravated her scumbag father's wound, causing excruciating pain. After a few tries, Liyuan's originally minor wound truly became severe.

Li Mumu didn't forget to mock him. "Daddy, does it really hurt that much? Last time Eldest Brother had wounds all over his back, and he said it didn't hurt at all."

Liyuan was so embarrassed he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. "The wounds are different! Can you pull it out, or else I'll do it myself."

Li Mumu released her grip. "Then Daddy should do it yourself."

Liyuan: "..."

Gritting his teeth and holding his breath, he managed to pull the wooden arrow out himself, though a spurt of fresh blood shot out quite a distance. Old Madam Li hurriedly urged Li Mumu to stop the bleeding for him.

Lin Siyan wanted to step forward, but Old Madam Li shoved her ruthlessly aside.

The medicine had been provided by Ling Yunhe, and its hemostatic effect was quite good. However, having lost a fair amount of blood and suffering from heavy injuries, Liyuan appeared extremely weak.

Seeing that there was no longer any danger, the bailiffs decided to camp right here for the night. Moreover, they didn't dare blindly press forward before the Gu family members returned; what if they ran into danger again?

Yet the Gu father and sons sat and waited, but they did not return. Soon, someone grew anxious.

"Boss, do you think they've taken the opportunity to escape?"

Zhang Xiang took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the remaining women and children of the Gu family one by one.