Lu Ye cupped Bai Sheng's face and kissed her lips. "Good boy, you are simply too smart. This way, we help those who deserve help, be good people, and make the wicked suffer. It's truly killing three birds with one stone."
Old Mrs. Chen's afternoon work was the same as the adults in the family: repairing the road.
Chen Pingyuan designated an area for her, instructing her to level the sandy ground in the afternoon, then lay the first layer of stones, which also had to be compacted. Any unevenness was to be pounded flat with stones.
Old Mrs. Chen had not done manual labor for many years. She was so tired she couldn't straighten her back, and her legs trembled. However, no one in the family, except Lu Dahai, wanted to help her. Lu Dahai also dared not help. If he helped her, the entire family would lose their jobs.
This was a matter of survival. They believed that Lu Ye's wife, when she said something, would follow through.
Old Mrs. Chen only dared to curse Bai Sheng in her heart; she dared not show it on her face.
Several children under ten years old were learning to weave bamboo nets.
These tasks were not bad, much easier than working in the mines. At first, Madam Xu and Madam Yao thought Bai Sheng wanted to work them to death, but now it seemed Lu Ye's wife was genuinely giving them an opportunity.
So, while they worked, the two women kept a close eye on Old Mrs. Chen, ensuring she didn't slack off.
At the end of the afternoon, Old Mrs. Chen did not complete the assigned task and could only receive half her pay. The others, however, received their full day's wages, with enough food and water for the family to last two days.
Everyone was overjoyed; they had hope for survival!
Upon returning home, Madam Xu and Madam Yao carefully stored the grain everyone had earned. The water was poured into clay pots and covered.
For dinner, they made thin congee; after all, one didn't need to eat too much before sleeping.
While the daughters-in-law cooked, Old Mrs. Chen lay on the bed, groaning and crying out in pain. However, no one paid attention to her; everyone was exhausted.
Lu Xing called Lu Dahai behind the house, and they walked a short distance away.
Lu Xing looked at Lu Dahai and said directly, "Father, our whole family is now working for Brother Xiao Ye's family. There are some things I want to clarify with you in advance. I am truly doing this for the good of our family. Please don't mind if my words are harsh."
Lu Dahai was somewhat surprised, but he still nodded. "Xing'er has grown up and understands some things better than Father... Speak your mind."
Lu Xing breathed a sigh of relief. "Father, you've seen our family's current situation. Working for Brother Xiao Ye's family is our only way out, and the best way out. Therefore, we must not make any more mistakes in the future.
You can see the meaning behind Sister-in-law's words. If our family causes any more trouble, she truly won't give us another chance, and then our whole family will starve to death!
Father, as Grandma's eldest son, you will be the head of the family in the future. It's time for you to stand up. You know better than anyone what is right and what is wrong. Yet, over the years, you've let Grandma, Mother, and Third Aunt cause trouble. Look at how they've disrupted this family.
If we had gotten along with Brother Xiao Ye's family from the beginning, wouldn't we be eating well, drinking well, and living in big houses now?
Look at the servants in Brother Xiao Ye's family. They live in houses built of stone and wood, and their food, drink, and clothing are much better than ours. They are all strong and healthy, with rosy complexions.
If we want to live such good lives, we must truly regard Brother Xiao Ye and his family as our own from now on. Brother Xiao Ye is intelligent, and Sister-in-law is even more astute. They see through everything at a glance. As long as we act with a clear conscience and truly treat them as family, they will not treat us unfairly.
The refugees at Red Tree Slope have no relation to Brother Xiao Ye's family. It is precisely because they are sincere towards Brother Xiao Ye that he does not treat them as outsiders."
Lu Dahai said sheepishly, "From beginning to end, I have always regarded Xiao Ye's family as my own, treated them sincerely, and never had any ill intentions."
Lu Xing said helplessly, "But you are too weak! You indulged Grandma and the others in bullying people, so for so many years, your good Brother Xiao Ye and the others have never experienced it. You are their uncle; truly being good to them is reflected in concrete actions, not just thinking you are good to them."
Lu Dahai fell silent for a long time.
Lu Xing patted his father's shoulder and said gently, "Father, I'm telling you this today only because I hope that in the future, you will truly stand up and take responsibility for the family. If Grandma, Mother, or Third Aunt do anything bad again, you must step forward and correct them bravely. Don't let them continue to make trouble; our family cannot afford it."
Lu Dahai nodded heavily. "Xing'er, Father understands what you mean."
Lu Xing paused for a moment, pursed his lips, and said, "If Father cannot do it, then don't blame your son for being unfilial. Even if I bear the name of unfilial, I will manage Grandma and the others. If they refuse to be managed, I will take my eldest brother and siblings and separate from them to live on our own."
Lu Dahai looked at his youngest son with surprise. This thirteen-year-old boy was already so opinionated and responsible. He suddenly felt very gratified, as if a glimmer of hope had appeared in the family.
His son, so young, was so clear-headed about things, while he, an old man of decades, was like mud that couldn't be plastered on a wall. What had he been doing all these years? Muddling through confusedly.
Shame and gratification brought tears to Lu Dahai's eyes.
He trembled and patted his son's shoulder. "Don't worry, Xing'er, Father will definitely stand up."
Lu Xing's expression was firm. "Father, I will help you."
"Mm," Lu Dahai's nose felt sore.
The happiest moment for the people of Red Tree Slope was mealtime. Three meals a day, satisfying and balanced with meat and vegetables.
After a few months, each of them had gained weight, their complexions were ruddy, and their hair had become thick and black.
They could bathe every day, their bodies no longer infested with lice and fleas. They lived in genuinely good houses, learned to read, and became educated people.
These were things they had never dared to imagine before, so everyone cherished their current lives immensely and was even more grateful to Master and Madam, for all of this was given by them.
Not only did they feel happiness in their lives, but the newly moved residents also lived much better lives than before.
During this period, every other day, Tian Guihua and Liu Shi would stew a large pot of meat for everyone to enjoy. Not only could the people of Red Tree Slope eat their fill, but a few bowls could also be sent to each of the newly arrived families.
This meat was from prey hunted by Lightning and Storm when they were in Qinghuang Kingdom. It had piled up in the space, and because the space had a preservation function, Bai Sheng had not taken it out to sell, leaving it to be eaten slowly.
Later, when she had time, she would send some to the demanding Prince Yu.
Besides Lu Ye's family, Red Tree Slope now had nine households. With fifty more households, they could apply to establish a village.