Jinbao Marries a Wife

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The child didn’t know who brought him back home. In any case, after Erhu’s father couldn’t find him after searching for a long time and returned home, he saw that the child was already lying in bed.qwErpJlcKlhorulRBiNaQbJIeuZWDC

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The illness hadn’t fully recovered, and after all the commotion, it actually got worse. He had a high fever for several days, his skin felt scalding hot, his little face was as red as a tomato, his lips were cracked, and he kept mumbling and crying.VIzcytajHTCaNwLAexUiglYbKtbaOi

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The child had suffered a great blow this time: his most beloved grandfather had just passed away, and shortly after, his little friend was taken away. Seeing their child burning with fever and unconscious, his parents were heartbroken and cried continuously.GgAhuNOeSJyISWfSEYbuBIZSukETrm

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Three doctors from the village came, but none could bring down the fever. The doctors said that if the fever continued, it would damage his brain.mTekBcFsVHPmTrarBkUtasOVgKeuCD

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A lot of money had been spent, but there was no improvement.eCcltbMrSMvjityXHbZDyqmphraedc

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With no other choice, the child’s father decided to take him to the city for treatment.lzzmdGzxGkYFNZAALTBCNipVKxDWDG

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After nearly ten hours of travel, they finally arrived in the city.BAtWIGknNDofQxifOfTYRRvyYEUzAW

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The doctors in the city were indeed more skilled. After several days of treatment, they finally managed to bring down the fever and prescribed several more medicines to take slowly. However, whether the child would fully recover was uncertain.ZmzapNcPIxkWdKHQaGoqXagsGDGiVa

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When the grandfather passed away, a lot of money was spent on the funeral. Now with Erhu’s illness, a significant amount of savings had been exhausted. If it weren’t for the money from the in-laws, they would have been unable to make ends meet. Even now, things were bleak, and the child’s father sighed heavily every day.wcDxjuWdyFRdZSsBYWMOthpQFPFtui

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The eldest son needed to go to school, the second son was bedridden, and the little daughter still wobbled when walking. It seemed that their situation was about to become unsustainable.wUdiryIirqGszTcNKRAhlMwYtHZdhS

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As if this were not enough, things seemed even worse.gMRKloHIQTifXvNddXbkzHMXlcRJGx

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Since General Yue’s family was investigated, there had been a severe drought in Dayue Town and its surrounding areas for over a month, with no rain in sight. The well water was about to dry up, and the crops looked like they were about to wither.PvpLJnXWRMuskeVLAoxmagAVAPTwQq

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Wang Erhu lay in bed for over a month, and his illness finally improved.NZzGVJluDVYMCdQnPigHHmreOrSdhs

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However, it was evident that there were some residual effects.MydXWDKmhgHrzodKMAKPlnfqJDaoZk

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The child had become somewhat dazed and was not as lively and active as before. His memory of events that happened before he got sick was quite vague, as if the fever had burned it away. His memory had also worsened, and he needed reminders several times to remember a single thing.noHveHaiipaZuYLUVeXJHspFicOZZE

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Nevertheless, he had mostly recovered and, aside from being a bit slow, had not become a fool. He was much better than they had feared.XfqrPhmssLOCuNhebGLdmbSjFNywyX

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By this time, their family’s situation had become untenable. Not just for them, but in the surrounding areas as well, with crops failing and no relief from the government.gWjEygkUsTMlzByQclBDGvNvPSxFyo

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Rumors began circulating that General Yue was a divine being who had been harmed by the court, and that Heaven was making things right for him. People believed that with his departure, no one would survive here.itixwoUyPHlSVpqBXqhZabKPukiXyo

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With no hope for livelihood this year, more and more people were begging on the streets. People around them were starting to die from illness and starvation. With winter approaching, more deaths were inevitable, and it was uncertain how many could survive without food.YekNinlFNPRyRMgwhgLHafWXzQWcBj

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Knowing that they were at a dead end and that staying would lead to starvation, Erhu’s father decided to move the family to Jiangnan to seek refuge with a distant relative.SFgpXxkgwdcKqYDYMNderyclBGMGQV

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No matter what, they had to survive this winter. Hopefully, next year would bring some opportunity for livelihood.WKeGdsOaFiWMqbjMwUffdlKmzBYJCz

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At that time, those who had the means were planning to leave. Erhu’s family still had some meager savings. Fortunately, Huaixi was relatively close to Suzhou, and perhaps they could manage to get there.tPKDancBnqzlyrwQnThDHQQikZoiLh

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So, they set off.XbYbNoahmnfnBCcSuLWjsXYrfVswNj

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They had been traveling for over a month, and along the way, they constantly saw people who had died of hunger or illness by the roadside, a truly heart-wrenching sight.vzFQiFOpLlvmjFCgDFTvpQmyRwjtJW

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After traveling for over half a month, their money ran out, and the family could only beg for food while continuing their journey. Fortunately, the closer they got to Suzhou, the better the situation became.qoPotcMGsByCOmIkNIWqPfHmXUPDzy

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Jiangnan, known for its prosperity, was even more fortunate with the new emperor’s decree exempting taxes for three years. Every household with some land could maintain a decent livelihood.TDjfcvbAsoOlHgdVpxGOjFZjMxnWSp

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By the time they arrived in Suzhou, the family looked like beggars. Each of them was covered in dust and thin as a rake. Passersby, seeing them with three children, felt some sympathy, and fortunately, they did not starve.BBAeBjRjDoodfaJDOGAskbDomkKJNw

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They had hoped that arriving in Suzhou would bring a new chance, but they found that their relative had already moved away and was nowhere to be found.ocgGanpOsmvMGdKrpEwjbzEhBdecAp

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In an unfamiliar place with no hope in sight, the situation was dire.zGTqEpcyfTYHGiijdCdEXHfaCQnQbg

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The youngest daughter was weak and had fallen ill, unable to endure hardship. The eldest son, being more sensible, did not fight for food with his younger siblings and was so hungry that his legs shook. The adults had long forgotten what it felt like to be full.QciKSIdlVXhWcXJnThHKPZIrKtiOdU

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“It’s as if Heaven wants to destroy our Wang family…” Erhu’s father despaired, sitting slumped against a wall, looking weakly at the sky.RQpQuYKslWOKwSEewHrNBiVVxGnhey

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Wang Erhu sat beside him in a daze. Since his illness, his mind had been a bit muddled.SkhdKVslrSjDuBcomFUTFDgUxazyQg

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A five-year-old child who had a high fever for over ten days could easily suffer brain damage. That he had not become a fool was already a blessing.oTDUmlwYMjnkJdQUtHFFwokckaIoCm

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After waking up, he had cried and called for the young master, but as time passed, he began to forget what the young master really was.ucrEVEuiDxGRpabigAZpYCHvfLhWbD

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Sometimes, he could remember playing in the old courtyard, surrounded by beautiful flowers and plants, laughing and having fun.oZLVzDgHuvnUlqjKNcDZHKYucbQifw

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He would also repeatedly write “Yue Siming,” which was odd since he couldn’t read. Sometimes he remembered it was the young master’s name, and he would cry for a long time, mourning the young master who was gone and whom he would never see again. But when he woke up, he often forgot why he was crying.yZdLyClPPPSpNoTUgPclvrciEmZATj

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His memory fluctuated, and in the end, he could no longer distinguish whether the young master from his dreams was real or not.ULUeckQsCDmncfKwsqiLweMtgabnAc

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He found it increasingly difficult to remember and discern details. Every day he traveled with his family, often enduring harsh conditions and having no meals to fill his stomach. In such a state, his mind was filled only with the sensation of hunger, leaving no room for anything else.WcNvqSCAwAsYBXMqxwhxinJjTaoVvA

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Now, he had to think hard to remember why they had traveled so long to get here.aLssVNKXbDczFdKvKDWrvdkwvMkfoA

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As he stared blankly at the dirt on the ground, a group of people hurried past him, chattering excitedly about something.ajyXaPlmMjxfyVypEIVaYGkmxajQfQ

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“Is that for real? Fifty taels of silver?”biykoPmIPsCXhHowXPAACUQHDqLEFs

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“Yes! Quite the big spender, huh? Just to buy a playmate for their young master.”uMCxzusVpEzOxXgYTbwDADremixStN

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“Really rich! Hmph! They don’t even think about how they got that money! Aren’t they afraid of retribution?”nXgMhTsohMCVAeChsFanhlgXBvDRUA

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“Exactly! The Jin family is seriously tainted with bad karma. Have you heard? The other night, Boss Liu’s rice shop was smashed to pieces. Everyone knows it was that bandit leader’s doing, but what can we do?”gshNSlGJyJToDGYTZPCYXlyqKnPQPY

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“Well, what can we do? The court doesn’t have time to deal with this, and besides, the Liu family isn’t exactly good people…”twDMzdJXCztxAtmModWPKFaAYiIjRz

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“Do you think anyone would really sell their child to their family? Even if I were starving, I’d never send my child to a bandit’s den.”VMNhrWnnsWtnCCPbMzUqPuDfDZmzFM

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“Well, you never know. When people are desperate, they might do anything. Fifty taels of silver! Even if we don’t sell, we could at least see who would actually sell their child to the Jin family.”bsAnFwOYcaNBhRKVvrbMyqeJNNLRzt

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Erhu’s parents watched the group of people run past until they disappeared, then exchanged silent glances.swGtXnDeKVCacyzGrHvxgQlqivUgap

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Erhu’s father closed his eyes in pain and glanced at the few starving children who were collapsing from hunger. In a hoarse voice, he said, “Wife…”dNqdjuXmZJmBathmxdOtsouyEjuAWn

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His wife looked at the little girl in her arms. The child was only three years old, crying from hunger and coughing non-stop, and her heart was breaking.mqPWQvSlByfugXnsbQPLMUgEAtqbgf

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In this situation, even if she racked her brains, she couldn’t find a way to make money immediately. If selling a child to the Jin family was the only option, it would be the only path left.UziDhqYTLwzsCfWmmshWnEPWiWsOFw

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With tears in her eyes, she looked at her husband and nodded stiffly.iYykceryacWrvDSoExfOpDOzDtlYeD

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Their eldest son, understanding the situation, reddened his eyes and moved to his parents’ side. “Dad, Mom, just sell me. My younger brother is too young and doesn’t understand…”sgHVMIuqDzrfKvhefgCBrvtVOvuuDN

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His mother hugged him and began crying silently.mhzgXKgdwsxoUNKkovNjTOqneBhYjA

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The father wiped his tears and helped his wife stand up. “Let’s go, let’s check it out.”dqHGEjPiwivCtHuZkJnXsNuVNjCuAD

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The family supported each other and headed towards the crowd.shNuORapJzItSkXhmsgGzGCbQgBxaP

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They soon arrived at an extravagant residence with the words “Jin Mansion” in gold letters on the signboard, indicating it was a wealthy household.UwZbwiccIRiwJTTvWpjaxHXfvOduOT

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A crowd had gathered at the entrance, mostly onlookers. The steward of the Jin Mansion was shouting in the middle, “Is there anyone else? We need children aged four, five, or six, in good health, and decent-looking. Anyone else?”UlTixVIqbqPMZAXhJYkwGFwCUJNZeA

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A ragged man reeking of alcohol carried a child past them, grumbling loudly, “Hmph, you rascals are picky about whose child you take! It’s already good enough if someone sells you their kid! Hmph! If you don’t want them, fine!”emWAfQrioCfIsxMYlmiHfoSoMnugWe

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The family struggled to push their way into the crowd. The father, not used to such situations, felt intimidated by the high-class servants of the wealthy household and dared not speak, merely watching nervously.VZmUcYjiFFHQJjnkZFkryfOhtrmdmr

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The steward, who had been standing there all morning, was exhausted and frustrated, especially since the task wasn’t going well and he couldn’t leave.OsSbYrvAJMWvNpjWmHiGwsDglHFwVF

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The Jin family’s reputation was poor, and they were effectively demonized. Few were willing to sell their children to them, and those who came were either beggars or drifters, with very few decent-looking children.BmCqPYNBmROOWXluZOBeXeKyOPRFlc

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He couldn’t just pick any child at random; otherwise, he’d end up with trouble.UmQJFRXehGnDGihTLqiivRcbpAnnIh

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He glanced at a dirty-faced man standing nearby, assuming he was another beggar and ignoring him.RdtPSUGuvnaCJDLDLzgrcepLWFGpsL

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Unable to hold back any longer, the father asked, “Sir, do you think… my child is okay?”ivjePWfawvMMUBKYTptElfNlrNnSJx

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The steward looked at his eldest son and said, “No, he’s too old, older than our young master. We need children aged four or five.” He was about to turn away when he suddenly noticed the young boy beside the older child.VpCQcKzPEiiOXcTPrXwCSLbbtkPGvD

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The boy, around five or six years old, was a bit dirty and somewhat sickly, but his big, sparkling eyes made him look quite cute.IAapIYaRtAxpoILsQymQIDoxQLuPJL

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The steward’s eyes lit up. “Oh, is this a child too?”tGDEMkUrfOLWvoOeAoRMQUQKnJYiRJ

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“Uh… yes…”ANscIogWwsJBSnKDidSeuZdbgXXtCD

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“Does he have any health issues?”KlRoLsuzfdmqvJJpSasiUaMfQLzdQT

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“No… no…”JMdsotBWIHloiNsMzVWFbUXlPAeDXu

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“Then this younger son of yours is just right.”VGwcsgKPaKTvZPxchXlwVTGoLbGlUj

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The father, mother, and eldest son were all stunned.lrYuazFvbsHMoaQzKzbuTsHwhtGOCm

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Wang Erhu stared at the people around him, who were also staring back at him, making him feel scared. He had never been watched by so many people before. The intense gazes felt like the sun scorching him, and he had no idea what was happening.KPjvHgVItvpirfYHOPphoAsVYlBRPg

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His father squatted down, holding him with tears streaming down his face, “Erhu…” He started to speak but couldn’t continue, a man in his thirties sobbing uncontrollably.hjLoJiSVWjFYxRuRXQutcoiKacEoAU

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His mother also began crying beside them.eJvBoywbZdRTgnACXEHFCzKnhJDTvn

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The child’s memory of that day was quite vague, only remembering that his parents told him many things.neIAosyrqLujfnrcOSsCXhMQzQEWzk

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They said that if he stayed at the Jin Mansion, he would have good food and drink, and they would be able to eat and drink well too, and his little sister would get better. So he had to stay at the Jin Mansion, be obedient, and follow the rules.kbrFUBZsHEChcKDXoYayMLNKeDxEAK

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The child nodded understandingly, feeling that if staying at the Jin Mansion meant that everyone would be okay, then it would be fine.JOcTzJpwAtslimXsrTdTBcnWVdWmuJ

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Later, his parents handed him over to a stranger, who took him to bathe, put on clean clothes, and then fed him a hearty meal he hadn’t had in a long time.JrtJjFnatOSKXhNznYGpNpCfcYKQXv

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The terror of hunger was beyond words, so for a five-year-old child, having a full meal at that moment was more important than anything else. He temporarily pushed all other thoughts out of his mind.gOtwyztHdlLhyIwhKJlPamKKMDokcu

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