They continued on their way and decided to stop at an abandoned temple and set off tomorrow. As they walked,they saw many refugees walking around scavenging for food. The surroundings had already been stripped bare that no green leafs could be seen around. Su Xiao was surprised at how poor the dynasty was.
They refugees stared at their cart with hungry eyes and greed. The ballifs gathered around the cart the food was in and protected it. The other exiles took out some weapons from their cart and surrounded their cart in case of a fight. The atmosphere was somber and with the darkness it felt more sinister. When the refugees saw their guarded appearance, they retreated and they passed.
There was not many people in the temple so they went to the backyard where the monks stayed and camped there. It was deserted and moldy but they had no choice. It was the biggest room and had a door with a latch to it which could protect them in case of a fight.
Su Xiao's sensitive nose couldn't stand the stench so she shifted a bit further and they parked there. A fight was inevitable with the way they those refugees stared at them. They reminded of her zombies, numb and mindless. The ballifs had already started sharing the night ration so she sent Li Tuo to go and get there own. She planned to cook because they would need the strength if a fight broke out.
There was no water source here and they water they had gotten from rain had finished. She didn't want to touch the water barrels because she has a feeling they wouldn't be leaving here for a while. She decided to explore what the monks who stayed here were drinking. After making a decision she immediately acted on it. As she stood up, she felt someone cling to her and looked down.
It was Mu Chen and he seemed afraid. She carried him in her laps and he immediately snuggled to her clinging to her tightly. Su Xiao wondered what happened so she asked him gently.
"I'm scared mother"
Understanding his fears she consoled him.
"Don't worry Ah Cheng, mother will protect you. I just need to go get some water and make delicious food for you"
Hearing she planned to leave he held her tightly. Su Xiao couldn't understand and so she carried him to go find Mu Wei. She approached him at the fireplace sitting with Mu Yu. She carried Mu Chen and sat down besides them and said
"I don't know why Mu Chen has being feeling uneasy and refuses to let me go. I have already explained that I'm not leaving but he still clings to me. Do you know what is wrong with him"
Mu Wei looked at the woman and saw the geninue worry and concern in her eyes. The boy was really clinging to her and showing no signs of coming out. He furrowed his brows before replying
"Maybe he lacks security and thinks you wouldn't come back. Even Yu is also tensed".
Being called out by his father, the young boy flushed in embarrassment. He truly wanted to hold his mother like his brother but he was older and more mature. He should be strong and act like a man but he really wanted to be hugged too. Su Xiao understood what happened and called out to Mu Yu.
"Mu Yu come here, mother wants to hug you too".
Mu Yu immediately ran to her and she cuddled him too. He buried his face in her chest and felt relieved. Mother also loves him too. Su Xiao kissed their cheek and forehead and they giggled. Mu Wei looked at the scene and felt greedy. He also wanted to be kissed and hugged by her. The inexplicable feeling in his heart was growing stronger and possessive.
He didn't show it but he was also tensed. He kept having the feeling that something bad would happen tonight so he felt uneasy. He stayed on alert and dared not loose guard. After Su Xiao managed to pacify the kids, they reluctantly agreed to let her go get water for cooking. After leaving the kids with their father, she went and met Bai Ling.
"Xiao'er what are your instructions?"
"Sister Bai take care of the kids while I go look for any water source in the temple"
"Alright miss. Please be careful and come back safely"
She nodded and instructed the two brothers to guard the cart before she left. She went to the various rooms and found a worn out bed in three rooms. There was an empty room beside it which could be used as a storage and kitchen. She cleaned the dusty room and changed the sheets to look comfortable for living. After cleaning everywhere she moved to continue looking for food.
There was nothing in sight so she moved to the eating area and found a well. Her eyes lit up and she ran to look inside. Disappointedly, it was an empty well so she left there and went to the Abbott quarters. It was more deserted than they monk area but they walls were sturdy. She decided to tell the ballifs to let the people come sleep in this area. After searching and not seeing a well she felt discouraged.
Just as she was walking back she had a sound. She stopped to listen further and discovered it was sound of water. Her eyes lit up and she followed the sound and came to a place full with vines. She took out a knife and cleared the area and a well came to view. Overjoy, she looked in and saw it was had water which was flowing explaining the noise.
It was situated between the monk quarters and the Abbott quarters but a bit hidden. She immediately draw the water and found the water was clean. She poured it into the barrel she came with and added spring water to it then carried it back to the camp to cook.
Mu Wei had been looking at the direction she left with the kids and felt impatient. Why wasn't she back already? Was she okay? Did she encounter any trouble? What if she had run away?
Feeling annoyed, he stood up and asked Bai Ling to look after the kids while he went to search for her. Just as he was about to leave he saw her shadow coming back with water. His suspended heart came down and he immediately sat down pretending to be nonchalant. The kids ran to her and she hugged them and with the help of Li Tuo carried the water back.
She walked to the ballifs and told them about the water source and they thanked her. They immediately sent some of their people to go fetch some water to drink. She carried the children back to the camp and started preparing to cook. She instructed Bai Ling to get wooden branches that was strong and made a tripod. She planned to make Scallion pancakes for dinner.