Qiao Xin was naturally a decisive person—she never liked to wait.

She raised her voice and called out into the courtyard, “Eldest daughter-in-law, is your husband back?”

“Mother, are you calling me?”

Qiao Yunxin walked in from outside. His tall frame blocked the already low doorway, making the dimly lit room even darker.

Suppressing her discomfort, Qiao Xin gave a direct order, “Go to town at noon and bring your second and third brothers back. Tell them I have something important to discuss. Also, buy ten coins’ worth of sesame oil and paper money.”

Qiao Yunxin was a bit puzzled.

It wasn’t a festival, so why was his mother suddenly buying candles and paper money?

But then he remembered how she had inexplicably fainted after returning from the county today.

He assumed she wanted to pray to some deity for protection.

“Open the cabinet and take out fifty coins. Also, buy some coarse rice—we need to feed the children better.”

When Qiao Yunxin opened the chest, he saw that there were barely over a hundred coins left.

Hesitant, he asked, “Mother, should I buy millet and bran instead? There’s still half a month left before next month.”

“No, we will eat as we should from now on. I will figure out the money. The most important thing is to survive. We adults can manage, but look at the children—if this continues, they won’t make it.”

Qiao Xin was no longer willing to live as the original owner of this body had.

She firmly rejected her eldest son’s suggestion.

She had called her sons back to tell them the truth and let them decide together how to move forward.

…

“Big Brother, why are you here?”

Qiao Yunqing was surprised when the school’s servant told him his eldest brother was looking for him. Seeing him at the school gate, he couldn’t help but ask.

Their mother never disturbed him unless it was something serious.

Besides, there were still two weeks until he was supposed to send money home at the end of the month.

Glancing at his brother, Qiao Yunqing’s gaze landed on the candles and paper money in his hand. His eyes lowered, but he didn’t ask any questions.

“Mother wants you and Third Brother to go home immediately. She said there’s something important to discuss.”

“Both of us? Do you know why?”

Qiao Yunxin shook his head, his face filled with concern. “I’m not sure either. But after Mother came back from the county this morning, she fainted. Doctor Zhao said it was due to extreme weakness and emotional distress. She didn’t tell me anything, and I didn’t dare to ask.”

Hearing this, Qiao Yunqing’s lips pressed into a thin line before he quickly suppressed his emotions. “She fainted? Did you call a doctor?”

Qiao Yunxin immediately reassured him, “Yes, we did. Doctor Zhao said she just needs to eat better—he didn’t even prescribe medicine. You’ll understand when you get home.”

Qiao Yunqing didn’t ask any further questions, but his demeanor turned cold and distant.

Even his usually oblivious elder brother noticed something was off.

He glanced at Qiao Yunqing several times, wanting to ask but hesitating.

Qiao Yunqing noticed his brother’s cautious glances and asked, “Anything else, Brother?”

“No, nothing. Just make sure you come back soon. I’ll go find Third Brother.” Without another word, Qiao Yunxin turned and left.

Watching his brother walk away, Qiao Yunqing stood still on the steps, his expression unreadable.

His lips curled into a sneer—”Sick? More like overjoyed. But it doesn’t matter. She will never control our fate again.”

“I’ve been a fool for a lifetime—that’s enough. From now on, I will be the one protecting my eldest and third brothers.”

..

At the dock, Qiao Yunxin found their third brother, Qiao Yunting, carrying a sack on his back.

After explaining the situation, Qiao Yunting didn’t hesitate for a second.

He rushed to tell the steward and prepared to leave immediately.

The steward was a kind man.

Upon hearing that Qiao Yunting’s mother was sick, he didn’t make things difficult.

Instead, he even paid him in advance and gave him a few pastries to bring home.

The two brothers were overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly.

By the time all three brothers arrived home, the sun was setting.

They had braced themselves for a sorrowful scene, but instead, they found their mother calmly sitting in the courtyard, feeding chickens with wilted vegetable leaves.

Seeing them return, she only lifted her eyes briefly and said, “You’re back. Wash up and eat first—we’ll talk after dinner. Eldest daughter-in-law, cook an egg for everyone tonight.”

The eldest daughter-in-law, Xu Shi, hesitated. “Mother, there are only ten eggs left. Should I just cook five? We should save the rest to exchange for grain.”

“Cook them all—one for each person. Don’t worry about the grain, I have a plan. Eldest son, give the coarse rice you bought to your wife and tell her to cook enough for everyone to have a full meal tonight.”

Qiao Yunqing studied his adoptive mother closely.

She looked the same, but something felt different.

Qiao Xin was an observant person. Sensing someone staring at her, she turned and met Qiao Yunqing’s gaze. It was him—the second son.

“What’s wrong, Second Son? Do you have a question?”

“No questions, Mother. Do you still feel unwell?” Qiao Yunqing lowered his gaze and spoke respectfully.

Qiao Xin could sense the coldness and detachment behind his polite demeanor.

Oh? Has he figured something out?

She thought to herself. As expected of the original owner’s favorite son.

Even the usually thick-skinned Xu Shi noticed something was off.

Her mother-in-law had never been so generous before.

She was always extremely frugal—counting every grain of rice carefully. If they ever tried to cook extra, they’d be scolded for being wasteful and called “starved ghosts reborn.”

Zhang Shi, another daughter-in-law, nudged Xu Shi and asked in disbelief, “Sister-in-law, what’s wrong with Mother today?”

“I think she’s finally figured things out. Who doesn’t want to eat their fill?” Xu Shi replied. She wasn’t the smartest person, but her instincts were usually right.

“So… does this mean we can eat until we’re full from now on?” Zhang Shi asked excitedly.

“That depends on whether Mother allows our husbands to find more work outside.”

That was true. If the men could start hunting again, at least they wouldn’t have to go without meat all year round.

Still, why had their mother-in-law suddenly changed?