7 07. Messy children

They saw their little sister washing chamber pots and shacking on the cold wind.

The oldest came forward and yelled. "What are you doing?"

She sniffed. "Big brother... If she dies we must do all these things alone. I will have to work as a chamber pot servant as an orphan. So I have to learn how to do my job. And you all will have to work for others if you get adopted. Even the land will be gone after we pay the rest of the taxes and things we own villagers. I heard the neighbor talking after we finished our meal in their house. They will ask us to pay for our meals as soon as she dies. The land will be divided and the house sold. We will be living on the street from then on. And the food... we can have it only if we work. You all gave to get used to living with an empty stomach and sleep on cold bed without beddings and warm room."

Actually, she went down to see how that woman was and heard them talking about it. She listened for a long time and realized how dangerous their situation will become the moment the only person that protects them dies.

"Impossible. How can they do that?" He roared and got hit by a wet cloth. He stared with angry eyes at the thin girl and yelled. "What do you think you are doing?"

"Nothing. The moment she dies, you all are less than trash. Everyone will treat you with disrespect. And if you scream, they will beat you up. Do you think I lie? Sleep tonight, tomorrow you are coming with me to town, then you will see what happens to orphans that have no relatives. Go to your rooms and enjoy your last days inside. Soon you will have to leave your home forever." Lee Mei Li just shrugged and went again inside the door.

Trough the open door they could see the physician worried face as he bowed over the woman to check her status. They could hear a heavy sigh from the girl and saw her changing cloth on her head and body. "Her fever is bad. Let's hope the city physician can give you some medicine. I have none in my rooms."

Lee Mei Li nodded and took off her clothes a small bag and pointed at a few coins she had. "I don't have no more money, how should I pay for it?"

The physician as well took his bag and shook his head. "I don't have more. Let's hope it will be enough. "

Lee Mei Li nodded and sighed again. "She has no money, has huge loan on this house as she tried to heal her husband and on top of that, five children that are not even her blood. Why? She can literally just walk away. She didn't have to be here."

"Min Xiaoqing just couldn't watch them become orphans. She wanted to send the middle child to school. The two older boys refused to learn and only the two younger boys are willing. So she paid for their school and tuition in advance. If they work hard, they could become scholars. The girl wants to go to Lord's household, but that place is messy and she was against it " He sighed and glanced towards outside where the boys hid and listened.