Grandma Li pointed to the big ship with her granddaughter and laughed.

"Your boat looks quite large, and I imagine it's spacious inside. If you don't mind, could you give us a ride?"

Since they're on the same boat, the goat's milk can certainly be shared by both children.

Li Lao Er and the others' eyes lit up when they heard this, and they stepped forward to bow in perfect unison.

“Sir, we are all strong and can help with the work. We also know some martial arts, so we can help you if you encounter any trouble on the road.”

Tao Hongying, not to be outdone, chimed in.

"I can help with laundry and cooking. My family has a history of producing imperial chefs, so my cooking is delicious and clean."

Even Jiaren and Jiayi, the boys, were clamoring, "We can wipe the deck and run errands or keep watch at night."

The middle-aged manager hadn't expected the Li family to make such a suggestion, but upon closer examination, it wasn't entirely unacceptable.

They came out in a hurry and didn't bring enough people with them, otherwise the master wouldn't only have a wet nurse by his side.

If this family came aboard to help with the work, he would definitely have an easier time.

But he was just a manager, so he still had to go back and ask his master.

"Older sister, I need to go back and inform the master. The master is probably asleep right now. Tomorrow morning, whether it's alright or not, I'll have someone come and give you an answer."

Old Mrs. Li readily agreed, and the middle-aged manager then led the servant back to the boat.

The Li family members all breathed a sigh of relief, and their eyes filled with joy as they looked at each other.

Only Wu Cuihua, now free, muttered to herself, but dared not raise her voice under Li Lao Er's cold gaze.

Grandma Li instructed Li Laosi to take good care of the sheep, then she sat there holding Jiayin, lost in thought.

This matter concerns the future of the Li family. If it succeeds, their entire family will no longer have to travel thousands of miles.

In this chaotic world, the sooner we settle down, the more accidents and dangers we can avoid.

Jiayin felt her grandmother's hand trembling, sighed inwardly, and turned her little head to look to the side.

Under the cover of night, the rest of the Li family members were all awake; none of them could fall asleep.

The campfire beside the donkey cart flickered in the river breeze, much like the fluctuating mood of the Li family.

Even if there is only a sliver of hope, they are eager to grasp it.

Jiayin reached out her little hand and grasped Grandma Li's big hand, calling out to her in a soft, babbling voice.

"Is Fu Niu'er hungry? Jia Ren, quickly milk the goat and cook it!"

Grandma Li quickly patted her granddaughter and called her grandson for help.

The Li family seemed to have been turned on by that shout, and they all got up and busied themselves, which relieved their earlier anxiety.

Children's bodies can't hold up for long. Jiayin fell into a deep sleep again shortly after drinking the goat milk.

When she woke up again, it was already getting light.

The Li family didn't sleep a wink all night; their eyes were bloodshot as they anxiously waited for the people on the ship to arrive.

When the sun had completely risen above the horizon, a servant finally jumped off the large ship and ran to the Li family.

"Our lady has agreed. You all pack your things and come with me on the ship!"

Before the servant had even finished speaking, the joy on the faces of the Li family members was already impossible to hide.

The servant brought more than just good news; it brought the Li family hope for survival.

No more living in fear and hardship.

Even the usually strong-willed Old Lady Li turned her head away and wiped away her tears.

Tao Hongying hugged and kissed her daughter repeatedly, while Li Laosan and Zhao Yuru hugged each other and cried.

Jiaxi and Jia'an jumped around wildly, venting their ecstatic joy.

The anxiety that had gripped everyone all night could finally be put at ease.

Grandma Li took her granddaughter from Tao Hongying's arms, pressed her cheek against her little face, and whispered something.

"It's all because my granddaughter is so lucky. She not only provided food for herself, but also found a way to make a living for the whole family!"

"Grandma, let's go quickly. There are so many people watching; if we delay any longer, it will be troublesome."

The servant couldn't help but urge them on, and the Li family members also came to their senses and quickly got to work.

Li Lao Er was originally an accountant, and the family's only donkey was entrusted to him for sale.

Although they only received half the silver, everything went very smoothly.

In just a short while, everyone had packed their luggage.

Ignoring the envious and jealous gazes of the other disaster victims, he quickly followed the servant onto the boat.

The middle-aged steward, who was waiting at the ship's side last night, smiled when he saw Li Laosi carrying the dairy goat onto the ship first, and pointed at the servant boy.

"Your accommodations have been arranged. Follow Wang Fu to put your luggage away."

The Li family members all bowed and expressed their gratitude.

"My name is Wang Jian. You can call me Manager Wang from now on."

The middle-aged manager turned to Old Lady Li and said again.

"Madam, our lady heard that your baby is not even a month old yet, and she asked me to take the baby to her for a checkup."

"Please get ready and come with me. Our lady is quite bored spending all day on the ship. You can chat with her casually; there's no need to be nervous."

Old Lady Li dared not refuse. She took Tao Hongying to the cabin to change into clean clothes, then took Jiayin and followed Steward Wang to the room at the front of the ship.

"Madam, the Li family mother-in-law and daughter-in-law have arrived."

Manager Wang knocked gently on the door, and after hearing a response from inside, he carefully pushed the door open and led Old Lady Li and the others inside.

This ship already looks very grand and imposing, but I didn't expect the rooms on board to be even more exquisite and luxurious.

The table and chairs are made of high-quality, oil-smooth pear wood, and the carved window frames are covered with supple, snow-white cotton paper.

On the table was an orange-yellow bronze incense burner, from which wisps of smoke drifted out, filling the entire room with a calming fragrance.

Old Mrs. Li had never seen such a scene before, and was somewhat dazed by the overwhelming wealth before her eyes.

But it was only for a moment. She quickly suppressed her desire to look around and stood obediently behind Steward Wang.

Tao Hongying also stood quietly at the back, holding Jiayin in her arms, her gaze fixed on the floor half a meter in front of her toes, calm and composed.

The woman sitting on the chair by the window looked to be in her thirties, wearing a light purple brocade dress.

Her jet-black hair was styled into a simple bun, adorned with an exquisite red hairpin inlaid with jewels, which accentuated her fair skin and red lips, making her appear as a pampered and wealthy woman.

The little girl she held in her arms was about six months old, exquisitely beautiful, with bright, lively black eyes, and dressed in a scarlet dress, exuding an air of wealth and nobility.

The lady was very pleased with the manners of the old lady and her daughter-in-law, and when she looked at the swaddled baby in their arms, her gaze softened even more.

She had no children in her early years, so she went around burning incense and praying to Buddha to pray for a child and doing good deeds to accumulate merit.

She had a daughter when she was almost thirty, and now is the time when her maternal love is overflowing.

Therefore, when Manager Wang mentioned it this morning, she agreed to let the Li family board the ship.

After all, poor people value money very much.

It is truly remarkable that the Li family would give up gold and silver for their child.

"Please sit down, don't be shy," Madam Sun gestured, indicating that Old Mrs. Li and her daughter-in-law should sit down.

Grandma Li thanked Tao Hongying, but only dared to sit on half of the chair.

After thinking for a moment, Old Lady Li lowered her voice and spoke very sincerely.

"Thank you, Madam, for allowing our family to board the ship. Please rest assured, Madam, our family will behave ourselves and will not cause any trouble on the ship. We will also do our best to repay your kindness."

These words were true, and Madam Sun felt relieved to hear them. She wanted to say more, but then she saw Jiayin stretching her neck as if she wanted to watch the excitement.

The baby's face was fair and chubby, a sight that brought joy to everyone.