The old man didn't think much of Hong Xiaoduo's question, assuming it was just a casual remark during a conversation.
"I don't know much about this either, but generally speaking, when someone dies, it must be reported to the authorities. The yamen will send a coroner to examine the body, and the yamen runners will investigate the case, confirm the identity, and then cancel the deceased's household registration."
However, people like beggars, who were already homeless, sometimes died of starvation or disease, and sometimes they were accidentally injured or killed while fighting for food. It wasn't unusual for such people to die on the streets. Generally, unless their own family members chased after the authorities to demand justice, they would simply be registered, noting the date and place of death, and their physical characteristics would be recorded. Then they would be sent to a mortuary for a period of time. If no one came to claim them, they would simply be thrown into a mass grave and buried in a random pit.
These days, the government offices won't bother investigating these kinds of murder cases. The old man had been a village head when he was young, so he had some experience.
"Oh, I see," Hong Xiaoduo breathed a slight sigh of relief. "By the way, old man, I also wanted to ask what the physical characteristics of those beggars who committed evil deeds in your village were?"
The old man hadn't expected her to ask this, but he wasn't annoyed. He carefully described the group of people, their heights, weights, and one of them, nicknamed "Old Cat."
"Those people are definitely not doing this for the first time. If you happen to run into them in the future, it's best to avoid them," the old man kindly advised.
He did notice the sword at Hong Xiaoduo's waist, but this young woman didn't seem like a chivalrous woman who roamed the martial world; she didn't look experienced enough.
At the village entrance, a child called out to his grandfather from afar. The old man said it was his wife calling him back.
Hong Xiaoduo, leading the seven children, watched the old man turn and leave before continuing on her way.
After walking for about fifteen minutes, I could vaguely see the empty house the old man had mentioned, and the dilapidated courtyard had no gate.
The house had been abandoned and in disrepair for years; half of the roof had collapsed and the window frames were gone, presumably because someone had dismantled them for firewood.
Looking at the house, Hong Xiaoduo thought to herself that if she were alone, she might not dare to live there. Just looking at it gave off a creepy feeling, like something out of a horror movie.
"Mom, wait a moment, let us tidy up." The big boy said as he helped Hong Xiaoduo untie the little girl from his back.
Hong Xiaoduo was about to say that it was better for her to do this kind of thing, but then she saw the big boy take out a tinderbox and lead the other children to get busy with their tasks in a clear division of labor.
In the corner of the house with the roof, there was a pile of dry grass, which looked like someone had rested there while passing by.
The young man lit a pile of branches in front of the resting area and roasted the cornbread that the old man had given him earlier.
Hong Xiaoduo carefully observed most of the roof and, after confirming that there was no danger of it collapsing, she sat down on the haystack to rest.
"Mom, here, have this." The little girl next to Hong Xiaoduo handed her the roasted bird again.
Today, her mother carried her on her back, and she even took a nap on it, it was so comfortable. It's so good to have a mother; her older brother is right.
Hong Xiaoduo was delighted when she saw it. She took it but didn't eat it. Instead, she handed it to a child by the fire, indicating that she wanted to heat it up again.
It was heated up, then I blew on it until it wasn't too hot, and I still gave it to the little one.
The little one was still a bit reluctant to eat it and wanted to keep it.
"Eat up. If you like it, I'll go hunt some more tomorrow. Other things aren't easy to catch, but birds are everywhere," Hong Xiaoduo told her with a smile.
The little one nodded happily, but still didn't eat it right away. Instead, he got up to offer it to the other older brothers and sisters, but after offering it to them, no one took the roasted bird, which was already small and became even smaller after being roasted.
Once the cornbread was heated up, the older boy brought two over to Hong Xiaoduo.
There were only five steamed buns in total, given to the two of them. It seems the seven younger children will have to share the remaining three.
These fist-sized steamed buns would require at least three for Hong Xiaoduo to feel full. She was indeed hungry, but how could she possibly eat them? She broke one open, kept half for herself, and gave the rest to the older boy to share.
"Didn't you call me 'Mom'? Does that mean you have to listen to me?" Hong Xiaoduo deliberately frowned. The big boy opened his mouth, but in the end, he obediently came over and took the food to share with everyone.
The cornbread I was given was gone in a few bites; in this kind of environment, there was no point in thinking about washing up before bed.
After eating, they obediently went to the haystack to prepare for sleep. Hong Xiaoduo saw that they were sleeping on either side of her, but a little distance away from her, and knew that they were afraid that she would find them dirty.
"Why are you standing so far away? Come closer to be warmer." Her tone was still a bit harsh, but the children immediately moved closer.
Next to her were the little one and another girl, while the big man slept on the outermost side.
It was late at night, but Hong Xiaoduo was not sleepy at all. The place where they were lying was perfect for seeing the stars in the night sky from the roofless area.
The Big Dipper? Hong Xiaoduo thought of something and sat up.
"Mother? Do you want some water? Or something else?" the eldest boy lying on the outermost side asked softly.
If his mother wanted water, he would bring it to her; if his mother went out to do *that*, he would go with her to keep her company.
"Why aren't you asleep either? Are you afraid I'll leave you guys behind and run away?" Hong Xiaoduo asked curiously.
"No, Mom, I'm a light sleeper. I wake up at the slightest noise," the boy said softly, his voice tinged with helplessness and a hint of grievance.
Sigh, what do you mean by "light sleeper"? It's clearly just that you can't sleep soundly! Hong Xiaoduo felt a little sorry for her.
He's still a child, yet he's taken on the responsibilities of an adult.
“I thought of your names,” Hong Xiaoduo said.
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