Chapter 22: A Guilty Conscience

Just as she began to speak, a young woman with a prominent baby bump walked over, holding the hands of two young boys.

"Father, Mother, could you please look after Dashan and Xiaoshan for me? I need to go buy some fabric and cotton to make them winter clothes," the young woman said, letting go of their hands and clutching her waist with a weary expression.

"Go on, go on, but walk slowly," the shopkeeper’s wife replied, hurrying over to greet the two children.

The young woman did not leave immediately. "Mother, I only realized after stepping out that I forgot to bring any silver."

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper’s wife quickly stepped behind the counter, counted out a handful of copper coins, and selected a small piece of silver to hand over. The young woman thanked her and departed.

"That is my second son’s wife. She’s due in three months with their third child. I truly hope this one is a girl," the shopkeeper’s wife said with a smile to Hong Xiaoduo.

"Your second son’s wife? How many sons do you have? Oh, I only mean—you look so young, I was surprised to hear you’re already a grandmother," Hong Xiaoduo blurted out, then quickly added a clarifying remark, feeling her comment had been slightly inappropriate.

The shopkeeper’s wife laughed. "I have three sons. My eldest has two boys, and my second son is about to have his third child. My youngest son had his first child just last year."

Hearing this, the idea that had just sprouted in Hong Xiaoduo’s mind vanished instantly. With a family like this—already grandparents with so many children and grandchildren—how could they possibly adopt another? Even if they had the means and a kind heart, she doubted the third son would ever agree to it.

With her hopes dashed, Hong Xiaoduo watched the seven little bald boys staring enviously at the shopkeeper’s two grandsons, who were being cradled by their grandmother. Her heart felt as if it were being pricked repeatedly by something blunt—not exactly painful, but deeply uncomfortable and heavy.

"Auntie, you go back to your work. I’ll take them for a stroll and buy some small treats," Hong Xiaoduo said, unable to bear the children’s envious gazes any longer, and hurried to take her leave.

"Young lady, if you aren’t in a rush to leave, come by tomorrow. I’ll use some fabric scraps to make them some hats tonight; the weather is getting colder," the shopkeeper’s wife said, not pressing them further as her grandsons were clamoring for new shoes.

Hong Xiaoduo smiled, expressed her gratitude, and led the little bald boys further down the street.

Buying snacks wasn’t just a matter of thoughtfulness; seeing the look in their eyes—the longing for the affection of a family—made her feel she had to do something to soothe their young hearts. She assumed that children in this era, just like the ones where she came from, would love snacks. However, she knew there wouldn't be potato chips, lollipops, or spicy sticks. On this street, she had only seen a pastry shop; she hadn't even spotted anyone selling candied hawthorns. There were no sugar-figure blowers or sugar painters like one might find on a modern "ancient-style" street.

"Is Mother really going to buy us pastries?"

"Yes, I heard it clearly! Second Brother, you heard it too, right?"

"Mhm."

Hong Xiaoduo faintly heard the whispered conversation behind her and smiled. Thinking about the first hundred taels of silver she had swindled, and how she had "fleeced" that lecherous man earlier to pay for a meal of meat buns, she felt that perhaps making money in this dynasty wasn't as difficult as she had imagined.

It was true that one shouldn't be too wealthy; with too much money, one becomes reckless. Look at her—generous enough to pick up the tab for strangers!

If making money turned out to be hard, wasn't there that senile old man at the Science Museum? She could just have him add some silver—or better yet, banknotes—into the system. Then she would have enough to provide for these seven children.

If she had enough money, could she fund a sanctuary for beggar orphans? She could find someone trustworthy to manage it and provide enough capital in advance. Even if she were to suddenly disappear and return to her own time, the children would still live a life free from hunger and cold.

Wait, that wasn't quite right either. No matter how much money she had, she couldn't just let them live in excess. What if, over time, she spoiled these kind-hearted children into greedy, lazy "giant babies" who knew only how to enjoy life and nothing else? That would be a case of good intentions leading to ruin.

Hong Xiaoduo realized the gravity of the situation; her original plan to simply find a safe place to settle them had been far too simplistic.

As she walked and pondered, she felt a slight tug on her hand. She stopped and looked down at Yaoguang, assuming the child needed to relieve himself. Before she could ask, however, she saw Yaoguang pouting his little lips toward the shop beside them.

She looked at the person emerging from the shop carrying a parcel of pastries, then checked the sign: it was indeed a pastry shop.

Hong Xiaoduo couldn't help but smile, and she led the seven children bustling into the shop. The air inside was filled with the sweet aroma of pastries and the nutty scent of toasted walnuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds. She could even hear the faint sound of the children sniffing the air, and she held back a laugh.

The shopkeeper and his assistant looked at their customers with curiosity—a young woman accompanied by seven adorable, shaven-headed boys. It was quite a sight.

"May I ask what kind of pastries you are looking for? Are they for yourselves or as a gift? If they are for someone else, are they for elders, children, or adults?" the shopkeeper asked enthusiastically, his tone attentive.

Hong Xiaoduo wanted to ask the seven little ones what they wanted, as there were so many beautiful varieties. But seeing the looks on their faces, it seemed they wanted everything.

"Shopkeeper, can I buy half a catty?" Hong Xiaoduo asked.

"Of course! In my shop, you can buy half a catty, or even just one or two taels," the shopkeeper replied with a smile, showing no sign of impatience despite the small order.

Hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo looked at the seven children. They were all listening intently, but their faces showed no disappointment at the small amount.

"Please give me half a catty of everything that isn't too hard and not too sweet," Hong Xiaoduo requested.

The seven children looked at her in absolute shock. There were at least twenty types of pastries on the counter!

The shopkeeper, however, didn't seem surprised. Working skillfully with his assistant, he weighed and packed the pastries, bundling them into strings of three using thin hemp rope. He even took the initiative to exclude two types, explaining that they were medicinal pastries with a slightly cooling nature, unsuitable for women or children.

In the end, there were twelve bundles in total. When it came time to pay, the shopkeeper rounded down the total, charging fifty coins for the six catties of pastries.

The older children reached out to take the bundles. Hong Xiaoduo didn't stop them; at half a catty per bundle, a string of three weighed only a catty and a half—not heavy at all. Besides, the children were happier carrying them themselves.

Just as she turned to leave, Tian Shu leaned in close and signaled for her to look outside. Seeing his nervousness, Hong Xiaoduo peered out. She saw several yamen runners measuring heights and asking questions of the clerk in the shop across the way. Among them was the same Constable Jin she had encountered before.

Surely they weren't here for her and the seven children? Hong Xiaoduo couldn't be certain. In any case, lacking travel permits and still haunted by the uncertainty of whether that villain from earlier was dead or alive, she and the children couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.

What was meant to be would come regardless of how she tried to hide. What should she do now?