Ms. Qian mulled it over, then tugged on Gu Zhong beside her and whispered, "I'm thinking we could buy this girl as a child bride for Bao'er. That way, we won't have to spend silver on a wife for him later. Besides, we're short on labor. Xing'er can still help in the fields now, but she's getting older and will be married off in a year or two. After that, is the family supposed to rely on you as the only worker? And for just a dou of rice, it's a bargain."
Gu Zhong frowned. "It's a good idea, but how will we feed another mouth right now?"
Ms. Qian lowered her voice. "Isn't there still Gu the Second?"
"His family must have several hundred taels of silver stashed away. If we truly run out of food, do you really think Gu the Second would just stand by and watch his own older brother starve?"
Gu Zhong fell silent for a long moment. "If you insist on buying her, then do it."
