Widow Xie was clearly severely shaken, and Ji Huan worried she might end up like Sixth Ancestor Grandma.
Hu Liang's heart ached even more. He stepped forward to stop Widow Xie from continuing her futile efforts.
"Mom... It's no use. We can't leave. Without a letter from the village chief to get a pass from the government office, we can't go anywhere..."
Especially during times of war like this, all the checkpoints and city defenses were under even tighter control. This was partly to prevent spies from infiltrating, and partly to stop able-bodied men from deserting.
Widow Xie stood there blankly for a moment, then suddenly flung the things in her hands to the ground. She collapsed, burying her face in her hands and sobbing bitterly.
"Oh, heavens! Why must there be war? We just want to live our lives in peace, why is that so hard! It was the same last time. Your father left and never came back... Liangzi, what are we going to do? What am I supposed to do?"
