In ancient times, the infant birth rate was extremely low. Families like the Prince Luling's that had six children with all six surviving were rare.
Many households would have ten children with fewer than three surviving, and quite a few pregnancies ended early for various reasons.
It's not uncommon for both mother and child to die during childbirth. In each village, incidents would occur every few years, with some having multiple cases in a single year.
In the border areas where two countries were at war, women and children were primary targets for looting by both sides.
For this reason, women and children were prioritized for protection in every dynasty.
Kidnapping young women and children was severely punished in all dynasties and classified as a major crime.
When Li Yuzhu said she would report to the authorities, the woman with a gaunt face was shocked into silence.
She pleaded for mercy repeatedly.
