Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Wang Ping'an and his husband tossed and turned all night at the inn, and as soon as dawn broke, they hurried to the medical clinic. Upon hearing the good news, they couldn't help crying tears of joy.

The old great-uncle said that Pei Mu had been delayed too long, and it was uncertain whether he would recover fully, but they shared the same sentiment as Zhong Yizhu—as long as Pei Mu could live, that was already the best news imaginable.

Pei Mu's poison couldn't be cured with a single dose of medicine, and until he recovered, no one knew what sudden complications might arise. Zhong Yizhu was absolutely unwilling to let Pei Mu leave the doctor's side.

After some discussion, it was decided that Gong Laosi would return to Songyun County as usual for his business, taking Doctor Kong with him. The old great-uncle would stay behind to treat Pei Mu, and once Pei Mu recovered, they would send him back.

It was also because Pei Mu and his spouse were trustworthy people, and the great-uncle was willing, that Gong Laosi agreed to leave the elderly man alone here.

Zhong Yizhu originally planned to rent two rooms or a courtyard in the town's inn, which would make it more convenient to get prescriptions and medicine, but the great-uncle was accustomed to village life and didn't want to stay in town. He said he would return to the village with them.

Although Zhong Yizhu felt uneasy about this, he remembered that it only took about half an hour by oxcart from the village to the town, so he chose to respect the great-uncle's wishes.

Zhong Yizhu took out copper coins from his pouch and gave eighteen large coins to the young pharmacy apprentice who had helped decoct the medicine the previous night. The boy was grinning so wide his eyes became slits, and though he couldn't speak any auspicious words, he could only wish Pei Mu a speedy recovery over and over.

The doctor who had treated them the night before was quite surprised at Pei Mu's improvement. He walked over to the great-uncle, who was directing a pharmacy assistant to weigh herbs at the counter, and humbly inquired about the situation.

Zhong Yizhu asked Chen Xiaorong to buy a cotton quilt to spread on the oxcart, so Pei Mu could lie more comfortably. And on the way back, they could also cover him up to keep him warm from the cold.

After doing this, Zhong Yizhu gave the couple money to take the great-uncle out for breakfast, while he himself refused to leave Pei Mu's side, claiming he wasn't hungry.

When Chen Xiaorong returned, he bought two big meat buns for Zhong Yizhu, but after just a couple of bites, Zhong Yizhu lost his appetite.

The prescribed herbs were bundled up and placed on the oxcart, and Pei Mu was lifted aboard with the help of the assistants. Zhong Yizhu paid for the medicine, helped the great-uncle onto the cart, and sat beside Pei Mu.

Pei Mu was still unconscious, his body slightly feverish, but the great-uncle said this was a good sign.

Zhong Yizhu didn't understand medical principles, but he was afraid that Pei Mu might catch a chill from the wind, so he wrapped him in the quilt and covered his head with a cotton jacket, leaving only his mouth and nose exposed for breathing.

He still stared at Pei Mu without blinking, as if afraid the person before him would disappear. He didn't want to recall the despair and confusion he had felt on this road the day before; only certain parts of his heart still throbbed numbly, making it hard for him to muster any other expression.

Gong Laosi's great-uncle was surnamed He. Zhong Yizhu followed Gong Laosi and called him Uncle He, while Wang Ping'an and his husband, not being connected through this tangled kinship, simply addressed him respectfully as Grandfather He.

Grandfather He was a man of few words, with a sturdy constitution. The deep furrows on his brow revealed his stubborn nature, and his obstinacy showed in every aspect of his life.

Chen Xiaorong told Zhong Yizhu that there was no spare bedroom at their place, so Grandfather He could stay at his house instead, since the two homes were close enough that a shout could be heard.

Before Zhong Yizhu could respond, Grandfather He refused, saying he could sleep anywhere on a thatched mat. Since he had agreed to treat Pei Mu, it wouldn't be right for him to go stay at someone else's house just for comfort.

Zhong Yizhu tried to persuade him, and Chen Xiaorong joined in, but Grandfather He was adamant and wouldn't listen to anyone. Zhong Yizhu had no choice but to agree.

When the oxcart entered Liushan Village, it was still before midday. As usual, a group of people was sitting under the big banyan tree at the village entrance, gossiping. When they saw Zhong Yizhu and his party returning, they all stood up and craned their necks to look. Some asked how things were, others wondered about Grandfather He's identity, and a few even asked if they needed help with anything...

The shout Zhong Yizhu had let out the previous night had alarmed many households in the eastern part of the village. Later, the commotion of hiring a cart and borrowing another had spread, so by early morning, almost everyone knew that Pei Mu had been bitten by a venomous snake and poisoned.

In the mountain area, snakes and insects were common. Every year in these parts, a few people died from snakebites.

Old Zhang didn't say much, only that he had sent them to the town clinic and then returned. But the villagers were used to spreading gossip, and there were always those who wished Pei Mu ill. Some even went so far as to openly curse him, saying things like "it's time to prepare for the funeral."

Wang Ping'an flicked his whip, landing a light but precise blow on the speaker's face, leaving a red welt. Zhang Guihua screamed like a pig being slaughtered, and no longer pretending to be polite, she began cursing loudly.

She thought Pei Mu was beyond saving and that Zhong Yizhu had nothing to fear now. Old grudges and new grievances combined, so she deliberately came to cause trouble.

Seeing this, the people nearby quickly moved away. Though they enjoyed watching a spectacle, they had no taste for such cruel words. It was truly unpleasant to hear.

"Let's go, Brother Ping'an, don't mind her."

Zhong Yizhu adjusted the cotton jacket covering Pei Mu's head, wanting only to get him home quickly to the soft and warm bedding. As for the rest, he would settle accounts when the time came.

The oxcart traveled all the way to the foot of the mountain. As soon as it stopped, the courtyard gate opened from inside, and Sun Yunniang hurried out. Her face was haggard as she asked anxiously,

"How is it? Are you alright, Zhu Ge'er?"

Zhong Yizhu jumped down from the oxcart and helped support Sun Yunniang. Last night, in the emergency, he hadn't left a single word for his mother, and she had clearly been worried sick.

Zhong Yizhu briefly recounted the night's danger, leaving out the most harrowing parts, and explained the current situation. Sun Yunniang immediately urged him, "Hurry, help Grandfather down. We need to carry Pei Mu inside, right? Come, I'll lend a hand."

Together, they carried Pei Mu back to the bedroom and laid him on the bed. Grandfather He came over to check his pulse, then went to fetch the herbs and find a decoction pot. Chen Xiaorong quickly followed to help, while Wang Ping'an went to return the oxcart to the village head's family.

Sun Yunniang, learning that Grandfather He would be staying here, turned without a word to set up a bed in the utility room. She pressed Zhong Yizhu down as he tried to get up: "I can handle this little chore. You stay with Pei Mu."

In moments, they had all dispersed, leaving only Zhong Yizhu and Pei Mu in the bedroom.

Zhong Yizhu took a teacup from the table, tilted it against Pei Mu's lips, and gently poured a little tea to moisten them. He was extremely careful, afraid of pouring too much and letting it trickle down to Pei Mu's neck, causing discomfort.

He couldn't bear to waste even the short time needed to fetch a spoon from the kitchen; instead, he patiently dripped the tea drop by drop, wiping away any spills with his clean handkerchief.

After finishing, he put down the cup and tightly grasped Pei Mu's hand.

Because of the fever, Pei Mu's face was slightly flushed, and the bluish-purple tint still lingered on his lips, a sight that tore at the heart.

Zhong Yizhu leaned close to Pei Mu's ear and whispered, "Get better soon. Mother and I are waiting for you to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together."

The tips of Pei Mu's fingers twitched slightly, as if trying to respond, but the movement was too subtle for Zhong Yizhu to notice.

Half an hour later, Grandfather He came in with a bowl of medicine. Zhong Yizhu helped Pei Mu sit up and leaned him against himself.

Grandfather He's method of administering the medicine was far from gentle or considerate, but perhaps because Pei Mu's will to live was strong, he cooperated and swallowed even in this state.

Seeing that his help was not needed for now, Chen Xiaorong told Zhong Yizhu he was going home. Sun Yunniang went to the village to exchange for a piece of meat and cooked a good meal for Grandfather He and Zhong Yizhu.

When she saw that Zhong Yizhu insisted on eating his meal by Pei Mu's bedside, Sun Yunniang sighed softly.

It was good that the young couple had a strong bond, but the young man looked as if half his life had been drained away. How could she not worry?

He wouldn't tell her, so she learned from Grandfather He how dangerous the night had been. Fortunately, Pei Mu was blessed with great fortune, having been saved even in such dire straits. Otherwise, what would the young man do...

Zhong Yizhu noticed his mother's worried expression and, thinking she was concerned because he wasn't eating, quickly stuffed a few mouthfuls of rice into his mouth.

Sun Yunniang stroked the young man's hair and said, "Let me know if you need more money. I still have some here."

What else could she do but worry? Since her son was so devoted, she naturally had to help protect what he held dear.

Sun Yunniang knew well that seeing a doctor and taking medicine was the most expensive thing. Even though Zhong Yizhu had the three hundred silver taels she had given him, it wouldn't go far against the cost of many precious herbs. She didn't have much herself, but she would contribute whatever she could.

And Zhong Yizhu understood his mother's implication all too well. He looked up at Sun Yunniang, his eyes reddening. After a long moment, he said, "I have enough. If I don't, I'll ask you."

"Alright, eat quickly. Don't cry while eating. I won't say any more. Bring the bowl out when you're done."

Sun Yunniang turned and left the room, wiping her eyes as she did.

She could only hope that heaven would show mercy and let Pei Mu recover soon.

That afternoon, the village head's family came to visit Pei Mu. Not wanting to cause trouble for Zhong Yizhu and the others, they didn't stay long, just sat for a while and left.

Wang Ping'an and his husband also came, helped with some chores, and then left. Sun Yunniang tried hard to keep them for a meal, but they finished all the work quickly and went away.

That afternoon, Grandfather He was either pounding herbs or decocting medicine. The small courtyard at the foot of the mountain was thick with the smell of herbs, noticeable even before you got close.

There were all kinds of rumors in the village. Even though Wang Ping'an and his husband said Pei Mu was out of danger, some still refused to believe it.

As the sun slanted westward and Sun Yunniang was preparing to cook dinner, an uninvited guest appeared at their door.

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Author's note: Thanks for the nutrient solution and bombs~ I tried my best but didn't manage to write the awakening scene. Tomorrow for sure!