Chapter 49: Zhu Shian: I Am a Sinner

Zhu Shian's body was truly in a poor state now. The fifth day after leaving Badong, she fell ill—not a serious illness, just general discomfort, complete weakness, and a low fever.

Zhu Lan was frantic. "Big sister, the next dock is Chongqing. Let's get off the boat and see a doctor."

Zhu Shian lazily didn't want to speak, only shaking her head.

"Big sister, after we pass the Chongqing dock heading west, it's all townships and counties along the way. The doctors there definitely aren't as good as Chongqing's. Just listen to me this once."

Zhu Shian slowly spoke. "Don't worry, it's just a low fever. Nothing fatal will happen. Just endure a few more days and we'll be home. I'll rest properly once we're back."

Zhu Lan couldn't argue with her, so she brought out Fengniang. She said, "Big sister, we'll be home in a few days. If you go back looking sickly, Fengniang will definitely scold you."

Zhu Shian sighed. She didn't need Zhu Lan to remind her—Fengniang would definitely骂她 when she returned.

Zhu Shian tried to calm Zhu Lan. "It's not that I won't take medicine. That old doctor before didn't say I was sick. He said I'm just too weak, that's why it's like this. Medicine won't help."

"How do you know without trying?"

"No need to try. In my current condition, I won't die, but I can't live well either. I can only endure slowly and rest."

Zhu Lan was almost angry. "Can't you wish something good for yourself?"

When Zhu Shian exhaled, she felt her breath was hotter than usual. Relying on herself wouldn't help much now. She could only light incense for the Ancestor Master and pray for his protection.

Zhu Lan actually believed Zhu Shian's nonsense. She asked someone for incense, candles, and spirit money, and after dark that evening, she took a basin and burned paper money in it.

Before going to sleep, Zhu Lan touched her forehead, then touched her own. "Still a bit of a fever. Did the Ancestor Master not receive the incense I burned? Why isn't he protecting you yet?"

Zhu Shian couldn't help but open her mouth to laugh. As she laughed, her throat itched, and she started coughing.

Zhu Lan quickly brought her water. "My ancestor, please stop tormenting yourself. I'm afraid you'll cough your body apart."

After a bout of coughing, Zhu Shian drank hot water, and sweat appeared on her back. Zhu Lan quickly brought clothes for her to change into, telling her not to catch a cold.

After all that fuss, Zhu Shian was too tired to move. She fell asleep against her pillow.

In the end, Zhu Lan listened to Zhu Shian. When the boat reached Chongqing, they didn't get off to see a doctor or get medicine.

The boat they were on docked at Chongqing for an hour—people boarding, people disembarking, cargo being loaded and unloaded. Once all the work was done, they set off again.

Two days later, when the boat was approaching Nanjiang County, Zhu Shian's low fever broke. Her spirit improved slightly, and she asked Zhu Lan to open the cabin window for some air.

"The cabin doesn't smell bad. Why do you need air? You've just recovered—you can't catch a cold. Wait a bit longer. They'll reach Nanjiang County this afternoon, and after changing boats, we'll reach the Zhenshan County dock by evening."

Zhu Lan looked at Big sister's face, so thin it had no flesh. Sigh. She really didn't know how to explain to Fengniang.

When they left in February, she was fine. Going out for less than two months and returning home, she's so sick she can't walk. She went to take care of Big sister—what kind of job did she do?

Zhu Shian didn't need to hear what she was thinking to know. She spoke to divert Zhu Lan's attention. "Was it interesting going out with me?"

"Very interesting."

Not only interesting, but also very enlightening.

For Zhu Lan, these two months of experiences were more exciting than her previous twenty-plus years.

During this time, she followed Big sister to Port City, Guangzhou, and Xiong Mountain. The people in these three places lived as if in three different worlds—the prosperity of Port City, the bustle of Guangzhou, the danger of Xiong Mountain. Each place left her with deep memories.

But if she had to say, she liked Zhenshan County the most.

Not as prosperous, but lively, and not dangerous.

Thinking about being home soon, Zhu Lan was very happy in her heart.

Coming home always made people feel at ease.

"Nanjiang County is here."

Just after eating lunch, Zhu Lan heard familiar local accents shouting that Nanjiang County had arrived.

"How did we get here so fast? Didn't they say we wouldn't arrive until three o'clock?" Zhu Lan rushed out to look.

After a while, Zhu Lan ran back laughing. "I wondered why we got here so fast. It turns out there's a leader inspecting the Nanjiang County dock today. The boat captain was afraid we'd bump into the leader's boat, so he sailed really fast. He pulled us to the dock and urged us to get off quickly. He wanted to get the boat moving ASAP so he wouldn't block the leaders' boats behind us."

While talking, Zhu Lan quickly packed her luggage into her backpack. The army coat covering Zhu Shian wouldn't fit in the backpack, so Zhu Lan held it in her arms.

"Big sister, let's get off the boat."

Zhu Shian nodded.

After boarding, Zhu Shian had barely left the cabin. Coming out of the cabin now, it was the hottest time at noon. The faint coolness on her body was all burned away by the sunlight.

Zhu Shian raised her hand to shield the light. She saw several young people in cadre uniforms directing boats at the Nanjiang County dock, urging the boat captain to move the boat away quickly.

Coincidentally, the small passenger boat next to the one Zhu Shian and Zhu Lan were on was heading to Zhenshan County. Zhu Shian and Zhu Lan got off the big boat and onto the small one, not wasting more than two minutes in between.

This small boat could carry at most fifteen or sixteen people. The sister rowing the boat waited a bit, and when no one else boarded, she didn't wait any longer. Carrying eleven people, she set off.

The boat traveled along Spring River toward Zhenshan County. Going upstream, the boat moved slowly, giving Zhu Shian time to appreciate the scenery on both banks.

The rapeseed flowers in the fields along Spring River had already passed their blooming period. The flowers had fallen, and now the heavy rapeseed pods bent the stalks low. The small paths between the fields were blocked by the fallen rapeseed, making it difficult for people to pass.

Looking further away, the wheat in the dry fields on the mid-slopes swayed gently in the wind. The wheat ears were long and heavy—anyone could see this season's wheat would have a bountiful harvest.

"Spring farming is about to get busy. Sister Wang, you should save some energy for work. Whenever you have free time, you come out to row the boat. You really never rest."

"Hahaha, you say that too? Aren't you all the same, finding work outside whenever you have free time? I say, you went to Nanjiang County for more than half a month, right? How much did you earn?"

"We do hard work and earn hard money. We brothers work hard, but I'm afraid we still earn less than you rowing the boat."

Zhu Shian looked at the sister rowing the boat and the three to five young men sitting across from her. From the familiar way they talked, they should be from the same village.

Seeing they didn't want to say more, Sister Wang didn't probe further. She smiled and said, "You earn hard money carrying dirt and making bricks at the brick factory, and I earn hard money rowing the boat. But you know, what work isn't hard? As long as you can make money, the hardship is worth it."

"Sister Wang speaks truly. Although it's hard, life has gotten much better these past two years."

Not mentioning the money topic, Sister Wang asked, "I heard Nanjiang County opened several brick factories after the New Year. They've been burning bricks day and night. Can they possibly use that many?"

"What do you mean can't use enough? From what those in charge say, the bricks they burn still aren't enough. They're going to build a train station, office buildings, and some trading center and market—we don't really understand."

"Oh, does Nanjiang County government have that kind of money?"

"Nanjiang County definitely doesn't have that money. I heard those office buildings and such are配套设施 with the train station. The money comes from the province. Nanjiang County just contributes a symbolic amount."

"After the busy farming season is over, you'll go to Nanjiang County to work, right?"

"We definitely have to go. I'm thinking of working hard for a few months to save more money. Then at the end of the year, I'll borrow some from my uncle's family and my cousin's family to build a Brick And Tile House."

"Oh, Li Wenming, you're quite capable. You actually dare to think about building a Brick And Tile House?"

Li Wenming embarrassedly smiled and said, "My mother says I'm not young anymore and should be looking for a match. I'm just a country person with no skills, and my family has no brothers to help. If I don't build a good house, it will be hard to find a match."

Sister Wang laughed and said, "I see now. Why your mother was willing to let you go do hard work at the Nanjiang County brick factory this time. So it's because you're preparing to find a match. That's great news."

Li Wenming's mother had given birth to three children before and couldn't keep them all. The only one who survived was Li Wenming. When Li Wenming was little, his parents, when going out to work, practically tied him to their waistband, afraid something would happen if he wasn't in their sight. Although he was a boy, they raised him carefully.

Sister Wang said again, "Sister here will help you keep an ear out. When I hear about a good girl, I'll introduce her to you."

"Well then, thank you in advance, Sister Wang."

Sister Wang waved her hand saying no need to thank, then said, "After Nanjiang County train station is built, you young people won't have to do such hard labor anymore. With people coming and going at the train station, won't there be food and drink? You should go back and learn a couple of signature dishes from someone who can cook, then set up a stall at the train station to sell. You'll make good money."

A young man with a crew cut in a gray long-sleeve shirt said, "We're from Zhenshan County. We might not be able to compete with the locals of Nanjiang County."

"Whether you can compete depends on whether what you sell is delicious and whether you can talk, not on whether you're from Nanjiang County. If they dare to group together and bully you, can't you fight back? Our county isn't far from Nanjiang County. Calling for help is convenient. We're not afraid of them."

Sister Wang transported passengers back and forth between Nanjiang County and Zhenshan County. She hadn't been few times squeezed out by people from Nanjiang County. She wasn't afraid of conflicts with people. After causing trouble a couple of times, everyone just did their own work and competed based on their ability to get passengers.

Sister Wang said to Li Wenming, "You shouldn't be afraid that you don't have full brothers. Without full brothers, you have cousins, and you have childhood friends from the same village. Outside, you're all together. Who would watch you get bullied and not lend a hand?"

Li Wenming smiled and nodded. "This time going to the brick factory, Brother Zhao and Brother Sun all helped me."

"That's right." Sister Wang smiled and said, "Your parents aren't young anymore. You're a big young man—don't be afraid of trouble. If you venture out, the whole family is counting on you."

Sister Wang turned to another young man. "You all need to help Wenming more."

"Don't worry, Sister Wang. We're all adults. We understand this much."

Sister Wang nodded satisfied. "All good children."

The sun shone on Sister Wang's dark face. She wasn't afraid of the sun at all. While rowing the boat, she looked at the farmland stretching in patches and smiled. In high spirits, she sang at the top her voice: "Spring River water, oh so clear, fish are fat and fragrant is the rice, good days come year after year~"

Several young people joined in singing: "Water, fields, mountains, Zhenshan County is a good place~"

The folk tune winding through the mountain roads was simple and fervent. From their singing, Zhu Shian could hear their excitement and anticipation. Who didn't look forward to good days?

Zhu Shian leaned against the gunwale, extending her hand into the river water. Suddenly she felt something bite her finger. Looking down, a silly big-headed fish was wagging its tail and chasing her finger to nibble.

Zhu Shian couldn't help but laugh.

Just then, listening to Sister Wang sing, Zhu Lan heard Big sister laugh. Seeing Big sister's hand in the river water, she quickly pulled it out.

"Big sister, the river water is cold. I'm begging you, please don't touch cold things." Zhu Lan was helpless.

Big sister always said she knew what she was doing, but in Zhu Lan's view, Big sister was sometimes as mischievous as a child and had no idea what was good for her.

Zhu Shian pointed ahead. "We're home."

Zhu Lan turned to look. Ahead was Zhenshan County, but: "Why did the dock get bigger?"

Sister Wang laughed and said, "There are too many boats coming and going in Zhenshan County. The dock wasn't enough, so last month the county committee paid to expand it. It's twice as big as before."

The boat slowly approached the dock. Sister Wang jumped off the boat and tied the rope to a pile, laughing and saying: "Zhenshan County is here. Who wants to get off?"

A group of people rushed to get off. After getting off, Li Wenming asked Sister Wang when she would leave.

"It's still early. After picking up a few passengers, I'll go to Nanjiang County again. I estimate I won't be back until after four."

"Then we'll wait for your boat to go back to the village."

"What are you all going to do?"

"We're going to take a walk around Sanqing Lane."

Sister Wang instructed the young men: "Spend money where you should, don't spend a cent where you shouldn't. You don't earn much money easily. Especially you, Li Wenming, aren't you saying you want to save money to build a Brick And Tile House?"

Li Wenming said, "Sister Wang, I'm not spending money. We're accompanying Brother Zhao to Zhu Medical Hall to buy medicine."

"Oh, then go ahead. After you're done browsing, wait for me at the dock. I'll be back soon."

"Okay."

Zhu Shian glanced at the group. They all looked healthy, not like they were sick.

Zhu Lan pulled Zhu Shian. "Big sister, stop looking at others. Let's hurry home."

Zhu Lan and Zhu Shian walked ahead. Li Wenming and his fellow villagers walked slower behind, looking around as they walked. Zhu Shian also heard them saying Zhenshan County didn't have as many shops as Nanjiang County, not as lively.

The two groups took the same route. Zhu Lan and Zhu Shian reached the end of South Street, turned left into Sanqing Lane from the Jinshi Archway. Li Wenming saw this and said, "Those two female comrades were on the same boat as us. They're going to Sanqing Lane too."

"What's strange about that? Sanqing Lane is the liveliest lane in Zhenshan County. Who comes to the county town without going to Sanqing Lane to browse?"

Li Wenming thought that made sense.

Li Wenming's group entered Sanqing Lane. First, they were startled by the line of people queuing in front of the pastry shop at the lane entrance. It's noon—queuing for pastries in this heat, they really aren't afraid of the sun.

"Eight Treasures Cake is sold out. Those who want to buy Eight Treasures Cake, please come early tomorrow. Everyone don't queue anymore."

"Are there any Yam Cakes left?"

"We have two cages of Yam Cakes today.估计还要十几分钟."

"Are there Black Rice Cakes?"

"We have three cages of Black Rice Cakes."

As they spoke, two young people wearing aprons and hats carried a steamer out from the inner room. They placed the steamer on a long, wide solid wood board. When the steamer lid was opened, a rich sesame fragrance immediately spread out, making the people in line stretch their necks to look.

"I want two jin of Sesame Cakes."

"Okay, pay over here."

The two worked together—one collected money while the other used tongs to pick Sesame Cakes for customers. The fresh Sesame Cakes were placed on oil paper, quickly wrapped, and handed over.

Li Wenming's group stood at the shop entrance for a while watching the commotion. The people behind in line shouted at them: "You young men, don't cut in line. If you want to buy pastries, go to the back of the line."

Everyone in line immediately looked at them.

Li Wenming quickly said, "We're not buying pastries."

Seeing they weren't cutting in line, the elderly people in line ignored them again.

Li Wenming's group quickly left, to avoid standing at the entrance and causing misunderstanding.

"Those Sesame Cakes were really fragrant. They must use real ingredients."

"Do you want to buy some?"

"Forget it. With the money for pastries, it's better to buy a jin of meat."

Li Wenming thought to himself, after the Brick And Tile House is built and the money borrowed from relatives is repaid, he would also come to the pastry shop queue and buy two jin of Sesame Cakes.

Diagonally across from the pastry shop was Zhu Medical Hall. Li Wenming followed Brother Zhao into the medical hall. Brother Zhao took a prescription to the medicine cabinet and said to the brother dispensing medicine: "My mother-in-law came to the medical hall last time. Your doctor wrote this prescription. She said to bring the prescription back to get more medicine when the medicine runs out."

Zhu Zheng took the prescription and looked at it. It was a prescription written by Grandpa Shouxin. The diagnosis on the prescription was spleen deficiency with excessive phlegm, and it was for Six Gentlemen Pill. The last time they got medicine was more than half a month ago.

Zhu Zheng went behind the counter, took out a jar, scooped medicine with a spoon, wrapped it, and handed it to him. "This time, when the medicine you bought is finished, bring the patient to the medical hall to see if the condition has changed."

Brother Zhao quickly nodded. "My family said my mother-in-law took the medicine you prescribed and it worked very well. She coughs and produces phlegm much less now."

Zhu Zheng smiled. "Good that it works."

Just as Zhu Zheng saw Brother Zhao off, Zhu Lan came in from the back workshop. When Zhu Zheng saw her, he said in surprise: "When did you come back?"

"Just now. Fengniang asked me to come tell you and the others. After the medical hall closes, everyone should go to the main residence once to take Big sister's pulse."

Zhu Zheng frowned. "What's wrong with Big sister? Is she injured?"

"It's not just injury. It's hard to explain in a few words. You'll see when you go over later." Zhu Lan sighed. "You're busy now. After you're done, you and Grandpa Shouxin and the others can talk. I won't go over."

"Got it. Leave it to me."

Brother Zhao took the medicine and walked out of the medical hall with Li Wenming and the others. Li Wenming said quietly: "Do you remember that female comrade from just now?"

They came from Nanjiang County on the same boat—how could they not remember.

"Who would have thought those two female comrades were actually Zhu family members."

Before, although they didn't know if they were Zhu family members, Zhu Shian had a different temperament from other female comrades. After boarding the boat, Li Wenming and the others didn't dare to strike up a conversation.

"I heard half a sentence. It seemed like someone was sick."

"They're a family that runs a medical hall. Are they afraid of family members getting sick? It's not like they can't afford medicine." A young man who had just seen Brother Zhao pay said: "Their medicine at the medical hall is really expensive. Ordinary people really can't afford it."

Brother Zhao smiled and said: "Expensive though it is, but my mother-in-law took it and it worked, so it's worth it."

Brother Zhao was the second son in the family. Among three children, he was the most overlooked. Brother Zhao had an ordinary relationship with his parents. Since he was little, he was close to his grandmother. Since the old lady got sick last year, he was the most worried.

"Why don't you take your mother-in-law to the County Hospital to see a doctor? There are also Zhu family doctors at the County Hospital, and the medicine they prescribe is cheaper."

"I went to the County Hospital. The Zhu family doctor there also prescribed this prescription, but they said the medicinal materials at the County Hospital aren't as good as those at the medical hall. Taking medicine from the County Hospital is slower to take effect."

When her mother-in-law's illness acted up, she couldn't cough up the phlegm and felt very uncomfortable. Brother Zhao couldn't bear to let his mother-in-law suffer. He would rather work at the brick factory to earn more money to give his mother-in-law better medicine.

"Not talking about this. It's still early. Want to go browse ahead?"

"Of course we want to. Since we came."

Compared to when Zhu Shian left in February, Sanqing Lane had become much livelier. Besides the tea houses, food stalls, and pastry shops that attracted the most people, recently the tailor shops, hairdressing shops, and miscellaneous goods shops that female comrades liked to go to had gradually gotten better business.

Sanqing Lane was bustling with people, which naturally brought better business to those shops selling bamboo weaving, porcelain, clay pots, and furniture.

Sanqing Lane was lively and bustling. The atmosphere at the Zhu family main residence was also lively.

When Zhu Fengqin saw Zhu Shian return, she was first happy. Then seeing her emaciated face and weak appearance—she could barely walk without coughing—she immediately started crying, out of anger.

"I've been taking care of you since you couldn't even walk. I was afraid you'd be cold, afraid you'd be hot. If you coughed once, I didn't dare sleep the whole night, afraid I wouldn't know if you had a fever at night. To get you to eat a couple more bites, I tried every way to make delicious food for you. When there was nothing fresh during the lean season, from a single potato I could make十几样菜 for you. I was worried sick. Finally I raised you, raised you into a healthy big girl. You, you—this unreasonable one—how did you end up like this? Tell me, tell me, do you feel sorry for me?"

Zhu Fengqin had a whole lot of words she wanted to scold. Seeing Zhu Shian standing there looking like she had done wrong and not saying a word, she couldn't bring herself to scold.

Zhu Fengqin covered her chest and cried: "Look at yourself now—skinny to nothing but bones, not a trace of flesh on your face. Did you come back to气死我? Just 气死 me算了, since I don't want to live anymore."

Zhu Shian gave Zhu Lan a look, asking her to quickly persuade her.

Zhu Lan stood by the wall like a pillar, pretending not to hear. In her opinion, Fengniang should scold her. Otherwise, next time she would still not take her own body seriously.

Since Zhu Lan wouldn't help, Zhu Shian could only do it herself. She walked over and persuaded: "Don't cry. I saw a doctor before returning. The doctor said this isn't an illness—I'm just weak. Resting will fix it."

Zhu Fengqin wouldn't listen to her. She pushed her away: "Don't try to fool me with such words. I've raised you since you were little. What kind of body you have, don't I know? Your weakness problem was cured long ago. Tell me honestly—what exactly happened to make your body like this?"

Zhu Shian didn't dare tell the truth. She could only pick and choose what to say: "I encountered a group of powerful enemies. By then it had already come to a life-and-death moment. If I didn't fight desperately to kill them, not only would I die, but many common people would also lose their lives. At that time, I really had no choice."

Zhu Fengqin was even angrier: "There are so many people in that Action Team. Why must they send just one little girl to do it? Putting such a big responsibility on you—are they without shame?"

Zhu Shian explained quietly: "They were carrying out missions at the border and couldn't spare anyone. It's been so many days now—you should have seen the newspaper, right? We won. Their contribution was part of the victory."

Zhu Fengqin didn't care about victory or not. She said angrily: "They let you face such danger alone—that's wrong of them. Give me your phone number. I'm going to call and scold them."

"It's not their fault. I wanted to go myself."

Zhu Fengqin suddenly turned around. Her trembling finger pointed at Zhu Shian. She was so angry her teeth ached: "I knew it! I knew it! If you don't want to go, no one can force you. You finally told the truth, you unreasonable child. You're trying to kill me. If you die, how am I supposed to live?"

Zhu Fengqin plopped down on the floor and cried loudly. Zhu Shian quickly held her and tried to comfort her. Zhu Fengqin hit her: "Get lost from my sight. I don't want to see you right now."

Zhu Shian choked up: "But I want to see you. When I felt I might die, the person I couldn't bear to leave was you."

Hearing these words, Zhu Fengqin couldn't bring herself to hit anymore, couldn't bring herself to scold. She could only cry harder.

Zhu Shian spent a long time comforting Fengniang. Finally she was comforted, but Zhu Shian herself couldn't hold on. Standing up, she felt dizzy and her vision blurred. She stumbled and almost fell.

Zhu Fengqin, her eyes red and swollen, scolded her: "You child, how can you not consider the consequences of your actions at all? If there's a next time, just don't come back. Die outside."

She scolded with her mouth, but worried in her heart. Zhu Fengqin turned and said to Zhu Lan: "Run to the medical hall quickly. Call Grandpa Shouxin and the others to come diagnose her."

Zhu Shian said there was no need. "There are still patients waiting at the medical hall. Grandpa Shouxin and the others aren't free. It's not too late to ask them to come after the medical hall closes."

Zhu Fengqin disagreed. Zhu Shian said: "I'm hungry. I want to eat."

Zhu Fengqin quickly asked: "What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you."

"I love anything you make. Make whatever."

Zhu Fengqin poked her forehead with her finger: "Don't think you can fool me with sweet words. When the clan elders come, see if they don't scold you."

Zhu Fengqin still asked Zhu Lan to run to the medical hall and ask Grandpa Shouxin and the others to come to the main residence after closing.

Zhu Fengqin went to cook. Zhu Lan went to the medical hall to deliver the message. Zhu Shian was left alone in the front hall. After sitting for a while, her body felt uncomfortable. She went back to her room to lie down.

Xiao Bai followed her back to the room on her heels. Xiao Bai called out "master," but Zhu Shian didn't have the energy to talk to it. She took off her clothes and lay down to sleep.

When she closed her eyes, Zhu Shian sniffed. The quilt smelled of sunlight—pleasant.

Zhu Fengqin was afraid Zhu Shian would starve, so she made something quick—high heat, quickly fried—and soon made two bowls of fried egg and vegetable noodles. She hastily carried the finished noodles out, didn't see anyone, and went to find her in the room.

Zhu Fengqin woke Zhu Shian up: "Didn't you say you were hungry? Eat quickly. You can sleep more after eating."

Zhu Shian was pulled up while still groggy from sleep. She ate a bowl of soup noodles, rinsed her mouth, and lay down again.

Zhu Fengqin took a warm wet towel to wipe her face. As she wiped, she started crying again.

Zhu Lan went to the medical hall to deliver the message, came back to eat noodles, finished the noodles, washed the pots and bowls in the kitchen, took a hot water bath, and by the time her hair was dry, it was already evening. The medical hall had closed, and the County Hospital had also gotten off work.

Grandpa Shouxin, Grandpa Shouguang, Zhu Lin, Zhu Chong, Zhu Changbi, Zhu Xiang, and also Zhu Changming, Zhu Changde, Zhu Hetian, and Zhu Hetian who had just gotten off work all arrived.

Zhu Fengqin wouldn't let them disturb Zhu Shian's sleep. She only let them enter the room one by one to feel Zhu Shian's pulse.

When Zhu Shouxin saw Zhu Shian's complexion, he was first startled. Then he felt her pulse—it wasn't that she was at the end of her resources, but such a weak pulse he had only felt in seriously ill people.

After feeling the pulse, Zhu Shouxin couldn't help but sigh.

Seeing Zhu Shouxin sigh, Zhu Shouguang stepped forward. He was also startled by Zhu Shian's complexion. After feeling her pulse, Zhu Shouguang couldn't even sigh.

Her body was so weak. If she couldn't be properly regulated, it would affect her lifespan.

Zhu Changming, Zhu Lin, Zhu Changbi, and the others each stepped forward to feel her pulse. After feeling the pulse, they were all asked to leave by Zhu Fengqin.

Gently closing the door, the group went to the front hall. Grandpa Zhu Fujiang, Yun Popo, and all the other clan elders were sitting there waiting. Zhu Changfeng, Zhu Changzhen, Zhu Changfang, and a few other young people were pouring tea for the elders.

When they saw Zhu Shouxin and the others come out, Zhu Fujiang quickly asked: "How is it?"

Zhu Shouxin shook his head: "Big sister isn't sick. I guess her body suddenly became like this because of the Xuan Sect matter."

Zhu Fujiang said heavily: "Zhu Lan, you speak. What things did you do and who did you see during these two months you were out? Tell us everything clearly."

Zhu Lan knew the clan elders would definitely ask when she returned. She walked to the front of the hall and told everything clearly about Big sister's matters in Port City and Xiong Mountain.

"Big sister was fine in Port City—nothing happened. It's just that after going to Xiong Mountain, she stayed inside Xiong Mountain for half a month without coming out. Ye Dan got anxious, afraid something would happen to Big sister. She contacted the Action Team headquarters, and that day they transferred the people at the border to Xiong Mountain to rescue Big sister."

"That night they entered the mountain, there was a sudden burst of Golden Light inside Xiong Mountain. When Master Daoist Li found Big sister on Xiong Mountain, Big sister's hand was pierced and she was bleeding a lot. They said Big sister had to injure her body to activate that Magic Array."

"Why did Big sister have to go to Xiong Mountain in the first place?"

Zhu Lan said: "At first I didn't know either. Later I heard Ding Mao and the others say, Xiong Mountain wasn't originally called Xiong Mountain. It was called Niushou Mountain. Niushou Mountain was the place of the Taiyi Sect a thousand years ago. Big sister had to go to the Taiyi Sect to eliminate the demons inside and bury the dead Taiyi Sect disciples. It's because our Zhu family's ancestor was a disciple of the Taiyi Sect. Big sister is a descendant of the Taiyi Sect."

"They said Xiong Mountain is too dangerous. One careless move and people will die. Only Big sister could get it done and settle the matter."

When the Zhu family clan elders heard the words Taiyi Sect, they all sighed together.

Everything about the Zhu family started from that ancestor who joined the Taiyi Sect. The Taiyi Sect matter—how could the Zhu descendants ignore it?

Even though Big sister came back injured like this, they couldn't say she shouldn't have gone now.

After a long silence, Zhu Fujiang asked Zhu Shouxin and Zhu Shouguang: "We don't understand the Xuan Sect matter. From your doctors' perspective, how should Big sister be treated?"

Zhu Shouxin said: "I still stand by what I said earlier. Big sister isn't sick. She's just physically weak."

Zhu Shouguang used words everyone could more easily understand: "Big sister's body is like water in a well. When it was good, the well water was full. Now there's only a little water left in the well. It's not that the well is broken and can't hold that much water. It's that the well can't seep out that much water anymore. So there's only this little."

Yun Popo asked: "Then how do we make the well seep out more water?"

"Nourish it. We can only take our time and slowly nourish the body back." Zhu Shouxin sighed lightly.

Zhu Changming said: "Big sister's body was weak when she was a child. At that time, we could nourish her body well because she was young and still growing, so no illness was left behind."

"Your meaning is that now that she's older, illness will be left behind?"

Zhu Changming shook his head: "Before she had the advantage of her young age. Now she also has an advantage to exploit."

"What advantage?"

"Did you forget? Big sister herself is a very capable Daoist Physician. No one knows better than her how to regulate the body. Once Big sister's body recovers to forty or fifty percent, she can heal herself."

"Ah, Changming thinks more carefully. If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have remembered this."

Zhu Changming smiled: "You just worry too much to think clearly."

Yun Popo held Zhu Fengqin's hand and said: "Big sister was raised by you since childhood. This time you'll be troubled again."

"No trouble. In my heart, I've long regarded her as my own child. I'm just angry that she doesn't cherish her own body. It makes me sad."

"This is the last time. If there's a next time, without you saying anything, this old woman will go to the ancestral hall and invoke the family law. I'll definitely teach her a lesson."

Zhu Changfang said: "Big sister can barely breathe now. You still want to invoke the family law. Wouldn't Big sister be knocked unconscious by a single blow? Then it would be you, old one, feeling the heartache."

Yun Popo glared at Zhu Changfang: "If you say another word, this old woman will invoke the family law and beat you first."

Zhu Changfang said with a smile: "Fine. My body is strong. I'm willing to take the family law for Big sister."

Yun Popo raised the cane in her hand to hit her. Zhu Changfang quickly ran away laughing.

With Zhu Changfang's interruption, the atmosphere in the hall was finally not as solemn as before. Zhu Shouxin went to the front hall cabinet and took out paper and pen. He wrote several dietary therapy prescriptions.

The pen was passed to Zhu Shouguang, who also wrote several. It came to Zhu Changming, Zhu Changbi, and the others—prescriptions for medicinal tea, medicinal wine, and soup for stewing. As long as they were suitable for Big sister, everyone wrote them down.

"It's still spring now. In spring, yang energy rises and life flourishes. The yang energy in the human body also generates with it. At this time, one should eat less sour food and more warm, light, and sweet food to benefit the spleen and stomach qi. The spleen and stomach are the root of the body. When the spleen and stomach are strong, the qi and blood will improve."

"Black rice is neutral and sweet—a good thing. People in the past called black rice longevity rice and blood-nourishing rice. It has the benefits of benefiting the spleen and nourishing the stomach, nourishing yin and strengthening the kidneys. Big sister has qi deficiency, blood deficiency, and yang deficiency, and her liver and kidneys are damaged. Eating this is just right."

"Pig's trotters have a certain effect in filling kidney essence, strengthening the waist and knees, and nourishing weakness. Pig's trotters are easy to buy and not difficult to make. Pig's trotters soup can be given to Big sister more often."

"Five Red Soup and Astragalus Angelica Soup can both be drunk, but not too frequently."

"We talk about medicine and food being from the same source. Longan, red dates, lotus seeds, goji berries, ginseng, Chinese yam, etc. are all suitable for boosting qi and nourishing blood. They can be mixed into meals and health tea for Big sister every day. If Big sister gets tired of them, they can be made into pastries. Anyway, mixing these ingredients into pastries isn't hard to eat."

"Ginseng isn't suitable for making into pastries. It's most suitable for stewing soup. To boost qi and nourish blood, Panax Ginseng Stewed Chicken is very good—a gentle tonic formula."

Zhu Changzhen leaned over the table to look. He said: "There's a batch of panax notoginseng and ginseng stored in the warehouse, just not much."

"Where are they from?"

"Panax notoginseng is from Wenshan. Ginseng is from Tonghua."

"Wenshan panax notoginseng is already top-grade medicinal material. It can be used. As for ginseng, Tonghua ginseng is good—its medicinal properties are mild and mellow. To make it even better, we'd have to find gatherers on the Qinling side to buy a few ti ginseng roots."

Er Gupo was also there today. She nodded and agreed: "I'll set off for Qinling tomorrow."

Zhu Fujiang asked Zhu Changfeng: "This year, the raw medicine shop's medicinal material purchases all went through the medical hall's accounts. Big sister instructed this, so I didn't ask much. Now I'm asking you—how much money is left in the accounts?"

Zhu Changfeng knew what Grandpa Fujiang was asking. He said: "A week ago, we just collected a batch of medicinal materials from Bai Dasao. There's not much money in the account. It definitely won't be enough to buy ti ginseng."

Ti ginseng is the top of the ginseng family. Its price has never been cheap throughout history. When the Zhu family was doing well, they would keep a few ti ginseng in the warehouse for emergencies. Later, they didn't buy ti ginseng much.

Zhu Fujiang said to Er Gupo: "This time, the clan will pay for the money to buy ti ginseng."

Zhu Changming said: "Ti ginseng's medicinal properties are too strong. Big sister can't handle such heavy tonics now. Let's use codonopsis first. Codonopsis, panax notoginseng, and astragalus chicken soup is more gentle."

"Changming speaks reasonably."

These few doctors from the Zhu family quickly wrote two or thirty prescriptions together. They put the prescriptions out for discussion—selecting which origin's medicinal materials to use, what vegetables to eat, and they decided everything.

Zhu Fengqin had taken care of Zhu Shian since childhood. She was already familiar with all kinds of prescriptions. She had a clear idea in her heart about details like which medicinal materials to pair with which ingredients and how to control the fire.

The group discussed in the front hall until late at night before dispersing. The next morning, when Zhu Shian woke up, just as she opened her eyes, a bowl of Five Red Soup was placed in front of her.

Zhu Fengqin said: "Drink the soup first. After drinking, then go wash up. After washing up, eat breakfast. This morning we're having liver congee and vegetable congee."

This tone of Fengniang that brooked no refusal made a sense of fear rise in Zhu Shian's heart. The way Fengniang spoke this morning was exactly the same as when she was a child.

In the morning, what soup to drink, what to eat for breakfast, after breakfast go for a walk to aid digestion, wait until ten in the noon to have a supplement, then go for another walk, then at noon the main meal—see which salty but tasteless dish to eat with the nourishing soup. Then afternoon snack, evening main meal, sometimes before sleep another bowl of tonic soup.

Zhu Shian knew she was a sinner now. She didn't dare resist. If Fengniang told her to drink, she drank. If Fengniang told her to eat, she ate. She didn't dare refute anymore.

After eating breakfast, Zhu Shian wanted to lie down again. Zhu Fengqin wouldn't let her. She insisted she go to the courtyard for a walk. Afraid she wouldn't obey, she also went to Wu Shenpo's house and brought that little girl Fufu over to supervise her.

Fufu, who had grown another year older, was now a healthy four-year-old girl. For more than a year, she had been drinking various soups made with Soul Nourishing Water. Now her body was very healthy and she spoke clearly.

Zhu Shian followed Fufu's pace and walked slowly. Fufu tugged at Zhu Shian's clothes and looked up at her: "Did Big sister do something wrong?"

"How do you know?"

"I heard my婆婆说, Big sister is naughty. Grandpa Zhu Fujiang and the others are all angry."

"Oh, is that so? I don't know."

Fufu thought Big sister didn't believe her. She nodded while saying: "Really! Grandpa Zhu Fujiang stayed at my house last night."

"Who else?"

"There's also Yun Popo, Third Auntie, and Grandpa Zhuzi. They all stayed at my house."

Fufu hopped a little, turned back, and smiled at Zhu Shian: "It's okay. If Big sister is good next time, 婆婆 won't scold you."

Zhu Shian smiled: "Okay. I'll listen to everything Fufu says."

Zhu Shian knew this matter definitely couldn't hide from the clan elders. She didn't expect the clan elders came last night. When they came, they didn't call her. When they left, they didn't notify her.

Since they didn't say anything, she'll pretend not to know. Dealing with one elder like Fengniang was exhausting enough. She couldn't imagine those七八十岁的 elderly people either looking at her with disappointment or crying in front of her.

Just thinking about it made Zhu Shian's scalp go numb.

Zhu Lan wasn't here today. Zhu Shian didn't see her. At noon, she continued to eat the salty but tasteless health food. Zhu Shian asked Fengniang: "Is Zhu Lan home?"

"Yes. I told her to go home and rest for a few days. She'll come over again in a few days."

Zhu Lan wasn't completely resting at home either. During these days at home, clan members came to find her every day, asking her to bring things.

The things the clan members asked her to bring were mostly their own raised old hens and ducks, seasonal vegetables from their own fields, honey from their own beehives on the walls. There was even an Uncle Zhu who caught a pair of pigeons he had raised for several years and gave them to Zhu Lan, asking her to bring them to the main residence to stew for Big sister.

Zhu Lan was home for only three or four days, but the things sent to her already piled up in several baskets. Zhu Lan definitely couldn't bring them all to the city at once, so she had to ask her older brother and sister-in-law to take her.

Not only were the clan members finding ways to send things to Zhu Shian, but when the Zhu family in Nanjiang County heard Big sister wasn't well, they also came by boat to deliver things—fish, meat—more than they could eat. Zhu Fengqin thanked everyone and asked them not to send any more.

Li Director from the County Hospital also came to the main residence once and gave Zhu Shian a whole piece of panax notoginseng that was perfectly preserved.

"I know your family doesn't lack good medicinal materials. What I'm giving is my心意. Don't refuse—keep it."

Zhu Shian accepted it: "Thank you for your kindness."

Li Director couldn't help but sigh looking at the thin and pale Zhu Shian: "I don't have any right to nag you. I just hope you'll cherish your body. It's not easy for your Zhu family to produce such a capable person."

Zhu Shian also wanted to sigh. Although Fengniang and the clan members didn't scold her, she could feel their eyes were accusing her.

Sigh. She won't dare to do it again next time.

No—there won't be a next time!