Chapter 16: Treatment
Ji Zhao listened to Zhao Lanhua’s introduction with relish. She swore in her heart that when she saved enough money in the future, she would definitely come to the county city to settle down!
Zhao Lanhua led Ji Zhao to the right street for fifteen minutes before they finally stopped.
Benevolent Medicine Hall.
Ji Zhao blinked and looked seriously at the triangular banner hanging on the eaves.
“Treatment or medicine?” The shopkeeper, who was checking the accounts at the counter, heard footsteps and hurriedly looked up to ask.
“Doctor, we’re here for treatment.” Zhao Lanhua pointed at Ji Zhao’s head. “My little daughter-in-law accidentally rolled down the hill when she was collecting pigweed and fell on her head. Please take a look.”
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“Alright, come and sit down!”
Ji Zhao subconsciously glanced at Zhao Lanhua. Under her gaze, she obediently sat down.
The doctor carefully removed the bandage on her head and carefully examined the wound on her forehead. “Why did you fall so badly? The wound already has a little pus. We need to remove the pus first, then sprinkle some powder on it and bandage it again.”
“Thank you, doctor,” Zhao Lanhua said with a smile.
An hour later, the wound on Ji Zhao’s head was finally treated.
However, Zhao Lanhua had spent another tael of silver.
“Mother, don’t worry. I’ll definitely return this silver to you in the future.” After walking out of the pharmacy, Ji Zhao suddenly stopped in her tracks and said seriously.
Zhao Lanhua smiled at her. “There’s no hurry. Come with me somewhere else now.”
“Alright!” Ji Zhao replied obediently.
Half an hour later, Ji Zhao stood on the green brick road and looked at the two pastry shops in front of him. She looked at Zhao Lanhua in confusion.
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“Mother?” Shen Dalang, who was helping to entertain the customers in the shop, inadvertently caught a glimpse of that familiar figure and hurriedly went out to welcome her.
A dark red figure hurriedly walked in front of the two of them.
“No hurry, no hurry. Walk slowly!” Zhao Lanhua patted her eldest son’s hand and asked happily, “How’s business in the shop recently?”
“Pretty good!”
Shen Dalang had a fair round face and was slightly chubby.
His bright eyes looked very smart, and his facial features were quite similar to Shen Yao’s.
However, Shen Yao’s facial features were well-defined and looked better.
“This must be Third Sister-in-law, right?” Shen Dalang glanced at Ji Zhao and asked with a smile.
Brother Shen only returned for the wedding banquet on the day of Shen Yao and Ji Zhao’s wedding. Hence, he did not know about the scandal that Ji Zhao had caused after that, so his attitude towards Ji Zhao was very pleasant.
“Greetings, Big Brother.” Ji Zhao smiled and called out softly.
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“Mother, Third Sister-in-law, come in and sit!” Shen Dalang immediately invited them into the shop.
Only then did Ji Zhao have the time to size up this pastry shop.
The shop was not big, about 50 to 60 square meters, but it was very clean.
All kinds of pastries were clearly placed on the counter. They looked pleasing to the eye and made one drool.
“Mother, Third Sister-in-law, quickly drink the sugar water.” After a while, Shen Dalang brought over two large bowls of sugar water with a smile. “The sugar water that was brewed an hour ago has already cooled. It’s just right for you to drink it now.”
“Okay!”
Zhao Lanhua nodded. She picked up the big bowl in her hand and drank it in one gulp. “It’s very sweet!”
“As long as Mother likes it!” Shen Dalang scratched his head and smiled foolishly.
“By the way, your wife just came, right?”
“Yes, Chunyan accompanied her to the Hongxing Restaurant down the street,” Shen Dalang quickly said. “The Second Manager of Hongxing Restaurant often comes to our shop to buy pastries, so he should give more money on account of me.”
“Eldest son, I’m very happy that you’re successful,” Zhao Lanhua said happily.
Chapter 17: You’re Still Too Young
“Mother, why don’t you make do in the shop tonight? I’ll buy some of your favorite white cut duck later.”
“No, there’s still a lot of work at home. I came to the city today to treat your third sister-in-law’s injuries.” Zhao Lanhua thought of another matter and hurriedly instructed, “By the way, pack two boxes of good pastries for me later.”
“Mother, what do you want to eat? I’ll prepare it immediately.” Shen Dalang asked.
“Ah Tao, what flavor do your grandparents like to eat? Is it sweet or salty?” Zhao Lanhua suddenly looked up at the distracted Ji Zhao.
“Mother? You want to buy pastries for my grandparents?” Ji Zhao was very surprised. “Mother, there’s really no need. Let Big Brother keep the pastries in the shop to sell.”
“Ah Tao, you’re still too young.” Zhao Lanhua looked at her deeply and said earnestly, “Although your situation with my Sanlang is a little special now, no matter what, you’re still husband and wife in name. Tomorrow, you have to return to Pomegranate Village to visit your grandparents.”
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“But Mother…”
“Don’t be in a hurry to decline. Eldest, go prepare two boxes of pastries first.” Zhao Lanhua sent the puzzled Shen Dalang away.
“Alright!”
“Mother? Do you still want to chase me back to Pomegranate Village?” Ji Zhao looked at Zhao Lanhua anxiously and asked what was on her mind.
“You’re thinking too much.” Zhao Lanhua smiled indifferently. “Other than the Shen family, no one else knows that you and Third Brother have divorced, so we still have to do this on the surface. Today at the village entrance, you heard what those people said about you behind your back, right?”
“Mother, their mouths are on other people’s faces. Just let them say whatever they want. I don’t care.” Ji Zhao smiled nonchalantly.
“Ah Tao, just because you don’t care doesn’t mean that I don’t care either. Besides, if you don’t return to Pomegranate Village to visit your family, won’t you give those gossipers a chance to frame my third son?” Zhao Lanhua smiled generously and said in a very honest tone, “You still have to do things appropriately. You don’t have to think too much. I’m mainly thinking about my third son’s reputation.”
4:30 pm.
Eldest Sister-in-law returned, her face full of joy.
“Mother, husband!”
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“Have you sold all those wild chickens?” Zhao Lanhua looked at the bright smile on her face and smiled.
“Auntie Zhao, you’re really amazing. You even guessed it?” A round-faced little girl standing beside Sister-in-law Shen said with a smile, “No wonder my sister said that you’re the best!”
“Chunyan’s mouth is getting sharper!” The smile on Zhao Lanhua’s face deepened.
“Sister, Auntie is praising me for being amazing. You can’t say that I’m stupid again in the future!” Feng Chunyan held Sister-in-law Shen’s arm affectionately and said with a smile.
“You, you!” Sister-in-law Shen tapped her forehead helplessly.
When Ji Zhao, who was standing obediently at the side, heard the name Chunyan, surprise flashed across her eyes.
Feng Chunyan, Eldest Sister-in-law Shen’s biological sister. She was just 12 years old this year and had a lively and straightforward personality. She was also very efficient and capable. She helped her sister and brother-in-law manage the pastry shop… Ji Zhao suddenly thought of the plot in the original novel. If the plot did not change, Feng Chunyan would definitely encounter a calamity during this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival.
“Mother, those wild chickens have all been bought by Hongxing Restaurant.” Eldest Sister-in-law Shen took out an exquisite gray pouch embroidered with lotus flowers from her sleeve and poured out the silver fragments in the pouch. “Seven wild chickens. The restaurant owner gave us a total of seven taels!”
Seven taels was almost half a month’s income for the pastry shop! It could only earn so much when business was good!
“Ah Tao, you were the one who caught the chickens. Keep this silver.” Zhao Lanhua glanced at Ji Zhao, who was in a daze, and called out softly.
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“Oh,” Ji Zhao replied in a daze.
The others looked at her curiously.
Chapter 18: Soup
Ji Zhao thought for a moment and divided the seven taels of silver on the table into three portions.
She handed five taels of silver to Zhao Lanhua and one tael of silver to Eldest Sister-in-law Shen. She only kept one tael of silver for herself.
“Mother, you already spent a tael of silver to bring me to see a doctor just now. Moreover, you and Eldest Sister-in-law helped to deal with these wild chickens. In the end, it was Eldest Sister-in-law who helped to sell it, so we’ll split the silver like this.” Ji Zhao smiled and said firmly.
Previously, the Host had stolen the Shen family’s silver. However, when the Host unfortunately rolled down the hill, the silver was gone.
Ji Zhao felt that she owed the Shen family a lot.
“I don’t want it.” Eldest Sister-in-law Shen hurriedly put the tael of silver back. “I didn’t put in much effort. Besides, I only helped because of Mother.”
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“Eldest wife, since Ah Tao gave it to you, you can keep it.” At this moment, Zhao Lanhua suddenly said, “It’s getting late. Ah Tao and I will go back first. You guys don’t have to send us off.”
In the end, Shen Dalang and his wife still sent them out of the city.
When Zhao Lanhua brought Ji Zhao back to the Shen family’s courtyard in Shanghe Village, the sky was about to turn dark.
Ji Zhao stood outside the courtyard with a hesitant expression, and her footsteps were uncertain.
“What’s wrong?”
“Mother, why don’t I return to the Earth Temple first?” Ji Zhao smiled lightly.
“What time is it? Don’t just stand there!” Zhao Lanhua looked at her indifferently.
Ji Zhao hurriedly chased after her.
Now that her relationship with her mother-in-law had finally eased a little, it would not be worth it if there was another misunderstanding!
Ji Zhao obediently followed Zhao Lanhua into the kitchen.
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At that moment, Second Sister-in-law Shen was washing the dishes. When she heard footsteps, she hurriedly wiped her hands and called out with a smile, “Mother, you’re back? I saved a bowl of rice for you in the pot.”
“Thank you for your hard work.” Zhao Lanhua smiled, her eyes filled with warmth.
Although her second daughter-in-law was usually a little greedy, she was not vague when it came to important matters.
She came back late today. Her second daughter-in-law was very obedient to be willing to cook with a big belly.
“Leave the kitchen to me. Go back to your room and rest,” Zhao Lanhua said with a smile. “By the way, I brought some snacks. Bring a bag back to your room later.”
“Thank you, Mother!” Second Sister-in-law Shen narrowed her eyes and replied happily.
She knew it!
As long as she performed well tonight, with her mother-in-law’s personality, she would definitely not mistreat her!
She loved pastries the most!
“Ah Tao, help me add some firewood.” Zhao Lanhua glanced at Ji Zhao and chuckled.
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“Okay.”
Zhao Lanhua immediately put on her apron, rolled up her sleeves, and lifted the lid of the pot.
There was only one bowl of rice left in the pot. It was definitely not enough for two people.
“Mother? Why don’t I go back first?” Ji Zhao whispered when she saw her thoughtful expression.
“Add firewood!” Zhao Lanhua said without looking up. Then, she turned around and scooped a small bowl of flour from the cabinet.
She quickly added water and noodles and extravagantly added two eggs.
Fifteen minutes later, Ji Zhao couldn’t help but gulp when she smelled the fragrance. “Mother? What are you making? Why is it so fragrant?”
“Dough drop soup.” Zhao Lanhua kept stirring the pot with a big spoon. Finally, she added a pinch of white sugar to the soup.
In the end, she filled a bowl with the soup and handed it to Ji Zhao. “Be careful of the heat. Blow on it before you eat it!”
“Thank you, Mother!” Ji Zhao held the bowl of soup and smiled brightly.
Chapter 19: What Do You Want to Do?
The dough drops in the soup were very chewy, and the taste was sweet and soft.
After a while, Ji Zhao finished the bowl of dough drop soup.
“Mother, this dough drop soup is really delicious.” Ji Zhao smiled and showed her the empty bowl in his hand. “Mother, look, I’ve finished it!”
Shen Yao happened to walk into the kitchen and saw the bright smile on Ji Zhao’s face.
He held his fist to his lips and coughed twice.
“Sanlang, why are you in the kitchen so late at night?” Zhao Lanhua asked with concern. “Are you hungry? What do you want to eat? Mother will make it for you.”
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“Mother, I’m not hungry.” Shen Yao shook his head gently. “Mother, I have something to say to Ji Ah Tao alone.”
Zhao Lanhua subconsciously looked back at the nervous Ji Zhao and explained softly, “Mother brought her back. She injured her head and can’t starve. She…”
“Mother,” Shen Yao called her softly.
Zhao Lanhua nodded helplessly. In the end, she turned around and walked out of the kitchen.
Ji Zhao was so nervous that she did not dare to meet his gaze. She could only look down at her toes.
“I… I’ll leave now… Don’t be angry, okay?”
“What exactly do you want to do?” Shen Yao suddenly approached and stopped one step away from her. “Lift your head and answer my question.”
“I really don’t want to do anything.” Ji Zhao looked up. The smile on her face was pale and powerless. “Mother is kind. She’s afraid that I won’t have anything to eat when I return to the Earth Temple, so she cooked dough drop soup for me. I really don’t have any ill intentions.”
“That’s not your mother.” Shen Yao interrupted her expressionlessly. “Also, don’t come to my house again.”
Ji Zhao suddenly felt a dullness in her heart. She was so sad that she could not speak.
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She answered sullenly, “Got it.”
Ji Zhao turned around and left the Shen residence. The hazy moonlight made her back look very lonely.
In the Shen family’s house, Zhao Lanhua sighed sadly. “Sanlang, Ah Tao seems to have really repented…”
“It’s late. Mother, rest early.” Shen Yao forcefully interrupted her words of pleading. He turned around and limped back to his room.
Ji Zhao, who had returned to the Earth Temple, silently leaned against the reed mat in the corner. She rested her chin on her hands, her gaze empty.
It was not easy to untie the knot in Shen Yao’s heart!
The road ahead was long!
Ji Zhao thought about it for a while and felt sleepy. After a while, she fell asleep.
The next morning, Zhao Lanhua was worried about Ji Zhao’s head injury and went to the kitchen early in the morning to make a big bowl of steamed egg.
Ji Zhao was awakened by her craving.
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She smelled a strong fragrance and could not help but swallow. Then, she slowly opened her eyes.
“You’re awake?” Zhao Lanhua, who was packing the firewood, heard the commotion and turned around with a smile. “I made steamed egg. Eat it while it’s hot.”
“Mother, how can I accept this?” Ji Zhao hurriedly waved her hand to decline. “I can’t eat it.”
Gulp-
Hearing her stomach growl, Zhao Lanhua stuffed the bowl of steamed egg into her hand. “Don’t dawdle. Eat it while it’s hot. Come with me to dig wild vegetables later.”
“… Okay.”
Ji Zhao had no choice but to finish the bowl of steamed egg. The steamed egg with sesame oil tasted even more fragrant.
After a while, the two of them went up the mountain together.
“It’s the drought year now, and everything edible on the mountain has been dug up. It’s rare for you to encounter a wild chicken fight yesterday.” Zhao Lanhua chose a low hill and slowly squatted down, preparing to dig up wild vegetables.
“Mother! Don’t move!” Ji Zhao frowned and shouted!
Chapter 20: Sorry, I Misunderstood You
“What? What’s wrong?” Zhao Lanhua, who was frightened by Ji Zhao, looked up and asked nervously.
“Snake…”
Ji Zhao swallowed nervously and stared at the dark red poisonous snake that was hanging upside down in the bushes an inch away from Zhao Lanhua. She said softly, “Mother, don’t move!”
Zhao Lanhua was so nervous that she forgot to breathe. Beads of sweat suddenly appeared on her smooth forehead.
Ji Zhao took a deep breath. After adjusting her emotions, she picked up the scythe in Zhao Lanhua’s hand at lightning speed and slashed at the poisonous snake!
“Ji Ah Tao! What are you doing?”
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A hoarse shout suddenly sounded from behind her. Ji Zhao’s hand trembled, and the scythe in her hand turned around. It failed to hit the snake’s weak spot, and instead, the snake bit her wrist!
Hiss-
The sudden pain on her wrist made Ji Zhao gasp.
She tried her best to shake off the venomous snake on her wrist!
When Shen Yao, who had rushed over, saw this scene, his heart sank. He quickly seized the opportunity and grabbed the snake’s weak spot!
“I…” Ji Zhao was about to explain when she suddenly felt her vision go dark. In the end, she fell to the ground and lost consciousness.
It was not until dark that Ji Zhao slowly opened her eyes.
What greeted her eyes was a plain greenish-gray tent. She blinked blankly, her gaze empty and powerless.
“Are you… alright?” Shen Yao walked to the bed and asked softly, “Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”
“I…” Ji Zhao turned her head to look at him. The moment she wanted to explain, she suddenly felt very wronged. Her tears kept falling like pearls.
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“I’m sorry. I misunderstood you.” Seeing her cry, Shen Yao felt even more guilty.
“From afar, I thought you wanted to harm my mother, so I stopped you… I didn’t expect you to raise the sickle to hit that poisonous snake,” Shen Yao explained frankly. “The doctor has already come to take a look. Your life is no longer in danger, but you still have to drink medicine just in case.”
“Mm.” Ji Zhao wanted to sit down herself, but there was a sudden pain on her right wrist. It was so painful that she gasped.
Shen Yao thought for a moment and went forward to help her arrange the pillow. He then held her shoulder and helped her sit up.
“Thank you,” Ji Zhao said softly.
“Drink the medicine first.” Shen Yao let go of her uncomfortably and turned to leave.
Ji Zhao picked up the bowl of black medicine, wrinkled her nose, and drank it in one gulp.
To her surprise, the medicine actually had a hint of sweetness.
In the central room of the Shen family.
Zhao Lanhua looked at the silent Shen Yao and advised softly, “Sanlang, I know that you still have a knot in your heart with Ah Tao. However, if Ah Tao hadn’t helped me today, I’m afraid I would have been bitten to death by that poisonous snake. Also, Ah Tao gave me the money from selling the wild chickens yesterday. I think she has really repented. Moreover, she hasn’t signed the divorce letter until now. I think she has really thought it through.”
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Shen Yao did not say anything. He just lowered his head and gripped the big tea bowl in his hand tightly.
Knock knock-
Ji Zhao, who was standing outside the door, raised her hand and knocked on the wooden door. Then, she smiled faintly. “Mother, it’s getting late. I’ll go back to the Earth Temple first.”
Without waiting for Zhao Lanhua’s reply, Ji Zhao turned around and left.
“Ah Tao, wait!” Zhao Lanhua anxiously shot her son a look. “The doctor said that the venomous snake is very poisonous. Ah Tao has to rest more! Third son, don’t forget that if you hadn’t suddenly appeared and frightened Ah Tao, she wouldn’t have been bitten by the poisonous snake!”