The old physician stayed overnight as instructed, but to his surprise, the expected high fever never appeared. Instead, the patient's pulse grew increasingly steady and strong.
Moreover, aside from the bowl of medicinal soup at dusk, the patient hadn't taken any other medicine.
What was going on? Could it truly be due to the patient's unique constitution?
Noticing the old physician's puzzled expression, Jiang Liuli curled the corners of her lips slightly.
Throughout the day, she had intermittently fed Jiang Yinbao small amounts of Spirit Spring Water. To be safe, she had even mixed anti-inflammatory medicine into the water. This dual approach ensured that Jiang Yinbao, who should have developed a fever, passed the night peacefully.
At dawn, after checking Jiang Yinbao's pulse and finding it stable and strong, the old physician stood up and said:
"The patient is out of danger. I'll take my leave now. The medicine for internal injuries must be taken for three months. I'll return every seven days to check his pulse and monitor his recovery. If any abnormalities occur during this time, come to town and fetch me!"
With those words, the old physician shouldered his medical kit and departed.
Some time later, Jiang Yinbao gradually awoke.
He saw Zhao Shi and Jiang Dani sleeping soundly beside him.
Having believed his wife and daughter were dead, Jiang Yinbao felt as if he were dreaming when he saw them lying alive beside him, with the familiar scent of soapberries Zhao Shi always used lingering in the air.
He reached out to touch them, but his fingers paused just before brushing the stray hairs at Zhao Shi's temples, afraid of waking his wife.
His throat felt clogged with burning cotton. He opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound, his eyes growing uncontrollably warm.
Memories from before he lost consciousness surged in his mind—Da Ni being pushed into the Swallowing Sky River, the swift currents sweeping her away instantly, and his wife plunging into the river, swallowed by the waters.
He had thought it was their final farewell, closing his eyes filled with hatred for failing to protect them.
But now, Zhao Shi's brows were slightly furrowed as if troubled by a restless dream, yet her hand instinctively reached toward him;
Da Ni wore a faint smile at the corner of her lips, perhaps dreaming of something joyful.
Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting dappled light on their faces, even the dust motes dancing in the air seemed warmed by the glow.
With red-rimmed eyes, Jiang Yinbao gazed at his wife and daughter's sleeping faces, a foolish smile spreading across his own.
They were alive… how wonderful!
The Jiang family hadn't eaten their fill last night, so they rose before dawn to prepare breakfast. After eating like thieves, they finally relaxed.
"Mother, you were clever to have us get up early to cook and lock the food away afterward. Let's see what the second branch will eat today!"
Wang Shi said while clearing the bowls, glancing toward the west wing with a tone full of satisfaction.
"Mm! We'll cook and eat lunch before they return from the fields. Starving them a few meals will teach them obedience!"
Jiang Qianshi replied cheerfully, pleased they had finally gained the upper hand.
"Mother is right! But Mother, it's broad daylight now. Why hasn't anyone from the second branch come out? The fieldwork mustn't be delayed!"
Wu Shi stood up to help Wang Shi clear the dishes, eyeing the west wing as she worked.
"Stop cleaning. Go wake them and tell them to go to the fields. Say no work means no food!"
Jiang Qianshi said coldly.
But Wu Shi hesitated, too timid to go.
"Mother, Jiang Dani has such a terrible temper now, and she just fell asleep not long ago. If we disturb her rest, she'll probably beat us up!"
"Useless creature!"
Jiang Qianshi shot her eldest daughter-in-law a glare before turning to Wang Shi. "Third daughter-in-law, you go!"
"Mother! Even sister-in-law who's so strong doesn't dare, how could I? Jiang Dani could slap me to death with one hand. Why not send Da Niu instead?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Da Niu quickly waved his hands. "Third Aunt, you saw how Jiang Dani kicked me flying yesterday! Are you trying to get me killed? I'd rather do more work than provoke that she-devil!"
Jiang Xiao Niu nodded frantically in agreement…
Since no one dared to bother Jiang Liuli, all able-bodied members of the Jiang family who could work had gone to the fields. The floods in recent years had nearly wiped out their crops.
This year's situation wasn't looking good either. The recent heavy rain and strong winds had flattened all the corn seedlings in the fields.
Although the corn was already mature, if they didn't harvest it quickly from the muddy ground, it would rot and sprout in the water, completely wasting a year's harvest.
Therefore, except for the severely injured Jiang Jinbao and Jiang Tongbao, and the entire second branch of the family, all the Jiang family members were working in the fields today.
Jiang Liuli slept until past noon before waking up. Opening her eyes, she saw Jiang Yinbao lying on his side watching her. Zhao Shi's voice came from next door – she had probably gone to check on Xu Shi and the child.
When Jiang Yinbao saw Jiang Liuli wake up, his face broke into a simple, honest smile.
"Da Ni, you're awake?"
"Mm!" Jiang Liuli felt quite uncomfortable being stared at by this unfamiliar man. She got up, put on her shoes, and stepped down from the bed.
"Da Ni, your mother told me about the changes in you. Your father feels very happy in his heart. I will never let you and your mother suffer again."
Jiang Yinbao's voice was still somewhat hoarse, but it carried an unprecedented firmness.
Watching his daughter's efficient movements as she put on her shoes, his heart felt both sore and warm – this child seemed to have grown up overnight, with a sharpness in her eyes he had never seen before. Yet the stubbornness hidden in those eyes reminded him of how Zhao Shi looked when she first married into the family.
Jiang Liuli turned around and met his red-rimmed eyes, feeling a slight stir in her heart.
Though this body's father was honest and timid, he genuinely cared for her and her mother.
She gave a faint "Mm" in acknowledgment, then turned toward the kitchen: "I'll see if there's anything to eat."
The kitchen had cold pots and stoves, the water vat was nearly empty, and the rice jar was so vacant it could reflect one's shadow.
Jiang Liuli frowned, knowing full well that the old hag wouldn't leave them any means of survival.
She turned and entered Xu Shi's room. After learning that none of them had eaten yet, she informed them she was going to town.
Wang Shi wanted to go with her, but Jiang Liuli refused.
She needed to access supplies from her dimension, so naturally she couldn't bring anyone along…
Wutong Town was quite close to Xiaoshitou Village, about a thirty-minute walk.
Arriving in town, Jiang Liuli directly found a bun shop, sat down and ate two large meat buns, then bought twenty more.
The meat buns cost five wen each, so twenty cost one hundred wen.
After buying the meat buns, Jiang Liuli went straight to the market and wandered around for a while.
Not finding any lactating goats or cows, she bought some rice, flour, and pork, placing them on a handcart.
A stone of rice costs one tael of silver, with one stone equivalent to 120 jin in modern measurements, meaning one jin of rice amounts to just over eight wen.
Flour is slightly more expensive than rice, priced at one tael and two mace of silver per stone, working out to ten wen per jin.
Jiang Liuli bought half a stone each of rice and flour. When she reached a secluded spot, the half-filled bags of rice and flour instantly became fully packed large sacks.
Jiang Liuli also purchased three jin of pork belly—today’s price at the butcher shop was sixteen wen per jin, so three jin cost forty-eight wen, enough for two meals for both their households.
When paying, she took out broken silver from her sleeve pouch. The shopkeeper weighed it on a small scale, then gave her some copper coins in change, which clinked into the cloth pouch in her hand.
Afterward, she bought two old hens, intending to nourish Jiang Yinbao and Xu Shi, spending another one hundred and fifty wen. Then, she pushed the cart and returned home.