The mugwort they had gathered was washed clean. Jiang Wanyue found a large flat stone and crushed the herb into a paste, secretly adding a little Spiritual Spring Water as she ground it.
Once it was ready, she applied the paste while wiping his forehead and the other areas that needed cooling.
When she reached the man’s groin to cool one of the major arteries, she clearly felt his body stiffen beneath her.
Jiang Wanyue didn’t think much of it.
She assumed it was nothing more than a natural reflex.
While grinding the mugwort, she had also unexpectedly found some wild mint, an excellent herb for reducing fever.
Without a towel, she simply tore another strip of cloth from the lining of her skirt.
Fortunately, ancient robes were long and had inner linings, making it easy to tear off a strip without exposing herself.
She wrapped the mint inside the cloth and placed it on the man’s forehead, tying it neatly into a simple bow.
After lowering his temperature, it was time to treat the wounds left by the flogging.
This part was far more complicated.
Looking at the gruesome injuries, she first had to remove the rotting flesh from the wounds, clean them thoroughly, and then apply the mashed dandelion as medicine.
When her hand reached Xiao Hengchuan’s lower back, she found that even his spine seemed to have been crushed.
No wonder he had died on the road in the original story.
Completely paralyzed, with untreated wounds and a raging fever…
There was no way he could have survived.
Then she remembered the tube of green liquid she had dug up earlier.
She had taken it orally before, but she had no idea whether it would work as a topical medicine.
After a moment’s thought, she took out the tube and carefully poured a small amount onto Xiao Hengchuan’s injured spine.
Then she gently massaged it into the wound.
The injured area beneath her hands gradually began to warm.
Meanwhile, Xiao Hengchuan was utterly shocked.
He knew better than anyone that his spine had been shattered.
Yet now… he could actually feel something.
The place where the woman’s hands were rubbing had become warm.
For the first time, a flicker of hope rose in his heart.
Could it be…
Could he actually stand again?
Only after quite some time did Jiang Wanyue finish treating all of his injuries.
The long session left her drenched in sweat.
Fortunately, thanks to the Spiritual Spring Water she had mixed into the medicine, the wounds she had cleaned were already visibly scabbing over.
Even more astonishing, the injured section of his spine she had massaged had already healed completely.
Jiang Wanyue was stunned.
When she had the chance, she was determined to figure out exactly what this mysterious medicine was made of.
Something this miraculous would be an incredible waste if she ever ran out of it.
Only then did she finally let out a long sigh of relief.
She sat down to rest for a while before calling to Old Madam Xiao, who had been standing guard nearby.
“Old Madam Xiao, I’ve finished treating your son’s injuries. I’ll change his medicine again tonight when we stop to rest.”
Old Madam Xiao hurried over.
“How is Xiao Qi?”
“His life shouldn’t be in danger anymore.”
Old Madam Xiao’s eyes immediately filled with tears.
“Heaven has blessed us. We owe it all to you, child.”
“It’s only what I should do.”
Then Jiang Wanyue remembered something.
“I had to tear his clothes apart so I could examine his wounds. My father should have some spare clothes. I’ll go ask him.”
Old Madam Xiao froze for a moment, countless thoughts flashing through her mind.
“You… tore his clothes apart?”
Her expression became somewhat strange, but Jiang Wanyue didn’t pay it any attention.
She continued reminding her,
“Most of his injuries are around his waist and abdomen. I’ve already removed the dead flesh.”
“But I just finished treating the wounds. Don’t wrap him too tightly, or it’ll make the infection worse. I’ll go find some clothes, and then you can have someone carry him back.”
“I understand.”
Just as Jiang Wanyue was about to head toward the Lin family’s resting place, Little Gold—lounging comfortably inside her space after finishing an entire grilled fish—lazily flicked its tail and reminded her,
“Hey, woman, haven’t you forgotten to use your Golden Hoe?”
Jiang Wanyue smacked her forehead.
“Oh no! If you hadn’t reminded me, I would’ve completely forgotten. I’ll get the clothes first, then come right back and dig.”
When she returned to the Lin family’s resting area, she originally intended to borrow Lin Jingyuan’s clothes, but she realized Lin Xiuran’s robe was a larger size.
So she took one of Lin Xiuran’s long robes instead.
The robe would conveniently cover the clothing she had cut to pieces.
As soon as she returned to the treatment area, Jiang Wanyue eagerly took out the Golden Hoe and, with her backside sticking up in the air, swung it into the ground.
This time, she unearthed a wooden chest.
It was the first time she had dug up something so large.
Her eyes lit up with excitement.
She opened the chest and found it neatly packed with silver ingots.
Looking beside the chest, she found the familiar label.
One Thousand Taels of Silver: 50 ingots × 20 taels each
A full one thousand taels!
That was no small fortune.
An ordinary family might only save two or three taels in an entire year. This amount was enough to be considered a tremendous fortune in most households.
Since it was just silver, there wasn’t much to inspect.
Jiang Wanyue casually stored the entire chest inside her space.
After finishing everything there, she finally returned to the Lin family’s resting place.
The guards had announced that they would set out again at the first quarter of the Shen Hour—around 3:15 p.m.
Jiang Wanyue had spent the afternoon cooking and treating Xiao Hengchuan’s injuries. By now, it was probably close to three o’clock.
She rubbed her sore arms.
Just as she was about to rest for a while, Li Dashan walked over.
“Miss Lin, I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Jiang Wanyue was physically and mentally exhausted and no longer had the enthusiasm she’d shown earlier.
“Officer, if you have something to say, please just say it.”
“Everyone was very satisfied with the fish you cooked at noon.”
“So…?”
“I’d like you to take charge of cooking for all of us guards from now on.”
Jiang Wanyue immediately refused.
“No, Officer, absolutely not. I can’t shoulder such a heavy responsibility.
Otherwise, someone might accuse me of poisoning your food again.
If that happens, all the blame will fall on me.”
Li Dashan wasn’t offended by her refusal.
He had already figured out that this girl responded better to kindness than force.
“As long as you agree to cook for us, I’ll grant you one request.”
“Really?”
“A man’s word is his bond.”
“What if my request is a little… unreasonable? Would you still agree?”
“Let’s hear it first.”
“Officer, you have so many mouths to feed. I can’t possibly cook for all of you by myself.
If I take too long, I’m sure you’ll start rushing me.
So I’ll need some helpers.”
“Go on.”
“I want my father and my brothers to help me.”
“That’s no problem.”
“What I mean is… they’re walking every day wearing heavy shackles and chains. You know how heavy those things are.
After marching all day, how could they possibly have the strength left to help cook?
So I hope you’ll remove their shackles and chains.”
Li Dashan pondered for a moment.
“That’s quite a demanding request. I’d be taking a considerable risk. If your family escapes, I’ll be the one held responsible.”
Jiang Wanyue shrugged indifferently.
“Well, that depends on what you decide, Officer.”
“You’ve certainly given me a difficult problem.”
“Oh, right. If I’m cooking for all of you guards, then I won’t be making separate meals for my family’s branch anymore.”
Seeing how clearly Jiang Wanyue had planned everything, Li Dashan couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d been led right into her trap.
It was as though she had calculated every step in advance.
If he hadn’t tasted her cooking earlier, he was certain he would never have agreed to such conditions.
But after eating the dishes she had made…
It was hard to say no.
Compared to her cooking, what they had been eating before might as well have been pig feed.
Li Dashan had escorted prisoners for many years and met all kinds of people along the way.
But someone like Jiang Wanyue…
She was a first.
After only a brief moment of thought, Li Dashan nodded.
“No problem. I accept your request.”
Jiang Wanyue’s previously indifferent expression instantly blossomed into a smile.
“Thank you, Officer! You’re truly a good man.”