“But with these lean times, this celadon vase is of ordinary quality. Likely, even the pawnshop won’t accept it.”
“The nearest pawnshop is run by that skinflint Zhou. If you take it there, you’ll lose everything!”
Jiang Ling looked at her and said, “Ma’am, I’m very sorry, but I really can’t help.”
The light in Dashan’s mother’s eyes dimmed. She trembled as she wrapped the vase again, her movements slow.
Just as she was about to leave, dejected and holding the vase, she suddenly turned back, her eyes filled with a desperate plea.
“Shopkeeper… then… could I… use this vase… to trade with you for some food?”
Her voice was faint. “My parents haven’t eaten for two days… the army’s relief porridge all went to my pregnant sister-in-law…”
Seeing the anxiety in her eyes, Jiang Ling agreed.
“Alright.”
“What kind of food would you like to trade for?”
Dashan’s mother was at a loss. What kind of food? Right now, her family didn’t even have a house left; pots, pans, bowls, and dishes were all swept away by the flood.
Looking at the beautifully packaged items in the shop, she guessed they wouldn’t be cheap either.
But she had already spoken up—how could she take it back now?
She sighed. “Whatever you think is appropriate, shopkeeper.”
Jiang Ling thought for a moment.
Flood disaster, house destroyed, younger brother seriously ill…
“Please wait a moment.”
Jiang Ling walked to the counter, pulled out a red plastic bag.
She went to the shelves and put in some biscuits, bread, candies, and some instant noodles that could be eaten dry. A few bottles of drinks.
After a moment’s thought, she walked to the rice bucket, pulled out a white bag, scooped up about six or seven jin of crystal-clear rice, and poured it into the bag!
Thinking of rice again, she turned back to the kitchen. She had just finished lunch, and there were three boxes of rice left that the restaurant had included.
When Jiang Ling herself struggled a bit to carry it, she finally placed the heavy bag in front of Dashan’s mother.
“These breads and biscuits can be eaten by tearing them open—they can quickly fill you up and restore your energy. If left unopened, they can last over a month. These three boxes of rice are leftovers from my meal today, but they’re clean. Please don’t mind.”
When Dashan’s mother’s hands touched the still-warm rice, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Polished rice! Hot, steaming polished rice!
This snow-white rice—it’s all polished rice!
Before the autumn harvest, grain prices have soared. Ordinary farming families only indulge in polished rice during festivals.
Even after the autumn harvest, her family only dares to eat a small bowl each.
And now, three boxes of snow-white, steaming hot rice were just handed to her?!
Dazedly hearing the shopkeeper’s words, she almost instinctively shook her head. “I don’t mind, I don’t mind!”
Just now, she watched the shopkeeper take a bag and frantically stuff things into it. She couldn’t believe all these were for her.
These biscuits and pastries—she usually wouldn’t even dare to think about them.
Only when she saw the shopkeeper hand her a large bag of what looked like six or seven jin of polished rice did she stand there, stunned.
“…Shopkeeper, these… all of these… are what I’m getting in exchange for the vase?” Her voice trembled.
“Of course.”
Altogether, these items didn’t even cost one hundred yuan.
The villagers outside exploded in chatter:
“Good heavens! So much?!”
“Just that bag of snow-white polished rice alone is worth more than the vase!”
“Those pastries look even more exquisite than the ones from Furui Zhai in town! They must be expensive!”
“That vase isn’t worth all this! Is the shopkeeper a Bodhisattva reborn?”
“The shopkeeper is doing charity!”
Dashan’s mother was too stunned to speak. Having managed a household, she naturally knew the value of these things.
Before she could say anything, Jiang Ling ran back to the rear storeroom, found a bottle of ibuprofen, unscrewed the cap, carefully poured out three white tablets, wrapped them in paper, and solemnly placed them in Dashan’s mother’s hand.
“This is fever-reducing medicine. Take one tablet at a time with water. I don’t know your brother’s condition, but this medicine can quickly reduce fever. I hope it helps. Remember, only one tablet at a time! If the high fever returns, take another tablet, but wait at least two hours between doses!”
By now, Dashan’s mother was in tears. She placed the items on the ground and with a thud, knelt heavily on both knees.
“Thank you for your great kindness, miss. I, Zhang Dani, will never forget it for all my life! If I cannot repay you in this life, I will be your ox or horse in the next, or hold grass and ring in my mouth—I will surely repay your life-saving grace!”
People of this era valued promises and oaths deeply.
Once sworn, they would keep them even unto death.
Startled, Jiang Ling quickly helped her up.
“Please get up, sister! This isn’t necessary! I’ve only done what little I can. Besides, I don’t know if this medicine will work for your brother. Go quickly and try it! Saving a life is urgent!”
There are many causes of fever. Ibuprofen only reduces fever; other causes would require follow-up treatment.
Whether he can be saved is still uncertain.
Hopefully, he can pull through.
With support, Dashan’s mother stood up, sobbing uncontrollably, and bowed deeply to Jiang Ling again and again.
Only after Jiang Ling urged her repeatedly did she finally leave, glancing back every few steps, clutching the heavy red bag filled with life-saving items, staggering yet determined as she ran toward Xianshui Village.
“The shopkeeper is truly kindhearted!”
“Yes, yes!”
“With such compassion, the shopkeeper will surely receive good karma!”
“Indeed, indeed!”
“We must support the shopkeeper’s business more in the future!”
“That’s right! Just for the shopkeeper’s kindness!”
The villagers all knew the vase wasn’t worth much. The shopkeeper gave so many things simply out of pity for Dashan’s mother’s family.
…
In the military camp downstream.
Cheng Fang had just returned from setting fires in the kitchen when he took a bottle of milk and several packs of snacks to the Crown Prince’s tent.
“Cheng Fang pays his respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!”
Behind the desk, Crown Prince Qin Zhao was reviewing post-disaster settlement reports. Hearing the voice, he looked up, the gravity in his brow easing into a smile.
“Cousin, you’re here! Please, rise.”
Cheng Fang didn’t stand on ceremony and walked straight over.
“With cousin away from the capital this past year, Mother often speaks of you.”
“How has Her Majesty the Empress been lately? I’ve been away for over a year and couldn’t attend to her.”
“Mother is in good health. Your mother often visits the palace to keep her company. Both elders often speak of you. Your mother even said you’re still too young to have been sent out so early. She’s complained to Father several times, worried something might happen to you.”
Cheng Fang smiled awkwardly. “Mother is always like that. I was just following the army, escorting provisions to the Anxi Protectorate. What danger could there be? My eldest brother was already on the battlefield at my age.”
“Now that times are peaceful, your mother naturally wishes for your safety. Before I left the palace, I heard your mother is already looking for a marriage match for you. It’s…”
Cheng Fang’s handsome face flushed slightly, and he cut in. “Your Highness, I’ve brought some delicious treats especially for you. You must try them!”
With that, he opened the red plastic bag on the table, taking out the milk, sandwich biscuits, mung bean cakes, and butter-honey buns one by one.
Qin Zhao’s attention was drawn.
He looked in surprise at the strange items on the table, each in transparent packaging with tiny characters printed on the bags.
The shapes of the pastries inside were clearly visible.
“What are these?”