Zhao Granny wasn’t weak herself and immediately replied, “This person has already entered my house; why do you still worry?”
The onlookers thought: these two gave a tael of silver just for asking a question—now, with food and lodging included, shouldn’t they give even more?
Zhao Hai felt a bit embarrassed: “Zhao Granny, something happened to us, so we can’t pay too much, but I promise it’ll be fair, comparable to an inn in town.”
Zhao Granny’s wrinkled face relaxed into a smile: “Alright! Mei Yu girl, come help me tidy up; I need to lay fresh bedding.”
“No rush, Zhao Granny. We should invite Doctor Sun first.”
Lu Meiyu asked Zhao Granny for Doctor Sun’s location. She was too lazy to go far, and having twenty taels of “huge silver” on her, she wanted a short break.
“Whoever runs this errand gets ten coins! Go fetch Doctor Sun and tell him the guest was bitten by a snake.”
Before she finished speaking, a man had already darted off.
“Wow, no need to fight, he’s already gone.”
The others sighed; how could someone be so quick—ten coins, snatched just like that!
Not long after, the man returned with Doctor Sun.
Doctor Sun examined the wound and praised: “Well treated! Not much residual poison. To be safe, I’ll clean it again and prescribe some medicine for two doses.”
Doctor Sun carefully cleaned Jing Yi’s wound, sprinkled medicinal powder, and bandaged it.
He wrote a prescription and asked Zhao Hai to fetch the medicine.
“Three hundred coins.”
To Lu Meiyu, this wasn’t expensive, but the villagers thought it was costly.
Lu Meiyu sighed—without money, who could afford treatment?
Zhao Hai’s tense mind relaxed; he quickly paid the coins and went to fetch the medicine.
Zhao Granny had already cleaned the room thoroughly and replaced the bedding, which Jing Yi was very pleased with.
After Zhao Hai returned with the medicine, he mentioned buying meat.
Lu Meiyu quickly interjected: “I already bought meat; I’ll bring it. Just adjust the payment with me.”
Zhao Hai naturally agreed, reminding: “Sir should eat lightly—lean meat, no fat.”
Lu Meiyu replied: “Zhao Granny, I’ll fetch some greens too. Also this rabbit and mushrooms, Master Jing, will you take them?”
The title “Master Jing” almost made Jing Yi spit out the water he was drinking!
It sounded off—he felt the way she said “Master Jing” was different, almost as if calling some old man.
“Take it all then.”
Zhao Granny happily watched Zhao Hai give Lu Meiyu more small silver coins. Indeed, a wealthy person!
Left coin, right coin—the silver flowed away like water.
Lu Meiyu happily returned some copper coins, consulting Jing Yi: “Master Jing, I’m tired today and lazy to cook. Can I bring the two girls over to eat? I’ll refund you some money.”
Zhao Granny agreed: “That’s right! The rabbit is fat; two people can’t finish it, plus we need to buy meat. Bring the two girls over to eat.”
Well, what could Zhao Hai say?
The old lady had made the decision.
Zhao Hai didn’t know what had come over him—he seemed entirely led by Lu Meiyu and Zhao Granny.
Lu Meiyu took out some copper coins; he actually accepted them…
Jing Yi cleared his throat; Zhao Hai realized and stammered: “No need, no need to refund. Just a meal together—refunding coins makes me seem stingy.”
Lu Meiyu smiled: “Take it. It’s a token, and I probably benefited a bit from you anyway.”
After saying this, Lu Meiyu returned home.
The two girls waited obediently and nearly jumped with joy when they saw her.
“Mom, you’re finally back!”
Lu Meiyu felt a twinge in her nose; she had already grown so attached to these little girls.
“Mom, today sister and I carried some water back to water the vegetable patch.”
Lu Meiyu was alarmed: “Don’t go again! You’re still small—what if you fell into the river…”
Then she realized the river was small and mostly dry; there was little danger.
But what if the girls tripped along the way?
“You two don’t need to go anymore. I’ll handle the chores myself.”
With that, Lu Meiyu went to the vegetable patch.
Xiao Xuan was curious: “Mom, although sister and I watered a bit, the patch already seemed damp before. We only used half a bucket.”
Lu Meiyu knew the little girl had discovered their secret, so she didn’t hide it: “It’s a secret, only the three of us know. Don’t tell anyone. This is the protection of the Water Goddess, understand?”
Xiao Xuan was astonished: “No wonder everyone else’s vegetables were almost dying, but ours grew so well.”
Xiao Wei jumped with joy: “Sister, the vegetables we sell are more expensive than others’!”
Though young, the two girls were sharp-minded.
Laughing and chatting, Lu Meiyu had already harvested plenty of vegetables. Seeing the small yellow mushrooms, she was even more surprised.
They had grown lush and abundant!
More than double the size of when she planted them.
Lu Meiyu was extremely satisfied: “Little yellow mushrooms, you’re such good kids, really doing well.”
She wasn’t short of silver now—combined with silver notes, she had over twenty-two taels.
So she wasn’t in a hurry to sell the small yellow mushrooms.
“Come on, I’ll take you to Zhao Granny’s for dinner. Tonight we’ll eat well—meat, rabbit…”
She almost forgot to buy meat.
With her space, it was convenient! Lu Meiyu bought two pounds of meat, carrying it.
She also bought a few candies, giving them to the two girls, and reminded: “Share some with He Ya too.”
Xiao Xuan smiled sweetly: “Of course, Mom.”
As soon as Lu Meiyu arrived at Zhao Granny’s house, she went straight into the kitchen.
Zhao Granny stopped her: “Rest! Weren’t you on the mountain today? After a whole day, you’re tired—you don’t even want to cook. Why are you here?”
“I’ll make the fire.”
“No need for you to make the fire either.”
Xiao Xuan quickly sat by the stove: “Zhao Granny, Mom, I’ll make the fire.”
She also gave He Ya two candies; He Ya laughed happily.
Zhao Granny was an excellent cook; Lu Meiyu didn’t need to worry at all.
So she followed Zhao Granny’s advice and took a proper rest.
Seeing an old bamboo lounge chair in the courtyard, worn but comfortable, she lay down leisurely, crossed her legs, and hummed a little tune.
Jing Yi heard her clear, melodious voice, seemingly humming: “Little rascal, what are you doing, acting like a fool…”