Gu Jiu left the cave and first carefully scanned the surroundings, confirming there was no trace of the enemy troops. Only then did she begin searching the grassy area.
She was looking for wild patchouli (tu huoxiang), a herb that could relieve heat, eliminate dampness, and stop nausea. This plant was widely distributed across many regions. Although she didn’t know exactly which part of the Great Sheng Kingdom she was in, she was confident she could find it with careful attention.
Bending down, Gu Jiu searched through the grass—and soon spotted a cluster of purple, cat-tail-like flower spikes in a bush.
She picked one up and sniffed it. Patchouli had a distinctive scent: slightly woody, mixed with an earthy bitterness.
She gathered a few more stalks before heading back.
On the way, she secretly took three squab pigeons out from her infinite storage space.
Squabs are highly nutritious, rich in protein and amino acids, and easy to absorb—especially suitable for nourishing children.
Returning to the cave, Gu Jiu called out inside:
“Grandpa Feng, Uncle Datong, it’s me—Gu Jiu!”
Hearing her return, Feng Datong quickly had Li Dazhao and the others move the stone away so she could enter.
Gu Jiu crawled back into the cave and, without exchanging pleasantries, immediately went to Granny Zhou’s side.
With Xiaoman constantly fanning her and Gu Rong and Li Xiaojiao continuously applying cool compresses, the old woman’s condition had already stabilized.
Gu Jiu gently patted Granny Zhou’s shoulder firmly and called her name by her ear. The old lady’s eyelids trembled—she was not fully awake, but she had regained some awareness.
She then asked Feng Datong to start a fire. Since the village chief agreed to boil the herbs before administering them, he also instructed everyone to share some water.
“Grandpa Feng, I’ve checked outside. There’s no sign of those enemy troops. We’re temporarily safe. Once Granny Zhou wakes up, we can continue on our journey.”
Village Chief Feng nodded and instructed his son Feng Datong and Li Dazhao to move the stone away so the others could come to the entrance for fresh air, preventing anyone else from suffering heatstroke.
When Gu Jiu came back, she was carrying three squab pigeons openly, without hiding them. Everyone assumed she had hunted them along the way.
Li Dazhao had just returned with firewood and smiled at her.
“Little Jiu, Uncle didn’t expect this—you’re quite skilled at hunting. You were gone such a short time, yet you came back with three pigeons.”
Gu Jiu could tell he was sincerely praising her and smiled back.
“I just got lucky. I ran into three pigeons fighting with a larger bird, and they were injured by it, so I was able to pick them up.”
Not only Li Dazhao, even Village Chief Feng couldn’t help but marvel at her luck.
Among the Gu family, Old Madam Gu stared at the pigeons in Gu Jiu’s basket, her eyes nearly turning red with envy.
Other villagers were also envious. In these times, families who could often eat meat were rare.
After about fifteen minutes, the herbs were boiled. Gu Jiu poured the medicine into a bowl and fed it to Granny Zhou, who was now able to swallow it.
Not long after, Li Xiaojiao suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “Father! Granny Zhou is awake!”
Everyone gathered around quickly. The woman who had been unconscious just moments ago, Zhou Jinhua, slowly opened her eyes and looked around in confusion.
“What… happened to me?”
Li Xiaojiao smiled brightly and hurriedly explained, “Granny Zhou, you were overcome by heat and fainted earlier. No matter how we called you, you wouldn’t wake up. We were all so worried!”
“It was Little Jiu who directed us—she fanned you, applied cool compresses nonstop, went out to gather herbs, and even cooked medicine for you. She worked through the whole afternoon to bring you back!”
The villagers all praised her enthusiastically.
“She’s amazing! I didn’t expect that little girl Gu Jiu really has skills—she actually pulled Granny Zhou back from the jaws of death!”
“Such a young age, and already knows medicine. She must be a little divine healer!”
Granny Zhou waved for Gu Jiu to come closer and held her hand tightly, tears welling in her eyes.
“Jiu Yatou, thank you for saving me. You are such a good child.”
Gu Jiu shook her head shyly but spoke seriously:
“Granny Zhou, someone as kind as you shouldn’t have such a short lifespan. After my parents passed away, if you hadn’t helped us, my three younger siblings and I wouldn’t have survived. I will never forget your kindness in this lifetime—even if it costs me my life, I will save you.”
The villagers praised her even more after hearing this.
Granny Zhou gently touched the heads of Gu Xiaoman and Gu Rong.
“All of you children from the Gu family’s third branch are good kids. It’s just a pity you don’t have reliable elders to care for you.”
Gu Jiu casually replied, “Having Granny Zhou care for us is enough. From now on, you can treat all four of us as your grandchildren. I even picked up three pigeons earlier—I’ll make pigeon soup for you tonight.”
“Silly child, I’m old. I can’t eat too much meat,” Granny Zhou quickly refused. “You should save it for yourselves.”
But Gu Jiu insisted, acting a little spoiled. Eventually, Granny Zhou gave in.
As long as she agreed, Gu Jiu had plenty of ways to make sure she ate it.
After all, the old lady’s eyesight was poor—she could chop the meat finely and cook it into a thick soup, so it wouldn’t be obvious anyway.
Nearby villagers who were watching couldn’t help but comment again.
“Now Granny Zhou isn’t alone anymore. Having those kids take care of her in old age is her blessing.”
“Exactly! That girl Gu Jiu is clever, capable, and even knows medicine. She’s really something.”
“The Gu family really shouldn’t have split them off. Now they even treat Granny Zhou like family. I wonder if Old Madam Gu regrets it.”
“Even if she regrets it now, it’s too late. That girl Gu Jiu has strong opinions—she won’t go back.”
Their voices echoed loudly inside the cave.
On the Gu family’s side, the eldest son and his wife were still lying on a cart recovering from injuries. All day, it had been the second son and Old Master Gu pushing them along.
At this moment, Old Madam Gu’s face twisted in anger.
“Those little wretches dare to act like they’re family with outsiders! Unfilial things! We should’ve beaten them to death back then!”
“Shut up, old woman! What’s the point of whining now?” Old Master Gu snapped irritably. He was already exhausted and just wanted rest.
The second son of the Gu family looked toward Gu Jiu’s group with a cold, snake-like gaze, silently calculating something in his mind.