A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

The old doctor returned very quickly, just as expected.

He sniffed and chuckled, "What delicious treats did Xixi bring?"

Gu Xixi stood up and helped take the medicine from the old doctor. "Sweet potato and lotus seed soup, it's still warm. Please wash your hands and sit down to eat."

The old doctor smiled and nodded at Gu Xixi, but when he turned to Mu Nanzhao, his face turned cold.

"Why did you sit up? Didn't I tell you to stay on your stomach more these days?"

Mu Nanzhao laughed and said, "Such a delicious sweet soup, I can't just eat it lying in bed, can I?"

The old doctor washed his hands vigorously, scolding him angrily, "Still laughing? If Xixi hadn't given you your medicine in time, you would be dead already!"

"I don't know when the blood I've lost will be replenished. You really know how to give this old man something to do."

The old doctor grumbled as he dried his hands and pulled a freshly written prescription from his pocket, handing it to Gu Xixi.

"Go to town tomorrow and bring back more of these herbs."

White peony root, angelica root, and prepared rehmannia root are all medicinal materials that nourish and replenish blood.

Mu Nanzhao said, "I don't feel any discomfort. I might as well buy it when I go to town another day."

"What did you say?" the old doctor roared. "He's almost bled to death, and you're still asking for another day?"

"If you do it again like this, I won't need to save you anymore. I'll just have Xixi get you a straw mat, roll you up, bury you, and that's it."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xixi looked at Mu Nanzhao in astonishment.

Due to differences in physiological structure, men are far less tolerant of blood loss than women.

So, when Mu Nanzhao fainted, it was actually due to anemia and shock?

He only rested for three days afterward. When he got off the carriage at the village entrance, he still led the horse for such a long distance.

Gu Xixi still feels terrified when she thinks about it now.

“You were dressed in all black, and it was nighttime, so I didn’t notice how much blood you had lost.”

Now, not only the old doctor, but Gu Xixi also became increasingly angry, "With so much blood loss, you must have felt dizzy and had heart palpitations, right? Why didn't you tell me?"

"What if something goes wrong on the way back? Where am I supposed to find a doctor to save you when we're stuck in the middle of nowhere?!"

Mu Nanzhao smiled wryly and apologized, "Yes, I was inconsiderate."

"But don't worry, I'm not that easy to kill."

"Shut up!" the old doctor and Gu Xixi shouted in unison.

Mu Nanzhao looked helplessly at the two people in front of him who were both angry.

He suddenly swayed, supporting his forehead with one hand, his brow furrowed.

Gu Xixi stared at him suspiciously, "What's wrong with you now?"

Mu Nanzhao barely managed to lift his head, weak and powerless, "Now that you mention it, I do feel a little dizzy."

Gu Xixi and the old doctor both fell silent.

After all, he is still a patient, and given the current situation, getting angry at him won't do any good.

Gu Xixi said coldly, "Eat the sweet soup, and then go back to your room and lie down."

“No,” the old doctor corrected, “it should be lying down!”

The old doctor took a big gulp of the sweet soup, squinting his eyes in enjoyment. "Hot sweet soup is the best thing to eat in winter."

The village school resumed classes as usual the following morning.

Parents have already paid tuition, and in a little over a month, it will be the holiday season again.

Mu Nanzhao felt that it was really unreasonable to keep postponing the start of classes, so he insisted on going to the local temple despite the old doctor's objections.

The old doctor was so angry at home that he was blowing his beard and glaring.

Gu Xixi could only advise, "He basically sits in a chair during class and doesn't do any strenuous exercise, so it won't aggravate his wound."

“After school ends at noon, he will have plenty of time to rest in the afternoon and evening.”

The old doctor had been thoroughly tormented by Mu Nanzhao's repeated disregard for medical advice, resulting in new injuries piling on top of old ones.

He scoffed, "He'll listen and rest properly? I don't believe it!"

Having missed the opportunity to sell grain, Gu Xixi set off in a mule cart.

She first went to the grain shop she had visited before to sell her millet.

After finding a receipt to buy medicine, I also bought a few packs of pastries and two small baskets of locally produced Huagai pears.

Treasure Pavilion had just opened for business that morning, and there weren't many customers yet.

As soon as Gu Xixi got off the car with two bags of pastries and a basket of pears, Madam Meng came out to greet her personally.

"Hey buddy, if you see me coming, hurry up and tell me so I can come and greet you."

Gu Xixi smiled and said, "I bought some things on the way here for you and the child to eat."

Madam Meng gestured to the old nanny beside her to take the fruit and snacks.

She affectionately took Gu Xixi's hand and walked towards the back hall.

"I made those pearls into jewelry and sold them all, making a real profit."

"I was just wondering when you would come. I also have a gift for you."

When the topic of pearls came up, Gu Xixi felt a little embarrassed. "In the end, we were the ones who lied to you back then. If you don't blame me, that's fine, but how could I possibly ask for any more gifts?"

Madam Meng said seriously, "Didn't we already agree not to mention this matter?"

Gu Xixi smiled and begged for forgiveness, "Okay, okay, I'll listen to you, I won't mention it again."

In the back room, the maidservants served tea and then left, leaving only Madam Meng and Gu Xixi sitting opposite each other.

Madam Meng took out a square black lacquered box inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

"This is the design I drew myself, what do you think?"

Gu Xixi glanced at Madam Meng, picked up the box, and opened it.

There was a pearl ring embedded inside.

The ring is made of sterling silver, with the band shaped like a vine of orchids, its smooth and graceful lines making the white pearl in the center appear even more lustrous.

Gu Xixi smiled and praised, "It's really beautiful, the style is both fresh and unique."

Madam Meng said, "If you like it, that's fine."

“I was afraid you wouldn’t accept it if it were set with gold. This silver ring isn’t worth much, but it’s less flashy.”

"and……"

Madam Meng reached out and pinched both sides of the pearl.

There was a gap on the inside of the ring, revealing a small hollow part inside.

Gu Xixi was very interested, "There are even mechanisms!"

Madam Meng said, "Although my younger brother didn't say anything, just by looking at him, I can tell that your young master is probably no ordinary person."

“When Chengping came back this time, he said he had made a mistake and was punished by the military. This made me even more certain that this gift should have been given to you sooner.”

"No matter what, it's always good for us women to have an extra trump card to protect ourselves."

Gu Xixi understood and frankly said, "I've been learning how to prepare medicine, and this ring comes in handy."

She put the ring on her index finger, and it fit perfectly.

"Thank you so much. I will keep it carefully."

As she left, Madam Meng said with reluctance, "Business is getting busier as the year draws to a close. If I have time during the holidays, I will definitely visit your home."

Gu Xixi smiled and agreed, "Okay, I'll come see you again next time I go to the city."

She sat on the flatbed cart and pulled on the reins.

Suddenly, Madam Meng remembered something else. "It's not a safe place at the end of the year. There are human traffickers around the county town. If you encounter anyone trying to hitchhike on your way back, don't stop."

Gu Xixi wasn't too worried when she thought about the treasures she had in her bag.

"Okay, I've written it down."

However, Huachidu Village is not far from the county seat, so I should tell Lao Qian when I get back.