Divorced woman with child travels through time

"Madam Chen, what are you doing here?" Ma Liu asked.

Just as Chen Wenfang was about to speak, Shiwu tugged at her sleeve, and on a whim, said, "I came here on business. A friend of mine has a stomachache, so I came to check on him. What are you doing here, sir?"

Ma Liudao said, "Many people in the town are suffering from abdominal pain. After investigation, it was found that they live near Willow Lane. I came all the way here, and I think there might be something wrong with the water!"

Chen Wenfang said, "It's the water that's the problem. My friend didn't eat anything this morning, just drank water, and then he had a stomachache."

Just as Ma Liu was about to say something, a constable came running from a distance, shouting, "Sir, we've found it!!"

Ma Liu then said, "I'm leaving now, farewell, my lady!" He left quickly without waiting for Chen Wenfang's reply.

As Chen Wenfang walked, she asked Shiwu, "What's wrong? Why can't we let him know?"

Fifteen whispered, "I don't want my stepmother to know. She beat my brother and even tried to sell me. I don't want to go home, please, my wife!"

Fifteen grabbed her hand. His palms were sweating with nervousness.

Chen Wenfang sighed, patted his head, and said, "I know! Don't be afraid!"

Chen Wenfang used the washed clothes to wipe Chu Yi's body, stripping him naked, only to find the child covered in scars, some like burns, others like bruises from being whipped. It was a tragedy. After wiping the stains clean with the clothes, she dampened them and wiped his palms, soles, and armpits. The child was too thin; his ribs were very prominent. Perhaps because he had diarrhea, he wasn't in much pain, and then, due to his weakness, he fainted.

After wiping him, Chen Wenfang put his underwear back on, threw away his outer clothes, and carried Chu Yi on her back, saying, "Fifteen, let's go."

Fifteen picked up the clothes Chen Wenfang had thrown away and prepared to leave with her.

Upon seeing this, Chen Wenfang said, "We don't need the clothes anymore, I'll buy them for you later."

The fifteen-year-old girl held on tightly, her eyes looking at her with a mixture of embarrassment and worry. She said pitifully, "It can still be used after washing, so please don't throw it away, okay?"

Chen Wenfang said softly, "I'll buy you new ones later, so we don't need this one."

"But, but it will be cold in winter. If I wear an extra layer, I won't be so cold," Fifteen said softly.

"Poor child," Chen Wenfang sighed. "If it's not going to get lost, it's not going to get lost. Let's go." Fifteen happily followed. After walking a few steps, Fifteen suddenly said, "Madam Chen, wait for me! I forgot to take my pancakes. It wouldn't be good if someone stole them."

Fifteen rushed back, quickly found a loose bag of flatbread in a corner, brushed off the straw stuck to it, and happily walked up to Chen Wenfang, saying, "Let's go now."

Chen Wenfang glanced inside and saw there were more than ten left. As she walked, she asked, "How many do you eat a day?"

Fifteen said earnestly, "I'll eat one a day. Sometimes I'll eat half if I'm not hungry."

Chen Wenfang paused for a moment, then said, "You have so much food, you can eat your fill."

Fifteen whispered, "But what if brother doesn't get anything? We'll still go hungry later."

Sighing again, Chen Wenfang asked, "How did you get here? Where are your parents?"

Thinking of this, Fifteen wiped away her tears again. "My father told me that my mother died when she gave birth to me. Later, my father found another mother, who gave birth to my little brother. Then my father got sick and died. My brother said that my mother was going to sell me, so he took me and ran away back home."

Sigh, Chen Wenfang sighed again. The two walked silently to the street. Chen Wenfang looked at the crowded pharmacy and knew that the three of them definitely wouldn't be able to squeeze in. They went to the nearby Sifang Pavilion, booked a room, and took the two children inside. They asked the waiter to bring hot water and bathwater, and first gave the two children a clean hot bath, changing the water twice to make sure they were clean. They then left them naked on the bed.

She planned to go get some medicine and buy them clothes. She told Fifteen first, "I'll go out for a while. You stay here and watch over my brother, and give him plenty of water."

When Fifteen heard that she was going out, he ran off the bed naked, grabbed her clothes and said, "Wife, wait for me, I'll go with you."

Chen Wenfang said, "You need to stay here and watch over your brother. I'll be back soon."

Fifteen looked at her with her big, watery eyes and asked, "Will you really come back?"

Chen Wenfang looked into his eyes, touched his wet hair, and assured him, "Really, go help your brother dry his hair. I'll be back soon."

Fifteen reluctantly let go of her clothes. Chen Wenfang cleaned up the water stains on her body, made a cup of dandelion tea with hot water, and then went out.

Chen Wenfang arrived at the pharmacy and squeezed her way in. She explained the child's condition, emphasizing that the child was still unconscious, even after being bathed. The doctor listened and said, "Try pinching the philtrum. I'll prescribe some medicine for you; give it to him. If he still doesn't wake up, bring him here."

This sounded very serious, and Chen Wenfang panicked a little, asking, "What will happen if he doesn't wake up?"

The doctor said, "We'll see first." He quickly wrote a prescription and handed it to her, saying, "Go get the medicine and drink it first."

"Alright." Chen Wenfang had no choice but to go get the medicine first. Wow, three packets of medicine cost half a tael of silver. It really is true that no matter what dynasty it is, you can't afford to see a doctor.

After getting the medicine, Chen Wenfang went to a clothing store and bought four sets of clothes for the children, as well as a padded jacket. The weather was getting cooler, and the children would easily get sick if they didn't wear enough clothes. She also bought two pounds of snacks and a pound of zongzi candy, as the medicine was bitter and she was worried the children wouldn't be able to eat it.

After buying the goods and arriving at the inn, Chen Wenfang handed the medicine to the waiter to brew and went upstairs. Before she could even knock, the door slammed open, and Chen Wenfang saw Shiwu standing in the doorway wearing only his inner shirt. Chen Wenfang was taken aback and asked, "What are you doing standing here?"

Fifteen said awkwardly, "I'll open the door for you."

Chen Wenfang suddenly realized that he must have been waiting at the door, afraid I wouldn't come. This child... so precocious it's heartbreaking.