Eavesdropping on Fu Bao's inner thoughts, emptying the stored grain and fleeing the famine

In the afternoon, Ruan Nianzhi returned carrying a basket of herbs. He took Lian's mother's pulse and then hurriedly went to write a prescription and prepare the medicine.

After being persuaded by Lian Rongrong and Lin Chuyue, Lian's mother's condition improved, and she fell into a deep sleep after drinking Ruan Nianzhi's medicine.

Ruan Nianzhi said this was normal, which put Lian Rongrong and Lin Chuyue at ease.

As evening fell, Ruan Nianzhi prepared medicinal soup to remove any remaining poison for the others. Then, she arranged for everyone to rest early.

Lian Rongrong, along with Fu Bao and Lin Chuyue and her daughter, shared a room.

That evening, the two sisters-in-law discussed the old lady's funeral arrangements.

"My grandmother passed away here, and with our current capabilities, we simply cannot bring her back to her homeland."

For now, we can only bury Grandmother here temporarily. When we return to Dasheng in the future, we can move her remains back to the capital.”

Lian Rongrong patted the sleeping Fu Bao while speaking to Lin Chuyue.

Lin Chuyue nodded, agreeing with Lian Rongrong's opinion.

“But little sister, we are penniless now. How can we give Grandmother a proper burial? Even if we bury her here temporarily, it shouldn’t be too shabby.”

Lian Rongrong had already thought of this, so she took off the jade pendant from her waist and a Hetian jade hairpin from her head.

"Give these to Doctor Ruan and let him pawn them for us."

Seeing this, Lin Chuyue also casually took off the jade bracelet from her wrist.

"And this, consider it a payment for Dr. Ruan's consultation fee!"

The two women, aunt and sister-in-law, smiled at each other, but their smiles were filled with bitterness.

The next morning, Lian Rongrong delivered the things to Ruan Nianzhi.

"Miss, what does this mean?" Ruan Nianzhi asked, frowning.

"Dr. Ruan, we are now penniless, but we cannot neglect our grandmother's funeral arrangements."

Right now, all we have are these accessories that we can exchange for some money, but neither my sister-in-law nor I are familiar with this place.

I'm afraid we'll have to trouble Dr. Ruan to help us pawn our belongings. Aside from what's needed for Grandmother's funeral, we can use the rest as Dr. Ruan's consultation fee.

I know this consultation fee is far from enough, but we are truly penniless. Please forgive us.

Ruan Nianzhi sighed, took the item from Lian Rongrong's hand, and left without saying a word.

When she returned, Ruan Nianzhi was followed by eight people who carried a coffin.

Although the coffin was not made of the finest material, it was probably the best one one could find in this remote town.

Even Rongrong and Lin Chuyue were surprised that Ruan Nianzhi could help them to such an extent. They immediately bowed deeply to express their gratitude to Ruan Nianzhi.

"You two need not do this. In life, who hasn't encountered difficulties at some point?"

Ruan Nianzhi took out a money pouch from his pocket and walked up to Lian Rongrong.

"Here's the rest of the money, Miss, please keep it."

Seeing this, Lian Rongrong quickly waved her hand and said, "Dr. Ruan, we have an agreement. The rest can be your consultation fee."

Ruan Nianzhi smiled slightly and said in a very gentle voice:

"Miss, there's no need for such formalities. I don't charge for my medical treatments."

"No consultation fee?"

Ruan Nianzhi nodded, then looked at the people behind her and said to Lian Rongrong:

"If you don't believe me, Miss, you can ask them."

The eight people who had returned with Ruan Nianzhi immediately nodded vigorously.

"Dr. Ruan is a very good person. Not only is his medical skill excellent, but his character is even better."

“The poor people here who can’t afford medical care are all treated by Dr. Ruan for any ailment they have.”

"Dr. Ruan not only treated our illnesses, but also provided us with herbal medicine for free. If it weren't for Dr. Ruan, my father would have passed away long ago."

"If it weren't for Dr. Ruan, my wife and unborn child would have died."

Now, Dr. Ruan's medical skills are even better than Aunt Ruan's. It's just a pity about Aunt Ruan.

"Fifth brother, that's enough."

The eldest man among the eight gave a soft snort to the man who had just mentioned Aunt Ruan.

"Brother Wang, it's alright." Ruan Nianzhi smiled faintly, but a hint of sadness lingered in her eyes.

The man whom Ruan Nianzhi called Brother Wang patted Ruan Nianzhi on the shoulder.

Then he looked at Lian Rongrong and Lin Chuyue and said cheerfully:

"Ladies, Dr. Ruan's friend is our friend."

We're all roughnecks, and we don't know how to say comforting words.

However, one thing is certain: anything that requires physical strength should be left to us.

You're all young women, and we need help with the funeral arrangements for the elderly. Don't be shy, help us out.

Brother Wang's simplicity made Lian Rongrong feel at ease, and she turned to look at Ruan Nianzhi. The latter simply smiled and nodded.

With the help of Ruan Nianzhi, Brother Wang, and others, the old lady's funeral arrangements were quickly made.

As for the consultation fee, Ruan Nianzhi refused to accept it.

After several days of careful treatment, Lian Rongrong, Lin Chuyue, and the others felt much better.

However, even her mother's condition did not improve. That day, after giving her mother her medicine, Lian Rongrong went to the courtyard and found Ruan Nianzhi.

"Dr. Ruan, after taking the herbal medicine for a few days, my sister-in-law and I both feel much better."

But my mother's condition doesn't seem to be improving. I wonder what's wrong with her health?

As Ruan Nianzhi fanned the fire beneath the medicine stove with a palm-leaf fan, she replied to Lian Rongrong:

"Madam is different from you. You are young and have a good foundation, so after a few doses of medicine, the remaining poison will be almost completely cleared up."

But the lady is frail, and after such an ordeal, the miasma has seeped into her internal organs, and it cannot be cleared away in a short time.

Upon hearing Ruan Nianzhi's words, Lian Rongrong asked again, "How long will it take, and can it be completely cured?"

Ruan Nianzhi put down the palm-leaf fan in her hand and turned to face Lian Rongrong.

"It will take at least six months to completely eliminate the remaining toxins. As for Madam's health, I am confident that she will be able to recover as long as she cooperates."

Ruan Nianzhi's smile is as comfortable and pleasant as a spring breeze; perhaps this is the charm of a doctor's benevolent heart.

For her mother's health, Lian Rongrong had to temporarily stay in this remote border town in Shangguo.

However, after half a year, it wasn't appropriate for the family to stay at Ruan Nianzhi's place indefinitely. So, when Lian's mother's condition improved slightly, Lian Rongrong suggested renting a temporary place outside.

"What? Is there something wrong with me?" Ruan Nianzhi asked, her eyes full of confusion.

Upon hearing this, Lian Rongrong quickly waved her hand and explained, "No, it's not that. Your place is very nice. It's just that we've been staying here for so long, which is really too much of a bother."

You don't charge us for your consultations, and you provide us with food and drink every day. We really feel bad about it.

Upon hearing Lian Rongrong's explanation, Ruan Nianzhi smiled and shook her head, then sat down on a wooden stool nearby and said softly:

“My mother passed away not long ago. Before I saved you, I sat here in a daze all day long.”

My mother and I depended on each other for many years. After my mother passed away, I felt that life had no meaning.

But after I found you by the forest that day and pulled you back from the brink of death one by one, I realized that there were still many things worth doing.

With you all here these days, I don't feel so empty inside.

So it wasn't that I saved you, but that you saved me as well.

"Alright then, if Miss truly feels bad about it, please give me one tael of silver as your food allowance."

Having spent many days together, Lian Rongrong was unaware of Ruan Nianzhi's story. Now, hearing Ruan Nianzhi's words, Lian Rongrong had no reason to leave.

About ten days later, even the mother's complexion gradually improved, and she was able to hold Fu Bao in the yard to bask in the sun on ordinary days.

One day, Lian's mother was playing with Xiao Fubao in the yard when she suddenly heard a soft and cute voice.

[I remember now! No wonder he looked so familiar! He's Physician Ruan!]