I traveled back to ancient times, but I was able to lie down and relax.

Liu Nanjia's heart sank; 150 coins was no small sum.

Strong laborers from the village often go to the town to work, earning only ten or twenty coins a day.

Her uncle went there often, so she knew about it.

150 coins, that's almost 10 days' wages.

These past few days they went to the mountains to collect herbs. The only one that was worth a pound of Poria cocos on the first day was 20 coins.

Nettles are more expensive because they are difficult to harvest. The ones I've harvested in the last few days cost more than 20 coins.

Other varieties are common and therefore don't fetch high prices.

All of it added up to just over 60 coins, less than half of what it should have been.

Liu Yanxi was also stunned, and then felt a little regretful. These past few days, they were afraid that their little sister would be beaten again, so they dared not let her stay at home alone. They would take her with them when they went out, because it was safer outside than at home with Fang Shi around.

But I never expected my younger sister's body wouldn't be able to handle it. She not only fell ill, but she became so seriously ill.

Upon hearing the amount, Madam Fang became furious. "150 coins! What kind of medicine is this that's so expensive! Doctor Li, you're not trying to rip us off, are you? No, absolutely not! How can we afford that much money? We still need it for Anren's education, Father, don't you agree?"

Grandpa Liu remained silent. He hesitated, not because he didn't have enough money. Although 150 coins was a lot, he could still afford it.

He hesitated about whether to spend money on this granddaughter, who looked more and more like her mother, making him increasingly dislike her.

If we don't call Doctor Li, then we'll leave it to fate and see if she can pull through on her own.

But now that Doctor Li has come to see him, if he doesn't pay the money, he'll be branded as someone who refuses to help someone in distress.

Yes, in the end, what Grandpa Liu cared about most was always his own reputation, not his granddaughter's life or death.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Fang assumed he was going to have to pay the money, and started crying and making a scene:

"Why is my life so miserable? I married a useless husband. When my second uncle wanted to go to school, the whole family supported him without my objection, after all, it was something that would bring honor to the family. It's just that I feel sorry for my eldest son. He was also a good student, but the family couldn't afford to support two students, so he didn't go to school to make way for his second uncle. And then there's my second uncle's wife, Song, who's sickly all the time and can't do any work. We, the eldest son's family, do all the work in the fields and at home, and the second son's family spends all the money. Now that we finally can let Anren go to school, we have to spend the money on that wretched girl, Liu Sirou. My life is so miserable!"

Fang's statement contains some truth, but most of it distorts the facts.

Liu Nanjia's father, Liu Feng, was indeed supported by his entire family when he was studying.

Back then, because his talent was better than his older brother Liu Song's, only he was allowed to study, while Liu Song followed his grandfather to farm.

To say that Liu Anhe, the son of the eldest son, also yielded to Liu Feng is utter nonsense.

By the time Liu Anhe was able to study, Liu Feng had already become a scholar, and was more than capable of guiding the children in his family.

Originally, Liu Anhe and Liu Yanxi were both studying with Liu Feng, but Liu Anhe wasn't cut out for studying.

Liu Yanxi learned the same material in one day, but Liu Anhe couldn't learn it even after three days.

Over time, people stopped expecting him to study.

As for the rest, Song's health was poor, and Liu Feng had to teach the village children, so he did less work at home and in the fields.

Song's embroidery skills were worth a lot of money, and Liu Feng also received a tuition fee for teaching, all of which was given to his family.

Even though Song spent some money on medicine, it was far less than what she earned.

In fact, most of the Liu family's current savings came from the second branch of the family's earnings. Their current comfortable life in the village is entirely thanks to the second branch. Therefore, they definitely have the means to come up with 150 coins.

Old Master Liu was so annoyed by Fang's wailing that he scolded, "Alright, stop wailing. I never said I would pay any money."

Liu Yanxi was anxious; if his younger sister didn't take her medicine, she definitely wouldn't make it through.

He pleaded, "Master, please, my little sister will die if she doesn't take her medicine. I can go and earn money, and so can my second sister. We can all earn money."

Fang was still not happy.

They go out to earn money, but who will do the housework? It will still fall on her shoulders.

Dr. Li shook his head and sighed as he watched this farce unfold.

Everyone in the village is poor, and some children can't even afford medicine when they get sick.

But either the condition is too serious and the medication is too expensive, or the family is too poor to afford food, so they have to give up.

The Liu family, whose own lives are quite comfortable, refuse to let their child take medicine; they are truly heartless.

Looking at the three thin children of the second wife, he sighed and said:

"Sigh, I won't interfere in your family's affairs, but Sirou is such a pitiful girl. I'll leave some medicine for her first. Whether you continue with it or not is up to you."

He opened his medicine box, prepared a prescription, and handed it to Grandma Liu.

Unable to contain herself any longer, she said to Old Master Liu, "Old Liu, don't be so biased. When Liu Feng was alive, he earned so much face for you. How come you're so indifferent to his child now that he's gone?"

After saying that, he ignored Old Master Liu's reaction, shook his head, and left.

After he went outside, some villagers who had just learned of Liu Yanxi's movements asked him what was going on when they saw him come out.

Doctor Li disapproved of Old Master Liu's actions and naturally didn't give him any face, telling him everything in detail.

This drew sighs from the crowd, who never expected Old Man Liu to be so ruthless.

In the Liu family courtyard, Fang was still throwing a tantrum.

Although Grandma Liu was reluctant, her words never carried weight in this family, so she could only go and prepare the medicine, hoping at least the child would drink it.

Liu Nanjia asked Liu Yanxi to look after her younger sister while she went to cook.

There was no other way; at this moment, she couldn't let Old Master Liu find fault with her.

The eldest sister, Liu Yan, came to help her. She had been there earlier, but she was too insignificant to speak up and could only help with tasks.

Liu Nanjia smiled gratefully at her, "Thank you, big sister."

Liu Yan shook her head: "I can't help with anything else. I'll clean up after we finish eating. You go and take care of Si Rou."

While Liu Nanjia was busy with his hands, he was also thinking about his next move.

After breakfast, Uncle Liu went out as usual. He had been working in town for the past few days.

The eldest sister, Liu Yan, took the initiative to take over Liu Nanjia's work; that was all she could do.

Sirou woke up once in a daze, took her medicine, and then fell asleep again, with Grandma Liu taking care of her.

Liu Nanjia and Liu Yanxi went out, saying they were going up the mountain to collect herbs, and would use the money to buy medicine for their younger sister.

Seeing that the housework hadn't been delayed, Grandpa Liu stopped worrying about them.

Fang continued to curse and swear, not only at them but also at Liu Yan, saying that she was a traitor who didn't care about her own family and wanted to help outsiders.

The brother and sister went out, but instead of going up the mountain first, they went to Aunt Wang's house.

Aunt Wang had already heard about what happened this morning, but as an outsider, she couldn't just go to someone else's house without permission.

Seeing them arrive, they assumed they were there to collect money and said to them:

"How is Sirou? I've prepared the money. You should take it and go see Doctor Li quickly. You can't delay when you're sick. Is this enough? If not, I have more at home. You can use it first."

Liu Nanjia was somewhat moved.

Even though Aunt Wang was an outsider, she was willing to give money to my younger sister for medical treatment.

Thinking of Grandpa Liu again made me even more determined to do what I was going to do next.

She said, "My little sister took her medicine and fell asleep again. Grandma is taking care of her now. Aunt Wang, let's not worry about the money for now."

"I came here to ask you for another favor."