Chapter 14: Temporary Residence in Liang Village
Feng Zhang's dilemma is indeed justified.
Shen Yuexi was a frail woman, barely able to even tie up a chicken. Although Xiao Zhuo had managed to kill two tigers, he was clearly seriously injured and needed Shen Yuexi's support to move forward. Feng Zhang was the only one who could do this.
"Brother Feng," Shen Yuexi helped Xiao Zhuo sit down to rest, then turned around and suggested, "How about we peel off the tiger skin? What do you think?"
The two dead tigers together probably weigh a thousand pounds, and it would be difficult for three people to drag them together.
There was a way to get it down the mountain, but she had already asked Big Bear to make a long sword, and Feng Zhang's steel fork disappeared. She couldn't ask Big Bear to conjure up a cart out of thin air.
After the three of them discussed it, Feng Zhang was responsible for skinning the tiger, and the little tiger skin belonged to him.
Xiao Zhuo had just killed two tigers in one breath, and his body was obviously weaker. Shen Yuexi saw this and asked anxiously, "How are you?"
Xiao Zhuo closed his eyes and leaned against a tree to rest. His face was as pale as paper. He only replied faintly, "No problem."
Shen Yuexi shook her head. This man was too tolerant. His face was horribly pale, his lips were bloodless, yet he still maintained his gentlemanly demeanor.
She took off the bamboo tube from her waist and gave Xiao Zhuo a few sips of water, then sat aside waiting for Feng Zhang.
He used Shen Yuexi's small knife and worked until it was almost dark before he finally peeled off the skins of the two tigers.
It seems that he has done this kind of thing a lot.
After peeling the skin, he shook it, folded the two tiger skins, found a rope to tie them up and carried them behind his back.
"My two benefactors, let's go back to the village." Feng Zhang grinned and walked in front to lead the way. Although he had experienced a thrilling adventure today, the harvest he had gained was more than he could earn in a year.
He glanced at Shen Yuexi and Xiao Zhuo with a bit of embarrassment. Xiao Zhuo had killed both tigers, and he had been hiding nearby. In the end, he was given a piece of the tiger skin, which made him feel embarrassed.
A tiger skin could be sold for at least ten taels of silver, which was enough to supplement the family income.
Xiao Zhuo, supported by Shen Yuexi, followed behind Feng Zhang. He frowned, held a long sword, pursed his lips, and vigilantly paid attention to every move around him.
"My benefactor," Feng Zhang turned around and pulled the tiger skin over his shoulder. Seeing Xiao Zhuo's expression, he thought Xiao Zhuo was still worried about the bandits, so he comforted him, "There is indeed a group of bandits nearby, but the county magistrate has already sent officials to capture them. You don't have to worry about them when you return to the village."
Of course, Shen Yuexi would not tell him the truth about the two of them. She dealt with it vaguely and nodded in agreement.
On the way back to the village, Shen Yuexi asked Feng Zhang some more questions about calling a doctor. Xiao Zhuo was unusually quiet, just listening to her and Feng Zhang's conversation without interrupting.
Feng Zhang knew that Shen Yuexi was concerned about Xiao Zhuo's condition, so he told her everything.
There was a doctor in the village now, but his medical skills were not very advanced. He could only treat common ailments. As for injuries like Xiao Zhuo's, he couldn't say anything. He could only let the doctor take a look before making a decision.
Shen Yuexi supported Xiao Zhuo and followed him slowly. When she looked at the roof ridges in the distance, she couldn't help but look excited and asked, "Brother Feng, it will cost a lot of money to hire a good doctor here."
"Of course not," Feng Zhang turned and spoke to the two men as they walked. "The county doctor charges two taels of silver for a consultation, and that doesn't even include the cost of the medicine."
After hearing this, Shen Yuexi secretly clicked her tongue.
No wonder the mortality rate was so high in ancient times, which was largely due to the fact that ordinary people could not afford medical treatment.
From the original owner's memory, she was in the Duke's Mansion, and a master like her only received two taels of silver a month.
Ordinary people could only earn three taels of silver a year at most.
Every time I get sick, I have to spend two taels of silver just to see a doctor. No one would want to do that.
However, she is not really worried about making money. There are so many things that Big Bear can make. As long as there are enough materials, it will not take long.
But to be on the safe side, she would only create something that wouldn't be too far beyond the present era, to avoid being targeted by those with ulterior motives. In this world, human life was worthless, and with no one to rely on, she had to keep a low profile and survive.
When we arrived at Daliang Village, it was already completely dark. Lights were on in every household, smoke was curling up, and the aroma of dinner wafted in the air.
Shen Yuexi couldn't help but sniff, it smelled so good.
The three of them entered the village and came to the door of Feng's house. Feng Zhang pushed the door open and shouted at the top of his voice, "Mom, I'm back."
"Why are you back late today?" An old lady with gray hair, about fifty years old, came out of the house and said.
She saw Shen Yuexi and Xiao Zhuo and said in surprise, "Oh, so there are guests. Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Feng Zhang said to the old lady, "Mom, these two are my son's saviors. If it weren't for them, my son would have been eaten by a tiger today."
He mentioned how he encountered a tiger in the mountains and was rescued by Xiao Zhuo, and how he and his wife encountered bandits and had their belongings stolen. He told everything to Old Lady Feng.
After hearing this, Mrs. Feng's eyes welled up with tears. She took Shen Yuexi's hand and said gratefully, "I thank you both for saving my life. From now on, you can live in my house. It's just simple food, so please don't despise it."
Shen Yuexi smiled and said to the old man, "How could I dislike it? My husband and I are very grateful for having a place to stay."
After hearing this, Mrs. Feng smiled and hurriedly urged everyone to go into the house to talk.
After entering the outer room, Mrs. Feng asked Shen Yuexi and Xiao Zhuo to sit down first, then she took out a string of copper coins from the inner room and stuffed them into Feng Zhang's hand: "Zhangzi, go and invite Doctor You to see this husband. Come back quickly."
"I'll go right away, Mom. Please put this tiger skin away first and don't let anyone see it." Feng Zhang did not forget to give instructions before leaving.
There had never been a tiger in this small village, let alone two at once. Old Mrs. Feng certainly knew the seriousness of the situation.
A tiger skin costs at least dozens of taels of silver, and a country boy only earns a few taels of silver a year. If outsiders knew about this, they would be jealous.
Although the old lady has gray hair, her eyesight is very good and she looks energetic.
As Feng Zhang left, the old lady led Shen Yuexi and Xiao Zhuo into another room. The table was already set with food: a plate of stewed vegetables and tofu, accompanied by two small dishes of pickled vegetables. There was also a bowl of corn and rice, steaming hot and fragrant.
"You must be hungry. Just treat it as if you were at home. You guys eat first. I'll go to the kitchen to check on the soup cooking on the stove." Mother Feng greeted them with a smile and went to the kitchen.
Shen Yuexi nodded in agreement, watched the old lady leave, quickly washed her hands and face in the basin, and began to serve the rice. By the time Xiao Zhuo sat down at the table, she had already served the rice for both of them.
After all this time on the run, they finally had a proper meal at this moment. Although it was just plain food, it was better than delicacies in the eyes of the two.
Shen Yuexi discovered that even though Xiao Zhuo was extremely hungry, his eating manners were still very particular, as if he was drinking tea on the top of a mountain or playing the piano by the bank of a clear pond. He was extremely elegant and there was not a single flaw to be found on his body.
He actually found a bowl of ordinary corn rice to have a light and refreshing taste.
She didn't care about that. She lowered her head and ate voraciously while saying to Xiao Zhuo, "When the doctor comes, let him take a look first. If he can't do anything, I'll ask Brother Feng to accompany me to the county and get a good doctor for you."
The arrow wound on Xiao Zhuo's shoulder was torn and then soaked in water. He definitely couldn't wait any longer.
Now we have to wait for the village doctor to come anyway, so the important thing is to eat quickly.
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