"Noodles?" Jiang Yushu was startled, but she forced herself to cheer up and said worriedly, "Sister-in-law, you're right. The imperial court doesn't allow exiled prisoners to live comfortably. To avoid any complications, let's just eat dry food."
"You misunderstood," Guo Honglei explained calmly. "The noodles weren't purchased against orders; they were donated by the 'compassionate monks.' The monks at Jueming Temple are kindhearted and couldn't bear to see the suffering of the elderly, the weak, women, and children. Besides making ginger soup and tea, they also prepared some noodles for the injured and sick. That's all."
"Really?" Wang Qiaozhen glanced sideways, half believing and half doubting, "The police didn't stop it?"
Guo Honglei replied solemnly, "These noodles are vegetarian and contain no meat or fish. They are also made out of Master's compassionate and sincere heart. The officers saw that many prisoners had caught colds, so they made an exception."
"So that's how it is." Wang Qiaozhen stared at Su Mian without saying a word.
Guo Honglei glanced at her and calmly said, "Sister-in-law's injuries haven't healed yet. The temple also made a bowl for you. It's at Mother's place."
"Oh?" Wang Qiaozhen sighed softly, and suddenly became extremely resentful, and said sadly: "It's just plain noodles, who cared about it in the past? Now it has become a delicacy, which is not easily available. Alas." As she spoke, she walked out and went to the next room to look for noodles.
After eating coarse grain steamed buns for half a month, everyone was tired of it at first, but the journey became more and more difficult. When people were hungry, steamed buns became delicious and vegetarian noodles became a delicacy.
Jiang Yushu finished drinking the medicine, quickly rinsed her mouth, and whispered, "Hey, is it really just 'monks are compassionate'?"
Guo Honglei didn't answer, but instead ordered, "The temple is short of food, but the monks have contributed all they have to make some rice soup and put it in the side hall. Go and drink some to ward off the cold."
"But..." Cuimei just opened her mouth and was interrupted by the young patriarch:
"I'll take care of her." Guo Honglei said as he lifted the kang table and placed it on the couch. The maid rushed to serve the noodles and set the chopsticks, then knelt down and took her leave.
The others dispersed and the young couple looked at each other.
Guo Honglei whispered, "I found the abbot and quietly donated some incense money. Without saying anything, he took the initiative to arrange for ginger soup, hot water, and noodle soup."
"Thank you for your hard work." Jiang Yushu lay on the table on the kang, smiled knowingly, and said softly, "When I entered the mountain gate, I saw that the temple was deserted, the vermilion lacquer faded, and the Buddha statues were old. I knew that the monks were living in poverty and had no money to help even if they wanted to. There are more than a hundred of us staying here, so we should donate some money for incense."
"That's right." Guo Honglei handed over the chopsticks, "Hurry up and have dinner."
Jiang Yushu gritted her teeth and stood up, "Have you eaten?"
Guo Honglei nodded.
"real?"
"Why would I lie to you?" In fact, vegetarian noodles were scarce, so Guo Honglei still ate dry food.
Jiang Yushu took the chopsticks, slowly picked at the noodles, and said distressedly, "I'm terribly dizzy, my ears are buzzing, I'm nauseous, and I have no appetite. Come, help me eat it."
"I'm sorry I can't help you." Guo Honglei refused. "Just bear with it and eat quickly!"
Jiang Yushu's fever hadn't subsided, and she felt dizzy, with stars in her eyes, black spots in her vision, and waves of nausea. She tried to hold it in, her fingers trembling as she forced her chopsticks toward the man, leaning over the table and pleading, "I'm feeling so sick. I really can't eat so much. Please, please help me eat half."
"You have to be patient!" Guo Honglei was helpless and anxious.
Jiang Yushu endured the dizziness and said frankly: "No, I will vomit if I force myself to eat it."
After a long stalemate, Guo Honglei finally shook his head and tried to stand up with the bowl in his hand. Unexpectedly, as soon as he moved, someone grabbed his wrist.
"Wait!" Jiang Yushu raised her eyes and frowned, saying, "I'm asking the Second Young Master for help, and you're not allowed to trouble anyone else."
The slender hand holding his was white, soft, and burning warm. Guo Honglei pondered in silence.
"Sister-in-law has a share, and the old lady, Yu'er and others must have had some too. But I guess you probably didn't taste a single bite." Jiang Yushu knew what was going on and said seriously, "Sit down, I'll watch you eat with my own eyes."
Guo Honglei hesitated to speak.
"Hurry up!" Jiang Yushu stared intently, feeling a little impatient despite her illness.
"Okay. Just eat. Why are you so angry?" Guo Honglei sighed and sat down helplessly.
"I'm not angry." Jiang Yushu finally let go. "You're busy all day without a break. Be careful not to tire yourself out."
Guo Honglei felt warm in his heart, and his sharp eyebrows and bright eyes relaxed. Who knew that the other party would continue to say:
"You're only seventeen, but you're already the head of the family. It's really hard for you."
Guo Honglei immediately raised an eyebrow and took the opportunity to ask, "You're only sixteen, aren't you toiling day and night? I've always forgotten to ask, what exactly are you doing hiding away every night writing and drawing?"
"Who's hiding? I'm being honest! Eat your noodles quickly, I'm waiting." Jiang Yushu thought for a moment and then solemnly announced, "Since setting out on this journey, I've been recording everything I've seen and heard along the way north: the local customs, the landscapes, the plants, the animals, and so on. This will help me pass the time in my spare time, or provide a good memory for my old age."
As long as it has nothing to do with Pei Wenfeng... Guo Honglei ate a mouthful of noodles and said happily, "It sounds like you can write a book and pass it down to future generations."
"Editing a book? Oh, I absolutely cannot take on this responsibility." Jiang Yushu rested her head on her elbow, her head spinning as she muttered, "I'm a humble woman with limited knowledge and talent. I won't embarrass myself."
Guo Honglei was quite interested and promised, "What are you afraid of? Just remember what you saw and heard first. When we get to Xicang, I'll find someone to print a book for you! Then you can give it to your relatives and friends, and you can also read it yourself. It's the best of both worlds."
In a short while, after taking a few bites, he forced his wife to stand up and without saying anything, he wanted to force the food into her mouth!
"You always divide the six steamed buns of food rations between your third and fourth brothers. It's not necessary." Guo Honglei's eyes were deep. "It's enough for me to secretly take care of my younger brothers."
Jiang Yushu swallowed with her neck stiffened, sighing, "My third brother is naturally frail, and my fourth brother has quickly gone from being plump and thick to being dark and thin. I was so scared watching this that I gave some to them."
Guo Honglei sighed again and was about to speak when he heard the door slam open:
"Hey?" Wang Qiaozhen, who had just been scolded by her mother-in-law, stepped over the threshold, followed by two maids. Furious, she asked calmly, "Are you still chatting?"
Jiang Yushu understood and immediately said, "I'm done eating. You can go and rest. We have to get up early and travel tomorrow."
"Hmm." Guo Honglei also understood and immediately clumsily cleared the dishes and picked up the lunch box, saying, "Don't bother me anymore."
Jiang Yushu waved and said, "See you tomorrow."
Guo Honglei nodded and left.
Wang Qiaozhen kicked off her cloth shoes, fell on the couch angrily, and gritted her teeth.
The next morning
After being disciplined by her mother-in-law, Wang Qiaozhen no longer dared to complain. She sat upright, holding her son, who took up half the cart, and said worriedly, "Oh, Yu'er also had a fever last night. He was crying and making a fuss. It was really worrying."
Jiang Yushu suddenly developed a high fever. Fortunately, she took medicine in time and felt much better after sweating profusely, but she was still not fully recovered. She stood by the cart and reminded him, "Drink more water if you have a fever. Yu'er is young and weak. Feed him the pills sent by the temple master on time, and he will recover."
"Sister-in-law, you're not feeling well. Come up and sit down. I'm coughing, coughing, coughing, I'm walking." Guo Hongzhe offered his seat. Yesterday, a torrential downpour had chilled his heart disease, causing it to relapse.
Jiang Yushu hurriedly shook her head, "No need, you're so sick, how can you walk!"
Wang narrowed her eyes, glanced at the illegitimate son, then glanced at the second daughter-in-law, and said calmly with her usual sullen face, "It's really troublesome to be sick at such a critical moment. Just cover yourself with a handkerchief and stay away from it. Don't pass the illness on to Yu'er."
Who wants to be sick? Jiang Yushu heard the blame and disgust, and she felt unhappy. She was about to speak -
"Hurry up and get on!" Guo Honglei strode over. "We're going to the post station six miles away to get some rations." He tapped the carriage board with his fingers and said in a deep voice, "Since my sister-in-law doesn't need to recuperate anymore, please move aside and let your sister-in-law sit down. She's sick."
Wang Qiaozhen's smile froze, and under everyone's gaze, she slowly moved forward, "It's natural."
When Wang Shi heard her second son speak, she waved, "Yushu, what are you still standing there for? Come up."
"Back then, when you couldn't walk, I tried my best to get a cart. Now that I'm sick, you think it's too much trouble?" Jiang Yushu gritted her teeth, feeling disappointed when she was suddenly startled by her husband grabbing her arm and lifting her onto the cart.
"Sit tight." Guo Honglei reminded in a low voice: "Turn around and stay out of the wind. Be careful not to catch a cold again."
"...Hmm." In an instant, Jiang Yushu's disappointment and grievance disappeared strangely. She leaned against her bag, lost in thought, thinking to herself:
Miss Jiang had someone in her heart and was always thinking about her cousin. She committed suicide to express her determination, which is so sad and pitiful.
She committed suicide, and her body and identity were taken over by me.
Should I tell Mr. Guo the truth? If I tell him rashly, will he think I'm talking nonsense?
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