In the inner room, Jian Ning packed medicine for Mingyue Niang. From the medicine store, she took out cefuroxime tablets, amoxicillin, Xiaohuo Lidan tablets, and Paishi granules. She removed the original packaging, sorted them into coarse gauze bags, and tied them tightly. She took the medicine and lifted a corner of the door curtain to come out. From her vantage point, she could just see the fierce look in Ding Sheng's eyes.
Ding Sheng lowered his head quickly when he met Jian Ning's gaze. He was somewhat intimidated by Jian Ning, ever since he had witnessed her single-handedly defeat Ding Youwang and the third and fifth brothers in the Ma Fu family, and even cured his father's tuberculosis. He was in awe of Jian Ning, but also inexplicably intimidated by her.
Even though he lowered his head, he still felt Jane Ning's sharp gaze sweeping across his face several times, and he felt a sense of panic and anxiety that Jane Ning had seen through his heart.
But then, he comforted himself, thinking that no matter how powerful Jian Ning was, there was no way she would know that he had a poison on him. However, this scare gave him a wake-up call, and he realized that he had almost made a fatal mistake out of his impatience.
There were only three people in the room before, him, Dabao and Ma Xiaomi. If he had poisoned someone, he would definitely be suspected.
That was close!
It seems that he has to take a long-term view and not put himself in danger. He has to wait for the right opportunity and not let anyone suspect him.
After all, he still had to study. His father had always hoped that he could study well and bring honor to the family. During the years when his father was ill, he accompanied him and experienced all the ups and downs of life. His father was the only person in the world who valued him, believed in him, and loved him.
He cannot let his father down, nor can he sacrifice his own future just to kill Dabao. He must live well and watch the people who harmed his father also taste the pain of losing a loved one!
Ding Sheng was paranoid and believed that his father was killed by Jian Ning! It was Jian Ning's partiality towards Sanniang that led to his father's resentment and ultimately caused a tragedy, harming others and himself!
It was all Jian Ning's fault. As a son, he was just seeking justice for his father. He kept preparing himself mentally, repaying his father's debt.
Near noon, Ma Fuquan arrived with Huo Jincheng and Wei Dong. Master Chen from the clan school heard that Master Mo was with Ding Youtian, so he also came with the clan leader and the village head.
The village head and the clan leader brought rice, a leg of pork, and half a basket of vegetables. Since there were so many people eating, the Tians and Changs stayed to help with the cooking. Cui Gu, who loved to join in the fun, wanted to stay too, but the village head sent her back.
As Jian Ning worked with Tian and Chang on the meal, she thought that since Ma Fuquan and his family were all eating there, it wouldn't be too much for the Changs. Especially since Ding Sheng was a thoughtful person, she asked Dabao to call Daya, Xiaoya, and Ding Qiang over.
Soon after the Chang children arrived, Ma Xiaomai also arrived. He and other half-grown children from the village went to the mountains and dug up a lot of Hovenia dulcis, also known as pheasant's feet. The root is very similar to a chicken's foot, but the fruit is not very fleshy, and tastes sweet and chewy, making it a favorite snack for country children.
Ma Xiaomai slurried up a bucket of water, poured it into a basin, and washed all the durian trees he had dug. He then distributed them to all the children. "This is for Xiao Mi and Xiao Dou, this is for Da Bao..." The last few were for him and Qiao Feng. "I'll give them to Qiao Feng."
He pocketed his own and took the portion for Qiaofeng back to the clinic. Ding Sheng and the others also took their own portions and began to chew them, leaving only Dabao and Ma Xiaomi's portions on the table. They finished combing Maoqiu's hair and washed their hands in the yard.
Ding Sheng felt his opportunity had arrived, a godsend. While Jian Ning and the others were busy preparing the meal in the kitchen, his younger siblings and Da Niu were given Hovenia dulcis fruit. They were all happily chewing on them and chasing and playing on the porch. Seeing no one was paying attention, he quietly took out a small porcelain bottle, peeled a Hovenia dulcis fruit in his hand, and dripped a drop of the poisonous juice onto the white flesh. Then, while no one was looking, he quietly swapped it with Da Bao's.
After finishing his tricks, he suppressed his heartbeat and walked aside. For a moment, a trace of regret flashed through his mind. When he was hesitating whether to take back the Hovenia dulcis and throw it away, Ding Youtian came out of the main house.
"Daddy." Dabao shook the water off his hands, went to meet Ding Youtian, and asked softly, "Will the master go this afternoon? If the master and his family go, my son and Xiaomi want to go to town with them. We can go see the master and listen to his stories."
"Be careful not to get cold." Ding Youtian saw that he and Ma Xiaomi had their sleeves rolled up high, so he leaned over and pulled them down for them. "If you want to go eat, just ask Third Grandpa to take you there. There's no need to take the teacher's car."
"My son, you're thinking of riding in the Master's carriage so you can ask him for advice along the way."
Ding Youtian pinched his nose with two fingers and shook it, "Your father taught me better than the master."
Dabao broke free from him and said, "Then go tell the teacher."
Ding Youtian laughed heartily, and Dabao also chuckled. Looking at this scene of loving father and filial son, Ding Sheng immediately dispelled the good thoughts in his heart.
During the years when his father was ill and stayed at home, he was the one who accompanied his father. Occasionally, when his father was happy, he would pinch his nose.
Thinking of his father, Ding Sheng wanted to cry, but he bit his teeth hard to hold back the tears.
"Brother, Brother Bao, these are for you two." Ma Xiaodou saw Ma Xiaomi and Dabao coming over and grabbed a few Hovenia dulcis leaves left for them in the basin on the porch and handed them over. "They're delicious, come and try them."
Ding Sheng's heart began to beat again when he saw Dabao take the Hovenia dulcis from Ma Xiaodou's hand. He excused himself to go to the restroom and quickly left. This was to provide evidence of his absence and also to prevent himself from suddenly being kind and knocking the Hovenia dulcis out of Dabao's hand.
"Is it delicious?" Ma Xiaodou finished his own bite in a few bites, still not satisfied. He stared at the two of them and kept asking, "Is it delicious?"
"It's delicious." Ding Sheng's younger brother Ding Qiang said vaguely, continued sucking his thumb, and looked at them eagerly.
Ding Qiang is the youngest, half a year older than Erniu and Sanniu. When Chang was pregnant with him, Ding Pingshun was already in poor health. Worried about giving birth to a sickly child who would burden the whole family, she worked day and night in an attempt to tire the baby out. However, contrary to her wishes, the baby was born safely.
Chang initially thought the baby wouldn't survive. At birth, it weighed just over three pounds, its hands barely developed, and it looked like a tiny mouse. Furthermore, her anxiety and lack of milk production led to the baby developing a habit of sucking her left thumb, which grew white and slender. Chang's heart ached every time she saw it.
"Greedy cat, I'll give you one. Return it to me next time when you have something delicious." Ma Xiaomi gave one to Ma Xiaodou.
Ma Xiaodou cheered, and Dabao also gave one to Ding Qiang, "Xiao Qiang, this one is for you."
He took it and stuffed it into his mouth, looking very satisfied. He smiled at Dabao while chewing.
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