Chapter 6 Truly Poor We're so poor right now, I'm practically broke just short of getting what you have...
Yu Niang never figured out where she had seen the pattern on the flint and steel before.
Until yesterday, the government troops who had been harassing the mountains for three days returned empty-handed and hastily dispersed. Da Cheng seized the opportunity to go to the city, pawned the flint and steel, and got three taels of silver. That was just enough to cover the cost of the medicine for the past three days.
Ning Lu initially thought it was too little, and her face was full of regret and frustration. However, she was scolded by Yu Niang, who said that she, a young lady from a noble family, really didn't know the value of firewood, rice, oil, and salt.
Hearing Yu Niang convert the three taels of silver into about a hundred catties of rice, Ning Lu was utterly astonished, as if struck by lightning.
A lighter and three days' worth of medicine were exchanged for food rations for so many people.
Ning Lu felt a sense of reality for the first time when she told the doctor that Ji Ming was trading money for his life.
Indeed, the saying "money makes the world go round" holds true in any era. And she, too, has always lacked any imagination about the world of the wealthy.
"I've started brewing the medicine for you, so keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't burn again."
She had just crawled under the fence into the yard when she heard Yu Niang calling out through the window, and she quickly responded.
After spending a few days with Yu Niang, she had a general idea of their situation. The couple were struggling to make ends meet, raising a sick child alone. The medical expenses she had paid for Yu Niang that day represented only a small portion of Yu Niang's savings.
Ning Lu knew she couldn't keep being a burden, so once the searching soldiers left, she went outside to find a way to make a living.
She's sweet-talking and quick on her feet. During the time after lunch, she can deliver something to one family or move something to another, managing to scrape together a meal in no time.
The dark brown medicinal soup in the broken clay pot bubbled and simmered, filling the entire courtyard with a bitter medicinal aroma.
Ning Lu sniffed, hung the dry food she was carrying by the window, rolled up her sleeves, and went to the shady corner of the wall.
In the corner, a makeshift stove made of several broken earthenware pots was stuffed with straw, withered leaves, and even cow dung as fuel.
He waved his fingers twice at the tip of his nose, held his breath, folded the rag in his hand into several layers, and adjusted the position of the container in circles.
The medicine was almost ready; Yu Niang had probably been watching over it since early morning. Ning Lu quickly got up and waved to her to express her gratitude.
The other person still looked disgusted, but after getting to know her personality, Ning Lu didn't take it to heart and just smiled and laughed.
After all, it took Yu Niang a lot of effort to find this broken clay pot.
The word "broken" refers to a physical break; the bottom corner has two thumb-sized holes worn through. To make do with it, it can only be placed at an angle.
As she turned the clay pot, the medicinal liquid splashed onto the back of her hand, causing her to jump up in pain. Her first reaction was to bring her hand to her mouth and lick it.
This bowl of medicine is so precious, not a single drop can be wasted.
Realizing what she had done, Ning Lu couldn't help but frown and sigh in frustration.
"Is this retribution for my habit of eating takeout for every meal and still not being satisfied?"
"If I know I'm wrong, can I go home?"
flutter--
The fire flickered and then went out. The medicinal soup was still bubbling, fueled by the lingering heat.
Without dwelling on the past, she picked up the clay pot, strained out the medicinal soup, and then used a wooden stick to scoop out the dregs from the pot and spread them out.
Regardless of the man lying inside's past identity, until she finds a way to earn money to buy medicine, she can only make him drink the recycled herbal medicine for now.
After finishing a series of tasks, Ning Lu's forehead was covered in cold sweat. She took down the dry food that had just been hung up, and held the scalding hot medicine bowl as she pushed open the door and went into the house.
The person on the bed remained asleep, oblivious to everything. The only good news was that after the acupuncture, they sweated and their fever subsided.
The doctor said that all that was left was to slowly repair the body that was now empty.
Ning Lu was self-aware and understood that she could not possibly complete such a difficult task.
She never intended to be the female lead in a redemption story; she only hoped that Ji Ming would wake up soon, point her in the right direction, and quickly advance the plot.
She wanted to go home.
Ning Lu placed the medicine bowl by the bedside, first turning the person from lying on their side to lying on their back, then folding and stacking all the pillows and blankets, and helping him slowly sit up against them.
At first, the old doctor said he was deficient in both qi and blood, and had weak heart and lungs, but she didn't realize how serious it was. These past two days, with only her taking care of him, she discovered that he would be out of breath even when he got up, sat up, or turned over, and his face would often turn purple from holding his breath.
"Hah...cough..."
Ning Lu sat cross-legged by the bed, gently removing the gauze from his chest and patting him on the back to help him catch his breath.
The medicine bowl was steaming, clearly not at a temperature suitable for consumption.
The time it takes for the medicine to cool down is just enough time for her to eat.
"Today we ate steamed buns made with wild vegetables." Ning Lu held up the bun under his nose and waved it around. "Aunt Li is kind. She said I was too thin and gave me an extra one. I was thinking that if you woke up, I would reluctantly share half with you."
"Let me tell you, I've discovered something amazing." Ning Lu paused, thinking he probably couldn't hear her, and decided to get straight to the point: "I'm really fast on my feet. Do you remember that day when we were running away, my legs were flying ahead and the wolves were chasing behind?"
"At the time, I thought it was just adrenaline."
"But today, Aunt Li's chickens were being chased by a dog. You wouldn't believe the chaos, it made Aunt Li furious. I caught up in a few steps, scooped them up with my left hand and grabbed the dog with my right. Done."
"That's amazing." Ning Lu swallowed a mouthful of cornbread with difficulty, and then said, "Besides, I found that climbing over walls is also very easy. Either the walls here are too low, and you can jump over them with a light leap. Or, I have an amazing jumping ability."
"The original owner was really amazing. The skills she left behind are so useful. If she were with us, she might even be able to compete with Bolt and Su Bingtian."
Speaking of the original owner, she slowed her swallowing, a hint of sadness in her voice: "I wonder if she's doing well with me. I'm not very capable; all I left her were severe nearsightedness and cervical spondylosis. I hope she can get used to the snail rice noodles in the kitchen."
She raised her hand to support his cheek, looking at the fine, dense scars on his body with a bored expression.
The old doctor said these were all old injuries.
"Look at you, new wounds upon old ones. You're probably a man who lives a life of constant danger."
His gaze shifted upwards, landing on Ji Ming's face.
With high, straight brow bones, narrow nostrils, and a sharp jaw, coupled with pale skin and slightly purplish lips, the whole person looked as if they were covered with a frosted filter.
It is beautiful.
Unfortunately, people with this kind of face are often cold-hearted and calculating.
It should not be easily contaminated.
"Even in this state, to still be a wilderness镖客 (armyman) in the mountains, he must be a tough guy."
"But congratulations anyway, you've survived another day."
"Let me give you your medicine first."
"Even my parents don't receive this kind of treatment. It's unique in the world. If this happens and you wake up and still suspect I'm trying to harm you, I'm truly at my wit's end. Then it really will be like snow in June."
"Also, don't think I'm being long-winded, Brother Xiaoming. It's just the two of us now, and I used to do stand-up comedy part-time, so I make a living with my mouth. Being talkative and having a lot of stories is my skill. Please bear with me."
Ning Lu paused slightly while feeding the medicine, then slapped her hand at the table in delight at the joke that had just slipped out: "Who doesn't make a living with their mouth? Haha... That's a good joke. I'll write it down and use it when I get back."
Stir the medicine bowl, scoop out half a spoonful and bring it to your lips. Half of the soup seeps into your lips and teeth, and the other half runs down the corner of your mouth.
Brown watermarks left very faint marks on his neck, and Ning Lu quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe them away.
"This bowl of medicine is still very expensive for us now. And we're so poor right now, I'm practically ready to strip you off your undergarments and sell them."
While unconscious, the man's brow furrowed slightly, and his breathing became a little heavier.
"Cough cough..."
Strands of hair fell loose at her temples, and her neck, supple and boneless, drooped to one side.
Ning Lu quickly reached out to support him, patting his back and patting his back to help him breathe.
Remembering that the medicine he was taking was obtained by exchanging his own resources, she swallowed her words of complaining about being poor and instead comforted him.
"But don't worry, you're lucky you ran into me. As long as I have food to eat, you'll have medicine to drink. I'll try my best to save you."
"I can only do my best. I can't even take care of myself."
Seeing that the purple tinge on his lips had not dissipated but rather intensified, and that his temples were covered in cold sweat, Ning Lu became somewhat nervous and turned her gaze to the medicine bowl beside the bed.
This medicine has been decocted twice, and the color has become pale, so its efficacy is probably not very good.
She had considered abandoning the person there and running away. But she couldn't do it; the high standards of education she received made her too good for that.
"Is this alright? Just make do with this and drink one more sip. I'll go find the doctor to get some new medicine in a bit."
Ning Lu's tightly pursed lips parted slightly, revealing a delighted expression.
Regardless of how much he absorbed, he managed to swallow a few mouthfuls.
Half a bowl of medicine remained, and it seemed wasteful to throw it away. Ninglu, whose mouth was dry from talking, simply drank it like water.
Turning her head, she saw a figure swaying outside the door. She tucked Ji Ming into bed before getting up and gently opening the door a crack.
"Brother Da Cheng?"
Ning Lu was somewhat surprised and subconsciously looked towards the front yard.
"Oh, the neighbor's wife gave birth, and Yu Niang went to help." Zhu Dacheng squeezed in half a step and peeked towards the bedside: "Is the young master feeling any better?"
"Still the same." Ning Lu was forced back by his forceful push, and had no choice but to open the door and let him in.
“You’ve had it tough, it’s heartbreaking to see.” Zhu Dacheng sighed, sat down on the bench, and continued, “Yu Niang told me at noon that you went out to help someone.”
"I'm already causing you trouble by staying here. I'm trying to find other ways to make ends meet."
"With such a good woman taking care of you, young master, you are truly blessed." Zhu Dacheng, his body hunched over, rubbed his hands together, and said with difficulty, "Since you've brought it up, I won't beat around the bush. You can see the situation at home; we're practically starving. Although the medicine you're using was bought by pawning things..."
Meeting Ning Lu's understanding gaze, Zhu Dacheng chuckled and continued, "Not to mention the time it takes to go to and from the city, Second Uncle comes to perform acupuncture and make house calls every day. He can't be left without a penny, can he?"
"There are already some rumors going around. My husband and I are fine, but we're worried about ruining your and this young master's reputations."
"I understand everything you're saying, Brother Dacheng." Ning Lu turned to look at Ji Ming.
As he spoke, the man's breathing became rapid and shallow, and he was drenched in cold sweat, as if he had once again sunk into a state of extreme discomfort.
Given today's reactions, she was a little worried that this person wasn't entirely oblivious.
Ning Lu wasn't a particularly kind person; she simply felt that scheming against someone on their deathbed was too cruel.
She lay sideways across the bed, her voice low, intending to finish quickly: "I'll think of something else and give you and my sister an explanation tomorrow."
“Sister, you don’t understand what I mean.” Seeing that he didn’t take the bait, Da Cheng stared more directly at the dagger at her waist: “Look, if we have some extra money to bribe people, whether it’s the government officials or the neighbors, we can talk to them. You two can live in peace, right?”
The words had been spoken, and Ning Lu could no longer play dumb. But this dagger was a gift from Ji Ming, and it held considerable significance for him. She had no right to dispose of it.
"Zhu Dacheng!"
Before she could speak, a reprimand came from the courtyard. Zhu Dacheng was startled and wiped his sweat with his hand.
Looking up, I saw Yu Niang standing in the courtyard with her hands on her hips, her eyes wide with anger, pointing directly at me: "What nonsense are you spouting! Get out here!"
"Why are you back?"
"You're the one who brought him back! And now you're saying such filthy things! How dare you!"
Yu Niang took three steps in two, grabbed Zhu Dacheng by the ear, and dragged him outside.
As he approached the door, he glanced at Ning Lu and said gruffly, "As long as you don't get into legal trouble, you can stay here."
Before he finished speaking, he kicked Zhu Dacheng into the yard. The door closed, but faint cries could still be heard.
Ning Lu slumped onto the bench, letting out a sigh of relief, and reached for the dagger at her waist.
When she left home today, she casually tucked this thing into her belt for peace of mind. Little did she know that Zhu Dacheng would spot it in a fleeting glance on the street.
"It's better to put it away."
She tried to pull it outwards twice but failed; it seemed the tip of the dagger was stuck somewhere. Ning Lu was exhausted and too lazy to look down and check, so she used brute force to pull it.
Sizzle—
Resigned, I looked down and saw that my clothes had been ripped open.
He laughed in exasperation: "When you're down on your luck, even drinking cold water can cause you to choke."
"I can't sew anything."
I reached out and tried to stretch the fabric, but the more I touched it, the more something felt off.
Hard? It seems like there's a lining to her undergarment?
A note from the author:
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