For dinner, Kou Yue specially cooked chestnut porridge for the two of them. It was thick and easy to digest, suitable for patients.
Shao Qing thanked her, and the girl smiled and waved her hand, saying it was just a matter of firewood and nothing serious.
After having dinner with Wei Jing, she muttered a few words about making bone soup for him tomorrow and that he had to get up early, and then she fell asleep.
Wei Jing turned off the oil lamp, lay down, pulled a thin quilt over the two of them, and closed his eyes.
In the middle of the night, Shao Qing felt a little feverish. He quickly noticed it, and got out of bed, went out of the room, and asked the Kou family to call Yan Ming.
In the middle of the night, the Kou family was still enthusiastic, but Yan Ming, who was woken up by the slap, had a dark face and complained continuously.
It took quite some time to take the pulse, prescribe medicine and boil the medicine. Shao Qing felt dizzy but was still conscious. He got up, took the bowl of medicine from Wei Jing, drank it with a frown, then lay down and went back to sleep.
"I'm fine, go to sleep, you're still injured."
She faced inward and muttered. She felt very hot just now, but now she felt cold. She curled up and tightened the thin quilt.
A warm body moved closer from behind, and Wei Jing responded with an "hmm", but he did not fall asleep immediately. He waited until Shao Qing's breathing became steady and the fever gradually subsided before he closed his eyes again.
She didn't feel anything when they were running for their lives, but now that they were safe, they had to lie on the same bed. She felt a little awkward staying so close to Shao Qing, so she moved inward.
However, she was not conscious for too long and soon fell asleep due to the effect of the medicine. The warmth came upon her again and she unconsciously shrank towards that side in her sleep.
So when he woke up the next day, Shao Qing found himself facing outwards, snuggling tightly against Wei Jing. He was lying flat on his back, his face still pressed against his left upper arm.
"Ah! Why don't you push me away? Did I put pressure on your wound?"
This was the spot where Wei Jing was poisoned. Shao Qing opened his eyes in shock. He didn't care about the awkwardness for a moment, and sat up abruptly, asking in a low voice.
Wei Jing didn't take it seriously: "It's just a minor scratch."
This is true. The wound is the mildest. The serious thing is the poison.
Shao Qing thought about it and agreed, so he put his mind at ease and stopped worrying about it. Glancing at the light coming in from under the door, she saw that it was already bright outside. She jumped up, put on her coat first, then helped Wei Jing up and helped him put it on.
He felt much better and his weakness was gone. Shao Qing was happy. After the two of them were taken care of, she went to get some water for washing and then went to help in the kitchen.
She still felt a little dizzy, but she didn't plan to continue lying there. Firstly, she wasn't here to act like a boss; secondly, she felt uneasy if she didn't keep an eye on the surroundings.
The murder case on the riverbank and the subsequent search by the new emperor are all matters that cannot be taken lightly.
The Kou family had already finished breakfast, and Kou Xuantian set out at dawn to go to the county government office for duty. The sound of a little girl crying came from the main room, and Wang Mi was coaxing her patiently.
Kou Yue was in the kitchen, watching the fire while Wei Shao and the other were making chestnut porridge, and picking beans from a winnowing basket.
"Sister A-Qing, why are you up? Didn't you have a fever last night?"
"You had a fever last night, but you're better today, aren't you?"
Shao Qing took out the money she had prepared, and first asked Kou Yue to help her buy some big bones, and then went to Yan Ming to buy some blood-replenishing herbs such as jujube and wolfberry.
Also buy some rice. Rice porridge is more nutritious. She plans to let Wei Jing eat this as a treatment for the wounded. As for her, she could just eat chestnut porridge and bean rice like the Kou family. It would not be good for the two of them to eat and drink well while staying at the Kou family's house, and the rice production was low and the price was high these days, so she did not have much money.
Kou Yue said that she didn't need so much money and she would return the rest when she came back. There is a butcher in the village, so she can buy the bones later. As for rice, she has to go to the county town. She will go to the county shop tomorrow to sell the embroidery she has saved, and they can buy it together then.
Shao Qing naturally had no objection. She opened the medicine bag in her hand and began to boil medicine for Wei Jing. The matter was of great importance, and she did not dare to ask others for help.
After Kou Yue carefully put the silver and money away, she looked at the figure in front of the stove, hesitated for a moment, and asked softly.
"Sister A-Qing, that day you..."
When Shao Qing heard this, she knew what the girl wanted to ask. She also wanted to ask some questions. After she put the medicine jars in order and lit the fire, she pulled a small stool and sat next to Kou Yue. "What's wrong?"
"Did you see the pavilion that day..."
Kou Yue asked cautiously halfway through, looking into Shao Qing's sparkling eyes, and pondering the distance between the thatched cottage and the small pavilion, she suddenly stopped and said in annoyance: "Sister Aqing, please don't tell my brother and sister-in-law."
Shao Qing responded and asked, "What's going on between you and him? And what about the Sun family?"
She was actually not very interested in this, but she estimated that after understanding it clearly, all the details of Kou Xuan and the Kou family would be revealed.
Sure enough, Kou Yue carefully poked her head into the main room, then turned around and spoke softly to Shao Qing.
The Kou family's eight generations of ancestors were all from Hexiang. When his father was alive, he was the chief clerk in the county government with a salary of 150 stones. Of course, it was nothing in Wei Jing's eyes, but he was considered a top figure in Gong County.
However, Sun's father was transferred from the next county and served as the thief officer in the court, with a status similar to that of Kou's father. By chance, Grandmother Sun saved Mother Kou's life, and the two families became good friends. Later, they even arranged a marriage for their children, with Sun Dalang and Kou Yue.
However, the good times did not last long. Not long after the marriage was agreed upon, Kou's father died of illness. At that time, Kou Xuan was only fifteen years old, and had just been arranged by his father to work as a clerk in the county government.
Kou's father was an upright person. During his lifetime, he had offended the county magistrate of Shangfeng. Fortunately, the county magistrate appreciated him and had a leader to uphold justice, so the country was at peace. Now that Kou's father had passed away, the former county magistrate was transferred within two years, and Kou Xuan suffered. He was constantly suppressed and frustrated, and he had been working as a clerk for nearly ten years.
In this southwestern frontier where the emperor is far away and the county magistrate has the final say, and he has a family to support, no matter how smart and clever he is, he can only prevent himself from being squeezed out of the county government.
On the other hand, after the new county magistrate took office, Sun's father flattered the magistrate and rose rapidly in career. Now he is one of the second-in-command of the county government, a county lieutenant with a salary of 300 dan, and is in charge of the military affairs of the county.
Aren’t the two families in-laws? Why not lend a helping hand?
People are fickle-minded. You only realize how kind people are when you are helping someone in need. This family of Sun is obviously not one of them. The two families gradually drifted apart, but the engagement was not canceled, because Sun Dalang had predicted his fortune and said that Kou Yue's horoscope was the most suitable for him, and welcoming her into the family would ensure safety and success, otherwise, misfortune would easily occur.
Kou Yue is now a useless person to the Sun family. They are unwilling to marry her, but they also have concerns about not marrying her, so they just drag their feet. Kou Yue is already seventeen years old this year, but there is still no sign of the other party marrying her. Kou Xuan wants to cancel the engagement, but is stopped by the words "parents' orders".
Kou Yue shed tears when she finished speaking. She and Yuan Lang had feelings for each other, but now every step was difficult.
"Don't cry. I think your brother loves you and will never let you enter the Sun family."
Shao Qing carefully wrote down the place name and comforted Kou Yue. Up to now, she has a very good impression of Kou Yue, a kind-hearted girl. According to what she accidentally revealed, Yuan Lang and his deceased widowed mother were also the ones she rescued and stayed in Hexiang to settle down.
Speaking of her brother, Kou Yue's confidence increased. She wiped her tears and nodded vigorously. Yes, she believed this.
"Sister A-Qing, ..."
She had just said a few words when she heard footsteps coming from the back window of the kitchen facing the street. When they reached the window, there was a faint pause. Kou Yue showed joy on her face, apologized to Shao Qing, and hurried over, "Yuan Lang."
A face appeared in the back window. It was the scholar from yesterday. He was surprised to see Shao Qing sitting sideways. Kou Yue hurriedly explained in a low voice: "Sister Qing already knows about us. Yuan Lang, don't panic. What do you want from me?"
Usually Wang Mi is often in the kitchen, so Yuan Hong seldom uses this method of communication, which is why Kou Yue asked this question.
Speaking of this, Yuan Hong didn't care why this sudden "Sister Aqing" knew about his affairs, and hurriedly lowered his voice and said: "Yueniang, have you heard? Something big happened in the county. There was a murder on the riverbank outside the pavilion. People from the county have come..."
A large-scale search is underway for anyone who was in the area on that day!
As soon as the news came out, it caused a sensation in the entire Hexiang Township. Yuan Hong, as one of the people who had been around nearby, knew nothing about the murder case, but there were many false accusations nowadays. He was terrified and hurried over to tell Kou Yue not to tell the matter to anyone.
Of course, because Shao Qing was present, he used rather obscure words, lowered his voice to a very low level, and called Kou Yue out to talk.
Kou Yue went out in a hurry.
Shao Qing frowned secretly as if he had heard nothing. An incident happened on the river beach?
…
As one of the people who had been on the riverbank before, Shao Qing still didn't want to get involved.
It was not for a false charge, but for the subsequent search by the new emperor.
On the river beach downstream of Qianshui River, a young man and woman who were not like ordinary people were found. The man was injured and poisoned.
Once the Kou family is found, these clues will be put together and the person will be identified.
Whether another raid could be avoided successfully was only one factor; the second was that the news that Wei Jing and she were not dead would inevitably be presented to the new emperor.
The subsequent troubles will be endless.
Shao Qing frowned in thought, and the consequence of his absent-mindedness was that when he picked up the medicine jar to pour the medicine, he burned his hand severely and let out a "hiss" in pain.
She was full of things on her mind and didn't pay much attention to the burn. She just poured some cold water on it and hurried back with her breakfast and medicine bowl.
She closed the door, turned around and served Wei Jing some porridge, frowned and was about to speak, but unexpectedly he grabbed her hand.
"What happened to your hand?"
There was a sudden red burn on the back of her hand next to her thumb, and her ten slender, white and translucent fingers were particularly eye-catching.
Wei Jing frowned and looked at her. Seeing some small scratches on the palm of her hand, his face darkened.
"I will never let you suffer this kind of injustice again in the future."
She was a noble lady in the Marquis's mansion, raised with great wealth and luxury. It was all because of his involvement that she met with this disaster. Her thrilling escape was not over yet, and today she had to wear a straw hairpin and a cloth skirt, and her hands were covered with scars from the burns.
His voice was very soft, but the seriousness in his words was not difficult to hear.
Even though Shao Qing was in a heavy mood, he felt comforted by hearing these words. The journey had been difficult, but at least his companions were not ignorant.
She smiled and said "hmm", then pulled her hand back and handed him the bowl of porridge, "Hurry up and have breakfast. You can take a rest and take your medicine."
Wei Jing asked her to ask Kou Yue to go next door to get some burn medicine to apply. Shao Qing agreed with a smile. After drinking the porridge, she hurriedly talked about what happened on the river beach and told him what she had learned from Kou Yue.
"Gong County?"
Wei Jing did not express any opinion about Kou Xuan and the Kou family. He only thought about Gong County for a moment but had no impression of it. It must be a remote small county in a corner.
He had already thought about the lower reaches of the Qianshui River and had a general idea of it, so he didn't pay much attention to it.
"If Yue Niang's whereabouts are discovered, there's no guarantee that the Kou family won't betray us in order to protect themselves."
Shao Qing whispered, "Husband, I'm afraid we have to prepare early." Once they find something wrong, they will have to leave early.
Wei Jing responded and said, "Don't panic. This is a different time."
What he lacked most in the jungle was some buffer time and medicine. Now that his wounds had been treated and the poison had begun to dissipate, even if the situation developed in the direction he least wanted to see, it would still take some time to develop.
Even if the time comes, he will be confident that he can escape successfully with Shao Qing.
This is true. Shao Qing was slightly relieved, but she still said, "It's better for us to stay hidden."
It is best not to see the person alive or the body dead.
She hoped that Kou Yue and Yuan Lang could successfully avoid it and make everything disappear without a trace. This possibility was not small. After all, the young couple was meeting in private and would definitely avoid being seen by others.
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