kvmb Chapter 125: The Wen family's noble character received high praise.
Chapter 125: The Wen family's noble character received high praise.
Just as Wen Qikang and Yao Changhao were about to leave, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door.
The sound immediately put everyone in the room on alert.
The two opened the door and went outside, standing there to take a look.
Several soldiers and yamen runners were talking in front of the treehouse next door.
There was some distance between us, and the sound of wind and rain, but we couldn't hear anything else.
The two were about to go and find out what was going on when one of the constables turned around and saw them.
The constable said a few words to the person next to him, then turned and ran towards the Wen family.
The constable stopped just a few steps away from the two men.
Ah, it's that same tall, thin yamen runner from before. He's learned his lesson and is being careful not to fall into the same trap.
Looking at the tall, thin man, soaked to the bone and panting heavily, Wen Qikang asked, "Sir, what's wrong? What's wrong?"
The tall, thin man, having caught his breath, said, "Lord Zhu has instructed us to collect all the herbs that can be used to treat colds, boil them together, and have each family send someone to collect them every two hours. Don't waste time, quickly bring out your herbs."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the room was astonished. What was going on? Why would he need to collect herbs from everyone's households? Weren't people supposed to look after their own needs on the road to exile? Was Lord Zhu so compassionate, considering everyone's needs?
In any case, they've already come to ask for it, so how can we refuse?
Wen Yuanqian gave his wife a wink, "Madam, you two go and tidy things up."
Grandmother Mu of the Wen family, along with several daughters-in-law, got up and went to where their own bundles were, and began to search through them.
Pick out a few bundles; these contain medicinal herbs given to you by various families before you leave the capital, as well as herbs and pills that your family purchased in Yanta Town.
After a thorough tidying up, all the herbs and pills specifically for treating colds were dumped out.
Someone couldn't bear to see it and quietly asked, "So much? You've given it all away? We have quite a few children, shouldn't you keep some for yourselves?"
Third Aunt knew that they had bought more than just what was in front of them; Wenwen had already put away many of the items.
She glanced at Wenwen and whispered, "That's all we have, are you sure you don't want to leave anything behind?"
Cough, cough!
Seeing her aunt's hint, Wenwen cleared her throat.
With a childlike tone and innocent appearance, she said loudly, "Grandmother, take them all away. We'll listen to Lord Zhu. Lord Zhu is a kind-hearted man; he'll definitely think of everyone's best interests."
The volume was just right, loud enough for the tall, thin man outside the door to hear, but not too abrupt.
After listening, the tall and thin man looked deeply moved and spoke sincerely.
"I will certainly report the Wen family's good deeds to Lord Zhu. Well, please take good care of yourself!"
The tall, thin man received the wrapped medicine and hurriedly met up with the other constables.
The Wen family members, those standing outside the door and those inside, heard a yamen runner escorting them actually say "Take care" to them.
A strange and inexplicable feeling filled the Wen family members with a sense of unease, even a touch of disbelief, as if they had found yet another person extending kindness to them on their journey of exile.
After the yamen runners had gone far away, the Wen family members shook off their thoughts and immersed themselves in their studies or cultivation again.
The constables worked quickly, collecting herbs from various households, and then set up a large pot in front of the cave to boil the medicinal soup.
For a time, the cave was filled with the smell of medicinal soup, allowing the prisoners living in the cave to get a change of air.
The families living in the treehouses knew it was time to receive their herbal medicine again, just by smelling the aroma carried on the wind.
Representatives from various groups braved the heavy rain and lined up to go to the cave.
The representative of the Wen family who received the medicine was now a fixed person.
Wen Qikang and Yao Changhao were familiar with the route and followed the crowd, controlling their expressions, neither overly sad nor overly upset.
Before leaving, the two put on a short skit in front of the cave.
Wen Qikang clutched the earthenware pot tightly in his arms, his eyes red as he looked at Yao Changhao, "Brother-in-law, what about our family? What are we going to do?"
Yao Changhao's eyes were also filled with tears. "Third brother, hold on tight to the earthenware pot. Don't worry, this medicine will definitely work. You'll feel better after taking it when we get back. Let's go, let's go, watch your step!"
The two men, protecting the earthenware pot and comforting each other, slowly trudged out of sight, their steps uneven.
The tall, thin constable watched the two figures walk away into the distance, then turned to discuss the matter with the person next to him.
"The Wen family is truly generous. They have patients in their own family and they still bring out all the medicinal materials. It's really rare."
"Who can argue with that? Some people are blatantly lying, insisting they don't have any medicinal herbs. I clearly saw them, but they still insist they don't have any. Compared to that, it's a world of difference!"
"Alas, the weather is not cooperating; I wonder how many days this rain will last!"
"Hey you guys, shut up, do more work and talk less."
"That's right, it's none of your business what God does, just mind your own business!"
"I know!"
Regardless of the discussions and praises from the yamen runners behind them, the two people who had walked away could not hear them, and the Wen family members inside the house were even more unaware.
People are not killed for their own sake.
In a life-or-death situation, who would be so selfless?
The Wen family was able to give away all the medicinal materials because they had a backup plan.
Imagine if Wenwen didn't have a cheat code, would she be so generous and magnanimous?
That's how things are in this world: there's cause and effect, and every wrong has its perpetrator and every debt its debtor.
Wen Qikang and Yao Changhao carried the earthenware pot and hurried back to the treehouse before dinner was served at home.
The two had just put down the earthenware pot when someone asked in confusion, "We're not drinking it, so wouldn't it be a waste to take it?"
"You can't refuse; it's an order. If you don't accept it, people will know that our family member isn't sick, and that would give us away."
"Yes, we can't let it slip, otherwise my brother-in-law and I will have put on a show for nothing!"
"Ah, what kind of show is this? What kind of antics are you up to now?"
Yao Changhao perked up immediately, "Let me explain in detail..."
"Hahaha......"
"Uh... with you two causing so much trouble, we'll have to keep getting this herbal medicine."
"The thread must never be broken!"
"We've used up several earthenware pots in just one day! You can't use them like this no matter how many you have!"
Wenwen was initially overjoyed at the mention of the mini-theater, but suddenly felt a pang of pity.
"Third Uncle, Eldest Uncle, how's the situation at the cave?"
"Oh dear, you can't look too closely, it's beyond description. Many people see that he's barely breathing."
"I've noticed that even the soldiers and yamen runners are getting sick. Is this cold really that severe?"
"What about the families living in treehouses nearby?"
"Then we don't know, just like others don't know about our family situation."
"Anyway, everyone I met on the street looked worried."
Wenwen glanced at the two of them a few times.
What does a worried look prove? You've added more drama, haven't you? It's even easier to confuse the issue.
Once Wenwen made up her mind, she took the earthenware pot and was about to leave.
Wen Chengjian, who was quick-witted and agile, grabbed her and asked, "Sister, where are you going?"
Wenwen pointed to the earthenware pot, "It should go back to where it came from!"
"Ah? Oh." Wen Chengjian understood and stopped trying to stop him.
"I'll be back as soon as I go."
After Wenwen finished speaking, she quickly pushed open the door and left.