The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 246: Expressing Standpoints

Chapter 246: Chapter 246: Expressing Standpoints

Song Chongjin cleared his throat and glanced at Wang Yongzhu before he began to weave his tale.

He said he wanted to express his gratitude for Wang Yongzhu’s life-saving help so he thought for several days and remembered Wang Yongzhu’s concerns about Eldest Brother’s injury. Today, he went into the mountain and found a hermit living in Dahei Mountain. This hermit was also an old hunter, accustomed to frequent injuries; broken legs and arms were commonplace for him.

As a result, over several generations, they had devised a remedy that was especially effective for treating such broken bones.

He begged the hermit for a long time before the man reluctantly handed over a bottle of medicine, claiming it could heal the injury. However, the medicine had side effects; once healed, since the bone had been broken once, the injured area would suffer unbearable soreness during damp and rainy weather.

Additionally, the medicine was so potent that it could have a certain impact on one’s lifespan; the effect varied from person to person, potentially shortening life by as much as ten years or as little as four or five.

As he spoke, he pulled out the bottle Wang Yongzhu had given him and placed it on the table, "I have procured this medicine, and I have clearly stated the side effects. Whether to use it or not is up to Brother Yongfu to decide."

The entire family’s eyes were fixed on that bottle of medicine, especially Wang Yongfu’s. His hands trembled with excitement, and his eyes reddened.

As long as he could stand up, as long as he wasn’t a cripple, what did pain from damp and rainy weather matter? Could it be any more painful than now?

What’s there to fear from a shortened lifespan, losing ten or eight years? Even if after taking this medicine, he could only live for one or two more years, he would be happy!

Jindou, Jinhoo, and Jinguan even stopped chewing their pancakes, their eyes glued to the medicine as if it were a life-saving elixir.

Wang Yongzhu saw everyone’s attention was on the medicine, nodded to Song Chongjin, and gestured a thumbs up, impressed. Big brother, he weaved his tale so well that had he not known the medicine was from himself, he might have believed it himself.

A hint of a smile crossed Song Chongjin’s eyes as he lowered his head to munch on his pancake.

It was then Wang Yongzhu spoke up, "Eldest Brother, the medicine is here. Whether to use it or not is up to you! Take your time to think about it! However, let’s make this clear in advance: this medicine was procured by Brother Song after who knows how much effort. If you decide to use this medicine, then no matter the outcome, its effectiveness, or how it affects your lifespan, you cannot blame Brother Song in the future! You can’t be grateful now and then blame the issues on the medicine or the person if something goes wrong later. If you can agree to this, the medicine will stay, and you can decide whether to take it after careful consideration. If you can’t, then it would be best for Brother Song to take the medicine back!"

Old Granny Zhang, though biased, was quite sensible about such matters and immediately voiced her agreement, "Zhuzhu is right! We, the Wang family, cannot be so ungrateful! Chongjin has obtained this medicine with good intentions! Whether to use it is up to us to decide! If we only think about the benefits without considering the consequences and decide to use the medicine, we can’t flip the script and blame others later, don’t expect me not to smack you with the sole of my shoe!"

Wang Laozhu could now speak, though he had to do so slowly, "Eldest Brother... think carefully... thank you..."

Indeed, no matter what reasons Song Chongjin claimed for repaying the life-saving favor, just for this intention alone, he deserved thanks!

Wang Yongfu trembled, his lips quivering, "This medicine! I’ll use it! Thank you, Song family brothers! I, Wang Yongfu, am not an ungrateful beast who blesses while eating from the bowl and curses as soon as the chopsticks are put down! I, Wang Yongfu, swear here: whatever the outcome after taking this medicine is solely my own decision, any negative effects have nothing to do with others! Jindou, Jinhoo, Jinguan! Did you hear that?"

The three brothers Jindou nodded repeatedly, "Dad, we’ve got it!"

Jinhoo even knelt before Song Chongjin and kowtowed several times, "Thank you, Uncle Song!"

Song Chongjin hurriedly stepped aside and pulled Jinhoo up, "I cannot accept this! This medicine was found as a way to repay your aunt for saving a life. All things considered, if you want to thank anyone, you should thank your aunt!"

Wang Yongfu’s gaze towards Wang Yongzhu was indescribable, filled with gratitude to the utmost degree, as if he wished to repay him with his very life.

Song Chongjin quickly explained how to use the medicine: one drop per day should suffice, and he should be cured within a month. He should take more care in the future.

Having said this, he prepared to take his leave.

How could the Wang family let him go so easily?

Old Granny Zhang, in a rare show of generosity, announced, "We’ll make noodles at Laosan’s house tonight! Steam the dried meat, for we have guests this evening!"

Lady Jiang heard the news in the kitchen as well and was naturally delighted. If her uncle could recover, the Wang family’s days would be looking up.

She quickly agreed and went to knead the dough without further comment.

Old Granny Zhang also returned to her room, found a few eggs, and took out a small jar of meat sauce, muttering to herself, "He’s getting a bargain today!"

She then went off to search for greens in the vegetable patch without another word.

Jindou had anxiously handed over the medicine bottle to Wang Yongfu, who caressed it for a long while before carefully opening it, the pungent scent of the medicine flooding his nostrils.

Yet, he felt this smell was more fragrant than any other smell in the world.

Seeing how excited he was, Wang Yongzhu had the Jindou brothers carry Wang Yongfu back and had a bowl of warm water brought in so that Wang Yongfu could take his medicine.

The three brothers were worried about Wang Yongfu, and Jinhua and the others, eager to join the excitement, followed them in.

The courtyard suddenly quieted down.

Wang Yongping’s eyes were red as he patted Song Chongjin’s shoulder, "Brother Song, I’ll never forget this favor!"

Song Chongjin, slowly chewing on a flatbread, replied indifferently, "Don’t mention it."

Wang Yongzhu couldn’t stand by any longer and decided to check on the dye vat that had been mixed with lime water the night before.

After a night and day of settling, the vat showed two distinct layers: the top was a pale blue color of water, and the bottom, a deeper blue dye absorbed by the lime.

In the past, she would have needed help or used a ladle to scoop out the water slowly; now, with her divine strength, she easily tilted the vat at an angle.

Allowing the water inside to drain slowly.

The blue water caught the attention of Wang Yongping and Song Chongjin.

Both approached, and Song Chongjin glanced at Wang Yongzhu.

He had heard that Wang Yongzhu wanted to dye cloth and, judging by the set up, it looked quite professional. Could she really succeed in dyeing?

"Little sister, what are you doing? What is this?" Wang Yongping asked curiously, peering into the vat.

What remained in the vat was a shallow half-vat of a blue paste-like substance, and he was about to touch it.

Before Wang Yongzhu could stop him, Song Chongjin pulled him away, "Don’t touch anything until you’ve asked clearly!"

Wang Yongping looked up at Wang Yongzhu’s face and immediately jumped back, "I won’t touch it! I won’t touch it again!"

"From now on, without my permission, no one is allowed near this vat, understood?"

She said this to the Wang family, assuming that Wang Yongping would pass the message on to everyone at home.

Old Granny Zhang had found a basket of vegetables in the garden and came in through the back door, immediately echoing the sentiment, "From now on, no one is to touch anything in your Aunt’s room, or any of her things! And you must not talk about it outside! If it’s discovered, you’ll have to roll out of the Wang family! Hear me?"