The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 249: Soul Unsettled

Chapter 249: Chapter 249: Soul Unsettled

Because she had made up her mind, Wang Yongzhu’s primary concern was still the pot of indigo, the mordant required for the dye, and some other miscellaneous items. So, she simply entrusted Wang Yongping with the task and let him go directly to Shopkeeper Wu to make the purchases.

It was also an opportunity for Wang Yongping.

Wang Yongping went to town, and when he came back, while he had bought the items, he seemed to be lost in thought.

During the meal, he was so absent-minded that he would grab at nothing in the empty plate with his chopsticks and still put it to his mouth as if he was chewing something.

This caused the children to barely stifle their laughter.

Old Granny Zhang slapped him with her chopsticks, "Have you lost your soul on a trip to town? Such an inexperienced thing you are. I just sent you to buy something, and you come back like this. How could I have given birth to such a blockhead!"

Wang Yongping’s face turned red, he hastily finished his meal in a few bites and went back to his room with a heavy heart.

Wang Yongzhu found it strange, thinking perhaps he had been snubbed at Shopkeeper Wu’s place. Men, after all, would grow braver after being stimulated a few times.

She didn’t have the mood to worry about it either, as the dye was giving her enough trouble, not to mention worrying about the minor odd behavior of her fourth brother.

Wang Yongping had always been carefree and naive at home, so no one took it seriously, thinking that probably after a good night’s sleep, he would be fine.

The next morning, Doctor Ma came, hiring a carriage.

To give Wang Laozhu and Wang Yongfu a follow-up consultation.

The whole family welcomed him inside.

It was Doctor Ma’s first visit to the Wang Family’s home. Upon entering the courtyard, he saw a big jujube tree with lush leaves, casting pleasant shade over half of the courtyard.

Underneath the tree were two reclining chairs, and the two patients lay there, looking much better in color.

The courtyard was clean and tidy, the entrance was lined with rows of periwinkle and other wildflowers on both sides, and under the eaves, a gardenia tree was reaching the end of its blooming cycle, with a few sparse blossoms still lingering. A breeze wafted by, carrying with it a gentle fragrance.

Doctor Ma was invited to take a rest under the tree first, and was offered some sweet water. Even the coachman was invited inside to rest in coolness and was served sweet water as well.

After a short rest, Doctor Ma began to check the pulses of Wang Laozhu and Wang Yongfu.

After checking, Doctor Ma looked thoughtful, which made the Wang family members nervous, watching him without daring to breathe.

After a while, Doctor Ma finally spoke, "Both are recovering well, especially this young brother. His recovery is beyond my expectation. If he continues to recover at this rate, it is not impossible for him to stand up in the future!"

Wang Yongfu’s eyes reddened with excitement, "Really? Doctor Ma? Can I really stand up again?"

Doctor Ma nodded, "But you must be cautious, take good care of yourself, and keep your spirits up! The elder brother is also recovering nicely. In a moment, I’ll teach you two massage techniques, one to prevent leg muscle atrophy and another for soothing the liver and regulating qi. Combined with these massage techniques, I believe the results will be even better!"

The Wang family repeatedly expressed their thanks!

Doctor Ma smiled, "It’s simply the duty of a physician."

While speaking, he pondered and wrote out a prescription, "The elder brother should continue this medicine for another half a month. As for the young brother, I will decide next time I come to take his pulse, depending on his condition."

Wang Yongzhu took the prescription, "Then today, we will follow you back to get the medicine prepared, Doctor Ma."

They also insisted that Doctor Ma stay for lunch before he left.

Doctor Ma didn’t stand on ceremony, anyway, he still had to teach the people of the Wang Family the massage techniques.

Wang Yongzhu and the children in the family all watched and learned from the side, the technique was not complicated, and after trying twice, they basically mastered it.

Once the massage instruction was over, lunch was ready.

The Wang Family went out of their way to bring out the best things in the house to treat Doctor Ma.

Dried wolf meat, wolf meat paste, eggs, cured pork, and several kinds of green vegetables, it was more sumptuous than a New Year’s feast.

The coachman also stuffed himself full, feeling somewhat embarrassed, "I’ve taken advantage of your hospitality! If there’s anything you need in the future, just let me know!"

Wang Yongzhu was willing to entertain even the coachman for two reasons, one was out of respect for Doctor Ma, and two, their family would need to transport goods from the mountains in the future, right?

Now, with the family’s silver, buying land was the priority, and buying a carriage would cost a fair amount of silver, which they couldn’t afford for the time being, so it was essential to get on good terms with a coachman for future transportation of goods for the Wang Family.

Old Granny Zhang was initially reluctant to entertain the coachman, but after hearing Wang Yongzhu’s analysis, she no longer felt awkward.

And look, as soon as the coachman spoke up, Old Granny Zhang responded with a beaming smile, "Perhaps our big brother doesn’t yet know that our family will help transport goods from the mountains to town this autumn. We’re limited on resources and can’t afford a carriage of our own, so our family will inevitably need to trouble our big brother in the future!"

The coachman’s eyes lit up, this was a great opportunity! Not many in town could afford to hire a carriage, and his business was sporadic.

If he could land a long-term deal, it would bring more income for his family!

He promptly agreed, and his tone became warmer, chatting with Wang Yongping and calling each other brothers.

He even generously waived Wang Yongping’s fare when he took Doctor Ma and him back to town.

As soon as Doctor Ma left, Wang Yongfu excitedly said, "Dad, Mom, the medicine given by the Song family brothers really worked!"

Nonsense! With Doctor Ma’s diagnosis, everyone in the Wang Family knew that the medicine Song Chongjin had sought was truly miraculous.

Eldest Brother’s legs should be able to stand again.

Wang Laozhu’s eyes welled up with tears, "Ancestors have blessed us! Ancestors have blessed us!"

Jindou and the brothers were already in tears, after so long, they could finally confirm that their father’s legs were salvageable!

Old Granny Zhang sneered from the side, "What does it have to do with the ancestors? They actually ’blessed’ us with a beast like the second son born into our Wang Family! If anyone should be thanked, it’s our Zhuzhu! If it weren’t for her, would divine medicine fall from the sky? As for the ancestors, when our land was gone, and our family had no livelihood, did the ancestors come to you in dreams to make you rich or get up and give you silver? Pah! Let me tell you! Whatever our family has today is not thanks to those underground ancestors, but because of Zhuzhu! Without Zhuzhu, the whole family might as well have been waiting to reunite with the ancestors!"

Her words left Wang Laozhu red-faced and ear-tipped, "I... I was just happy for a moment..."

Alas, ever since Wang Laozhu had his stroke, and his daughter took charge of the household, his say at home had diminished, especially with Old Granny Zhang. Now that she had her daughter’s support, she feared no one.

Wang Laozhu also felt a bit guilty and short of breath since the whole family was dependent on his daughter, and after Old Granny Zhang had scolded him a few times, his confidence further waned.

The position of the old couple had indeed been reversed.

Seeing Wang Laozhu embarrassed, Wang Yongzhu quickly changed the subject, "As long as we, as a family, are all well, that’s what matters! We are all happy that Big Brother can recover! Once Big Brother is better, we’ll have to show those who looked down on our family and gossiped behind our backs—"

"Exactly! And that vile woman, Lady Lin! Back then, when she saw our family in decline and Eldest Brother disabled, she wouldn’t even take her own children, causing a fuss to divorce during our toughest time! Humph, just wait until she finds out that Eldest Brother can recover and our family’s fortunes are improving again, she’ll regret it so much she’ll turn green! No, I must find someone to spread the news; I want that vile Lady Lin to regret her actions for the rest of her life!" With that, Old Granny Zhang rushed outside, seemingly to send someone to pass on the message.