The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 691 - 680: Survived

Chapter 691: Chapter 680: Survived

Ji Xiang immediately leaned over the bed and called out to him, "Hao’er, Hao’er, wake up, it’s me—your father—"

Ji Hao, who had been moving his fingers just now, suddenly fell still. Ji Xiang saw this and cried out in alarm, "Hao’er, Hao’er, please wake up—"

Then, Ji Hao didn’t even flutter his eyelids anymore.

Imperial Physician Fan & Doctor Chen: ...

Imperial Physician Fan quickly pulled Ji Xiang aside and said to the Xiaos, "Go and call your mistress over quickly."

To Doctor Chen, he said, "Go and wake up Doctor Ji. He’s been unconscious long enough. If he can wake up and eat, that would be best."

Doctor Chen complied and left.

Second Madam Ji was resting in the side room and woke up at the slightest sound outside. Without stopping to fix herself up, she ran over in her plain face and disheveled hair, "What happened, what happened, how is Hao’er?"

Ji Xiang was feeling somewhat despondent, but as soon as he saw her, he immediately said, "Come and call Hao’er. I just saw his fingers move. Wake him up..."

Second Madam Ji was shocked and she threw herself beside the bed, crying, "Is it a momentary rally before the end?"

Ji Xiang stamped his foot, "What are you talking about nonsense? The medicine’s taking effect, just call him."

"Hao’er, Hao’er," Second Madam Ji hurriedly grabbed his hand and cried, "My dear heart, please wake up, wake up."

Ji Hao, who had been motionless, now twitched his eyelids slightly, and even his fingers moved a bit...

Ji Xiang: ...

However, Second Madam Ji’s spirits lifted, she held his hand tightly, "Hao’er, Hao’er, quickly wake up. From now on, I won’t restrain you anymore. You can go play wherever you want."

Ji Xiang wanted to say something but held back, ultimately not voicing any objection.

Doctor Ji hurried in from outside, pushed Second Old Master Ji aside, took Ji Hao’s hand from the Second Madam, felt his pulse, and seeing a glimmer of hope in his eyes, he immediately asked for the acupuncture kit from Doctor Chen and started to administer needles.

Ji Hao’s eyelids trembled even more violently now, and after a while, he managed to lift his heavy eyelids, looking bewildered at the people gathered around his bed.

Second Madam Ji burst into tears at the sight, and if not for Doctor Ji holding her back, she might have thrown herself onto him and sobbed.

Old Madam Ji was also awakened by the commotion, and, donning just an overcoat, she came to see her precious grandson.

Ji Hao was just waking up, still groggy, and the only thing Doctor Ji allowed was for people to give him some warm water to drink. Only then did he glance at his grandmother and mother before his heavy eyelids closed again, and he fell back to sleep.

Old Madam Ji’s and Second Madam Ji’s hearts clenched, but Doctor Ji reassured them, "This is a good sign. Since he’s woken up today, he’ll wake up again tomorrow. He’s severely injured right now; he needs a lot of sleep."

Indeed, the next day, in wait of everyone’s eager anticipation, Ji Hao opened his eyes again, then consumed nearly half a bowl of porridge, drank two more bowls of medicine, and fell deeply asleep once more.

But this time, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Old Madam Ji kept praying to Buddha, and Doctor Ji exchanged a relieved glance with Imperial Physician Fan, exhaling deeply.

Ji Hao’s fever had subsided, and regardless of the internal conditions, his external injuries were slowly healing and rapidly improving.

After all, he was a sixteen-year-old, and his recovery speed was quite fast.

The physicians, who had been on edge, could finally relax. After ensuring that he was completely out of danger for another full day, Imperial Physician Fan and Doctor Ji, among others, bid farewell to the Ji Family.

Doctor Ji said with a smile, "We’ve been away from home for quite some time and wouldn’t want our families to worry. We’ll return home today. We’ve left a prescription for the young master, and a daily visit should suffice."

Imperial Physician Fan nodded in agreement, adding, "This officer also needs to report back."

He wasn’t invited by the Ji Family to treat Ji Hao, but was instead sent from the Prince of Yizhou’s residence. Now that Ji Hao was out of danger, it was natural for him to return and report the situation.

Though Old Madam Ji wasn’t particularly fond of the Prince of Yizhou’s residence, she wouldn’t make things difficult for Imperial Physician Fan, especially since her grandson’s recovery would still depend on him. She quickly asked, "Then my grandson’s leg..."

"Don’t worry, Old Madam. Once the young master is a little better, I will come and set his bones."

It was only then that Old Madam Ji relaxed, and she said to Ji Zhong, "Hurry, prepare the carriage to send the four doctors home."

Of course, it wasn’t just about sending the four doctors; there was also a large cart of gifts. After all, they had watched over Ji Hao for five days, which was even more taxing than it had been for them as family.

Thus, the gifts and money had to be substantial.

Once the four doctors left the residence, everyone who had been keeping an eye on the Ji Family knew the dust had settled.

The Ying Family breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that a cart full of gifts followed the four doctors out. Ying Wei immediately said, "Prepare the carriage, we’re going to the Prince of Yizhou’s residence."

He needed to inquire about the specifics from Imperial Physician Fan.

County Magistrate Tang also exhaled with relief, holding his tea before saying, "Send Ying Wenhai back to the jail. If the Ying Family sends anything to him, inspect it closely and just make sure he is well guarded—no need to block them anymore."

"My lord, Ying Wenhai has not eaten for two days. What do you think..."

County Magistrate Tang waved his hand dismissively, "Just send the food over. Eating is his choice. If he wants to starve himself, can I really force him to eat?"

As the bailiff was about to leave, County Magistrate Tang called out to stop him. After a moment of thought, he stood up with a sigh, "Well, who knows, I might end up serving as the county magistrate here for another four years."

Better to be concerned for a smoother life ahead.

County Magistrate Tang commanded with his hands behind his back, "Tell the kitchen to prepare some simple tea and plain food. Bring it with you, and I’ll come take a look."

True to his word about simple tea and plain food, there were a few buns and two dishes of vegetarian sides. But even such simple fare from the residence of a county magistrate was much better than the food in jail.

Ying Wenhai, who had just been brought out of a dark little cell, was locked back in jail. Due to not eating or drinking for two days, he felt a bit dizzy, and stumbled as the bailiffs helped him into the cell.

The cell was the same one he had left, provided with bedding prepared by his family, with new table and chairs, and a clean floor, quite unlike the other cells with only straw on the ground.

He sneered upon looking at it.

With his bailiffs, County Magistrate Tang entered and, after the food and vegetables were placed on the table, waved his hand for them to leave.

Ying Wenhai leaned against the wall, silent, staring at County Magistrate Tang. Since his return by County Magistrate Tang, he had remained like this, mute, not speaking to the magistrate nor even to the Ying Family’s servants when they came.

County Magistrate Tang touched the stool, finding it adequately clean before lifting up his robe and sitting down. He pointed to Ying Wenhai, "Still refuse to eat?"

Ying Wenhai ignored him.

Not offended by the silence, County Magistrate Tang remarked, "Imperial Physician Fan and the others came out today. It seems Ji Hao is going to survive."

Only then did Ying Wenhai look up at County Magistrate Tang, showing a hint of change.

County Magistrate Tang gestured towards the bread and vegetables on the table, "You refusing to eat—is it some kind of hunger strike or do you plan to starve yourself to atone for Ji Hao’s death? Yet, whether it’s the former or the latter, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. Ji Hao hasn’t died. If you die, there’ll just be one more ghost to deal with. As for your hunger strike, well, it doesn’t faze me in the least. Even if you faint from hunger, this officer won’t let you go. And if you really do starve to death, your Ying Family won’t be able to do anything to me, either."

Ying Wenhai’s expression changed, and he slowly rose, walked over to the table, sat down, and started eating the buns.