Chapter 399

Gu Xixi furrowed her brow slightly.

Zhang Shen's expression hardened. "You're saying that bastard is just pretending?"

The old doctor said, "I can't say it's certain, but I'm highly suspicious."

His pulse shows no stagnation or blockage, and no disorder.

Even further testing his reaction seems a bit odd.

Just as I was about to continue the diagnosis, he suddenly took ill, as if he were deliberately uncooperative.

Zhang Shen said, "You're the doctor; since you say that, I think he's just faking it."

Maybe the whole family is lying!

That Liu woman acts pitiful whenever people are around.

Back then, hardly anyone in the village wanted to speak to that shrew, but now it's fine.

Everyone has forgotten how miserable she used to be!

Zhang Shen then mentioned what Gu Lao San's family has been up to lately.

Maybe it's because so much time has passed.

Aside from the direct victims, no one can really remember.

These days, some villagers feel that Gu Lao San's family is rather pitiful.

Their daughter married far away and never returned.

Their only son became mentally disabled and stays shut inside all day.

They can't even do farm work to help their parents, let alone think about marrying and having children.

Gu Tiezhu is already over twenty.

Gu Lao San knows that if this continues, his family will die out.

He had planned to use his daughter's bride price and the family's savings to buy a wife for his son.

All they wanted was a woman who could bear children and occasionally help care for their mentally ill son.

Unfortunately, their reputation is ruined for miles around.

Their only male is a lunatic, and they aren't well-off either.

So even the most disreputable families refuse to sell their daughters to them.

Gu Lao San and Liu Shi had to lower their standards, asking around about nearby widows, preferably those who had given birth.

Actually, a widow with two children came to their house to see what was going on.

But Gu Tiezhu flew into a rage as soon as he saw them, wanting to strike out and even chased their children around the yard.

The two children screamed and wailed, so scared their hair stood on end.

Besides, Liu Shi is petty and doesn't want to help raise someone else's kids.

Thus, after this marriage prospect also fell through.

Gu Lao San and his wife then set their sights on the old doctor.

Since his son can't find a wife in this state, they might as well cure him.

Even though they knew they'd long been feuding with Gu Xixi's family, they still shamelessly kept begging the old doctor.

Zhang Shen snapped, "They're just counting on doctors being kind-hearted."

Are you deliberately striking those affected poses to bully Old Jiang into submission? I spit! You're just living in your grandiose dream.

Treating his family's illness? I'm the first to object!

Lv Jing, listening nearby, got the gist and asked, "Is this family really bad?"

Hearing they also bear the surname Gu, could they not be our relatives?

With a new audience, Zhang Shen opened her chatterbox, pulling Lv Jing along to endlessly accuse that family's misdeeds.

They've come to our house several times to cause trouble, stealing things—or rather, robbing.

They've been smearing Xixi's reputation everywhere; these are just minor offenses!

His daughter came to our house to give Xiao Chen medicine, engaging in seduction!

His son has done even worse; on a rainy day he pushed Shitou from the cliffside, trying to crush Xixi.

Because he followed Xixi into the mountains, he ended up falling into a pit himself, breaking his leg—serves him right!

Later, during a rat plague, he actually released rats into our fields; the result was that at night rats invaded his house and bit him, driving him mad.

……

Lv Jing clicked her tongue, "How can there be such a wicked person? He's utterly evil!"

I think we cannot forgive them!

Zhang Shen, finding a kindred spirit, exclaimed, "Right?"

She turned to Gu Xixi and Lao Langzhong, asking, "What do you think he's pretending to be crazy for after waking up?"

Is he still harboring evil intentions? That must be it!

Gu Xixi pondered and said, "Master, tomorrow you should continue going to their house to see patients."

I'll accompany you.

Zhang Shen and Lv Jing were both startled.

Why would you go to that kind of place?

Could it be that you really intend to cure that bad seed?

Xixi! Don't let your kindness make you foolish!

Gu Xixi smiled faintly, "Don't worry, I'm not being soft-hearted toward them."

I just want to test whether someone is truly mad or pretending; there are plenty of methods, Master—what do you think?

Lao Langzhong smiled and nodded, "Just do that."

That evening, Gu Xixi distributed the gifts she had brought back from the capital.

The whole family was immersed in the joyful atmosphere.

Even Xiao Hua received several scarves and collars personally made by the maidens Zi Yan and others.

Colors and styles varied: some were gauze, some with floral trim, some embroidered.

Also there was a large pack of dried small shrimp and two large packs of dried small fish.

Lao Langzhong sniffed the medicinal herbs and was satisfied with each kind.

Shitou put on his new clothes and decided to wear them to school tomorrow.

Mentioning the school reminded Gu Xixi, and she said to Shitou, "Tomorrow, please give Old Master Song a message for me."

"Just say I've returned, and I've brought some local specialties for him and Madam Song; I don't know when it would be convenient to visit."

Shitou nodded and added, "When Sister Xixi isn't home, Aunt Qin, Aunt Zhou, Grandma Qian, and many others keep asking me, 'When will Xixi come back? Why hasn't she returned yet?' like this."

Gu Xixi asked, "How is the orchard? Nothing happened, right?"

Shitou replied, "Nothing special really."

I've also been worrying about it every day; our family's and others' fruit trees are all growing well.

Gu Xixi smiled and praised, "I knew leaving the household in your hands would be just fine."

Actually, by tonight several households in the village already knew the news of Gu Xixi's return.

But everyone tacitly agreed not to rush to visit and disturb her.

After a long and arduous journey, one ought to rest properly.

At dawn the next day, Gu Xixi got up.

Zhang Shen was still sweeping the courtyard; seeing her come out, she exclaimed in surprise, "Why don't you sleep a little longer?"

I haven't even lit the fire to cook yet.

Gu Xixi said with a smile, "I went to bed early last night; I want to first go check the wheat field, then come back just in time for breakfast."

If Master comes out, please have him wait for me.

Just as she was speaking, the door of the west room opened and Lv Jing walked out, fully dressed.

Since we had agreed on the time last night, she naturally had to be punctual.

"Master, shall we set out now?"

At this time, saying it's early to go out is actually not early either.

Many villagers had already risen early to go to the fields and begun farm work.

Along the way, we from time to time encountered people carrying farming tools, who smiled and greeted Gu Xixi.

Lv Jing whispered, "Master, your rapport with the villagers is really good."

"Unlike me, in my village I'm still seen as a child, and I'm only allowed to greet them."

Gu Xixi laughed, "You don't know how everyone used to talk about me before."

"Still not as good as you."

The two walked on talking, and first went to Lao Qian's wheat field.

Lao Qian walked along the ridges carrying a water bucket; seeing Gu Xixi, he happily waved.

"My grandniece has arrived!"

"Your aunt has been eagerly awaiting your return, and she said she wants to find you today."

Gu Xixi saw Lao Qian drenched in sweat.

She thought that carrying water bucket by bucket to irrigate was laborious and inefficient.

Indeed, it was time to consider improving the village's irrigation system.

But for now, there are more pressing matters.