Chapter Nineteen: Setting Out

It was already the next morning when Gu Li finally awoke. Throughout the long night, Gu Li’s body remained so terribly frail that even the medicinal decoction had to be painstakingly diluted with warm water, administered only in the smallest sips. The ordeal left not only himself utterly exhausted but also his family, who could barely keep their eyes open. After Gu Li had taken his medicine, Master Gu arranged for the servants to escort Madam Gu back to her room to rest, while he personally accompanied Lin Erlang—who had kept vigil at their side all night—back to the Treasure Pavilion. Yet Lin Erlang politely declined and, seeing the master’s eyes bloodshot with fatigue from lack of sleep, offered a few consoling words.

“Master Gu, there’s truly no need to worry. Now that we have the right herbs, I’m confident the young master will recover fully in no time. Both you and the Madam can be at ease now.”

Hearing this, a faint smile finally flickered across Gu Tianhao’s weary face. “All thanks to your medicine, Manager Lin. Without it, my grandson would not have survived. Truly, you are a benefactor to our household. To express my gratitude, I hereby promise you this: should you ever encounter great difficulty, you may seek me out, and I will help you in any way I can.”

At these words, a nearby servant looked at his master in astonishment. Never before had their master made such promises lightly.

“Master, you flatter me,” Lin Erlang replied with impeccable courtesy. “I only came by this medicine through a stroke of luck. And besides, you have always been a discerning patron to me, recognizing my abilities. Presenting this medicine to you is only right.”

He was careful not to reveal the true source of the medicine, attributing everything to Master Gu’s appreciation of his talents.

“There’s no need to say more,” Gu Tianhao interrupted heartily. “Let’s settle it as such—gratitude for recognition is one thing, but saving a life is quite another. If you ever need anything, you know where to find me.”

“In that case, I will gratefully accept,” Lin Erlang replied, knowing his patron’s temperament well enough not to refuse. Who knew when he might need another way out in future?

Satisfied at last, Gu Tianhao broke into a broad smile.

Meanwhile, Lin Erlang was reaping the rewards, but back in Lin Family Village, the village chief Lin was being beset with troubles. The county’s roster for the dike repairs had already been settled—Lin Sanlang was to lead the selected villagers to work on the Cangjiang embankment. Yet somehow, word had leaked out. Certain villagers took issue with the fact that the Lin family had secured two spots on the team, and wondered why other families weren’t chosen. Not to mention, the wages for the project were said to be quite generous!

Early that morning, as soon as Village Chief Lin Ersheng opened his courtyard gate, he was surrounded by a crowd demanding an explanation.

“Chief, how could you finalize the roster for such an important task without consulting us? If Ironhead hadn’t let it slip yesterday, we’d have only found out when those people came home with their pay!”

At the sound of her voice, the village chief’s headache worsened. Only one person in the village could vex him so—the infamous Old Witch Tian. Inwardly, he cursed the blabbermouth Li Ironhead. Because of his poverty, his wife and children to support, and Old Lady Li to feed, he’d been given a spot. Yet the very next day, he’d managed to cause this uproar.

Village Chief Lin, though fuming inside, had to keep up appearances. “What’s this? Up before dawn just to make a fuss? The county gave us ten slots, the Lin family has two—what of it? There’s my son Dashuan, and then there’s Sanlang. Tell me, does anyone in your family surpass Sanlang? Remember when he brought back that wild boar last time? And what about you lot? Besides, even if we gave up a spot, there’s only one—who among so many should get it?”

Normally, these villagers weren’t nearly so united. Some bristled at the first half of his remarks—Sanlang’s boar was pure luck, they said, struck by lightning at that! But the moment he mentioned there was only one coveted spot, their gazes sharpened. Of course, everyone wanted it for their own family—the wages alone were dozens of taels! Only a fool wouldn’t fight for it.

So, Village Chief Lin watched as, right at his own gate, a group of supposedly united mothers began to brawl, led by Old Witch Tian herself.

“Ha! Look at your son—skinny as a monkey! He’d never survive dike repairs!” she screeched, igniting the crowd’s fury.

“You old hag, spewing filth! How dare you curse my boy? And what about your fourth son—lazy as can be, making a disgrace of our village!” retorted another matron, her anger flaring.

And thus, battle erupted.

Seeing things escalate, the village chief quietly stepped back, closed his gate, slid the bolt, and breathed a sigh of relief—time for breakfast!

Humming to himself, he made his way to the backyard.

That morning, Fubao had been taken out to the fields by Old Lady Lin, under the pretense of getting some sun—though in truth, her mother just wanted a break from holding her. Her own mother had gone to Auntie’s house for embroidery and gossip, while her father and uncle were at the chief’s house discussing the appearance of hunters in Little Bieshan.

So, Fubao could only sit under the big tree at the edge of the field, wide-eyed, facing Little Lang. Today, the little girl had actually left the house—how remarkable!

It was Fubao’s first outing, and she was beside herself with excitement. Even the little ginseng spirit inside her jade pendant was so giddy with joy he nearly went mad—finally, he was out! He’d almost suffocated, cooped up at home day after day, either watching the Lin couple flaunt their affection or futilely trying to communicate with the little rascal. It was exhausting!

The moment he was outside, the little ginseng spirit disappeared with a whoosh!

Fubao blinked in astonishment. Where had he gone?