Chapter 26: Really Good
Only then did Madam Xie let go and kept wiping her tears.
“Is grandpa’s illness better?”
Madam Xie shook her head, her eyes filled with sorrow. “He’s taken a lot of medicine, but he hasn’t improved. He’s been coughing even harder these past two days! Ah Tao, don’t blame me. I really had no choice… Moreover, the Shen family is one of the richest families in Shanghe Village. Moreover, your mother-in-law is famous for being kind. Don’t… don’t do anything foolish, okay?”
“Yes, I know.” Ji Zhao nodded obediently. “Don’t worry.”
Ji Zhao took out the tael of silver from her waist and handed it to Madam Xie. “This is all I have on me. Make do with it first. When I earn money in the future, find a different doctor for grandpa.”
“Ah Tao, I’m really sorry…” Madam Xie lowered her head and cried again, but her hands were clenched tightly around the two pieces of silver, unwilling to let go.
“I’ll go and see grandpa. I’ll come back to see you in two days.”
Ji Zhao didn’t want to hear Madam Xie cry anymore. She turned around and went to the east room to see Old Master Ji lying on the bed.
“Ah Tao is back…” Old Master Ji struggled to get up from the bed.
“Grandpa, are you alright?” Ji Zhao hurriedly went forward and placed the pillow behind him.
“Cough, cough… I… cough, cough…” Old Master Ji coughed again. He coughed so hard that he was panting.
Ji Zhao hurriedly poured a glass of water and handed it to him. Old Master Ji carefully took a sip and shook his head.
“Grandpa, you should drink some more.” Ji Zhao advised gently.
“No.” Old Master Ji shook his head. “Water is rare. You have to drink it sparingly. Your grandmother is old. Every day before dawn, she has to go to Shanghe Village to fetch water… It’s all my fault for being useless. If I wasn’t sick, we wouldn’t have sold you…”
The old man grabbed her hand, his eyes red with guilt.
Back then, it was Old Master Ji who picked up Ji Ah Tao, who was covered in blood, on a narrow path outside Pomegranate Village.
“Grandpa, don’t be sad. I’m really fine now.” Ji Zhao chuckled. “My mother-in-law is a very good person. Moreover, the Shen family is very kind. They treat me very well. You must get better soon!”
“Ah Tao, you must take good care of yourself, take care of your in-laws, and be considerate of your husband. After you’ve done this, the Shen family… cough, cough, cough… They… cough, cough, cough… will definitely treat you well, understand?”
Old Master Ji looked into her eyes and said earnestly.
“Yes, I’ll remember everything.”
Old Master Ji’s teachings were in consideration for Ji Zhao.
Ji Zhao nodded obediently, her eyes gradually turning red.
On the way back to the Shen family, Ji Zhao kept her head lowered and did not say a word.
Zhao Lanhua glanced at her but said nothing.
Halfway through the afternoon, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law finally returned to the Shen family’s courtyard.
At that moment, Second Sister-in-law Shen had already prepared lunch for the family.
She cooked mixed grain buns, stir-fried a large bowl of mushrooms, and cooked duck eggs.
“Mother? You’re back? Hurry up and have lunch!” Second Sister-in-law Shen quickly went forward and said happily, “I’ve already delivered food to Father and Third Brother!”
“Thank you for your hard work.” Zhao Lanhua nodded in satisfaction. Then, she turned to look at the sad Ji Zhao and said gently, “Ah Tao, let’s eat first!”
Ji Zhao was worried about Old Master Ji’s illness, so she had no appetite.
After eating a mixed grain bun, she brought up that she wanted to return to the Earth Temple to rest.
Zhao Lanhua did not stop her.