Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Medication Costs
“Life and death are predestined, and I would never blame Uncle Village Chief,” Xuexue said with conviction.
“This is a serious matter, Xuexue, don’t you want to discuss it with your mother first?” The village head was still somewhat worried, for Xuexue, as decisive as she was, was only an uneducated little girl.
Xuexue glanced back, seeing Madam Xie frantic and clumsily wiping the sweat from Chuner, who had fainted from pain.
“No need! With mother in this state, discussing it with her would be futile.”
In fact, Xuexue had long made up her mind. She purposely kept her foster mother in the dark, planning to inform her only when everything was set in stone. Otherwise, given Madam Xie’s timid nature, always fearing this or that, they would definitely not be able to break away from the Mo family.
Thinking that Xuexue was being considerate by not troubling her mother, the village head nodded in agreement and said, “Hmm, that may be best.”
Doctor Xu applied medicine to Chuner’s back and rubbed medicated oil on her limbs. He left behind several packets of herbal medicine and gave Madam Xie some instructions before he began packing up his medicine chest.
“Madam Xie, take good care of Chuner in the coming days. If she can get through three days, she’ll be fine,” Doctor Xu said while packing up his medicine chest.
Madam Xie’s face was full of gratitude: “Eh! All right, thank you, Doctor Xu.”
Hauling the medicine chest onto his shoulder, Doctor Xu responded: “Take good care of Chuner. If there’s anything, let Xuexue come find me.”
“Okay! Doctor Xu, how much silver is needed for the medicine?” Madam Xie, bending over, adopted a very humble posture.
With Chuner covered in wounds and requiring so much medicine, the copper coins gained from selling river snails that day were certainly not enough. Madam Xie was anxious because she knew the Mo family was unlikely to pay for Chuner’s medical treatment.
Doctor Xu glanced at the village head, his expression clearly troubled. I mean, he couldn’t very well not take silver for the treatment—some of the medicine had in fact cost him real money, bought from the town. But to ask for it, with the village head eyeing him like a hawk right now, was equally difficult.
Seeing his expression, the village head understood his predicament and said, “Doctor Xu, rest assured, you being called to treat the patient doesn’t mean you’ll be at a loss. Calculate the cost, and I’ll have the Mo family settle the bill later.”
Upon hearing this, Doctor Xu was relieved. He did a quick calculation and said, “Two taels and five qian, I’ve given the lowest price for the medicine.”
Then, after a pause, he added: “Chuner’s injuries are severe, and I had to use the best medicine. Otherwise, I fear I couldn’t have saved her, and that would have cost a life.”
The village head nodded in understanding. He had witnessed Chuner’s injuries with his own eyes. Old Lady Mo’s heart was too cruel. To think that she could treat her own granddaughter with such brutality!
Upon hearing that just the cost of the medicine was two taels and five qian, Madam Xie’s legs nearly gave out beneath her. Thankfully, Xuexue reacted quickly, stepping forward to steady her mother and said, “Mother, don’t worry, Uncle Village Chief is here. He’ll take care of us.”
The village head glanced at Xuexue and told Madam Xie, “Take good care of Chuner here. Don’t worry about the medical fees, I’ll handle it.”
Having said that, he turned and, with Doctor Xu, strode out of the room.
“Thank you, village head, you really are a good person!”
Even after the village head had left, Madam Xie still stood in place, muttering to herself with a grateful expression.
“Mother, you stay in the room and watch over Chuner. I’m going to have a few words with Uncle Village Chief.” Knowing the village head had gone to Old Master Mo to speak on their behalf about the separation, Xuexue hastily made up an excuse, wanting to sneak over to see what was happening.
“Eh! The village head has really helped us out a lot, Xuexue. You must remember his kindness,” said Madam Xie, feeling very grateful to the village head. Today, without him, who knows if Doctor Xu would have even been allowed to enter the Mo residence to treat Chuner.