Speaking of which, Jinguan couldn’t help but mention the incident which offended father and mother, causing them trouble with grandfather and grandmother. He sought advice and asked, "Eldest Uncle, what should I do?"
Eldest Uncle Lin’s gaze flickered a few times, and after hesitating for a few moments, he inquired about Wang Laozhu, the Wang Family’s head of household, and his attitude toward the eldest son’s household. Upon hearing that the real culprit was found, and that they were demanding compensation from the Li Family, he expressed particular concern.
Jindou didn’t give much thought to this compensation. He didn’t know that Old Granny Zhang, without their knowledge, had already negotiated with Doctor Ma to eliminate the ginseng whiskers from the prescription—a detail Doctor Ma wouldn’t mention in front of them.
So, they still believed the daily cost for the medicine was five taels of silver, which had already amounted to twenty-five taels. The silver from the fourth uncle’s engagement and the money Old Aunty earned from selling Yellow Pine Mushrooms had also been poured into these expenses.
The twenty or so taels of silver received as compensation from the store was merely enough for four days of Wang Yongfu’s medical expenses.
As for the remaining silver, they had no idea when the Li Family would finish compensating. Thinking about where the money for father’s medicine would come from in four days, especially after offending grandmother and auntie, wondering whether grandmother would still contribute to the medicine expenses, Jindou couldn’t help but worry.
As a result, when Eldest Uncle Lin asked, he frankly expressed all the worries in his heart.
Upon hearing that Wang Yongfu’s daily medical expenses were as high as five taels, Eldest Uncle Lin was shocked. This wasn’t simply using medicine to save a life; it was like using silver to save a life!
Thinking of how twenty-five taels of hard-earned silver had just been thrown away like that made Eldest Uncle Lin’s heart ache.
Moreover, listening to Jindou, it seemed they didn’t know how much more silver would need to be spent in the future.
How could a peasant’s life be so costly? Wasn’t this just wasting silver?
Unable to help himself, he gritted his teeth in distress and confirmed the cost again twice before saying with a grave expression, "Given your family’s situation now, you can only hope for your grandparents’ help. After all, as the saying goes, ’Even a tiger wouldn’t eat its cubs.’ Your father is their biological son, and moreover, the eldest. They surely won’t just watch your father die without doing anything! With your family’s resources, it’s not as if there’s no means to continue his medicine."
Jindou shook his head, "The household situation is not great right now. Grandmother said that father’s medical expenses are too high, and from now on, we’ll have to tighten our belts. A daily diet of thin porridge to fill our bellies will have to suffice, otherwise, we fear we won’t last until the autumn harvest."
Eldest Uncle Lin’s expression changed, "Has your family come to such a pass?"
Jindou nodded. Although perhaps it wasn’t that dire yet, it couldn’t be too good either; otherwise, grandfather wouldn’t be so constantly worried.
Lost in his own sorrow, Jindou didn’t notice the varying expressions on Eldest Uncle Lin’s face, nor did he realize that Eldest Uncle Lin was contemplating some matter.
It was a long while before Eldest Uncle Lin spoke again, "We’re aware of your family’s situation, but this is no small matter, and it’s not our place as maternal uncles to say too much. Additionally, we still don’t know what your mother is thinking. For now, take Jinguan back home, apologize to your grandparents, and hope that they will provide the silver to save your father’s life. I and your second uncle will stay here and try to persuade your mother further."
Jindou thought, for now, their only option was to take Jinguan back home; staying in town was also not a solution. As for father and mother, they would discuss it after a few days once the situation had cooled down since everyone was currently too heated.
With this in mind, he felt that although Eldest Uncle Lin hadn’t provided any helpful suggestions, there weren’t any better ideas at the moment, so he simply nodded.
Upon entering the room, Lady Lin had already calmed down under the consolation of her sister-in-laws. Seeing Jindou come in, she beckoned, "You take your two younger brothers back first. Your uncles and aunts are here with me."
Jindou gave a few words of caution to Wang Yongfu before leading his two younger brothers back home.
Along the way, the brothers took turns scolding Jinguan and gave him a thorough lecture.
When they arrived home, they found the yard eerily quiet; only the third aunt came out to greet them.
That morning, Jindou and his brothers had left without having breakfast. Old Granny Zhang had only left money for medicine, not for food. The last time Wang Laozhu was home, he left money meant for Lady Lin and Wang Yongfu’s sustenance.
Now, with the household in such a state and every penny counting, the brothers had endured their hunger and made the journey back.
They’d thought they would make it back in time for lunch, but once they reached the kitchen, they found it cold and empty, not even a pot of water had been heated.
Ravenous, the three brothers Jindou could only fill their stomachs with water to blunt the hunger.
Jinguan couldn’t bear the hunger anymore, but having just been scolded, didn’t dare to raise his voice. He whispered to Lady Jiang, "Auntie, when will we have food?"
Lady Jiang was taken aback, hesitated for a moment, and then cast her eyes down, "Your grandmother said, from now on we eat only twice a day. Morning meal is finished, and the remaining one will not be until evening."
Upon hearing this, Jinguan almost cried.
Jindou and Jinhu were slightly stronger, but seeing Jinguan , they couldn’t bear to watch and dragged him to apologize to Old Granny Zhang.
Old Granny Zhang was now angry at the sight of the Wang Family’s brats, just like their father, thinking that a few insincere apologies would suffice?
She didn’t even open the door, pretending not to hear.
The three brothers Jindou stood awkwardly in the courtyard for a long time, with nobody paying them any heed.
Even Lady Jiang sneaked back to her own room.
Having no alternative, the three brothers could only return to their own room.
Jindou and Jinhu were anxious, always feeling that something was about to happen, whereas Jinguan, carefree, began to search the room for something to eat.
After a great struggle, they found a handful of peanuts hidden by Lady Lin at some unknown time, like a treasure trove.
The brothers were so starved that they divided and chewed on the handful of peanuts, but this only intensified their gnawing hunger.
Fortunately, it wasn’t long before they heard a commotion in the courtyard, and the three gathered at the window to see that the eldest Aunt and Cousin Four had returned.
Being the eldest, Jindou thought more deeply. He knew that grandmother doted on the eldest Aunt; as long as she accepted the apology, all would be well with grandmother.
With this in mind, he yanked Jinguan and went out.
Seeing Wang Yongzhu didn’t take Jinguan’s behavior to heart, they were somewhat relieved.
Wang Yongping was still concerned about their eldest brother and upon seeing Jindou and the others return, naturally he grilled them for updates.
All he got from Jindou was that Eldest Uncle Lin had gone to the town to visit someone, prompting Yongping to inquire further.
Right then, Wang Yongzhu entered Old Granny Zhang’s room, only to find her standing solemnly by the window, eavesdropping on the conversation outside.
Startled by a cough, Old Granny Zhang jumped, and with an agile twist, she scrambled back onto the kang bed, about to say something when she realized it was her own daughter.
She gave a playful scold, "What’s the point in startling your mother like that?"
As she spoke, she went to rub her waist; her old arms and legs weren’t what they once were, and the sudden action almost caused a strain.
Half irritated and half amused, Wang Yongzhu said, "At your age, what business do you have acting like a youngster? Did you twist your waist? You know, if you wanted to know something, you could’ve just called Jindou over and asked directly, instead of eavesdropping like that—"
She continued to speak while massaging Old Granny Zhang’s waist.