Because they were afraid Da Man and San Man, the couple, would worry, Gu Shi did not let anyone tell them about Xiao Xi Tian's unconsciousness.
That night, in the Yun family courtyard.
The kitchen, which had been deserted for several days, finally had the warmth of human activity.
Du Tie Shan stood before the stove, holding a spatula, stirring the vegetables in the pot.
After soaking the soybeans in water, they were stir-fried with the cooked pork skin, then sprinkled with green peppers and chopped scallions. Seasonings were added, and once the pork skin turned shiny and translucent, it was ready to be served.
Gu Shi, having just picked a bunch of scallions, walked into the kitchen and saw Du Tie Shan busy and sweating profusely. She stepped forward, took the spatula, and said, "Your belly is starting to show. You can't do heavy work. Go inside and rest!"
The old Yun family treated their daughters-in-law equally, without favoritism.
Moreover, Du Tie Shan was obedient and sensible, so Gu Shi always didn't want her to get tired.
Of course, scoundrels like Liu Cui Rong, who were lazy and greedy, were a different story.
"Mom, I'm not tired!" Du Tie Shan wiped the sweat from her forehead and smiled helplessly.
Gu Shi sighed, "Even if you're not tired, you should rest. The dishes are almost ready. Take the bowls and chopsticks inside."
After speaking, Gu Shi glanced back and saw Zhao Xiao Jie squatting by the dog kennel, teasing Xue Ling. The other dogs were also pouncing on her, and one person and five dogs were having a great time.
Gu Shi twitched her lips, "So, we found a maid, and we have to serve her too."
Du Tie Shan was also speechless, but Zhao Xiao Jie was sent by Young Master Xiao, so they couldn't just send her away.
Jin Huai Hua, after finishing her chores inside, also came to the kitchen to help. Du Tie Shan then returned to her room to rest.
At the entrance of the Yun family.
Xiao Jin Heng stared at Xiao Xi Tian intently, as if observing a statue.
Xiao Xi Tian sat on the stool in a daze, her arms around her knees. Being stared at by someone made her feel creeped out, and goosebumps rose on her skin.
What was wrong with this brat, staring at her like that?
"Have you seen enough?" Xiao Xi Tian wrinkled her little nose.
Xiao Jin Heng's eyes flickered, and his expression was somewhat cold. "Little village girl, are you seriously ill?"
Xiao Xi Tian: "..."
Do I look like someone who is seriously ill and forces a smile for her parents?
"No!" Xiao Xi Tian shook her head.
Xiao Jin Heng looked suspicious. "Then are you hiding something from me?"
Who would inexplicably fall unconscious for two days?
The little village girl must be ill, and it's an incurable disease.
Xiao Xi Tian's eyes flashed with a hint of desolation upon hearing this, and she quickly denied it. "What could I possibly be hiding from you? Brat, let's go inside and eat!"
After speaking, Xiao Xi Tian stood up, intending to slip away.
Seeing this, Xiao Jin Heng grabbed her little hand, his brow furrowed, his expression more serious than ever. "Little village girl, listen carefully, no matter what difficulties you encounter, tell me immediately. I don't want you to bear the pain and risk alone!"
If something happened to the little village girl, a certain belief and pursuit in his life would also collapse.
Even if he obtained the world in the future, he would have as much gold, silver, treasures, and glory as he wanted, but the little village girl who talked with him would be gone.
Xiao Xi Tian was slightly stunned. Seeing the brat's almost tearful expression, she patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, you always say I'm a little monster, right? Let me tell you, even the weakest little monster in cultivation can live for several hundred years!"
Xiao Jin Heng: "..."
This girl, even at this time, was still joking with him.
"Tomorrow, when Doctor Guan comes, I'll have him examine you carefully. If that doesn't work, I'll send you to the palace and have the imperial physicians check your pulse and prescribe medicine!" Xiao Jin Heng said seriously.
No matter what method it took, he had to cure the little village girl's strange illness.
Xiao Xi Tian pursed her lips. Just as she was about to refuse him, Niu Cai Xia happened to walk over with her child.
"Sister Niu, you're here!" Xiao Xi Tian greeted her enthusiastically.
It was already completely dark, and the light was dim. Xiao Xi Tian didn't see Niu Cai Xia's face clearly.
But when she reached the large lantern at the entrance, Xiao Xi Tian gasped in surprise. "Niu, Sister Niu, what happened to your face?"
Good heavens, she saw that Niu Cai Xia's eye sockets were bruised, her mouth was swollen, and there were bloodstains on half of her face. It was obvious she had been beaten.
"I, I'm fine!" Niu Cai Xia touched Xiao Jiu Hong in her arms and asked Xiao Xi Tian, "Xi Tian, do you have any salt at home? I want to borrow half a pound, and I'll return it to you next month!"
In the Great Liang Dynasty, salt was very expensive. It was usually mined and managed by the government and the imperial court. The price sold to the local people had already increased several times.
The old Yun family's salt was almost all sent by Gu Zhen Shan and Chu Jiang Tun. The salt jars in the storeroom were more than half full, enough for them to eat for half a year.
Xiao Xi Tian stamped her foot and quickly walked over. "Sister Niu, you've been beaten like this. You should treat your wounds first. I'll have Jing De send you the salt later."
Actually, she didn't need to guess that the injuries on Niu Cai Xia's face were inflicted by her wicked mother-in-law.
That old witch was weak and unable to do work, her back and legs ached from doing chores, but she was quite capable of beating people.
"No, no need. I'll be fine after I apply a towel when I get back," Niu Cai Xia said, lowering her head.
Xiao Jin Heng narrowed his eyes upon hearing this. "Your mother-in-law beat you, didn't she?"
In Dashui Village, the common people knew Xiao Jin Heng's identity to varying degrees. Even Niu Cai Xia, who had moved in later, was very afraid of him.
Upon hearing Xiao Jin Heng's question, Xiao Jiu Hong was so scared that she started crying directly.
The piercing cries quickly attracted Gu Shi and Old Man Yun.
"Oh my, Cai Xia, why have you been beaten so badly so late at night?" Old Man Yun asked.
Niu Cai Xia buried her head in Jiu Hong's small chest and sobbed silently.
Seeing this, Gu Shi took the child without a word and pulled Niu Cai Xia into the courtyard. "Your face is badly injured. If you don't apply some ointment, it will swell up like a big bun tomorrow morning!"
There was still a lot of wound healing oil left from when Xiao Xi Tian took it out last time. Gu Shi directly dragged Niu Cai Xia into the main hall to help her treat her wounds.
"Dinner is ready to be served. You and Xiao Jiu Hong can eat here later. I'll have Er Man bring some food to your mother-in-law!" Gu Shi persuaded in a low voice.
Da Man and San Man, the couple, had returned and were helping to light the fire and serve dishes in the kitchen.
Xiao Xi Tian and Xiao Jin Heng had not been to school for the past two days, so Scholar Jiang had been idle for two days, with nothing to do. He came to the main hall to inquire as the meal was delayed.