Chapter 49 – Eighth Really Awakened by the Hes

Chapter 49 - Eighth Really Awakened by the Hes

She abandoned CPR and pinched Zhou Laoba's nose, preparing to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

As she bent down, the corners of her eyes caught the disdainful gazes of the onlookers around her.

He Zhiran had been in a hurry to save the man, but she now realized that they were in ancient times.

Such behavior would be utterly unacceptable to the people of this era.

No matter how urgent the situation was, she couldn't risk her reputation for saving someone.

"Lord Peng, I need your help."

Peng Wang was filled with exasperation.

"He Lady, I understand your eagerness to save lives, but Eighth is already gone. Please don't torment him further."

He Zhiran panicked at this. Given Zhou Laoba's current state, if he didn't receive timely aid, he might truly pass away.

"To save his life, do exactly as I say right now. If you don't listen to me, Magistrate Zhou will truly be on his way to meet the King of Hell."

Upon sensing that He Zhiran's tone was not in jest, Peng Wang pulled the two constables forward.

"What do you want me to do?"

He Zhiran tugged Peng Wang down to crouch near Zhou Laoba.

"Magistrate Zhou, first pinch his nose, then blow air into his mouth."

Peng Wang and the two constables he had brought along were momentarily stunned.

He pointed at his own nose, as if to say, "Are you asking me to kiss Zhou Laoba?"

He Zhiran urged, "Hurry up, just do as I instructed."

At those words, the two constables promptly retreated, leaving a bewildered Peng Wang behind.

With no other choice, Peng Wang steeled himself and went forward.

The moment Peng Wang's lips touched Zhou Laoba's, he forcefully blew air into the older man's mouth.

Seeing Peng Wang's breath escaping instead of entering Zhou Laoba's mouth, He Zhiran panicked and stepped forward to demonstrate the proper angle.

"Peng Sir, you need this angle, and also, ensure that all the air you blow goes into Officer Zhou's mouth," she instructed.

To Peng Wang, her actions were innocent; he was still a considerable distance from Zhou Laoba's lips. However, from the onlookers' perspective, it seemed as if He Zhiran was kissing Zhou Laoba.

This provoked another round of whispers and murmurs from the crowd. Even the officers present couldn't remain composed.

"Hey, He, have you lost your mind?"

Peng Wang, too preoccupied with saving Zhou Laoba, didn't bother explaining. Instead, he followed He Zhiran's advice and tried again to blow air into Zhou Laoba's mouth.

Standing by, He Zhiran watched as Zhou Laoba's fingers twitched slightly.

Assuming nothing unforeseen occurs, he'll spit out some water soon enough.

She prompted Peng Wang, "Magistrate Peng, that should be enough."

Whether due to exhaustion or the strain, Peng Wang's face flushed red after standing up.

Seeing their leader rise, the bailiffs hurriedly gathered around.

To improve the air circulation around Zhou Laoba, He Zhiran asked the bailiffs to stand back a bit.

Initially, they were reluctant, but at Peng Wang's stern command, they obediently stepped a few paces backward.

Just then, Zhou Laoba gave a sudden coughing fit and spat out a mouthful of water.

Zhang Qing exclaimed, "Magistrate, Zhou Laoba really has been revived by Miss He!"

Upon hearing Zhang Qing's irrelevant remark, Peng Wang immediately rebuked him.

"Don't talk nonsense and ruin Miss He's reputation."

Zhang Qing hastily covered his mouth. "It was a slip of the tongue, a mistake."

The other officers exchanged glances, thinking that their leader was being overly biased towards the Hes. They had clearly seen He Zhiran kiss Zhou Laoba first, before the leader intervened...

But in front of Peng Wang, they dared not voice such thoughts.

Little did Zhang Qing know that his accidental slip of the tongue had landed He Zhiran in a great predicament.

As Zhou Laoba coughed up more water and gradually opened his eyes, Peng Wang was already weeping with emotion, too overwhelmed to immediately clarify the misunderstanding for He Zhiran.

"Laoba isn't dead, he's alive! He Zhiran, you're amazing, you're Laoba's savior!"

Upon these words, all eyes turned to He Zhiran. Indeed, without her, they would have believed Zhou Laoba to be deceased.

Immediately, led by Peng Wang, the officers encircled Zhou Laoba together.

They all called out his name in a cacophony, with some even reaching out to touch his body.

Zhang Qing grabbed Peng Wang's arm, barely containing his excitement.

"Look at me, Old Eight, do you know who I am?"

Despite his weakness, Zhou Laoba managed to say with difficulty, "Zhang Qing."

Overjoyed by this, Zhang Qing leaped into the air.

"Captain, look! Old Eight recognizes me. He's really okay now."

Peng Wang was also beyond thrilled, nodding repeatedly with a face full of relief.

However, he remained more composed than the others.

He hurriedly asked He Zhiran, "Miss He, is it alright to carry Old Eight back to the inn now? There shouldn't be any issues, right?"

"Absolutely no issue, Lord Zhou is merely weakened at the moment but has been saved from life-threatening danger."

With He Zhiran's assurance, Peng Wang instructed his men to carry Zhou Laoba back to the inn.

Peng Wang personally paid for Zhou Laoba's finest room and ordered someone to help him change out of his wet clothes.

He Zhiran could now claim her success and retreated directly to the Mo family's residence.

By this time, the general store and cloth shop had delivered the items she had purchased.

There were numerous goods, especially the thirty-odd cotton quilts that piled up like a small hill when placed together.

Upon seeing He Zhiran's return, the Mo family members looked at her with mixed emotions.

An inn servant, who had gone to the riverbank out of curiosity, returned and told the owner about a female convict who had taught the officials a way to save a life by kissing.

Their conversation happened to be overheard by Li Rouer.

If there was any female convict who accompanied the officials to the riverbank to save a life, it could only have been He Zhiran.

With great effort, Li Rouer had finally uncovered a major secret about He Zhiran, and promptly made sure that the news spread like wildfire.

He Zhiran was the first to sense the peculiar behavior of her mother-in-law, sister-in-laws, and aunt-in-laws.

"Mama, what has happened?"

Madam Mo's gaze evaded He Zhiran's, unsure of how to approach the topic.

Similarly, her sisters-in-law also avoided making direct eye contact with her.

Mo Hanyue was straightforward with her words.

"Nine Sister, everyone is saying that you revived Lord Zhou by kissing him," she blurted out.

Upon hearing Mo Hanyue's question, He Zhiran couldn't help but admire the ancient people's ability to twist facts.

Moreover, she was curious about who would spread such slanderous rumors about her.

Let alone the conservative mindset of the ancients, if a married woman were to dare do such a thing to another man, she might very well be drowned in a pond.

Who could it be that wishes her such ill will?

At this moment, He Zhiran felt that her first priority was to clarify the situation with her family. As for who was secretly slandering her, she would investigate later.

"I didn't kiss Magistrate Zhou. I merely gestured to show direction and teach Magistrate Peng how to operate."

Looking at the expressions of the Mo family women, they seemed far from convinced.

Seeing this, He Zhiran immediately put on a stern face.

"Since none of you believe my words, when we arrive in the northwest, let my husband divorce me so as not to tarnish the Mo family's reputation because of me.

But before that, I hope we can still interact as we did before, lest outsiders find amusement in our affairs."

He Zhiran wasn't particularly skilled in emotional intelligence. If it were a battle of wits or courage, she could handle it. But having never had a boyfriend in her previous life, she lacked experience in fostering good relations with her husband's family.

She had already explained herself clearly; if they refused to believe her, there was no need for her to continue pleading for their favor.

With that, He Zhiran left it at that. Whether or not those people would persist in hounding her over this groundless matter, she could only choose to ignore.

Having escorted Mo Jiuye safely to the northwest, Ping'an felt that she had fulfilled her debt to her inner hero.

As for the rest, they would cross each bridge as they came to it, letting nature take its course.

Seeing He Zhiran's expression shift, the women of the Mo family felt an inexplicable pang in their hearts.

They adored the amiable He Zhiran they encountered on a daily basis, and even more so the considerate one who always had their best interests at heart.

However, it seemed they had lost that version of He Zhiran.

He Zhiran turned and walked out of the house. Despite being shunned, life must go on.

With Zhou Laoba's incident, they probably couldn't continue their journey that day.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, He Zhiran decided to have people make those tents.

On a journey of exile, they couldn't rely on inns every day. If they encountered another night without shelter, these tents would prove invaluable.

Mo Hanyue, seeing Ninth Sister turn away, felt a tightening in her chest and hurried after her.

"Ninth Sister, I don't concern myself with what they think of me. Either way, I trust you, Ninth Sister."

He Zhiran was taken aback to find that the sole believer among the Mo family's womenfolk was a mere thirteen- or fourteen-year-old girl.

She mustered a smile and stroked Mo Hanyue's head.

"Thank you, Hanyue, for your trust in Ninth Sister."