Page 46

Huai Geer gave his little brother a look, knowing he was always clever. He shouldn’t have any trouble getting back from Mount Langshen.

"Alright, Bai Ge'er, watch over your little brother and sister," Huai Geer instructed, aware that Ju Geer's situation was critical and time couldn't be wasted. He picked up Ju Geer and sprinted away.

Chapter 35: If He Doesn’t Wake Up, Prepare for the Funeral

By the time Bai Ge'er and the others returned, the news of Ju Geer being found had already been spread by the kind villagers to the Yu family members who were still searching. Most of the family had rushed back home.

Upon hearing that Ju Geer had been found, Su Rouer was overwhelmed with emotion. Struggling down from the heated bed, she stumbled to the main room and sat on the edge of the kang, refusing to leave. Clutching the unconscious Ju Geer's hand, she wept bitterly.

Coincidentally, Daxisipo happened to be nearby, and Yu Laotou immediately invited her over.

Daxisipo had graying hair and a thin, petite frame, but her spirit was vigorous, her eyes sharp and bright.

She wore strange-looking headpieces, said to be handed down through generations of priestesses.

When Bai Ge'er and the others hurried back, Daxisipo had just finished taking Ju Geer's pulse.

"You found him at the foot of the mountain slope? Looks like the boy hit his head when he tumbled down. There's a blood clot in his brain—if no one had saved him, he'd never have woken up." Daxisipo then examined Ju Geer's body. "The rest are just minor scrapes... Count yourselves lucky you found him in time. The poor kid froze all night in the mountains. Any later, and well..."

Daxisipo gave a creepy little laugh.

Su Rouer covered her mouth, tears streaming uncontrollably.

Old Lady Wei went pale. "Daxisipo, can my Ju Geer's injury be treated?"

Though Daxisipo was known for her temper, she was relatively gentle with Old Lady Wei. She glanced at her. "Relax, the boy’s not dying. Count yourselves lucky you found him when you did, and I happened to be nearby. I'll prescribe some medicine—after a few days of drinking it, he should wake up... Otherwise, if you'd delayed a few more hours, who knows?"

Wei Pozi's legs nearly gave way in relief, and if Li Chunhua hadn't steadied her, she might have collapsed.

Pressing her palms together, Wei Pozi murmured repeatedly, "Bless the gods, bless the gods."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered something. "...It's all thanks to my grandchildren. They searched the mountains for most of the day..."

Huai Geer quickly added, "Grandma, Xingxing was the one who saw the grasshopper in the bushes where Ju Geer fell. That’s how we guessed he must be nearby."

"Xingxing?" Wei Pozi laughed through her tears. "I knew it. That Xingxing of ours is pure luck—she's the little lucky star the heavens sent to our Yu family..."

Xingxing fumbled nervously for a handkerchief to wipe Wei Pozi's tears. "Grandma..."

Daxisipo's eyes locked onto Xingxing, then suddenly fixed on the string of prayer beads around her wrist. She let out a surprised "Huh?" and her expression shifted, as if deep in thought.

However, she ultimately said nothing. Instead, she scooped out some powders from the assortment of bottles and jars she carried, mixed them into a fine blend, ground them in a mortar, and finally stored the mixture in a small jar.

"Take two qian each time, boil it in water. Once daily’ll do," Daxisipo instructed. "Once this jar is empty, the child should wake up."

The whole family bobbed their heads like ducks.

Su Rouer asked tearfully, "What if he doesn’t wake up?"

Daxisipo didn’t even glance her way before scoffing. "If he doesn’t wake up, start digging a grave."

Su Rouer went white as a sheet!

Wei Pozi also paled, calling out shakily, "Daxisipo!"

Daxisipo brushed her away impatiently. "Enough! That sniveling does nothing but annoy me! ...Don’t worry, he’ll likely wake before the medicine’s gone. If he doesn’t, just come haul me out of my hut."

Su Rouer dared not cry aloud anymore, tears pooling in her eyes but not falling.

Wei Pozi breathed a sigh of relief again: "Daxi Sis, you scared me to death... You must be worn out coming all this way. How much is the consultation fee?"

Daxisipo chuckled and said, "Even though we go way back, my medicine’s the real deal, and the fee must be paid in full. Besides, medicine that saves lives—if you cheap out, it’ll jinx your kid’s luck!"

Wei Pozi nodded repeatedly. "That’s fair, that’s fair."

Daxisipo raised a finger. "A tael of silver."

Li Chunhua and Bai Xiaofeng almost choked.

How much?!

One tael of silver?!

But Wei Pozi didn’t hesitate. "Alright, Daxi Sis, hold on. I’ll get the money."

Soon, Wei Pozi pulled out a tightly wrapped bundle from beneath the chest in the inner room.

She peeled back the layers, revealing only a small chunk of silver and a few copper coins inside.

Wei Pozi handed the chunk of silver to Daxisipo, who took it and gave it a quick bite before nodding. "Just about a tael. Alright, I’m outta here."

Li Chunhua and Bai Xiaofeng watched as Daxisipo walked out the door with that tael of silver.

Su Rouer just stood there, stunned.

Her mother-in-law’s bundle clearly held only a few coppers left.

Yet, when it came to the medicine fee of one tael, Wei Pozi didn’t bat an eye...

Su Rouer couldn’t quite describe the emotions swirling in her heart.

......

Ju Geer had been found, and though he hadn’t woken yet, Daxisipo’s tone made it clear that his recovery was certain.

The family dispersed from the main room, leaving only Su Rouer to watch over Ju Geer.

Earlier, when Ju Geer’s condition was critical, Li Chunhua and Bai Xiaofeng hadn’t given much thought to the cost of treatment. But now, outside the main room, recalling Daxisipo’s absolute confidence that Ju Geer would be fine, their relief gave way to unease—the hefty medicine fee left a bad taste in their mouths.