Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Three days later, the personal effects of Song Shi-rui and Zhong Wenjin were finally delivered.

After lunch that day, Zhong Wenjin held a porcelain bottle and gave two tablets to each person.

She said with a smile, "This is a miracle worm-expelling medicine I obtained from an itinerant foreign monk. It can kill the worms in your stomach without harming your vital organs.

Rest assured, a few months ago, Second Master and I took this medicine, and we are still perfectly fine until now."

Jiang Chun: "..."

Judging by the size and shape of the white tablets, if she was not mistaken, this should be deworming medicine?

Her mouth twitched slightly. This was completely different from her idea of a welcoming gift.

But, well, it was indeed something she needed.

As for Song Shi-rui, it was alright. After all, he was raised in a prestigious family, and the sanitary conditions were relatively good. Even if he had parasites in his stomach, it probably wasn’t much.

The previous host, however, lived in the countryside and was quite carefree. In the summer, she often drank the well water directly after drawing it, so there were definitely many parasites in her stomach.

So, after receiving the tablet, she didn’t hesitate and immediately popped it into her mouth, then picked up a teacup and took a large sip of tea.

"Gulp," she swallowed both the tea and the tablet in one go.

It happened so fast that Madame Zhuang couldn’t stop her even if she wanted to.

Madame Zhuang said exasperatedly, "Why the rush? Haven’t taken medicine in ages? What if the pill is toxic? You’ll be the first to die!"

Jiang Chun leaned back in her chair and retorted with conviction, "If I die, so be it, as long as it saves the Song family."

Zhong Wenjin was moved to tears and immediately grabbed Jiang Chun’s hand, exclaiming, "Elder sister-in-law, you trust me so much that you don’t even doubt me at all. I am truly, truly touched!"

Before taking out the deworming medicine, she was actually very concerned that people wouldn’t trust her and might secretly throw away the medicine after receiving it.

This was something she had spent a lot of money on from an online marketplace. All medicinal products on the platform were expensive.

If it were wasted, she would be heartbroken and unable to sleep.

1. I didn't expect my big sister-in-law to be so supportive. How could I not be moved by this?

2. Jiang Chun was actually quite moved too that Zhong Wenjin would give anti-parasite medicine as a welcome gift.

3. This was obviously different from the original story.

4. In the original story, by the time Song Shiying was brought back by the Crown Prince's people, she had been working as a courtesan at the House of Red Sleeves and Fragrance for a year, and her personality had become extreme and sensitive.

5. The elder sister-in-law from the original story had followed Song Shian to the capital city, and she had a big fight with the current big sister-in-law.

6. Zhong Wenjin, the second sister-in-law from the current timeline, had a huge fight with Song Shiying when she followed Song Shirui to the capital city.

7. After being mocked and ridiculed by her younger sister-in-law, Zhong Wenjin didn't put much effort into the welcome gifts for everyone, casually giving two bars of soap and eight preserved eggs.

8. In this life, Song Shiying was redeemed earlier by Song Shian and had been well-taught by her for a year, so she was naturally happy and content, and wouldn't cause trouble for Zhong Wenjin.

9. Jiang Chun guessed that Zhong Wenjin's gift would change because of this and was filled with anticipation, but she didn't expect the change to be so drastic.

10. My daughter-in-law is really too sincere.

11. Jiang Chun smiled and gripped Zhong Wenjin's hand in return, saying, "We have no past grudges or recent enmities. Why would I be afraid that you would harm me?"

12. Seeing that her big sister-in-law had taken the pill and didn't foam at the mouth or vomit blood as described in storybooks, Song Shiying did the same and swallowed the pill.

13. Jiang Chun looked up at Madame Zhuang and smiled as she advised, "Mother, you should take this good thing quickly in case anything might happen overnight and a thief steals the pills."

14. Madame Zhuang's lips twitched in response.

15. What kind of blind thief would steal from the Crown Prince's in-laws?

16. Besides, even if a thief were daring enough to come and steal while the Song family had fewer guards due to fewer people, why would they steal these two unknown pills from the main house instead of going to the storeroom for valuable items?

17. Seeing that her third elder sister had taken the pill, Song Shiyue wanted to do the same, but Third Madam Qiu stopped her, saying, "You can't just eat medicine given by unknown foreign monks and wandering doctors. What if it harms you? You're not allowed to eat it!"

18. Qiu Shi's words were reasonable, and Song Shiyue was very conflicted upon hearing them.

19. With the big sister-in-law and third younger sister having already taken the medicine, Zhong Wenjin remained quite calm and said with a smile, "If third aunt and fourth younger sister don't dare to take the medicine, you can return it to me. I'll give it to someone who dares to eat it, so as not to waste such good stuff."

20. Qiu Shi directly placed the two pills onto the table with a snap and snorted, "Here, what good stuff!"

Song Shiyue glanced at Zhong Wenjin, then at Qiu Shi, and gave a sidelong glance at Jiang Chun, who was lounging comfortably in his chair. She felt internally conflicted.

A moment later, she quickly put the pill into her mouth and picked up the teacup, drinking it all in one go.

Qiu Shi yelled in alarm, "Ah!" and lunged forward to stop her.

Song Shiyue stuck out her tongue, indicating that she had already swallowed it.

Furious, Qiu Shi began slapping her daughter's back, scolding, "You disobedient child, I've told you not to eat it! Why won't you ever listen?

You're my only daughter. If anything happens to you because of that, how am I supposed to live?"

Jiang Chun, who loved to stir the pot, grinned mischievously and said, "Well, since Fourth Sister has already eaten it, there's no use saying anything now, Third Aunt. Why don’t you join in and take the pill too? If we're all going to die, we might as well do it together. That way, we can keep each other company on the road to the afterlife, right?"

Much to everyone's surprise, Qiu Shi found this suggestion quite reasonable and immediately reached out to grab the pill from the table and stuff it into her mouth.

Jiang Chun: "???"

Is there anyone normal left in your Song family?

"Ha." The unexpected turn of events made Zhong Wenjin burst into laughter.

Still laughing, she boldly addressed Madame Zhuang, "Mother, now that Third Aunt has eaten it, why don't you give it a try too?"

Madame Zhuang glared at her. "Do you want me to die too?"

Despite her words, seeing that everyone who had taken the pill was still lively and well, especially Jiang Chun, who was causing a ruckus, it was clear the pill was safe.

After waiting another fifteen minutes and seeing no ill effects, Madame Zhuang finally popped the pill into her mouth.

Zhong Wenjin was so pleased she couldn’t stop smiling, seeing that even her mother-in-law had eaten the medicine.

She praised Jiang Chun again, "Thank you, Eldest Sister-in-law, for leading the way. If you hadn't, no one would have dared to eat it."

Jiang Chun, with a self-satisfied grin, patted herself on the back, "Of course. I know a good thing when I see it. If I get the chance to have such a miraculous medicine, I'm definitely going to get it into my stomach as fast as possible."

While giving herself credit, she also made sure to ask for more benefits, "If you come across any more good things in the future, Second Sister-in-law, feel free to share it."

Zhong Wenjin nodded vigorously, "With your promise, Eldest Sister-in-law, I feel reassured."

Jiang Chun smiled. "I feel relieved hearing you say that. As your 'guinea pig,' I’ll just wait to receive the good medicine then."

She even volunteered to get two tablets of medicine for Song Shian. "Second Sister-in-law, give me Elder Brother’s medicine. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he takes them and won’t let him waste this good medicine."

As soon as she finished speaking, she immediately earned a disapproving glance from Madame Zhuang.

Zhong Wenjin was not at all concerned.

Smiling, she pulled a small paper bag from her sleeve and poured two tablets from the porcelain bottle into the bag, then handed them to Jiang Chun.

Jiang Chun carefully put it in the pouch at her waist and said with a smile, "Thank you, Second Sister-in-law."

"You're too kind, Elder Sister-in-law," Zhong Wenjin said hurriedly, waving her hand.

The two sisters-in-law were having a pleasant conversation when suddenly, Outside, Manager Liu’s breathless voice called out. "Madam, Second Lady has returned."

"Is Mother back?" Song Shiying sprang up and rushed out, lifting her skirt as she ran.

Madame Zhuang and Lady Qiu exchanged glances, then stood up and said, "Third Sister-in-law, let's go to the second gate to greet her."

Logically, as the elder sister-in-law, Madame Zhuang should only be greeted by her younger sister-in-law, Li Shi, and not the other way around.

But the Song family had suffered a great calamity, and everyone had endured much hardship. It was already a remarkable feat that they had managed to return alive. Madame Zhuang felt that it would not be out of place for her to show magnanimity and greet her younger sister-in-law.

When the old lady returned and started nitpicking, she would have something to say in her defense.

As for Qiu Shi, being the younger sister-in-law, naturally had no objections. Even if Madame Zhuang did not suggest it, she would have gone out to greet her elder sister-in-law herself.

With the elders going to welcome the second madam, Jiang Chun and the other younger members of the family naturally had to follow along.

Thus, the group left the main gate of the courtyard and headed towards the second gate.

Jiang Chun, with her keen eyesight, could see from afar that Li Shi and her daughter, Song Shiyin, were hugging and weeping bitterly.

She pursed her lips; though Li Shi was crying now, once she learned that her daughter had spent a year in a brothel and had become so unhinged, there would be even more tears to shed.

As the group approached, Madame Zhuang spoke first: "Younger sister-in-law, you have finally returned."

Li Shi, being a proud woman, immediately released Song Shiyin upon hearing this, wiped away her tears with her sleeve, and turned to give a slight bow: "Elder Sister-in-Law."

Then she nodded to Qiu Shi. "Second Sister-in-Law."

Qiu Shi quickly bowed in a half-curtsy. "Second Sister-in-Law."

The younger generation also hurriedly came forward to pay their respects and greeted them.

Song Shiyue remained composed, but Li Shi, noticing Jiang Chun and Zhong Wenjin were unfamiliar faces and both wore hairstyles of married women, asked in surprise, "Who are these two ladies?"

Zhuang Shi first pointed to Jiang Chun and introduced them, "This is Chun, An'er's wife."

Then she pointed to Zhong Wenjin, "This is Wenjin, Rui'er's wife."

Li Shi, astonished, said, "An'er and Rui'er are already married?"

Qiu Shi quickly interjected, "Second Sister-in-Law, you didn’t know? Though Chunniang and Jinniang come from the countryside, both saved the boys' lives. Just like in those stories and plays, when someone saves your life and you can’t repay them otherwise, the only way to repay them is through marriage. It’s quite a romantic tale, really."

Upon hearing this, Li Shi nearly burst out laughing right then and there.

Madame Zhuang, her elder sister-in-law, had been competitive all her life, always trying to outshine her. Both her sons were significantly more accomplished than her son Qian'er.

She had assumed that the brides her sons married would surely surpass Qian'er. Unexpectedly, to her surprise, both of them had married women from rural villages.

It was utterly hilarious.

Seeing that Li Shi could barely contain her glee, Madame Zhuang pressed her lips together and replied, "Second sister-in-law, don't be too upset. Although Yin'er spent a year in a brothel, fortunately, she was young and didn’t receive clients, so she remains virtuous. With your efforts, she should still be able to find a suitable match."

"What? Yin'er spent a year in a brothel?"

Screamed shrilly, Li Shi turned sharply to face Song Shiying.

Song Shiying didn't conceal it, since it couldn't be hidden anyway. She simply nodded, "Yes, mother."

Pausing, she added with fear, "Thankfully, my elder brother and sister-in-law paid to redeem me. Otherwise, I would probably have been forced to serve clients."

Li Shi didn't pay any attention to the rest of her words.

She was preoccupied with the idea that "my daughter spent a year in a brothel."

It’s over, it’s over. My daughter's reputation is ruined, and mine will be dragged down along with hers. How can I ever show my face at banquets or social events again?

The room spun, and everything went black; all hope in life vanished.

Then, her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed backward.

Seeing this, Jiang Chun immediately rushed forward and caught her.

Seeing her mother faint, Song Shiying burst into terrified tears and shouted in panic, "Mother, wake up! Please don't scare me like this!"

Jiang Chun used the same trick, pinching Li Shi's philtrum with her fingernail.

This time, she applied a bit more force than when she pinched Madame Zhuang.

Li Shi cried out in pain, "Oh!" and then regained consciousness.

Jiang Chun glanced at her red philtrum, slowly put her hand behind her back, hiding her skill and good deed.

Of course, she couldn’t keep quiet. She loudly exclaimed, "Second Aunt, how did you suddenly faint? If I hadn't reacted quickly to catch you, your head would have hit the ground, and even a miracle couldn't have saved you. What would become of Third Brother and Third Sister then?

As they say, 'Where there’s a stepmother, there’s a stepfather.' Once Third Brother and Third Sister fall under a stepmother’s control, they’ll be like little cabbages steeped in bitter water—utterly miserable."

Li Shi: “……”

After taking a few deep breaths, she managed to say, "Grandson’s wife, I’m not dead yet."

"Second Aunt, just call me Chunniang, like you call Third Aunt," Jiang Chun replied playfully, then pushed Li Shi's back with her arm and said with a smile, "Since you just fainted, you might not be steady on your feet. How about I carry you back to your courtyard to rest?"

Without waiting for Li Shi's response, she directly lifted her into her arms and turned to Song Shiying, saying, "I don’t know the way to your mother’s courtyard. Yiner, could you lead the way?"

Madame Zhuang gave Jiang Chun a sideways glance and said to Shanhu, "Send someone to Hui Chun Hall to get Doctor Hua to come and take a look at Second Madam."

"Thank you, Elder Sister-in-law," Li Shi replied, then hurriedly pushed Jiang Chun's arm, saying, "Grandson’s wife, put me down. There’s no need for you to carry me. Just get a soft sedan chair."

Jiang Chun, hearing her call herself "grandson’s wife," chuckled and said, "Second Aunt, we don’t have a sedan chair, nor do we have the servants to carry it. Let’s not be too particular. Just let me carry you back to your courtyard."

Madame Li's face darkened.

She didn’t mind having her niece-in-law carry her back to the courtyard, but she was worried that the niece-in-law might drop her halfway, causing her to fall face-first and make matters worse.

Noticing that Eldest Sister-in-law Madame Zhuang had two strong-bodied maids behind her, she hurriedly said, “Eldest Sister-in-law, have your maids carry me back to the courtyard.”

Madame Zhuang, seeing how panicked her second sister-in-law was, smiled and said, “Maids? My daughter-in-law is stronger than any maid. Let her carry you back, Second Sister-in-law.”

Song Shiying added, “Exactly! Mother, Eldest Sister-in-law is so strong that she can easily carry Big Brother around. Besides, you’re so petite.”

Madame Li glared at her disloyal daughter and said crossly, “Shut up! We’ll settle your accounts later.”

Jiang Chun seized the opportunity and said with a grin, “What? Second Aunt wants to settle the silver for redeeming Third Sister and the expenses for her year of eating, drinking, and living at our place? Not to worry, I’m not concerned at all that you’ll try to cheat me.”

Hearing this, Madame Zhuang almost laughed.

Much to her annoyance, Song Shiying nodded vigorously. “Eldest Sister-in-law, don’t worry. My mother definitely won’t try to cheat you.”

Madame Li was speechless with anger.

She glared fiercely at her foolish daughter and, not wanting to argue over the money with her niece-in-law in front of Madame Zhuang and Third Sister-in-law, could only hold her forehead and say, “I’m still unwell. I don’t know how much of my dowry the Ministry of Households will return. We’ll discuss the debt with my niece-in-law later.”

Jiang Chun had been waiting for that exact response. Hearing it, she immediately laughed and said, “Not to worry, Second Aunt. Your health is the priority. I trust that as an elder, you wouldn’t withhold the hard-earned silver this country girl has saved.”

Without waiting for Madame Li’s response, she turned to Song Shiying. “Quickly, lead the way. Can’t you see that your mother is in discomfort and holding her forehead?”

Madame Li: “...”

“Oh, oh,” Song Shiying responded and immediately lifted her skirt, breaking into a jog.

Jiang Chun, carrying Madame Li, strode quickly to keep up.

The entire way, Madame Li was anxious, fearing that her niece-in-law might lose her grip and drop her onto the hard stone bricks, causing her to bleed.

Her fears were in vain, however. Jiang Chun carried her with remarkable stability. By the time they reached the Second Branch’s courtyard, Jiang Chun was neither out of breath nor sweating.

Seeing this, Madame Li admitted that Yin’er hadn’t been exaggerating. This niece-in-law was indeed strong.

She pursed her lips. It must have been all the farm work she did at her family’s home that built up her strength.

Madame Li had just returned, and her dowry was still in the storeroom, not yet moved to her own courtyard. Seeing no benefit, Jiang Chun was about to leave.

Pausing, she turned back with a smile and said, "Second Aunt, you should just focus on getting better. Don't worry about the meeting gifts for me and Second Sister-in-law. We're in no rush at all."

Madame Li was speechless. She had never met such a shameless new daughter-in-law who would dare ask her aunt for meeting gifts...

Gritting her teeth, she said, "Once the dowry is sorted out, I'll give you your meeting gift."

Jiang Chun immediately beamed with joy. "Thank you, Second Aunt."

Satisfied, she returned to the main courtyard.

*

Upon returning to the main courtyard, Jiang Chun reported to Madame Zhuang, "Mother, I’ve already escorted Second Aunt back to Qiufeng Courtyard."

Madame Zhuang had no reason to worry.

She said calmly, "Understood."

After a moment of thought, she instructed her two daughters-in-law, "Your Second Aunt is the niece of the old lady. The old lady dotes on her, and she is quite competitive and ambitious. She always tries to outdo me in everything.

As my daughters-in-law, she won’t treat you well. Just keep your distance from her on a daily basis and don’t seek to please those who don’t appreciate it."

At the last sentence, she glanced sideways at Jiang Chun.

Clearly, she was referring to Jiang Chun.

Jiang Chun said with a smile, "Mother, I’ll only try to win over your cold demeanor. I don’t care for others’ cold attitudes."

Madame Zhuang was speechless.

She snorted and said, "So, should I thank you for treating me specially?"

Jiang Chun waved her hand and said with a smile, "Mother, no need to be so polite. Even if you’re sometimes unreasonable, often put on a cold face, and glare at me, for my husband’s sake, I’ll be very tolerant of you."

Madame Zhuang was almost amused to the point of laughter.

Jiang Chun cleverly listed her faults as a mother-in-law. It was as if the sky were falling!

At this point, she genuinely hoped that Second Sister-in-law would find a high-born daughter-in-law for Qian-er, just to show Jiang Chun what it means to be humble and submissive in front of one’s mother-in-law in a family like theirs!

Seeing the situation, Zhong Wenjin hurried to smooth things over: "Mother, Elder Sister-in-law means that Third Aunt is an outsider, while you are family. Elder Sister-in-law will naturally side with you, not with Third Aunt."

Madame Zhuang glared at her, irritable: "What are you explaining for? Do you think I’m such a foolish mother-in-law that I can’t tell good words from bad?"

Jiang Chun reached out and lightly patted Zhong Wenjin’s arm, smiling: "Second Sister-in-law, don’t worry. Mother has a habit of saying things in reverse. Our relationship as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is actually quite good."

Madame Zhuang shot her a look: "Who says we have a good relationship?"

Jiang Chun raised an eyebrow at Zhong Wenjin: "See, another reverse statement. Just get used to it."

Zhong Wenjin stifled a giggle behind her hand.

Madame Zhuang’s ears turned slightly red, and she snapped in embarrassment: "Both of you, get lost! Don’t just sit there blocking my view!"

Jiang Chun covered her mouth and yawned, grinning: "Well, I’m feeling sleepy too. I should go take a nap. Mother is so considerate."

With that, she pulled Zhong Wenjin away.

*

In the evening, when Song Shian returned from his official duties, Jiang Chun immediately took out the deworming medicine from her pouch and put it in his mouth, then personally held a teacup to his lips and fed him a sip of water.

She put down the tea cup and joked, "It's over, over! My lord, you've been fed poison by me and will soon die from vomiting blood."

Song Shi'an took off his official hat, undid his government robes, and shot her a sidelong glance. "Would you really have the heart to poison me to death? If I die, where will you find another husband who suits you just as well?"

Jiang Chun lifted her chin and snorted with a laugh. "As the saying goes, 'A three-legged toad is hard to find, but a two-legged man is common.' With patience and perseverance, you can always find another."

Song Shi'an took a casual robe, put it on, walked over, and embraced her from behind. He chuckled softly and said, "But my dear wife, you’re the type who lacks patience and perseverance."

"That's true." Jiang Chun nodded in agreement, turned her head, hooked her finger under his chin, and said with a grin, "So, I’ll keep you around for now."

Song Shi'an lowered his head and laughed softly, then leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Thank you for sparing my life, dear wife."

Jiang Chun grew serious and explained. "This is a potent deworming medicine my second sister-in-law got from a traveling monk. It's very precious. I’ve already taken two tablets myself and secured two more for you."

As she explained, she couldn’t help but boast. "If it weren’t for my good relationship with my second sister-in-law, you might not have gotten these two tablets. So, from now on, don’t be jealous of her. She has many valuable things. If I keep her happy, it will benefit both of us."

Song Shi'an frowned.

He remembered clearly that in his previous life, the second sister-in-law, Zhong Wenjin, had given the family a gift of two bars of scented soap and eight crystal preserved eggs. Why did it change this time?

A miraculous deworming medicine from a foreign monk or wandering doctor?

The village of the second sister-in-law was in a remote mountain valley, surrounded by deep mountains and old forests. What kind of foreign monk or wandering doctor would venture into such a place?

There was something odd.

Could Jiang Chun know about this peculiarity?

Was this the real reason she wanted to ingratiate herself with Zhong Wenjin?

Song Shian carefully recalled various events related to Zhong Wenjin from his previous life, but he could remember very few things.

After all, as the older brother-in-law, he usually dealt directly with his second brother on matters and had very little contact with Zhong Wenjin, so he didn’t know much about her.

He only knew that she was not someone to be underestimated and often clashed with Song Shiying, his younger sister.

As for whether she possessed any mysterious abilities like Jiang Chun’s telekinetic powers, he truly had no idea.

Seeing Song Shian remain silent, Jiang Chun nudged his thigh with her elbow and huffed, "I'm talking to you, did you hear me?"

Song Shian replied coolly, "I heard."

Pausing for a moment, he added with a light snort, "It's impossible not to be jealous, never in this life."

Jiang Chun was amused by his response, speechless as she said, "Jealous of your sister-in-law one moment, then jealous of your sister-in-law’s husband the next. Tell me, how immature can you get?"

Song Shian, unashamed and even proud, retorted, "Being jealous shows that I care about you. The day I stop being jealous, you'll be the one panicking."

Jiang Chun, stubbornly, declared, "Panicking is impossible, never in this life will I panic!"