by N/A
With that said, she went over by the water jar and used the ladle scoop made from bottle gourd to scoop up some water. After violently rinsing her mouth a few times, did she finally feel her numbed oral cavity improve quite a bit.
Afterwards, she found a few medicinal ingredients, and cooked two bowls of medicine. She carried one bowl to Du Xiu Heng, and drank one bowl herself. Seeing Du Xiu Heng holding the medicine bowl yet not drinking it, she urged, "Big brother, this is medicine for detoxifying. Although majority of the poison in your body have already been gotten rid of, there will still be some that remain in the body. You have to drink the medicine to get rid of them."
Du Xiu Heng looked to Du Xiao Li, and saw the worry on her face. He finally lowered his head and drank the medicine. In fact, he didn't even suspect if this medicine could be drank or not.
After seeing Du Xiu Heng drink the medicine, Du Xiao Li went to go cook some noodles. The two of them simply ate their meal.
Getting up the next day, Du Xiao Li went to go see Du Xiu Heng. Seeing that his leg was already not swollen, she finally was able to be completely at ease. She changed the medicine for him, and then recalled that snake she caught last night.
Originally, she was planning on directing killing it, but in that instant, she changed her mind, lessened her strength, and only had it knocked unconscious. After she'd taken care of Du Xiu Heng's wound, she used a basket to lock it up.
Thinking of that perpetrator, she coldly smiled. After she picked up a rock off the ground, she lifted the woven bamboo lid from the basket, exposing the venomous snake coiled up at the bottom.
"To have fallen into my hands, consider it your own bad luck." Du Xiao Li said as she kicked over the basket. The snake coiled up inside was startled awake. Sensing the killing intent coming from Du Xiao Li, it tried to escape in the opposite direction.
"Still want to escape?" Du Xiao Li had the rock in her hand shot over, directly hitting its stomach. This time, she didn't show mercy, and the snake very quickly died.
She walked over, and after confirming the snake was dead, used her hand to grab its head, and held it before her, saying with a laugh, "Actually dared to bite my big brother, watch how I sort you out! I'm gonna gouge out your snake gall, stew your meat, hmph hmph, it just so happens I want to drink meat soup, so just offer yourself respectfully then."
When Du Xiu Heng limped out, he just so happened to see this scene. The rising sun shone on her smiling face, seemingly letting the entire early morning come alive.
Du Xiao Li used a branch to have the snake propped up. And just when she was about to make her move, Leng Er's voice suddenly sounded from outside the courtyard.
"Wow, a little girl like you actually dared to kill a snake?"
Du Xiao Li looked out the courtyard, seeing Niu Jing bringing along Han Ming Yi and the two bodyguard standing outside the courtyard. She greeted Niu Jing, "Grandpa Niu, morning! Going into the mountains again?"
Niu Jing nodded, and came into the courtyard, asking: "Why are you doing this?"
"This bad thing bit big brother yesterday, causing big brother to lose a lot of blood. I want to have it stewed, to properly give big brother some nourishment." Du Xiao Li said.
"This big of a snake, how did you catch it?" Leng Er moved closer and asked.
"Killed it, then caught it." Du Xiao Li rolled her eyes at him. Didn't you see it's already dead right now!?
"Er---" Leng Er could hear the disdain in Du Xiao Li's words, and glanced to Han Ming Yi in grievance. All young master's fault. Because she disdained him, even he himself was also getting disdained.
Niu Jing looked to the snake and said, "This snake is indeed quite big. If it's used to soak in wine, it'll definitely be quite good."
"Girl, how about you sell us this snake? We'll take it back to soak in wine." Leng Er giddily said.
"Don't wanna. It bit my big brother. I must have it stewed and eaten to relieve my anger! And also use it to nourish big brother's body." Du Xiao Li resolutely shook her head in refusal.
"Really a vengeful guy." Leng Er said.
"Then you better be careful and not offend me! And also don't offend my big brother, hmph, else......" Du Xiao Li didn't mind him describing herself like that, instead threatening in return.
Besides, right now, she only looked seven years old anyways, no one would take her words seriously.
Du Xiu Heng was very strange today. He stood at the door the whole time, watching Du Xiao Li, and didn't say anything either. Niu Jing walked over and said, "Where's your wound? Let me have a look for you."
Du Xiu Heng had his right trouser leg rolled up. Niu Jing crouched down and saw that the wound was wrapped up very nicely. At a glance, he could tell that it could've only been done by someone experienced. He undid the gauze and saw the medicine specifically used to treat snake venom applied on. He calmly asked, "This was done by Li girl?"
Du Xiu Heng nodded.
"It's taken care of really well." He had the gauze wrapped up again and stood up saying, "Li girl is very gifted in medicine! Alright, you rest first. We also need to head up the mountain."
"Grandpa Niu, when will you be coming back? If it's a bit later, you can come taste my snake stew." Du Xiao Li came out carrying a jar of wine. Seeing that Niu Jing was preparing to leave, she said with smile.
"Alright. Then you better leave a share for grandpa Niu." Niu Jing cheerfully said.
"I also want to drink." Leng Er quickly added on.
"Okay, one hundred copper coins a bowl, and I politely decline to haggle." Du Xiao Li had the wine jar placed on the ground and said.
"What, even need to pay?" Leng Er said in surprise, "But doctor Niu didn't need to give money!"
"Grandpa Niu is an acquaintance. Of course he doesn't need to pay. If you want to drink, need to pay upfront." Du Xiao Li said, pleased with herself.
"Perhaps, what you make can't even be eaten!" Leng Er said.
"Then don't drink it, I'm not forcing you. If you don't pay up now, later it'll double in price!" Du Xiao Li said with an evil smile.
"You....." Where would Leng Er have copper coins on him. He reluctantly and unwillingly took out a piece of silver and said, "No need to find change!"
"Okay, later you can drink as much as you want!" When Du Xiao Li saw the silver, her attitude towards Leng Er immediately changed, and she replied cheerfully.
"Truly a money hungry girl!" Leng Er, startled by Du Xiao Li's change, muttered.
"It's so great to have money. With money, big brother and I can eat our fill. With money, big brother can continue to study. Perhaps, we can even build another house. That's why, widening ones eyes at the sight of profit isn't anything bad!" Du Xiao Li unconcernedly said.
Du Xiu Heng was leaning against the door, and upon hearing Du Xiao Li's words, his gaze grew dark.
Ch. 016 – Discovering a Clue
Discovering a Clue
Du Xiao Li held the snake's head and tail in one hand, and used the other hand to slowly stroke down the protruding abdomen. Once she felt something hard, she slit a cut underneath, and had the snake gall inside extracted out. After using water to rinse it clean, she threw it into the wine jar that she'd just moved out. Afterwards, she skillfully had the snake dissected, using the knife to cut it into approximately five millimeter size pieces. Then, she put on fresh ginger and other seasonings, and began to stew it.
"Big brother, are you hungry? What do you want to eat, I'll make it for you." Du Xiao Li saw Du Xiu Heng silently sitting on the short stool below the eaves, and walked over to ask.
Du Xiu Heng shook his head, still not saying anything.
Du Xiao Li saw Du Xiu Heng's appearance and thought that he was still frightened because he got bit by a snake. Because in the past, there was someone in the village that got bitten to death by a snake. She crouched down and reached out to hug Du Xiu Heng's waist. She had her head leaned against his arm, lightly shaking, as she said, "Big brother, rest assure, with me here, I won't let any
thing happen to you."
Speaking of which, she was actually quite reliant on Du Xiu Heng. Thinking about how she was someone who's lived twenty some years in her past life, and he was just a ten year old child, even she herself felt it was somewhat laughable.
But in her past life, she'd lived for that many years. In her childhood, she'd attended all kinds of supplementary classes. Just in music, there were already quite a few classes, zither, flute, piano, and so on. She even got awards in all of them before. At that time, her parents never asked whether she was willing or not.
(T/N: eeeeeeeeeee
Afterwards, during that period when she lived in the village, she further didn't have a sense of self. In ordered to not get kicked out, she could only work at all cost. And after being discovered by the organization, she further wasn't asked whether she was willing to do this mission or not, willing to kill someone or not.
If she could, she would definitely say, she wasn't willing. But, no one asked.
That's why, when Du Xiu Heng said she could do whatever she wanted and he would support her, when the very poor him was willing to take out ten* taels of silver to make those silver needles for her, he'd already walked into her heart. What she wanted was actually very simple, just to simply be cared for, that's all.
(*T/N: I have no idea why the author wrote ten taels here when it should definitely be one tael of silver, I don't think they even have ten taels of silver to begin with....)
Du Xiu Heng looked to the person nestled up against his side, and could feel her dependence and concern towards himself. He used his other hand to stroked her head, his gaze looked into the distance, distant and deep.
After Du Xiao Li had the snake stew cooked, she poured a bowl for Du Xiu Heng and placed it on the stool next to him, saying: "Big brother, this snake stew is very nutritious. Let it sit for a while first, and drink it when it cools, okay."
Afterwards, she also poured a bowl for herself. When she finished, she went to go flip the drying medical herbs she dug up yesterday.
When it was about noon, Niu Jing and the others returned. Seeing them, Du Xiao Li shouted, "Grandpa Niu, I left the snake stew for you!"
"Oh? Perfect, I just happened to be thirsty and hungry. Get me a bowl then." Niu Jing walked in, and found himself a stool to sit down.
Leng Er also very causally found a placed to sit down, yelling to Du Xiao Li, "Don't forget about me, I paid money."
Du Xiao Li poured two bowls, one for Niu Jing, and one for Leng Er, saying with a smile, "How could I forget you!"
"That's good." Leng Er giddily accepted the bowl and took a sip, saying in shock, "What did you put in here? How come the flavor is this delicious!"
"Family's secret recipe, can't be told to an outsider. Besides, even if I say, you still wouldn't know." Du Xiao Li replied.
Leng Er very quickly finished one bowl and ran to pour himself another bowl. He'd already paid that much money anyways, can have as much as he wanted. He saw that there was still a lot of soup in the pot, and said to Han Ming Yi and Leng Yi, "Young master, Yi, come try some too. The flavor really is quite good!"
Niu Jing also said from the side, "The flavor certainly is quite good. You two can try some."
Leng Yi glanced to Han Ming Yi, and seeing that he didn't object, prepared to go pour him a bowl. Du Xiao Li continued to flip her medical herbs, while saying, "I said, if you want to drink some now, need to pay extra!"
Leng Yi glanced to Du Xiao Li, took out one tael of silver, and threw it to her. Afterwards, he found two bowls, used water to wash them twice, and gave one bowl to Han Ming Yi and one to himself.
"Little girl, you really only see money in your eyes!" Leng Er teasingly said with a laugh.
"That's right, I do only see money in my eyes. I wish that the sky would rain money, and even if it crushes me to death, it would still be good!" Du Xiao Li didn't get angry, and followed along his words. That tone made both Niu Jing and Leng Er burst into laughter.
"One laugh, ten years younger, just laugh then." Du Xiao Li said, and then turned around to continue flipping her herbs.
After Niu Jing finished drinking the stew, he placed the bowl next to the stool. Afterwards, he came to Du Xiao Li's side. Looking at the medical ingredients she dug up, he discovered that there were several kind he hadn't taught her before mix in. He picked up a piece of plantain herb and asked, "This plantain herb, I didn't explain to you before, how did you know it is a medical herb?"
"I saw it in the medical book." Du Xiao Li replied.
"Oh? Then do you know what kind of medical effect it has?" Niu Jing asked.
"Help with difficulty urinating, turbidity, edema, summer diarrhea, reddened eyes, and cough from phlegm. Grandpa Niu, am I right?" Du Xiao Li asked.
Niu Jing nodded his head, and then picked up another type of medical ingredient. Du Xiao Li also correctly answered.
"Li girl ah, Leng Yi said last time young master's symptoms acted up, it was you that saved him?" Niu Jing suddenly spoke.
Here it comes!
Du Xiao Li's heart tightened. As expected, she was being suspected? She resentfully glanced to Han Ming Yi and pursed her lips, "Yeah, last time I saved him. He not only didn't thank me, he even kicked me."
Du Xiu Heng heard Du Xiao Li's words and shot a glance at Han Ming Yi. Han Ming Yi somewhat unnaturally lowered his head and drank his soup.
Niu Jing softly chuckled, then asked, "Then how did you know that using that method can save young master?"
"I don't know either." Du Xiao Li shook her head and said, "After I fell ill last time, I discovered that there's a lot more things in my head. As soon as I thought, the idea popped out. Grandpa Niu, do you think I encountered an immortal deity?"
"Immortal deity?" Niu Jing strangely looked to Du Xiao Li.
"That's right!" Du Xiao Li nodded her head and said, "Last time, I felt that I'd clearly already died. Afterwards, I arrived at a place with lots of beautiful women. They said that I shouldn't go there, and then pushed me. After that I woke up, and then I got better."
Niu Jing shared a glance with Han Ming Yi and the others, unsure whether they should believe Du Xiao Li's words or not. If they had to say that it was an immortal deity that saved her, and gave her a lot of knowledge, just thinking about it felt impossible. But a seven year old child knowing how to treat Han Ming Yi's twitching disease, this also made one feel unimaginable.
"Perhaps it was really given to you by an immortal deity!" Niu Jing said, "However, since it was given to you, you should properly cherish it, understand?"
"Grandpa Niu, can you not tell anyone else?" Du Xiao Li carefully looked to Niu Jing.
"Why?"
"Because I don't want others to treat me like a monster!" Du Xiao Li pitifully lowered her head saying, "If the people in the village were to know that I'd died once, would they think I'm a monster, then have me driven away?"
Niu Jing thought for a moment, and felt this was possible. The people of the village have never seen the majority of the world, spending their whole life living here. It was inevitable for their views to be somewhat old fashion. If they really were to know, who knows how they will treat her!
"Alright, I promise you."
"Thank you grandpa Niu!" Du Xiao Li happily said.
Once Han Ming Yi finished the soup in his bowl, Niu Jing took them back with him. As soon as they were out of the courtyard, Han Ming Yi finally spoke, "You believe her words?"
"Regardless, this is the best explanation." Niu Jing turned his head and looked to the lonely courtyard at the waist of the mountain, saying with a sigh.
Du Xiao Li waited until after they left, before going to pour another bowl for Du Xiu Heng. This time, Du Xiu Heng didn't take the bowl, instead grabbing her wrist, and asking with a heavy expression: "Who are you?"
Ch. 017 – He Already Knew!
He Already Knew!
T/N: This chapter might wreck you, please prepare tissues. Don't say I didn't warn you.
'Peng---'
The bowl in Du Xiao Li's hand immediately fell to the ground; the milky white soup splashed all over the ground.
"Big brother, what did you say?" For the first time since coming to this world, Du Xiao Li felt somewhat panicked. To be exact, it was the first time she felt panicked, ever since joining the organization in her past life.
Du Xiu Heng looked to that familiar face and said word by word, "You're not my younger sister, who, are, you?"
"I...." Du Xiao Li was just about to open her mouth, when her words were stopped by Du Xiu Heng.
"Don't say some immortal deity, I won't believe it. My younger sister has been scared of snakes since she was small. She wouldn't even dare to look at them, let alone killing one and cooking it."
Du Xiao Li opened her mouth, wanting to make up an excuse, but seeing Du Xiu Heng's clear eyes, she discovered that those words all couldn't come out. She struggled free from Du Xiu Heng's grasp and sat down on the ground next to him. Gazing towards the distant fields, she said, "You're right, I'm not your younger sister."
"Where's my younger sister? And who are you?" As if it was within his expectations, Du Xiu Heng wasn't overly shocked. Or rather, from when he suspected to until now, he'd already subconsciously accepted this fact.
"Your younger sister died, I also died. Afterwards, I came back to life in your younger sister's body." Du Xiao Li faintly spoke, "She and I have the same name. However, I've lived for twenty some years, and she only lived for a few years..."
"No wonder, no wonder...." Du Xiu Heng appeared as if all the strength in his body was pulled out from under him. He leaned back against the wall.
No wonder? Du Xiao Li skeptically looked to Du Xiu Heng.
Du Xiu Heng suddenly covered his face with his hands and started crying. Saying as he cried, "Actually, at the time, I'd already noticed that she'd stopped breathing. In the beginning, mother stopped breathing just like that too. Younger sister looked exactly the same as her. I didn't believe it, I didn't want to believe that younger sister also died just like mother. I went to go cook the medicine. Drinking the medicine, younger sister will be better again. Thus, I ran out. Yet when I came back, I discovered that she was alive and could breathe again. She also was able to open her eyes and call me big brother....."