Chapter Seventy-two: Slumber

  Leaving one's hometown is not something everyone is willing to do. There are those who have been away for decades and, as they grow old, still think of returning home, traveling thousands of miles to return to their roots.

  Why didn't she stay in Qiji Village from the beginning? Qi Zhen'er also secretly asked herself.

  She is reborn, she knows what will happen to Longxing County and the Qi Mansion as well as the Qi family village in the next few years. If she stays there, with her precognitive abilities, she can live a good life, and there are many things she can borrow from. Who knows, she might even be able to use these things to overthrow the Qi Mansion and raise herself and Hu Zi, without having to go through all the hardships and worries like now. However, this matter has both advantages and disadvantages.

  "What is the imperial court emphasizing now?" Qizhen'er asked in a low voice. Before Ye Baiju could answer, she continued: "It's filial piety."

  "My parents are gone, and if I stay in Qijiayuan, I can only beg for a living under my eldest uncle's wife. No matter how she treats us, Tiger and I cannot resist or speak ill of her, because that would be unfilial. The villagers' gossip alone could drown us to death. I said she wants to sell me and harm Tiger, with a heart as cruel as hers, how can Tiger and I have good days?"

  "I have a grandfather and grandmother, but all these years they haven't taken care of us. Don't laugh when I say this, but they are not as good to us as Grandfather Ye is. What can we expect from such grandparents? My second uncle is a kind person, but he's also unable to help, like distant water that cannot put out a fire nearby."

  What's more important is that Qifeng entered the Qi manor as a maid, no matter what happened to her later, Liu Shi would definitely put this account on herself. Not to mention tormenting herself with the tiger son, even if she wanted to kill them, Liu Shi probably had the heart for it.

  Ye Baiji was silent for a while after hearing this, she had always felt that Zhen'er didn't seem like a ten-year-old child, her thoughts were too deep, and she spoke and acted more maturely than herself, now it seemed that hardships had also tempered her.

  "Zhen Er, you're really brave!" Ye Baiji sincerely said.

  Zi Zhen'er knew that Ye Baiji was saying she dared to escape from the Qi family village with Hu Zi, and walked over from Dapeng Mountain. She couldn't help but smile wryly in her heart. To be honest, she had chosen that path herself, but with a determination to die.

  After a while, Ye Baiji continued: "You're right, I really can't escape from this family. Not to mention that I don't have your courage, but also because of Grandpa and Big Uncle's family, I just can't bear to part with them. And then there's Bai Ji, that silly girl, she may not follow me either."

  "Bai Qi sister, you have a worry in your heart. You can't go far with a worry in your heart. I and Hu Zi are at Qi Jia Zhuang, the only thing we're worried about is our parents, but they're not here anymore, so there's really nothing to worry about. And we're still young, no matter how we walk, we're not afraid. But you and Bai Qi are big girls now, if you leave, it will really ruin your whole life." said Qi Zhen Er.

  Ye Baiji was very grateful to hear her analysis so thoroughly. Zhen'er must have thought of these things, and at the risk of danger, told her mother about her own life, letting her mother put down the knot in her heart.

  "Zhen'er, thank you. You are my good sister for life, dear sister." Ye Baiju hugged Qi Zhen'er and cried out.

  Zi Zhen'er thought of the days when she was worried and scared, and couldn't help but cry too. It was actually a shock to Ye Baiji. She hurriedly stopped crying and comforted Zhen'er. Until Zhen'er cried herself to sleep, she finally let out a sigh of relief. Looking at Zhen'er's and Hu Zi's sleeping faces, she secretly vowed in her heart that for this lifetime, she would take good care of these two siblings she had picked up along the way.

  The next morning, Ye Baiji woke up to the sound of Hu Zi's commotion. She saw him rolling around happily on the bed and was afraid he would wake up Zhen Er who was still fast asleep. She coaxed him into getting dressed and went out to cook.

  Huzi was a sensible child and knew that his sister had been tired for the past few days, so he put on his clothes and played in the yard, not making trouble for Zhen'er.

  Ye Baiji had just finished washing up when he heard the voice of his uncle at the door, and hastily opened it to find Ye Shiwei, Ye Shiyan, Ye Sumu and Ye Luyuan standing outside.

  Ye Baiji hurriedly made way for them and asked: "Good morning, Big Uncle, Third Uncle, brothers."

  Ye Shiwei and his group nodded, saying: "Zhī Jiǎo Tóu got up early, where's Zhēn ér?"

  Ye Baiji pointed in the direction of the house and said: "Zhen'er has been tired for a few days, I think she should sleep more."

  Ye Lu had always been very polite in front of his elders and never acted so frivolously in private, but now he heard Ye Baiji say this, he scrunched up his face and made a silly expression at her.

  However, after hearing this, Ye Shiyan's face didn't look good. Ye Shiwei and the others didn't have any other expressions, and said: "This little girl Zhen'er is not easy to get along with, let her rest for a few days. I'll go with your third uncle and brothers to send the things back."

  Yeshi Yan heard his brother say that, and the words of rebuke were swallowed back into his stomach. He held back his breath and busied himself with his brother.

  Borrowing things and returning them, Ye Shiwei always brought Hu Zi along. Firstly, he wanted the villagers to recognize him and know that the Qi family also had a pillar of support; secondly, he also wanted them to know that this favor would be remembered by the Qi family. After all, there was still some difference between the real master and the helper.

  After being busy for a long time, all the borrowed things were returned. It was just that bowl and plate that the child accidentally broke, Ye Baiju also took responsibility for Qi Zhen'er and made up for it with Qi Zhen'er's new purchases.

  When Ye Shiwei and others went out to return things for the first time, Sun's family came over. At home, Ye Shixian scolded and quarreled every day, which was annoying to hear. She felt uncomfortable after hearing it and didn't let Bai Zhi follow Zhen'er, so she finished her household chores early and came over early too.

  After sending away the things, the courtyard was exceptionally empty and desolate. The dirty things on the ground had nowhere to hide, and they were all exposed in front of everyone. Sun Shi's mother and daughter took brooms and started a thorough cleaning of the courtyard.

  Ye Baiji originally wanted to keep Ye Shiwei and the others here for dinner, but they refused. Qi Zhen'er's family has no adult males, and it's not good for them to stay here. Moreover, yesterday's leftover dishes were given by Qi Zhen'er, which is enough for Ye's family to eat for a day or two. It's all leftover food everywhere, so it's better to go home, at least it's comfortable.

  The Sun mother and daughter swept the house inside and out, neat and tidy, wiped away sweat, looked up to see that it was already noon, but still didn't see Zhen'er get out of bed, and felt a bit strange.

  Ye Baiji pushed Qi Zhener into the house, but she didn't react for a long time. Ye Baiji felt that something was serious and hastily greeted Sun Shi before rushing to the infirmary.

  Ye Lao Yezi had just sent away the patient when he saw Ye Bai Zhi rushing in, panting and speaking unclearly, only vaguely saying that Zhen'er was not well, grabbing the medicine box and pulling Ye Lao Yezi to run towards the Qi family.

  Sun sat on the edge of the bed, softly calling out to Qi Zhen'er, and continuously pushing her with his hand, but she didn't react at all. His heart was anxious like crazy, and when he saw Old Man Ye enter the room, he hastily made way for him by the bedside.

  Ye Lao Yezi calmed down a bit, then gave Qi Zhen'er a pulse diagnosis. After a long time of deliberation, his eyebrows furrowed and relaxed repeatedly, causing Ye Baiju and Sun Shi's hearts to be lifted high.

  After a good while, Old Man Ye finally put down his hand and said, "It's nothing, she's just fallen asleep. She'll be fine in two days."

  "Asleep?" Sun and Ye Baiji repeated in confusion.

  Ye Lao Yezi took out a pen and ink from the table next to him, writing a prescription while saying: "Zhen'er was previously injured and poisoned, although she has been cured, but still hurt her foundation. Moreover, she hasn't rested well during this period, and has been thinking too much. Now that she's relaxed suddenly, it triggered these old ailments. I'll prescribe some medicine for her, you guys brew it and give it to her to drink, once she sleeps well and her spirit is lifted, she'll be fine."

  Ye Baiji took the prescription and went with Old Master Ye to the medicine stove to fetch the medicine. Sun Shi also went to the kitchen to cook an egg custard for Qi Zhener to eat.

  She slept for more than a day, until the second day when San Qi Zhen'er woke up. She was startled awake by the thunder outside.