Su Xiaoqi suddenly remembered her promise to Little Magpie at the Fuyue Inn a few days ago.
However, she got busy with other things and forgot.
From Shen Xiaomei's words, the sick person must be Little Magpie.
Feeling deeply apologetic, she put down the苦荞 (bitter buckwheat) she was holding and told Shen Xiaomei the simplest way to prepare it: steam buckwheat rice.
Then, she grabbed a basket and went out.
Just as she stepped out, she remembered Zhao Laoshi's mule cart wasn't in the village.
He usually went to the city to pick up passengers in the morning and returned in the afternoon.
Su Xiaoqi had enough stamina to walk, but she didn't know the way.
She stood at the entrance, hesitating. Shen Xiaomei came over, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Sister-in-law, are you going to the city now? Why so urgent?"
She needed to make buckwheat rice for her mother and couldn't leave.
Su Xiaoqi nodded, but hesitated on how to tell her that she couldn't find the way.
Then, Shen Xiaomei said, "How about letting Little Bamboo take you?"
Su Xiaoqi was overjoyed, then looked at Zhao Xiaozhu with some hesitation, asking if she knew the way.
Zhao Xiaozhu pursed her lips and shyly nodded.
Shen Xiaomei explained that her maternal grandparents lived in Qianjia Village on the east gate of the city.
She had been there before.
"No, how did you know I don't know the way?" Su Xiaoqi suddenly remembered this.
She hadn't even asked yet, and Shen Xiaomei had already suggested Zhao Xiaozhu.
She couldn't help but suspect that she already knew.
"Uh, this, this, it was, it was Older Brother who said it.
Older Brother said that Sister-in-law just married into our family from the city and used to travel by carriage and horse. She hasn't walked far and doesn't know the way, so he told me to look after you more."
Shen Yun! It had to be him.
But Su Xiaoqi couldn't get angry.
After all, it was a kind gesture.
As the two walked out of the courtyard, they saw Zhao Ye running towards them.
Upon seeing Su Xiaoqi, a big smile bloomed on his dark, thin face.
"Hey, Zhao Ye, you're here. Erdan will bring you lunch today, and Xiaozhu is going out with me to do something."
Zhao Ye nodded repeatedly, taking a basket off his back.
He took out a green item from inside and stuffed it into Su Xiaoqi's hand.
"Ah, lotus seedpods, where did you get these?" Su Xiaoqi's face showed surprise.
Zhao Ye eagerly waved his hands to explain.
Unfortunately, Su Xiaoqi didn't understand sign language and could only look at Zhao Xiaozhu.
"Sister Xiaoqi, Zhao Ye grew these in the fish pond."
Su Xiaoqi blinked. Grown in the fish pond?
"In our two fish ponds?" Su Xiaoqi asked tentatively.
Seeing Zhao Ye and Zhao Xiaozhu both nod, she exclaimed, "Holy cow, how come I didn't know about this?"
She hadn't paid much attention to those two fish ponds.
Since she had tasked Zhao Ye with delivering fish every other day, she hadn't been to the fish ponds since.
However, thinking back carefully, when she had examined Zhao Ye's hand earlier, she seemed to recall seeing small green lotus leaves in a corner of the fish pond.
She had assumed they were naturally growing in the pond and hadn't given it much thought.
She hadn't expected that after so long, even lotus seedpods would have grown.
"Lotus seeds are good, they cleanse the heart and improve vision," Su Xiaoqi praised Zhao Ye, taking two and handing one to Zhao Xiaozhu.
She told him to send the rest home so Madam Zhao could also eat some.
During this time, Su Xiaoqi paid special attention to Zhao Ye's right hand.
Seeing that he could now use it to carry a basket weighing about ten catties, she knew he was better.
She felt very relieved.
She looked closely at Zhao Ye, observing that although he still looked dark and thin,
he was much better than before.
He had grown taller and sturdier.
The flimsy clothes he wore before seemed to hang on a hanger, empty.
Now, he was just thin, not weak, and his waist and back appeared very strong.
Su Xiaoqi secretly thought that the family's meals must have improved. Zhao Ye glanced sideways and saw Zhao Xiaozhu staring at him shyly.
As soon as she looked, she lowered her head, bashfully.
Su Xiaoqi covered her mouth and laughed: these two had something going on, no wonder Zhao Ye had smiled so happily when he saw them.
Half an hour later, Su Xiaoqi arrived in the city, led by Zhao Xiaozhu.
She asked someone for directions and headed straight for the City God Temple in the east of the city.
There were actually two City God Temples here.
The newly built one was in front, with flourishing incense.
Little Magpie and the others were staying in the abandoned temple behind.
To get to the old one, one had to go around the newly built temple.
Su Xiaoqi looked at the bustling crowd inside and then at the desolate and dilapidated corner behind, feeling an indescribable sadness.
She sighed and went up the steps.
But someone called out to her, "Female donor, please stop."
Su Xiaoqi heard it, but wasn't sure who was being called, so she didn't stop.
However, soon, the speaker flashed past and appeared in front of her, blocking her path.
Su Xiaoqi looked closely and saw that the person blocking her way was an old man wearing a gray daoist robe and a daoist bun.
His hair and beard were completely white, and he appeared very old. However, his eyes shone with a vigorous light, revealing a wisdom that saw through worldly affairs.
Su Xiaoqi immediately dared not underestimate him. She bowed and respectfully asked, "Daoist, are you calling me?"
"Donor, greetings. This humble daoist is Zhang Daozong. I have a connection with the donor. Would you not like to sit in the temple for a moment?"
Su Xiaoqi hesitated. This old man seemed detached and passive.
However, his spirit made her dare not treat him lightly.
But Little Magpie was still sick, and she didn't know how she was doing.
She had to rush to see her immediately to feel at ease.
She cupped her hands and said, "I apologize. Daoist, your invitation should be accepted. However, I have an urgent matter ahead that cannot be delayed. How about I prepare some clear tea and visit another day?"
As she spoke, she quickly bowed and ran towards the temple with Zhao Xiaozhu.
Zhang Daozong watched the fleeting figures and shook his head, sighing, "Alas, fate has not yet arrived."
A young daoist beside him pouted and complained, "Master, this woman is so rude.
She doesn't know that it's only Master who keeps people a thousand miles away, and yet someone rejected Master's invitation. She's too impolite."
Zhang Daozong chided, "Qingfu, do not speak carelessly. Observing her speech and actions, she is not a rude person. I fear..."
Zhang Daozong pinched his fingers and said in a deep voice, "Not good, the situation is urgent, the situation is urgent... Fortunately, she has gone!"
His expression changed several times as he spoke. He shook his head and led his disciple Qingfu away, dusting his sleeves.
Meanwhile, Su Xiaoqi ran, panting, and as soon as she reached the entrance, she heard a cry: "Little Magpie, Little Magpie, don't die."
"Wuwu, Little Magpie, Little Magpie..."
Su Xiaoqi's foot faltered, she lost her balance, and fell straight towards the high threshold.
Fortunately, Zhao Xiaozhu caught up from behind and supported her.
"Little Magpie, Little Magpie." Su Xiaoqi, still unsteady, rushed forward anxiously.
Just as she was about to touch Little Magpie lying on the dry grass, she was pushed aside by someone. She fell to the ground.
An indignant voice sounded:
"Hmph, are you happy now? You caused Brother Xiaoyi to die.
Little Magpie is also dying. You cruel woman, you lied to her, you deceived her.
Why are you here now? Do you want to harm us all before you're happy?"
It was Xiaoyi. He knelt before Little Magpie, crying rivers, but still pointed at Su Xiaoqi and cursed.
"Little Magpie." Su Xiaoqi ignored his rudeness and didn't bother to stand up. She crawled on her knees towards Little Magpie.