Chapter 28: Healing the Little Maid

The two of them truly believed that, no matter what anyone said, they were Xiaoya’s biological parents. And what ill intentions could biological parents possibly have toward their own child?

Everything they did—be it beating her, scolding her, or using the concept of filial piety to force the child to scrape together money for the household—was ultimately for the child’s own good. Even the plan to redeem her when she grew older for a mere ten coins, only to trade her away for a larger bride price later, was framed as being in her best interest. After all, a sapling must be pruned to grow straight, and children must be disciplined through lashes and insults. After all, a master is just a master, while parents are a child’s only true support. After all, what girl doesn’t get married? And what marriage doesn’t involve parents collecting a bride price?

They were clearly selfish, entirely consumed by their own interests. Every action they took—including bearing and raising children—was designed to benefit themselves, yet they would never admit it. They self-righteously distorted the facts and played the martyr, demanding that their children repay their so-called kindness tenfold or a hundredfold.

There were even more absurd examples of such "parents"—like Xie Wanniang’s own father—who took it for granted that their children should fulfill their personal "aspirations," even those they had failed to achieve themselves after struggling for a lifetime. They deliberately ignored the cruel reality that they had played almost no positive role in their children's upbringing, yet they brazenly used the mantle of "I am your father/mother/grandfather/grandmother" to make outrageous, fantastical demands. It was as if they believed that simply by holding a position of authority and uttering a few light words, their children could magically undergo a genetic mutation—transforming from lowly black loaches into dragons among men—and then shower them with thousands of times the return.

It was nothing short of stupid, greedy, shameless, and hypocritical—the kind of behavior that made one feel an uncontrollable sense of disgust at the mere thought of it.

In fact, strictly from the perspective of interests, Xie Wanniang did not inherently oppose mutually beneficial exchanges, even if the other party was her own parents. What she despised was when someone gave "1"—or perhaps even "0.0001"—only to greedily expect a return of "10," while simultaneously demanding she be eternally grateful. She was different from Xiaoya. Xiaoya was only five and had lived her entire life in a relatively isolated mountain village, whereas she had lived two lifetimes, both marked by shallow ties to her parents and a wealth of worldly experience.

With her adoptive father as a point of comparison, she could easily see through the ugly truth wrapped in lies. The parents of Shuanzi were not like the wily old foxes she had encountered before; their thoughts were written plainly on their faces. Had that not been the case, Xie Wanniang would not have put on such a performance in front of everyone after securing Xiaoya’s deed of indenture. Now that she had laid down the law in advance, if Shuanzi’s parents tried any more underhanded tricks, she could rightfully call upon the village head to deal with them.

After taking the deed of indenture written by the village head, Xie Wanniang bid farewell to the village head and the gathered villagers, then accompanied Dr. Chen back to Jiang Yuan’s house.

Xiaoya’s condition was somewhat precarious. Dr. Chen had already informed his sons that he would stay the night at Jiang Yuan’s to monitor the progression of her illness. His words quickly spread among the villagers, sparking a flurry of discussion. There was concern for the little girl, disdain for her parents, and worry that Xie Wanniang, having already spent her money, might be extorted again by the child’s parents.

Villagers usually enjoyed watching the spectacle and spreading gossip, but that did not mean they were devoid of empathy. Xiaoya was so young that nearly everyone in the village hoped she would pull through and survive. They also hoped that Xie Wanniang, who had been willing to lend a helping hand, would not end up suffering for her kindness. After all, if Xie Wanniang were to be extorted because of a moment of compassion, she would certainly never help anyone else in the village again, regardless of whether the extortionists succeeded.

Xie Wanniang was unaware of the villagers' thoughts. When she and Dr. Chen returned to Jiang Yuan’s house, Danya was still watching the stove to boil medicine, while Ernya, holding half a bowl of wine Jiang Yuan had poured for her, was wiping Xiaoya’s ears and underarms—the child’s body was burning with fever—while tears streamed down her face.

Hearing Dr. Chen talking to Jiang Yuan in the courtyard, Ernya dressed Xiaoya and wiped away her final tears. Dr. Chen first checked the medicine simmering in the kitchen before following Xie Wanniang to see the child.

The little girl had not yet awakened, but her convulsions had significantly subsided and her body temperature had dropped, indicating that Dr. Chen’s acupuncture had been effective.

"Good. Based on this trend, if nothing else, her life is at least secure," Dr. Chen said, stroking his beard with satisfaction after checking her pulse and testing the temperature of her forehead. "Wait half an hour after she finishes the medicine, and I will come back to check her pulse again."

Xie Wanniang nodded. "You should go get some rest. I will call you when the time comes."

She then turned to Ernya. "You two sisters should head home as well, while there are still villagers outside with torches." It was already midnight; if they didn't go back now, there was no telling how their father might use this as an excuse to vent his anger on them. She could take care of Xiaoya personally, and she could ask Jiang Yuan to help with the medicine; there was no need for the two girls to stay.

However, Danya and Ernya felt otherwise. Neither would leave, insisting on waiting until Xiaoya was out of danger and awake.

Danya poured the brewed medicine back and forth between two bowls until it was cool enough to drink. Then, she carefully brought it over, intending to feed Xiaoya. Since the child was still unconscious, Xie Wanniang gently tilted Xiaoya’s head to one side. "Take a small spoonful, bring it to her lips, and tilt the spoon slowly to let the medicine trickle in."

This utilized the patient’s swallowing reflex to ensure she swallowed the liquid naturally, preventing it from entering her windpipe. Of course, they had to observe Xiaoya’s reactions constantly during the process. If she coughed, they had to stop immediately and wait until her breathing stabilized before continuing.

Under Ernya’s nervous gaze, Danya used her hands—hands accustomed to hard labor—to hold the spoon steadily, feeding the child most of the bowl. Xiaoya did not cough once during the process. Even Xie Wanniang, who had a theoretical foundation in medicine, had to admire the girl’s steady hands and immense patience.

After taking the medicine, Xiaoya continued to drift in her feverish sleep. Danya returned to the kitchen to wash the bowls, while Ernya continued to wipe Xiaoya’s body with a damp cloth to bring her fever down. Xie Wanniang, knowing she had to call Dr. Chen in half an hour, decided not to go to bed.

When Danya finished washing the bowls and returned to keep watch with Ernya, Xie Wanniang stood up, intending to leave them alone with their sister. But before she could take a step toward the door, Danya grabbed her sister Ernya, and the two of them dropped to their knees at Xie Wanniang’s feet with a heavy thud.