Chapter 216: Chapter 217: You Can Farm 10 Mu of Land

Ancient Wen Heng and Jin Qianqian had seen several doctors during their previous trips to Sea City. Jin Qianqian’s health had long since returned to normal, and the root of her previous illnesses had been completely eradicated.

"We happened to get some conditioning medicine from the apothecary. She’s fine now, but I appreciate your concern, Doctor Chu."

"That explains it. Before the New Year, I was thinking you must have run out of the medicine I prescribed. When you didn’t come back for so long, I thought something might have happened.

If that’s really the case, then I must congratulate you. The apothecary’s medicines are very effective." Chu Dongnan didn’t chat any longer, as another patient had already come in.

Ancient Wen Heng was about to turn and leave when Chu Dongnan called out to him again, "If you gather any more medicinal herbs, remember to bring them to me."

Ancient Wen Heng nodded, but didn’t make a firm commitment. "That will depend on luck."

"..."

***

"Dad, we aren’t familiar with this place. Let’s not wander off." Gu Yuanjin sighed, knowing his father was lashing out from embarrassment.

"It’s getting dark. We probably won’t make it back today. We need to find a place to stay for the night." Gu Yuantu also chimed in to persuade him. "Dad, if you don’t want to walk, I can go back and tell Seventh to bring the cart over quickly."

Gu Yuanhuo coughed violently. ’Gu Yuantu might look a bit simple, but who knew his words could be like a knife, striking a fatal blow. Didn’t he see the look on Dad’s face change?’

Before Gu Dashishi could lose his temper, Gu Yuanjin quickly said to Gu Yuantu, "Then hurry up and get Seventh. I remember seeing a straw shed on the way here. We can make do there for the night."

Gu Yuantu also sensed that the atmosphere was a bit off. But now that his eldest brother had spoken, he didn’t have time to overthink it and immediately started running back the way they came.

"You little rascal," Gu Dashishi muttered. In truth, he couldn’t hold out any longer. After all, he hadn’t walked for a long time, and his legs were struggling to adapt.

Seeing his legs start to tremble, Gu Dashishi finally felt a sense of fear. He cried out in a shaky voice, "My legs are giving out! Quick, help me up!"

The Gu Family Brothers thought he was pulling another stunt, so they hesitated, unwilling to go over and play along with his act.

Gu Dashishi finally couldn’t hold himself up any longer and collapsed to the ground, his face breaking out in a cold sweat.

The Gu Family Brothers’ hearts skipped a beat. ’It looks like this time it’s for real.’

None of them dared to delay. Just as they had when they arrived, they all pitched in to carry him and rushed back toward the apothecary.

Ancient Wen Heng hadn’t even made it out the door when he saw the brothers carrying Gu Dashishi back in. He gave Gu Yuanshui a silent, questioning look, wondering what new drama this was.

"Doctor, quick, come take a look at me! My legs are really shaking this time, and I have no strength at all."

But Chu Dongnan merely glanced up at him. "Anyone who lies in bed for over half a year without moving would find this sudden exertion unbearable. It’s nothing serious. Go home, rest up, and start walking around slowly. You’ll be fine."

"I don’t need any medicine?" Gu Dashishi asked, panicking slightly.

"Just move and walk more. Stick with it for half a month, and I guarantee you’ll be able to farm ten mu of land again."

Chu Dongnan’s casual jest almost made Ancient Wen Heng and his brothers burst out laughing. However, out of consideration for Gu Dashishi’s pride, they all contorted their faces to hold it in.

Gu Dashishi’s face darkened. ’...If I wanted to farm, I wouldn’t have spent the last six months lying in bed...’

"I’ll go get the donkey cart. You all take Dad to the entrance and wait for me." Ancient Wen Heng was afraid he would lose his composure if he stayed any longer. He rushed out, leaned against the corner of the wall, and clutched his stomach, shaking with silent laughter.

In all the time he had been here, today was the first time the old man had given him such a good laugh.

The Gu Family Brothers: ’...That sly dog Seventh, he managed to run off first again.’

***

At this point, Ancient Wen Heng certainly wasn’t going to make himself suffer by staying with them in a roadside straw shed. Instead, he generously led them to an inn and booked several rooms. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Seventh, this is too much silver," Gu Yuanjin said, his heart aching as he watched the broken silver being handed over. ’It’s just for one night. Couldn’t we have stayed anywhere?’

Gu Yuantu nodded in agreement. "The weather isn’t even cold. We could have managed perfectly fine with a bonfire."

Gu Yuanshui pointed to Gu Dashishi, who was still lying on the donkey cart outside. "Dad is still not feeling well, so staying somewhere nicer is understandable. But Seventh, we don’t have deep pockets like you. We’re not splitting the cost of this silver with you."

Gu Yuanhuo retorted, "Who are you looking down on? Seventh is different now. He can even afford servants, so why would he care about a small amount like this?

Attendant, just show us to our rooms! I’m exhausted from the road and need to lie down."

Ancient Wen Heng had his own plans. "I’m paying for it. But you all need to take good care of Dad. I’m going to go order a banquet for us. We brothers will have a proper drink together tonight."

"Deal!" Upon hearing there would be alcohol, Gu Yuanshui, who had been feeling a bit resentful, immediately broke into a wide grin. "Remember to order plenty of hearty dishes. All we eat at home is plain broth. My stomach hasn’t seen a drop of oil in ages."

Ancient Wen Heng didn’t mind in the slightest and readily agreed.

After watching them carry Gu Dashishi into the room, he instructed the Shopkeeper to send a bowl of plain noodle soup upstairs. Since the old man hadn’t recovered yet, it was better for him to eat something light. He was being quite thoughtful, after all.

Gu Dashishi hadn’t been in the room for long when he saw an attendant walk in with a bowl of steaming hot noodles.

"There are so many of us here, and you only brought one bowl of noodles?" Gu Dashishi glanced at his sons, who were still there keeping him company.

"The guest specifically ordered this. He said the patient needed to eat something light, and that arrangements for the others would be made later." The attendant placed the noodles on the table and retreated from the room.

"I guess Seventh still has some filial piety," Gu Dashishi muttered. Since he had been outside the inn, he didn’t know that Ancient Wen Heng had already promised to treat his brothers to a fine meal with good alcohol.

Although it was only a bowl of plain noodle soup, it was made with such fine flour that they could typically only afford to eat it during festivals or the New Year.

When he saw his sons secretly rubbing their stomachs, he assumed they were all eyeing his food and called out to Gu Yuanjin, "Eldest, help me sit up. I’ll eat this first. You all can go look for Seventh later."

Gu Yuantu, who was standing right beside him, quickly helped him sit up straight and propped the quilt behind his back. "Dad, do you need us to feed you?"

Gu Dashishi looked at his sons’ covetous expressions, snatched the bowl directly from Gu Yuanjin’s hands, and paid no mind to how hot the noodles were. Blowing on each mouthful, he SLURPED them down right in front of his sons until not a drop was left.

They had been running around all day. Even though they had eaten some dry rations on the road, their stomachs were growling. Enticed by the fragrant aroma of the noodles, the brothers couldn’t help but swallow their saliva.

Gu Dashishi drank the last of the soup, let out a satisfied burp, and felt as if a bit of strength had returned to his previously listless body.

"Have the inn attendant bring another bowl of noodles like this tomorrow morning. My stomach finally feels settled."

The Gu Family Brothers were rendered speechless. "..."