RMCF: Chapter 23

 

Chapter 23

Zhang Fangyuan was at home, humming a little tune, happier than during the New Year.

He had heated some water and was rinsing off in the washroom in the backyard, cleaning himself from head to toe. He wasn't going to town tomorrow; he planned to work in the fields with his fourth uncle for the day.

After his parents passed away, his own fields had been left untended. His fourth uncle couldn't bear to see the land lie fallow, so he took over their twenty mu of land to farm as well. His fourth uncle's family only had three members. Now that Xiao Mao was a bit older, he could help in the fields or cook at home, but before, it was entirely up to his uncle and aunt’s efforts to manage everything.

Halfway through his wash, he suddenly heard knocking at the courtyard gate.

“Who is it, so late at night!”

Zhang Fangyuan wanted to finish rinsing before going out. At this hour, it was most likely Chen Si. Letting that stinking kid wait a bit was no big deal. However, the knocking outside grew increasingly urgent. Irritated, he grabbed a cloth hanging nearby, wrapped it around his waist, and walked out, muttering, “What's the rush? Can't you let a man…”

Xu He was worried Zhang Fangyuan might already be asleep. He raised his hand to knock more forcefully when the courtyard gate was suddenly pulled open.

Zhang Fangyuan stood there bare-chested, water droplets still streaming from the tips of his hair, tracing a path down from his collarbone over his firm, full chest. Xu He's eyes widened in surprise. Seeing the man wearing only a thin cloth tied around his waist for washing, he quickly averted his gaze.

Zhang Fangyuan also hadn't expected the visitor to be Xu He. He wanted to grab something to cover himself, but there was nothing readily available in the yard. He could only half-cover his body with his hands. “What's wrong?”

Avoiding eye contact, Xu He briefly explained his father's situation. “I wanted to borrow your horse and cart to quickly fetch a doctor from town.”

Zhang Fangyuan's brow furrowed. Without unnecessary words, he said, “The horse is in the backyard. Go ahead and lead it out directly. I'll go inside to put on some clothes.”

With that, he strode back into the house. Xu He quickly followed.

By the time Xu He led the sturdy black horse to the front courtyard, Zhang Fangyuan had also come out, having thrown on an outer robe. He was moving so hastily, he hadn't even put on an underrobe, the clothes just hastily tied. Zhang Fangyuan's chest was partially exposed, his damp hair loose down his back. He grabbed the reins of the horse, Little Black, and swung himself onto its back in one fluid motion.

“I'll ride into town to fetch a doctor. It'll be quick. Don't worry. Go back and look after your father.”

Xu He nodded repeatedly. Just as Zhang Fangyuan was about to urge the horse forward, he remembered it wasn't right to leave Xu He alone here either. So he pulled Xu He onto the horse as well, gave him a lift partway to his home, then galloped out of the village on horseback.

Under the night sky, the horse ran swiftly, the sound of hoofbeats fading into the distance after just a few clops. Xu He didn't linger outside either and hurried back.

“He really went to town on horseback himself to fetch a doctor?”

Liu Xianglan was pacing outside the courtyard. She had been afraid Xu He wouldn't be able to persuade that formidable figure to lend his horse, never expected the man would personally make the trip. One must know the two families weren't particularly close or had much interaction.

“Yes, he's probably on the official road by now.”

“That's good, that's good. A horse is fast, fast…” The flustered Liu Xianglan breathed a slight sigh of relief. If anything serious happened to her man, she wouldn't know how to go on living either.

Xu Shaochun, however, felt somewhat uneasy. “He Ger, why would he be so kind as to agree?”

Zhang Fangyuan wasn't known for being particularly warmhearted. His temper was unpredictable. Although he occasionally brought things back for the villagers, that was just a small effort, and the villagers would reciprocate with vegetables or fruits. But having someone go to such trouble, riding to town late at night—even among blood brothers, only those on very good terms would likely be willing.

“Did you say something to him? The county exams are in the middle of the second month. I'm supposed to be betrothed to the Fei family.”

Liu Xianglan had always been partial to Xu Shaochun, but even she frowned slightly at her daughter still being preoccupied with her own marriage prospects at a time like this.

“Don't worry, I didn't mention Second Sister once.”

“Then why did he agree so readily?”

Xu He couldn't be bothered to argue with her. “Maybe he's just warmhearted.”

With that, he went inside to check on Xu Changren. There was some porridge simmering in the pot; it was about ready now. He scooped a little to give to Xu Changren.

The family waited anxiously, sitting and standing restlessly. After perhaps an hour and a half or more, the sound of hurried hoofbeats came from outside the courtyard. Liu Xianglan quickly got up to go look.

“Young man, you're so rough! This old man's bones are about to be jostled apart.”

“Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Please bear with it, Doctor Wang.” Zhang Fangyuan dismounted and helped the old doctor down, also carrying the medical kit as he walked into the house, introducing him to Liu Xianglan in passing. “This is Doctor Wang from the Shencao Hall in the city. He specializes in orthopedics."

Liu Xianglan repeatedly thanked the doctor for coming so late at night and led him inside to examine the patient.

Although Doctor Wang had complained a couple of times, once he saw the patient inside, he said no more and immediately began examining the wound and asking questions. Seeing that Xu Changren was being attended to by the doctor and Liu Xianglan, Xu He got up and, like hosting a guest, brought a stool and poured tea for Zhang Fangyuan, who was at the door.

Zhang Fangyuan looked at Xu He, his gaze soft. Though he didn't speak, when their eyes met, it was as if many words were exchanged. Taking the opportunity when handing over the tea bowl, he gently brushed the back of his hand against Xu He's hand.

The people inside were unaware of the small interaction between the two. On the contrary, Xu Shaochun assumed Zhang Fangyuan had gone to all this trouble for her own sake and hid in her room, feeling very embarrassed.

“The body just has some bumps and bruises, superficial wounds. The important thing is the leg and foot. Some bones and tendons are injured, and there's significant blood loss. He needs good nourishment and rest. 'A hundred days for injured tendons and bones.' He mustn't be busy on his feet for two or three months.”

The doctor knew country folk found it hard to stay idle and specifically emphasized this.

“He needs to go to town regularly for dressing changes and follow-up visits. It's spring, easy for infection. If the wound gets infected, it'll be troublesome.”

No one dared to object at this point, only offering profuse thanks. Liu Xianglan paid the medical fee. Doctors from the city charged high visit fees to begin with, and a midnight house call was even more expensive. Just the visit itself, not including medicine, cost over a hundred wen. Although Liu Xianglan was usually stingy, at times like this, she understood the bigger picture and knew what was most important.

“Thank you, Doctor, for making the trip so late at night.”

“It's no trouble. Shencao Hall has doctors available day and night. It's our duty. Ensure he rests well.”

Liu Xianglan nodded repeatedly. After all this commotion, it was already past midnight. Zhang Fangyuan didn't say much more either, thanked the doctor a couple of times, and then escorted him back to the town.

“Butcher Zhang, we've truly troubled you so much!”

Liu Xianglan saw him off at the courtyard gate. Zhang Fangyuan held the reins. He didn't respond to Liu Xianglan's words, only cast a meaningful glance towards the Xu house, quickly stealing a look at Xu He standing in the doorway, then spurred the horse on with his leg and rode off.

After Xu Changren's wounds had been bandaged and he was asked a few questions, he was moved to the inner room. Exhausted and weak, he fell asleep not long after lying down.

Liu Xianglan came out of the inner room, not feeling sleepy at all. With the doctor being fetched and sent back multiple times, the favor owed to Zhang Fangyuan was substantial, and she really didn't know how to repay him. She thought about giving money, but presumably he wouldn't accept it, and besides, how much money did their family have to give? Now that Xu Changren was injured, not only could he not earn money, but there would also be significant expenses. With no other man in the family to earn an income, it was truly worrisome.

Her heart was under immense pressure, but she didn't dare say much to Xu Changren. She could only curse the ruthless, black-hearted landlord who hired him, calling him ungrateful, ready to kick someone aside after use. After a while, perhaps having vented some anger, or maybe realizing that cursing here wouldn't solve anything, she called out to Xu He, who was still under the eaves washing Xu Changren's blood-stained clothes.

“He Ger, tomorrow, slaughter a duck and prepare a couple of good dishes.”

Xu He knew that preparing a good meal at a time like this was to thank Zhang Fangyuan. He didn't say much. Zhang Fangyuan had helped their family tremendously last night; it was only right to thank him. Fortunately, Liu Xianglan knew to express gratitude. Otherwise, the favor he had incurred by using his own connection… if he had to repay it himself, he truly wouldn't know how.

By offering himself? He had already promised himself before the man helped.

Thinking of this, Xu He's face didn't redden, but he felt a wave of heat rise within him. “I know.”

Liu Xianglan rubbed her temples wearily. Natural disasters and human calamities were what she feared most; bad things were truly hard to guard against. “Finish washing quickly and go back to your room. Don't disturb your father's rest.”

By the time Zhang Fangyuan returned from escorting the doctor, dawn was almost breaking. He didn't go to the Xu house but went home first, wanting to catch up on some sleep. Unfortunately, it was hard to sleep soundly during the bright daytime. He lay in bed for two shichen (four hours).

After a night of running around, the matter of Xu Changren's injury and illness actually entered his dreams. Because of it, he dreamed of some fragmented past events, which made him very uncomfortable. He woke up with a groggy head.

He remembered that in the past, Xu He had married far away to another village, becoming a second wife for an older man. It seemed it was precisely because Xu Changren fell ill. He couldn't remember the specifics, but in essence, the pillar of the Xu family suddenly collapsed. The Xu family had no sons, the household was short of money, so they wanted a high bride price and weren't picky about the groom's qualities… 

These past events, mixed into his dream, made his heart ache dully, with no outlet. He hammered his head, then suddenly his pupils constricted—

Now, Xu Changren was injured, bedridden with a wounded leg… wasn't that also the pillar collapsing?... A chill ran through his body. He suddenly sat up in bed, his eyes filled with alarm.

No, he couldn't wait any longer. He needed to marry He Ger quickly, to avoid complications!

At daybreak, he gave the horse some water, picked up his hoe, and prepared to go help in his uncle's fields, taking the opportunity to discuss with his fourth uncle about asking an elder to represent him in proposing to the Xu family.

Before he could leave, Xu He came again.

Carrying a large basket full of tender grass on his back.

Zhang Fangyuan felt heartache seeing him, but also couldn't help a wry smile. “Little Black's treatment is better than mine.”

“I didn't have time to thank you properly yesterday. My mother asked me to come invite you to our house for lunch.”

Zhang Fangyuan's brow twitched. “Are you cooking?”

“Mm.”

Zhang Fangyuan laughed. “Then last night's running around wasn't in vain.”

Xu He's eyes also curved slightly in a smile. Zhang Fangyuan rarely saw him smile and was momentarily captivated, even wanting to lock him in his own courtyard and not let him leave. But Xu He said, “I still have to go home and work. I won't delay any longer.”

“Mm, alright…” Watching him about to leave, he suddenly called out to him again. “He Ger, do you believe me?”

Xu He was puzzled.

“Do you believe that no matter what I say or do, my sole intention is to marry you?”

Xu He didn't know why he was saying this, but he still nodded slightly. If he weren't sincere, why would he be so willing to help?

Zhang Fangyuan smiled. “That's good.”

 

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