Chapter 408: You Did Your Best
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
In the past, his pampered life was like a debt that he had no choice but to repay. Little Uncle Ning was forced to go from a fake young master who didn’t have to do anything to a laborer. He could only face the yellow soil with his back to the sky and work hard in exchange for food to survive. Only then did he realize that life wasn’t easy, but there was no turning back in life. He could only grit his teeth and work hard to survive.
As he tossed and turned, he had also wondered if he would not have to live like this now if he had treated Eldest Brother and the others better in the past. However, he was soon so tired that he did not have the strength to reminisce and regret.
There was also Little Aunt Ning. When she colluded with the Lei Family, she thought that she could achieve meteoric success. However, she went for wool and came home shorn. The two people from the Lei Family disappeared without a trace. She had no backing or money, but she was lazy. After a while, she actually entered a brothel like Second Aunt Ning…
However, she was not as tactful as Second Aunt Ning, who had accepted her fate after experiencing the world. She always harbored a dream. She was even picky and disdainful when she received guests and was taught a lesson.
County Magistrate Shen skipped this part, mainly because he didn’t want to dirty Xiaoxiao’s ears, considering that she was still young.
Unknowingly, they chatted for more than half a day. Xiaoxiao saw County Magistrate Shen’s desire in his expectant eyes, so she took over the cooking job.
Madam Song and Ning Anhui were supposed to eat in the rented courtyard together. Before they started cooking in the afternoon, they received Ning Fengnian’s message that he wanted them to go to official fields to eat with County Magistrate Shen. The two of them did not think too much about it. Anyway, this was not the first time they had a meal with County Magistrate Shen.
Moreover, they had specially invited Doctor Gongsun, who had just returned from the border, to check Madam Song’s pulse. It was obvious that he really treated the Ning Family as one of his own.
Ning Anhui asked politely, “Doctor Gongsun, do you want to go with us?”
He just wanted to be polite, but he thought that the quiet and aloof Doctor Gongsun would reject him. Unexpectedly, he tidied up the first aid kit and said cooperatively, “Okay.”
Ning Anhui suspected that he had met a fake Doctor Gongsun today. However, he did not know that Gongsun Zhongjing had been counting the days on the way out.
Madam Song was about to give birth, but she was still walking as if she was flying. Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but rush over to support her. “Mother, slow down!”
Madam Song was stunned. “Xiaoxiao? Am I dreaming?”
Xiaoxiao placed her hand on her face. “Touch it. Isn’t it tender? It’s not a dream!”
Wasn’t this familiar playfulness this little girl that people missed?!
“You’re finally back! It’s been almost a year since you left! If you didn’t come back, I wouldn’t even remember what you looked like!” Although her words were exaggerated, Madam Song’s tears fell as she spoke.
The pregnant woman’s emotions fluctuated greatly, and Madam Song couldn’t stop crying. Her heart ached so much that Ning Fengnian didn’t know where to put his hands and feet. Xiaoxiao also tried her best to wheedle and pretend to be obedient. She even specially sat beside Madam Song and served her a whole meal before coaxing her.
After recovering her emotions, Madam Song felt a little embarrassed. However, she could not help but be happy when she realized that Xiaoxiao still took her to heart after acknowledging her biological parents. Anyway, her emotions were fluctuating, making Xiaoxiao very surprised.
Knowing that the imperial envoy sent by the Imperial Court was Rong Yan, Madam Song looked around in confusion. “Then where is he?”
Rong Yan was worried that everyone would be reserved and not be able to eat well because of his identity, so he specially didn’t come. However, of course, Xiaoxiao couldn’t say that. “He went to do his work first.”
Then, she greeted Gongsun Zhongjing. “Doctor Gongsun, it’s been a long time. After the battle subsided, you came back without waiting for us. We didn’t even have time to thank you.”
“The soldiers and commoners in the border city have been talking about you!”
He specially left first because he was not used to such a scene. Of course, there was another important reason—
“Old Madam Li is seriously ill. I can’t delay any longer.”
Xiaoxiao asked, “How is she now?”
County Magistrate Shen coughed. “The Li Family is mourning.”
Old Madam had been stubborn all her life and avoided treatment. It was not easy for her to drag it out until now.
Doctors were not gods, so it was impossible for them to cure all the illnesses and pain in the world. Unfortunately, not everyone understood this logic. Presumably, Old Madam Li’s “loyal servants” had taken it out on Gongsun Zhongjing a lot.
Just as she thought of this, she saw that Gongsun Zhongjing’s face was red, but it was obvious that he was not shy from being praised.
Xiaoxiao glanced at the cup beside his hand. “Father, did you pour wine for Doctor Gongsun?”
Ning Fengnian said as if nothing had happened, “Ah, the fruit wine you brewed is sweet. I thought it tasted good, so I poured it for Doctor Gongsun.”
He turned around and realized that something was wrong. “Ah, is Doctor Gongsun drunk? Your Second Brother and I usually use it as a palette cleanser…”
Xiaoxiao was speechless. Who could compare to the two of you in terms of alcohol tolerance?
The medicine page was about to cry. “My young master is not good at drinking. He only drinks during the New Year. Even if he has something to drink about, he can only drink a small cup. How many cups is this?”
Xiaoxiao didn’t know either. Fortunately, her Father didn’t take out the big bowl at home. Otherwise, it would be a problem if Gongsun Zhongjing could still sit.
“Why don’t you take care of your young master first? I’ll cook some hangover soup first.”
That was the only way. The medicine page did not blame the Ning Family. Master Ning had clearly told Young Master that it was wine, but why was Young Master, a self-disciplined person, so greedy today?
The red-faced Gongsun Zhongjing refused to let go of the fruit wine and fought with the medicine page for it. The medicine page didn’t dare to hurt him with all his might and definitely couldn’t let him drink it again. They were in a stalemate for a moment. Hence, Ning Anhui, who couldn’t stand it anymore, raised his hand to restrain him and snatched the wine jar away in one go.
Gongsun Zhongjing was quite well-behaved. He did not force it when the jar was taken. He just lay on the table and did not move.
When Xiaoxiao came back with the hangover soup, he was still the same. He refused to leave no matter who pulled him. She glanced at Gongsun Zhongjing’s seemingly calm expression and said in a low voice, “You did your best.”
Gongsun Zhongjing buried his head in his arms and said in a muffled voice, “If I had come back earlier, perhaps…”
Xiaoxiao shook her head and put down the hangover soup. “The doctor can treat illnesses, but he can’t change one’s fate. It’s human nature to die of old age. At least with you around, she didn’t suffer too much when she left.”
Old Madam’s illness had mutated. If not for Gongsun Zhongjing’s prompt decision, she would have been in pain and wailing every day even if she spent all her gold and silver every day after the illness acted up. Now that she had passed away, her organs were probably exhausted and she was at the end of her rope. However, she had seen the prescription Gongsun Zhongjing gave her. According to the space, they were all good medicines that could reduce pain.
It could be seen that although Doctor Gongsun said that he would ignore her and let her do whatever she wanted, he was actually using his own method to let her leave with dignity.
“Doctor Gongsun, you’ve done very well. Not only is your conscience clear, but you also didn’t let anyone in the Li Family down. However, if you continue to waste your body like this, you’ll be letting yourself down..”
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