The matter of the giant snake that appeared last night was also mentioned by Wu Dalei to his family.
Now, it was so frightening that Madam Wu scrambled to run, limping.
"Hey, Mother, your leg," Wu Dalei stared blankly.
The person concerned was stunned. Looking down, she saw that her swollen knee had indeed subsided.
At this moment, Madam Wu, looking confused, took a few more steps.
Although she was still limping, she could walk now: "Hey? It's much better."
Her pupils contracted, and she looked at the Meng family with joy in her eyes: "I really have to thank the Meng family's daughter-in-law. This... this is too good."
Madam Wu had been limping for over a month. She had to be turned every day, otherwise, in this hot weather, she would have developed bedsores.
"Yes, Mother, you must remember the kindness of the Meng family from now on."
As she spoke, Zhaodi also woke up, cradling her baby and playing with it:
"My milk came in last night, and the baby is full today."
When Wu Dalei and Madam Wu heard this, they exchanged glances: "Really?"
"Mother, this is all thanks to the care of the Meng family's sister-in-law. It's wonderful, the baby won't suffer, and Mother, you won't have to suffer either."
Wu Dalei was tearful, thinking how much virtue his ancestors had accumulated for him to meet people from the Meng family.
"Don't be so tearful. As a person, you shouldn't forget your roots. I just don't like to argue with you. As for words of gratitude, keep them to yourself."
Cai Lihua, who was on the other side, had already heard the commotion.
She didn't stop her work, and had to pack things up.
For breakfast, each person had a peach, plus the leftover Dragon Phoenix Fighting from last night, and that was it.
Of course, Cai Lihua, being a woman herself, gave half of the remaining meat to her daughter, and the rest to the Wu family's daughter-in-law.
Giving birth is not easy.
"Sister-in-law, you are right. I, Wu Dalei, am grateful..."
"Stop being grateful. We have to set off today." Cai Lihua disliked such formalities.
Unlike Meng Shaode, who felt honored when others spoke politely, this was the scholar's sense of gratitude.
But in Cai Lihua's heart, gratitude was shown through actions, not just words.
"Mother, we might have to travel all day today. We need to be economical with these watermelons and peaches," Ajiu said as she tidied up the basket.
Meng Shaode emerged from the bamboo grove. The solid bamboo arrows he had shot when he killed the snake yesterday could be collected and reused.
Everything was tidied up, and the sun was shining brightly outside.
"I made a few feather fans," Cai Lihua said, pulling three out of the basket.
Upon closer inspection, the colorful ones were made from pheasant feathers, and the dark ones were from eagle feathers.
"Mother, your craftsmanship is excellent!" Ajiu took one and examined it from all angles.
Each feather was threaded with fine strands split from hemp rope, and securely tied to bamboo strips.
"Meng shi, give me one too, so I can fan my daughter-in-law."
This time, Madam Wu spoke very politely. She carefully took it and fanned herself a few times.
The edges were trimmed neatly, and they produced a good breeze.
Ajiu also received one, fanning herself vigorously, then fanning the small bamboo cage at her waist.
Before leaving, Ajiu passed by the rock and casually stuffed the dried seeds into her pocket.
Wang shi, this time, was in a worse state. Half of her buttocks were so swollen that they made her dirty long gown bulge out conspicuously. She walked with a limp.
Seeing her stubborn expression, Ajiu knew she would say: "I'm fine."
However, Ajiu had her own thoughts. Such snake venom was extremely potent; contact with it meant certain death. Yet, Grandma claimed to have expelled it.
Could she truly be an immortal descended to earth? Otherwise, wouldn't she have been buried by now?
Ajiu glanced back at her grandmother.
Her complexion was ruddy, and apart from holding her waist, she really looked like nothing had happened.
She then recalled the time she saved her father. Hiss... could it be true?
Thinking of this, Ajiu suddenly remembered what her grandmother had said about the rain.
Ajiu slowed her steps, until she was level with Wang shi:
"Grandma, you said it could rain. Is that true?"