A Good Country Wife
Chapter 576 - 570 - _1

Chapter 576: 570 Chapter_1

Having not slept well last night, Lin Yue went to bed early after dinner and slept soundly without dreams until the next morning. Zhao Yunxiang’s condition had been stable for the past two days, and Doctor Zheng said it was no problem to wait three or four more days. Lin Yue could have waited another day before visiting again, but remembering Lin Qing’s cough, she decided to go to Shanglin Village early in the morning. Based on previous experiences, Lin Yue brought along plenty of food and necessities, and even her own bedding; the load was too much to travel light. Being practical, she didn’t inconvenience herself—one carriage for goods, another for passengers. After all, what’s the use of money if not for comfort?

Recalling the young grandson at her maternal aunt’s home, Lin Yue had Xixi fetch quite a few pastries from the kitchen. Since it was her first visit to her aunt’s home after her marriage, it was only proper to bring gifts. She also selected several fine cotton fabrics and two pieces of silk from the storeroom and took some homemade items, as well as a few trinkets Zhao Erhu had brought back from the West.

When Lin Yue arrived in Shanglin Village, Doctor Zheng had already arrived; a truly dedicated physician. Of course, his friendship with the Zhao Erhu couple also played a part. As Lin Yue entered the room, Doctor Zheng had just finished taking Zhao Yunxiang’s pulse.

"Doctor Zheng, how is my sister’s condition today?" Lin Yue asked, concerned. She couldn’t help but feel that Zhao Yunxiang looked worse than she had over the past two days. She couldn’t falter now, and Lin Yue had no idea where Zhao Erhu could be.

"She’s been struggling through. She used up a lot of energy yesterday. I’m afraid the lady has almost reached her limit. Even with the utmost effort, I’m afraid we only have three or four days left at most. Do you know where Erhu has reached and how long it will take for him to return?" Doctor Zheng sighed. It was only because of Mrs. Lin’s insistence that he was willing to expend so much effort on someone who was destined to die.

Lin Yue shook her head; she had no idea where Zhao Erhu had gone. This wasn’t the modern world where a phone call could update you on someone’s whereabouts. Besides, they didn’t have resources such as a Hidden Guard or other highly skilled personnel, so their information network wasn’t very efficient.

"All we can do now is what we’ve been doing. Is the hundred-year-old Old Ginseng still sufficient? I’ve brought another piece just in case. Don’t worry about conserving it for me; just do your best to keep my sister going for a few more days."

"No need for that, the one piece is quite enough. Everything has its proper dosage. No matter how good the Old Ginseng is, it shouldn’t be used carelessly. Too much can actually be harmful. Now it all depends on Madame Zhao herself. It seems she wants to see Erhu before she passes, so she’s holding on. As long as her will remains, I’ll do my best to sustain her until the day Erhu returns."

Zhao Yunxiang, indeed, as Doctor Zheng said, was holding on by sheer willpower, hoping to see Zhao Erhu one last time. It wasn’t just because she had always been closer to her brother, but also to seek Erhu’s forgiveness for past issues. Most importantly, she wanted to entrust her family’s care to Zhao Erhu. Ultimately, in her final days, Zhao Yunxiang was still calculating for the sake of her husband’s family.

Zhao Yunxiang had accurately predicted Zhao Erhu’s character, knowing that if she asked, he would certainly not refuse her dying wish. So, for the sake of her husband and children, she would persist at all costs. Some words had to be spoken personally to be effective. Although Zhao Yunxiang no longer resented Lin Yue and was even grateful to her, deep down, she was still dubious, not fully trusting her. Suspicion and distrust are, after all, a common aspect of human nature.

As for Lin Genfa, Zhao Yunxiang very much understood her husband, that he would absolutely not tell Zhao Erhu such things. After all, he felt that he already owed a great deal to Zhao Erhu and his wife, and was already too late to repay the favor and gratitude. How could he burden Zhao Erhu further? Zhao Yunxiang didn’t wish to either, but the situation at home didn’t allow her to think too much. Her husband and son were more important than her brother, so she could only apologize to her brother.

Even with feelings of guilt, Zhao Yunxiang never changed her mind. Since the day she married Lin Genfa, this family had been the most important thing in her heart. Now the family had been reduced to this state due to her illness, having sold all their land, poorer than when she had married Lin Genfa. Once she permanently fell asleep, what would Lin Genfa and the children do? Therefore, she could only entrust her husband and children to Zhao Erhu, who, with his current wealth and status, would not find it hard to take on this responsibility.

Lin Yue was aware of the principle Dr. Zheng had mentioned, that the will of a person could sometimes overcome anything. As long as Zhao Yunxiang kept her faith, although recovery was impossible, holding on until Zhao Erhu’s return held great hope.

"Big sister, Erhu is on his way back and will arrive in a few days. You have always been close since you were young and surely want to see him one last time. You must hold on," Lin Yue encouraged Zhao Yunxiang, fearing she might not have the strength to persist, unaware of Zhao Yunxiang’s thoughts.

"Don’t worry, sister-in-law, I will definitely wait for Erhu to come back. He is my most dearly cared for brother. I must see him one last time; otherwise, I won’t have peace in leaving," Zhao Yunxiang, seeing Lin Yue’s efforts, felt genuinely grateful. She was not without guilt, but even her brother wasn’t as important as her husband and sons. Thus, the sister-in-law naturally couldn’t compare to the weight her husband and children held in her heart, so she just nodded firmly, settling Lin Yue’s concerns.

After leaving Zhao Yunxiang’s room, Lin Yue didn’t forget about Lin Qing’s situation either, mentioning it to Dr. Zheng. Since Dr. Zheng had come to Shanglin Village, he had already planned to visit Lin Qing. With Lin Yue bringing it up, they went together.

"Young Master Lin’s cold is mostly healed, and if he continues to take the prescription I wrote for three more days, he should recover quite well. As for his cough, it is a sequela due to the prolonged duration of his cold. It is not of great concern. I will write another prescription to be taken with the previous medicines. As long as he rests more, avoids catching cold again, and takes good care, he should slowly recover."

Lin Yue had intended to tell Dr. Zheng about the remedy she knew, to see if it could be of use. However, seeing Dr. Zheng’s confidence, she didn’t speak up. It didn’t matter what remedy was used, as long as the illness could be cured. Lin Yue had great faith in Dr. Zheng’s medical skills.

Mrs. Zhou was overjoyed to hear Dr. Zheng say this, it seemed that her son was truly getting better. At first, when Lin Qing barely could get up from the bed, she thought her son was beyond help. Surely all those doctors she had seen before were incompetent, taking so much of her money for their consultation fees and only making things worse. Dr. Zheng truly lived up to his reputation as a famous doctor in Xin’an City. Mrs. Zhou was grateful, thanking Dr. Zheng profusely, though she didn’t have anything substantial to offer in return. Naturally, Lin Yue was the one who paid for the additional medical expenses.