A Good Country Wife
Chapter 581 - 576_1

Chapter 581: Chapter 576_1

"Wasn’t my brother considerably better, why is he coughing so severely now, could he have caught a cold again?" Lin Qing was coughing harshly at the moment, unable to utter a word, so Lin Yue had no choice but to ask Zhou Shi, who was nearby. Her tone involuntarily carried a hint of reproach, seeming to blame Zhou Shi for not taking good care of Lin Qing.

Zhou Shi felt wronged in her heart. How could she not attend to this son of hers meticulously, whom she valued more than anything? Yet, because she was more concerned about her son’s condition, she didn’t argue with Lin Yue and just bore with it. She explained Lin Qing’s situation to Lin Yue, hoping Lin Yue would quickly come up with a solution or invite Doctor Zheng for another visit to examine Lin Qing.

"Erya, I see your brother’s cough has worsened. If this continues, it won’t do. Your brother is still so young, and it would be bad if he were to develop a chronic condition. I know you are compassionate and fond of your brother. Why not invite Doctor Zheng again to examine him? I really don’t know what’s going on. For the sake of your brother’s health, I dare not let him go outside and catch a chill. I have him rest well indoors, but his cough is getting worse and worse. My heart truly cannot rest at ease."

Lin Yue saw that Zhou Shi was genuinely anxious, even that stepfather of hers, who always hid in the background and refused to intervene, couldn’t help but show his face in front of her because of Lin Qing’s condition, his face full of worry. They truly resembled a pair of loving parents, indefatigable in their care for their son—of course, only for Lin Qing. As for her, their loss-making daughter, they were truly heartless, only thinking of extracting benefits from her.

Both Lin Qing and their aunt had hinted that she had an older sister, many years her senior, who was also casually married off by Lin Youfu and Zhou Shi because of the dowry. They didn’t even prepare a proper dowry for her. Resenting this, her sister had cut off contact with the family for many years. Lin Qing had tried to visit his sister several times, and partly because of the way their parents had treated her—and partly because of Lin Qing—she held disdain for this brother and was unwilling to maintain contact. Lin Qing eventually gave up. Just two years ago, he had run into his sister at the market. She didn’t seem to be living well.

Lin Yue had long seen through Lin Youfu and Zhou Shi. Regardless, these foster parents did have one merit: they genuinely cared for Lin Qing as their son, valuing him even more than their own lives. This was not something trivial. Since Lin Qing treated her well, that reason alone was enough for Lin Yue not to hold grudges against Lin Youfu and Zhou Shi.

Moreover, Lin Yue, moved by Zhao Yunxiang’s situation, had grown more tolerant of these foster parents. Thus, when Zhou Shi made the request, Lin Yue did not make it difficult and agreed, "Given my brother’s condition, it’s indeed time to invite Doctor Zheng to see him. Doctor Zheng has prescribed a remedy for my brother before, but now it doesn’t seem very effective. It would be good to ask if he should try a different prescription."

Though Lin Qing was coughing violently, he overheard every word of the conversation between his parents and sister. These past few days, his sickness had already cost his sister a considerable amount of silver coins, not to mention the support she provided for the household expenses. Although his mother used house rent as the excuse, Lin Qing clearly understood that his sister had offered the silver to help the family. Otherwise, given his sister’s current abilities, his mother would not really have any leverage over her.

"There’s no need to invite Doctor Zheng. My cold is already mostly better; it’s no trouble. A cough is not really an illness—it will clear up in a couple of days. Hasn’t Doctor Zheng already prescribed medicine? Let’s just stick with that for now. Medicine doesn’t work instantly. It’s really unnecessary to urgently invite Doctor Zheng again; it’s just too wasteful of silver coins." Barely managing to suppress his cough, Lin Qing spoke up quickly.

"Child, which is more important to you, your health or silver? Silver can be earned back, but if your health fails, what are we to do? Your father and I have only you to carry on the family line. If anything were to happen to you, how could we go on? Besides, with Yunxiang now living in wealth, she wouldn’t bat an eye at the cost of treating your illness. Getting you well is what truly matters." With Lin Yue around, why should Madam Zhou worry about the cost? Doctor Zheng was brought in by Yunxiang, and naturally, it was Yunxiang who paid him. Madam Zhou made her calculations well; Lin Yue couldn’t possibly neglect her own brother’s health. Besides, in her heart, her son was indeed more valuable than any silver. For the sake of this son, the family had almost exhausted all their resources.

Upon hearing his mother say this, Lin Qing was even less willing to accept it. Already feeling guilty towards his sister, he didn’t want to owe her too much. "Mother, it isn’t right for a married sister to pay for her brother’s medical expenses, and the money at my sister’s house isn’t easily come by either—it’s earned through the hard work of my sister and brother-in-law. It makes no sense for them to shoulder the cost for my sake. Our family has already wronged her enough. If you do this and my brother-in-law finds out, how could she hold her head high in front of him? She is your daughter too. Why won’t you think of her?"

Lin Qing’s voice rose with emotion, and the agitation triggered another fit of coughing. Lin Youfu and Madam Zhou were both afraid and distressed by their son’s condition. Seeing their son upset, they dared not continue their pleas for fear of aggravating him. They knew well how protective he was of his sister Yunxiang; after all, they were siblings who had grown up together, with a strong and close bond from childhood. When they had sold Yunxiang, their son had been furious with them. If not for his filial piety and their tearful entreaties, who knows how badly things might have escalated? They had also been made to promise that from now on, they would not go against Lin Qing’s wishes—at least not in front of him.

In fact, just as Madam Zhou had said, Lin Yue wouldn’t fuss over such a small medical expense. Having agreed to bring in Doctor Zheng, it was understood that she would pay. Seeing Lin Qing so concerned for her, Lin Yue felt gratified. Her care and effort were not in vain; her brother was worth all her support.

"Brother, don’t worry," she said. "It’s just a bit of medical expense. Can’t your sister afford it? You know what kind of man Zhao Erhu is; he would never think poorly of me for this. Besides, I earned this money myself, so I have every right to spend it as I please. Getting you well soon is what will put my mind at ease, so leave it to me."

Dalang also cared deeply for his uncle. Upon hearing Lin Yue’s words, he volunteered without waiting for her to ask, "Mother, you stay here with Uncle. I’ll go to my uncle’s house and fetch Doctor Zheng."

Lin Yue, comforted by Dalang’s growing sense of responsibility, nodded her approval. She couldn’t deny the boy’s sincere offer. "Alright then, take Erhu with you. Inform Doctor Zheng about Uncle’s condition and ask him to come treat your uncle. Be careful on the road."

"Don’t worry, Mother, I will handle everything properly," Dalang assured her.

Even though Madam Zhou had her grievances about these young burdens, she couldn’t help but view them more favorably now that they were showing such understanding and carrying gifts to her door. Reluctantly, she complimented them, "These children are quite sensible after all."