Chapter 22: Seeking a Way Out
Doctor Lu nodded immediately. "Of course I can. Spikemoss isn’t as common as other wound medicines, and its effects are so good. If you can really find some, it’ll definitely sell for a good price. I can help you, but the way you look right now—"
Bai Zhi waved her hand dismissively. "I’m fine. It’s just some scrapes. Kids from the mountains aren’t that delicate. We definitely can’t stay in the Bai Family for long. It’s time for Mom and me to find a way out for ourselves."
Doctor Lu’s eyes filled with admiration as he looked at Bai Zhi. ’Zhi is so sensible at such a young age,’ he thought. ’If my own daughter were half as sensible as her, I wouldn’t have a worry in the world.’
Seeing that it was about to get dark, Doctor Lu didn’t stay much longer. He hurried off while there was still light to avoid being seen and becoming the subject of village gossip.
Seeing Bai Zhi close the door, Zhao Lan pulled her over to sit down. "Zhi’er," she asked, "that... Spikemoss thing you just mentioned. You weren’t just making that up, were you? This is life-saving medicine; you can’t just talk nonsense about it."
Bai Zhi chuckled. "Mom, do I look like I was making it up? Besides, didn’t you hear Doctor Lu? He knows all about the effects of Spikemoss."
Zhao Lan grew even more puzzled. "Then how did you know about it?" ’My daughter seems different,’ she thought. ’She’s more talkative than before, and the things she says are so strange—things she’s never said before.’
"I just overheard some people talking about it when I was out digging for wild vegetables. I never thought the information would come in handy. Alright, Mom, let’s get to sleep. It’s been a long day."
Zhao Lan let herself be coaxed into bed and soon put the matter out of her mind. ’My daughter has changed, but it’s a good change. This is a wonderful thing, something to be happy about. Why should I worry?’
Early the next morning, Mrs. Yingzi and Yingzi arrived in the Bai Family’s courtyard. They saw Old Mrs. Bai feeding the chickens and Mrs. Yingzi asked, "Is Zhao Lan home?"
Old Mrs. Bai straightened up and looked at Mrs. Yingzi with curiosity. ’This woman actually came to our Bai Family looking for Zhao Lan? Now I’ve seen everything.’
Mrs. Yingzi was a girl from the city. Because she had gotten older without finding a suitable husband, she ended up marrying into this mountain village. Her family provided a large dowry, and her wedding was a grand affair that was the envy of many.
Being from the city, she rarely socialized with the village women and always seemed to carry herself with an air of superiority, looking down on them. She especially looked down on Zhao Lan, who was bullied day in and day out.
And she was actually here looking for Zhao Lan?
"You need her for something?" Old Mrs. Bai’s eyes scanned over to Yingzi, who was standing beside her mother. Yingzi was carrying a small bamboo basket, which was covered with a piece of floral cloth, obscuring what was inside.
Although she couldn’t see what was inside, she knew one thing for certain: there was definitely something in that basket.
Mrs. Yingzi had lived in the village for many years. How could she not know what kind of person Old Mrs. Bai was? She knew all too well the status Zhao Lan and Bai Zhi held in this family. If the old woman found out what was in her hands, there would be nothing left for the mother and daughter.
Mrs. Yingzi smiled. "It’s nothing. I just have something to ask her." She turned her head to look at the dilapidated hut where Zhao Lan lived, which was now truly in ruins. Remembering the downpour from the previous afternoon, her expression changed, and she asked urgently, "What happened to this house? Are Zhao Lan and Zhi alright?"
Old Mrs. Bai waved her hand dismissively. "What could happen to them? Lowly people have tough lives. They didn’t sleep here last night; they stayed at Hu Changlin’s house. If you’re looking for her, go find her there." After saying her piece, she started muttering more foul insults under her breath.
Mrs. Yingzi frowned and quickly pulled Yingzi away. ’I can’t let those nasty words dirty Yingzi’s ears,’ she thought, her heart filling with utter disgust for Old Mrs. Bai.