When Gu Qingyun reached home, the hearth was already lit and the fire was burning bright. Seeing her return with a pale face, Old Lady Zhang and Lady Su were overcome with worry.
“How did you come back injured after only being out for a few days? Does it hurt?”
Gu Qingyun shook her head and said softly, “It’s fine, just a minor injury. I’ll be better after resting for a couple of days. Oh, by the way, Grandma, I didn't get to eat the sauce-stuffed tofu and red-braised fish I asked for last time I left. Remember to make them for me tomorrow, Grandma. I’ve been thinking about them the whole time.”
Hearing this, Old Lady Zhang pointed at one of the male cousins who had just walked through the door after finishing the day's food business.
“Yifeng, go buy two blocks of tofu right now. Buy some bones too. If there are any old hens available, bring one back. Qingyun is injured; she needs to be nourished.”
“Aye, I’m going right now.” Gu Yifeng pulled back the foot he had just stepped inside with and turned to jog away.
...
At the dinner table, Gu Qingyun felt a bit embarrassed as she looked at the large bowl of chicken soup before her. She used her chopsticks to pick out a chicken leg and placed it in Xiao Guai’s bowl. Just as she picked up the ladle to serve everyone a bowl, Old Lady Zhang stopped her.
“We don't need any. If you give everyone a bowl, what will be left for you? Xiao Guai is the youngest, so it's fine that you gave her a leg, but you absolutely mustn't share any more with us. Focus on nursing your health. If we want to eat some, we can just buy another one next time.”
“Exactly, Qingyun, don't worry about us. We aren't going to let ourselves go hungry here. You’re the one who’s always out there braving the elements. Lately, we’ve been researching new dishes. Once I succeed, remember to help me do a taste test.”
Surrounded by her family and their genuine concern, a smile surfaced in Gu Qingyun’s eyes. “Alright.”
As she drank the chicken soup made with love by her elders, the warmth seeped directly into her heart.
“The chicken soup made by Grandma, Mother, and my two aunts is truly delicious. Even the ordinary greens taste better than anyone else’s. I can always eat a large bowl of them.”
Lady Su and the others narrowed their eyes in happy smiles.
“If you like it, we’ll brew more for you tomorrow. We know you love fish, but since you’re injured now, you can’t eat anything with a fishy scent. It would hinder your recovery.”
“Fine, I’ll get to drink more of this delicious soup tomorrow then,” Gu Qingyun replied.
Lady Zhao looked at Gu Qingyun’s two male cousins. “Yiyun, get up earlier tomorrow and go to the market with Yifeng to buy two chickens. Make sure you pick the plump ones.”
“Understood, Mother.”
Gu Qingyun sipped the hot chicken soup, its warmth reaching deep within her. It wasn't self-praise, but her family members were truly the best.
Back in the countryside, her older brothers and sisters had always taken great care of her, and it was even more so now. She was more than happy to spend some silver to ensure her family lived well.
Gu Qingyun, who hadn't eaten or drank well for several days, not only finished a large bowl of chicken soup but also ate the entire chicken and several bowls of rice. She ate until she was more than full.
Seeing this, Old Lady Zhang had someone take some hawthorn slices and boil them into a juice for her to drink, all while offering detailed instructions.
“Even if it’s delicious, you can’t eat so voraciously. You’re not like you were before. You’re injured now, so you must eat in moderation. Once you’re fully recovered, I won’t meddle so much.”
After dinner, Gu Qingyun didn't rest immediately. Instead, she told her family about what had happened in the mountain village.
Gu Qingling and the others were the type who couldn't stay idle. They had been in the kitchen washing pots and pans, but upon hearing her story, they each pulled up a chair and circled around her, listening intently.
When they heard about the girls being sacrificed, Old Lady Zhang slapped her hands together in fury.
“These people have no conscience! Those children came from their own bellies; how could they bear to feed their daughters to a snake? To think they were all raised for several years only to be gone—it’s truly a sin.”
Lady Su was more emotional, and her eyes reddened as she heard this. “Sigh, those children... I hope they can be born into kind families in their next lives and grow up healthy.”
Gu Qingyu and the others felt immensely grateful to have been born into the reasonable Gu family. They might not have lived in luxury, but they hadn't been beaten or scolded, and they had grown into healthy adults.
Back then, when the family’s circumstances were poor, it was already remarkable that they had been able to raise every one of them. Not to mention now, when Gu Qingyu had returned home after her divorce and the family had still accepted her.
When Old Lady Zhang heard about the battle with the giant serpent, she prodded Gu Qingyun’s forehead with her finger in annoyance.
“What am I supposed to say to you? I told you not to push yourself and to let the taller ones handle things. No wonder you came back injured this time; that was far too dangerous.”
Gu Qingyun argued softly, “Grandma, at that moment, I was the tallest one there. If I didn't step up, that giant serpent would have swallowed everyone one by one. They’re all my colleagues, so I couldn't just stand by and watch them die. Besides, I was confident. If I couldn't win, I could have run. Rest assured, Grandma.”
“In our line of work, minor injuries are normal. It’s fine. Besides, Grandma, look at my martial prowess. Look at how strong these long legs of mine are. I’m not boasting, but I’m one of the top experts in Jiangyin County.”
Old Lady Zhang, Lady Su, and the others were all dumbfounded. Since becoming a Constable, Qingyun was becoming more and more full of herself—not a shred of humility left.
Gu Qingyun looked at them. “Grandma, you should have seen the looks of gratitude on their faces when I saved them. It’s still vivid in my mind. More importantly, Grandma, look at this.”
Gu Qingyun took out the money bag. She had already set aside fifteen taels for herself, and now she poured the remaining fifteen taels onto the table.
“Look at this. I saved them, and this is the family’s thank-you gift. This silver is enough for our whole family to eat and drink for a year.”
Old Lady Zhang looked at her crossly. “I don't care. From now on, turn down field missions whenever you can. Just stick to patrolling the nights steadily. As long as the whole family is safe and together, that’s enough. I don't need you to earn big money; I just want you to stay safe.”
Gu Qingyun didn't respond directly, instead changing the subject. “Grandma, let me tell you more about why that mountain village had those sacrifices. Actually, that serpent was quite innocent at the beginning...”
Having finally coaxed Old Lady Zhang and the others into a better mood, Gu Qingyun went straight back to her room. She had been on the road for the past few days and had been faking an injury, so she hadn't cultivated for several days.
This time, she cultivated for a full two hours before exhaling. She opened her eyes, her face filled with joy; it felt as though her power had advanced another notch.
“Meow.” Little Black looked up from Gu Qingyun’s lap.
Gu Qingyun gently stroked its small head twice. “When did you get back? I didn't see you when I first arrived. Were you out catching mice again? Little Black, with you around, not a single mouse dares to come near our house. You’ve come at the perfect time; I have a gift for you.”
Gu Qingyun took out the snake gall and placed it before the cat. Looking at the snake gall which emanated spiritual energy, Little Black couldn't help but swallow its saliva. It could sense that eating this would be of great benefit.
It rubbed its small head against Gu Qingyun’s hand. “Meow.” Thank you, Master.
Gu Qingyun chuckled. “You’re welcome. Go ahead and eat.”
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