Chapter 211: Only 2 Paths

The doctor wrote a prescription, but Gu Zhong stared at it, at a complete loss. It was already this late, and the city gates were closed. Where could he possibly get the medicine?

The doctor had no solution either. After a moment’s thought, he gave them a bottle of pills. "One pill at a time. Crush it into a powder and feed it to her."

Shanzimama paid the consultation fee, and Gu Rong drove the doctor away in the cart.

Gu Zhang said, "I still have some antiseptic medicine left. I’ll have my eldest son bring it over in a bit. Use that for now. First thing tomorrow morning, when the city gates open, hurry and get the prescription filled, then come back and brew the medicine."

Shanzimama and Shanzi stood by the door, not daring to leave. Shanzimama whispered, "My son caused this mess. Give the prescription to him. Have him go get the medicine tomorrow."

Gu Zhong’s face was grim. He said nothing.

Gu Zhang then handed the prescription to Shanzi.

Ms. Qian suddenly burst out of the room, grabbed Shanzi, and started hitting him. "If anything happens to my Xing’er, I’ll kill you!"

Gu Zhang barked, "Enough!"

’This sister-in-law of mine is a complete and utter fool!’

’She never should have made such a scene in the first place. When she discovered their secret affair, she should have questioned them quietly and dealt with it discreetly.’

’And even if she was going to make a scene, she shouldn’t have made such an exorbitant demand, forcing Shanzi to spout nonsense and escalating the situation until it was beyond saving.’

Gu Zhong came out, his face stern, and pulled Ms. Qian back.

Gu Zhang, suppressing his impatience, said, "Sister-in-law, stop making a racket. Xing’er is injured and needs to rest quietly."

"Her condition is still uncertain. Nothing you say right now is going to help."

He looked at Shanzi, his expression cold. "You and your mother should go home, too. Remember to get the medicine first thing in the morning."

Shanzimama thanked Gu Zhang, then dragged the dazed Shanzi away.

Gu Zhang sighed, called for Gu Fei, and the two of them went home.

When they got home, he told Gu Qing to find the antiseptic medicine and have it sent over to Xing’er.

The next morning, Gu Fei ate breakfast, planning to go into the city. But then she thought of Xing’er, so she filled a bowl with white rice porridge and made another trip to the estate.

Shanzi had already returned with the medicine. It was now brewing on a stove in the covered walkway.

Xing’er had been moved to a side room. She was awake, but not doing well. Her face deathly pale, she was lying on the bed. When Gu Fei walked in, Xing’er was leaning over the edge of the bed, vomiting into a basin on the floor.

Shanzimama was beside her, taking care of her.

’Vomiting could be a symptom of a concussion, but it could also indicate intracranial bleeding.’ Gu Fei couldn’t tell which it was.

After she finished vomiting, Xing’er lay back on the bed, gasping for breath.

When Shanzimama saw Gu Fei come in, she gave her an ingratiating smile. "Little Fei, could you talk with her for a bit? I’ll be right back."

Gu Fei placed the porridge on the table. "Feeling any better? You should eat something, or you’ll have no strength left."

Xing’er weakly raised a hand and shook her head slightly. "Don’t worry about me. My mother and grandmother don’t care about me. I figure I only have a few days left anyway. It’ll be a relief to be dead."

Gu Fei was truly at a loss for words. "Death is certainly peaceful, but what if you don’t die? What will you do then?"

Xing’er gasped for breath. "If I don’t die, I’ll just try again. It’s not like the great river has a lid on it. I’ll go drown myself."

Gu Fei frowned. "If you don’t want to marry him, then don’t. Is it really worth killing yourself over?"

Her voice softened. "Don’t worry. My father has already warned everyone. No one will spread this around, and they definitely won’t start any nasty rumors."

’At most, the people on the estate would just gossip about it amongst themselves for a bit.’

Xing’er gave a smile of utter despair. "You don’t understand. Second Uncle, Second Aunt, and your brothers all dote on you. If you were in trouble, they would definitely protect you. But in my family, my mother just wants to trade me for silver, and my father—he has to earn silver, he doesn’t have time to care about me." She paused. "I only have two paths: get married, or die."