Zhao Dahe was startled, "Is this Xiaoshu? How did he end up like this? Is he still alive?"
"You carry him. We've got to get to the town clinic immediately," Meng Yao instructed Zhao Dahe.
Zhao Xiaoshu was filthy, covered in who-knows-what mud and grass bits, and Zhao Dahe thought this must be from the grassy earth around the mound of graves, which shared space with the dead, so he really didn't want to hold Zhao Xiaoshu.
Meng Yao coldly stared at Zhao Dahe.
Zhao Dahe's stubbornness quickly relented, resigning himself, he said, "Alright, alright, I'll carry him, okay?"
Uncle Niu, driving the ox cart, sent them to the town once again.
"This old ox of mine is really worn out today. It ran so long, it's just killing us old men," Uncle Niu sighed.
"I'll double the fare for you, Uncle Niu," Meng Yao said.
Uncle Niu smiled awkwardly, "I didn't mean to raise the fare. That's not what I meant; I just feel bad for the ox. Xiaoshu's condition isn't good, you'd better get him treated quickly."
"I know you're kind-hearted, and that's not what I meant. But it's truly a bother for you, so it's right to compensate. If you don't accept it, then what? Should we get off and walk back to town on foot right now?" Meng Yao said.
Meng Yao didn't think Uncle Niu was taking advantage of the situation. After all, hiring a whole cart, how could one expect to pay the same as sharing it with a group of others?
"Brother Zhao Ting is lucky to have such an understanding wife," Uncle Niu sighed.
The mention of Zhao Ting's name was like a switch that opened the original's memories in Meng Yao's mind.
Zhao Ting was the original's husband.
Back then, when the original was forced by the family to get married, she brought Zhao Ting back home, claiming she had already become his wife, and that if the Meng Family didn't mind losing face, then neither did she.
The Meng Family still had several daughters unbetrothed.
If they ended up marrying a disgraced daughter, wouldn't others think all the Meng daughters were disreputable?
To maintain the Meng Family's reputation, they had no choice but to claim they were taking in a son-in-law for the original.
Zhao Ting was that man who joined the family.
However, because they lost a hefty dowry, the Meng elders were furious and immediately separated the couple from them.
The original was even bolder, naming all her children Zhao.
The Meng Family gained nothing by taking in this son-in-law.
Although they didn't sever ties entirely, like Song Xiu'er did with the Song Family with formal documents, they had not interacted for these many years, even while living in the same village.
After her marriage to Zhao Ting, while not deeply in love, they treated each other with respect.
Later on, when the original became pregnant, Zhao Ting discussed with her about gathering some coin to start a small business. Buy and sell, earning some profit.
The original had excellent embroidery skills, accumulating quite a bit of silver.
Zhao Ting was also clever, and the small business went smoothly.
Their life was indeed good. The brick house they lived in now was built during that time.
But unfortunately, good times didn't last long. When Zhao Xiaoshu and Zhao Xiaohua were four, Zhao Ting never came back.
Later, someone brought news that they encountered bandits and during the escape, Zhao Ting fell into the water. They searched for several days but couldn't find the body. He likely met with misfortune; otherwise, he would have returned by then.
Initially, the original still held hope and fantasized that Zhao Ting might not be dead, maybe delayed by something. But later on, when there was no news of Zhao Ting, the original finally gave up. If he weren't dead, even if he didn't think of her, he should at least think of the children.
Gradually, many people showed up with IOUs, coming to collect debts. At that time, the original was exhausted, seeking the Meng Family's help, but the Meng Family didn't step up to support the widowed woman and her orphaned children. The original persisted by gritting her teeth, raising her children with difficulty by picking up her embroidery skills, which she had set aside since pregnancy, and selling embroidery pieces.
In this aspect, the original did have redeeming qualities.
However, within her heart, the love for Zhao Ting gradually turned into hate, a hate that deepened every time she faced difficulties.
Meng Yao guessed that by the time the original died of fright, her hatred for Zhao Ting was probably at its peak.
It's fortunate Zhao Ting is dead; otherwise, Meng Yao didn't have the confidence to hide things from the person beside her in bed.
Upon reaching the entrance of the town, Uncle Niu stopped the cart, "Hurry up and go; I'll wait here for you."
Zhao Dahe carried Zhao Xiaoshu, jogging to barely keep up with Meng Yao's pace.
Recollecting the original's memories, Meng Yao headed straight for the Hundred Herbs Hall.
It's the best clinic in town.
Besides the external injuries, Zhao Xiaoshu's main problem was the same as Song Xiu'er's.
Malnutrition caused by prolonged hunger.
How severe is it?
Zhao Xiaoshu and Zhao Xiaohua were twins, yet Zhao Xiaohua was chubby; two Zhao Xiaoshu stacked together wouldn't be as plump as one Zhao Xiaohua.
"Who is this to you?" the doctor asked solemnly after checking the pulse.
Many parents are short-tempered and hit their children, but to this extent, he hadn't come across in all his years practicing in this town.
If they're beaten, at least let them have a full meal.
Judging by bone age, he was eight or nine, yet his stature seemed like a six-year-old's.
"This is my son," Meng Yao replied.
The doctor scrutinized Meng Yao, his expression turning uglier.
If the family couldn't afford food, letting a child go hungry, he couldn't judge that.
But the appearance of this woman didn't suggest they couldn't afford food.
Meng Yao raised a hand to wipe the corner of her eye and, as she spoke again, her voice choked with emotion, "Doctor, what's wrong with my son? We have many people in the family, so I thought of sending him to a carpenter's shop in town to learn some skills, hoping he could earn a living in the future. When I left him there, the carpenter said he couldn't come home until he learned, and even family visits were forbidden. I worried day and night, incapable of resting. In my dreams, my son told me he missed home and me. Later, I dreamt he was amidst the graves. I couldn't heed the carpenter's warnings and rushed here, and didn't find him in the shop. We found him unconscious amidst the graves. If I hadn't come…"
Meng Yao sniffed and sobbed, but the doctor's face had already softened quite a bit.
Some masters do treat apprentices harshly; he knew all too well.
"All children are born of a mother, yet some people are so heartless. Young lady, please don't cry anymore. Although your child's condition is bad, it's not life-threatening. Take him home, care for him a while, and he'll gradually recover. Living in hardship, children can surely understand that. Wait until he's older and stronger, then sending him to learn a craft won't be too late," the doctor consoled Meng Yao.
"You're right; it's my judgment that was flawed in this matter," Meng Yao confessed in guilt.
"Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault but that cruel carpenter's," the doctor said indignantly. "Such people will surely get their comeuppance. Tell me, which carpenter shop is it?"
Here we go, the doctor finally gets why she came to Hundred Herbs Hall.
Zhao Xiaoshu's external injuries could be treated at home, and she already had a foolproof excuse for her medical skills, so there was no worry about her children questioning it.