CHAPTER 392: CHAPTER 0374 OLD MRS. ZHAO DIVIDES THE FAMILY PROPERTY (2)

Slight bleeding only requires medication to remove the accumulated blood clots and fluid.

Li Yuzhu took a medicine bag and inserted a needle into Old Mrs. Zhao’s arm vein for infusion.

She then used silver needles to aid in draining the fluid.

Everyone watched her take out strange items from her backpack, wanting to ask but no one dared to, because earlier everyone had sworn that whoever spoke would have to leave.

The room was as silent as a vacuum.

But the wait was indeed too long; someone couldn’t stand it anymore and quietly left halfway through, only to quietly return after a short while.

After more than an hour passed, Old Mrs. Zhao woke up.

She saw Li Yuzhu sitting by the bed, paused for a moment, and said hoarsely, "Is it Miss Li? Thank you for saving me."

She finally stopped calling her Jing Niang.

Li Yuzhu quickly asked, "Do you feel nauseous or like vomiting, Old Mrs. Zhao?" If so, it indicates severe brain injury and requires strengthened medication.

"Still... still fine." Old Mrs. Zhao gasped and said.

Her voice was weak.

"Mother, Grandmother, Granny!" several voices shouted, a crowd rushed to the bedside, pushing Li Yuzhu aside.

The bed was completely surrounded by the Zhao family, leaving no gaps.

Li Yuzhu could only see a mass of backs swaying in front of her, unable to see Old Mrs. Zhao at all.

Sister-in-law Chai and Eldest Young Master Chai were also anxious to speak with Old Mrs. Zhao, but couldn’t squeeze in.

"Please... call Lord County Magistrate. I... I don’t want to see you all," Old Mrs. Zhao said in a weak voice.

The Zhao family children and grandchildren were all stunned.

"Mother, why do you want to see the County Magistrate?" Old Master Zhao said, "Your health is poor, you shouldn’t talk much, better to focus on the most important things."

"Grandma, my dad is right, where did you keep our property deeds?"

"Grandma, how many silver notes did Grandpa leave behind?"

"Grandmother, my mother sends her regards, she said you promised her a shop, do you remember?"

"Mother, did you find that fifty thousand silver note?"

"Grandma..."

"Mother..."

Li Yuzhu finally understood why the Zhao family only cared about Old Mrs. Zhao waking up, without caring whether she could sit up.

They were only concerned about the assets controlled by Old Mrs. Zhao, worried that there might be an accident during the surgery for her hipbone fracture, and thus the whereabouts of the property would become unknown.

They only wanted her to wake up through conservative treatment, just enough to clarify the matters of assets, rather than worrying about whether she could get out of bed or how long she could live.

They would be satisfied as long as she woke up to clarify about the assets.

Sister-in-law Chai and Eldest Young Master Chai also understood.

They, having received the kindness of Old Mrs. Zhao, were more concerned about her well-being than anyone else, feeling both anxious and uneasy.

But they couldn’t reach the bedside, and even if they did, with Zhao’s sons and grandchildren present, how could they possibly have a chance to speak?

"Third Sister Li? Is it okay for Old Mrs. Zhao to talk just after waking up?" Sister-in-law Chai said worriedly.

Li Yuzhu replied, "Old Mrs. Zhao just said she wants to invite the County Magistrate and probably hopes he will ensure justice. Brother Chai, Sister Chai, please invite the Magistrate, I’ll stay here with Old Mrs. Zhao."

"I’ll go!" Eldest Young Master Chai said.

"Don’t take a carriage, riding a horse will be faster," Sister-in-law Chai instructed him.

"Got it." Eldest Young Master Chai nodded and quickly left.

Sister-in-law Chai was anxiously stomping her feet, "Old Uncle, Second Uncle, Old Mrs. Zhao was unconscious for so long, she must be hungry. Does she want to eat? Does she want to drink water?"

On the bed, Old Mrs. Zhao looked towards Sister-in-law Chai with a sigh.

Li Yuzhu said loudly, "Old Mrs. Zhao just woke up, her body is still very weak. She needs to eat something, or she’ll faint again if she lacks the strength."

As soon as she finished speaking, Old Mrs. Zhao closed her eyes again.

"Mother?"

"Grandma?"

"Grandmother?"

Several voices called out loudly.

No matter how much they shouted, Old Mrs. Zhao wouldn’t wake up.

Now, the Zhao family’s children and grandchildren were all panicking.

Someone turned around and shouted at Li Yuzhu, "Miss Li? Come quickly and check on our Old Mrs. Zhao."

Li Yuzhu glanced at him and said, "Old Master Zhao, I’ve already said that the patient hasn’t eaten a drop since she fainted yesterday, and she is in pain and extremely weak, not suitable for talking, but you didn’t listen."

"Alright, alright, just hurry and take a look." Old Master Zhao said a bit impatiently.

Li Yuzhu walked over, checked Old Mrs. Zhao’s pulse, then asked for a bowl of water to feed her some medicine.

Old Mrs. Zhao opened her eyes to look at Li Yuzhu briefly, then closed them again.

As soon as she opened her eyes, two people immediately shouted "Mother."

But this time, Old Mrs. Zhao did not respond to them and kept her eyes closed.

The Zhao family was anxious and immediately asked Li Yuzhu, "Why isn’t the elderly matriarch opening her eyes? Did you actually treat her?"

Li Yuzhu didn’t want to talk to these people and simply said, "The elderly matriarch is weak. Illness strikes like a mountain, but leaves like a thread being pulled. She hasn’t even eaten, how would she have the strength to speak?"

"Quickly, bring some food," Old Master Zhao shouted to the servants outside.

A servant quickly ran off.

A large group of people could be heard in the outer room, saying, "Old Matriarch, Old Matriarch?"

"Mother?"

The Zhao family’s womenfolk had also arrived here.

Now it was even more crowded in the room, with almost twenty people, making it hard to find a place to stand.

The noise was buzzing, as noisy as a marketplace.

Old Mrs. Zhao frowned deeply and turned her head towards the inside of the bed.

No matter who called her, she kept her eyes closed.

The youngest daughter of the Zhao family climbed to the edge of the bed and burst into tears, "Mother, please open your eyes. It’s me, your Jing Niang, Mother?"

Old Mrs. Zhao still did not open her eyes.

Li Yuzhu frowned in confusion. Wasn’t this the old lady who always called her Jing Niang every time?

Why was she ignoring her when the real person arrived?

Sister-in-law Chai was also perplexed, murmuring to herself, "Has the elderly matriarch gone confused again? Doesn’t she recognize Aunt Jing?"

The kitchen brought some medicinal porridge over.

Li Yuzhu took it in her hand, "I’ll feed her."

But Jing Niang snatched it away, moving to the bedside and softly calling, "Mother, open your eyes and have something to eat?"

Old Mrs. Zhao did not respond.

"Hey, little girl, weren’t you going to feed her? Go ahead!" Zhao Jingniang called to Li Yuzhu.

Li Yuzhu glanced at her indifferently, walked over, and took back the bowl.

She squeezed Old Mrs. Zhao’s hand, "Old Mrs. Zhao, are you hungry? Would you like to have some medicinal porridge?"

Old Mrs. Zhao slowly awakened, "Yes."

"Alright, I’ll feed you," Li Yuzhu said, picking up a small spoon and serving a spoonful. "It’s not hot, it’s steady."

Old Mrs. Zhao glanced at her and ate slowly, taking small bites.

The other members of the Zhao family let out a sigh of relief and started chattering all at once.

Old Mrs. Zhao ate very slowly. She had only finished a small bowl of porridge by the time Lord County Magistrate arrived.

When someone outside called out, "Lord County Magistrate is here!"

Everyone in the room, except the old lady on the bed, stood up.

Those blocking the door and standing in the middle moved to the sides, consciously making a path.

Eldest Young Master Chai and Lord County Magistrate, along with two government officials, entered the bedroom.

The County Magistrate saw Li Yuzhu and smiled slightly, "Yu Zhu, you’re here too?"

"My lord," Li Yuzhu greeted with a smile, stepping aside.

Old Mrs. Zhao struggled to lift her hand, "Lord County Magistrate, you’ve come?"

"Old Mrs. Zhao, what happened?" The County Magistrate’s smile faded as he quickly walked to the bed to hold Old Mrs. Zhao’s hand.

Old Mrs. Zhao’s husband had once served as Deputy at Zhen An Prefecture and was in charge of river works, holding the sixth-rank official title granted by the court. Due to her husband’s accomplishments, Old Mrs. Zhao was entitled as a Sixth-rank Anren.

And Qingyang County was just a small county. The County Magistrate, a mere seventh-rank official, had to pay respects to Mrs. Zhao upon meeting her.

Sending someone to summon him, Old Mrs. Zhao, of course, had him come immediately.

"It’s difficult to explain in a few words," Old Mrs. Zhao held the County Magistrate’s hand, "I had someone invite you to make a witness. I’m about to pass away and want to distribute the property."

As soon as she said this, everyone in the room moved toward the bed.

"Old Matriarch!"

"Mother!"

"Grandmother!"

Twenty or so people clamored, talking all at once.

"Lord County Magistrate, they are so noisy," Old Mrs. Zhao closed her eyes for a moment, speaking weakly.

"Quiet!" The County Magistrate stood up, getting on the bed frame, and shouted at all the Zhao family members.

The Zhao family all fell silent, looking toward the bed in unison.

Those standing far away pushed forward eagerly, afraid that they would miss the distribution and not receive their share of the property.

However, those in the front were unwilling to let those at the back squeeze in.

Thus, although the room was quiet, there were still people pushing and shoving. Someone ended up stepping on another person’s foot, prompting a curse, "Blind? Where are you stepping?"

"You’re the one who’s blind! This is the Zhao family’s business. What right do you as outsiders have to interfere?"

"Back when your branch encountered business difficulties, it was thanks to my father finding help that the Zhao family didn’t go bankrupt. Are you now tearing down the bridge after crossing it?"