CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: NOT GIVING SILVER AND STILL HITTING PEOPLE

Jiang Youzhi thought he had been careful enough, but as he returned to his seat after changing his clothes, he was suddenly pushed from behind and fell off the floor.

The incident happened too quickly. As he instinctively turned his head to look back, he only saw the corner of a green robe disappear at the stairway.

Then the feeling of weightlessness hit. He tried hard to tilt his head upward, knowing that if he fell headfirst, it would be the end of him.

When he landed, it was on one side of his hip. He heard a crisp crack from his bones, followed by a feeling like his chest was being pounded by something heavy, and then he completely lost consciousness.

The pain of a broken leg he could endure, but if this incident cut off his path in the imperial examinations, his life would lose all hope.

What would he use to repay his mother’s kindness?

How could he live up to the sacrifices his elder brother had made for him?

For some reason, Jiang Youzhi suddenly recalled what Gu Mei had said.

His heart froze. Instinctively, he felt that Gu Mei was referring to this event. If he had a lame leg, it would naturally affect his future and his entire life.

Why?

Why would she know what would happen in the future?

At that time, the autumn examination had not even concluded, and Zheng Juren had not yet become a scholar. How could she know that he would be invited to a banquet with his classmates? How could she know he would break his leg at the banquet?

Thinking of Gu Mei’s words that his days ahead would be difficult, Jiang Youzhi felt a moment of despair.

Seeing Jiang Youzhi so discouraged, Mrs. Chen was extremely anxious, "Why did you tell him all this? It’s not certain that you’ll be crippled."

Mrs. Chen then comforted Jiang Youzhi, "San Lang, don’t worry. Mother will ensure the doctor uses the best medicine for you. Your leg will be fine."

Yun Jiao said nothing, but sighed in her heart, thinking, how could they talk about using the best medicine when they couldn’t even afford the cost of medicine.

Her apothecary had a full stock of herbs, but this matter wasn’t urgent yet; she had other plans.

After speaking, Mrs. Chen gritted her teeth and looked at Yun Jiao, "You and your uncle stay here to take care of San Lang, I’ll go get the silver."

Yun Jiao softly replied, "Mother, I’m afraid this silver—" she didn’t finish saying it was hard to obtain.

Mrs. Chen’s gaze was resolute, "I will definitely bring back the silver. San Lang’s leg must not be left untreated."

Saying this, Mrs. Chen left, hurried to the city gate, and took a carriage home.

Half an hour later, the carriage reached the house. Mrs. Chen pleaded with the coachman to wait for her a while as she needed to return to the county city quickly.

The coachman agreed.

Mrs. Chen went straight to the main house upon entering.

Inside, Mr. Jiang and Mrs. Zhou were both present. Mrs. Chen rushed in and directly said, "Father, Mother, the hundred or so wens are far from enough. San Lang hasn’t even received medicine in the medical hall. I beg you to have mercy and give some silver for San Lang’s treatment."

Mr. Jiang stayed silent, taking up his pipe and puffing on it.

Mrs. Zhou also remained silent for a while before snorting and saying, "I already told you I have no silver, if you want it, take my life instead."

Mrs. Chen gritted her teeth, "Without silver, San Lang can’t get medicine. If you don’t give me silver today, then we will split the family!"

"Even if it means selling the house and land, I will treat San Lang’s leg."

"Split the family, split the family! You keep using family division to threaten—who do you think you’re scaring with talks of family division? Do you think you’re some rare treasure I can’t bear to part with?"

"I see you’re not trying to split the family, you’re trying to climb over me and lord it over!" With this, Mrs. Zhou picked up a teacup beside her and hurled it at Mrs. Chen. Mrs. Chen stood her ground and did not dodge, the teacup smashed into her forehead and then fell with a "crash" to the ground, breaking into pieces.