Xun Hui raised her hand to touch her head, which still throbbed with a dull pain.
"But at least you woke up," Yang Ruxin muttered, glancing at Xun Hui. The words were harsh, but she needed her to understand just how difficult the past month had been. "Otherwise, I’d probably have had to sell your brothers and sisters just to afford your medicine."
Xun Hui was momentarily stunned, then covered her head with her hands. She remembered, their grandmother was hitting them, and then...
"Mother..." Right then, Sini rushed in shouting and burst into tears, clutching Xun Hui’s arm, "You’ve finally woken up, you really woke up... I thought you didn’t want us anymore..."
"Mother..." Following closely behind were Erni and Sanni, also crying uncontrollably, and Xiaofeng was sobbing so hard he hiccuped, "Mother..."
Looking at the children before her, Xun Hui hastily pulled them into her arms and started crying alongside them.
Yang Ruxin did not cry, but she felt a twinge in her nose. She turned and left the room, giving the mother and children time alone. Yes, she had never truly seen herself as Xun Hui’s daughter; she was merely a replacement for Yang Dani.
Outside the house, Zhou Xiao stood holding his sister’s hand, their eyes also red. Having lived with this family for a few days, they had come to enjoy the atmosphere and had already integrated into the family. They knew about Xun Hui’s situation, but at that moment, they felt both joy and nervousness.
"My mother has woken up," Yang Ruxin said, touching Zhou Ying’s little face. "Don’t worry, she’s a kind-hearted mother, she will surely like both of you. You are already part of the family. Besides, you have sister Ruxin here, so don’t be concerned."
Zhou Ying just smiled gleefully at her brother.
Zhou Xiao smiled too, his trust lay mostly with sister Ruxin. Suddenly remembering something, he said, "That old master has gone next door with Brother Gu and Second Brother Gu. Brother Gu asked me to tell you, it’s inconvenient for the old master to stay at our house."
Yang Ruxin frowned, thinking whether the old man had come not for her, but for Gu Qingheng instead? No, she had to check, but upon reaching the door, she hesitated and turned back. Gu Qingheng was not reckless. If he was willing to accept the old man, that meant there was nothing to worry about.
Speaking of next door.
Upon hearing that Xun Hui had awakened, Gu Qingheng had suggested they return to their own courtyard. As soon as they closed the door, Gu Qingheng saluted the old man with a fist, "I have seen Elder Dao Xuzi."
"You youngster..." Dao Xuzi chuckled, stroking his beard. "No wonder she was willing to have my Jade Pendant returned for you." He had once owed Empress Yunnuan a favor, so he offered his jade pendant as a token, promising to do one thing for her in the future if the pendant was returned.
"It’s Her Highness’s grace," Gu Qingheng replied simply with a faint smile, "I only fear I may let Her Highness down..."
"Are you doubting my medical skills?" Dao Xuzi’s brow furrowed in an instant, nearly bristled, "Let me tell you, if I can’t cure you, I might as well write my name, Dao Xuzi, backward..."
"Elder, don’t be angry. I’m talking about the expectation of Her Highness," Gu Qingheng quickly gestured with his hands.
Dao Xuzi then eased his expression. Nothing offended him more in his life than doubting his medical skills. He waved his hand, "Come inside, come inside. Take off your clothes, let the old man have a look." Saying this, he paid no attention to Gu Yao, pushing Gu Qingheng towards the room. Reaching the door, he turned back to look at Gu Yao, "You go and tell the girl next door, to make me something tasty for dinner." After his remark, he slammed the door shut with a bang.