Yang Baixiang’s face turned slightly red.
"Uncle Xiaowu, I have prepared a Medicine Bath for you. Soak for half an hour first, then come out and eat," Yang Ruxin shooed the little ones away and placed a set of new clothes on the edge of the kang bed, "This is the outfit my mother and Xuexue rushed to finish for you this afternoon, you can change into it later."
As they talked, Gu Yao moved the bathtub in and then filled it with hot water.
"I can do it myself..." Yang Baixiang was somewhat uncomfortable.
"Your body is still weak now," Yang Ruxin waved her hand, "Once you’re better, there will be plenty of things for you to do..."
Yang Baixiang had no choice but to give in.
When the door closed behind him, and Yang Baixiang sat in the steaming bathtub, he started to sob again. Since he could remember, he had never worn new clothes; he always wore hand-me-downs from his older brothers. Everyone else had new outfits for the festivals, everyone but him. Not to mention someone helping him prepare bathwater...
Outside, Yang Ruxin heard the crying from inside the house and could only sigh. They say even a tiger won’t eat its cubs, and the flesh is dear whether from the palm or the back of the hand, but in the eyes of Yang Peili and his wife, it seemed that for money, some children could be butchered for meat, just like those from the first household, just like Uncle Xiaowu...
"Ruxin, he... is he alright?" Xun Hui also heard the noise.
"He’s suffering." Yang Ruxin glanced at Xun Hui, "Just let him cry. He’ll feel better after it’s out." Then she turned and walked outside, "I’m going to cook; he’s probably starving."
That night, Yang Baixiang slept soundly for the first time in new wadded clothes made of fine cotton, as well as having his fill of food. It was a night that he would never forget for the decades to come, feeling secure and at ease.
And as for Lady Baozhu, being tormented by Zheng Kuan at the foot of the mountain, feeling on the verge of death, the comfort came only after the suffering had passed. After all, she was young, and being treated like this was just painful, not to mention her sprained foot, which simply made it impossible for her to walk.
"Should I carry you back?" Zheng Kuan didn’t just walk away after satisfying himself; after all, he was still contemplating getting his sexual needs met for free on a regular basis in the future, so he asked with concern.
"No." Wang Baozhu leaned limply against Zheng Kuan, struggling to get dressed, "Just go to the village and let my family know to come pick me up..."
"Are you sure?" Zheng Kuan frowned.
Wang Baozhu nodded, "Uncle Zheng, you have already taken advantage of me. From now on, we go our separate ways..."
"Treasure Bead, are you trying to draw a line with me?" Zheng Kuan’s expression suddenly darkened.
"What else do you want?" Wang Baozhu’s heart sank.
"Of course, I want to be with you anytime I desire," Zheng Kuan reached out and squeezed Wang Baozhu’s breast.
"I can’t marry you, I..."
"There’s no need to marry me; when I want you, just pull down your pants," Zheng Kuan knew all too well that he couldn’t marry this young girl, or he’d drown in spit, but he wasn’t going to let her off easy, "If you don’t agree, then..."
"Fine, I agree. I’ll come here once a month," Wang Baozhu hurriedly nodded, "But it mustn’t interfere with my marriage..."
"Twice."
"Agreed." Wang Baozhu nodded without hesitation, "But whether or not I can marry Yang Rusong, I’ll need you to act as a witness for me..."
"You have good taste, fancying Scholar Yang," Zheng Kuan laughed heartily, "No problem, as long as you’re wild enough to thoroughly please me every time, I’ll be a witness for anything..."