Chapter 62: Chapter 62: This Child Has Always Been Timid

“Dad, what’s wrong?”

Yi Meng had just coaxed her daughter to sleep and hadn’t yet laid her down when she saw the old man approaching with a solemn face.

Qi Zheng, seeing his granddaughter asleep, silently sighed.

Indeed, perhaps he was overthinking it; maybe it was fate’s way of entrusting him with this decision!

But then again, this matter is neither too big nor too small, and any choice might lead to a life-or-death situation.

So, it’s better for him, an old man, to make the decisive call in this situation that could potentially harm karma!

Seeing the old man turning to leave, Yi Meng quickly called out, “Dad, what exactly is the matter?”

Ever since marrying into the Qi Family, the two elders of the family did not treat her any differently from her own parents, so Yi Meng had long regarded them as her own father and mother.

It is precisely because of this mindset that she paid more attention to the two elders in daily life.

Yi Meng could tell at a glance that the old man had something on his mind this time.

Qi Zheng shook his head and said softly, “It’s just that my mind is troubled, so I wanted to come and see Fubao.”

“Dad, is it about the dead person?”

Yi Meng had already heard about this matter from Qi Quanjin, but she only knew that a pit needed digging to bury a body; the details were unclear.

Qi Zheng didn’t know who to discuss it with, but seeing his fourth daughter-in-law had brought it up, he casually said, “The person isn’t dead yet, but the injuries are quite peculiar, and he’s somewhat of a martial artist, so I’m not sure whether to save him or not.”

Turns out the person is still alive.

Yi Meng was not naïve and sweet; upon hearing the uncertainty about saving or not, she understood the potential trouble that could follow.

Thinking it over, Yi Meng spoke up before the old man could turn away again, “Dad, it’s said that saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. Since we encountered him, isn’t that a kind of fate? If we just leave him like this, we’ll feel unsettled whenever we think about it later.”

“But I also understand that the reluctance to save him stems from the fear of attracting trouble. So, how about this: we simply treat his wounds and have the doctor prescribe a sedative, so he doesn’t wake up tonight.”

“Tomorrow when we leave, we’ll leave three days’ worth of food and water. There’s no need to wake him on purpose.”

“If he’s destined to survive, we’ll have helped someone in passing.”

“But if he can’t get through this, we haven’t ignored a life either. What do you think?”

The approach Yi Meng suggested was, “I saved him, but not completely.”

This could maximally reduce the guilt felt by everyone while also avoiding potential risks.

Qi Zheng remained silent for a while, thought it through twice, then nodded, “Alright, fourth daughter-in-law, take care of the child! I need to hurry over and take a look.”

“Ah, Dad, take it slow!”

Yi Meng knew the old man had taken her words to heart, and her suggestion did indeed help him.

Not to mention the obvious lightness in the old man’s steps, proving this point.

Helping the old man made Yi Meng happy.

She kissed her daughter’s cheek, then carefully placed her on the wooden cart, tidying the blankets around to ensure she wouldn’t be chilled, before getting off to help others set up for the night’s rest.

Because Qi Zheng and Yi Meng talked a bit, he ended up being the last elder to arrive.

Once everyone was present, the village chief recounted the recent events, emphasizing the possible troubles that saving or not saving the person could bring.

“Well, perhaps we shouldn’t save him! There are over two hundred people in our village. If saving that one person endangers us all, that would be on us.”

One elder expressed this opinion.

Another elder disagreed, “How can we not lend a hand when we see this? If we don’t help and the person dies because of it, we won’t sleep well at night!”

Both sides maintained their stances.

Qi Zheng observed this scene, pondering his fourth daughter-in-law’s analysis.

As she said, both outcomes of saving or not saving have been thoroughly considered.

Now the village chief turned to Qi Zheng, as everyone else had spoken up, and asked, “Brother Qi, what do you think?”

Everyone paused, looking at Qi Zheng.

Though unspoken, everyone knew that if the Qi Family hadn’t led the way in recent times, the village might have perished at the hands of the rebels.

So naturally, everyone wanted to hear Qi Zheng’s thoughts on the matter.

Qi Zheng removed the tobacco pouch from his waist, stuffing tobacco into the pipe as he said, “About this matter, I think we might as well…”

Qi Zheng repeated Yi Meng’s suggestion, finally adding, “That’s what I think, see if you all agree.”

Silence.

Silence.

No one spoke up immediately, instead carefully considering Qi Zheng’s suggestion.

Eventually, the elder who initially opposed saving the person slapped his leg, “Good! This is a good plan!”

Others also nodded in agreement.

Saving yes, but not fully, at least without letting the person know who helped them—this could best preserve the village’s safety.

It’s indeed a clever solution!

With a decision made, the village chief didn’t delay and hurried off to find Qin Minglang, relaying the agreed-upon plan.

Qin Minglang raised an eyebrow; he hadn’t expected the villagers to come up with such a solution.

“Doctor Qin, do you think this arrangement is okay?”

Though the village chief and other elders devised this plan, he was uncertain about Doctor Qin’s opinion, feeling somewhat nervous.

Qin Minglang nodded, “It’s a good plan. Conveniently, I have some sedative herbs here, I’ll have them brewed and given to that person.”

Ultimately, with the heart of a healer, Qin Minglang added hemostatic herbs to the sedative and had the attendant treat the person’s wounds.

Er Laizi was scared out of his wits, shaking even next to his own bonfire, which deeply worried Mrs. Lai Sr.

Finally, when her son fell asleep, Mrs. Lai Sr. rushed to find Doctor Qin for medicine.

“Doctor Qin, my son is terrified. He’s been timid since childhood; now he’s so scared he’ll surely develop a fever tonight. Please have a look! He’s my only child. If anything happens to him, how will I live as a lonely old woman?”

Saying this, Mrs. Lai Sr. began crying while slapping her leg.

Qin Minglang frowned deeply at the words.

Though Er Laizi never dared to mooch at his house, Qin Minglang knew about his reputation.

That kid, timid? If he’s timid, then there aren’t any brave people under heaven.

But annoyed by the woman’s wailing, Qin Minglang handed some sedative medicine to the attendant, telling her to brew it and give it to Er Laizi.

Mrs. Lai Sr. snatched the medicine and ran off, not even mentioning the cost.

This action seriously annoyed Sanqi, who spat towards Mrs. Lai Sr.’s departing figure, cursing, “What nerve, daring to take advantage of the doctor! Next time their family can die sick with no one caring!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep