Chapter Seven, The Regret of Guarding the Gate and the Relocation

In the small kitchen of Jingyaxuan, Ruo Wei was busy preparing dinner. When she entered the hall carrying a pot of fragrant fish soup, Zhu Zhanji and Xin'er immediately made faces of distress

"Wherever it is, the sister-in-law is a kind-hearted person." Ruo Wei sipped the fish soup that the sister-in-law had handed over, feeling somewhat puzzled. "Sister-in-law, this fish soup is so delicious, with tender and smooth meat that is white and free of bones, and the fish meat is exceptionally thick. Did my brother catch this from the river last night?"

Indeed. As I was nearing death, the villagers threw me into the river. The elder sister's face gradually showed sorrow, "It was originally a dead end, who would have thought? It was your elder brother who saved me. His family has lived on boats for generations, fishing and transporting goods, making a living along the Yangtze River, traveling from Sichuan to Nanjing, drifting back and forth every year. It truly was a fateful encounter; he picked me up, not knowing what serious illness I had, but just seeing a young girl who was somewhat decent-looking. His family has lived on boats for generations, fishing and transporting goods, making a living along the Yangtze River, traveling from Sichuan to Nanjing, drifting back and forth every year. It truly was a fateful encounter; he picked me up, not knowing what serious illness I had, but just seeing a young girl who was somewhat decent-looking. He gave me eel soup every day, and who would have thought that after ten days or so, I actually recovered. Not only did the illness disappear, but I also became fairer, and my complexion became rosy. Just like that, I married him.

Why is it that one can only unite and hold firm when there is no way out?

Oh? If Ruowei seems to doubt, can fish soup really cure the condition of coughing up blood?

Zhu Zhanji, early in the morning, accompanied by the guards in Nanjing, inspected the distribution of disaster relief funds and supplies at various locations. He then visited the Huimin Office to comfort the victims, returning to the palace only after the sun had set.

The sister-in-law laughed heartily, "This pig will be shared among our three families. Besides stewing it for meat, we can also make it into cured meat, which will last us a whole year. We truly owe this to your good fortune"

Although the rain outside has lessened somewhat, it is still falling. You stay inside and take care, I will return as soon as I find the fairy dew leaves

Once this thought took shape, he felt a sense of relief

"Mother, are we having the ugly fish soup again?" Xin'er dropped her chopsticks and crawled into Zhu Zhanji's arms, rubbing against him. "Father is so pitiful, Xin'er feels so sorry for Father."

"Sister-in-law?" Ruo Wei widened her eyes, "Is it tuberculosis? Coughing, chest pain, hemoptysis, fever?"

After washing up, Ruo Wei changed into the clean clothes of the elder sister-in-law, sat on the kang, and enjoyed a cup of hot tea. She was also urged to have breakfast, which was hard to refuse, as the local customs were truly simple and kind-hearted. Ruo Wei wanted to leave them some silver coins, but unfortunately, neither of them had any on them. Xu Bin noticed that although this family was not completely destitute, their living conditions were quite simple, and he felt somewhat guilty. Ruo Wei blinked her eyes and suddenly had an idea. She told the man of the household that there was a wild boar that had been killed on the mountain, and then she asked Xu Bin to lead him and call over the neighboring man. A few of them took a carrying pole and rope and went up the mountain to carry the pig.

At this moment, the rain has ceased, yet the bitter tears continue to flow uncontrollably

Truly no longer minding it

This is just like what Xu Bin has always done; everything he has silently devoted to Ruo Wei, and even to Zhu Zhanji, is solely for the purpose of making Ruo Wei happy

Debt? Repayment?

A bonfire was lit inside the cave, allowing Ruowei to warm herself by the fire, while some medicinal powder was scattered nearby to ward off venomous snakes and insects. Then, with a leap into the air, she used her feet to push off the cave wall twice for leverage before jumping out.

After half a month of recuperation, Zhu Zhanji has regained his health, and the palace has also been tidied up. Although the tents in the empty courtyard remain, they are merely for occasional needs. People have returned to their rooms to live and rest, and everything has returned to its original state

This is the true essence of love

"I could never sacrifice you to fulfill him, never." she said

Why did he use this word? He is confused

Yet she frowned with worry, "In fact, from the first time I saw you, I was somewhat afraid of you"

Because he knows that if Ruo Wei were still here, he must live well so that he can bring happiness to Ruo Wei

Ultimately, it is a relative silence, as one walks down the mountain in suffocating quietude. However, upon reaching halfway, there is a slight unexpected turn, for Xu Bin has severed the two front paws of the wild boar that attacked her with a dagger

-

Xu Bin returned, not uttering a word, merely took a few blades of grass, showed them to her for a moment, and then carefully placed them into his bosom. He then picked up Ruo Wei and leaped out together.

Guarding the warm fire, the clothes gradually dried, and both my heart and the wounds on my shoulders began to ache together

She looked into his eyes and said, "You know, we may appear as strangers, but our hearts understand each other."

He smiled

"Similarly, it will not harm him to fulfill you." She must be a strong woman, so when she said this, her gaze remained steadfastly fixed on him, "For you, no matter how much I like you, it is still incomplete and imperfect. Therefore, let us keep our distance. Perhaps in this way, the bond between you and me will be particularly enduring."

"Because you are too outstanding, you possess everything I long for. That is why I am afraid." Her tone was gentle, as if it were the language of dreams, "It was only yesterday that I realized. I fear you because I know that my heart will inevitably draw closer to you. I care about Zhanji and cannot bear to see him suffer from illness. However, I also worry about you, and I cannot allow you to face danger alone."

"What to do?" Looking at the bloody pig's hand, Ruo Wei felt extremely terrified

Indeed. Previously, we lived in a village near Niutoushan. Later, someone from our village returned from doing business outside and somehow contracted the disease. This was unfortunate, as it spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred, resulting in many deaths. The authorities sealed off our village, leaving us to fend for ourselves. What could we do? Those who could escape did so, while those who couldn't contracted the disease and were thrown into the river to fend for themselves. And guess what happened?" The elder sister sighed, "There were hardly any people left in the village. In the end, I contracted it too.

What is there for him to mind, when he admires a man who surpasses him in demeanor, charisma, cultural achievements, martial prowess, as well as in morality and strategic acumen?

"Sister-in-law, is this eel really that miraculous?" Ruo Wei's face was filled with joy. Xu Bin had already informed him that Zhu Zhanji had suffered a severe blow this time, with internal injuries leading to lung damage. Even if treated with medicine, it would still leave a lasting issue, requiring careful recuperation. Dietary supplements were even more crucial, but many ingredients conflicted with the medicinal herbs he was currently using. He was in distress over this, but unexpectedly came across such a miraculous remedy, and he immediately felt delighted.

It is not that you spoil her; the soup she painstakingly made for you has mostly gone into her stomach. It is fortunate that she still has some fear, otherwise it would truly be a headache. Do you think this eel is easy to catch? Brother Wang has to go fishing on the river every night to provide you with this soup, and it is not always that he can catch it. This fish is about ten feet long, and I need to cut it into ten pieces, steaming one piece each for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which will only last for three days. Initially, I thought it was just a folk remedy, but later the Imperial Medical Institute carefully investigated and found that it is indeed recorded in the "Records of the Gods" from the Song Dynasty, and you must drink it for two to three months for your body to truly recover.

"Indeed not. This is a rare sight, the river eel." The elder sister added some more for Ruowei, "You have been injured, so you must eat more nourishing food to recuperate. You have no idea, this river eel is particularly beneficial for one's health and can even treat pulmonary tuberculosis and coughing up blood!"

Indeed. Later, we no longer relied on the river for our livelihood. Although the river was pleasant, the winds and waves were merciless, and it could never provide the stability of solid ground on land. That is why we moved to the foot of Black Maple Mountain, where we could hunt for meat and also sell the game we caught in the city. Moreover, it was close to water, allowing us to catch some fish from the nearby streams. The common fish could be sold to supplement our household expenses. As for the eel, it is quite unattractive, and the people in Nanjing do not know how to prepare it or even recognize it, so I ended up eating all of it. Therefore, my health is excellent, and I have never been ill. Look, we both had three children in one go, and they are all doing well!" The sister-in-law spoke with great enthusiasm, and her words were like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds, brightening her mood.

Having descended the mountain, I will once again become a passerby, he said

In the realm of love, Zhu Zhanji candidly admitted that he was not as good as Xu Bin

The smile on his face gradually widened, and his pride returned once again.

Yet in the hearts of both, there are countless feelings of reluctance

Moreover, if Wei were always by my side, that would be sufficient

"Ruo Wei, you have worked hard." Zhu Zhanji took Ruo Wei's hand, his eyes filled with sincere affection, for he was well aware of the ins and outs of all matters. Therefore, whether it was medicine or fish, he accepted it all without reservation

At the foot of the mountain, they arrived at the home of the elder sister who took care of the horses. Seeing the two of them covered in dust and looking rather disheveled, and noticing that Wei had also sustained an injury, the elder sister insisted on inviting them into her home

He seemed to understand, and a smile gradually appeared on his face, a smile that could make all the women in the world swoon. Indeed, her innermost thoughts were, in fact, unnecessary to express; he had already understood her feelings all too clearly. The one who had never seen her own heart was, in fact, herself.

"Princess, this fish soup is so fragrant! It is personally made by our Empress, using fresh eel combined with Shaoxing rice wine, tender scallions, and fresh ginger, steamed to perfection. It is both light and nourishing!" As Ziyan directed the palace maids to serve the dishes, she also explained, trying to amuse the young princess.

It is unclear how much time has passed, the bonfire gradually dwindles, and the sky begins to brighten

At this moment, the sky has gradually brightened. Standing at the mountain top and gazing downwards, one can see the Yangtze River stretching out like a ribbon. The interplay of water, sky, and mountains creates a scene of ethereal beauty, with a hundred miles of landscape captured in one’s view. The city walls of Nanjing are vividly before me. The vast expanse of river and sky is truly mesmerizing

Half a month later

"Go back and make a pig's trotter soup with yellow soybeans, it is the best for beauty." A warm smile returned to his face, yet there remained a hint of bitterness in his eyes.

"No matter how delicious it is, it is still an ugly fish, looking quite frightening. Xin'er is scared, and that's why she doesn't dare to eat it." Xin'er buried her head in Zhu Zhanji's arms, and Ruo Wei, upon seeing this, immediately pulled her down and stuffed her into Xiang Ting's embrace

Zhu Zhanji looked at Ruowei, his gaze carrying a hint of reproach. "It was originally your fault. If Xin'er wanted to drink, you should have let her have a bowl. Instead, to scare her, you took her to see live eels, which naturally frightened her. I see she has fallen ill now.

Even if you owed me in a past life, you have long since repaid that debt in this life. Instead, in this life, I owe you so much; what can I use to repay you in the next life

"It wasn't originally made for you to eat." Ruo Wei placed a full bowl in a yellow-glazed high-footed bowl in front of Zhu Zhanji, "Drink up quickly."

He was clearly taken aback, his gaze shifting from her face to the waters of the Yangtze River at the foot of the mountain. After a long silence, his heart felt as if it were boiling. Every time it seemed that the two of them were about to take a step further, an invisible giant hand would inevitably pull them back. One step forward, ten steps back. Forever caught in this strange cycle, going around in circles, exhausted and heartbroken, yet still unwilling to let go

Let Ruowei be happy, as that is the only way to be worthy of everyone.