Chapter 3 Assistance

Du Shiyi initially intended to take a chance, treating a dead horse as if it were alive, and only planned to give it a try. At this moment, seeing that they had indeed borrowed rain gear and that the other party was willing to give them a ride, he was suddenly filled with joy. After once again bowing in thanks towards the carriage, when he returned to Du Shisan Niang and Zhu Ying with the man in the bamboo hat, he allowed the man to hold up the oil umbrella to cover the two of them. He then had Zhu Ying help the frostbitten Du Shisan Niang into a raincoat and bamboo hat. After expressing his gratitude to the carriage once more, he succinctly explained: "The kind old gentleman in the carriage not only lent us rain gear but also offered to give us a ride. Zhu Ying, support Shisan Niang, let us head back."

Indeed, Miss Du traveled thousands of miles to Mount Song to seek medical help for her ailing brother. Day after day, she earnestly prayed at the temple, her sincerity truly capable of moving the deities. Meanwhile, Young Master Du, despite his own illness, braved the mountain rain to persuade Miss Du to return. Such filial piety and brotherly love would touch anyone's heart. The burly man said this and then stood up, smiling as he added, "Now that I have delivered her home, I should return to report to the master. Thank you, Young Master Du, for this bowl of warming ginger soup"

Upon hearing this, the broad-shouldered man looked at Du Shiyi in surprise for quite a while, and then curiously asked: "Young Master Du just mentioned that he suffers from a strange illness, unable to speak or move, but now..."

Mr. Du Xiaolang, seeing that Miss Du Xiaoniang and the young lady in blue are soaked, how about we take shelter from the rain in this Songyang Temple for a while? We can have someone in the temple prepare dry clothes for the two of you to change into

Elder brother

Seeing Du Shisan Niang so inexplicably agitated, Du Shiyi couldn't help but let out a sigh. The supernatural and mysterious events of the Wei, Jin, Sui, and Tang dynasties are numerous, and his explanation is indeed reasonable. Even though this second life is exceedingly strange, for the sake of this living sister before him, and for her earnest plea for medical help, he must continue to live well. When Zhu Ying brought in the ginger soup from outside, he first took a bowl, personally watched as Du Shisan Niang drank it all, fearing she would ask for more details, and then carefully tucked the corners of her blanket in tightly. Even though this second life is exceedingly strange, for the sake of this living sister before him, and for her earnest plea for medical help, he must continue to live well. When Zhu Ying brought in the ginger soup from outside, he first took a bowl, personally watched as Du Shisan Niang drank it all, fearing she would ask for more details, and then carefully tucked the corners of her blanket in tightly

What did Grandfather and Grandmother say to Elder Brother

If he were still a strong and robust adult, Du Shiyi would naturally have no hesitation in carrying Du Shisan Niang back. However, at this moment, supporting this heavy-bodied girl whose legs were trembling, and glancing at the equally unwell Zhu Ying, he himself felt his legs heavy. Considering that Songyang Temple had already refused Du Shisan Niang's request for medical help, it was one thing, but on such a rainy day, allowing a young girl to kneel outside the damp and cold temple was a clear indication of indifference to her life or death. To knock on the door again would only be to humiliate himself. He couldn't help but cast his gaze towards the line of carriages.

As soon as he entered the room, he instructed Zhu Ying to immediately prepare some ginger soup to ward off the cold, and sent the still uneasy Du Shisan Niang to the bed to wrap herself in blankets and sweat it out. Only then did he take off his drenched raincoat, apologize, and change into a set of dry clothes. When he came out again, he saw that the man in the bamboo hat had removed his rain gear, and his clothes were still dry, except for the wet pant legs. He was clearly a robust man with a square face, broad brows, and big eyes. He mustered his spirits and thanked him again, originally intending to return the raincoat, bamboo hat, and oil umbrella, but the man smiled and shook his head.

Perhaps this is truly the final concern of a father reaching across distant time and space for his son

"It is only right to offer a bowl of ginger soup after such a long journey, my dear brother." Du Shiyi personally escorted the other to the door of the thatched cottage. As the rain began to subside, the other donned a bamboo hat and put on a raincoat, stepping out with great strides. In no time, he had reached the edge of the fence and the *Tu* *Shu* bamboo grove. Suddenly, he remembered that in his earlier urgency, he had forgotten to inquire about the background of the carriage owner. After a brief contemplation, he raised his voice to ask, "By the way, I have yet to inquire about your esteemed surname and given name."

Du Shiyi replied calmly without a moment's hesitation: "My younger sister can travel a thousand miles for me, her elder brother, and even kneel before the Songyang Temple to plead earnestly. Since I am now able to get on my feet and see the sudden storm approaching, it is only natural for me to go and bring her back. Moreover, when our late father and mother passed away, they were always concerned about the two of us siblings. Even if they were to know of my actions, I believe they would only feel comforted."

However, it is a trivial matter; besides, it is often needed in the mountains, so let Young Master Du keep it. It is just that along this journey, I have noticed that Young Master Du's steps are unsteady, and Young Lady Du also walks with a stagger, which is unknown if...

The little girl had quieted down, and only then did Du Shiyi begin to drink his own bowl of steaming ginger soup. As the spicy warmth surged through his internal organs, he felt as if all the pores of his body had completely opened, and the chill from walking in the rain was suddenly driven away by a large part. After he set down the bowl, he got up and went to the outer room, only to see that beside the broad-browed man, there was also an empty bowl, clearly indicating that he had just finished drinking ginger soup as well.

Du Shiyi glanced at the carriage not far away and noticed that, despite the rain washing over it, the carriage still appeared mottled and old. Moreover, with few attendants, it seemed at first glance not to belong to any prominent family or high official. Therefore, he cupped his hands and calmly said: "I am Du Shijiu from Duling, Jingzhao. I have come to Songyang Temple with my younger sister and a servant due to certain circumstances. Unexpectedly, we encountered this heavy rain and kindly request to borrow some rain gear. I would be immensely grateful."

Seeing the little girl tightly clutching his clothing, with a look that suggested she would not let him go until he clarified, he had no choice but to continue fabricating, saying: "Of course it is true"

Last night, my late parents appeared in my dreams, saying that the Lord of the Underworld was touched by my sister's filial piety and extended my lifespan. Initially, I intended to give Du Shisan a surprise, but now it has turned into this situation. Du Shiyi cannot admit that he is unable to face this suddenly appeared sister, and is forced to tell lies with his eyes wide open. After all, recovering from a long illness is indeed a remarkable event. Since he has to find a plausible reason for himself, the only thing he can think of at this moment is this. Reflecting on the last fragment of memory from that world, it was when I burned the voluminous books in front of my father's grave, and a deep melancholy inevitably appeared on his face.

Zhu Ying, you assist Thirteen Niang first

Du Shiyi turned to glance at Du Shisan Niang and Zhu Ying, then cast a look at the still tightly closed gate of Songyang Temple, and immediately spoke: "Elder brother, your kindness is greatly appreciated. However, my home is not far from here, so I shall not impose any further."

Brother, did you really dream of our grandfather and grandmother, and truly extend their lifespans again

Upon hearing this, the man in the bamboo hat immediately nodded and strode back to the carriage, standing there as if reporting something. Du Shiyi, who was standing there, noticed that the window on one side of the carriage seemed to move, clearly indicating that someone inside was observing him. After a moment, the door at the front of the carriage opened, and someone inside handed out a package, followed by an oil umbrella. Shortly thereafter, the man in the bamboo hat hurriedly returned, holding the items.

Having received assistance from the other party, which is no secret, Du Shiyi candidly stated: "To be honest, I have been afflicted with a strange illness, rendering me unable to speak or move for a time, and it was my younger sister who took care of me. Hearing that there is a Taoist priest at Songyang Temple skilled in the art of Qi and Huang, my sister traveled a great distance with me to seek medical help. However, the people at the temple said that the priest was not present. My sister did not believe this and insisted on visiting every day, even going so far as to kneel and plead today. Unfortunately, we encountered such a torrential downpour, but fortunately, we met a kind-hearted person like the master of your esteemed residence."

This question immediately left Du Shiyi at a loss for words. In his previous life, he had always acted according to his own will and was accustomed to rebellion, never believing in gods or Buddhas. However, the incomprehensible experiences of this life were enough to transform him from a staunch atheist into a skeptic of divinity. After a moment of hesitation, he forced a smile and said: "My father said that as long as one is alive, there is a future, and I should not be overly concerned about tarnishing the Du family's reputation, nor should I get stuck in a rut... My mother said that I should take good care of you, my sister, and not let you feel sad or disappointed again." He forced a smile and said: "My father said that as long as one is alive, there is a future, and I should not be overly concerned about tarnishing the Du family's reputation, nor should I get stuck in a rut... My mother said that I should take good care of you, my sister, and not let you feel sad or disappointed again."

Seeing the broad-shouldered man turn around and bow again, Du Shiyi smiled and said: "Why do you say such a thing, my good brother? You provided rain gear in the rain, and even disregarded the heavy downpour to escort my siblings home. This is no different from sending charcoal in the snow. Do you think that I, Du Shijiu, judge people based on wealth and status?"

Remember, in the future, do not act so recklessly and impulsively when faced with situations! Don't let me just get better, and then you go and get hurt again, just lie down properly!

In just a moment, he suddenly became aware and then explained in a daze: "I could only speak and move today; otherwise, I would never have allowed my younger sister to kneel before the Songyang Temple in such torrential rain to seek medical treatment. At her young age, with her frail body, if anything were to happen to her because of me, how could I face our parents who passed away early? In the end, it is all because of me, as her elder brother, that she has been burdened."

While Du Shiyi was merely speaking thoughtlessly, Du Shisan Niang's face was filled with ecstatic joy. At that moment, the broad-browed man sitting outside could not help but change his expression slightly upon hearing these words. After a long while, Du Shisan Niang, lost in her emotions, tightly grasped her brother's hand and incoherently said: "It really is Father and Mother! This is wonderful, truly wonderful. Brother, you can finally be well, be well..."

A certain servant from hetushu.com, whose humble name is hardly worth mentioning

What advice do you have, young sir

The master of my household said that he should have sent you off with a horse-drawn carriage, but he is currently feeling a slight chill, which is why I am here to see you off. One umbrella may not suffice, so I have also prepared a set of raincoat and hat, and I hope the young lord will understand.

My younger sister is unwell, and I am unable to attend to her at the moment. I sincerely apologize for my rudeness and neglect

Seeing the bamboo shadows, he hurriedly responded, adjusting his hat as he made every effort to stride towards the group visiting Songyang Temple in the rain. From a distance of about ten steps away, a man dressed similarly to him, walking alongside the vehicle, approached with large strides.

Almost at the same time that Du Shiyi spoke these words, a soft cry from Du Shisan Niang came from the inner room. He quickly nodded slightly to the broad-browed man, then stood up and walked around the screen to enter. Seeing Du Shisan Niang on the bed with a pale complexion, yet stubbornly sitting up under the covers and refusing to lie down, he frowned and said: "How much longer do you intend to hold on? Are you disregarding your life?"

I am deeply grateful for your noble kindness! My home is not far from here; if I could accompany you, it would be a wish fulfilled!

This big brother finally brought a smile to the broad-browed man. After pondering for a moment, he spoke: "I am the master of the house, with the surname Sima. Due to my dark complexion in my youth, I am called Heiyun. Young Master Du, let us part ways for today!"

"No harm done, no harm done. However, I must apologize for speaking too much. Young Master Du has just recovered from a serious illness and today, in this mountain rain, he hurried to Songyang Temple to meet someone. I did not expect that perhaps all his previous efforts would be in vain and his old illness would relapse. Is this not a disservice to the protection provided by the late monarch?"

On the way back, the rain gradually eased, but both Zhu Ying and Du Shisan, as well as Du Shiyi, were utterly exhausted. Fortunately, the man in the bamboo hat was very perceptive, assisting Du Shiyi all the way and escorting the three of them to the outside of the thatched cottage. Du Shiyi first allowed Du Shisan and Zhu Ying to enter, and only after they had changed their clothes did he invite the man in the bamboo hat into the house