Chapter 7: Whether You Drink This Medicinal Water or Not, You Must Drink It

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Song Shiwei lightly touched the soles of her feet and realized she seemed to have developed blisters there, accompanied by some pain. So much had happened just now that she had completely overlooked the blisters on her feet.

“Should these blisters be popped so that applying medicine will help them heal faster?” she asked.

Everyone present, accustomed to a life of comfort, was uncertain.

“Is that so? I’ve never had blisters before, so I don’t know what to do.”

“Even if that’s the case, we don’t have any medicine.”

“But if we don’t pop them, and they burst accidentally tomorrow, it will hurt even more.”

Seeing that her family knew little about the matter, Song Shiwei turned to the two constables standing nearby. She smiled kindly and asked, “Could I trouble you gentlemen to tell me if these blisters should be popped before applying medicine to heal quickly?”

The two constables exchanged a glance. They had no intention of making things difficult for the Song family—who knew if anyone was protecting them. It was better for people of their lowly status to behave.

“That’s generally how it’s done. But since you don’t have medicine, it’s best not to pop the blisters.”

“We don’t have this kind of medicine either. You can wait until you reach the town tomorrow and buy some.”

In Song Shiwei’s space garden, there were indeed many gold and silver ornaments, items she had occasionally placed there over the years. But the problem was, she couldn’t easily take them out.

Without silver coins, she couldn’t buy medicine.

What was she to do?

“Shiwei,” her father sat beside her at that moment. He pulled a small piece of silver from his sleeve, about two taels. “I managed to hide this.”

“When we get to town tomorrow, take this and buy some medicine.”

Seeing the silver, an idea immediately flashed in Song Shiwei’s mind—perhaps she now knew how to exchange for more silver.

“All right, father.” She carefully put the silver away.

Her father, seeing this, began to speak of another matter. “I’ve made up my mind.”

“I’ll find a way to have a friend investigate that matter.”

Song Shiwei felt a weight lift from her heart and smiled. “Good!”

“We’re back!” Song Mingting suddenly called out loudly.

Song Shiwei looked up and saw Zhang Huai and his men returning with grim expressions.

“Shiwei, I’ll go have a look,” her father stood up.

“Father, be careful,” Song Shiwei reminded him.

He nodded in acknowledgment.

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Taking a water pouch, he moved a short distance away, prepared medicine, then approached Zhang Huai and his men with the water pouch and a bowl.

“Really sorry about this,” he said with a smile as he poured a bowl of water for Zhang Huai. “Because of my family’s situation, I appreciate all your hard work.”

Zhang Huai looked at him deeply.

He was about to refuse but saw one of his comrades take the bowl from Song’s father and drink it all in one gulp.

“Captain, after working hard all day, I’m parched. Why don’t you drink some?” the constable said casually.

Zhang Huai twitched at the corners of his mouth, unsure of what to say.

“Captain, would you like some water?” Song’s father poured another bowl.

Zhang Huai remained cautious. “No need, you drink it yourself.”

Song’s father didn’t insist and smiled as he handed the bowl to another constable. “Would you like some water?”

The constable took it without suspicion and drank it all at once.

Afterward, Song’s father gave water to the other constables as well.

Only Zhang Huai refrained.

Seeing this, Zhang Huai was almost certain that Lord Song had tampered with the water pouch.

“Captain, won’t you drink some water?” Song’s father smiled enigmatically.

Zhang Huai’s eyes darkened as he stared at him. “Lord Song…”

“Captain, don’t call me that. I’m just a prisoner now,” Song’s father interrupted with a smile.

Zhang Huai finally understood. This matter was more serious than just some simple task that might cost a life.

“Lord Song, if you have something to say, just say it. If it’s within my power, I’ll help.”

Song’s father placed the bowl on the ground, his smile unchanged. “Captain, all your men have drunk the water; you should have some too.”

Then he walked away.

Zhang Huai stared at the bowl of water, trembling as he finally lifted it and drank.

Seeing this, Song Shiwei and her father exchanged a glance silently. They would talk with the captain more thoroughly tomorrow.

The next day.

At the break of dawn, Song Shiwei and the others had already eaten their coarse black wheat buns and, bedraggled and unwashed after yesterday’s long journey under the scorching sun, pressed on.

Under such harsh conditions, managing to stay somewhat clean was already quite a feat.

Song Shiwei wiped the sweat from her brow, pursing her lips as she moved forward.

Around her, there were moans and cries.

“I can’t walk anymore. I really can’t.”

“Wah, my foot hurts so much; it feels like the blister has burst.”

Aunt Qin and Song Shilan were helping each other near the rear, both pale and looking as if they might collapse at any moment.

But they dared not fall, as the constables behind watched them like hawks.

“Aunt…” Song Shilan spoke but her throat was dry and painful.

Since childhood, she had never suffered like this.

All because of her father!

Aunt Qin said nothing. After a sleepless night, she had resolved to return to the capital by any means necessary as soon as possible.

She simply could not endure such hardship any longer.

Suddenly—

“Ah! My stomach hurts so much!” one of the constables collapsed to the ground, clutching his belly in agony and writhing.

Aside from Song Shiwei and her father, the rest of the Song family stood there, confused and unsure of what was happening.

At that moment, all the constables, including Zhang Huai, fell to the ground, clutching their stomachs in pain.

“Maybe they ate something bad,” Song Shiwei guessed, “Let’s rest in the shade, and father and the others can check what’s going on.”

With that, she helped her mother and limped over to rest under a tree.

The others exchanged glances and sat down in the shade as well.

Only Aunt Qin and Song Shilan, ignoring their exhaustion, approached Song’s father and his companions.

“Father, what’s going on?” Song Shilan’s eyes darted around. Knowing Song Shiwei as she did, she was certain these constables had been tampered with.

If she could find some flaw in Song Shiwei, it would be much easier to deal with her.

Seeing this, Song’s father understood her thoughts and felt even more disdain for her.

This daughter had been selfish and cruel since childhood, and especially during the years when the old matriarch protected her, she had committed many malicious acts.

“Mingting, take Aunt Qin and Shilan aside to rest,” Song’s father instructed.

“Understood,” Song Mingting said, grabbing Aunt Qin and Song Shilan by the arms and roughly dragging them aside.

“You two better not cause trouble, or I won’t be so polite,” he warned harshly.

The mother and daughter, knowing well that Song Mingting could easily deal with them, dared not cause any disturbance.

“Second Brother, I just don’t understand why these constables suddenly fell ill like this,” Song Shilan feigned worry. “Could someone be trying to harm us?”

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