ebookland Chapter 223 Ginger Soup
Chapter 223 Ginger Soup
Sanmao hurried into the kitchen and saw Qiangzi and Xiaoxing busy at work. The blazing flames in the stove licked the bottom of the pot, and the water in the pot had begun to bubble and steam. On the side, the large wooden barrel used for bathing stood quietly, as if waiting to be filled with warm hot water.
Without saying anything, Sanmao grabbed Xiaoxing's arm and dragged him out of the kitchen. The two stood in the yard. Sanmao lowered his voice and whispered anxiously in Xiaoxing's ear: "Xiaoxing, you should immediately ride your horse to Zheng's house to find Brother Xingyun and tell him that Xiaocao fell into the water and needs a doctor to come back and take a look!"
Xiao Xing looked at San Mao with a puzzled look on his face, and asked in confusion: "Why don't you go to the clinic to see a doctor? And is Brother Xingyun really in Zheng's house right now?"
Sanmao frowned and replied impatiently, "Oh, don't ask so many questions! Just do as I say! If anyone asks why you invited the doctor from the Zheng Mansion, just say that you happened to meet Brother Xingyun on the road, and he took the initiative to ask the doctor from the mansion to come and help. Remember it?"
Although Xiaoxing still had some doubts in his mind, seeing Sanmao so anxious and serious, he nodded and said, "I understand, I'll do it right away!" After that, he turned and ran towards the stable, and soon rode his horse to the county town.
Xiao Cao was taking a bath in the house comfortably, the warm water enveloping her small body. Old Lady Yang and Li were sitting beside her to keep her company.
"How could this child fall into the water for no reason? What happened?" asked Old Mrs. Yang with a worried look on her face.
Li frowned and responded, "I was washing clothes by the river just now. I wonder if anyone saw what happened."
At this time, the yard outside was already full of people who had rushed over after hearing the news. Everyone was talking at once, chattering, and the scene was very lively.
"I saw it! Xiao Cao said he wanted to see if there were any fish in the river and wanted to catch one. But as soon as he stood on the rock, he accidentally slipped and fell into the river." A young woman said first.
"Yes, yes, I saw it too. She definitely slipped down because she didn't stand firmly." Another woman echoed her. They were both people who were washing clothes by the river.
Hearing these words, Yang Dashan and everyone else breathed a sigh of relief.
The village chief said: "If that's the case, then it's not bad. At least it proves that it was our little Cao'er's own carelessness, and not someone deliberately framed him."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and continued to discuss the matter of Xiaocao'er falling into the water. Some said that children should stay away from the river in the future; some said that children should be taught some swimming skills just in case; and some said that parents should keep a close eye on their children... The whole yard was filled with noisy voices, but everyone showed real concern for Xiaocao'er's fall into the water.
Aunt Gen tied an apron on and hurriedly brought out a bowl of steaming ginger soup from the kitchen. She came to Xiao Cao'er's room and saw Old Lady Yang and Li accompanying her. She said gently, "Come on, Xiao Cao'er, drink this bowl of ginger soup right after you take a bath. Then have a good sleep and you will feel much better after sweating."
Xiao Cao nodded obediently and stretched out her hands to take the ginger soup. When she leaned in to smell it, a strong smell of ginger came to her nose, and she immediately felt as if there was a fire burning in her throat. She couldn't help but frowned and muttered, "Thank you, Aunt Gen, this ginger soup smells so spicy."
At this time, Li's face became serious. She raised her voice and said sternly, "Xiao Cao'er, I have to talk to you. From now on, you must never go near that river again! Your elder brother just left for the city yesterday, saying that he was going to travel far to the capital, but you just left and you caused such an accident today. Are you deliberately trying to scare me to death?"
Xiao Cao'er was frightened by her mother's harsh words and shrank her neck. She quickly explained, "Mom, it's not like that. I really didn't mean it. I was just careless for a moment. Don't worry, I will never go to the river again." After saying that, she plucked up the courage to pick up the ginger soup, held her breath and drank it in big gulps. She even shuddered slightly after drinking it.
However, Li didn't seem to have calmed down, and continued to say unhappily, "Humph, as soon as your brothers left, something went wrong here. If you say it was just carelessness, it would be fine, but could there be another layer of meaning, that you deliberately wanted to make me unhappy, knowing that I was in a bad mood these past two days!"
"Okay, okay, as long as the child is okay, she definitely doesn't want to do that! Although it's not winter now, the river water is already very cold. Who would be willing to fall in and suffer this?" Aunt Gen stood aside, constantly comforting Li, who had an angry face.
Old Lady Yang said to Li: "According to what you said, do you think my precious granddaughter fell into the river on purpose to upset you? She is a girl. What if she gets sick after falling into the water? How can you, as a mother, say such things? Could it be that you are reluctant to let your son go to the capital, so you take your anger out on me, Xiao Cao'er?"
"Mother, look at her. She's already so old, but she doesn't know anything about housework or needlework. All she does all day is practice martial arts and jump around. Does she look like a girl?" Li asked.
When Old Lady Yang heard Li's accusation, she flew into a rage. She widened her eyes, pointed at Li and angrily said, "Look at what nonsense you are talking about! My precious granddaughter Xiaocao'er is usually well-behaved and sensible, but she is just lively and active by nature. What's wrong with her liking to practice martial arts? It's pitiful enough that she accidentally fell into the river. Not only do you not care about her and comfort her, but you blame her for not being like a girl! Is there any mother like you?"