Chapter 36: The Whole Family Is Sick, What Should We Do?

Song Shiwei and the others finally noticed that a significant amount of rainwater was seeping in, turning the already damp ground into a quagmire.

Every step sank deep into the mud.

"We can't go on like this," Song Shiwei said, her brow furrowed as she tried to think of a solution.

Her father pondered for a moment and suggested, "Let's stand on the stones for now and figure out what to do."

"There’s no telling how long this rain will last; we can't keep standing in the mud."

It had been manageable earlier, but now that the water was flowing inside, the ground had become a slurry.

Song Shiwei pulled her three brothers aside and said urgently, "Stand on the stools. You’ll just get wet again if you go outside, and the stools can be cleaned later."

The stools, both low and high, were ones Song Shiwei had purchased for their journey.

The whole family stood on the stools, watching as the water inside the tent continued to rise. Song Shiwei’s expression grew increasingly grave. This could not continue; sooner or later, they would be flooded out.

How could they waterproof the tent? None of them knew how.

"Why is so much water coming in?"

"The rain outside is relentless, of course the water is pouring in. We must figure out how to keep the tent from being flooded."

"Those bailiffs outside are acting like they’re dead; they’re likely waiting for a chance to let us die."

Song Father said in a low, steady voice, "Don't panic. At worst, we'll just have to stand out in the rain. The most important thing now is to stay calm and not lose our heads."

With him steering the ship, the family settled down.

"Father, let’s divert the water," Song Mingyu said, pointing to one side of the tent. "We can dig a ditch here to let the rainwater flow out."

Song Father agreed and called his three sons to take their tools and start digging. The women, including Song Shiwei, stood by to pass tools or move the excavated mud to the side. Everyone did what they could.

Elsewhere, Zhang Huai was being held by two bailiffs. He glared at them furiously and warned, "Don't forget, you’ve been poisoned. Without the Song family's antidote, you’ll be dead before long."

Wang Laosan laughed dismissively. "Captain, stop letting the Song family fool you. When their house was raided, they didn't even have a single copper coin left—where would they get poison?"

"The stomach pains we had before were just a trick the Song family used."

Zhang Huai looked at him as if he were an utter fool. "It’s clear there’s something wrong with you." Since the man didn't believe him, he couldn't be bothered to say more. When the poison took hold, he would learn his lesson.

Just as Wang Laosan was about to say more, he heard Song Shilan’s chilling voice. "Kill him!"

Song Shilan stared intensely at Zhang Huai, her eyes full of murderous intent. "He’s helping Song Shiwei and the others; he must be killed."

"Shut your mouth!" Wang Laosan scolded her unpleasantly. "Do you still think you’re the Second Young Lady of the Song family? If it weren't for Princess Anning’s orders, I wouldn't care if you lived or died."

No matter how dissatisfied or resentful she was, Song Shilan didn't dare say another word. Once she returned to Mingdu, she would make them all pay.

Wang Laosan turned to Zhang Huai and urged, "Captain, if you won't think of yourself, think of your family, won't you? If you cooperate with us, I guarantee your family will survive."

Zhang Huai lowered his head in silence. Ever since he had spoken with Master Song, he had understood one thing: his only path to survival was to follow Master Song.

Seeing that he was unmoved, Wang Laosan decided to stop talking and signaled his companions. A rainy night was the perfect time to get things done.

"Where do you think you're going?" Suddenly, a dagger was pressed against Wang Laosan’s throat.

A shiver raced from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head, causing him to tremble. He darted his eyes to see who it was and stammered, "W-who are you?"

"Haven't you seen me before?" Ling Ze smiled coldly. "Knowing full well that we are protecting the Song family, you still dare to do such a thing. Do you think we wouldn't actually kill you?"

Wang Laosan felt the world go dark. He had assumed these people were occupied elsewhere, but they clearly weren't. "A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding! We were just checking to see if the Song family needed help."

Ling Ze mocked him, "So you're a coward now? You were looking quite smug and arrogant just a moment ago."

Only then did Wang Laosan realize their every move had been watched. "No, no, I wouldn't dare again, I won't, I won't."

Ling Ze shoved him to the ground and warned, "If there is a next time, you won't need to keep that thing on your shoulders." With that, he turned and left.

Wang Laosan no longer had any desire to mess with the Song family; at that moment, he only wanted to save his own life. Had he known this mission would be so difficult, he never would have accepted it.

The next morning, at the crack of dawn, Song Shiwei and her group were already on the road. It was the best time to travel before the heat set in.

Song Shiwei wiped the sweat from her brow, planning to dry their damp belongings during their midday break. Her peripheral vision caught sight of Song Shilan walking quietly to the side. Her gaze swept over the crudely splinted hand, and the corner of her mouth curled upward. Just by looking at the treatment, it was clear that Song Shilan’s hand was ruined. To her, this was a cause for joy.

"Oh dear, Concubine Chun, what's wrong?" Song Shiyue rushed to support Concubine Chun, who had nearly fainted. "Your face is so red, are you feeling unwell?" She reached out to touch her forehead and gasped, "Eldest Sister, Concubine Chun’s forehead is burning. She must have caught a fever."

"Don't stop!" Wang Laosan barked viciously. "Anyone who dares to stop, don't blame my whip for being heartless." Since he couldn't act in the shadows, he would make life difficult for the Song family in the open.

Song Shiwei cast a cool glance at him and walked over to support Concubine Chun. "Everyone keep moving, do not stop." She scanned her family. "If anyone feels unwell, say so. You cannot hide or delay these things."

She felt Concubine Chun’s forehead; it was indeed burning. It was likely the result of being caught in the rain last night without proper protection.

"I... I’m fine," Concubine Chun said, forcing herself to stay upright, her voice weak. "I cannot... I cannot be a burden to the family." If it came to it, she would find a place to end her life rather than drag the family down.

Song Shiwei patted her gently and said softly, "Concubine Chun, when we rest at noon, I will brew you some medicine. Just hold on." She couldn't take medicine out of her space right now; it would raise too much suspicion.

Concubine Chun managed a faint smile. "Eldest Young Lady, don't worry about me, I'm fine."

Song Shiwei could not simply ignore her. Just as she was about to speak, she heard several gasps of alarm.

"Mother, your forehead is burning too."

"Big Brother, you have a fever as well."

"Father, are you feeling unwell too?"