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Chapter 52
Upon witnessing the situation, the Xie family members turned their attention to Qiu, the mother of the second sister-in-law.
They hoped that she would assert herself with the same dominance as the matriarch of the Fang family and speak such words.
In this way, when they received the benevolence of the Mo family, they would feel more at ease.
Qiu hesitated and looked around but couldn't make up her mind.
The second sister-in-law understood her own mother's temperament the best. She always obeyed her father's words and would never dare to make decisions in such matters.
"Mother, you don't have to worry about this matter. We can show it through our actions in the future."
Qiu nodded repeatedly, "Fang'er is right, that's exactly what I have in mind."
He Zhiran did all this not only because he had Mo Jiuye's consent but also because he considered that having more people together would provide more support.
The road of exile is long, and who can guarantee that they won't need each other?
"Aunties, you are being too serious. We help each other in difficult times without the need for so much pressure."
The several sister-in-laws chimed in, and the atmosphere quickly became lively again.
When He Zhiran finished making thirteen oiled fabrics and twenty-six tents, it was dinnertime.
Coincidentally, the official escort who had taken Li Hu to the yamen also returned at this time.
He Zhiran planned to distribute all the tents while everyone was present.
The female members of the Xie and Fang families took the tents they needed and left.
The six tents of the Mo family were neatly folded by a few sister-in-laws and taken away.
The rest were meant to bribe the official escorts.
He Zhiran intended to find Peng Wang and check on the condition of the Eighth Old Zhou.
After inquiring with the duty officer, she learned that Peng Wang had been staying in the room with the Eighth Old Zhou, so she went straight there.
She knocked on the door, and Peng Wang let her in.
Peng Wang was indeed a person of clear likes and dislikes. Although his attitude towards He Zhiran had been good for the past two days, it wasn't as pronounced as it was now.
When Peng Wang saw He Zhiran enter, he unexpectedly stood up and deeply bowed to her.
"He Zhiran, I thank you on behalf of the Eighth Old Zhou for saving his life."
This was different from when he was poisoned by the snake. At that time, he had no consciousness and hadn't personally witnessed the critical situation.
Therefore, Peng Wang's feelings towards He Zhiran saving his life weren't as deep as when the Eighth Old Zhou was saved.
He had seen with his own eyes a person who had been deemed beyond saving by many others being brought back to life by He Zhiran.
Although the method of saving him was somewhat difficult to describe.
Of course, this was only in his own opinion.
He felt guilty towards his own wife...
Faced with Peng Wang's bow, He Zhiran didn't dodge.
No one knew better than her that if it weren't for her, the Eighth Old Zhou would have long become a water ghost.
After Peng Wang finished bowing, he straightened his body and resumed his lofty appearance.
"He Zhiran, do you have something to discuss with me?"
He Zhiran wasn't particularly surprised by the drastic change in his demeanor within less than a minute.
On the contrary, she admired Peng Wang's character.
"Peng official, I just made several tents with the female members of the family, and the official escorts also received their share. Please send someone to retrieve them later.
Also, I wanted to come and check on the condition of the Eighth Old Zhou."
As she spoke, He Zhiran looked towards the Eighth Old Zhou lying on the bed with his eyes tightly shut.
What puzzled her was that the Eighth Old Zhou's face was unusually red.
"Is Master Zhou running a fever?"
Peng Wang had been taking care of the Eighth Old Zhou in the room and knew very well that he wasn't running a fever.
However, when Peng Wang's gaze fell upon the face of the Eighth Old Zhou as He Zhiran mentioned it, he was also taken aback.
"Old Zhou, are you feeling unwell? Why is your face so red all of a sudden? You were perfectly fine just a moment ago."
With both of them mentioning it, the Eighth Old Zhou felt his face growing even hotter.
At this moment, he wished he could find a hole to hide in.
Seeing Peng Wang's "claw" reaching towards his forehead, the Eighth Old Zhou dodged it and spoke with difficulty.
"I'm not feeling unwell, and I'm not running a fever."
Peng Wang became even more confused.
"If you're not running a fever, why is your face red? Since He Zhiran is here, if there's anything bothering you, just let her know so she can help you."
Upon hearing the name "He Zhiran," the Eighth Old Zhou's face grew even redder, and he could even feel the burning sensation of embarrassment.
Based on a physician's experience, in this kind of situation, there must be something wrong with the Eighth Old Zhou's body.
So, without a second word, He Zhiran approached the bedside and reached out to feel the Eighth Old Zhou's pulse.
Everything seemed normal except for a slightly faster heart rate...
He Zhiran tried her best to think of various reasons that could explain the symptoms the Eighth Old Zhou was experiencing.
Peng Wang stared intently at He Zhiran, waiting for her to speak about Peng Wang's condition.
Just then, the Eighth Old Zhou sat up from the bed.
"I'm not sick."
"Old Zhou, what's wrong with you? Don't startle us like that. It could give someone a heart attack," Peng Wang said, patting his chest cautiously.
The Eighth Old Zhou didn't explain anything to Peng Wang but looked at He Zhiran with difficulty.
His words came out somewhat incoherently.
"He...He Zhiran, I...I've heard that it was you who...who kissed me and saved me. I know that a woman's chastity is of utmost importance, but you...you are already a married woman. I shouldn't say anything that would make you responsible.
Of...of course, if Mo Jiuye rejects you and divorces you, I...I can...I can marry you."
After saying that, the Eighth Old Zhou turned his head away, too afraid to look at He Zhiran.
He Zhiran...
What kind of trouble had she gotten herself into?
She had only saved someone's life, but how did it end up like this?
Furthermore, she didn't even kiss the Eighth Old Zhou.
Peng Wang was also infuriated by the Eighth Old Zhou's words.
He never expected that after explaining for so long, the Eighth Old Zhou still hadn't figured it out.
"Old Zhou, didn't I make it clear just now? It wasn't He Zhiran who woke you up, it was me, it was me. Why don't you believe me?"
This matter had ultimately damaged He Zhiran's reputation, and Peng Wang felt it necessary to clarify.
He Zhiran was currently feeling extremely emo.
She vented her frustrations internally, calmed herself down, and then spoke lightly.
"Master Zhou, I saved you out of the responsibility of being a physician. It was indeed Peng Wang who woke you up, and I merely taught him some proper methods."
Seeing this, Peng Wang continued to explain with a brave face, "Old Zhou, do you even doubt me now? I went all out to save you, and I even kissed you, a grown man."
He Zhiran echoed, "Both Peng Wang and I have gone this far. What else is there for you not to believe?"
He Zhiran originally wanted to say, "Don't have those inappropriate thoughts, Eighth Old Zhou," but she realized that such words could be hurtful, especially when facing an official who had authority over her. She had to choose her words carefully.
Eighth Old Zhou turned around without giving a definite answer. He glanced at He Zhiran and then at Peng Wang.
"Boss, everyone says they saw He kissing me. Whose words should I believe?"
He Zhiran and Peng Wang spoke almost simultaneously.
"Listen to me."
"Listen to me."
Peng Wang sighed, "I was right by your side at that time. No one knows the situation better than I do."
Although Eighth Old Zhou had already started to believe their words, he still held onto his stubborn belief.
"While I believe what you're saying, so many people saw He kissing me, which damages her reputation."
Seeing Eighth Old Zhou's unyielding attitude, He Zhiran couldn't control her temper.
Her anger got the better of her, and she became somewhat reckless.
"Eighth Old Zhou, I've already made myself clear. Please stop overthinking things, and by the way, my reputation is none of your concern."