Chapter 265 - 266: Story

Chapter 265: Chapter 266: Story

Ancient Wen Heng helped Jin Qianqian back to their courtyard at the village entrance, and Ouyang Bing immediately rushed out. "You two are finally back! I can’t believe you’d just leave your two guests here to fend for themselves."

Ancient Wen Heng had known him long enough to tell he was up to something again.

"Today was my mother’s birthday banquet, so we were really busy. Can’t you see my wife is heavily pregnant? Stop blocking the path. I need to get her inside to rest."

Ouyang Bing immediately looked at Jin Qianqian apologetically and gave an awkward smile. "Sister-in-law Gu, you know what I’m like—a bit impatient. You’ve had a long day. You should go rest."

Still feeling uneasy, Ancient Wen Heng looked at Housekeeper Fu, who was standing nearby. "Has Doctor Chu gone to bed yet?"

"Not yet." Just then, Chu Dongnan emerged carrying his medical kit. He hadn’t forgotten the main reason he’d come along. "Find somewhere warm. I need to take her pulse."

Jin Qianqian was about to say she was fine, but Ancient Wen Heng led her straight to the study. "Better safe than sorry. You’ve been on your feet all day. Let’s have him check you over first."

Once Chu Dongnan had taken her pulse and confirmed there was nothing seriously wrong, Wenheng had Qing Mei help her to the bedroom to rest.

"So, tell me," Ouyang Bing began, "did the county government really set you up in this place?" He had wandered around the village after the banquet, and the more he saw, the more unbelievable he found it. ’Living here might even be more comfortable than living in the county seat.’

Chu Dongnan shot him a look. "This place didn’t use to be so nice. The locals all avoided it like the plague."

As if sensing a juicy story, Ouyang Bing scooted closer to Chu Dongnan, a gossipy look on his face. "Quick, tell me everything."

Ancient Wen Heng had Housekeeper Fu bring out the tea service and began to brew tea for them himself.

Chu Dongnan recounted what had happened there during the previous dynasty, adding at the end, "That’s why no one dared to set foot in this area. If you all hadn’t taken refuge here during the famine, who knows how much longer this place would have been abandoned."

Ancient Wen Heng placed a cup of tea in front of each man before asking Chu Dongnan with curiosity, "Doctor Chu, you seem quite knowledgeable about this area. I take it you’re no stranger to this place?"

Chu Dongnan seemed lost in thought. "When I was young, I used to follow my grandfather and father everywhere to gather medicinal herbs. We were always roughing it, so we’d inevitably have to visit villages and ask for help preparing some dry rations for our journey.

In return, my grandfather and father would treat the villagers for free.

One time, we came to this very village. It wasn’t until we were a good distance away that my grandfather warned my father and me to stay away from here in the future.

I only remember my father asking, ’Is it because of some of their old, hidden wounds?’

My grandfather’s expression changed instantly, and he scolded my father. I never found out the village’s true story, but it’s all in the past now.

Later, my curiosity got the better of me, and I did some asking around. All three hundred-some villagers here were wiped out in a plague. Not a single person survived."

Ancient Wen Heng thought of the gold he and Jin Qianqian had discovered. ’It seems the origin of that gold isn’t simple, either.’

’But so much time has passed, and with no one left to tell the tale, it’s impossible to verify. I’ll find an opportunity to use that gold for charity. That way, we can accumulate some good karma for our family. Who knows, it might even help us in our next lives.’

Ouyang Bing had been listening intently. "What a shame you never figured out what your grandfather meant. You don’t think he stumbled upon some earth-shattering secret?"

Chu Dongnan rolled his eyes at him. "How should I know? If my grandfather had wanted to say something, he wouldn’t have shut my father down like that.

Besides, the old village was completely wiped out. Even if I were curious enough to go looking for answers, there’s nothing to find.

You’re a pretty curious fellow yourself. Why don’t you try to figure it out? You can satisfy my curiosity at the same time."

Ouyang Bing quickly shook his head. "I just got carried away by the story! I’m no information broker. This sort of thing isn’t my forte."

"Are information brokers really a thing?" Ancient Wen Heng asked, taking a sip of his tea.

"It’s just a figure of speech. Everyone’s busy trying to make a living and support their families. Who has the time to go digging into other people’s private business?

Brother Wen Heng, the way you’re asking... is there something you’re trying to find out?"

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "I’m just curious about the people in Doctor Chu’s story. Besides, we are occupying their old village, after all. What if they have descendants out there? It could lead to a dispute with our new village."

Chu Dongnan smiled. "You don’t need to worry about that. My father came to investigate out of that same curiosity back in the day. Besides, so many years have passed. Even if some descendants did show up, their dispute would be with the court and the government, not with you."

"I suppose I’m worrying over nothing," said Ancient Wen Heng. "You’ve both had a long day as well. The housekeeper has the rooms ready, so you should get some rest."

"Wait," Ouyang Bing called out, stopping him. "There’s one more thing I wanted to ask."

Ancient Wen Heng asked, "Were my people not taking good care of you?"

"No, no, no," Ouyang Bing said, glancing at Chu Dongnan. "It’s just that earlier, in the carriage, Old Man Chu and I noticed something... different. I was wondering if there’s anything special about that carriage."

Ancient Wen Heng said, "...It’s just a carriage, isn’t it? What did you think was so different about it?"

Ouyang Bing replied, "I just felt the ride was much smoother. I was even able to take a little nap on the way here."

Chu Dongnan shot him a look. ’...’ ’This guy slept nearly the entire way, and he has the nerve to say that without blushing.’

The shameless fellow looked at Ancient Wen Heng expectantly. "If there’s a secret to it, please tell me. My mother can’t handle carriage rides, so she’s been stuck at home her whole life.

If I can fall asleep in this one, maybe it’s the key to letting my mother get out and see the sights."

"I had this carriage specially modified for my wife," Ancient Wen Heng explained. "She can’t handle bumpy rides, either."

As soon as he heard that, Ouyang Bing knew there was a secret to it. "Would you be willing to part with it?"

Ancient Wen Heng, remembering the life-saving medicine from Luo Luo’s birth, didn’t mind parting with the carriage. "That could be arranged," he said. "I’d just hope to acquire another dose of that life-saving medicine."

Seeing Ouyang Bing’s expression change drastically, Ancient Wen Heng quickly added, "I know the carriage isn’t an even trade. I’m willing to pay a high price for the medicine as well."

Over the past two years, Ancient Wen Heng had learned a thing or two about Ouyang Bing’s background. The man appeared to just be a restaurant owner, but in reality, he was the middleman for most of the medicine sold by the local apothecaries.

But the man was incredibly cunning. Even when he had medicine in stock, he would hoard it, letting the public drive the price sky-high before he would even consider letting it go.

Ouyang Bing’s expression softened. "Actually, you don’t need to be so worried. Old Man Chu may not be able to raise the dead, but he’s one of the best doctors in this region.

Besides, this isn’t your wife’s first child. There shouldn’t be any major problems even without the medicine."