The next morning as they woke up, everyone noticed that the weather was gloomy showing signs of raining. The ballifs urged everyone to hurry up or they would be drenched in the rain. Su Xiao and Bai Ling packed up their stuff and pushed the cart each.
She had already administered another shot to Shi Dong so it was estimated he would be awake soon. The moisture in tha air was heavy indicating a sign of heavy downpour. Mu Wei's injury was almost healed forming scabs so he was fairly okay. He had tried to help but Su Xiao refused stating that it was only when she was sure the bones were alright would she allow him do any strenuous work. He could only resign himself to fate.
He looked at the sky and knew that the rain would be heavy. As if on cue, the downpour began. The wind howled and the rain fiercely rained. The ballifs put on their straw coat and urged them to a cave which was a bit near. Su Xiao took on the lead and the rain drenching her, arrived at the cave and parked there.
She put the cart in the inner most part of the cave which was humid. She helped Bai Ling park the other cart before opening the curtain. The kids were awake and dry and she felt relieved. The bamboo leaves did a good work so she planned to change the wet one tomorrow. She then checked on Shi Dong and pasted a patch on him t regulate his temperature.
She went outside to get some firewood and taking advantage of that got some wild pheasant from her space and came back. The clucking of the chickens attracted the attention of the other exiles and they stared hungrily at her. But remembering how she dealt with lion, they felt afraid of acting on their thoughts.
Su Xiao dropped the firewood and pheasant on the floor. She called the surprised Bai Ling and instructed
"Sister Bai, please make fire and boil water to pluck the pheasant feathers while I kill it"
"Okay, Xiao'er"
Ignoring the affectionate name, she went to the backyard and slaughtered the chicken. The children stared excitedly at her, cheering at the thought of eating chicken. Su Xiao also smiled with them, their happiness infectious. Mu Wei felt grateful for her coming, since she arrived here, they children were happy and always ate a full meal.
The water boiled and she prepared to pluck the feathers. She met the pleading eyes of the kids and her heart softened.
"Alright. You both come down it"
"Yayyy...
The immediately ran to do the work. After plucking they presented it to Su Xiao like a treasure and she praised them generous which earned a blush of them. They loved their mom now, she was now smiling and treating them gently. She no longer hit or scold them anymore. They're so happy and glad.
Unaware of the children thought, she sliced the chicken into big chunks and put it in the pot. She did discreetly add some spring water to the water in the bucket she had asked Bai Ling to put in the rain. She added the mushrooms and salt and left the pheasant to cook. The aroma was once again spreading out through the camp.
Su Xiao looked at the rain and estimated it would rain throughout the day meaning they would spend the rest of the day here. As she was thinking, Mu Wei interrupted.
"It's going to rain throughout today. I'm not sure the sick and weak people will survive this. By nightfall, this whole place will become very cold"
"You're right"
Su Xiao agreed with him. She had to make some arrangements for the kids. The ox cart was enough to make a bed in it. She planned to make a wooden bed for the kids and put in the cart with some wooden chairs to sit down in. Once again, she needed to find a coach man for each cart. Su Xiao served the steaming hot pheasant to the kids and Mu Wei, then she gave to Bai Ling for hers and her husband. She thanked her gratefully.
Just as she was eating her share in the cart, she heard a scream. She got off the cart to take a look at the reason. She saw a young man with a scar on the right side of his face holding another young man and crying. From the looks of things, the young man was having a high fever and seemed almost delirious. The one with the scar on his face was his elder brother and he was begging the ballifs to save his brother.
Her eyes narrowed in thought.
They looked fit and healthy. She was no saint who did selfless deeds. She was going to treat his younger brother and in return get a free coach man. After sorting her thoughts she commanded.
"Bring him here"
Li Tuo was begging the ballifs for money to save his younger brother who was running a high fever. The local doctor that came with them refused to treat his brother as he had no silver or things to trade. He was almost desperate to save his brother. He was his only family left after their parents died on their way here. He was a little sick and the downpour made it worse. Just as he was in despair he heard someone ask him to come.
He stared at the woman in shock. He knew her. She was the lady that killed the lion. Su Xiao frowned as she stared at the boy looking blankly at him. She asked impatiently
"Are you coming or not?"
Li Tuo was now sure he wasn't hallucinating and immediately ran over with his brother in his hands. Su Xiao carried him to the empty cart and asked him to go get water. He immediately ran off to get water. Su Xiao took advantage of his absence and gave him a shot along with some fever reducing pills, she then fed him some nutrient fluid.
Li Tuo returned with the water. She instructed him to use a cloth and cool his temperature. She had no choice than to rely on physical cooling to reduce his temperature. The young boy had already stopped shivering and looked to be peacefully sleeping. Li Tuo immediately knelt and kowtowed to her.
"Thank you Mrs. You saved my brother's life so I'm forever indebted to you"
"No need. I happen to have something you can repay me with me"
"Whatever it is Mrs, I will do it"
Su Xiao nodded in satisfaction.
"I need you to help me drive this cart till we arrive at the wilderness"
"Just that?"
Su Xiao looked at him strangely. Was he expecting more? Li Tuo felt embarrassed at the gaze. He thought she would ask him to do dirty works for her but she only wanted this. He was truly grateful to her.