Li Zhengguo received the report and naturally stopped what he was doing, the most important thing being to pack up his tools.
He wanted to ask Chen Suozhu to help him pack, but Chen Suozhu was faster than him, running off. Such haste was pointless.
As Li Zhengguo tidied up, Tian Jing dashed back from behind the house. She pulled up her mother-in-law from the cooling cot. "Mother, the show is about to begin. You must be ready with your tears."
"You child, you ruined the mood I had just built up," Mother Li said, torn between laughter and tears. "Tell Zhengguo to carry the cooling cot."
Li Zhengguo had already finished packing his tools and moved the cut lumber into the main hall. He then came out and carried the cooling cot. "Tiantian, lock the west room door."
"That's right, we need to lock the door. You go ahead," Tian Jing waved her hand. "I'll see what needs to be put away. We can't have anything stolen."
By the time Tian Jing had finished gathering things and caught up with Li Zhengguo, he had reached the top of the slope.
Chen Suozhu had already slid down from the lower side on the left.
Tian Jing nudged Li Zhengguo. "Hurry, carry the cooling cot down and, with Chen Suozhu, lift Li Min up."
Chen Suozhu rushed over. Hearing Li Min's low groans, he scrambled and slid to the bottom of the slope. He dared not go forward to ask, so he could only watch from the side. Seeing no bleeding from her, he felt slightly relieved.
He heard Sister-in-law Tian's voice from the top of the slope and quickly went to the lower part to receive the cooling cot.
Hearing her sister-in-law's voice, Li Min felt reassured. She clutched her stomach and moaned louder. "Sister-in-law, my leg hurts, and my stomach hurts too."
"Don't be afraid, we'll go see the doctor right away," Tian Jing replied in sync.
Li Zhengguo had already picked up his sister horizontally. He asked Chen Suozhu to help support his sister's right leg, which she held carefully, lest a possible fracture lead to further injury.
Quite a few people, who had come to dig kudzu roots, had gathered at the top of the slope. Seeing the commotion, they all came over to see.
Many people who cared about Li Min were concerned when they saw she was injured and even lent a hand to pull the cooling cot up the slope.
Li Zhengguo and Chen Suozhu carried the cooling cot to the village to find the doctor.
Tian Jing picked up her carrying basket and followed the crowd towards the village. Passing by the Li family's gate, she put down the basket and helped her mother-in-law to Doctor Yang's place.
Doctor Yang saw the situation and knew it was the day for the performance.
He directed Li Zhengguo to carry the cooling cot into the main hall. He took Li Min's pulse, asked about the painful areas, and then gently touched the spots Li Min indicated. He looked at Li Zhengguo with a hesitant expression.
Li Min, on the cooling cot, saw Doctor Yang's demeanor and knew it was her cue to act. She quickly spoke, "Doctor Yang, tell me directly what's wrong with me. I can take it."
Li Zhengguo wanted to pull Doctor Yang aside to talk, but Li Min shouted her objection.
"Big Brother, just let Doctor Yang tell me in front of you. I can take it. Whether I'm crippled or paralyzed, I want to know the result."
"Alright," Li Zhengguo released Doctor Yang. "Doctor Yang, just tell me directly."
The villagers who had followed outside were all watching Doctor Yang nervously.
Doctor Yang's face was serious. "Her right leg isn't a major issue; it's a minor bone crack. Her abdominal pain is quite severe. It seems there's been internal damage, and her pelvis might also have a slight fracture. These could make it difficult for her... for her future... prospects."
As soon as he spoke, there was a moment of silence inside, outside, and in the courtyard. Then, a murmur rose from the courtyard.
They were all discussing how Li Min's fall could be so serious.
Tian Jing, supporting her mother-in-law, pushed through the crowd. "Make way, make way."
The crowd immediately parted, and everyone looked at Mother Li with pity. Mother Li had just recovered a little, and now Li Min had this accident. The Li family truly... alas.
"Doctor Yang," Mother Li said, her eyes full of tears. "Please, give me a way to treat her. This, this is about to..."
Doctor Yang shook his head gently. "Honestly, I'm good with bone injuries, external injuries, and skin diseases. I'm not that skilled with internal problems."
"Do you want to go to a big hospital for an examination? I hear machines are very clear and accurate. If there's internal damage, surgery can also restore it."
"No, I don't want to go," Li Min began to cry. "Doctor Yang, just give me some traditional Chinese medicine, both internal and external. My family can't afford a big hospital. My father back then..."
"I'm still alive, which is lucky. Even if I'm crippled and can't have children, I'm not afraid, as long as Big Brother and Sister-in-law don't look down on me."
Tian Jing took her mother-in-law and walked closer to the cooling cot. "Don't say silly things. Your surname is Li, and the Li family will always be your home. No matter what others think, your Big Brother and I will never look down on you. Be good, let's go to a big hospital for an examination."
"I won't go," Li Min refused, shaking her head. "I heard that just an examination costs a lot of money. If I'm not eligible for surgery, the doctors at the hospital will just tell me to recuperate at home. Why waste that money?"
"Even my hundred-plus yuan wouldn't be enough for one examination. Where would our family borrow money? Everyone saves up their money bit by bit."
"As long as Sister-in-law doesn't mind me, I'll recuperate at home for a few more years. When I've saved enough money, I'll go for an examination, okay? Doctor Yang just said it's difficult, not impossible, right? I'll just recuperate at home, I won't go anywhere."
Tian Jing looked at her mother-in-law. Mother Li nodded tearfully. "Okay, okay, nowhere to go. Just stay here, stay home with me, woo woo woo."
Some of the people outside the courtyard, with shallower tear ducts, were already crying along.
Tian Jing turned to Doctor Yang. "Doctor Yang, if she recuperates at home like this, is there hope for recovery?"
Doctor Yang sighed. "It will take at least a few years of good food and drink. I still suggest going to the hospital for an examination. Even if you recuperate for a few years, it's best to get it checked at the hospital to confirm if the recovery is complete."
Before Tian Jing could reply, Li Min answered herself. "Okay, I'll go when I've saved enough money."
"Please, Doctor Yang, prescribe the medicine. Use good medicine. We're not going to the big hospital, but here, we'll still pay what we need to."
Tian Jing's words made the people outside the courtyard nod. This sister-in-law was good, willing to care for her sister-in-law in the future and willing to spend money now.
"Thank you, Tiantian," Mother Li said gratefully.
"Mother-in-law, we're a family. When Li Min recovers, she can at least help with housework at home. I won't indulge her, nor will I mistreat her."
"Good, good," Mother Li lowered her head and wiped away tears. Actually, there was a piece of ginger in her handkerchief. If she didn't wipe, her eyes would dry up.
The people outside the courtyard continued to wipe tears along with her.
Doctor Yang first took some Chinese herbs and put them in a mortar for Li Zhengguo to crush. He then prepared three doses of medicine and handed them to Tian Jing.
"Take these three doses first. After they're consumed, I'll check her pulse again to see if the prescription needs to be changed. Boil three bowls of water down to one, once in the morning and once in the evening."
"Take the crushed powder, stir-fry it with white wine into a paste when you get home. Feel the temperature to ensure it's not too hot, and apply it to her painful areas. Remove it when it dries."
"In the evening, add wine, stir-fry it until soft, and apply it. Use it for three days, and then change the powder after three days."
Tian Jing nodded as Doctor Yang spoke. "How much will it cost in total?"
Doctor Yang glanced at Li Zhengguo grinding the medicine. "I won't charge a consultation fee. The internal medicine is two yuan per dose, and the external application is one yuan per dose. The total is seven yuan."