Chapter 152: Mother, My Tummy Hurts

Bai Yan leaned against the outer door, her little head bobbing back and forth.

She had just called out to Mrs. Zhao when Jiang Chengyan scooped her up by the collar and hauled her out.

"Father," Bai Yan obediently greeted Jiang's father. By this time, Jiang Chengyan had already hoisted her into the courtyard like a little chick. The moment Jiang Chengyan turned back to close the door, Bai Yan had already darted straight into Mrs. Zhao's arms.

"Why did this little girl rush over here?" Jiang's father asked, still looking somewhat bewildered.

"I wanted to come," Bai Yan said, hugging Mrs. Zhao's arm, while Mrs. Zhao wore an expression of utter disdain.

"Thank goodness there's still a clean room left. Wait for a moment, I'll go tidy it up right now," Jiang's father said hurriedly.

Mrs. Zhao completely ignored Jiang Chengyan standing right there. Pulling the young girl closer, she noticed a tiny pimple on the girl's chin. Frowning, she asked, "Is your monthly time coming soon?"

It was rather embarrassing to mention; last time she had brewed some tonic herbs for the girl, but they were a bit too potent—although her period came, the girl had remained somewhat weak ever since.

Bai Yan didn't care at all about periods or tonics. She rubbed left and right against Mrs. Zhao like a little puppy.

Jiang Chengyan simply stood to one side.

Seeing him staring straight at her, Mrs. Zhao found him an eyesore. Her tone remained as sharp and impatient as ever: "Don't just stand there like a post. Go help your father."

Jiang Chengyan didn't budge an inch. In a calm voice, he replied, "He can handle things on his own." He refused to leave, standing right there. Although he said nothing, every word and gesture seemed to broadcast the unspoken fear that Mrs. Zhao might actually steal his wife away.

"How did you get here? Did you take the ox cart?" Mrs. Zhao looked down at the little girl whining softly against her.

Bai Yan shook her head. "Husband carried me on his back."

"You traveled for so long, you must be exhausted. Your father has probably made the bed by now, so go get some sleep. Old woman, I'm going to make you something to eat." Mrs. Zhao bustled off toward the small kitchen.

Jiang Chengyan: "..."

The rabbit was carried here on someone's back; even if anyone was tired, shouldn't the tired one be him?

Bai Yan had arrived with a full stomach. As soon as she snuggled into the cozy bedding, she fell sound asleep. Listening to her soft snoozes, Jiang Chengyan—who hadn't felt sleepy at all—was instantly infected by her drowsiness.

Jiang's father and Mrs. Zhao were both in high spirits. They no longer had to rush on the road, and the children had finally arrived.

"That boy Chengan better make something of himself out there. If he ends up having to beg for food, I'll truly regret giving birth to him," Mrs. Zhao muttered while cooking, suddenly thinking of Jiang Chengan.

Jiang's father fell silent for a moment, letting out a heavy sigh.

Jiang's father was earnestly making glutinous rice chicken while Mrs. Zhao sat nearby sewing clothes. Right at that moment, wailing cries suddenly rang out from the adjacent room.

Startled, Mrs. Zhao dropped what she was doing and rushed outside.

Entering the room, she found Bai Yan rolling around in pain on the heated brick bed. Jiang Chengyan hurried over to cradle her in his arms, attempting to massage her belly.

"Is it her time of the month? Go quickly and brew some—no, I'll go brew it. Hold her for a moment, I'll be right back." A single glance was enough for Mrs. Zhao to diagnose the problem. At that moment, she was utterly composed—with a calmness that felt entirely foreign to Jiang Chengyan.

Mrs. Zhao dived straight into the small kitchen. Jiang's father stoked the fire for her while she rummaged through a small basket, pulled out a messy handful of various herbs, and dumped them into an earthen medicine pot.

Jiang's father diligently kept the fire blazing, and soon the medicine pot began to bubble and boil vigorously.

Mrs. Zhao poured out the decoction, then cooled it down by setting it in a basin of cold water before carrying it over to Bai Yan.

The entire sequence of actions was so smooth and practiced that it left one speechless.

"Mother, my tummy hurts," Bai Yan whimpered, clutching her stomach. Even with Jiang Chengyan trying to soothe her, it offered no relief.

"Don't be afraid, you'll feel better once you drink this. I added a bit of rock sugar to the medicine; once you drink it, the pain will stop right away, and those pimples will vanish too." At that moment, Mrs. Zhao had shed all her usual sharpness. Her gentle expression was something Jiang Chengyan had never witnessed before.