"Mom, Da Ya is really burning up and hasn't woken up yet. Please, let's ask Doctor Li to take a look!" Gu Chengli shouted towards the inner room.
At this moment, the tough and hardworking man already had red eyes. Although he usually favored his son, his daughter was still his own flesh and blood. Watching her burn like this was unbearable! This eldest daughter was usually the most obedient, worked hard without causing trouble, and was good to her elder brother and younger sister. He pleaded with the parents to save their child.
"Dad, Mom, please save Da Ya, I beg you, I'll kneel down for you." Mrs. Fang saw her parents-in-law didn't agree and was afraid the child's continued fever would cause harm. Her heart was extremely anxious, and she knelt down on the ground with her husband and Dazhu, tears streaming down her face.
"You know how hard it is for our family, where's the extra Silver Coin? How did Da Ya get a fever? Did you not watch the child because you were busy sleeping?" Mrs. Lv wouldn't relent either, dissatisfied, and worried if this set a precedent, everyone in the family would come asking for money. Give or not give? Mrs. Lv feared not being able to keep the money safe and was troubled.
The second son and his wife came before the eldest couple knelt. Gu Chengyi and his wife listened at the door for a while and then understood that Da Ya was sick and the elder brother was begging the parents to call Doctor Li.
The elder brother was very honest; if Da Ya could endure it, he wouldn't come pleading with the parents. Seeing that Da Ya in his brother's arms hadn't opened her eyes for so long, a doctor was definitely needed.
"Oh, sister-in-law, children from farming families are strong. How can we call a doctor for a slight fever? It might get better by noon. Don't trouble the parents." He could tell his father-in-law was troubled, so she saw it as an opportunity to make amends, thinking of the chance to gain favor.
Just as she spoke, she felt Gu Chengyi pull her, then gestured at Gu Chengli.
Following Gu Chengyi's gaze, she instantly fell silent. Gu Chengli was blocking her view of Da Ya, but now she saw Da Ya's face flushed with fever, lips cracked, and she was even mumbling deliriously. My goodness, how did it get so severe? It didn't look good at all.
The eldest couple was really foolish; the Gu Family hadn't split. All their earnings went to the public fund, and the eldest brother handed over all his money without keeping a penny for himself.
Her husband said the elder brother and he made an extra five Copper Coins, but the eldest naively gave it all to the parents without keeping any for himself. However, her husband had kept five Copper Coins and didn't mention it, fearing exposure. After all, they were brothers, and he showed some familial bond. Earning bonus money, he assumed it was okay to keep some. Who doesn't keep a little for themselves? Like now, if the parents refused, would they stand by without money?
For years, there wasn't much saved in the public fund. With frequent medicinal expenses, the family's assets were nearly depleted. The second couple secretly rejoiced at their savings.
Initially, Mrs. Lv felt content when she heard the second wife supporting her, seeing at least some understanding.
"Ah... Ah..." Gu Chengyu felt sorry for the young girl and wanted to help, trying to divert his mother's attention so she wouldn't have time to withhold.
Mrs. Lv was about to speak when she saw her youngest son awaken beside her, displeased. Just as she was about to soothe him, she suddenly realized that her three youngest were staying in the main house, risking infection. What to do if they caught it?
Quickly she instructed Mr. Gu, "Old man, quickly bring the third, the Fourth, and the girl over. We can't risk them catching it."
Mr. Gu worried as well, realizing if they all got sick, it would only worsen matters. "Second, second wife, go see if they are awake. Bring them over. Check on the Fourth; his body is weak. And look at Er Ya and Dazhu. Second wife, go boil some ginger soup for them."
"Yes, Dad!" The couple accepted the orders and went out. If the Third, the Fourth, and others caught the illness due to parents' favoritism, surely doctors would be called, costing more Silver Coin, depleting the public fund.
Mr. Gu glanced at Da Ya in the elder son's arms, her face burning red. It seemed serious, so he relented. "Eldest, go get Doctor Li." He thought to bring Da Ya himself, but decided to have Doctor Li check all the children.
"Thank you, Dad!" Gu Chengli had lost hope, but his father agreed. Although the daughter's illness hadn't improved, seeing a doctor eased some worry. Mrs. Fang and Dazhu were overjoyed and thanked Mr. Gu before carrying Da Ya back inside.
After everyone left, Mr. Gu entered the room. "Wife, fetch a hundred coins; less might not be enough."
He too was worried, pulling out his pipe for comfort, then saw his youngest's curious eyes from the bed and put it away. Knowing his child could see nothing, he began playing with Xiao Baozi. Looking at his lovely face, his worry eased into joy.
"Husband, how much Silver does the medicine cost? Must it be a lot? Why did you agree?"
Though dissatisfied, Mrs. Lv complied, fetching the key from her person and opening an unpainted, locked cabinet by the bed. Inside was a small, delicate black-lacquered box carved with magpies on plum blossoms.
The box was locked too. Using another key, she opened it, revealing two small Silver ingots and several scattered pieces of broken Silver, along with three strings of Copper Coin.
She took out a string of Copper Coin from the three and handed it to Mr. Gu, exactly a hundred coins. Mr. Gu took the Copper Coin, amused by her reluctance.
"Alright, the child is sick, so we must see the doctor, or it would dishearten the elder couple. The elder brother, sister-in-law are obedient and hardworking; with three young children at home, we must rely on the elder and second. Moreover, this time the three youngest stayed in the main house; how would it be if they caught it? We should have Doctor Li check them as well." Hearing him, Mrs. Lv considered and agreed, shelving her reluctance to spend money.