CHAPTER 97: CHAPTER 97: ANOTHER DREAM, ZHAO DAHE BREAKS HIS LEG

After Wen Shu thanked Meng Yao again, he led Wen Nuan to the farthest corner of the first floor under the innkeeper’s guidance.

Meng Yao told Wen Nuan the location of her room and instructed her to settle in before coming to find her on the second floor.

Then, ignoring the gazes of Chen He and others, she calmly went upstairs.

Zhao Dahe was extremely anxious as he waited, and as soon as Meng Yao sat down in the room, he knocked on the door.

"At a time like this, how do you have the mind for gossip?" Meng Yao said displeased.

"If we hadn’t run into them, it wouldn’t matter. But since we did, and you’re directly involved, I can’t sleep well without knowing everything," Zhao Dahe retorted confidently.

Zhao Dahe asked about the names of the siblings, what had happened to them, and Meng Yao’s assistance to them until he was satisfied.

Finally, Zhao Dahe remarked, "Mother, you always tell us not to meddle, yet you are the biggest meddler!"

After speaking, seeming to fear Meng Yao’s anger, he quickly dashed off.

Meng Yao laughed helplessly, finding Zhao Dahe’s words quite logical.

She could only say that she tried not to be overly helpful and hoped those she aided were truly deserving.

About a quarter of an hour later, there was a knock on Meng Yao’s door.

Wen Nuan’s crisp, bright voice came from outside.

Meng Yao opened the door, let her in, and handed the pre-prepared medicinal oil to Wen Nuan, "Apply it to the injured area and massage until the oil is absorbed. Use moderate force."

Wen Nuan quickly expressed gratitude and then asked, "Madam, what exactly do you mean by moderate force?"

"It should be painful, but not unbearably so," Meng Yao said.

Wen Nuan nodded hastily, "I’ll go back and massage my brother first, then come back to serve you, Madam."

"I’m going to rest, so you don’t need to come over today," Meng Yao said.

She wasn’t accustomed to being served; what she said before was just an excuse.

Wen Nuan hesitated, unsure whether to leave with the medicinal oil or stay.

"Madam..." Wen Nuan bit her lip and looked at Meng Yao pitifully.

Meng Yao relented, "Wake up early tomorrow and accompany me to the morning market to buy groceries."

Wen Nuan immediately grinned and responded loudly, "Got it, Madam."

Meng Yao wanted to ask if the siblings had eaten, but felt it might embarrass them, so she swallowed her words.

Help should be given to the right extent, lest it breeds resentment.

Meng Yao soaked her feet, tidied up, then bolted the door, performed a set of pre-sleep yoga to relax her body, and lay down on the bed.

One of the most apparent benefits since coming to the ancient times was her healthy routine.

Work at sunrise, rest at sunset.

When she first arrived, the original owner’s body was somewhat aged; now, although not glowing, she appeared significantly healthier compared to her rural peers.

Ancient people generally had short lifespans, so Meng Yao adopted every known effective health regimen to live a few more years.

Not striving to reverse aging, but to maintain an overall good condition like before.

Before long, Meng Yao drifted into sleep.

However, shortly after, she awoke with a start.

She panted heavily, taking a while to calm her breathing.

In her dream, Zhao Dahe’s leg was broken, fractured in several places, with bones protruding through the skin.

From past dreaming experiences, Meng Yao knew this foreshadowed something to occur in the future.

The uncertainty lay in whether it was imminent or distant.

Given Zhao Xiaoshu’s case, it seemed immediate.

Regarding Zhao Xiaohua, it wasn’t immediate.

Meng Yao felt a vague unease; since Zhao Dahe was preparing for examinations, it was highly likely to be soon.

In the coming days, Zhao Dahe must be watched closely, not permitted to leave his room.

Calming herself again, Meng Yao lay back down, counting sheep for a while before slowly falling asleep.

The next day, at dawn, Meng Yao awoke, took a basin to fetch water to wash up, and upon opening the door, a small body toppled in.

Wen Nuan awoke with a start, deftly got up, and took the basin from Meng Yao’s hands, "Madam, just wait inside; I’ll fetch wash water for you right away."

Saying so, she carried the basin downstairs swiftly.

Next door, Li Chang’an also opened his door, and Meng Yao shrugged, "The young girl doesn’t know how long she’s been sitting there."

"Not long; I was just waking up when she arrived and heard the commotion," Li Chang’an said, "Aunt, you should just wait inside. These tasks are easy for the young girl. If you don’t accept, she won’t know what to do."

Meng Yao nodded, "Hurry and get ready; we’ll head to the morning market soon."

Being new here, Meng Yao didn’t know where the morning market was.

Li Chang’an went downstairs with the basin.

Wen Nuan carefully brought the half-filled basin upstairs, wetted a cloth, and handed it to Meng Yao at just the right temperature.

At home, Meng Yao washed her face with cupped water, but here, the custom was to gently wipe with a wet cloth. Though unaccustomed, Meng Yao adapted to the local customs.

After wiping her face, she washed her hands and rinsed her mouth.

After tidying up, Wen Nuan poured out the used water and hung the cloth on the rack to dry.

Li Chang’an was also ready, and the three of them left the inn.

"Is your young master doing well?" Meng Yao asked Wen Nuan.

"The medicinal oil you gave works wonders. After a short massage, the young master felt warm and comfortable, and slept soundly through the night," Wen Nuan replied gratefully.

With the exams approaching, it was most important for her brother to rest well and be in good health.

She had thought her brother might suffer a bit these couple of days, but unexpectedly, she checked on him several times at night, finding him sleeping peacefully each time.

"Meals should be light; avoid spicy and cold foods," Meng Yao advised.

"Yes, Madam," Wen Nuan agreed.

As they spoke, they arrived at the morning market.

There was fish, meat, chicken, and eggs. Vegetables were mainly radishes and cabbages.

Meng Yao selected fresh items, buying enough for the group’s three meals a day before stopping.

Li Chang’an carried quite a bit, and Wen Nuan also carried some.

Only Meng Yao had her hands free.

"Later, I’ll accompany Aunt to buy some rice and flour from the grocery," Li Chang’an said, "Yesterday, I bought two bowls of rice from the shopkeeper. As for water, the entire inn uses water from the well behind. If anyone had malicious intent, everyone in the inn would be affected, resulting in a situation difficult to handle. So, there shouldn’t be a problem."

Meng Yao glanced at Li Chang’an, musing inwardly that there were many ways to tamper with a well without causing an untenable outcome.

"Being new here, it’s relatively safe for now," Meng Yao said.

Those with malicious intent would first study the situation before choosing a target.

Initially, Meng Yao felt it necessary to remain vigilant to avoid mishaps. But with last night’s dream, she knew it wouldn’t suffice; meticulous vigilance was essential.

Upon returning to the inn, the lobby was already filled with several people, and the innkeeper was verifying each table’s breakfast orders.

"Attendant Student, I ordered some extra buns; wait here and take them back to your young master," Chen He called out to Wen Nuan.