69: Purple Iris Past

Jiang Nian was speechless for a moment, standing still without moving.

The woman in the courtyard had already put down the wooden basin in her hand and rushed out of the courtyard, holding Jiang Nian's arm. She meticulously scanned her up and down, tears welling in her eyes, and her voice trembling as she said, "My child is doing well. She hasn't changed much these past few years. Good, she's doing well."

Jiang Nian opened her mouth, unsure what to say, and could only remain silent.

The old woman led Jiang Nian by the arm into the courtyard, then pulled her to sit at a small wooden table within the courtyard.

"Rest for a bit. I'll get you some water."

Just as the old woman was about to get up, Jiang Nian pulled her back, "No need. The letter said he was seriously ill. Take me to see him."

The old woman was silent for a moment, then nodded heavily, "Come with me. Your... father is in the east room."

In the afternoon, the east room had better sunlight. The furnishings inside were simple: a small square table, some basic household wardrobes, and other items.

Bright sunlight streamed through the clear window, casting golden light everywhere.

On the bed in the room lay an excessively thin figure, with sunken cheeks and a sallow complexion. He was sleeping fitfully, completely unaware of anyone entering the room.

After just one glance, Jiang Nian suddenly turned around and returned to the courtyard.

She raised her head high, looked up at the sky, then took out a slender, green leaf and handed it to the old woman, "Take this, crush it, and feed it to him."

The old woman took the leaf in her hand, looked worriedly at her daughter, whom she hadn't seen for a long time, and hesitantly said, "Xiao Nian, what kind of leaf is this? Can your father really eat it?"

Jiang Nian remained silent. Nanny Liu, standing nearby, explained, "Old Madam, this is a spiritual material used by Contract Masters. Since our young madam has brought it out, it can naturally cure illnesses. Please rest assured."

Nanny Liu's explanation seemed to give the old woman confidence. She gave her daughter a deep look, then rushed into the kitchen, apparently to extract juice from the herb leaf.

Jiang Nian came to the wooden table and sat down quietly.

She listened to the old woman's clanging as she extracted the juice from the leaves, and watched the old woman carry a small bowl into the east room.

Finally, she heard the old woman's surprised calls and another elder's voice.

She suddenly stood up, glanced at Nanny Liu, and softly said, "Let's go."

A moment later, the delighted old woman returned to the courtyard to find Jiang Nian's figure gone. She quickly went to the courtyard gate, calling and looking around.

"Xiao Nian, Xiao Nian..."

"Don't call her. She's probably gone far already." The elder, who had been lying unconscious on the bed with a sallow face just moments ago, slowly staggered out of the room.

Seeing this, the old woman quickly went to support him. The elder slowly walked to the wooden table and sat down.

"We owe her, and it's only right that she doesn't want to see me. I reckon this old man can last a few more years, and by then, Xiao Yan will be able to stand on his own."

The old woman wiped her teary eyes, "Xiao Nian should be doing alright in the Chu Family. Although that son-in-law is sickly, at least he can ensure Xiao Nian has food and clothing."

As the two elders sighed to each other, a young boy carrying a basket entered the courtyard. He looked at the two elders in surprise and exclaimed joyfully,

"Grandpa, your health has recovered?"

Jiang Kui looked at the young boy with loving eyes, "Yes, Grandpa is well."

The boy found it strange and asked worriedly, "How could Grandpa suddenly get better? It couldn't be..."

The old woman saw the boy's worry and gently patted his shoulder, "What nonsense are you thinking? Your aunt brought medicine this afternoon. Your grandpa got better after taking it."

"My aunt?" The boy's eyes showed great confusion. He had never heard of such a relative in the Family, not in all his life.

"Yes, you have an aunt. You're old enough now; it's time you knew some things."

Jiang Yan was a little flustered, sensing something amiss in his grandpa's tone, "What... what things?"

"Twenty years ago, many villagers in our village contracted a strange illness that could only be cured with Spirit Medicine from a Contract Master. But our Ziyuan Village is just an ordinary mid-level village; which Family could afford the Spirit Medicine to cure it?

Then, a middle-aged man brought a sickly young boy to our village, saying he could cure the strange illness among our villagers.

However, the condition was that the village chief's daughter, your aunt, had to marry his sickly young boy.

That sickly young boy looked like he didn't have many days left to live, so your aunt was naturally extremely unwilling. Under the pleas of many villagers, your grandpa, I, heartlessly forced her to marry.

After taking the Spirit Medicine given by that person, the villagers gradually recovered, but there was never any news from your married aunt again.

Even though your father went to the Chu Family a few times, he never saw your aunt. So after that, there was no news of your aunt in our village.

It's only right that she hates me, and the entire Ziyuan Village. As long as we know she's doing well now, Grandpa and your grandma can feel a bit more at ease."

Jiang Yan's heart was restless for a long time. In the dusty past, there was such a story hidden.

"Xiao Yan, remember that it's not bad to live a bit more selfishly in the future. Even though our Jiang Family has done so much for the village, what have we gained?

Your parents died young, and I, this old man, was bedridden for a while. No good fortune has ever fallen upon our Family, and those villagers even treat us like harbingers of disaster.

So, in the future, you must first take care of your own Family before considering anything else."

Jiang Yan lowered his head and responded dully, "I understand, Grandpa."

...As dusk gradually fell, the carriage carrying Jiang Nian swayed back to the Chu Family mansion.

Looking at the warm orange light cast by the lanterns in front of the main gate, Jiang Nian felt her heart gradually settle down.

As soon as she stepped out of the carriage, a small figure immediately ran out from behind the doorway and 'crashed' into her arms.

Chu Shengyuan lifted his chubby little face, "Mom, where did you go today? Why didn't you take me with you?"

This simple question, as if carrying the morning sun and spring breeze, dispelled all the bitterness and loneliness in her heart.

She stroked Xiao Yuan's head, smiling gently, "Mom just went out for a walk. I'll definitely take Chu Shengyuan next time, okay?"

"Okay." Chu Shengyuan took Jiang Nian's hand and ran into the mansion, "Mom, Dad brought a lot of delicious food from town today. He's just waiting for you to eat."

What a wonderful Family; they would never forget anyone.

Jiang Nian thought, all the past grievances and hardships were now completely erased.

After Jiang Nian washed her hands and sat at the dining table, Chu Jingyu waved his hand, dismissing the maids serving nearby.

Their Chu Family was not accustomed to having others watching over them during such a happy mealtime.

During the meal, Chu Qinhui's caring gaze fell upon Jiang Nian. Jiang Nian returned a generous smile, more cheerful than usual.

Only then did the worry in Chu Qinhui's eyes turn into joy.

After dinner, Chu Jingyu, Chu Qinhui, and Chu Shengfan each carried several cages covered with black cloth and came to the ancestral hall.

After the usual three people offered incense and paid their respects, Chu Qinhui and Chu Shengfan lifted the black cloths from the cages, revealing three different types of Source Beasts inside.

Medicine Crystal Rabbit, Green Leaf Insect, and Phosphorescent Butterfly.

The three types of Medicine Beasts appeared in the cages. Chu Shengfan looked at them with a hint of recollection; these were the three Source Beasts Grandpa Sun had provided him when he first contracted Source Beasts.

There were five Medicine Crystal Rabbits, ten Green Leaf Insects, and three Phosphorescent Butterflies.

The Medicine Crystal Rabbits and Green Leaf Insects were easy enough to manage; as long as a fence was built, there was no fear of them running around haphazardly.

However, the Phosphorescent Butterflies could fly. If they weren't contracted, they might accidentally fly into the deep mountains.

As Chu Shengfan was pondering how to solve this problem, Chu Jingyu had already begun to report to Ancestor Chu.

"Ancestor Chu, we have brought the three types of Source Beasts home. What spiritual materials do you need?"