Chapter Sixteen: The God’s Perspective

During this time, the matriarch lay in bed feeling a bit embarrassed; after all, it was her own indulgence that had caused the trouble.

In contrast, Jia Ping’an smiled gently and reassured her, “Madam, you needn’t worry. This is an old ailment of yours, not something that can be cured in a day. You must take medicine from time to time. As for eating sweets, if you enjoy them, there’s no need to be overly restrictive. Life is about finding joy; what’s the point of living if you always have to suppress yourself?”

Hearing this, the matriarch’s eyes lit up. “Really? I can eat whatever I want?”

“Yes, at least while I’m here, that’s not a problem,” Jia Ping’an said confidently.

If her illness truly improved and she became very self-disciplined, then Jia Ping’an would become unnecessary. But at this stage, he had no desire for such an outcome, so it was only fitting to encourage her a little.

“Very well, I’ll remember that,” she smiled, genuinely delighted. She loved sweets, and if her health improved but she still couldn’t indulge, as Jia Ping’an said, what meaning would life have?

Jia Ping’an then went to prepare the medicine. Of course, it was the usual herbs, but with a bit of spiritual spring water added. After the matriarch drank the medicine, her cough eased significantly, prompting her to praise Jia Ping’an as a miracle doctor.

Moreover, because Jia Ping’an allowed her to eat sweets, she was even happier. This time, besides the gifts from the general, she added quite a few extras herself, including fifty taels of silver.

The general didn’t give silver this time, but hearing from Ren Qinghu that Jia Ping’an’s sister loved meat, he generously provided an abundance of wild game. The visit to the general’s residence was truly fruitful.

Returning to the Jia household once more, a horse-drawn carriage loaded with goods followed behind.

Yu Luoli watched with a smile as the goods were unloaded one by one. After yesterday’s events, Jia Rongrong’s courage had grown; she no longer hid but stared wide-eyed as Ren Qinghu directed the soldiers to carry the items into the kitchen.

“I’ll help,” Chang Chao suddenly stepped forward and began moving items alongside the soldiers. His sister, Chang E, who seemed only slightly older than Jia Rongrong, also joined in.

Upon hearing Chang E’s name, Jia Ping’an was startled, his heart filling with expectation. But the girl before him was pale and gaunt from malnutrition, with a pitifully thin figure. Only her large, blinking eyes were endearing. If he hadn’t heard from Chang Chao that she was already thirteen, he might have mistaken her for eight or nine.

“Oh, no, you mustn’t,” Yu Luoli, unaware of the siblings’ background, tried to stop them, thinking them too young to be working.

“What? Are we in a position to keep servants now?” Yu Luoli’s eyes filled with doubt upon learning that these two were Jia Ping’an’s servants.

They were exiled officials, disgraced and stripped of their previous status—not even sixth-rank physicians anymore—hardly able to support servants.

“No problem,” Jia Ping’an said confidently, glancing at Ren Qinghu standing nearby.

“Oh, if the people don’t report, the officials won’t investigate,” Ren Qinghu remarked, neither approving nor disapproving. Indeed, this matter couldn’t be pursued seriously. The county officials here were less competent than the current overseer. As long as the general did not press the issue in this small domain of Ningguta, nothing would come of it.

Jia Ping’an smiled and looked at Yu Luoli, giving her an expression that said, “See? No problem.” Yu Luoli remained silent. In truth, she rarely did household chores back in Changdu; having help was certainly welcome.

Once the goods were unloaded, Ren Qinghu departed with his men. Chang Chao and Chang E then stepped forward to pay their respects. Jia Ping’an introduced them to Aunt Yu and his sister Jia Rongrong, after which he left them to their arrangements.

The Jia estate’s courtyard was not small, with several servants’ quarters. The matter was left to Aunt Yu to handle, while Jia Ping’an strode purposefully toward his father’s room.

It was time to have a talk with his father, at least to let him know that he possessed some skill in healing.

Since drinking the spiritual spring water yesterday, Jia Fanghao’s health had improved greatly. The reason he still hadn’t gotten out of bed wasn’t physical illness, but a mental barrier he couldn’t cross.

Sensing someone entering, Jia Fanghao, who had been lying with his eyes open, immediately closed them tightly and feigned deep sleep.

Jia Ping’an entered briskly and stood by the bed, noticing his father’s eyelids twitch slightly. He sighed and said, “Father.”

Hearing his son’s voice, Jia Fanghao slowly opened his eyes, a flicker of joy passing through them. “I heard from Aunt Yu that you cured the matriarch’s illness?”

“It was just a simple cough,” Jia Ping’an replied calmly, then asked, “Father, how do you feel?”

“Oh, much better. I suppose there’s nothing serious,” Jia Fanghao said, somewhat dispirited but wanting to maintain his dignity before his son.

Seeing his father still putting on a brave front, Jia Ping’an wanted to tell him to get up if he was a man. Lying down every day and avoiding life was no way to live. Yet, he realized that if his father truly recovered, it wouldn’t necessarily benefit him. He would have to find more reasons for his actions, so he refrained from urging him further.

“Father, you must take good care of yourself. When you’re truly well, then it’s not too late to get up. In the meantime, I’ll help Aunt Yu with the housework.”

“That... sounds good,” Jia Fanghao said, moved by the sudden maturity of his son. Perhaps exile to Ningguta wasn’t all bad; at least his son was no longer as silent and withdrawn as before.

Jia Ping’an soon left his father’s room. To be honest, he had little to say to this pretender father and didn’t even know where to begin.

If forced to be alone with him, he felt awkward. It was far easier to get along with Aunt Yu and his sister.

Jia Ping’an was not one to endure grievances. If interactions were unpleasant, he would simply avoid them. As a son, he would fulfill his duties and improve his father’s quality of life and environment.

...

The Tong residence.

Tong Gui was now able to stand and walk. Although still unsteady due to his injuries, at least his life was no longer in danger.

“Master, I can never repay the debt of your lifesaving kindness...”

“Enough. The one who saved you was not me, but that young man. When you’ve recovered a bit more, go find out where he comes from,” Tong Fuzhi said with a frown. Having grown up studying the classics, he was somewhat old-fashioned and disliked owing others without being able to repay them. Yet, considering his current predicament, even if he wanted to repay the favor, what could he offer?

Since he had nothing to give, he would simply remember the kindness and repay it when the opportunity arose.

However, as a disgraced official exiled here, he wasn’t sure if he would ever have a chance to make a comeback.

Night had deepened.

Back at the Jia estate.

When he sensed the courtyard had quieted and everyone had gone to rest, Jia Ping’an focused his mind and slipped into the space.

Inside, the little white fox lay dozing by the spiritual spring. Upon sensing Jia Ping’an’s arrival, it quickly opened its eyes and bounded over.

The little white fox was still young and lively. Being confined in the space for so long had made it restless.

What troubled it most was seeing the spring but being unable to drink from it, which made it quite uneasy.

“Bored, are you?” Jia Ping’an approached with a smile and with a gesture caused a droplet of one-percent spiritual spring water to float before the fox.

Seeing it could finally drink, the little white fox let out a joyful squeak and leapt up, swallowing the drop in a single gulp.

Watching the fox’s swift movements, Jia Ping’an smiled. “Not bad, very agile. With this talent, you’ll have a bright future by my side. By the way, I’ll call you ‘Xiao Bai’ from now on. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?”

Squeak.

The little white fox seemed somewhat displeased at the casual name. But with Jia Ping’an’s next words, it quickly brightened.

“You’ve been in here all day; it must have been dull. How about I let you out for a while? Just don’t run wild, or you won’t get to drink the spring water later.”

Hearing it could go out, Xiao Bai was delighted. After all, a wild creature suddenly confined felt terribly restricted.

It nodded eagerly, promising to behave and not stray too far. Jia Ping’an smiled and, with a thought, released the fox from the space.

In the next moment, Xiao Bai appeared in Jia Ping’an’s bedroom. After staying there briefly and adjusting to the darkness, it slipped out through the door into the courtyard.

Back inside the space, Jia Ping’an, curious about what Xiao Bai was doing outside, tried to observe it. To his surprise, a vision appeared in his mind, showing the very scene of his small courtyard.

“Good heavens, it’s a god’s-eye view.”

He only intended to see what Xiao Bai was up to, but the image that appeared was exactly what the fox saw.

This discovery was completely unexpected.

It also revealed to Jia Ping’an an even greater potential for Xiao Bai.