Chapter 36  

Zhao Xiuhua walked over and glanced at Chu Qingzhi’s departing figure. Then, she said to Li Jiamei, “What did you talk about just now? Why are you so angry?”

Li Jiamei said unhappily, “Did you see that horse? I asked her how much money she spent on it, but she actually told me that it was for free. If she doesn’t want to tell me, she doesn’t have to, but why is she taking me as a fool?”

Zhao Xiuhua said with a snort, “Chu Qingzhi is a despicable person. Don’t lower yourself to her level.”

Although she said this, the envy in her eyes was obvious.

Li Jiamei said stubbornly, “Why would I lower myself to her level? I just feel that she’s loathsome.”

Zhao Xiuhua reminded her, “I was also angry with her for ruining my son’s marriage before, but I was almost chased out of the village. Be careful.”

Li Jiamei covered her mouth. “Got it. Let’s not talk about her anymore. Let’s go to water the fields.”

Zhao Xiuhua nodded. “Okay.”

Chu Qingzhi returned home from the village entrance. On the way, she “coincidentally” met villagers one after another. Everyone greeted Chu Qingzhi eagerly, their eyes filled with envy.

They originally thought that when Chu Qingzhi returned, she would cause the Chu family to be poorer. However, they did not expect her to even buy a horse now. It was too enviable.

A ten-year-old child called Chu Junbao rushed into the field and shouted, “Uncle Chu Rong, your family has a horse.”

As soon as he shouted at the top of his lungs, everyone in the village knew that the Chu family had bought a horse.

Chu Rong and the others immediately ran home. On the way home, they felt like they were walking on clouds.

A horse cost hundreds of taels of silver. How did Qingzhi have so much money? Did she find a treasure box?

When they ran home, Chu Qingzhi happened to be at the door.

Li Qingyu quickly asked, “Qingzhi, did you really buy a horse?”

Chu Qingzhi said calmly, “Mother, let’s go in and talk.”

Everyone’s eyes were glued to the horse. When they suddenly realized that the horse was covered in wounds, their hearts ached and they were puzzled.

Back at home, everyone gathered around Qingzhi and looked at her eagerly.

Chu Qingzhi explained in detail the process of obtaining the horse. When everyone heard that the horse was sick and the shopkeeper did not want it anymore, they immediately felt lucky.

Chu Qingzhi was a doctor, so she should be able to help the horse recover. In other words, they were about to get a horse for nothing.

Chu Rong said excitedly, “I’ll go to the back of the house immediately to build a stable for the horse.”

Grandpa Chu echoed, “I’ll help.”

Granny Chu said excitedly, “I’ll go cut the horse grass and prepare some hay for the horse.”

The three of them went to work excitedly.

Li Qingyu touched the horse’s head and said with heartache, “Qingzhi, quickly treat the horse’s injuries. Look, it’s bleeding a lot.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded. “I’ll go pick some herbs later.”

Chu Qingning said enthusiastically, “Fifth Sister, I’ll go with you. Can you teach me medicine too?”

Chu Qingzhi smiled and nodded. “Of course.” Chu Qingzhi led the horse to the backyard and tied it to a wooden stake. Then, she took a basket and a sickle and walked out.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she disappeared, the horse neighed and struggled in the direction Chu Qingzhi left.

The wooden stake was not firm. Soon, it was pulled out of the ground by the horse.

The horse regained its freedom and immediately ran towards Chu Qingzhi.

When Chu Qingzhi heard the horse’s cry, she walked back. However, as soon as she turned around, she saw that horse. “You want to follow me?”

The horse neighed.

Chu Qingzhi took off the wooden stake from the reins. “If you want to follow me, follow me, but don’t run around.”

The horse neighed.

Grandpa Chu, Chu Rong, and Chu Qingning were surprised. The sick horse that Qingzhi brought back was actually so intelligent.

Chu Qingzhi and Chu Qingning walked out with the horse following behind them.

When they reached the village road, Chu Qingning asked Chu Qingzhi curiously, “Fifth Sister, where did you learn your medical skills?”

Chu Qingzhi said mysteriously, “I taught myself. Do you believe me, Fourth Sister?”

Chu Qingning nodded. “I do. Fifth Sister is so smart. It’s not strange for you to self-study medicine.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled and said, “There’s no need to flatter me. If you are interested, I’ll teach you too. I guarantee that I’ll make you a female Divine Doctor. Tomorrow, I’ll buy medical books for you. No, I’ll teach you how to read first. After you can read, I’ll buy medical books for you. How about that, Fourth Sister?”

Chu Qingning’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Fifth Sister.”

Every time Chu Qingzhi found a herb, she would introduce it to Chu Qingning.

Chu Qingning listened very carefully, wishing she could engrave it in her mind.

The two of them found more than ten types of ordinary herbs around the village. After Chu Qingzhi introduced them to Chu Qingning, she fed half to the horse and placed the other half in the basket to treat the horse’s external injuries.

The two of them walked through most of the village, and then gradually, there was a line of children following behind the horse.

…

In the evening, Chu Xuhua and the others returned with oranges.

Now, everyone felt that Chu Qingzhi’s family was a big family. Any movement in the family would attract everyone’s attention.

Hearing the sound of cart wheels, everyone craned their necks out of the door to take a look.

…

Zhang Village.

Seventh Uncle walked towards Zhang Lin. “I have something to tell you.”

Zhang Lin had recently found a way to sell oranges. He was overjoyed. “Seventh Uncle, what’s the matter?”

Seventh Uncle whispered, “I saw something in the county today and felt that I should tell you.”

Zhang Lin said, “Seventh Uncle, just tell me.”

Seventh Uncle said in a low voice, “I saw the four siblings of the Chu family selling ice cream bars by the street for ten copper coins. Their business is very good. The prince you sold your oranges is too low. You should raise the price.” Zhang Lin was tempted, but he had his concerns. “If I raise the price, what if they stop buying?”

Seventh Uncle waved his hand. “How can they stop buying? They need so many oranges every day. Other than your place, where else can they find an orange orchard?”

The more Zhang Lin listened, the more he felt that it made sense. “Seventh Uncle, let me think about it.”

Seventh Uncle nodded. “Think about it. Don’t let outsiders take advantage of you.”

Zhang Lin replied, “Seventh Uncle, thank you. I understand.”

…

At Chu Qingzhi’s house.

Because of the arrival of a horse, the road outside the house was packed with people.

Horses were something that only rich families could afford. Now that Chu Qingzhi had obtained one, she caused a sensation in the village.

Some people were curious, some were envious, and some were jealous…

One person in the crowd had a very different reaction. This person was the village chief. He had been looking at the horse happily. No one knew what he was thinking, but he even looked proud.

In all the villages, only the Chu village had a family with a horse.

He called Chu Tai to the side and whispered, “Chu Tai, it’s not that I want to be greedy, but I have to remind you something.”

Chu Tai had always respected the village chief. When he heard the village chief’s words, his expression immediately became serious. “Village Chief, if you have anything to say, just say it.”

The village chief nodded. “Your family is getting better and better now, and some people are getting more and more jealous. When they’re jealous, they’ll do something extreme. When the time comes, it’ll be dangerous for your family.”

After a pause, he continued, “Actually, what I mean is very simple. Qingzhi is capable. I just want her to help us think about what we can do to become rich together.”

Chu Tai thought to himself that if only his family was doing well while others stayed the same, they would definitely be ostracized. “Village Chief, I’ll tell Qingzhi.”

The village chief patted Chu Tai’s shoulder. “Alright, then I won’t say anything else. Qingzhi is smart. I believe she knows what I mean.”

Chu Tai nodded. “Yes.”

The village chief sauntered home. He was going to the next village as a guest tomorrow. There was something he could brag about now.

When Tang Jinghong arrived at Chu Qingzhi’s house and saw so many people, he thought that there was a banquet at home. When he asked around, he found out that Chu Qingzhi had bought a horse.

That little girl earned so much money selling ice cream bars?

It was unbelievable.

Chu Xuhua carried the oranges to the back of the house. When he walked out, he saw Tang Jinghong standing at the door. “Brother Jinghong, you’re here.”

Tang Jinghong said, “I’m here to look for Qingzhi.”

Chu Xuhua said enthusiastically, “Fifth Sister is in the backyard. I’ll take you there.”

Tang Jinghong nodded. “Please.”

The horse stood there obediently and let Chu Qingzhi apply the medicine on it. It was unknown how Chu Qingzhi mixed the medicine, but the fragrance of the medicine was very strong and could be smelled from afar.

Chu Xuhua walked towards Chu Qingzhi. “Fifth Sister, Brother Jinghong is here to look for you.”

Chu Qingzhi turned around and saw a handsome young man looking at her.

She smiled. “Come over and tell me. I can’t leave for the time being.”

Tang Jinghong raised his eyebrows and walked towards Chu Qingzhi. “Why did you buy a horse?”

As Chu Qingzhi applied the medicine on the horse, she answered Tang Jinghong’s question, “I found this horse. It didn’t cost me anything.”

Tang Jinghong clearly did not believe it. “You can even find a horse?”