She's here to find this guy surnamed Zhou again!
Xiao Jingcheng gritted his teeth in anger and glared fiercely at the man walking towards them. But the next moment, he felt a pat on his head.
"Big Yellow, behave. I'm on a serious mission," Ye Wanmian said.
Xiao Jingcheng was stunned by the pat on his head and then felt a twinge of grievance.
She actually hit his head because of this guy surnamed Zhou!
Although extremely annoyed, he did stop baring his teeth.
Over there, Zhou Wang also spotted Ye Wanmian. He looked around and then trotted forward, saying in pleasant surprise, "Mrs. Jiang, what brings you here?"
Ye Wanmian smiled and held up the things in her hands. "I've come here especially to thank you, Brother Zhou. If it weren't for you protecting me that night, I might have been bitten by wild dogs."
Zhou Wang scratched the back of his head and laughed sheepishly. "It was just a small thing. Look at you, coming all the way here with gifts. What are these?"
"Your mother has to take medicine all year round. I've got some medicine according to the prescription given by Doctor Wang. It'll last her half a month. Consider this as my token of gratitude."
Zhou Wang waved his hands hurriedly. "No, no. These medicines cost a fortune. I can't accept them! I appreciate your gratitude, but that's enough. I don't need any gifts."
Ye Wanmian knew he wouldn't accept the gifts easily, so she smoothly shifted the topic. "Actually, I have something to ask of you, Brother Zhou."
Zhou Wang was taken aback. He looked at the things in her hands and then understood. So she had another agenda.
He felt a twinge of disappointment but quickly perked up and asked, "I wonder how I can help you?"
Ye Wanmian took a small step forward and leaned closer. "That night when you escorted me back, you mentioned that Young Master Chen had passed away and his body was still in the Chen Mansion. Is that right?"
Zhou Wang hesitated for a moment but still nodded. "That's right. Mrs. Jiang, why do you ask?"
"I'd like to know when the Chen Mansion will bury Young Master Chen," Ye Wanmian said straightforwardly. Then she added somewhat sheepishly,
"Well, if the Chen Mansion needs to hire mourners, could you save two spots for me? The Chen family is wealthy. I'm sure the pay will be good. What do you think..."
She rubbed her hands nervously, perfectly portraying the image of a village woman struggling to make ends meet.
As expected, Zhou Wang didn't suspect her after hearing this.
In the countryside, when a family is holding a funeral and is short of manpower or the family members are not convenient to mourn, they will hire mourners. This is a common custom and also a good way to earn some extra money.
However, there are also some taboos about mourning. People with old and young in the family are not allowed to mourn, lest they bring bad luck back home. For a "widow" like Ye Wanmian, mourning is indeed the best choice.
Zhou Wang said seriously, "I heard someone mention this today. It should be these few days. The weather is hot, and it's not easy to preserve the body. Mr. Chen also doesn't want his son to suffer after death."
"If the Chen Mansion intends to hire mourners, I'll definitely fight for a spot for you."
"Really? Thank you, Brother Zhou! If you get any news, please come to Doctor Wang's clinic to find me!"
Ye Wanmian was overjoyed. When she offered the things in her hands again, Zhou Wang didn't refuse.
He asked curiously, "Are you working at Doctor Wang's place now?"
Ye Wanmian nodded and said casually, "The clinic is short of manpower. He gave me some money to help him out. Someone will take over in a few days."
She was half - telling the truth, so Zhou Wang didn't suspect her.
They chatted for a few more minutes and then said goodbye. Ye Wanmian turned around and left. After walking a few steps, she felt something was wrong. She looked back and saw the yellow dog still squatting there stupidly. She called out,
"Big Yellow, let's go home!"
Only then did Xiao Jingcheng come to his senses and trotted after her.
Looking at her relaxed expression, Xiao Jingcheng tried hard to suppress the emotions surging in his heart.
So she came to find this guy surnamed Zhou to inquire about the burial of Young Master Chen. He didn't expect that she still remembered this matter and even asked Zhou Wang to help her find a spot as a mourner.
Was she going to get involved in this matter to the end?
This question was soon answered.
Back at the clinic, after confirming that no patients had come to seek medical treatment, Ye Wanmian and Qi Wen closed the shop and went to the back room to rest. After closing the door, Ye Wanmian squatted down and whispered to Xiao Jingcheng,
"Big Yellow, I'm afraid I'll have to ask your dog friends for help in a few days."
Xiao Jingcheng looked into the girl's clear eyes and really wanted to tell her that she didn't have to get involved in the following matters. He would lead Sang Biao and other dog soldiers to retrieve his own body.
But he couldn't speak.
Moreover, he guessed that with her personality, she wouldn't really stand by and do nothing.
The yellow dog let out a soft bark and nudged her hand with his snout. Ye Wanmian knew it had agreed, so she smiled happily.
She didn't know when she started to stop regarding Big Yellow as an ordinary dog that only knew how to eat and sleep. She would pour out all her thoughts, good or bad, to it.
And it always seemed to understand her words, respond to her in time, and even do things according to her wishes, just like...
Just like having a silent but capable assistant by her side.
This experience was undoubtedly novel and interesting, adding a touch of fun to her monotonous and somewhat boring life.
"If Zhou Wang can help me get a spot as a mourner, on the day of Young Master Chen's funeral, I plan to do this..."
She lowered her voice and hugged the puppy, whispering her plan. The yellow dog listened quietly, occasionally letting out a few soft whimpers as if answering her.
Zhou Wang didn't keep Ye Wanmian waiting long. The next evening, just as the clinic was about to close, he came in person with the news and a pair of bamboo tokens.
"The burial will be tonight?" Hearing the news from Zhou Wang, Ye Wanmian felt the rock in her heart finally settle. She also had a feeling of "finally it's here".
Zhou Wang nodded. "Yes, it's a bit rushed. They said that the other times during the day clash with Young Master Chen's birth date. It would be very inauspicious to bury him then, so they've chosen the night."
"Mr. Chen has sent letters to Prince Xuan and Prince Ning. Both princes have agreed, and a team of soldiers will be sent to escort the funeral throughout the night."
Xiao Jingcheng, standing beside the girl, sneered in his heart.
Send soldiers to escort the funeral? Are they afraid that something might go wrong? His two younger brothers are really concerned about this matter.
Seeing Ye Wanmian not saying a word, Zhou Wang said, "If you're scared, I'll go and decline."
Ye Wanmian came back to her senses and quickly said, "Don't worry, Brother Zhou. I'll definitely arrive at the Chen Mansion on time tonight!"
Xiao Jingcheng had always wondered why Ye Wanmian asked Zhou Wang for two spots, but he soon understood.
After Zhou Wang left, Ye Wanmian walked up to Qi Wen with a smile and said, "Qi Wen, I've got a good way to make money. Do you want to join me?"