While the father and son chatted, Fu Qiujiu swayed and wobbled through the weeds, plucking a few leaves before making her way on short, unsteady legs toward the young boy.
"De-de..."
"Qiujiu, you can't eat grass," Fu Sanjin said, quickly scooping the toddler up into his arms.
Fu Qiujiu kicked her legs in protest. It was for detoxifying, for goodness' sake! But she couldn't say that; otherwise, everyone would wonder how a nursing baby could possibly know such things. If only her Fifth Brother were here; he knew a bit of medicine and would surely understand her good intentions.
Nearby, the bushes rustled, and both Fu Sanjin and Fu Baiwan grew wary.
"Father, I fear we’ve encountered something large," Fu Sanjin said, his voice trembling—whether from excitement or fear, he couldn't tell. "Take Qiujiu and move back. Don’t let it hurt you; I’ll handle it."
Fu Sanjin drew a homemade arrow from his back, notched it, and aimed toward the movement in the grass. Fu Baiwan carried Fu Qiujiu behind a large tree, three men’s breadth around, which shielded them perfectly. Fu Qiujiu glanced at the young boy left on the stone and pointed a finger at him.
In a critical moment, Fu Baiwan’s priority was his little daughter—she was his life.
"De-de..."
Fu Baiwan cleared his throat. To be honest, he hesitated, but his conscience wouldn't let him leave the boy. Fortunately, the distance wasn't far—just a blink of an eye to go and back. "Qiujiu, be good and wait here for Daddy."
Fu Qiujiu nodded obediently, and Fu Baiwan quickly rushed out to carry the boy behind the tree as well.
The area behind the large tree was a small dirt slope, which felt quite safe. Fu Baiwan was worried about his daughter and also anxious for his son, who was alone facing the massive wild boar. The beast was baring its fangs, closing in on Fu Sanjin, having already nimbly dodged two of his arrows. Bows and arrows required distance to be effective; up close, there was no advantage.
"Qiujiu, stay here with the little brother. Daddy is going to check on your Third Brother. I’ll be right back."
Fu Baiwan didn't expect an eight-month-old baby to understand, but he needed to see the situation. If anything happened to his daughter, he would rush back in an instant.
Tang Xian gasped for air. He was only four years old; any other child his age would have been crying for their parents by now, but he endured in silence. Fu Qiujiu noticed this and found the little boy quite interesting.
When she tried to feed him the grass leaves again, Tang Xian pressed his lips shut. If she weren't just a nursing baby, he would have kicked her away. Yet, strangely, when he caught the scent of the leaves, his muddled head felt a bit clearer. He inhaled again, and it truly was effective. Could it be… that this little girl had stumbled upon medicine that could help him?
Could he trust it? Tang Xian didn't hesitate; he was already teetering on the edge of life and death, and he didn't even know if Feng Ji had survived the pursuit of his enemies.
Fu Qiujiu was fretting over how to get the boy to eat the "Heart-Clearing Grass." It could suppress his poison temporarily, likely long enough to reach a doctor in town. She could save him herself, but wouldn't it be absurd for an eight-month-old to practice medicine?
"Qiujiu, is it? I hope… your medicine works for me." How could she understand him? Tang Xian smiled self-deprecatingly. With his last bit of strength, he took the leaves from her hand, chewed them twice, swallowed, and closed his eyes. He wondered if the father and son could kill the boar; otherwise, even if he were cured of the poison, he’d still be eaten by the beast.
"Father, don't worry about me! Look after Qiujiu—nothing must happen to her."
Fu Baiwan understood, but his son’s crude bow lacked stopping power, and it was tough to face the boar alone. He glanced toward his daughter and saw her wobbling toward him, babbling something.
Fu Qiujiu: "What do you want?"
Boar: "Looking for my cub. My cub is missing."
Fu Qiujiu looked at her brother’s "trophy." "We didn’t hurt your cub, and we don't want to hurt you. Why don't we... just call it a day?"
The boar looked at the Fu family, their bows, and the little baby who could "talk" to it, and felt a jolt of alarm.
Fu Qiujiu rolled her eyes: *I’ll have you know, I’m acquainted with your boss, the King of the Forest.*
Boar: "Really?"
Fu Qiujiu: "Of course. He has a scar on his forehead. We’re great friends."
When the boar heard that, it thought of the great tiger with the scar on its forehead. Since that was the case, they should keep to their own territories.
Tang Xian had recovered some strength. When he opened his eyes, he saw the little baby he’d been watching was gone. To his shock, the little thing was confronting the wild boar. A baby and a ferocious boar were standing off, neither willing to back down, babbling as if shouting at each other. He didn't have time to think, nor the energy to look for the father and son.
For the sake of her medicine, he steeled himself, lunged at the baby, and shielded her beneath him. The two children tumbled down the small slope, and then Tang Xian fainted completely.
*What is this?* Fu Qiujiu wondered. *I played the damsel saving the hero, and then the hero saved me? Little hero, you know that was completely unnecessary, right?*
Fu Baiwan rushed down the slope to check on the children. To his surprise, the boar—which had been ready to pounce moments ago—had simply… left.
Fu Sanjin was equally stunned. "Father, how… how did it leave?"
"You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?" Fu Baiwan replied.
He took his daughter from the boy. The boy had held onto her quite tightly; she was completely unharmed.
"That thing is full of meat. Should I go and kill it?"
"De-de... hug."
Fu Qiujiu thought that since the negotiation had been successful, she had to keep her word. Besides, her Third Brother’s weapon wasn't good enough to guarantee a win. Her trick worked; seeing her reach out, Fu Sanjin put his bow away and took her into his arms. He looked back at the direction the boar had left with a sense of regret—that boar would have been worth at least three or four taels of silver.
Fu Qiujiu let out a long breath. They were safe at last. She was grateful to her bird friends for telling her about the scarred tiger deep in the mountains.
"Eh!" Fu Baiwan exclaimed suddenly.
"Father, are you hurt?" Fu Sanjin asked anxiously.
Fu Baiwan shook his head. He looked at the little boy. He didn't know if his eyes were playing tricks on him, but the boy's face seemed to have gained a hint of color. Regardless, Fu Baiwan felt that meeting was destiny. There was no way he could leave someone to die.
"Sanjin, hurry and carry him down the mountain. This boy must be fated to live; I believe he can still be saved."
Fu Sanjin had been waiting for those words.
...
When Tang Xian woke up again, he felt someone pinching his cheeks. It was her again.
Fu Qiujiu watched him wake. She had already taken his pulse; the boy wasn't just suffering from snake venom—there was an even more potent toxin in his system. *What a tragedy,* she thought. *What kind of villain would have the heart to harm such a handsome little brother?*
"Qiujiu, you're awake? Come, have some milk." Tian Guihua beckoned. Usually, Fu Qiujiu would comply, but this time… she didn't move. It was too embarrassing. Having her father and sisters-in-law watch her nurse was one thing, but in front of a stranger… she was shy.
"This child, do you like this little brother? It’s alright now, the doctor has seen him and said he’s out of danger." Tian Guihua laughed at herself. "Mother is truly muddled, you're only so young, how could you possibly understand?"
She *did* understand. Fu Qiujiu had just taken a nap; she couldn't help it, her eyelids had been fighting her.
Before long, Fu Baiwan returned after seeing the doctor off. "Oh, Qiujiu is awake? Why aren't you eating?"
"Who knows? Maybe she’s not used to a stranger in the house. I think our Qiujiu likes this little boy. And it’s no wonder—he’s such a handsome lad, even I’m fond of him."
Fu Baiwan looked at Tang Xian, who was lying on the kang. If there had been any other room, he wouldn't have put him here, but since the boy was sick, he would be easier to care for in this room.
"Handsome? Compared to our Qiujiu, he’s far off."
Tian Guihua clicked her tongue. "In your eyes, is there anyone more beautiful than your own daughter?"
"Of course not," Fu Baiwan replied without hesitation. Recalling the dangers of the mountain that day, he felt a lingering fear.
"What’s there to compare? He’s a boy, and Qiujiu is a girl."
Fu Baiwan dismissed the thought and kissed his little daughter, who was staring with wide, dark eyes. "Qiujiu is such a good girl."
"The poor thing is so fair—why would his family just abandon him like that?"
Tang Xian felt speechless. This family’s thoughts were strangely consistent; they actually thought he was an abandoned child.
"I’m thinking, why don't we… Eldest Brother doesn't have a child yet, does he? If his family doesn't come looking for him, we could…"
*Give him to the Eldest Brother as a son? Then I’d have another nephew?* Fu Qiujiu couldn't quite name the feeling; it just felt odd.
Tian Guihua shot her husband a look, disapproving. "You don't know—Eldest Brother’s wife is very proud. Besides, if we suggest this, it would be like implying we think she’s inadequate."
Fu Baiwan nodded, conceding the point. "Then perhaps Mother Fan? Hasn't she always wanted a son?"
...
"This… would that work?"
Tian Guihua couldn't decide. They had many sons and many mouths to feed. Although life had become much easier, if Mother Fan truly wanted him, it wasn't impossible.
Mother Fan, having heard whispers of the Fu family picking up a boy, had already set her heart on it. She couldn't conceive anymore. Her husband was all but worn out, forced to sleep in the woodshed every night. Not being one for social graces, she burst into the couple's room without waiting to be invited—a common occurrence in the village.
Fu Qiujiu was long used to this; some people even enjoyed watching her nurse. It was as if she were a child being forced to perform a talent at a family gathering. But as an eight-month-old, she had no talents, so people always asked her to "perform" nursing.
Mother Fan had heard the boy was three or four years old. She had been worried about him being too old to adapt, but once she saw Tang Xian lying on the kang, all her worries vanished. Tian Guihua had changed his muddy, bloody clothes for a set of Fu Bajin's, which, though patched, fit him well enough. Even in rags, his face was delicate and pale; he was prettier than a girl.
Mother Fan took one look and was instantly smitten. In her eyes, he was even better looking than the Fu family's own daughter. It was said that a boy with the looks of a girl was destined for great fortune, and this boy possessed every trait of it.
"Baiwan, you must give me this boy." Mother Fan didn't consult her husband; she made the decision on the spot.
Fu Baiwan, though he had considered it, hadn't finalized his thoughts. Tian Guihua saw the hesitation on her husband's face. While they could talk behind closed doors, they hadn't reached an agreement yet.
"Mother Fan, we can't decide this ourselves."
Mother Fan’s expression darkened. "Why not? You already have eight sons—what are you keeping him for?" Did they think he was too precious and couldn't bear to part with him?
Tian Guihua smiled, looking at Tang Xian, who kept his eyes shut (though he was secretly listening). "Even though Baiwan and Sanjin brought him back, his parents might come looking for him at any moment. How can we make that decision for them?"
Fu Qiujiu pursed her little lips. She was worried her parents would be too soft-hearted and agree. Fortunately, they weren't that foolish. If this handsome little brother were handed over to Mother Fan, he’d be ruined. She shook her head—an old soul in a baby's body, she couldn't help but feel a bit cynical.
Mother Fan didn't care. "What looking? If they were going to look, they would have come by now. Just give him to me! Unless you have other plans?" She was worried the Fu couple would give him to their eldest son. "You aren't planning on giving him to Dajin and his wife, are you?"
Just then, Mrs. Zhou walked in with medicine. Hearing this, she swayed slightly, her face turning pale.
Mother Fan didn't stop. "Dajin’s wife, you’re still young. You can’t conceive now, but you will in a couple of years. I’m at an age where there’s no hope left. Can’t you let me have him?" Mother Fan was notorious in the village for her sharp tongue; she always said exactly what people wanted to hear the least.
Mrs. Zhou set the bowl down with a heavy thud. "I don't want him! I can have my own!" she snapped, then stomped out.
Mother Fan chuckled. "See? Dajin’s wife doesn't want him. Just give him to me!"
Tian Guihua looked at her husband. *See? I told you the eldest daughter-in-law wouldn't agree.* She was glad someone else had played the villain so they didn't have to cause a rift.
Fu Qiujiu glanced at the boy still "sleeping." He was clearly awake, but he was feigning it. *This boy is quite crafty.* Pretty as he was, she couldn't let her parents be the ones to offend him. She knew he hated people touching his face—he had glared at her every time she tried.
And so, she reached her chubby little hand out toward his face once more…
Feeling her approach, Tang Xian couldn't keep pretending. The moment he opened his eyes, he was enveloped in a kingly aura, his brows knit with a depth and majesty far beyond his years. He looked at the baby with milk stains on her lips—he hadn't opened his eyes earlier because he didn't want to see the old woman nursing her; it was too awkward.
"Oh, he’s awake! Child, let me see. Oh, heavens, poor baby, how could anyone leave you in such a place? It’s a mercy of the heavens that you survived!" Mother Fan wailed theatrically, reaching out with her rough, dark hands…
Tang Xian could tolerate Fu Qiujiu’s little paws on his face—she was just a baby, and she had accidentally been his savior. But where did this old woman come from? His delicate features tightened. "Don't touch me," he said coldly.
Mother Fan froze. The three adults in the room, and even the baby Fu Qiujiu, were shocked by the chilling tone in his voice. His gaze was cold and dismissive, as if he were looking at someone beneath contempt.
Mother Fan gave an awkward laugh. "Child, don't be afraid. I’m a good person. We saved you, remember?"
Fu Baiwan and Tian Guihua exchanged a glance. *Talk about thick-skinned.* It was their family that had saved him and spent money on his care, yet Mother Fan was trying to claim all the credit.
Tang Xian wasn't a fool; he knew exactly what had happened. "You saved me?"
"I… well…" Mother Fan looked at the Fu couple, laughing nervously. "Haha, come home with me, be my son, and I’ll take care of you."
She tried to gloss over it, but Tang Xian’s sharp eyes saw through her. He looked as though he had lived through lifetimes of experience. "I don't need that. My family will come for me."
Tang Xian knew he needed rest. The Fu couple were kind-hearted, and the fact that they hadn't abandoned him in his state meant they were trustworthy. "Uncle Fu, Aunt Fu, thank you for your trouble during this time."
He glanced at the little baby. He supposed he’d be stuck with her for a while, but he didn't seem to hate it. Seeing that Fu Baiwan and Tian Guihua were silent, he added, "When my family comes for me, you shall be handsomely rewarded."
Fu Baiwan and Tian Guihua hadn't done it for a reward—they considered it an act of accumulating merit for their own children—but they nodded anyway. Who would have thought this little boy would be so assertive, speaking with the gravity and precision of an adult?
Mother Fan, hearing about the reward, tried one last time. "Child, they have eight sons and a nursing baby—how could they take care of you? Come home with me instead!"
Tang Xian frowned and refused coldly, "There is no need."
...
Mother Fan still wasn't ready to give up on such a windfall. "Child…"
Unexpectedly, Tang Xian’s expression hardened, and he shot her such a chilling glare that she gasped, her breath hitching in her throat. She opened her mouth, but not a sound dared to escape.
The poison in Tang Xian’s system was only suppressed, and he knew his body was still very weak. "Auntie, I am tired. I wish to rest."
"Oh, yes, of course." Tian Guihua was also startled by the boy's presence; she wondered who he was, to be so intimidating.
"Wait, child, you must drink this medicine first." Tian Guihua asked tentatively.
Tang Xian could tell the difference between good intentions and bad. Even if this medicine wasn't effective, it was given with a good heart and wouldn't kill him. He would wait for Feng Ji to arrive.
Seeing the little boy drink the bitter medicine without even blinking, Tian Guihua felt relieved. If it had been their own Bajin or Tianfu, they would have cried for ages.
"Child, that medicine is so bitter. I have sugar balls and snacks at home—why don't you come with me?" Mother Fan thought that no three- or four-year-old could resist sweets.
But Tang Xian just lay down after finishing the medicine, closing his eyes, too lazy to even speak.
Tian Guihua had initially thought of doing a good deed by letting him go with Mother Fan, but now that the boy refused, there was nothing more to say. They lived in the same village; she didn't want to speak harshly and ruin the relationship. Tian Guihua was always very tactful in her dealings with others.