When the morning mist had not yet dispersed, Chǔ Hóngzhuāng climbed up from the well, water dripping from the ends of her hair, holding a dark, mushy mass in her palm—the venom sac that had been entirely devoured by the Silver Silkworm Gu.
The villagers gathered around, and the old village chief wiped his tears, preparing to kneel, before Ye Fan reached out and supported his arm. "The venom has been cleared," Ye Fan said. "The water in the well can be drunk after being left in the sun for two hours."
Qín Wǎnshuāng had already rearranged the grain in the cellar, and the little children tugged at the hem of her dress, refusing to let go. Lowering her head, she used her knuckles to flick the tip of the nose of the naughtiest child. "In a few days, I'll have Elder Brother Ye take you into the city to buy candied haws." Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Ye Fan standing by the well, wringing out the ends of Chǔ Hóngzhuāng's hair. Water droplets slid down the back of his hand, splashing fine, dense dots onto the Blue Stone Slab.
Chapter 374