At another end, after helping several wounded people to bandage their injuries, Ruan Xiang Yin heard sobbing sounds in a corner.
When she turned to look back, she saw a little girl about five years old covered with dirt, her little body was shrunk in a corner and crying pitifully.
"That is Ya Er. Her mother had used her body to protect Ya Er and was instantly crushed to death by a fallen pillar and Ya Er whom she protected escaped unscathed."
A woman clutching her son who was rescued from the rubble said with lingering fear and sorrow.
After hearing the woman, Ruan Xiang Yin's eye-rims turned red. Looking at the total destruction of this village, she wondered how many people would have to separate from their loved ones and leave their homes? It made people resent Heaven's ruthlessness.
"Doesn't Ya Er have other family members?"
"There is an uncle. I heard that he operates a small business in Luoyang." The woman answered.
Ruan Xiang Yin walked to the corner and squatted down in front of Ya Er. She used her handkerchief to wipe off the dirt on her little face and said softly.
"Ya Er, don't be sad. Your Mother will not be at ease underground. Will you let Big Sister take you to Luoyang to look for your uncle?"
Ya Er lifted up her tear-stained little face and stared at her for a while before she said between sobs.
"Mother is dead. Ya Er doesn't want Mother to die."
"I know. Be good, don't cry."
Ruan Xiang Yin could not bear it, pulled the little girl into her arms and her throat constricted.
"Xiang Yin."
Dong Fang Tang holding three flat cakes*, called out to her in a soft whisper. Just now the woman had already told him about Ya Er's case.
(Flat cakes look something like this. Basically, they are made of flour, oil, salt and water. These cakes are coarse, hard and plain. Travelers during ancient times usually pack these cakes on long journeys since they can be kept for a long period of time without getting moldy.)
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.Ruan Xiang Yin released Ya Er and turned around to look at Dong Fang Tang. She took a piece of cake from him and handed it to Ya Er for her to eat first.
Dong Fang Tang sat down beside her and gave her a piece of the flat cake. The two of them felt equally depressed.
"The patients on my side have been treated and their wounds bandaged. What about those on your side?"
Ruan Xiang Yin took a bite on the flat cake even though she did not have any appetite.
"Almost done."
He took a bite on the flat cake in his hand and watched as the soldiers carried the dead bodies recovered from the rubbles to a spot to be collectively burned.
In Shuiyuan Village, there were only a hundred plus villagers and since the earthquake, half of the villagers were already dead which made it impossible for the rest of the villagers to carry on staying here.
"Doctor Dong Fang, we are planning to leave this place to seek our relatives. Thank you."
Just now, that woman leading her son came to bid farewell to the both of them.
Several villagers who were only slightly injured also wanted to leave this sad place and came over to thank them and took their leave.
Dong Fang Tang and Ruan Xiang Yin looked at the departing villagers. Now only the severely injured villagers were left and for the time being, the both of them were unable to leave.
"Doctor Dong Fang, the both of you have worked hard."
Chief Guard Wang was the person responsible for this rescue operation. At this moment, he was also holding a big flat cake in his hands and handed the water-bag* which was filled with water to Dong Fang Tang. Then he sat down cross-legged beside Dong Fang Tang.
(This is a water-bag. They are made from skins of animals.)
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.Dong Fang Tang took over the water bag from him, then handed it to Ruan Xiang Yin and Ya Er for them to take a few mouthfuls first. Then he drank from the water bag and asked the person beside him.
"Chief Guard Wang, how long do you plan to stay here?"
"About two more days until matters here are settled. What about Doctor Dong Fang?"
For this rescue mission, if it was not Doctor Dong Fang who had personally requested, it was impossible for the County Magistrate to agree to send so many people to this small village. Everyone respected Doctor Dong Fang's kindness and deeds and this time, he had also brought along his Furen.
Together, these two people can practice medicine to save the world and this can be described as a blessing to the world!
"We will stay for a few more days and wait until the wounded villagers are relatively more stable before we leave." Dong Fang Tang replied.
Dong Fang Tang's answer was within the expectation of Chief Guard Wang.
"Right then, I'll order my men to leave enough water and food for you and also the medicinal herbs that you need."
After eating the flat cake in his hand, he got up and went on his rounds.
"Xiang Yin, take a rest. I'm going with Chief Guard Wang on his rounds to take a look."
After Dong Fang Tang had instructed her, he followed up behind Chief Guard Wang to check on the people to see whether he had left out anyone that had not received medical treatment.
Ruan Xiang Yin responded with a light sound.
Her eyes rested on Ya Er who was sitting beside her and watched as she took small bites on the flat cake. From time to time, Ya Er would look up at her and her eyes were filled with worry. When Ruan Xiang Yin smiled back at her, she would continue to eat the flat cake in her hand with ease and Ruan Xiang Yin's eyes never left her face.
Two days later, the injuries on the wounded villagers had gradually stabilized and the government officers and soldiers were scheduled to leave in two sichen.
After Ruan Xiang Yin had laboriously prepared the medicine and distributed the medicine to the villagers, she turned her head around and could not find Ya Er who had become inseparable from her for the past two days. She panicked, opened her mouth and shouted loudly.
"Ya Er! Ya Er! Where are you?"
"Dong Fang Furen, I just saw Ya Er walking towards that way."
One of the villagers who was drinking his medicine pointed his hand in one direction.
Ruan Xiang Yin did not bother to correct his greeting referring to her as Dong Fang Furen. After Dong Fang Tang had declared that she is his wife, she no longer had the stamina to argue with the people again when they greeted her as such. After thanking him, she hurried away after the little girl.
After much difficulty, she finally found the crying Ya Er squatting in the corner of a broken-down house. She heaved a sigh of relief.
"Ya Er, why are you here?" Ruan Xiang Yin squatted down beside her, gently wiped away the little girl's tears and asked softly.
"Mother was crushed to death by the fallen pillar here." She stood up, traced her little fingers along the half-collapsed walls and said in a choked voice.
So this is Ya Er's house.
Ruan Xiang Yin also stood up and looked around the half-collapsed house. Involuntarily, a feeling of uneasiness rose from her heart and she had the urge to take the little girl away from there.
Suddenly, the ground swayed and Ya Er panicked and screamed while she hugged Ruan Xiang Yin's body, at the same time crying loudly. Ruan Xiang Yin hastily made a retreat and as she lifted her head, her expression changed dramatically. The part of the house that had not completely collapsed earlier now was rapidly tumbling down in their direction. Before she could react, suddenly a great force knocked down her and Ya Er.
After the ground had stopped shaking, she discovered that she was pinned down by someone and that person was Dong Fang Tang. A pillar had fallen on top of him and his gentle face had turned white.
Upon seeing this, Ruan Xiang Yin lost control and shouted loudly.
"Dong Fang Tang, don't scare me!"
She desperately tried to push away the pillar that had fallen on top of him but it was too heavy. With her strength alone, she would not be able to push it away and her tears flowed freely in anxiety.
From the distance, sounds of hurried footsteps could be heard. When everyone heard her loud cries, Chief Guard Wang took the lead and came rushing over. After he saw Dong Fang Tang's situation, everyone was so frightened that they sucked in their breaths. Then they joined forces and removed the fallen pillar from Dong Fang Tang's body.
"Dong Fang Tang, how do you feel? Don't scare me!" She cried.
Ruan Xiang Yin patted his face and placed a finger under his nose to test his breathing. She felt relieved after finding he was breathing lightly and her tears rolled down her cheeks like pearls that had broken off from a string.
Dong Fang Tang wrinkled his eyebrows in pain, opened his eyes and forced out a smile. He comforted her and said.
"Xiang Yin, don't cry. I'm fine."
As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly vomited out a large amount of blood, his black eyes closed and he fainted.
"Dong Fang Tang! ! !......"
Ruan Xiang Yin hurriedly picked up his wrist and checked his pulse. She knew that after being hit by a fallen pillar, his internal injuries would be severe. Unless he is skilled in martial arts, his body is physically strong and fit, it was afraid he will be like Ya Er's mother who had reported her presence to the King of Hell.
Hurriedly she took out the pill called the 'Heart Protection Pill' from her sleeve. This pill would be able to control his heart beats temporarily and prevent his internal injuries from spreading. After confirming his condition had stabilized, she said to Chief Guard Wang.
"Chief Guard Wang, no one can stay here any longer. Please help all the people to leave immediately. Also, prepare for a stretcher and we must all leave here as soon as possible."
Just recently, an earthquake had occurred here and it was unexpected that it would happen again, albeit a light tremor. It was not as serious as the previous one that had destroyed the village but it could not be guaranteed that it would not happen a third time. This Shuiyang Village temporarily would not be suitable for habitation.
"Yes. Dong Fang Furen."
Chief Guard Wang carried out her orders accordingly. He quickly ordered his men to move quickly and sent away those people who were able to walk on their own. For those who were unable to walk, stretchers would be prepared to carry them away. At last, Chief Guard Wang and one of his soldiers left while carrying Dong Fang Tang on a stretcher and Ruan Xiang Yin leading Ya Er, followed behind them. Finally, everyone left Shuiyang Village speedily in a sichen.
After Ruan Xiang Yin took a last look at Shuiyang Village that had become an abandoned village, she hurried forward to come to Dong Fang Tang's side and held on tightly to his cold hand.
As long as she is here, nothing will happen to him.
For the first time, she felt fear in her heart.......the fear of losing him. It is not until this moment that she understood the torment he had to go through when she fell into the sea without the knowledge of whether she was dead or alive. The thought of almost losing him made her totally realize that she should not be stubborn any longer.
When he has recovered, she will give him a satisfactory answer.
As long as he is well.
***#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#***
The carriage moved slowly and the person responsible for driving was sent by Dong Fang Residence. He was ordered to bring Dong Fang Tang home to recuperate.
After Dong Fang Tang was injured, Ruan Xiang Yin had sent word to the nearest Long Feng Restaurant branch to prepare a carriage in the fastest time possible to escort Dong Fang Tang back to Dong Fang Residence to recuperate. All along the way, they had rested in Long Feng Restaurant branches.
With her by his side, she had taken good care of him and in addition, with proper rest all along the way, Dong Fang Tang's condition had gradually improved without worsening.
"Ya Er......Big Brother is fine. Don't worry."
Ruan Xiang Yin comforted Ya Er who had blamed herself for Dong Fang Tang's injuries. Ya Er no longer followed her around anymore and had instead stayed by Dong Fang Tang's side, fearing that he would die just like her mother.
Ya Er's face was pale and looked worried as she watched the person lying in down under the thick quilt. Staring at Dong Fang Tang's face with both his eyes closed, a negative feeling rose in her heart.
"Big Sister, will Big Brother be like mother and never wake up again?"
"No, Ya Er. Have you forgotten? Big Brother had opened his eyes yesterday."
Ruan Xiang Yin stroked her head lightly and pitied her that at such a young age, she had to experience the loss of a loved one. The wound in her heart must be very deep.
"Big Sister, will I be able to see my uncle in a little while?"
Ya Er lifted up her small face radiating a glow. The thought of seeing her doting uncle soon made her very happy.
"Right. We will arrive soon. Does Ya Er feel happy?"
Raising the window curtain of the carriage, she realized that they had already entered Luoyang City. Ya Er's uncle lived in the West of the city while Dong Fang Residence was in the East. She had told the driver to send them to the West first, to handover Ya Er to her uncle before returning to Dong Fang Residence.
"Happy! Uncle loves Ya Er very much." Ya Er happily replied.
"That's good."
When she heard Ya Er's words, she felt comforted. Staying with relatives who love her and take good care of her, was really better for her.
"Third Furen, we've arrived!" The driver of the carriage shouted loudly.
Ruan Xiang Yin held Ya Er's small hand as they got down from the carriage. They came to a shop that was selling bags and met Ya Er's uncle. The obese figure hugged Ya Er who had flown into his arms and the love shown on his face was certainly exceptional. After she had told him of Ya Er's situation, he shed tears and repeatedly promised to take good care of Ya Er. Then she left Ya Er, who was unhappy they were parting ways, with her uncle.
Putting down a heavy burden in her heart, she entered the carriage to find Dong Fang Tang had opened his eyes and he was looking at her gently.
"You're awake." Her eyes turned red and she let him hold on to her hands while they looked into each other eyes.
"You've sent Ya Er home?" He asked weakly.
She lightly nodded her head and could not help but complain. "Dong Fang Tang, you're not allowed to scare me like this again."
"Alright. I'm sorry. I've made you worried." Dong Fang Tang said as he held her hand tightly with one of his hands and with his other hand, he stroked her thin cheeks.
"We've almost reached Dong Fang Residence. When you arrive, you'll be able to recuperate from your injuries."
Dong Fang Residence was in sight. She believed his brothers would be able to take good care of him.
From her words, Dong Fang Tang was able to understand her meaning and he asked nervously.
"Xiang Yin, you will stay by my side and take care of my injuries, right?"
Ruan Xiang Yin's shining eyes narrowed and kept silent.
Upon seeing this, Dong Fang Tang anxiously made a move to get up but this move affected his internal injuries, and his face turned white with pain.
"Dong Fang Tang, what are you doing? Quickly, lie down! Don't move!"
Ruan Xiang Yin hastily helped him to lie down and as a result, she was pulled down by him. Her body almost pressed onto his chest and quickly she propped up herself with both hands. Their faces were only an inch apart, their breathing in harmony and the uneasiness in his black eyes were clearly reflected in her bright eyes.
"Xiang Yin, can you promise me that you will stay forever by my side?"
His deepest desire was contained in his gentle voice. He was afraid that she would take the opportunity while he was injured, to leave and he would not know where to find her again.
"Alright." She looked deep into his eyes and promised.
His black eyes shone brightly, his big hands pressed down her head and he kissed her on her lips. They licked and sucked until.........
"Third Young Master, we've arrived at the Residence!"
The carriage had stopped in front of a pair of beaded doors that was already opened and the driver shouted.
"Dong Fang Tang, let me help you to get up."
Ruan Xiang Yin strenuously helped him sit up and the driver also rushed in to help. When Dong Fang Tang was helped out of the carriage, the servants of Dong Fang Residence were already waiting outside the carriage. At the same time she took over supporting Dong Fang Tang as he stood beside the carriage, she also met the members of Dong Fang Family.
"Elder Brother, Elder Sister-in-Law......Second Brother, Second Sister-in-Law......"
After Dong Fang Tang had greeted each and every one of them, a servant stepped forward to help him into the house but Dong Fang Tang stopped and looked back at Ruan Xiang Yin who was standing beside the carriage.
"Miss Ruan, we meet again."
Dong Fang Ao fluttered the fan in his hand, smiled at her and watched her with his pair of sharp eyes.
"Miss Ruan, please come in first. If you don't come in, I'm afraid Third Brother will not enter the Residence to rest." Dong Fang Ao looked at his Third Brother and said mockingly.
Ruan Xiang Yin feeling embarrassed led the way with the rest of the people following behind and everyone entered Dong Fang Residence together.
The three Dong Fang Brothers looked at one another and walked in following behind with the intention of going to Dong Fang Tang's Lan Yi Courtyard.