The Zhu Family Is Not Conservative

The southwest valley often rains at night. Literati often use "spring night, happy rain" to describe it. When they hear the rain at night, they would shake their heads and casually recite a line: "Sliding into the night with the wind, moistening things silently."

Ding Mao lay despairingly in the Mizong Formation more than a li away from the valley. The cold night rain hit his face, confused and helpless, not happy at all.

"Impossible, it's clearly the Bagua Lost Trace Formation, it's exactly the same as yesterday's Bagua Lost Trace Formation at Yuntai Temple. I already found the life gate, so why can't I get out?"

"Where did the problem occur?" "No, I have no problem, the problem is the formation. Zhu Shian must be playing tricks on me."

The monk Huixin who came with him to break the formation couldn't bear it anymore: "Daoist Ding, aren't you cold?" Ding Mao sat up and wiped the rain from his face: "I'm not cold, I'm sweating all over now.

I have a premonition, I feel like I'm about to break through." Huixin's face was ashen at this moment - he believed Daoist Ding and he himself couldn't get out.

After all, they had tried the literary approach, using breaking formation methods to find the exit of the Mizong Formation; they had also tried the martial approach, using talismans to blast a path out. Neither method worked.

They came in the morning and had been stuck here for a day and a half now. Ding Mao didn't believe in evil, and Huixin, who didn't understand formations, could only risk his life to accompany him.

Who let him also want to see the formation that Zhu Shian had repaired? Who made him believe Daoist Ding's words? Now ending up in this situation was his own fault.

Ding Mao stepped on the formation eye, carefully probing to find a way out. Huixin followed closely behind him. The two of them circled around the Mizong Formation for another hour.

Even though it was light rain, they were both getting soaked through. "Ah! Zhu Shian deceived me, this isn't the Bagua Lost Trace Formation at all."

"Ah-choo!" Ding Mao broke down again, tilting his head to shout. Cold rain fell into his throat, triggering a sneeze, giving him goosebumps.

Huixin was somewhat desperate: "Will anyone pass by and rescue us?" Ding Mao told him not to think about it: "This place is already quite remote, and it's still the middle of the night.

No one comes except ghosts. Moreover, we're inside the formation, so others can't see us. How could they rescue us?" The more he said, the more desperate it became.

To get out, unless the person who set the formation sensed that someone was trapped in the formation and came personally to let them out. Ding Mao gave up completely, squatting on the ground, frantically muttering about Zhu Shian: "This place isn't far from Sanqing Lane.

If it were a powerful formation master, they would definitely sense that someone disturbed her formation." "How would they sense that?"

Huixin didn't understand. Ding Mao coldly snorted: "We're like a moth that flew into a spider web right now. When I broke the formation, I used talismans to blast away for so long.

Such a huge commotion - how could she not know?" Ding Mao guessed that the heartless woman was intentionally ignoring them, watching them exhaust themselves like moths before coming to pull them out, so he would submit to her.

Huixin suggested: "Why not use talismans to blast again? In case Zhu Shian didn't sense the commotion and thinks we've already left the formation."

Ding Mao was also worried about this. He took out his last protective Five Thunders Talisman and threw it toward the death gate. *Bang* - a muffled sound, like gunpowder that wasn't strong enough or a firecracker that got wet,勉强响了，聊胜于无吧。 "Daoist Ding, who drew your Five Thunders Talisman?"

Ding Mao was sensitive and immediately retorted: "What do you mean? Are you saying my Five Thunders Talisman isn't good?"

"Daoist Ding, you've misunderstood. I didn't mean it that way. I just wanted to ask if you have any other Five Thunders Talismans.

If you do, let's blast again. I'm afraid the noise is too small for Master Zhu to notice." "That's the last one. Once used, there won't be any more."

Ding Mao crouched on the ground and sneered: "If she doesn't come to rescue me soon, I'll die from a high fever and a cold here. Let's see what she'll do then."

Huixin: "..." Ding Mao added aggressively: "I won't let her go even after I become a ghost." Huixin reminded him: "My master said that Zhu Shian knows the ghost officials in this area.

If you die, she probably won't show up. She'll just send a ghost official to collect your soul." "Hmph! You monks really know how to speak."

"Daoist Ding!" "You shut up. Ah-choo! Ah... ah-choo!" One sneeze after another. Ding Mao sniffed his nose and realized he really had caught a cold. *Sob* ~ Ancestors of the Ding family, your descendant is unfilial.

I haven't accomplished anything great yet, but I never thought I would perish here. Ancestors! While Ding Mao was calling upon his ancestors, a white dot suddenly appeared in the pitch-black night.

That white dot was like a piece of jade, radiating a warm, lustrous light. The light came closer and closer, larger and larger, even ignoring the formation, heading straight toward them.

"Geez, I'm not dead yet, and the soul-collectors are here?" Ding Mao jumped up. "Um... Daoist Ding, look more carefully."

The light was even closer now. Ding Mao's bewildered eyes could see very clearly - the thing faintly emitting that glow was unmistakably a Zhu character.

"Hehe, little white snake, you wouldn't be a proper wild demon, but you've let Zhu Shian mark you with her seal. Your life is over now."

That Zhu character was appearing on Xiaobai's head. As soon as Ding Mao saw it, he knew what was going on. He couldn't help but point at the little white snake.

Xiaobai gave him a disdainful glance - you a good-for-nothing who can't even break through a formation, and you dare point at me? Xiaobai turned and left.

"Hey hey, Master Xiaobai, wait for me. Please have mercy and take me out!" Xiaobai gave him another look - who are you calling master?

I'm clearly your grandmother! She didn't like him and didn't want to help. Xiaobai slipped away even faster. "Ah, wait!"

Ding Mao could bend and stretch. He immediately dropped down and grabbed Xiaobai's tail, and was carried out of the formation by Xiaobai.

Finally out. Huixin breathed a sigh of relief and said gratefully: "Thank you, benefactor." As for being articulate, that还得是和尚.

Xiaobai pulled her tail from Ding Mao's hand, raised her tail and shook it at the monk Huixin, then left. Cold wind carried cold rain, and Ding Mao shivered again: "Let's go, let's go.

Let's quickly find a warm place." Ding Mao no longer talked about breaking formations. He just wanted to leave this embarrassing place.

If he could fly, he would definitely flap his wings desperately to leave Zhenshan County and never come back, humph. Where could the two of them go in the middle of the night?

Going to Sanqing Lane was the closest. They were all from the Xuan Sect, and there were old acquaintances. Even if they knocked on the door in the early morning, the Zhu family probably wouldn't drive them out.

"Let's not go to Sanqing Lane." At this moment, Ding Mao felt he had conditions to be picky again. "Should we return to Wangyun Temple in the rain?"

"I think that's doable." Huixin thought Ding Mao wasn't doing well - he was definitely sick. He was worried that Ding Mao might faint from a high fever on the road before climbing Wangyun Mountain.

What should he do? "Rest assured, I can do it," Ding Mao promised solemnly. Huixin was skeptical but could only bring Ding Mao back to Wangyun Temple.

Walking in the mountains at four or five in the morning, both of them were practitioners of Dao Cultivation, so they weren't afraid of ghosts or spirits. At this moment, even a miserable ghost would detour upon seeing them.

"Daoist Ding, don't faint. Climb that slope and walk a bit more, and we'll reach Wangyun Temple. Daoist Ding, Daoist Ding, wake up."

Ding Mao couldn't hold on any longer - fainting from a fever was beyond his control. His face flushed red from the fever.

Ding Mao lifted his heavy arm and patted Huixin. Little monk, my life is in your hands. "This is bad." Huixin was really worried about Ding Mao.

He hurriedly carried Ding Mao on his back, stepping on broken leaves and wet mud, rushing toward the temple. But carrying an unconscious adult along the mountain path, no matter how fast he wanted to go, he couldn't go fast.

Huixin, panting heavily and sweating all over, rushed back to the temple. By the time he arrived, it was already daylight.

The little monk at Wangyun Temple opened the door and saw their senior disciple Huixin in such a disheveled state, and hurried back to report. "Help!

Huixin shixiong is back! Come quick, save someone!" This caused an uproar. Even Master Mingjue was alerted, and the temple was in quite a bustle.

Zhu Shian woke up naturally. When she opened her eyes, she saw Xiaobai coiled on the foot of the bed. Xiaobai's round eyes immediately lit up: "Master is awake."

Zhu Shian nodded: "Why aren't you in your room? Why are you guarding me here?" Last night, Zhu Shian divined to calculate the nation's fortune.

The hexagram showed that an era of human prosperity was coming. When one side rises, another naturally declines. When one becomes strong, there must be a weakness.

This was the fixed order of Heaven. Xiaobai wasn't very intelligent, but she had a sense from the depths of her being. Her best path wasn't returning to the mountains, but staying by Zhu Shian's side.

Since being venerated by the Zhu family, Xiaobai had served several generations of family heads. Zhu Shian was the strongest and should be able to shelter her during the transformation, right?

The instincts of wild creatures were stronger than humans', especially for Xiaobai, a wild immortal who had entered the Dao. Xiaobai coiled around Zhu Shian and wanted to sign a contract with her.

From now on, her identity wouldn't be the willow spirit venerated by the Zhu family, but a spiritual beast raised by Zhu Shian. From Zhu Shian's perspective, Xiaobai would outlive her.

By strengthening the relationship with Xiaobai during her generation, she could shelter Xiaobai for a few decades. After she died, Xiaobai would probably stay and shelter the Zhu family's descendants.

Either way, it wasn't a loss. Thus, the Spirit Pet Contract was established. Xiaobai carried Zhu Shian's aura. Only she could come and go freely through the various formations set by Zhu Shian.

Unless Zhu Shian specifically placed a prohibition, forbidding her to approach. After finalizing the Spirit Pet Contract last night, Xiaobai received Zhu Shian's instructions to go to the valley and bring that idiot Ding Mao out of the formation.

Xiaobai's eyes sparkled. The entire snake radiated an eager "ask me, ask me" vibe. Zhu Shian got out of bed and opened the window to get some air.

She yawned and asked: "What is it? What new trouble did Ding Mao cause?" Xiaobai slithered to the window ledge in front of Zhu Shian, her tail playfully swinging: "Ding Mao got sick.

He and the little monk were going to Wangyun Temple. On the way, Ding Mao fainted." "Is he okay?" "He's fine. The little monk carried him back.

Those monks will definitely save him." "Tsk, I thought he would come to Sanqing Lane," Zhu Shian said. After all, in Zhenshan County, besides the Zhu family, he didn't know anyone else.

"Ding Mao is embarrassed. He cares about his face." Xiaobai grinned, her tongue flickering out long, almost wanting to tie a knot around her neck.

Zhu Shian smiled, stretched, and nodded indifferently: "Alright. As long as he's alive." It was rare to find such a lively person in the Xuan Sect who also had some ability.

He was more valuable alive than dead. Song Weiguo was returning home today. Zhu Fujiang and Zhu Changfeng, who had stayed overnight in the main house's guest room, had breakfast with Song Weiguo.

When Song Weiguo was about to leave, he came to see Zhu Shian - not for anything else, just to request three Peace Talismans. "My mother is getting older.

These past few years, she's had many ailments. Medicine doesn't help much; she can only endure and bear it. My two older brothers died on the battlefield.

Only my third brother came back. He works at the public security bureau, and I'm afraid he's in danger while catching criminals outside.

And my wife -" Mentioning his wife to a young girl made Song Weiguo somewhat embarrassed: "My wife had a miscarriage last year due to an accident. Her health isn't good either.

I want to get three Peace Talismans for my mother, my oldest brother, and my wife." Zhu Shian listened patiently until Song Weiguo finished.

She agreed and gave him three Peace Talismans, saying: "The doctors you found might not be very good. After the spring farming season when you have free time, bring your mother and wife to Zhenshan County.

I'll examine them." Zhu Shian's words were direct and unreserved. If outside, people would certainly criticize - such a young girl, what a big mouth.

But Song Weiguo wasn't an outsider. He knew Zhu Shian was thinking for his good, and he also knew that given the relationship between the Song and Zhu families, Zhu Shian had no reason to boast about such things.

Song Weiguo quickly thanked her: "My mother has had health problems for some years. She believes in the Zhu family's medical skills.

I originally wanted to ask your grandfather to examine her, but unfortunately your grandfather passed away. But now that you have inherited the Zhu family, my mother would probably want to come to Zhenshan County right away to have you relieve her pain."

"You're too polite." Song Weiguo sat and chatted for a while, expressing gratitude to the Zhu family. When someone outside shouted that the boat to Wushan County had arrived, Zhu Changfeng finally escorted Song Weiguo away.

Zhu Fujiang didn't leave. He asked: "Miss, yesterday you said our family's medical hall's signboard would be hung up, and the Zhu family's herbal medicine business would also be done.

When you said that, did you have some other explanation?" Zhu Fujiang's underlying meaning was that he wanted to know if there was any other news besides Song Weiguo's speculation.

Zhu Fujiang knew that when she went to the countryside to avoid disaster, the grandfather and granddaughter had cured many people with their excellent medical skills. Their patients included farmers, sent-down youth, and rightists sent down for labor.

A year ago, rightists were still being criticized by everyone. Now, after the rehabilitation of rightists, many became Party and government cadres in high positions.

These people must have access to very timely information. Zhu Shian smiled and said: "I divined last night. Guess what?"

Zhu Fujiang's body slightly leaned forward, and his old, hunched back straightened a bit: "What happened?" Zhu Shian pointed to the sky: "The hexagram says that a towering tree will eventually grow.

Then, branching out and flourishing will naturally follow." Zhu Fujiang was stunned for a moment, then understood. He muttered that his ancestors were protecting him.

Then, Zhu Fujiang excitedly slapped his thigh: "Good, good, good! I've lived a lifetime of hardship, and I can actually hear such good news.

Great!" He was born in the late Qing dynasty during the Guangxu Emperor's reign. He survived national destruction and family collapse, the chaos of the Republic of China, and foreign invasion.

So many people died. Back then, he led the Zhu family to deliver medicine to the front lines. What惨状 he didn't see along the way?

He gritted his teeth and survived more than a decade of war. Finally, the war ended. He endured until the establishment of the New China, but didn't get a few days of stable life before紧接着来的天灾、人祸，不给人一点喘息的时候。 如今 He hadn't even had a moment to breathe before the disasters and troubles came one after another.

Now, now... Zhu Fujiang's old tears flowed. He actually heard that everything had passed, and better days were ahead. Truly, his ancestors were protecting him.

Zhu Shian spoke gently: "Not many of my grandfather's generation who are still alive today. Your body is sturdy. I think you can live to eighty or ninety.

By then, you can see for yourself how the towering tree grows." Zhu Fujiang nodded repeatedly: "I must live well and see what the future holds.

When I die, I'll tell the ancestors below." Zhu Shian smiled: "Then, when that time comes, please help me deliver a message.

Just say that the Zhu family prospered in my hands. Tell them not to worry and to go reincarnate and live their own good lives."

Zhu Fujiang laughed loudly, showing the missing hole in his back molar. "What is Grandpa Fujiang laughing about? So loud - we heard it through three doors and two courtyards.

Who's in there?" "No one. Zhu Changfeng went to the pier to see off a guest. Aunt Feng went to buy vegetables. At this time, in the front hall, it should only be Grandpa Fujiang and the young lady."

"Our young lady can tell jokes? We come every day - why haven't we heard any?" "Haha, ask the young lady later." For the past two days, there were external guests at the main house.

The free women from Sanqing Lane didn't come over. This morning, hearing the guest had left, Zhu Changfang, Zhang Hui, and others came over.

At this time, the two were in the small courtyard kitchen to the right of the entrance screen, boiling sweet potato soup. After cooking, they kept it warm with some firewood, waiting for the children to come drink it after school in the afternoon.

The two talked and laughed while cooking the soup, then cleaned the kitchen thoroughly before leaving. Just as they left the courtyard, they saw Grandpa Fujiang coming out from the hall.

The two quickly greeted him. Zhu Fujiang smiled and asked: "You're boiling soup? Do you have enough sweet potatoes at home?"

"Plenty. You don't need to worry about us." "Good. If you run out, don't buy from outside. Send a message, and someone will bring two baskets from the clan."

"Got it. I'll remember your words." Every day in Sanqing Lane, they boiled soup for the children. On the opposite side of the river, the Zhu clan wasn't neglected either.

Someone came to the main house every day to carry two buckets of water back, boiled it, and gave it to weak adults and children to drink. It had only been half a month, but this spring, fewer people in the clan got sick.

The Zhu family had a capable head, and they had a backbone. As their days got better and better. But it wasn't the same at the County Hospital.

Since the New Year, several doctors had left, which was already troubling Director Li. Just now, seeing someone from his own family bite the hand that fed them, Director Li felt dizzy.

The weather had been getting warmer these past few days, and sick elderly and children had decreased. The County Hospital wasn't as busy as before, so Director Li had free time.

He walked around, hands behind his back, inspecting each consultation room. But what did he see? He saw Zhu Changming pushing the hospital's patients out.

"Doctor Zhu, the