Taking Stock of the Harvest

"Take a bath?" Changge froze, then asked, "Why take a bath at a time like this?"

Zhang Xiaohua said, "Second Brother is covered in whip wounds. Too much time has passed, and the flesh on his body has rotted. I need to cut it all away, then wash his whole body with water boiled with herbs and apply some medicinal pills."

"Oh, I understand." Changge nodded. "What herbs do you need? Tell me, and I'll fetch them right away."

Zhang Xiaohua pointed at the herbs on the table. "I brought all of these. You only need to get the fire going."

Looking at the dazzling array of herbs covering the table, Changge was speechless. She had no idea how Zhang Xiaohua had brought them over, so she could only smile. "No problem. My arm may be injured, but boiling water won't be an issue."

With that, she turned around. Even when she reached the doorway, she did not look back as she added, "Xiaohua, you'd better keep your second brother under the quilt. Don't let him catch a chill."

"Hehe, got it." Zhang Xiaohua smiled, turned to wink at Zhang Xiaohu, and covered him with the quilt.

By then, some color had returned to Zhang Xiaohu's pale face.

By the time Changge had boiled the water, the disciple who had gone out for medicine had returned as well. He set up a medicine pot outside and began decocting the herbs. Since the disciple was back, and Zhang Xiaohua needed to wash Zhang Xiaohu's entire body with herbal water, it was no longer convenient for Changge to stay. After giving a few instructions, she left first.

Zhang Xiaohua tested the temperature of the water in the wooden tub and tossed in all sorts of herbs. Before long, the rich herbal fragrance