specting that his muscles might be injured.Zongyu probably saw the wife's confusion, scratched his head and explained."I'm not hurt, really. Ever since you gave us the spring water, I feel stronger th...At the sound of "Father," Zong Pingkang's gaze immediately shifted over. Seeing the pastry in his hand, he ran over and snatched it away in three or two steps.

"You little brat! You got me good! Your old man was choked by that grain-hoarding hoodlum, barely able to breathe. And you're hiding your delicious rice cakes, eating them behind my back!"

After he finished speaking, he shoved the cookie directly into his sleeve without any manner of a senior.

"Father, please stop teasing. That's water prepared by Ah Yu's wife for him, don't take it."

"When we find a water source, I'll let you have your fill."

Zongping snorted.

So many people there wanted to drink Zong Yu's water, but none of them dared to speak up. It wasn't because they, like Zong Hu, had a sense of morality.

But they knew deep down that no one here was stronger than Zongyu, and no one could take his place.

Zongping Kang still wanted to use his seniority to get water.

"You're giving up on the imperial exams, aren't you" Zong Bai pointed accusingly, still unwilling to believe it.

"You forgot what your mother fears most!"

"Be smart and get me some water quickly."

Zong Hu's words had absolutely no effect on him.

Zong Bai was afraid that his older brother would still be concerned about reputation and actually give the water to their uncle. He quickly grabbed his older brother's sleeve and shook his head at him.

"Big brother, I told you I'm really not taking the imperial examinations anymore."

Now the question of whether one could even survive was a problem, let alone taking the imperial examinations.

Zongyu understood his brother's feelings. He didn't want to drag his family down because of him, and neither did his brother.

"Uncle, would you like some water"

He gave his younger brother a reassuring look, then turned to face Zongping Kang.

Zongping nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, hurry up and get me some water!"

He still thought his threats would work as always.

Zhongyu suddenly twitched the corner of his mouth and threw the waterskin at his waist.

"Big brother, no!" Zong Bai just finished shouting, obviously it was too late.

Zongping hurried over two steps, catching the waterskin. He eagerly uncapped it and poured water into his mouth.

Not a single drop of water spilled.

"What's going on here" he exclaimed angrily.

Zhong Yu looked at him expressionlessly, "When did I say there was water left inside"

He's got to trek all this way with so many thirsty people, and he's even got a water bladder hanging from his waist. Isn't that asking for trouble

It's better to drink it all at once, that way you can reduce some of the gossip.

Zongyu's intuition was right as always, he had just finished his water when Zongping emerged.

Zong Bai burst into laughter at the sight.

I never thought that, my eldest brother who is usually honest and not very talkative, would also have such a gloomy side.

He actually kept teasing his uncle for half a day with an empty water bag.

Zongping Kang realized he had been tricked. He angrily threw the water bag to the ground.

"Alright, alright, Zongyu. Let's see what happens!"

Zong Hu felt apologetic, picked up the water bladder from the ground, patted it dry of the dust on its surface, and handed it back to Zong Yu.

"Ah Yu, don't take it to heart, my father has always been like that."

"From now on, I will never let him go up the mountain to bother you again."

Zongyu didn't speak, he just took the water bag and shouted to the others again.

"Rest time is over, I'm craving some water. Let's get moving, the water source can't be far now."

The more he walked down this road, the more familiar it felt. He had a hunch that the water source Iron Column mentioned was most likely the place where he had been drawing water all along.

Everyone strained to their feet, eager to get a drink.

This afternoon, Su Yusheng went up the mountain to visit Fang Jinxiu's family again.

After Mu took the medicine, she felt a little drowsy. The prescription Fang Jinshi gave her included some herbs for calming the mind. Her body needed more rest and couldn't be overexerted anyway.

Grandma had just fallen asleep, and Fang Jinshu, carrying a hoe, felt self-reliant. She decided to cultivate this vegetable field on her own.

Zong Bai went to deliver a meal and hasn't come back yet. He's probably gone digging irrigation canals with his brother.

Su Yusheng saw her slender figure from afar. Even though she was as thin as a bamboo pole, she was still wielding a hoe and working.

What on earth is she going to do with all that money

He stepped forward and stood outside the Zong family's fence.

"Hey, I'll give you ten thousand taels of silver, sell me the white lingzhi."

Ten thousand taels of silver would be enough for this country woman to eat and drink without worry for a lifetime, wouldn't itu came to her senses, ignoring the pain from her fall, and rushed forward to protect the box."Zong Ping, don't mess around. These boxes belong to Fang Jinshi and Zong Yu, they're just temporarily kept...