The people of the Tang Family eagerly watched the fish, and Tang Zan's second uncle, Tang Peixiao, came over with a smile and spoke.
"Shu'er, let me help roast the fish."
Other members of the Tang Family had gone to catch fish as well, but Tang Zan's uncles were too tired to join in.
Pei Shu'er said, "Second uncle, we won't roast the fish; we'll cook it instead."
Tang Peixiao was taken aback: "But we don't have a pot."
Pei Shu'er looked around and then said, "I have a way."
While everyone was puzzled, they saw Pei Shu'er raise her head and drink a mouthful of Spiritual Spring Water, then walk to a large stone and pick up another sharp stone in her hand.
She then used the stone to chisel the big rock.
Everyone wanted to tell Pei Shu'er to conserve her energy; this way, how long would it take?
But in less than a quarter of an hour, she had already chiseled a deep depression in the rock.
The depression had the rudimentary shape of a pot.
Everyone couldn't help but swallow; this... this... the strength is too terrifying!
Pei Shu'er continued to skillfully hammer the pot.
Soon, the pot took shape. The thickness was just right, and the depth was enough for twenty members of the Tang Family's main family to each have a bowl of soup.
When Pei Shu'er carried the pot over, all the Tang Family members subconsciously made a one-meter path for her.
This girl's strange strength was truly terrifying.
Why hadn't they noticed before their exile?
Pei Shu'er cleaned the pot and then used stones to build a stove, starting to boil water.
The other women of the Tang Family cleaned the fish and also washed some wild vegetables.
When they returned, the water in the stone pot was just boiling. They put the wild vegetables in, and Pei Shu'er found some wild ginger and green onions nearby, cleaned them, and added them.
The whole family eagerly watched the stone pot, swallowing continuously.
The others who had gone to catch fish had also caught some, but the fish were too small, only the size of a palm, barely enough to satisfy hunger.
The members of the Tang Family returned with three fish of palm size, and after handling them, also put them into the pot.
The smell of the fish quickly spread, and everyone looked in that direction.
While everyone was not paying attention, Pei Shu'er added a little salt to the fish soup. It had some aroma, but the taste of salt wasn't noticeable.
Otherwise, it would be hard to explain.
But if everyone didn't eat salt, it would be easy to lose strength.
After the fish soup was ready, it was the Old Madam Tang who divided the food, as the head of the family, no one disagreed with her distribution.
The old lady was fair, giving each person approximately the same portion. When it came to Pei Shu'er, she looked up, giving her a double portion.
Pei Shu'er knew that the Old Madam Tang was a wise person, so she didn't refuse.
Everyone looked at the clear fish soup and couldn't wait to take a sip, the freshness almost swallowed their tongues.
The fish was tender, the soup savory.
More importantly, there was no trace of fishy smell or earthiness.
These people were used to gourmet food, their palates had become picky.
But even they had to admit, this fish was the most delicious they had ever eaten.
They hadn't had such a fragrant meal since being imprisoned for over three months.
The exhaustion of the day seemed to be healed with this bowl of fish soup.
Pei Shu'er ate first herself, then went in front of Tang Zan and poured a bowl of fish soup for him.
Along with that, she added some Spiritual Spring Water and anti-inflammatory medicine.
She changed Tang Zan's dressing again.
She felt Tang Zan's forehead with her hand.
Then she smiled at Liu Xu: "Mother, Tang Zan's fever is gone."
Liu Xu shed tears of joy, gently wiping them with a handkerchief, nodding repeatedly.
"That's good, that's good."
Then she came over to check Tang Zan's condition.
That night, everyone had warm fish soup and got a good night's sleep.
Pei Shu'er kept some of the sharper fish bones.
The finer ones could be used as needles, and the semicircular bone at the gills could be used to treat festering wounds.
On the second day, everyone needed to be on the move again, carrying loads, except Tang Zan, there was also the large pot Pei Shu'er made.
The pot weighed about eight pounds, but the young members of the Tang Family took turns carrying it, making it manageable.
The pot might be a burden for other families, but for the Tang Family, it was a necessity.
If there were no fish, they could cook some wild vegetables, making things a bit better for everyone.
For three consecutive nights, the Tang Family ate fish. Although it was tiring, it was much better than others.
At least, they had strength during the day while on the move.
Pei Shu'er remembered that Tang Zan's eldest uncle, Tang Peilin, would try to hand her over to the government officer, so she was always on guard.
She didn't put Spiritual Spring Water in the fish, and since it was precious, she wouldn't waste it on unimportant people.
Everyone's wounds continued to worsen.
By contrast, Pei Shu'er, Tang Zan, Tang Qinghuan, and Tang Shuo, who drank Spiritual Spring Water, grew stronger day by day, and their wounds healed quickly.
The two children walked, jumping and skipping while the adults were panting, as if they never tired.
Liu Xu was also relieved much.
On the tenth night of their exile.
When Tang Zan awoke, he was met with a pair of clear peach blossom eyes, gently wiping the grime off his face with a cloth.
Tang Zan was first stunned, then frowned, his voice deepened.
"Pei Shu'er, what are you doing?"
The coldness in his words sent an involuntary shiver down Pei Shu'er's spine, and when she met Tang Zan's gaze, her heart contracted.
His eyes seemed to contain a cold pool, icy and bone-chilling, loathing sweeping over Pei Shu'er, as if to freeze her to death.
What was this woman up to? Wasn't it she and the Third Prince who conspired, causing the exile of the Tang family?
If not for her, he would still be the exalted Princely Heir.
He wouldn't be wounded, and his family wouldn't be exiled with him!
His father would still be the War King, not a prisoner.
Why was she pretending to be innocent now?
Was she trying to poison him?
Or perhaps seeking more important information for the Third Prince?
Pei Shu'er tried to maintain a natural smile as she handed over the water pouch.
"Drink some water."
Tang Zan swept the water pouch aside, which "slapped" a meter away, spilling its contents.
His eyes glared at her as sharp as knives.
Pei Shu'er was not upset; given what the original person had done, Tang Zan was already being polite.
Since she had taken over the original person's body, gaining an extra life, this was the consequence the original person deserved.
Well, this entire family had suffered because of the original person; otherwise, they would still be enjoying themselves in the Prince Mansion instead of enduring hardship on the exile road.
Moreover, some of Tang Zan's family members had died due to this exile.
If she could make up for it, she would.
After all, providing some food and healing the wounds wasn't hard for her.
She had plenty of supplies in her space.
If Tang Zan acted that way, she wasn't angry on account of the original person's mistakes, but she also didn't like to humiliate herself for nothing.
She stood up, picked up the water pouch, and put it away.
Then she went to the Tang Family and told them that Tang Zan had woken up before sitting by the fire to do some work herself.
The Tang Family rushed over, and when they saw Tang Zan, their eyes brimmed with tears.
"Zan'er, are you feeling better? Do you still feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
Tang Zan felt around and found that the previous bone-deep pain was gone.
Instead, he felt a lightness in his body.
He shook his head: "I'm fine."
Liu Xu and Tang Qingning exchanged a glance, both shedding tears.
With Tang Zan awake, their third house finally had a capable male again.
This was good news.
Tang Zan's uncles were also delighted; they no longer had to carry Tang Zan.
Otherwise, they feared they would die before Tang Zan.