Farmhouse Green Plum

Chapter 641 Zhang Renzhi's Abnormality

He bent down to pick up the medical book and gently flicked off the dust, while Song Ying put their pens into the pen washer to wash.

In the distance came the rough shouts of Captain Chu. The boatmen were busy furling the sails and tying the ropes. A drop of cold rain hit the deck, followed by the crackling sound of rain coming from far away, and in a blink of an eye, countless tiny splashes of water were stirred up on the river surface.

"This is too hasty!" Song Ying exclaimed and threw the pen directly into the pen wash.

Yuan Qing handed her the medical book and the documents that had been drying on the table, "Take them inside first."

They moved very quickly, but it was still not as fast as the rain, and many places on the books and scrolls were soaked.

Almost in the blink of an eye, the rain curtain poured down like a river from the sky, enveloping the entire canal boat in a chaotic mist.

Song Ying looked out of the cabin and murmured, "This rain is really like a pouring basin."

The rain was pouring down, but the sailors on the deck were still busy. Some were using a capstan to lower the mainmast, the rough hemp rope stretched straight in the rain; others were climbing the side, sinking the peace basket into the churning waves.

When the sails were finally lowered, some of the boatmen ran into the cabin, wet.

Chu Bazong, wringing out the water from the corner of his clothes, said to the onlookers, "There's a small river bend about two kilometers ahead. There are quite a few people living nearby. The rain is coming down really hard. You should all go ashore and take shelter first."

Zhang Renzhi frowned. "When will this rain stop? How long will we be stuck in Dongchang Prefecture?"

Chu Bazong wiped the rain from his face and said with a wry smile, "It depends on the Dragon King's mood."

He pointed at the inky sky outside the cabin and said, "Do you see that light in the gap between the clouds? If the clouds are just passing through, it will clear up in a blink of an eye. But if it's like a sea dragon spitting saliva, it will probably linger for months."

Zhang Renzhi frowned even more tightly. Song Ying looked at him strangely, wondering if it was her illusion. She always felt that Zhang Renzhi was in a hurry to travel after setting off from Zhangqiu. No, to be precise, he was in a hurry to travel after setting off from Linqing.

After leaving Zhangqiu, he became even more anxious and often looked out from the bow and stern of the ship.

Zhang Renzhi frowned and said in a deep voice, "How confident are you that you can continue on despite the wind and rain?"

Captain Chu was stunned and pointed outside, saying, "Look at this scene! Even if I had ten times the courage, I wouldn't dare gamble with the lives of everyone on board!"

Outside, the rain was like a waterfall, pouring into the river. The splashing water even splashed into the boat, as if there were countless wronged souls at the bottom of the river, trying to climb onto the boat with the help of the rain.

After a pause, he said tactfully, "In the past, when we were rushing to transport grain, we had no choice but to put our heads on the line. But now, we don't need to do that."

Zhang Renzhi stared outside with a heavy gaze, and after a long pause he sighed, "Captain Chu is very experienced, so I'll do as you say."

After saying that, he turned and went into the house.

Captain Chu breathed a sigh of relief, "Mr. Yuan, Miss Song, you should hurry into the cabin too. Rain will be blown in through the door."

Yuan Qing glanced thoughtfully in the direction of Zhang Renzhi's cabin and said gently, "Captain Chu, please go and do your work. The two of us would like to watch the rain from here."

Chu Bazong and his companions were indeed people who had been working on this canal for over thirty years, and they were very familiar with the conditions of each section of the river. In just a quarter of an hour, they arrived at the small river bay. The canal workers were busy mooring the boats, while Song Ying and his companions put on straw raincoats and hats, packed up and prepared to disembark.

Considering that she would be staying at someone else's house for a few days, Song Ying took a lot of small change with her. She was also worried that water would enter the boat and get the medical books wet, so she packed them in a small box and took them away.

Ling Wan's voice echoed from outside the cabin door, accompanied by the sound of rain. "Sister Ling Wei, have you packed everything?"

"That's good!" Song Ying responded, and finally took a look at the cabin to make sure that there was nothing particularly important left behind, then he opened the door and went out.

Yu Lingwan, surrounded by maids and old women, was wearing a light oil-silk dress and green silk nailed shoes. Xier was holding an oil-paper umbrella in her hand.

Seeing Song Ying coming out in her straw raincoat and bamboo hat, Yu Lingwan pursed her lips and smiled, "Sister, the way you're dressed, you look like you stepped out of the painting 'Fishing Alone on a Cold River'."

As he said this, he tilted his head and ordered Que'er, "Go and get my apricot-yellow oil-silk dress."

Que'er agreed and turned to go in to get it.

Yu Lingwan reached out and brushed the straw raincoat on Song Ying. "These coarse grass leaves are rubbing against me. My delicate skin and flesh are so delicate, how can I bear it?"

Song Ying didn't refuse. The raincoat was heavy, and she was happy to be able to move around more easily. She smiled and said, "Thank you, sister."

This so-called oil silk clothing is made of silk soaked in tung oil and repeatedly beaten until it is shiny. It is not only waterproof but also windproof and warm to a certain extent.

Given Song Ying's current condition, it's not that he can't afford it, but he just can't think of it.

After all, their foundation is still too weak, and it is revealed in these details.

In their minds, if the rain is not heavy, they use an umbrella; if the rain is heavy, they wear a straw raincoat or a cloak. They have never considered that there are lighter options.

After getting dressed, they left the women's cabin. Yuan Qing, Zhang Renzhi and others were waiting at the front cabin door. Once the boat was docked, they could go ashore.

When Song Ying approached, Yuan Qing looked at the oil-silk dress she was wearing and said, "This dress..."

"Sister Lingwan's." Song Ying raised his hand and shook his sleeves. "We should prepare a few pieces in the future. This is so light, almost the same as ordinary clothes - Ouch!"

Before she could finish her words, the boat jolted violently, as if struck by a giant underwater beast. The entire vessel tilted sharply to the starboard, its sides nearly submerged in the churning waves.

Caught off guard, everyone in the cabin fell to the ground.

Song Ying was standing by the window. As the boat tilted, she was almost thrown out of the window. Fortunately, Yuan Qing next to her grabbed her in time.

"Are you okay?" Yuan Qing asked anxiously.

Song Ying was about to speak when she heard Yan Qiu and others anxiously ask, "Madam, are you okay?"

Song Ying's heart tightened. She couldn't let Yu Lingwan fall with such a big belly. She stood up straight with the help of the window frame and turned her head to look. Fortunately, Zhang Pozi and others reacted quickly and cushioned Yu Lingwan in time.

Seeing Yu Lingwan standing up with their support, she did not go over immediately, but looked out the window: "What happened?"

A flash of lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the surroundings.

Song Ying saw a dark boat right next to the stern of their canal boat, its mast still swaying slightly. "Hey, it looks like there was a collision!"

Zhang Renzhi was shocked and walked out quickly. He walked to the side and looked at the back of the boat. Yuan Qing's heart tightened and he left after saying "Hold on to the window".

Zhang family's guards and servant Yin Zhu also followed him out.

Song Ying found Zhang Renzhi's reaction a little strange. She leaned against the window frame and peeked back. Captain Chu had already rushed over. Upon seeing the people on the opposite deck, he angrily scolded with a smile, "Scar, your eyes are not bright enough. Are you looking for trouble and finding me?"

The tone is familiar and full of sarcasm.