The bamboo water was mostly used for health preservation. Naturally occurring bamboo water contained spiritual energy and condensed the essence of the bamboo, so its nutritional value was quite high. However, once the bamboo water was extracted, the bamboo was essentially ruined. Without the water, the bamboo had almost no hope of survival. Therefore, Zhu Yanyi always tried to take as little bamboo water as possible.
Bamboo sap, on the other hand, could clear heat and detoxify. It was especially effective for treating colds.
"Let's pick a little then," Yi Yunfei said with a smile. Seeing the bamboo grove stretching continuously, they did not take much. Each person only collected bamboo water from three bamboo stalks. Then, they cut down some bamboo, processed it into tubes, and prepared to go back to collect bamboo sap.
The method for collecting bamboo sap was actually very simple. One would saw off a section of bamboo, remove the nodes, split it in the middle, and slowly roast it over charcoal. Water droplets would emerge from both ends of the bamboo. Using a container to catch the dripping liquid yielded the bamboo sap. It was just a bit time-consuming.
To show they were there to collect snow water, everyone basically carried a jar of snow. Each person also carried some bamboo back to the Old He household.
When Zhu Yanyi and the others returned to the Old She household, Yan Aohan and Sikong Xuran had not yet returned. The old lady was surprised to see them carrying so much bamboo. "It's so cold, and we have firewood at home. Why are you cutting bamboo?"
"Auntie, we are making bamboo sap. Bamboo sap clears the lungs, reduces internal heat, and helps with phlegm. Watch us make it, and you can learn to do it too. In the future, if any adult or child in your family has a slight cough, you can put a few drops of bamboo sap in boiling water for them to drink. It works very well," Zhu Yanyi said with a smile.
"Is it difficult?" the old lady asked curiously.
Zhu Yanyi shook her head. "Not difficult. It is very simple, just a bit tedious."
"Tedious is fine. We old people stay at home every day and usually have nothing to do. Having more things to do helps pass the time," the old lady said with a smile.
Zhu Yanyi began to extract the bamboo sap. The old lady watched from the side. Just as Zhu Yanyi had said, it only took a long time; there was nothing else to it.
By the time Old She returned with Yan Aohan and Sikong Xuran, Zhu Yanyi and the others had already extracted about half a bottle of bamboo sap.
"What are you doing here?" Old He asked curiously upon entering.
"Extracting bamboo sap," the old lady said proudly. "I have already learned how to extract bamboo sap from them. I will make some when I am free in the future. We can use it ourselves to prevent colds, and we can even send some to our son and daughter."
"Auntie, remember to choose straight bamboo that is about two years old," Zhu Yanyi reminded her.
"I have noted that down," the old lady replied with a smile. She then looked at Old she, who had a gloomy expression, and asked, "What is wrong with you?"
Old He sighed. "The snow is too heavy. Old Yang from across the river said that snow is already pressing down on their roofs. So, they plan to hide in the mountain caves tonight to avoid trouble if their houses collapse."
"How could that happen?" The old lady became worried, losing her previous happiness.
"Actually, the most important thing now is to organize strong young men to check the roofs of every household together. Especially those with thatched roofs need to be checked carefully," Yan Aohan said.
"Did you go to the opposite bank?" Zhu Yanyi asked.
Yan Aohan shook his head slightly. "The single-log bridge has frozen over. It is not safe to cross. If we go, we might fall in."
"It seems we can only hope the heavens stop the snow soon and let the sun come out," the old lady said, clasping her hands together and bowing towards the outside, as if praying for something.
Zhu Yanyi did not say anything. She knew that if Yan Aohan truly wanted to cross, it would not be a big deal. Since he did not want to cross, he must have discovered something or known some secrets.
Zhu Yanyi thought for a moment, then said, "Uncle Old She, you should eat fewer honey oranges from your house."
"What's wrong?" Old He asked.
Zhu Yanyi sighed. "Originally, I did not want to say it, but I think I should still tell you. I found poppy components in your honey oranges. Of course, I do not mean someone injected this component into your oranges.
Instead, I suspect that someone nearby is secretly growing poppies. When the orange flowers bloom, the poppy pollen is blown over and mixes with the orange pollen. This is why you feel the oranges are very delicious and want to eat more and more. However, eating too much is not good for the body and can actually be addictive."
"No way. People in our village have picked these honey oranges every year," Old He was startled. Looking at the half-basket of oranges in the corner, his face showed disbelief.
"Old man, what is there not to believe? The divine doctor's daughter will not lie to us," the old lady said. She trusted Zhu Yanyi greatly now.
Zhu Yanyi smiled. "I am just saying. Maybe my judgment is wrong. But I still want to go over there to check."
"You suspect Ren You is secretly growing poppies?" Yan Aohan understood what Zhu Yanyi meant and asked.
Zhu Yanyi nodded. "Yes. I hope I am wrong and this is just an accident. Otherwise, I do not know what to say."
"Then let's go check. Now," Yan Aohan thought for a moment. Since the snow would not stop, some things still needed to be done.
"Okay," Zhu Yanyi nodded. "I will go with you," she said.
"I will lead the way," Old He said.
"No need," Zhu Yanyi smiled. "Aohan and I are just going to look. If there is no problem, we will return. I still want to eat Auntie's dinner tonight."
"No problem. I will start preparing soon. I will bring our yellow steamed buns," the old lady said with a smile. She loved it when people appreciated her cooking.
Zhu Yanyi nodded. Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan went out. Not everyone went out. If it were a normal day, it would be fine, but with such heavy snow, if everyone went out, people might think something major had happened. So, Sikong Xuran and the others did not go.
Only Zhu Yanyi, Yan Aohan, and Yi Yunfei went.
Following the direction Old He described, they quickly found the honey orange grove.
There were still many orange-red fruits on the trees, but most were covered with a layer of white snow.
Zhu Yanyi used her wood ability to find the direction of what she was looking for, then said to Yan Aohan, "Over there."
Yan Aohan nodded, held Zhu Yanyi's hand, and walked in the direction Zhu Yanyi pointed. Soon, they discovered that in this cold place, there was actually a trace of heat.