After finishing the medicine, Jiang A Yao picked up the bowl and prepared to stand up, but the man spoke, “Miss, your surname is Jiang?”
Jiang A Yao nodded, “Yes, I’m Jiang A Yao.”
The man shifted his position with difficulty, leaning against the wall, his gaze deep and penetrating as he stared at her. “From this village?”
Jiang A Yao nodded again, “Born and raised here.”
“Might I ask who your teacher is, Miss Jiang? Your medical skills are truly remarkable. You saved my life, and I am endlessly grateful.”
Scarface had already interrogated her once, and now this man, barely able to breathe, was doing the same. Yet Jiang A Yao dared not refuse to answer.
“There was a mad old man in our village before. He claimed to be a doctor, but no one believed him. However, he took a liking to me. He enjoyed the meals I cooked, so he taught me many things.”
This was the same story Jiang A Yao had used to deceive Lu Da, and now she repeated it to fool them.
There really had been a mad old man in the village, but he was merely a barefoot doctor who knew little and taught even less.
However, the villagers all knew he was literate, but he was usually too eccentric for anyone to take him seriously.
Jiang A Yao had never attended school, so she could only claim to have learned from him. After all, the old man was dead now, making it a case of no evidence to prove otherwise.
The man did not press further after hearing this but silently glanced at Scarface.
Scarface immediately understood and once again took out a brush, ink, and a small piece of paper from his pocket.
“Miss Jiang, didn’t you say yesterday that you needed to purchase more items? Please write them down on this paper. We will send someone to town to buy everything that’s needed.”
Scarface placed the items beside Jiang A Yao, his attitude noticeably more respectful.
Jiang A Yao glanced at them and frowned with hesitation. “Can’t it be like yesterday? I’ll dictate, and you write.”
Scarface glanced at his master’s expression and didn’t dare agree. In a serious tone, he said, “Miss Jiang, you should write it. If we write it, we might miss something or make mistakes, and that wouldn’t be good.”
They were clearly insisting that she write.
Under the watchful eyes of several people, Jiang A Yao didn’t dare refuse. She put down the bowl and chopsticks and reached for the brush. But holding the short brush was like gripping a stick for her. After a few strokes, the characters were a smeared mess, completely illegible.
Frustrated, she threw the brush down and said helplessly, “I don’t know how to write with a brush. Why are you making things difficult for me?”
Scarface stared at her in astonishment. “Miss Jiang, you can read and even write prescriptions. How is it possible that you don’t know how to write?”
“Is it wrong that I’ve never held a brush before? When the mad old man taught me, he always wrote on the ground with a stick.”
This time, Jiang A Yao wasn’t pretending. She genuinely didn’t know how to write with a brush, especially this type of small, cursive script.
Scarface looked at his master, who gave a slight nod, signaling him to stop testing her.
Jiang A Yao’s grip on the brush was like a three-year-old holding one for the first time. If she were skilled, she couldn’t have faked it so convincingly.
“Miss Jiang, tell me what else you need to buy. I’ll write it down.”
Scarface took on the task himself, and Jiang A Yao didn’t hold back. This time, she listed everything she needed.
After he finished writing, Scarface showed the list to Jiang A Yao to confirm there were no mistakes. However, there were too many items for one person to carry, so Scarface sent two people to town.
When Jiang A Yao turned around, she noticed the man staring at her with an unreadable expression. She explained, “Your injuries are severe. Although you can lean against the wall now, it’s best not to move around too much. If the wounds reopen and bleed, even I won’t be able to save you.”
The man shifted his arm slightly and immediately winced in pain, yet still asked in a low voice, “How many days will it take?”
Jiang A Yao thought for a moment, then leaned closer to examine his wound again.
Fresh blood had seeped through the newly changed bandage, making her expression darken.
“At least five more days before you can ride in a carriage.”
If the road were smooth, he could lie down comfortably, but country roads were rough. Even an ox cart would jostle slowly, let alone a four-wheeled carriage.
“If we had better supplies yesterday, or if we had anesthesia, I could have stitched your wound. That might have shortened your recovery time by a couple of days. But right now, your wound is just a gaping hole that needs to heal naturally. You absolutely must not move during the initial stage.”
After Jiang A Yao finished speaking, the man suddenly stared at her and asked, “Can you stitch it now?”
“Now?”
Jiang A Yao shook her head firmly. “No, you had a fever last night. If we go through that again, I’m afraid you might not survive.”
At her words, Scarface immediately interjected, “Miss Jiang, mind your words!”
Jiang A Yao promptly lowered her head, pretending she had said nothing.
“It’s fine.”
The man’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Since we can’t leave, we’ll follow Miss Jiang’s advice and set out in five days.”
Jiang A Yao felt he might have misunderstood and said softly, “When I said five days… I meant you could take a carriage to town. After all, towns have better supplies, making it easier to buy what you need and more convenient for recovery.”
“If… you plan to travel long distances, it’s best to wait at least half a month.”
At this, the man’s smile instantly froze.
“Half a month…”
He murmured, his tone full of disappointment.
Jiang A Yao stood up to prepare a meal, pretending not to hear.
She was a physician—her responsibility was to offer medical advice. The patient’s other plans were beyond her consideration.
Having made porridge yesterday, Jiang A Yao decided on a different dish today. Though it was still flour-based, she prepared small dough drops, which had a slightly chewier texture than porridge.
After cooking, she served one bowl to the man and another to Lu Mingzhu.
The man finished his bowl and complimented, “You have good culinary skills.”
“It’s just simple country fare—nothing special.”
After responding, Jiang A Yao stood to wash the bowls. Scarface’s voice came from behind her, “Miss Jiang, our master rarely praises anyone. If he says it’s good, then it truly is.”
Jiang A Yao gave an indifferent “Oh” and showed no further reaction.
After washing the bowls, she ground medicinal herbs into a juice, soaked the bandages in it, and dried them over a charcoal brazier for later use.
As she worked, she overheard the man discussing village matters with Scarface.
“Master, yesterday’s circumstances forced my hand. I had no choice but to act as I did.”
Scarface knelt on one knee, adopting a posture of apology.
The man said gravely, “Enough. I’m not here to blame you. What’s done is done—there’s no use dwelling on it. Just ensure the villagers are properly compensated when we leave.”
Noticing their voices growing softer, Jiang A Yao dared not eavesdrop further and focused on her tasks.
So, it seemed this man was a decent person?
Could he be a government official who happened to get injured while passing through?
Though she had her suspicions, Jiang A Yao didn’t dare show it outwardly and continued working in silence.
Just then, the man’s voice sounded again, “Miss Jiang, I’ll be troubling you to take care of me over the next few days.”
Jiang A Yao glanced at him and nodded, but then added, “As long as you don’t treat me like a prisoner, I’ll do my best. Healing and saving lives are virtuous deeds.”
After she finished speaking, the man looked at his subordinate kneeling beside him, his expression stern.
Scarface’s face stiffened instantly. How could Miss Jiang complain right in front of him like this?