“Before, Xiaxia was completely devoted to him, and as her grandmother, I couldn’t say much. Now that Xiaxia has come to her senses, we can worry about her damaged reputation later!”
“Our Xiaxia is beautiful—she won’t have trouble finding a husband.”
Madam Wu was also concerned about her granddaughter’s reputation, but compared to a person’s life, having her granddaughter still here was more important.
If worst came to worst, they could simply move the whole family away.
If Yu Hongwen knew his elderly mother had such thoughts, he would surely be shocked.
“Mother, you’re right. Xiaxia is still young,” Yu Hongwen said with a cheerful laugh.
Madam Wu waved her hand. “There are still things to do at home. I’ll head back now. If you need anything, just come to the old house and speak directly—no need to be shy.”
Before leaving, the little old lady couldn’t resist criticizing her daughter-in-law once more, then headed back with Wang Shi.
Fan Cuilan wasn’t angered by this. She knew her mother-in-law’s sharp tongue and temperament well.
When she first married into the family, she might have felt wronged due to lack of understanding. But now, having been a mother-in-law herself for many years, she wouldn’t be upset over such remarks.
Wu Zhuxiang came out of the room and went back to busy herself in the kitchen.
When the children made a ruckus in the yard, she would go to the door and scold them, telling them to keep quiet and not disturb their aunt’s rest.
Seeing how well everyone treated her, Yu Banxia became even more determined to help her family live a better life as soon as possible.
Her eldest sister-in-law was an excellent cook. She would first earn some startup capital, then open a small eatery for her sister-in-law. That way, her eldest brother wouldn’t have to take odd jobs during the farming off-season.
Her third brother’s limp seemed to have resulted from a fracture he suffered as a child while saving her, compounded by a lack of timely treatment. Perhaps there was still a way to correct it.
Once she opened the Space, with the help of the Spirit Spring Water and the spiritual materials inside, it should be no problem.
Startup capital wasn’t too difficult either. Her Space contained many high-grade medicinal herbs of considerable age, but since she couldn’t access it yet, she would need to plan carefully.
Next, she would take the opportunity to restore her own health. The top priority was losing weight—she couldn’t stand this body, panting after just a few steps, so cumbersome.
After that, she would improve her skin condition. In her previous life, besides being a master of traditional Chinese medicine, she also owned a medicinal cosmetics business. She could revive that in ancient times as well.
However, only wealthy matriarchs and ladies could afford high-end medicinal cosmetics.
The reason Squire Qian wanted to take another concubine to bear a child was because his wife had suffered damage to her foundation, and their only son had been disabled two years ago. If she could cure that young master’s leg…
or solve his mobility issues, Squire Qian would likely agree to cancel the concubine arrangement.
Moreover, that Doctor Zhao was clearly no ordinary country physician.
Thinking of this, Yu Banxia’s lips curved into a slight smile. Her first target would be that Doctor Zhao.
If she wanted her medical skills to be publicly recognized in the future, she would first need to formally apprentice under a master.
Having planned everything, she closed her eyes contentedly to rest. Her head was still suffering from severe concussion symptoms, so recuperation was her main focus for now.
Several days passed in a flash, and Yu Banxia was finally able to get out of bed completely.
It was now the fourth month. In just over half a month, the busy farming season would begin. Her eldest brother and the others had already gone to the fields.
Her third brother stayed at home weaving bamboo baskets to sell at the town market on market days.
“Third Brother,” Yu Banxia called as she walked out of the room. The white bandage on her head had been removed, and she had cut herself bangs to cover the wound.Yu Mancang looked up at his younger sister. “What’s wrong, Xiaxia? Why aren’t you resting a bit longer?”
“I don’t want to lie down anymore. Sleeping all day will flatten my head.”
“I want mushroom soup. It rained the day before yesterday, so there should be some today. Third Brother, could you take me and Fourth Sister up the mountain to pick some?” Yu Banxia walked over to Yu Mancang, shaking his hand coquettishly.
The Yu family had always been defenseless against Yu Banxia’s coquettishness.
Yu Banyue happened to come out just then and overheard their conversation. She walked over to Yu Banxia and asked, “Are you really all right?”
“I’m perfectly fine, Fourth Sister. Let’s go together.”
Seeing that she was indeed energetic, Yu Banyue glanced at Third Brother. Yu Mancang put down what he was holding. “All right, I’ll go get ready.”
“Hooray! Long live Third Brother and Fourth Sister!” Yu Banxia jumped for joy, and Yu Banyue quickly grabbed her.
“Stop jumping, or I won’t take you,” Yu Banyue threatened playfully.
Yu Banxia stuck out her tongue and didn’t dare jump again.
Yu Mancang soon emerged, carrying a bow on his back and a quiver of arrows at his waist.
“Let’s go.”
The three siblings left the house and headed toward the mountain.
Villagers watched as Yu Banxia stepped outside, but she paid them no mind. Yu Banyue, however, felt protective of her sister and wanted to shield her from their gazes.
“Fourth Sister, it’s fine. Though gossip can be frightening, as long as I don’t care, it doesn’t matter.”
“They’re just outsiders. Compared to rumors, living bravely is what truly matters, isn’t it?”
“I’m not even afraid of death, so why should I fear a little gossip? At worst, I’ll stay home for the rest of my life. As long as Eldest Brother, Third Brother, my nephews, and my parents don’t mind me, that’s enough.”
Hearing Yu Banxia say these words, Yu Mancang and Yu Banyue couldn’t help but feel deeply moved.
Their sister had truly changed so much.
Thinking of how she had grown, they felt even more resentment toward that Xu Xiucai.
If not for him, their sister wouldn’t have been forced to mature like this.
Still, they much preferred their cheerful and open-minded younger sister now.
“Well, if it isn’t Yu Banxia! What, no longer hiding at home?” As they neared the foot of the mountain, a group of girls approached, chattering away.
The leader, spotting Yu Banxia, immediately perked up and began mocking her.
“Even with a face that scares dogs away, you dare to go out. Why shouldn’t I?” Yu Banyue was about to defend her sister when she heard Yu Banxia’s sharp retort.
Yu Banyue was momentarily stunned, then turned her head and covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.
Yu Meihua didn’t catch on at first, but when the girls behind her burst into laughter, she finally understood.
She immediately rolled up her sleeves and charged toward Yu Banxia.
Yu Mancang stepped in front of his two sisters. “Yu Meihua, what do you think you’re doing?”
“Get out of my way! Today, I’m going to tear her mouth to shreds! She’s always shamelessly chasing after Xu Xiucai, tarnishing the family’s reputation. What’s wrong with saying a few words?”
“If she did something shameful, why can’t people talk about it?”
“Is it really your reputation that keeps you from getting married, or is it because you’re too ugly?” Yu Banxia continued her verbal assault.
Yu Meihua was fuming with rage, and Yu Banxia pressed on: “What decent person looks like a winter melon—bulging eyes, one big and one small, a red nose, thick lips, and a pockmarked, round face? Tsk tsk…””I notice your complexion is yellowish, with liver stagnation transforming into fire, liver fire flaring upward, and charcoal fire accumulating. You might indeed have hawk-eye fixation. You should go see Doctor Zhao sooner rather than later!”
“Little Banxia is quite right, Yu Meihua. You may indeed have liver stagnation transforming into fire, and your eyeballs are protruding. But, Little Banxia, how did you know this?”
As soon as the words were spoken, Doctor Zhao’s voice came from nearby. Looking up, they saw Doctor Zhao standing not far behind them, carrying a medicine basket on his back.