Accident
After they finished their meal, Yang Lan headed home.
He wanted to help them with the work, but Zhang Shi and Lin Qiao were adamant about not letting him into the fields, insisting that his hands were meant for reading and writing.
Yang Lan didn’t agree with this. In his view, he was a capable man, and the burden of earning a living shouldn’t fall on the shoulders of two Ge’er.
However, he overestimated the frail body he now inhabited. After cutting just a handful of wheat, his back ached unbearably, and he couldn’t even straighten up.
Lin Qiao quickly took the sickle from his hand and helped him to the edge of the field.
“Husband, please go back. Father and I can handle this,” Lin Qiao urged.
Yang Lan nodded reluctantly.
Back at home, he sat at his desk, the book still open before him, but he couldn’t focus on a single word.
He had inherited the original owner’s memories, so he knew the family’s financial situation wasn’t good. In two months, the new school term would start, and they’d need to pay the tuition.
A year’s tuition was two taels of silver, the cheapest rate for half a year at the academy in town.
Yang Lan sighed, beginning to worry about scraping together the silver.
He racked his brain but couldn’t come up with a solution.
In his previous life, he had followed a straightforward path of schooling and work, with skills all related to law, which were practically useless for a commoner in a feudal society.
Wait!
Yang Lan had a sudden flash of inspiration. He remembered that during his part-time job at the library over winter and summer breaks, he had read many different books, and their contents were still stored in his memory system.
He needed to see if any of those books contained useful information.
The memory system was very convenient, like a search engine. As long as he entered keywords, he could quickly access a wealth of related information.
Fifteen minutes later, he found a book titled 【Comprehensive Guide to Herbal Medicine】.
This was an introductory work on traditional Chinese medicine, without complex medical theories, more like an illustrated guide.
Each page featured images with the names and main uses of the corresponding herbs.
Yang Lan was thrilled, feeling as if he’d found a treasure.
Willow Leaf Village was located at the junction of north and south, with mountains and rivers. A short walk west from their home led to the mountain path.
It was midsummer, the peak season for the herbs on the mountain to flourish.
Without further ado, Yang Lan changed into coarse cloth attire, donned a straw hat, and wrapped a cloth around his face and neck. Though it was hot, the mountain was teeming with mosquitoes, so full protection was necessary.
After preparing himself, Yang Lan went to the storage room to find a basket, grabbed a small hoe, and headed up the mountain.
During the busy farming season, the mountain was almost deserted. Yang Lan climbed halfway up without encountering a single person.
In the woods, Yang Lan squatted down and began searching inch by inch.
Being inexperienced, he found it extremely difficult at first, occasionally damaging the roots of the herbs. After an hour, he finally became more adept.
After placing the last patchouli plant into the basket, Yang Lan stood up, stretching his aching back and legs, only to realize that night had fallen.
Just squatting to dig herbs had exhausted this body.
Yang Lan grimaced, silently adding physical training to his agenda.
As darkness enveloped the forest, the small animals seemed to become more active, their chirping and rustling sounds echoing all around.
Recalling the villagers’ warnings about the many wild beasts in the mountain, Yang Lan swallowed nervously, not daring to linger any longer. The basket was nearly full, so he covered it with large leaves and began his descent.
……
Meanwhile, Zhang Shi and Lin Qiao in the village were nearly frantic with worry.
After finishing their work, they returned home to find no one there. Initially thinking Yang Lan had just gone out for a stroll, they waited over an hour, but as darkness fell, he still hadn’t returned.
Only then did Zhang Shi panic.
He knew Yang Lan had no friends in the village, but he and Lin Qiao still went door to door asking around.
After visiting the last house, the worry lines on Zhang Shi’s forehead deepened.
Lin Qiao was also worried but tried to reassure him, “Father, don’t worry. Maybe Husband had urgent business in town. Let’s ask at Uncle Wang’s place.”
Uncle Wang’s family had an ox cart, and villagers with urgent matters would often rent it from them.
Zhang Shi’s eyes lit up, regaining a bit of hope.
He knew Yang Lan had some money, so it wasn’t impossible for him to have gone to town.
The two hurriedly ran to the other end of the village.
But when they reached Wang’s house, Uncle Wang shook his head, saying he hadn’t seen Yang Lan.
With their last hope dashed, Zhang Shi and Lin Qiao were despondent, about to leave when Wang’s six-year-old grandson, Wang Daniu, ran out.
“Are you looking for Yang the scholar?”
The child’s clear voice made Zhang Shi perk up, and he quickly asked, “Daniu, did you see him?”
Wang Daniu shook his head, then nodded uncertainly after thinking for a moment.
Zhang Shi and Lin Qiao exchanged a glance, both breathing a sigh of relief, and asked, “Daniu, where did you see him go?”
Unexpectedly, Wang Daniu’s next words made both their faces change.
“I saw him go up Willow Mountain.”
Upon hearing this, Uncle Wang’s expression also turned serious, and he spoke sternly, “Daniu, are you sure? Don’t scare people with false words!”
Willow Mountain was known for its venomous snakes, and in the summer, few dared to venture there alone, fearing a fatal encounter with the wildlife.
Frightened by his grandfather’s tone, Wang Daniu dropped the melon seeds he was holding and was on the verge of tears, “I’m not lying. You can ask Wen Ge’er, Yu Ge’er, and Dahu. We all saw it.”
The child’s words were jumbled, listing several names, and Zhang Shi collapsed to the ground, eyes rolling back.
“Father!” Lin Qiao quickly caught him, calling out in a panic.
Uncle Wang’s son and daughter-in-law rushed out at the commotion, and Wang Daniu’s mother, Xu Shi, hurried to help support Zhang Shi, telling Lin Qiao, “Leave Zhang Shi to me. You go get the Village Head and gather the men to search the mountain.”
Lin Qiao, in a daze, instinctively followed Xu Shi’s instructions.
After taking a few steps, Uncle Wang turned back and said, “You go back. I’ll find the Village Head. It’s not safe for you, a young Ge’er, to go up the mountain at night. You take care of your father.”
Lin Qiao slowed his pace.
Seeing this, Uncle Wang didn’t wait for him and quickly headed to the Village Head’s house.
Lin Qiao, standing there, hesitated for a moment before running in the opposite direction.
At the foot of the pitch-black mountain, he felt no fear, charging forward without hesitation.
He knew the venomous snakes on Willow Mountain were deadly, and without timely treatment, it could be fatal. He couldn’t just wait for the Village Head; he had to go up the mountain himself.
Zhang Shi was kind to him, unlike others who often tormented their daughters-in-law. He didn’t want to see Zhang Shi sad and upset.
Yang Lan was also good to him, never making him kneel and giving him meat. He had never met anyone so kind.
So, Yang Lan couldn’t die!
Fueled by determination, Lin Qiao ran with all his might, completely unaware that someone was quietly following him.
……
Yang Lan had an excellent memory, but the original owner had never climbed this mountain before, so his first time was inevitably a bit clumsy.
Seeing familiar marks carved on the branches by the roadside, Yang Lan breathed a slight sigh of relief. At least he wasn’t lost.
He had inadvertently taken several detours. Originally, he could have made it home before dark, but as the last bit of light faded from the sky, he was still on the mountain.
Yang Lan sighed, hoping Zhang Shi and Lin Qiao wouldn’t worry too much when they returned home.
After walking a bit further, he faintly heard crying and the sounds of a struggle.
In the deep forest, it was unlikely anyone would come here to fight, so Yang Lan ignored it, thinking he must have misheard, and continued along the mountain path.
Unexpectedly, the sounds grew clearer. As he got closer, he realized it wasn’t a fight at all, but rather someone engaged in a very intense activity.
Yang Lan paused, surprised at the boldness of people even in ancient times.
He shook his head, considering taking a different route, when he heard his name being called.
“Yang Lan, Yang Lan, help!”
No, this was Lin Qiao’s voice! And it wasn’t some wild encounter, it was an assault!
Yang Lan’s embarrassed expression immediately changed. He dropped his basket and rushed toward the bushes. Seeing what was happening, his eyes blazed with fury.
In a small patch of weeds ahead, Lin Qiao was being held down, his mouth covered. A pockmarked man was trying to tear at his clothes, while Lin Qiao struggled desperately to fight back.
Yang Lan’s eyes turned red. He grabbed the hoe and charged forward, striking the man on the head before he could react.
With a loud thud, the pockmarked man collapsed to the ground.
Lin Qiao turned his head, and upon seeing Yang Lan, the despair in his eyes was replaced by overwhelming joy.
He got up and threw himself into Yang Lan’s arms, sobbing, “Husband, I was so scared. Thank goodness you came, sob sob!”
Yang Lan’s body stiffened for a moment, then he relaxed, holding Lin Qiao tightly, gently stroking his fluffy head, and soothing him in a low voice, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”
Lin Qiao, still deeply shaken and frightened, trembled in Yang Lan’s embrace, his small, thin body curled up tightly.
Yang Lan frowned with concern, glancing at the unconscious man, a flash of murderous intent in his eyes.
After comforting Lin Qiao for a while, his emotions finally stabilized, and he pulled away from Yang Lan’s embrace.
Lin Qiao’s clothes were a bit disheveled, his face pale with a large handprint on his cheek, and his mouth slightly bleeding, clearly the work of that man.
Yang Lan struggled to keep his emotions in check, softly asking, “Why did you come up the mountain alone?”
Lin Qiao’s nose twitched, and he began to speak haltingly.
Hearing that Lin Qiao had nearly encountered disaster while searching for him, Yang Lan felt a deep sense of guilt.
Lin Qiao, still flustered, explained, “Husband, he didn’t do anything. I’m still pure. You have to believe me.”
Hearing this, Yang Lan felt a sharp, painful sting in his heart.
It was obvious that in this male-dominated society, where Ge’er were even lower in status, purity meant everything to them, even if Yang Lan himself didn’t care.
“I know.” Yang Lan pulled him back into his arms. “I saw everything. You fought back fiercely. He didn’t do anything. I believe you.”
Lin Qiao finally felt a weight lift from his heart, clutching Yang Lan’s shirt and softly thanking him.
After a moment of tenderness, Lin Qiao, still pale, asked Yang Lan, “What should we do about that man?”
Yang Lan looked over, a deep disgust in his eyes.
The man was Wang Mazi, a notorious rogue in the village, with no family or friends. Even if he died, no one would notice… Yang Lan’s lips curled into a smile.
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
Lin Qiao sat on a rock, watching as Yang Lan found a vine as thick as a finger, tied up Wang Mazi, and stuffed his torn clothes into his mouth.
“Husband…” Lin Qiao said uneasily.
Yang Lan looked at Lin Qiao and smiled slightly, “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.” With that, he dragged Wang Mazi into the depths of the forest.
In the legal system of his original world, the crime of assault could be punished by death, and in the process of self-defense, even killing the assailant was permissible.
Yang Lan tied the man to a tree and used small stones to make cuts on his body, ensuring the scent of blood would attract the wild animals.
Before leaving, he glanced back at Wang Mazi, hoping the mountain beasts would appreciate his offering.
As they reached the foot of the mountain, they encountered the Village Head and a group of villagers carrying torches.
Upon learning from Lin Qiao that they were searching for him, Yang Lan felt grateful and bowed deeply to them.
“Thank you, uncles and brothers. I’m fine. My husband has already found me.”
Uncle Wang, seeing Lin Qiao beside Yang Lan, grew anxious and stomped his foot, “This child is too bold. I told him to wait for news, yet he dared to run up the mountain alone. It’s a good thing nothing happened.”
Hearing the mention of an incident, Lin Qiao’s body trembled.
Yang Lan’s eyes darkened, and he held Lin Qiao’s hand, telling Uncle Wang, “Thank you for the reminder, Uncle Wang. Lin Qiao was just worried about me.”
“As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters.” Village Head Chen Qianjin sighed in relief, patting Yang Lan’s shoulder and sternly advising, “You’re not a child anymore. Don’t be so reckless in the future.”
The Village Head had high hopes for him before, and now he was equally disappointed, but Yang Lan was still one of the few scholars in Willow Leaf Village, so he held him in high regard.
Yang Lan cupped his hands respectfully, “I understand, Village Head. Thank you for your guidance.”
Seeing this, the Village Head’s expression softened considerably.
At this moment, someone in the crowd asked, “Why does Lin Qiao have injuries on his face?”
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone’s eyes turned to Lin Qiao’s face.
Lin Qiao shrank back, his eyes filled with fear.
Yang Lan subtly shielded him and replied, “The mountain path is difficult to navigate in the dark. He fell.”
“Is it serious? Doctor Xu is here,” the Village Head said.
The Village Head referred to Doctor Xu, Xu Xiangdong, the son of the village’s only barefoot doctor, Xu Li.
Hearing this, Xu Xiangdong stepped forward.
Yang Lan didn’t refuse and bowed to Xu Xiangdong, “Then I’ll trouble Doctor Xu to come to our home. My father also needs your attention.”
“Alright, I’ll go get my medicine box,” Xu Xiangdong nodded.