"And that’s not even the main issue," Luo Linhao paused, then mumbled, "What if it doesn’t work? Wouldn’t all my care have been in vain? I wouldn’t be able to join the military either. Then how could I earn military honors and make a name for myself, let alone do anything else?"
"Linhao, that way of thinking isn’t right," Yang Chuxia said, persuading him, "Every situation has two sides, with equal chances of good and bad—why not think about the good half? Besides, it’s not as if failing to cure your eyes this time means it can never be done again. If we fail this time, with Brother Shaoling’s character, he’ll surely learn from the failure, study it deeply, and wait for another opportunity to treat you again. It’s just a matter of time."
Seeing that he was listening attentively, as if he had taken her words to heart, she couldn’t help continuing, "Moreover, you’re still young and there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Joining the army isn’t something that needs to be rushed. Some people are young heroes while others are late bloomers. Being a hero depends partly on personal ability, but opportunity plays a role as well. Otherwise, how could there be a saying that ’Heroes emerge from chaotic times’? We can set aside the domestic strife of the Great Zhou court and just consider foreign relations—I’m afraid there won’t be any turmoil within the next three to five years, and without turmoil, there won’t be wars, and without wars, soldiers won’t have the opportunity to earn merits and make their mark. So, whether you join the army now or five years later, the difference is only between being a green recruit and a seasoned one."
Luo Linhao, after hearing all she had said, was stunned for a long while, and then circled around her several times.
Yang Chuxia’s eyes questioned him, What are you doing?
Then she saw him sit back on the stone stool and say, "I never would have guessed my cousin-in-law’s insights to be so exceptional. Tell me, are you really just a farmer’s daughter, not some noble family’s daughter lost to the outside world?"
"Pfft, you think too much; my dad and mom are both born and bred farmers."
"Tsk tsk, not just Linhao—I, the young master, also wanted to ask that question," Mu Shaoling chimed in, having emerged from the room at some point, his eyes filled with admiration and inquiry, "Such insight isn’t even possessed by all those young ladies from noble families. If all farmer’s daughters had insights like yours, our Great Zhou would have quite a different outlook."
"Isn’t that the truth," Luo Linhao said, propping his chin with his hand, "If everyone were like my cousin-in-law, who would want to marry those young ladies at all? Each of them is as lifeless as a stump, either crying or overly scheming like a sieve, always scheming against each other."
Being alternately praised by both men, Yang Chuxia felt inwardly that she was quite remarkable indeed, but thankfully, Mu Shaoling’s probing gaze kept her from becoming smug.
Instead, she calmly said, "You’re praising the wrong person; these insights aren’t mine but borrowed from my husband. Alright, enough talk; it’s time for lunch. I’ll come back tonight."
Although she explained it this way, Mu Shaoling wasn’t entirely convinced. He had always known that this woman had secrets—secrets that he couldn’t unravel.
That evening, true to her word, Yang Chuxia did come over, instructing Xiu’er to wait outside the door.
Inside were Mu Shaoling and his servant, as well as Luo Linhao.
By then, Luo Linhao was ready, and the medicine barrel had been prepared, with the servant accompanying him inside the inner room.
"Why does he need to be in a barrel to treat his eyes?"
"That’s the anesthetic soak. I need him to be conscious but unable to feel pain. It would be inconvenient for my work to place needles on his head."