Because Chun Nuan needed to give Aunt Zhou acupuncture, the journey was delayed by two days.
Zhao Minghua came up with a grain-storing plan, which received Chun Nuan’s approval. He immediately set it in motion.
Watching him whistle and send his horse galloping off, Chun Nuan felt a sense of envy.
"Are you sure it can deliver the letter?"
Chun Nuan knew about carrier pigeons but didn’t know that horses could also carry mail.
"Old Ma knows the way, and this horse has been with me for eight years. I’m quite confident in its ability to deliver messages."
Chun Nuan looked at her own horse, Xiao Zao, with a complex expression, wondering if it would also be this skilled once properly taken care of.
While staying temporarily at the Zhou family in this town, the father and son tried every way to make them meals.
In gratitude for Chun Nuan saving his mother, Zhou Sanwa went up the mountain to dig traps and, by sheer luck, managed to catch a wild rabbit.
"Look at these tough times, even the wild animals are reduced to skin and bones."
Zhou Sanwa sighed, "It’s indeed not a good year."
The wild rabbit was indeed very skinny, and Chun Nuan noted that it seemed quite old.
It probably fell into the trap while foraging for food, a reminder of how, when one searches for food, one might inadvertently become food for others.
"This rabbit’s skin could sell for two copper coins."
Uncle Zhou attached the rabbit skin behind the wooden door, "Once it’s dry, it’ll sell for money."
"Dad, how should we cook this rabbit?"
"Just boil it."
Between the father and son, neither could cook well.
Ultimately, it was Qingsheng who took over.
Qingsheng once again felt that his old mother’s words were right: you might not do something often, but you must know how.
Otherwise, you’ll be helpless when it matters.
"Qingsheng is quite capable; his future wife will be fortunate,"
Chun Nuan praised him.
"Thank you, miss,"
Qingsheng felt that the young lady was much kinder than the young master, who only criticized him. But the young lady praised him no matter what he did, making Qingsheng feel more confident around her.
"Keep up the good work, and I’ll find you a wife later."
"Thank you, miss,"
Excited, Qingsheng almost called her young mistress.
Yes, it’s decided; he’ll henceforth follow the young mistress’ instructions, treating her as the master. Anything she needs, he’ll surely run to complete swiftly.
"Look how happy this lad is,"
Zhao Minghua couldn’t help but think to himself, "I’m not even married yet, and you’re so anxious."
"Qingsheng is indeed very capable,"
Chun Nuan knew that often Zhao Minghua wasn’t reliable. If those serving by your side have worked hard, even if there’s no big achievement, they deserve praise and rewards to motivate them further.
If you belittle them, they’ll feel worthless, and since you wouldn’t praise them, they’d slack off.
"Yes, yes, very capable," Zhao Minghua teasingly added, "As is the master, so are the servants."
This was his roundabout way of praising himself again.
Chun Nuan, amused and slightly exasperated, said nothing more.
She went to give Aunt Zhou acupuncture.
"Auntie, do you feel anything in your leg?"
"It’s sore and swollen, feeling warmer than usual,"
"Feeling warmer means it’s working; slowly, it’ll get better,"
Chun Nuan chatted with Aunt Zhou as she did acupuncture.
"I gave birth to four, but only Zhou Sanwa survived," Aunt Zhou said through tears, "We were so poor that when I gave birth, there wasn’t enough to eat or milk to feed them. My first and second died of starvation."
"My fourth was a girl, lived until two, and then suddenly died from illness," Aunt Zhou remembered with grief, "She died in my arms, such a sweet child, calling me so clearly..."
Chun Nuan couldn’t bear these stories; they filled her heart with sorrow.
The idea that illness could take a life simply because medical care was inaccessible due to poverty was deeply unsettling to her as a doctor.
Truly, she wished there were no sickness in the world.
For three consecutive days, Chun Nuan gave Aunt Zhou acupuncture, administered medicine, and used hot compresses.
On the fourth day, the group was prepared to leave.
"Auntie, would you like to try standing?"
"Can I manage?" Aunt Zhou asked, "Girl, are you all leaving? I’m reluctant to see you go. I want to get up and see you off."
"Alright, you can walk with us to the gate," Chun Nuan replied, "But don’t walk too long; it might be too much."
Chun Nuan had a newfound respect for the Zhou family; the old woman had been bedridden for over a year, yet they cared for her well. Her body had no bedsores, and the room was clean and odor-free.