Chapter 119: The Secret of the Delicate Face

Axi scratched his head and chuckled, "It’s nothing, really. Ah Lu and I have both learned martial arts from Uncle Gu, so ordinary people are no match for us. Besides, things like this don't happen often; we've been working at the docks for quite a while now, and today was the first time any trouble broke out."

Ah Lu added, "There’s plenty of work at the docks, and the pay is good. Like Axi and me, we don't have families to support—if one of us is full, the whole family is full. Aside from food expenses, we can save nearly ten taels of silver a month. Where else could we find such a good job? We’re hoping to save up some money to eventually settle down and start a family."

The two of them were orphans who had been incredibly diligent and hardworking while at the Gu household. Even after leaving, although they both had a fair amount of savings, they refused to just sit around and exhaust their funds. Both were far-sighted; they intended to save enough to buy some land and live a proper, settled life.

Jiaoyan sighed. Everything they said was practical, but it was just a bit too dangerous. "Fine, I can't argue with you. Just be careful and make sure you don't get hurt." She felt helpless; after all, it was her family that had retreated to this small mountain village. Since the Gu family could no longer afford to support them, and they were finding their own way to make a living, she had no grounds to object.

Because of today's commotion, Axi and Ah Lu couldn't return to work. They decided to rest at home and head into the mountains in the afternoon to chop firewood, ensuring they wouldn't run out.

Meanwhile, Jiaoyan, Miao Suwen, and the others hurried to clean up the courtyard. The blood-stained gauze and bandages were thrown into the bottom of the stove to be burned. They splashed the courtyard with clean water several times until every trace of blood was washed away.

Jiaoyan then boiled the tools used for the stitching in a separate pot for two quarters of an hour before taking them out, wiping them clean, and putting them away.

Miao Suwen recalled Jiaoyan’s unusual behavior and felt a lingering urge to ask, yet she hesitated. In her mind, Jiaoyan was an incredibly clever child—far more mature and sensible than the average six-year-old girl. Miao Suwen hadn't thought much of it before, assuming she had simply encountered a precocious little prodigy.

However, Jiaoyan’s performance today felt extraordinary, and Miao Suwen wasn't sure if she should pry. Perhaps everyone had their own secrets, and Jiaoyan had the right to protect hers.

As Miao Suwen hesitated, Jiaoyan easily sensed it. She walked up to her teacher with a grin and asked, "Master, what are you thinking about? Are you wondering why I was faster than you today and why my stitching looked better, aren't you?"

Miao Suwen was stunned; she hadn't expected the little girl to read her mind so clearly. "You little thing, I was a bit puzzled, but I didn't intend to get to the bottom of it. If it makes you uncomfortable, you don't have to tell me."

Jiaoyan laughed. "Master, if I told you, you might not believe me. Just pretend I saw these things in a dream—that’ll suffice. As long as you know I’m not some kind of monster, you don't have to be afraid."

Miao Suwen smiled at this, reaching out to pat Jiaoyan’s head. "You and that sharp tongue of yours. A monster? What nonsense. Master understands; perhaps you’ve had some unique encounters, and I won't ask. Everyone has their own secrets that they cannot share with others. Very well, let's leave it at that. If you have any other strange ideas or thoughts in the future, we can study them together."

Miao Suwen had possessed exceptional medical skills since she was young, having experienced some unique circumstances of her own, so she was able to accept Jiaoyan’s anomalies. She stopped dwelling on it and instead suggested they discuss more medical matters. "By the way, you must tell me, why did that wound you stitched up look so neat? Come, tell your master."

Seeing that Miao Suwen had truly stopped pressing, Jiaoyan felt a sense of relief, as she really wouldn't have known how to explain. With those questions set aside, Jiaoyan relaxed, and the two began to discuss their craft.

In the course of their discussion, Miao Suwen learned much; the two became so engrossed that they lost track of time. It wasn't until Shaoyuan returned from outside that their session was interrupted.

Shaoyuan usually went into the mountains in the morning, not necessarily to hunt—sometimes he was gathering herbs—collecting whatever he could find. Today, it was clear he had a bountiful harvest. His basket was full of herbs, two wild rabbits and a pheasant were tied to his waist, and he carried a thick branch over his shoulder, from which hung a snake as thick as an arm.

"Yuan’er, why did you bring that big thing back? Didn't I tell you to avoid such creatures in the mountains?" Miao Suwen frowned, disapproving of her son's appearance.

To the people of the Northeast, foxes, weasels, and snakes in the mountains were not to be trifled with. It was said these creatures could cultivate into spirits, and offending the descendants of some powerful entity could bring retribution. Although Miao Suwen wasn't a native, she had heard many elders in the village talk about it. Even if she didn't fully believe it, she followed local customs and advised Shaoyuan to stay away from them.

"Mother, I didn't go looking for trouble. I was gathering herbs, and this 'long worm' kept following me. I drove it away several times, but not only did it refuse to leave, it even tried to bite me. Was I supposed to just let it?" Shaoyuan replied dismissively, tossing the snake to the ground.

Northeasterners often called snakes "long worms," an evocative term. Shaoyuan had picked it up from the villagers. "Since it delivered itself to its own death, that's perfect. Jiaolang, I’ll kill this thing later, and we can make snake soup."

Most girls were not fond of reptiles, and Jiaoyan was no exception. Looking at the large snake on the ground, which was half-stunned and powerless to struggle, she felt a bit squeamish.

However, she remembered it was a good tonic. Since Shaoyuan had a pheasant at his waist, she said, "Stew it with the pheasant; that’s the most nourishing. We can send some to Third Aunt later; she’s carrying a little brother and needs to build up her health."

Miao Suwen nodded. "That's true. Your Third Aunt is usually so run-down, which is why she feels dizzy during her pregnancy. Yuan’er, since you've brought it back, don't waste it. Clean it up, keep the gallbladder and the skin, and stew the rest of the meat as Jiaolang suggested." Having lived in the south, she had eaten such things before and had no taboos against it.

Shaoyuan nodded and went off to dress the snake. Jiaoyan didn't sit idle, helping to prepare the pheasant and the rabbit. Once everything was ready, Miao Suwen took to the kitchen, chopping the meat into pieces and setting it to simmer.

Miao Suwen was an excellent cook, and before long, a unique, savory aroma filled the courtyard. Ruyun and Ruyue quickly steamed some rice and stir-fried a few vegetables. With Axi and Ah Lu home, they needed to make sure there was enough to go around.

By early afternoon, the soup was ready. Miao Suwen found a ceramic jar, filled it to the brim with the broth, and filled a small ceramic basin with rice. She handed them to Jiaoyan and Shaoyuan. "You two take this to the Gu household first, then we’ll eat. The Gu family likely isn't cooking today, and who knows what your Third Aunt is eating. If you take this now, they won't have to worry."

Miao Suwen knew the state of the Gu household well. Zhao needed proper nourishment, but Lady Li would certainly not approve. More than that, Lady Li was likely plotting how to mistreat Zhao, and the first place she would strike was the food.

Miao Suwen could foresee this, and Jiaoyan understood it even better. Without another word, she and Shaoyuan carried the food back to the Gu residence.

The Gu courtyard was quiet. The old man was likely in the fields, and the old lady was probably either napping or sewing. Jiaoyan and Shaoyuan didn't linger in the East Courtyard and went straight to the West Courtyard, to Gu Chengyi’s home.

Zhao was sitting in the courtyard soaking up the sun, while Wenfang and Wenfei were worrying about their lunch. In the heat of June, most families didn't cook at midday because the stove would make the room unbearable. The Gu family was the same; they usually cooked extra in the morning and ate cold food for lunch.

There was certainly leftover rice, but Lady Li would never give the good portions to Zhao and her daughters. As for the Third Branch, they only had the small amount of white flour and eggs Lady Li had begrudgingly provided, which were meant for Zhao, and the girls couldn't bear to eat them.

When Jiaoyan arrived, the sisters were whispering about what they could eat to stave off their hunger. They looked up to see Jiaoyan and Shaoyuan entering, each carrying a bowl and a jar.

"Third Aunt, Brother Shaoyuan went hunting in the mountains today and caught some game. We made some soup and brought it for you and the sisters to try," Jiaoyan said with a cheerful smile, setting the basin on the small table in the courtyard.

"Oh, how could I? It’s rare to have something good, why give it to me? Jiaoniang, take it back for your master to eat," Zhao said, opening her eyes and rushing to decline when she saw the food.

"Third Aunt, we have plenty left at home. My mother said you’re weak and need to be nourished, which is why she asked us to bring it. Sister Wenfang, Sister Wenfei, you eat too, don't be shy," Shaoyuan added with a warm smile.