When Sun Miao'er woke up in the medicine hut, the night was pouring down like a waterfall, enveloping the entire village.
She rubbed her eyes, her arms, which had gone numb from sleeping on her stomach, were still numb. It took her a long time to recover.
As she walked into the courtyard, she looked up and saw the moon hanging high in the sky. She recalled the ancient saying, "We share the same moon, though we are thousands of miles apart." Perhaps this was the only thing she could share with her master.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but take a few more glances, inwardly blaming herself for becoming so pedantic.
The moon cast a shadow of her body on the ground. Sun Miao'er lowered her head and stepped on the shadow. That insignificant longing was slowly buried by reason.
Being separated from my master by thousands of miles, unable to see or touch him, the mere thought of him only amplified my longing countless times, causing me unbearable torment.
After standing under the moon for a while, the soreness and numbness in her hands had subsided by about 70-80%. She turned and went into the medicine shed, picked up the medical book on the table, rolled it up, and put it in her bosom. Before she could hear the dogs barking around her, she quickly ran home.
The lights were on in the Sun family home, and Sun Caiping was diligently washing clothes by the well.
"Auntie, you can leave it there. I'll keep it for you." Sun Miao'er couldn't bear to see her so hardworking and virtuous, since it was all forced upon her later in life and wasn't something to be praised or encouraged.
Sun Caiping repeatedly pounded with a pestle. She changed her clothes, which were more fitted than yesterday's. Her whole body looked frail and thin, as if a gust of wind could knock her over.
It's heartbreaking to see them working so hard.
She ignored Sun Miao'er, whether she genuinely didn't hear or was pretending not to, and focused on her work.
Sun Miao'er stepped forward in a few strides, snatched the mallet from her hand, and said seriously, "Does Aunt still want to get proper treatment?"
"Miao'er, what are you saying? Of course I wanted to." Sun Caiping's hands suddenly went empty, but she was still in the posture of pounding clothes, her withered hands frozen in mid-air, unsure whether to raise or put them down.
Sun Miao'er hid the pestle behind her back, tapped her palms, and paced back and forth a few steps. "Auntie, I was fortunate enough to follow the doctor for two days. The doctor said that only when one's body is in good condition can the body function smoothly. Then, with a little conditioning, the illness can be cured. Auntie works tirelessly day and night and doesn't eat much every day. How can you develop a good body?"
Sun Miao'er knew perfectly well that it wasn't that she didn't want to eat more, but rather that she dared not eat more; it had simply become a habit over time.
Sun Caiping's eyes darkened, and she nodded listlessly, "Okay, Auntie will go back to sleep now."
Her movements were extremely stiff, as if they were separate from her consciousness. She could find the last bit of value in working, but now that she wasn't allowed to do any work, she felt even more lost.
Sun Miao'er got up early as usual, but still couldn't get ahead of Sun Caiping, who had already prepared breakfast and cleaned the inside and outside.
"Miao'er, when will the doctor be back?" Sun Caiping couldn't help but ask as soon as she saw Sun Miao'er.
Sun Miao'er was too embarrassed to dampen her enthusiasm, so she said, "Auntie, don't worry, it's only the second day. I'll definitely take you there when we get back."
Perhaps remembering what Sun Miao'er said last night, Sun Caiping secretly increased her usual three mouthfuls of porridge to five mouthfuls when she ate it, which was a welcome change.
Of course, after finishing her meal, Sun Caiping continued to subconsciously look for chores to do at home. However, unlike her family in the Jiang family, the Sun family had a large household to serve. Xiaoman and Xiaoning disappeared after eating, while Grandma Sun went back to her room to sew shoe soles. She had basically finished all the chores she could do in the past two days.
Soon people arrived. Ever since Sun Miao'er invited an official from the city to investigate the land rent, her reputation had spread throughout the village. Although the news was mixed, the Sun family had finally gained a place in the hearts of the villagers.
Some people, when Sun Miao'er was not far from becoming successful, would come over to visit under the pretext of chatting with Grandma Sun.
"Oh my, Miao'er has really grown into a beautiful young lady." Granny Chang came in, cracking open a handful of peanuts in one hand and carrying a small bag in the other.
Granny Chang had a large, dark mole under the corner of her mouth, which matched her appearance perfectly. Her job was to arrange marriages. Whenever there was a suitable man or woman in a family, she would act as a matchmaker, and if the marriage was successful, both sides would give her some money as a wedding gift.
Given Sun Miao'er's age and good looks, Granny Chang was determined to have her.
"Hello, Granny Chang." Sun Miao'er greeted her, gesturing for Granny Sun to go to the inner room.
Granny Chang went in carrying peanuts, and soon her loud voice began to laugh, followed by Granny Sun's low laughter.
Sun Miao'er couldn't help but sigh. Matchmakers were truly made for this job. Old Mrs. Sun was always sighing and looking worried. Being able to make her laugh showed that she really had some skills.
The laughter inside stopped, and the water outside began to boil. Sun Miao'er took two porcelain bowls and carried the copper-spouted kettle inside.
"Grandma Chang, have some water first." As soon as Sun Miao'er entered the room, she was greeted by the aroma of roasted peanuts. The two of them sat cross-legged on the couch.
Sun Miao'er didn't know what Granny Chang had said, but it made Old Lady Sun laugh so hard she couldn't stop.
"Grandma, peanuts are too bland. Have some hot tea instead." Sun Miao'er poured the tea. A matchmaker coming to the door usually means nothing good. Who knows whose unlucky guy she's set her up with this time.
Sometimes, the matchmakers' predictions are indeed unreliable.
Sun Caiping, wearing an apron, stood by the door, only half her face showing. "Mom, how about stir-frying some green beans and stewing a fish for lunch?"
Upon hearing the voice, Granny Chang keenly looked over, then suddenly exclaimed with delight, "Who do we have here! It's Caiping back! Come quickly and let your auntie take a look!"
Back then, Sun Caiping was the most beautiful girl in the village. Granny Chang went to great lengths to find her a match, and in the end, she was offered a marriage proposal from the Jiang family, who gave her a large sum of money as a wedding gift.
She always brings up this marriage, saying that if it weren't for her, the world would be missing a wonderful couple.
Sun Caiping entered reluctantly, never daring to look up.
Granny Chang was startled and exclaimed dramatically, "Oh my! Caiping has gotten so thin!"
The smile on Grandma Sun's face disappeared, and she only sighed softly, "Alas, she hasn't been able to have any children in the years since she got married. Now she's come back to see Doctor Fu from our village to recuperate."
Granny Chang beckoned to Sun Caiping, "Come, come, let your aunt take a good look. How did you become like this? Caiping was so beautiful back then. Where else in our village could you find someone as pretty as her?"
Granny Chang was a shrewd woman. She could tell something was wrong as soon as she saw Sun Caiping, but she couldn't ask directly. So she tried to find out some gossip by asking indirectly.
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