Chapter 47 Preparing to Set Off This was only the second time in their lives they had tasted...
The clear, crisp voice rang out, immediately catching Cui Pingchun off guard.
It was Fan Yizhen who spoke.
She raised one hand as she would when speaking in class, her posture respectful, yet she didn't back down an inch: "You can explain the pros and cons so clearly, which means you understand the dangers of this trip better than we do, doesn't it?"
"Then why aren't you afraid?"
Cui Pingchun took a deep breath: "This is different..."
“What’s the difference? Is it the difference in your compassionate hearts to save the world, or the difference in the dangers you face?” Fan Yizhen’s voice choked with emotion, and she was almost in tears. “Teachers, I know you want to bear everything alone, afraid that we might be in danger. But we…we worry about you just as much!”
"Let's go together, at least we can look after each other. We promise to follow instructions and never act on our own, we just ask that you don't leave us to face this alone, okay?"
“That’s what we think too,” the other women chimed in. “Please take us with you!”
Looking at their resolute expressions, Cui Pingchun suddenly felt her eyes well up with tears.
During her regular classes, she always made a conscious effort to keep her distance from her students.
She was strict in her medical practice, and was only responsible for teaching skills. When she saw her students making mistakes, she would sternly correct them without showing any leniency, playing the role of a strict teacher.
But when she saw that they wanted to go on the adventure with her, personal feelings ultimately prevailed.
She couldn't explain why she refused.
Perhaps they felt that the girls were not skilled enough to be of much help, or perhaps they were worried that something might happen to them and they would never come back.
But she never really worried about herself.
She only realized it when they asked her.
She always felt that she was all alone, far from her family and without any relatives or friends, so what did it matter if she risked her life? Anyway, no one would be sad for her.
But at this moment, these girls said: We care about you.
A certain place in my heart was suddenly struck.
She recalled the constant scolding from her family at home: "Pingchun! You are a lady of the Cui family, how can you be so willful!"
"What kind of decorum is it for a woman to show her face in public? People outside say your clinic is doing shady business. You've completely disgraced the Cui family!"
"Look around, who else in the world is like you? Look at the other young ladies, they've already chosen good families to be their wives, that's a woman's duty!"
She once protested: "I don't want to get married, I just want to practice medicine and save lives, is that wrong?"
"Wrong!" Their words weighed on her like a mountain, extremely vicious. "Cui Pingchun, you live to bring glory to your family. Since you were born into the Cui family, you should do what you are supposed to do."
"If I were as ignorant as you, I'd rather be dead!"
She smiled sadly.
It turns out that in the family's eyes, reputation was more important than life.
What the Cui family wanted wasn't her as a daughter, but a perfect "daughter-in-law" who belonged to someone else.
So she ran away.
She fled to Luxi Village, a place where no one knew her or knew anything about her past. No one cared whether she was married or not; they only respected her superb medical skills.
But she never dared to form deep friendships with people, for fear of getting hurt again.
He maintained a professional relationship with Chen Miaozhi and kept a distance from his students as a teacher and student.
Even now, I hear them say with my own ears that she is important and that they are afraid she might be in danger.
Cui Pingchun could no longer bring himself to refuse.
She turned around abruptly, her voice muffled: "Fine, you can pack your own things, I can't interfere in your affairs."
She, who had never bowed her head even when verbally abused, was now at a loss as to how to respond to their concern.
The last thing she could do was stop crying in front of them.
----
Once the decision to go was made, Wen Yu began to coordinate the overall situation.
Although she was also an outsider who had never studied medicine, she had a system shop that allowed her to replenish supplies at any time, and she also had a portable spiritual field as a reserve resource, so she was determined to go on the journey with everyone.
While everyone was packing their belongings, she quietly tested the spiritual field space and discovered that she did not enter the space directly with her own body, but rather controlled her thoughts to enter the space.
What's even more amazing is that time is almost frozen in this space; it's practically the legendary mustard seed space.
Unfortunately, the area of the spirit field is limited, so she cannot cultivate it freely.
Wen Yu planned out the planting area and, without further hesitation, bought some urgently needed seedlings from the mall, planted easy-to-grow staple crops such as potatoes and sweet potatoes, and then irrigated the area with all the remaining nutrient solution she had on hand.
They only hoped that they would have a harvest when they arrived in Funan.
With the supplies planned, the next step is personnel arrangement.
Besides Qing Shi and Wen Yue, the Wen family now has three students living there. Of them, only Fan Yizhen is studying medicine, while Xin Bai specializes in astrology and Du Ran studies geography.
Wen Qingshi didn't ask any more questions, only saying softly, "Wherever my sister goes, I'll follow."
Wen Yue should naturally be brought along; the family should always advance and retreat together.
Considering the dangers ahead, Wen Yu said softly to Xin Bai and Du Ran, "You two should stay in Luxi for now and move to the academy dormitory. That way, you can look after each other."
The two obediently agreed.
They were well aware that their expertise was different from others, and that they would be useless there, and would only become a burden to everyone. Staying in Luxi was the best option.
But they couldn't bear to part with their friend, so they both went up and hugged Fan Yizhen.
Having been classmates for a long time, the three of them had long since become like sisters.
Du Ran gently stroked Fan Yizhen's cheek and urged, "Zhenzhen, you must come back safely and remember to write to us to let us know you're safe."
Xin Bai patted her shoulder, hesitated for a moment, and finally said only, "I will take good care of your potted plant."
Fan Yizhen had a pot of tender yellow flowers growing on the windowsill of her room. Xin Bai was packing his luggage to go to the academy and decided to take it with him.
At this moment, there was a small pot of flowers on her luggage. Although a breeze was blowing through, the few tender yellow flowers still tried their best to stand upright.
Xin Bai pondered for a moment, then took out a map from his sleeve.
That was a detailed map of the southern part of Luzhou Prefecture that she had drawn herself by referring to many maps, with even the terrain elevation and water flow direction clearly marked.
She drew it countless times before finally creating such a perfect picture, a culmination of the strengths of many masters. She always treasured it, and whenever someone wanted to borrow it, she would always remind them, "Don't damage it!"
But at this moment, she generously handed over the drawing: "Take it with you, you might need it."
Fan Yizhen nodded emphatically, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and carefully put the map into her bag.
The two girls waved to her, then turned away casually, saying, "We're leaving now. Take good care of yourself while you're with Sister Wen..."
One step, two steps.
Fan Yizhen stared blankly as they left, suddenly feeling a sense of estrangement.
The three were inseparable in the past, and their classmates often joked that they had their own "barrier" that made it difficult for outsiders to get close.
But now... she's all alone.
Some words, like butterflies, fluttered in her chest, ready to burst forth.
Just as the figure was about to disappear into the alley, Fan Yizhen finally couldn't help but call out, "Du Ran! Xin Bai!"
"I will miss you all—!"
Du Ran didn't turn around, but muttered, "Honestly, it's like a life-or-death separation..."
She glanced to the side and saw that Xin Bai, who was usually calm, already had tears in her eyes.
At that moment, a slightly chilly wind swirled with withered leaves, brushing against the hem of their clothes, as if carrying away all the unspoken words.
The journey is long and arduous; I wonder what will happen next.
When I left home to study in Luxi last time, I was filled with anxiety, but also with hope for the future.
This departure felt like a heavy stone weighing on their hearts, preventing them from finding peace.
This is only the second time in their lives that they have experienced the taste of parting.
----
Meanwhile, Chen Miaozhi was sitting in Lin Huijun's home.
The two were already acquainted, as they were both single women raising their daughters, and naturally had many interactions.
But Chen Miaozhi's visit was to entrust Qianshan with something.
The child is still young, and we must not take her to such a dangerous place. If anything happens to her, she will regret it for the rest of her life.
Lin Huijun had previously helped Ning Shengan take care of Tao Ning, so she was already very familiar with the process. She immediately agreed, "Teacher Chen, please go ahead. I will take good care of Qianshan."
She was a loving mother who often accompanied Lin Lan to the academy for classes, and as a result, she got to know most of the children in the literacy class, and was especially familiar with Qian Shan.
Ever since Wen Qing went to the advanced class, Lin Lan, as the best student in the literacy class, took over the role of teaching assistant.
Watching her daughter's busy figure, Lin Huijun was filled with pride.
Although she herself sat at the same table with several children, including Qianshan and Taoning, to learn to read, she quickly became friends with them and often invited them to her home to play.
Seeing students pass the exams and enter the advanced class while she remained in the same place, Lin Huijun felt a little ashamed, but mostly delighted.
After all, being able to stay here means I can see Xiao Lan every day.
This time, she also had some selfish motives. Fortunately, Xiao Lan did not go to the clinic to study medicine, so she did not have to take the risk herself.
She could no longer bear the pain of being separated from her daughter for three years.
Qianshan looked at his mother, then at Aunt Lin, and listening to their conversation, he immediately understood what was about to happen.
She was always well-behaved, and this time she didn't cry or fuss, but only asked softly, "Mother, will it take a long time?"
"Yes." Chen Miaozhi couldn't lie to her.
“Mother, squat down.” Qianshan tugged at her hand.
Chen Miaozhi didn't understand why, but she still squatted down as instructed, looking at her daughter at eye level.
"When your mother is away from home, she must eat well, sleep well, and dress well so as not to catch a cold. Grow up quickly and stay safe and sound." Qianshan murmured as she touched her forehead and then her shoulder, her little face serious.
Chen Miaozhi hadn't figured out what Qianshan was going to do, but because of her action, she suddenly remembered.
Every New Year's Eve, Qianshan was afraid of the sound of firecrackers and always felt that there were monsters outside trying to take her away. Chen Miaozhi then made up this set of actions and incantations to coax her, saying that after reciting them, she would be protected by gods and kept safe.
To my surprise, the child memorized it word for word.
Although Qianshan didn't understand the specific meaning of these words, she simply held onto a child's most basic wish: that her mother would be safe.
Chen Miaozhi bent down and kissed her daughter's forehead, then hugged Qianshan tightly: "Mother promises Qianshan that she will return safely as soon as possible."
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Author's note: Happy holidays everyone! [heart]
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