"Chapter 36."
"Beneath Fú Wēi's palm was the soft back of a woman's hand. After a moment, he withdrew his own hand."
"Rubbing his fingertips on his thigh, he seemed to still feel the warm and soft sensation lingering."
"The word 'trust' spoken by Fú Wēi and Yú Yíng struck a chord directly in the hearts of the Hé couple."
"Uncle and Auntie Hé were once from a wealthy family, but due to a family crime, they were exiled to Lingnan."
"Decades of hardship had worn away their edges, and they had come to accept their reality. As people of low status now, trusting others or being trusted seemed far beyond their reach."
"Now, hearing that they were trusted, the feeling was both unfamiliar and yet somehow familiar."
"Fú Wēi's gaze swept over the astonished faces of Uncle and Auntie Hé, then he slowly said, 'My cousin and I wish to bring back our elder brother and sister-in-law, and we hope that Second Brother Hé can return soon. However, after bringing them back, our family has little spare money, so we can't offer much help.'"
"Auntie Hé seemed to understand his implication and sighed, 'You don’t need to feel obligated. You owe us nothing, and we understand that. We won’t harbor any ill will out of jealousy.'"
"But Fú Wēi shook his head, 'That’s not what I meant.'"
"Amidst their confusion, Fú Wēi continued firmly, 'Our families support each other, not by blood but closer than relatives. So, even though we can’t help much financially, in earning money, my cousin and I want to involve Uncle and Auntie Hé, hoping you can save enough to bring back Second Brother Hé.'"
"Fú Wēi's voice was gentle and even, inexplicably inspiring trust."
"Yú Yíng knew Fú Wēi was speaking diplomatically, but understood he was doing it to persuade Uncle and Auntie Hé, so she went along with him."
"She said, 'There are still two to three months until October, which is a long time. So, I’m also looking for other short-term, one-time deals with herb traders. If there’s demand, Uncle and Auntie Hé only need to spare a few mornings to help me gather herbs in the mountains. I’ll handle the drying and the rest.'"
"After a pause, Yú Yíng added, 'The earnings from the herbs can be settled according to Uncle and Auntie Hé’s preference, either by weight or as a daily wage.'"
"Having said this, Yú Yíng and Fú Wēi looked at Uncle and Auntie Hé, quietly waiting for their response."
"Uncle and Auntie Hé were momentarily overwhelmed by this barrage of information."
"Uncle Hé took a while to process everything before he could regain his composure."
Aunt He, uncertain, looked to her husband for guidance.
Uncle He glanced at Fu Wei and Yu Ying, then after a long contemplation, spoke pragmatically, "Helping out for a few days is no issue, but if it extends to two or three months, to be honest, I'm not confident."
He looked at Yu Ying and added, "You may have signed a contract for five hundred jin of herbs with the merchant, but these traders travel far and wide without a fixed destination. We can't be sure if they will still come to Lingnan in a few months."
Before Yu Ying could respond, Fu Wei, with his two decades of experience as an official's son, interjected, "As they are merchants, their records would be with the government office. Without them, local checkpoints wouldn’t easily allow traders with goods to pass. With all these checkpoints, their information is recorded. We might not know their exact destination, but the government can easily find out upon inquiry."
Hearing Fu Wei's analysis, Yu Ying, who had been somewhat anxious about the deal, now felt reassured.
Even Uncle He began to reconsider.
Fu Wei then turned to Yu Ying, "Please bring the contract for Uncle He and Aunt He to see."
Understanding Fu Wei's intention, Yu Ying stood up to fetch the contract from the next room.
As the room was frequently used for meals and other activities, Yu Ying had kept the contract and the money hidden in a compartment of the straw mat bed in the adjoining room.
When Yu Ying emerged, Sun and the children in the courtyard looked at her curiously.
Yu Ying returned to the next room, retrieved the contract, and came back.
She sat back in her original place and calmly handed the contract to Uncle He.
Uncle He, having come from a wealthy family, was naturally literate.
He took the contract, carefully examined it, and then a look of surprise appeared on his face.
Fu Wei spoke slowly, "If the merchant hadn't provided written proof, it would indeed be untrustworthy. But since they've signed and stamped it, if they breach the contract, we can take the matter to the county yamen. The yamen will track them down using the customs records and find the merchant's ancestral home. Breaking the contract would be a loss for them. If they had no intention of fulfilling it, why leave such incriminating evidence?"
Uncle He thought about it and realized that Fu Wei's words made sense.
This realization stirred his interest, especially since the contract was for not just fifty, but a full five hundred jin of herbs.
His eldest son worked on a gentry's farm, receiving two meals a day, one day off per month, and earning ten jin of rice and one hundred and fifty wen per month.
In Yu County, this was considered a very good deal.
His eldest son had his own family to support and couldn't hand over all his earnings. What he contributed monthly amounted to only about one hundred and twenty wen.
With the current year's crops just planted and various taxes due, it would take them at least a year to save enough money to bring back his second son.
Uncle He, having spent many years at the quarry, knew exactly what kind of environment it was.
If possible, he didn't want his second son to spend another day in that place.
With these thoughts, Uncle He's expression firmed up, and he made his decision, "Let's do it! We'll join you in this herb trade."
Fu Wei, not at all surprised, smiled faintly and glanced around, "Brothers should settle accounts clearly. Since we're going to do this, let's agree on the price in advance to avoid any disputes or grudges later."
Uncle He agreed, "Of course."
Saying this, he handed the contract back.
"Yú Yíng took the contract, pondered for a while, then asked, 'So, Uncle, do you prefer to be paid by the weight of the herbs, or would you like a daily wage?'"
"Uncle and Auntie Hé seemed somewhat bewildered."
"Yú Yíng added, 'I don’t have much money right now, so I can’t pay by weight until I've sold the herbs and received payment. For wages, I can pay fully for short-term work, but for long-term, I can only pay half upfront.'"
"Auntie Hé, curious after her husband agreed to the work, asked, 'What’s the difference between these two options?'"
"Yú Yíng replied, 'Before I explain, I need to clarify the financial aspects.'"
"'First, I’m responsible for finding merchants to buy the herbs. Second, I might need to spend some money to network and find new merchants. Third, I’ll handle drying and storing the herbs.'"
"'Based on these three points, no matter how much I sell the herbs for, I will offer you a fixed price, but it won’t be half of twenty-one coins per kilogram, as not all herbs will sell for that price.'"
"After pondering, Uncle Hé said, 'I’ve heard villagers say that they got only one or two coins for a large basket of herbs at the clinic. So, three or four coins per kilogram would be more than enough; that’s already a high price.'"
"Yú Yíng smiled and said, 'Though not as high as ten coins per kilogram, I will buy based on quality. Good quality herbs at seven coins per kilogram, average ones at six, and for more expensive herbs, two coins per liang (about 50 grams).'"
"The Hé couple looked astonished."
"Auntie Hé exclaimed, 'That much?'"
"At this point, Fú Wēi interjected, 'This price is exclusive to the Hé family. In the future, if others help, they won’t be offered the same rate.'"
"'Additionally, as time goes on and Yú Yíng’s herb business grows, and Uncle and Auntie Hé become more familiar with herbs, the task of inspecting the herbs will be handed over to them. Then, profits will be shared directly with them. I believe it won’t be long before not only can Second Brother Hé be brought back, but the Hé family can also start living a better life.'"
"The more Yú Yíng listened to Fú Wēi, the stranger she found it."
"After a moment, she realized that Fú Wēi was essentially promising a future that hadn’t materialized yet – wasn’t this just painting a rosy picture?"
"This picture, however, was enticing enough to ignite a spark of enthusiasm in Uncle and Auntie Hé."
"Seeing that Uncle and Auntie Hé seemed inclined towards the purchase option, Yú Yíng still outlined the wage plan: 'Let’s settle on the purchase price like this. Additionally, for wages, it's fifteen coins per day, but you must ensure at least two kilograms of herbs per day. If it’s less than two kilograms but more than one, then it’s only seven coins per day.'"
"Though the payment was roughly the same for both options, the first one had no upper limit, and Uncle and Auntie Hé preferred that method."
"Uncle Hé chose, 'The first option, payment by weight.'"
"Yú Yíng cautioned, 'Uncle, don’t rush your decision. There’s one more thing to consider seriously.'"
"Uncle Hé looked puzzled."
"Yú Yíng, with a serious expression, warned, 'The mountains are dangerous, even the periphery poses risks. You both must be aware of this. Furthermore, the more valuable the herb, the greater the danger. I hope you’ll consider this carefully before giving me your final decision.'"
"After his initial excitement subsided, Uncle Hé realized that making money in the mountains was not easy."
"But thinking of his son working in the quarry, he felt that taking the risk was worth it."
"After pondering for a while, Uncle Hé said, 'There’s no such thing as a free lunch. One must give something to get something. I understand this, so I’ve decided to work with Madam Yú on gathering herbs.'"
"After discussing some further details, Uncle Hé asked, 'When do you plan to redeem your elder brother and sister-in-law?'"
"Yú Yíng thought for a moment, then said, 'I’ve asked someone to inquire if the new merchant will buy the herbs. We’ll know the outcome the day after tomorrow. If it’s a no, we’ll prepare to leave in three days at the latest. If it’s a yes, we’ll complete this deal first before going.'"
"Uncle Hé looked at his wife, his voice heavy, 'We haven’t seen Second Brother for a long time. Let’s take this opportunity to visit him.'"
"Auntie Hé, thinking of their second son, teared up slightly and said, 'Yes, it’s been two years since we saw him. I wonder how thin he has become.'"
"After a moment of shared sorrow, the couple stood up to take their leave."
"Yú Yíng saw them off and then brought in the herbal medicine Fú Ān had prepared from outside, placing it on the table, saying to Fú Wēi, 'It’s been cooling for a while, drink it while it’s still warm.'"
"Fú Wēi thanked her and then picked up the medicine."
"The medicine was still hot, so he sipped it slowly and carefully."
"The medicine was bitter, and Yú Yíng usually drank it quickly in two or three gulps, but Fú Wēi..."
"Watching him drink the medicine, Yú Yíng felt a bitterness in her own mouth and asked, 'Don’t you find it bitter?'"
"Fú Wēi gazed into the dark medicinal soup and said meaningfully, 'The bitterness now, I want to remember it.'"
"Yú Yíng sensed the hidden meaning in his words, recalling the misfortunes he faced in the book, which eventually turned him into a cold-hearted official."
"After a moment's consideration, she said, 'Human nature is diverse. One can be cunning or selfish, but it's important to hold onto one’s final principles.'"
"Hearing this, Fú Wēi's eyes subtly changed. He looked up at her, staring silently for a moment before asking, 'If I become the cunning, selfish person you describe, what would you do?'"
"In modern times, Yú Yíng might choose to avoid such a person, but the context of this era was different."
"She continued, 'Self-preservation and strength sometimes necessitate such actions. It’s not wrong, but I hope you can maintain your final principles.'"
"A flicker of light seemed to brighten the dark corner of Fú Wēi's heart."
"'What’s the extent of this final principle?'"
"Yú Yíng pondered before answering, 'If you harm others for personal gain when no one has harmed you, crossing the line, we can no longer even be friends, becoming strangers instead. This is probably what they mean by 'do not conspire if paths do not align.'"
"Fú Wēi felt reassured, a faint smile appearing on his lips, 'Then, to avoid becoming strangers in the future, I must always remember what you said today.'"
"The topic was too heavy, and feeling he had taken her words to heart, Yú Yíng changed the subject."
"'By the way, I spoke to Mr. Chén about the bamboo bed. It’ll be ready in four to eight days, but for the next few days...' She glanced at the bamboo bed inside, 'I might need to impose on you a bit longer.'"
"Fú Wēi paused before calmly responding, 'I don’t find it bothersome.'"
"Yú Yíng took his words as mere courtesy, smiled, and then went out to prepare for her wash."
"Fú Wēi watched her leaving figure and then took another sip of the bitter medicine."
"The medicine was so bitter it made him furrow his brows tightly, and he looked down at the bowl of soup."
"Why did he feel that today's medicine was much bitter than before?"
"Yú Yíng hadn’t mentioned to Mrs. Luò, Fú Ān, and Fú Níng about bringing back Elder Brother Fú and his wife."
"She thought it would be far more surprising and delightful for them to simply appear, rather than anxiously waiting in anticipation."
"Moreover, Mrs. Luò’s eyes had been treated for a month, and it was about time to remove the bandages."
"When Yú Yíng was about to remove Mrs. Luò's bandages, Fú Ān brought a bamboo stool outside for his grandmother to sit on, while he and his sister stood by, their faces filled with expectation."
"Fú Ān asked, 'Auntie, can grandmother’s eyes really be cured?'"
"Yú Yíng smiled, 'It’s not that easy. Treating the symptoms is one thing, but treating the root cause takes patience. Although she won’t have clear vision yet, she should be able to make out shapes and walk on her own. For clarity, she’ll need to continue recuperating.'"
"Mrs. Luò, upon hearing this, said, 'Being able to see the road and walk without assistance is already wonderful. I dare not ask for more.'"
"Yú Yíng stood behind Mrs. Luò, softly saying, 'The results will definitely exceed that.'"
"As she spoke, she began to unwind the bandages from Mrs. Luò’s eyes."
"After unwrapping several layers, with the bandages removed, Mrs. Luò hesitated to open her eyes."
"After all, she was nervous."
"Yú Yíng moved in front of her, smiling, 'You can open your eyes now.'"
"Mrs. Luò hesitated, then slowly opened her eyes. Light entered her vision, everything appeared blurry."
"In the dimness, she saw the vague outline of a woman."
"How is it?" Yu Ying leaned in to check Luo's somewhat cloudy eyes. Seeing her own blurred reflection in them, she knew the treatment had been effective.
Gradually adapting to the light, although her vision was still hazy, she could make out the features of someone close to her, even if not clearly.
Luo tentatively called out, "Liu Niang?"
"Hmm?"
Unable to see clearly, Luo still sensed her daughter-in-law was a beauty in the making.
Slowly, Luo gathered her senses, her heartbeat suddenly quickening as she abruptly grasped her daughter-in-law's wrist: "Liu Niang, can I, can I really see?!"
Before, she could only see faint light and very conspicuous objects during the day, but now, she could discern facial features!
"Grandma, what about me, can you see me?" Fu An also became excited.
Yu Ying gave way to Fu An and Fu Ning, letting the three generations share their joy together.
After the excitement, Luo stood up, turning to look towards the thatched cottage.
Looking a bit anxious, she turned to Yu Ying, her voice trembling, "Is Er Lang really as handsome as they say?"
Apart from Fu An, nobody had told Luo what her own son really looked like.
Fu An only mentioned that his current uncle looked better than the previous one, but couldn't quite describe exactly how.
Following her gaze towards the house, Yu Ying softly said, "Yes, very handsome, both handsome and smart, with a good temperament too."
Although Luo couldn't see clearly, she longed to catch a glimpse of her son's shadow.
Reaching for the bamboo pole beside her, she realized in the next instant that she could barely make out the path.
Then she let go of the pole, stood up, and walked step by step towards the thatched cottage.
Pushing open the door, she entered the house and looked towards the bamboo bed, barely making out the figure sitting on it.
"Er Lang..." Luo's voice trembled slightly.
Fu Wei looked up, locking eyes with his birth mother, only to see her eyes gradually filling with tears.
Fu Wei's emotions were indescribably complex.
His foster mother had passed away early, so he hadn't experienced much maternal love. Having only recognized his birth mother for a little over two months, their bond wasn't particularly deep.
Previously, their interactions were minimal, and he never addressed her as 'mother'.
But now, wishing to resolve their emotional barriers, Fu Wei nodded and hummed in agreement, then called out, "Mother."
Hearing this address, Luo's heart ached uncontrollably, tears escaping as she covered her mouth and ran out of the house.
Yu Ying, standing outside, heard Fu Wei's call of "Mother," a smile of relief spreading across her face.
Thankfully, they had finally acknowledged each other.
In the book, until Luo's death, they only met but never truly recognized each other as mother and son.
One of Fu Wei's regrets was not being able to call her 'Mother' during her lifetime.
Now, from this point forward, everything was completely different.
Yu Ying looked up at the bright sun, thinking that soon, Fu Dalang and his wife would return, and the Fu family could finally reunite.
But what about her?
With these thoughts, Yu Ying couldn't help but feel a tinge of melancholy.
In this world, the so-called relatives were not truly hers; who did she have to reunite with?
Lost in her sadness, she suddenly felt warmth in her palm.
Looking down, she realized it was Fu Ning holding her hand.
Fu Ning met her aunt's gaze with a smile, gently nuzzling her arm with her head.
The little girl's affectionate gesture suddenly reminded Yu Ying of the kitten her sister had, equally endearing and adorable in its own way.
She thought, with Luo's eyes yet to heal, Fu Wei's leg still unwell, and most importantly, little Fu Ning unable to speak, why worry about where to settle so soon when there were illnesses to cure?
With this thought, Yu Ying swept away her gloom, refocusing on her goals - to heal the sick and earn silver!
"Chapter 36."
"Beneath Fú Wēi's palm was the soft back of a woman's hand. After a moment, he withdrew his own hand."
"Rubbing his fingertips on his thigh, he seemed to still feel the warm and soft sensation lingering."
"The word 'trust' spoken by Fú Wēi and Yú Yíng struck a chord directly in the hearts of the Hé couple."
"Uncle and Auntie Hé were once from a wealthy family, but due to a family crime, they were exiled to Lingnan."
"Decades of hardship had worn away their edges, and they had come to accept their reality. As people of low status now, trusting others or being trusted seemed far beyond their reach."
"Now, hearing that they were trusted, the feeling was both unfamiliar and yet somehow familiar."
"Fú Wēi's gaze swept over the astonished faces of Uncle and Auntie Hé, then he slowly said, 'My cousin and I wish to bring back our elder brother and sister-in-law, and we hope that Second Brother Hé can return soon. However, after bringing them back, our family has little spare money, so we can't offer much help.'"
"Auntie Hé seemed to understand his implication and sighed, 'You don’t need to feel obligated. You owe us nothing, and we understand that. We won’t harbor any ill will out of jealousy.'"
"But Fú Wēi shook his head, 'That’s not what I meant.'"
"Amidst their confusion, Fú Wēi continued firmly, 'Our families support each other, not by blood but closer than relatives. So, even though we can’t help much financially, in earning money, my cousin and I want to involve Uncle and Auntie Hé, hoping you can save enough to bring back Second Brother Hé.'"
"Fú Wēi's voice was gentle and even, inexplicably inspiring trust."
"Yú Yíng knew Fú Wēi was speaking diplomatically, but understood he was doing it to persuade Uncle and Auntie Hé, so she went along with him."
"She said, 'There are still two to three months until October, which is a long time. So, I’m also looking for other short-term, one-time deals with herb traders. If there’s demand, Uncle and Auntie Hé only need to spare a few mornings to help me gather herbs in the mountains. I’ll handle the drying and the rest.'"
"After a pause, Yú Yíng added, 'The earnings from the herbs can be settled according to Uncle and Auntie Hé’s preference, either by weight or as a daily wage.'"
"Having said this, Yú Yíng and Fú Wēi looked at Uncle and Auntie Hé, quietly waiting for their response."
"Uncle and Auntie Hé were momentarily overwhelmed by this barrage of information."
"Uncle Hé took a while to process everything before he could regain his composure."
Aunt He, uncertain, looked to her husband for guidance.
Uncle He glanced at Fu Wei and Yu Ying, then after a long contemplation, spoke pragmatically, "Helping out for a few days is no issue, but if it extends to two or three months, to be honest, I'm not confident."
He looked at Yu Ying and added, "You may have signed a contract for five hundred jin of herbs with the merchant, but these traders travel far and wide without a fixed destination. We can't be sure if they will still come to Lingnan in a few months."
Before Yu Ying could respond, Fu Wei, with his two decades of experience as an official's son, interjected, "As they are merchants, their records would be with the government office. Without them, local checkpoints wouldn’t easily allow traders with goods to pass. With all these checkpoints, their information is recorded. We might not know their exact destination, but the government can easily find out upon inquiry."
Hearing Fu Wei's analysis, Yu Ying, who had been somewhat anxious about the deal, now felt reassured.
Even Uncle He began to reconsider.
Fu Wei then turned to Yu Ying, "Please bring the contract for Uncle He and Aunt He to see."
Understanding Fu Wei's intention, Yu Ying stood up to fetch the contract from the next room.
As the room was frequently used for meals and other activities, Yu Ying had kept the contract and the money hidden in a compartment of the straw mat bed in the adjoining room.
When Yu Ying emerged, Sun and the children in the courtyard looked at her curiously.
Yu Ying returned to the next room, retrieved the contract, and came back.
She sat back in her original place and calmly handed the contract to Uncle He.
Uncle He, having come from a wealthy family, was naturally literate.
He took the contract, carefully examined it, and then a look of surprise appeared on his face.
Fu Wei spoke slowly, "If the merchant hadn't provided written proof, it would indeed be untrustworthy. But since they've signed and stamped it, if they breach the contract, we can take the matter to the county yamen. The yamen will track them down using the customs records and find the merchant's ancestral home. Breaking the contract would be a loss for them. If they had no intention of fulfilling it, why leave such incriminating evidence?"
Uncle He thought about it and realized that Fu Wei's words made sense.
This realization stirred his interest, especially since the contract was for not just fifty, but a full five hundred jin of herbs.
His eldest son worked on a gentry's farm, receiving two meals a day, one day off per month, and earning ten jin of rice and one hundred and fifty wen per month.
In Yu County, this was considered a very good deal.
His eldest son had his own family to support and couldn't hand over all his earnings. What he contributed monthly amounted to only about one hundred and twenty wen.
With the current year's crops just planted and various taxes due, it would take them at least a year to save enough money to bring back his second son.
Uncle He, having spent many years at the quarry, knew exactly what kind of environment it was.
If possible, he didn't want his second son to spend another day in that place.
With these thoughts, Uncle He's expression firmed up, and he made his decision, "Let's do it! We'll join you in this herb trade."
Fu Wei, not at all surprised, smiled faintly and glanced around, "Brothers should settle accounts clearly. Since we're going to do this, let's agree on the price in advance to avoid any disputes or grudges later."
Uncle He agreed, "Of course."
Saying this, he handed the contract back.
"Yú Yíng took the contract, pondered for a while, then asked, 'So, Uncle, do you prefer to be paid by the weight of the herbs, or would you like a daily wage?'"
"Uncle and Auntie Hé seemed somewhat bewildered."
"Yú Yíng added, 'I don’t have much money right now, so I can’t pay by weight until I've sold the herbs and received payment. For wages, I can pay fully for short-term work, but for long-term, I can only pay half upfront.'"
"Auntie Hé, curious after her husband agreed to the work, asked, 'What’s the difference between these two options?'"
"Yú Yíng replied, 'Before I explain, I need to clarify the financial aspects.'"
"'First, I’m responsible for finding merchants to buy the herbs. Second, I might need to spend some money to network and find new merchants. Third, I’ll handle drying and storing the herbs.'"
"'Based on these three points, no matter how much I sell the herbs for, I will offer you a fixed price, but it won’t be half of twenty-one coins per kilogram, as not all herbs will sell for that price.'"
"After pondering, Uncle Hé said, 'I’ve heard villagers say that they got only one or two coins for a large basket of herbs at the clinic. So, three or four coins per kilogram would be more than enough; that’s already a high price.'"
"Yú Yíng smiled and said, 'Though not as high as ten coins per kilogram, I will buy based on quality. Good quality herbs at seven coins per kilogram, average ones at six, and for more expensive herbs, two coins per liang (about 50 grams).'"
"The Hé couple looked astonished."
"Auntie Hé exclaimed, 'That much?'"
"At this point, Fú Wēi interjected, 'This price is exclusive to the Hé family. In the future, if others help, they won’t be offered the same rate.'"
"'Additionally, as time goes on and Yú Yíng’s herb business grows, and Uncle and Auntie Hé become more familiar with herbs, the task of inspecting the herbs will be handed over to them. Then, profits will be shared directly with them. I believe it won’t be long before not only can Second Brother Hé be brought back, but the Hé family can also start living a better life.'"
"The more Yú Yíng listened to Fú Wēi, the stranger she found it."
"After a moment, she realized that Fú Wēi was essentially promising a future that hadn’t materialized yet – wasn’t this just painting a rosy picture?"
"This picture, however, was enticing enough to ignite a spark of enthusiasm in Uncle and Auntie Hé."
"Seeing that Uncle and Auntie Hé seemed inclined towards the purchase option, Yú Yíng still outlined the wage plan: 'Let’s settle on the purchase price like this. Additionally, for wages, it's fifteen coins per day, but you must ensure at least two kilograms of herbs per day. If it’s less than two kilograms but more than one, then it’s only seven coins per day.'"
"Though the payment was roughly the same for both options, the first one had no upper limit, and Uncle and Auntie Hé preferred that method."
"Uncle Hé chose, 'The first option, payment by weight.'"
"Yú Yíng cautioned, 'Uncle, don’t rush your decision. There’s one more thing to consider seriously.'"
"Uncle Hé looked puzzled."
"Yú Yíng, with a serious expression, warned, 'The mountains are dangerous, even the periphery poses risks. You both must be aware of this. Furthermore, the more valuable the herb, the greater the danger. I hope you’ll consider this carefully before giving me your final decision.'"
"After his initial excitement subsided, Uncle Hé realized that making money in the mountains was not easy."
"But thinking of his son working in the quarry, he felt that taking the risk was worth it."
"After pondering for a while, Uncle Hé said, 'There’s no such thing as a free lunch. One must give something to get something. I understand this, so I’ve decided to work with Madam Yú on gathering herbs.'"
"After discussing some further details, Uncle Hé asked, 'When do you plan to redeem your elder brother and sister-in-law?'"
"Yú Yíng thought for a moment, then said, 'I’ve asked someone to inquire if the new merchant will buy the herbs. We’ll know the outcome the day after tomorrow. If it’s a no, we’ll prepare to leave in three days at the latest. If it’s a yes, we’ll complete this deal first before going.'"
"Uncle Hé looked at his wife, his voice heavy, 'We haven’t seen Second Brother for a long time. Let’s take this opportunity to visit him.'"
"Auntie Hé, thinking of their second son, teared up slightly and said, 'Yes, it’s been two years since we saw him. I wonder how thin he has become.'"
"After a moment of shared sorrow, the couple stood up to take their leave."
"Yú Yíng saw them off and then brought in the herbal medicine Fú Ān had prepared from outside, placing it on the table, saying to Fú Wēi, 'It’s been cooling for a while, drink it while it’s still warm.'"
"Fú Wēi thanked her and then picked up the medicine."
"The medicine was still hot, so he sipped it slowly and carefully."
"The medicine was bitter, and Yú Yíng usually drank it quickly in two or three gulps, but Fú Wēi..."
"Watching him drink the medicine, Yú Yíng felt a bitterness in her own mouth and asked, 'Don’t you find it bitter?'"
"Fú Wēi gazed into the dark medicinal soup and said meaningfully, 'The bitterness now, I want to remember it.'"
"Yú Yíng sensed the hidden meaning in his words, recalling the misfortunes he faced in the book, which eventually turned him into a cold-hearted official."
"After a moment's consideration, she said, 'Human nature is diverse. One can be cunning or selfish, but it's important to hold onto one’s final principles.'"
"Hearing this, Fú Wēi's eyes subtly changed. He looked up at her, staring silently for a moment before asking, 'If I become the cunning, selfish person you describe, what would you do?'"
"In modern times, Yú Yíng might choose to avoid such a person, but the context of this era was different."
"She continued, 'Self-preservation and strength sometimes necessitate such actions. It’s not wrong, but I hope you can maintain your final principles.'"
"A flicker of light seemed to brighten the dark corner of Fú Wēi's heart."
"'What’s the extent of this final principle?'"
"Yú Yíng pondered before answering, 'If you harm others for personal gain when no one has harmed you, crossing the line, we can no longer even be friends, becoming strangers instead. This is probably what they mean by 'do not conspire if paths do not align.'"
"Fú Wēi felt reassured, a faint smile appearing on his lips, 'Then, to avoid becoming strangers in the future, I must always remember what you said today.'"
"The topic was too heavy, and feeling he had taken her words to heart, Yú Yíng changed the subject."
"'By the way, I spoke to Mr. Chén about the bamboo bed. It’ll be ready in four to eight days, but for the next few days...' She glanced at the bamboo bed inside, 'I might need to impose on you a bit longer.'"
"Fú Wēi paused before calmly responding, 'I don’t find it bothersome.'"
"Yú Yíng took his words as mere courtesy, smiled, and then went out to prepare for her wash."
"Fú Wēi watched her leaving figure and then took another sip of the bitter medicine."
"The medicine was so bitter it made him furrow his brows tightly, and he looked down at the bowl of soup."
"Why did he feel that today's medicine was much bitter than before?"
"Yú Yíng hadn’t mentioned to Mrs. Luò, Fú Ān, and Fú Níng about bringing back Elder Brother Fú and his wife."
"She thought it would be far more surprising and delightful for them to simply appear, rather than anxiously waiting in anticipation."
"Moreover, Mrs. Luò’s eyes had been treated for a month, and it was about time to remove the bandages."
"When Yú Yíng was about to remove Mrs. Luò's bandages, Fú Ān brought a bamboo stool outside for his grandmother to sit on, while he and his sister stood by, their faces filled with expectation."
"Fú Ān asked, 'Auntie, can grandmother’s eyes really be cured?'"
"Yú Yíng smiled, 'It’s not that easy. Treating the symptoms is one thing, but treating the root cause takes patience. Although she won’t have clear vision yet, she should be able to make out shapes and walk on her own. For clarity, she’ll need to continue recuperating.'"
"Mrs. Luò, upon hearing this, said, 'Being able to see the road and walk without assistance is already wonderful. I dare not ask for more.'"
"Yú Yíng stood behind Mrs. Luò, softly saying, 'The results will definitely exceed that.'"
"As she spoke, she began to unwind the bandages from Mrs. Luò’s eyes."
"After unwrapping several layers, with the bandages removed, Mrs. Luò hesitated to open her eyes."
"After all, she was nervous."
"Yú Yíng moved in front of her, smiling, 'You can open your eyes now.'"
"Mrs. Luò hesitated, then slowly opened her eyes. Light entered her vision, everything appeared blurry."
"In the dimness, she saw the vague outline of a woman."
"How is it?" Yu Ying leaned in to check Luo's somewhat cloudy eyes. Seeing her own blurred reflection in them, she knew the treatment had been effective.
Gradually adapting to the light, although her vision was still hazy, she could make out the features of someone close to her, even if not clearly.
Luo tentatively called out, "Liu Niang?"
"Hmm?"
Unable to see clearly, Luo still sensed her daughter-in-law was a beauty in the making.
Slowly, Luo gathered her senses, her heartbeat suddenly quickening as she abruptly grasped her daughter-in-law's wrist: "Liu Niang, can I, can I really see?!"
Before, she could only see faint light and very conspicuous objects during the day, but now, she could discern facial features!
"Grandma, what about me, can you see me?" Fu An also became excited.
Yu Ying gave way to Fu An and Fu Ning, letting the three generations share their joy together.
After the excitement, Luo stood up, turning to look towards the thatched cottage.
Looking a bit anxious, she turned to Yu Ying, her voice trembling, "Is Er Lang really as handsome as they say?"
Apart from Fu An, nobody had told Luo what her own son really looked like.
Fu An only mentioned that his current uncle looked better than the previous one, but couldn't quite describe exactly how.
Following her gaze towards the house, Yu Ying softly said, "Yes, very handsome, both handsome and smart, with a good temperament too."
Although Luo couldn't see clearly, she longed to catch a glimpse of her son's shadow.
Reaching for the bamboo pole beside her, she realized in the next instant that she could barely make out the path.
Then she let go of the pole, stood up, and walked step by step towards the thatched cottage.
Pushing open the door, she entered the house and looked towards the bamboo bed, barely making out the figure sitting on it.
"Er Lang..." Luo's voice trembled slightly.
Fu Wei looked up, locking eyes with his birth mother, only to see her eyes gradually filling with tears.
Fu Wei's emotions were indescribably complex.
His foster mother had passed away early, so he hadn't experienced much maternal love. Having only recognized his birth mother for a little over two months, their bond wasn't particularly deep.
Previously, their interactions were minimal, and he never addressed her as 'mother'.
But now, wishing to resolve their emotional barriers, Fu Wei nodded and hummed in agreement, then called out, "Mother."
Hearing this address, Luo's heart ached uncontrollably, tears escaping as she covered her mouth and ran out of the house.
Yu Ying, standing outside, heard Fu Wei's call of "Mother," a smile of relief spreading across her face.
Thankfully, they had finally acknowledged each other.
In the book, until Luo's death, they only met but never truly recognized each other as mother and son.
One of Fu Wei's regrets was not being able to call her 'Mother' during her lifetime.
Now, from this point forward, everything was completely different.
Yu Ying looked up at the bright sun, thinking that soon, Fu Dalang and his wife would return, and the Fu family could finally reunite.
But what about her?
With these thoughts, Yu Ying couldn't help but feel a tinge of melancholy.
In this world, the so-called relatives were not truly hers; who did she have to reunite with?
Lost in her sadness, she suddenly felt warmth in her palm.
Looking down, she realized it was Fu Ning holding her hand.
Fu Ning met her aunt's gaze with a smile, gently nuzzling her arm with her head.
The little girl's affectionate gesture suddenly reminded Yu Ying of the kitten her sister had, equally endearing and adorable in its own way.
She thought, with Luo's eyes yet to heal, Fu Wei's leg still unwell, and most importantly, little Fu Ning unable to speak, why worry about where to settle so soon when there were illnesses to cure?
With this thought, Yu Ying swept away her gloom, refocusing on her goals - to heal the sick and earn silver!
