CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 49: MRS. YAO AND HER STORY

Gu Chengyu read the medical book for a while, then his consciousness emerged from the space. He saw Mr. Gu had already grown impatient waiting and was sitting on the grass nearby.

"Dear, who knows when I can find you next time? Stay a little longer!" A woman’s lingering voice sounded.

"No, I managed to sneak out while going to Xialing Village. I have to hurry back now. Otherwise, it won’t be easy to come out again next time." Then came the sound of rustling.

"Does your wife watch you every moment? Anyway, if you want to find me, tie a blue cloth to the little forest, or I’ll tie a red cloth. I’ll come every day to check. Also, don’t forget the promise you made to me."

Gu Chengyu stroked his chin, realizing this was their fixed meeting place and there were even secret codes. That meant they couldn’t be passers-by, but villagers. Since they’re leaving, he should be able to see their faces.

"Got it, I’ll leave now and find you when I have time. The matter will be settled in a couple of days. Are you really able to come out freely? Don’t let your Yang Laosan catch you."

"There’s no need to worry about that. Just take care of yourself. You go first, I’ll leave later."

The sound of footsteps echoed from the little forest, heavy and strong, likely that of the man. Shortly, a man wearing a dark green coarse cloth shirt emerged from the woods. He glanced left and right. Mr. Gu quickly pulled Gu Chengyu to hide further. Through the gaps in the leaves, Gu Chengyu saw the man’s face; it was him!

Of course, Mr. Gu also recognized the man and tightened his grip on Gu Chengyu’s hand.

Seeing no one on the path, the man quickly headed into the village.

About half an hour later, the woman came out too. Just as Gu Chengyu expected, it was indeed her.

"Bah! Just a silver-plated hairpin, and calling it a treasure?" The woman pulled the hairpin out of her head, placed it in her bosom, adjusted her clothes, smoothed her hair, and after checking that nothing was amiss, twisted her not-so-slender waist and left.

Mr. Gu and Gu Chengyu both sighed in relief as they finally left. Mr. Gu exhaled deeply, "What’s all this about? We ended up being lookouts?"

"Dad, what were they doing just now? Why did we have to hide?" Gu Chengyu deliberately looked puzzled and asked Mr. Gu.

"Ah? This..." Mr. Gu scratched his head awkwardly, unsure how to explain to a young child.

Watching his father’s embarrassed expression, Gu Chengyu secretly laughed inside. "Dad, could it be they’re stealing fish over there? Is there fish in that little pond?"

"Yes! Yes! They’re stealing fish, but that pond’s been abandoned for years, nearly overgrown by grass. It was much bigger before!" Mr. Gu glanced at the pond past the little forest and continued on their way, feeling relieved his son didn’t understand anything. Had he known, he wouldn’t have taken this path today. He didn’t know what made him choose it. It’s rarely used, even the path is overgrown, nearly covered by grass. What bad luck!

They were delayed for more than half an hour before reaching Doctor Li’s home.

Doctor Li’s courtyard was large, with stone walls higher than any in the village. The gate was tall and sturdy, clearly built by a carpenter, unlike the Gu Family’s gate, where they chopped wood from the mountains and nailed it together as a gate. Truly, Doctor Li’s family seemed rather affluent.

Mr. Gu stepped forward and knocked, "Who’s there? Coming." Answering was a woman, presumably Doctor Li’s wife, Mrs. Yao, as the villagers often said.

Mrs. Yao opened the gate and saw a man similar in age to her husband and a young boy outside. She glanced at the boy several times, silently praising him. Between the countryside, she’d never seen such a handsome lad. Even among the sons of wealthy families, he didn’t compare to the one in front of her. However, being too good-looking might not necessarily be a blessing, especially born into a farmer’s family.

"Looking for my husband? He just went out to change Mr. Gu Fourth’s medicine, he’ll be back shortly. Do you have an issue? If it’s for treatment, perhaps wait a while and come back. It’s inconvenient with him not home."

Ever since Mrs. Yao opened the door, Gu Chengyu focused his gaze on her. Mrs. Yao had always been mysterious. Since Doctor Li settled in Shangling Village, it was always Doctor Li interacting with the villagers, while Mrs. Yao never visited or received guests. But today, she responded and opened the door.

Gu Chengyu observed Mrs. Yao, a woman dressed explicitly, completely different from ordinary farm wives. She wore a ginger yellow fine cotton jacket exposing the white standing collar of the inner clothes, decorated with simple patterns at the cuffs and collar. The hem was embroidered with pink peonies, appearing elegant without excessive embellishment. Hair styled in a simple round bun with a silver hairpin. Her skin was fair, eyes bright despite fine lines at the corners. While not extraordinarily beautiful, she possessed a gentle and approachable demeanor. Gu Chengyu was puzzled; Doctor Li had some scholarly air, but Mrs. Yao seemed unlike an average village woman, more like a lady from a wealthy family, and her speech was literary, indicating education.

"Xiao Bao, greet her! Call her Aunt Li." Seeing it was Doctor Li’s wife at the door, Mr. Gu urged Gu Chengyu to greet her.

"Hello, Aunt Li!" Gu Chengyu found the woman quite nice. Indeed, it’s true: clothes make the man. If his mother wore such beautiful clothes, she would certainly be attractive, though lacking this woman’s charm!

"Oh! Good boy!" Mrs. Yao smiled warmly, gently patting Gu Chengyu’s head. Gu Chengyu felt slightly embarrassed; why did everyone like patting his head?

"Ah? It’s Brother Gu! I just came from your place, you came to find me—looks like we missed each other, any issues?" Purely coincidental, Doctor Li had just returned from changing medicine at the Gu Family, and Gu Chengyu turned to see him calling from a distance with his medicine box.

"Brother Li, indeed there was something I needed to talk about. Just missed each other along the way." Mr. Gu was pleased to see Doctor Li; speaking with a woman alone wasn’t ideal, nor could he enter to wait inside. With people at the Gu Family, presenting ginseng would be inconvenient.

"Is it about your Fourth’s condition? I’ve checked, he’s much better today, luckily no fever. A few more rounds of medicine and he’ll be back on his feet."

"No, not about that, I wouldn’t doubt your skills! It’s something else entirely, can we talk?" Mr. Gu glanced around. Since Doctor Li was here, discussing indoors was preferable.

"Husband, let them in! I’ll prepare the tea." Seeing her husband return, Mrs. Yao no longer hid.

"Oh! You see, come inside quickly, Brother Gu, no need to hold back, rely on the woman for tea."

Gu Chengyu followed Doctor Li into the courtyard. The Li family’s courtyard was large, but had few buildings: two main rooms, with a room each in the east and west wings. The yard was drying a lot of herbs, like cinnamon, Bai Shao, honeyed licorice, black aconite, ephedra, all common cold remedies, presumably gathered by Doctor Li from the mountains.

"Mr. Gu, what business do you have with me?" Doctor Li led them into the main house, seating them accordingly.