Chapter 9

“Miaoyun, you should go back. I’ll stay here with Old Xun tonight,” Zhao Fengnian said.

“Alright, Uncle Zhao.” Xue Miaoyun didn’t object. After all, her relationship with Uncle Xun and Uncle Zhao was a secret, known only to a few. Well, not quite—Grandpa Xue probably knew something about it.

Xue Miaoyun returned home but had no appetite to cook. She ate two steamed buns and, after a quick wash, went to bed.

The next morning, she got up and took out her vanity table from her space. It was filled with many cosmetics, all things she had used in her previous life.

Looking into the mirror, Xue Miaoyun was surprised. The original owner had always looked sallow and thin from years of mistreatment by the Song family.

Malnourished, her beauty had long been dulled—what might’ve once been an eight out of ten had faded to barely a three or four.

But the change in the mirror was undeniable. Her complexion was much fairer, her features noticeably more refined. Even her once dry and yellowed hair had become smoother and shinier.

Though she had been eating better and doing less labor recently, that alone couldn’t account for such a drastic transformation in just a few days.

So—it must be the golden finger. That made sense. The “Jiao Spirit Essence” was tied to legends of sirens renowned for their beauty.

She touched her face. The skin felt smooth and firm. Lowering her hand, she felt some pain. The original owner’s malnutrition had stunted her development, and now it seemed like the body was about to undergo a second stage of growth.

Tsk, it feels kind of awkward.

Beauty wasn’t necessarily a good thing for Xue Miaoyun right now. She needed to lie low and take her time.

So, she started applying makeup to her face, and soon enough, her appearance became much less striking.

She looked at herself in the mirror and was satisfied. Good, now she wouldn’t attract attention.

After doing half a day’s worth of work, Xue Miaoyun went to her uncle’s house.

“Miaoyun, what brings you here? How’s Comrade Xun doing?” Xue Dashan still held great respect for educated people.

“The situation isn’t good. His injuries are severe, and he needs to rest in bed for a long time. Uncle, I want to ask, do you have any traditional Chinese medicine here?”

Xue Dashan gave her a glance. “What do you need?”

“Safflower, dragon’s blood, gotu kola…”

Xue Dashan listened carefully. “Looks like you really know medicine.”

Although he only knew a little, he could tell that some of these herbs were indeed used to treat injuries.

“It was Grandpa Ke who taught me. But he told me not to speak of it lightly. This time, I had no choice. A life was on the line.” Xue Miaoyun had already prepared her excuse well in advance.

“You did the right thing.” Xue Dashan let out a long sigh. “Don’t blame your mother. When she arranged that marriage back then, it was all for your sake.”

At the time, because her father was considered a martyr, she and her mother had a little breathing room. But the situation was still far from ideal. As terrible as the Song family might be, their background could, at the very least, offer some protection for Miaoyun.

“Uncle, I don’t blame my mother at all. I know how much effort she put into it for me,” Xue Miaoyun said, recalling how the original owner had felt guilty for causing her mother so much trouble.

She felt like she had been a burden to her mother.

“You’re a good child. Don’t worry. You’re still young. In a couple of years, you can find a good family,” Xue Dashan reassured her.

Xue Miaoyun smiled. She had no intention of getting married. Once the college entrance exams were reinstated, she would take them. This was an era full of opportunities, and she needed to ride the wave of progress to make her fortune.

Right, she needed to take the college entrance exams. She still needed a high school diploma.

The original owner had only completed middle school, attending high school for only one year before her biological mother passed away. The issue of her academic registration was something she would have to figure out.

However, there weren’t many students still attending school at this time. She wondered if she could somehow maintain her registration and take the exams at the end of the term. It would be even better if there was a graduation exam. She wasn’t afraid of exams.

“I have some of the herbs you need, though not much. Wait a moment, I’ll ask someone,” Xue Dashan said.

Xue Miaoyun nodded obediently.

She knew that every profession had its own circle, and her uncle, being a hunter, must know other hunters. These people, due to their profession, were likely familiar with some herbs. That was also why she came to her uncle.

When she returned home, Xue Miaoyun followed the original owner’s memory to make a few large steamed buns and steamed some sausages. After tidying up, she prepared to head to the county town.

“Grandpa Jiu,” she called as she walked.

There were several villages near Shuize Village, and the only way to travel to the county town was by ox cart.

“Heading to the county?” Grandpa Jiu asked.

“Yes. There’s nothing at home, so I’m going to the county town to see what I can buy.”

There were quite a few people getting on the cart, and when they arrived at the county town, Xue Miaoyun quickly headed toward the hospital after confirming the time Grandpa Jiu would be returning.

“Uncle Zhao,” she called out when she saw him.

“Miaoyun, why are you here?” Zhao Fengnian asked.

“I came to take over the shift. Uncle Zhao, how is Uncle Xun?”

“He woke up once. The doctor says he’s a bit better.”

“That’s good. Uncle Zhao, I made some steamed buns. Please eat.”

Zhao Fengnian felt a bit embarrassed. Here they were, two grown men, and yet they had a young girl taking care of them.

When he bit into a piece of sausage, he looked at Xue Miaoyun in surprise. After thinking about Lihua, he realized that Lihua had probably left some money for her daughter. It was likely her dowry.

Considering how hard life had been for Miaoyun in the Song family, and how she never touched the money Lihua had given her, he couldn’t help but feel moved. Yet, for the two unworthy uncles, she had used her dowry.

Xue Miaoyun looked at Zhao Fengnian curiously, wondering what thoughts had crossed his mind.

“Uncle Zhao, I’m going out for a bit. I’ll be back soon. Grandpa Jiu’s ox cart is leaving at 5 PM. Let me stay here with Uncle Xun tonight.”

“No!” Zhao Fengnian immediately refused.

“Miaoyun, I know you care about your Uncle Xun. But we’re in a sensitive position. We can’t afford to drag you into it. You just broke off an engagement—if you don’t come home tonight, who knows what the Song family will start saying about you?” Zhao Fengnian refused firmly.

To them, Miaoyun was like a daughter, but she wasn’t their own flesh and blood. It wasn’t proper for her to stay and take care of Old Xun.

“I’m not afraid.”

“That’s nonsense.” A weak voice came from behind them.

“Old Xun.”

“Uncle Xun.”

Xue Miaoyun quickly went over to take his pulse.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” Xun Jinian actually felt quite happy in his heart. He had shallow family ties; his parents were already gone, and his wife… his ex-wife had taken their son. Fortunately, he still had Fengnian and Lihua, his childhood friends.

Although Lihua had passed, her daughter had shown them filial piety and care.

Having such a junior to look after him brought him a sense of comfort.

“Miaoyun, listen to your Uncle Zhao. Go back home later. We don’t need you worrying here. I feel much better now. I should be able to go back in a few days.”

“That’s not possible.” Xue Miaoyun immediately disagreed. “Such serious injuries, how can you not stay in the hospital? Uncle Xun, you can’t ignore your health.”

“Compared to the hospital, I trust you more.” Xun Jinian looked at Xue Miaoyun and said.

Xue Miaoyun immediately understood his meaning. He wanted her to treat him.

“Alright,” she agreed. She had confidence in her golden finger. Rather than stay in a hospital with few resources, it would be better to return home where she could treat him. Even if there were no medicines, acupuncture could still work.