Chapter 13: Going to Town   

“You still have the nerve to ask, Master? The System got so nauseous it threw up!!!” 

“You forced me to accept what I didn’t want to take, and now look—green smoke is coming out of me…” 

The System’s whining successfully made Song Anning laugh. She patiently coaxed it, “You’re the best, System. You’re the cutest. I’ll give you a name—from now on, you’ll be called Xiangxiang.” 

Society’s tricks run deep, and the System clearly hadn’t been beaten down by life yet—it was so naive that it was easily pacified with just a few words. 

“Then from now on, I’m Xiangxiang! This System finally has a name, hehe.” 

At noon, the family had a simple meal. After the heavy rain, the sky cleared up abruptly. 

The mountain paths were slippery and muddy from the rain, so Song Anning gave up on the idea of going up the mountain. 

“A’Yuan, stay home and take care of Mother. I’ll take A’Yue to town.” 

It wasn’t that Song Anning was playing favorites—ever since Wang Yinger lost her mind, she only recognized these three children. She would scream if anyone else came near. 

“This time, I’ll take A’Yue to have the doctor check the wound on her head so it doesn’t scar. I’ll take A’Yuan another day.” 

Children will be children. When Song Zeyuan heard he had to stay home to watch the house, disappointment was plain on his little face. But the next moment, Song Anning said: 

“Elder Sister will buy you candy today. The child who watches the house gets an extra piece. That’s how it’ll be from now on.” 

A child’s emotions come and go quickly. Song Zeyuan, who had been sulking just moments ago, immediately brought over a small stool and sat obediently by the door. “Look, Elder Sister, A’Yuan is already watching the house! Come back soon, okay?” 

The two sisters set out with their back baskets. Hurrying as fast as they could, they barely managed to catch the oxcart heading to town. There was only one seat left, so Song Anning held A’Yue in her lap. Seeing this, the cart driver only charged Song Anning for one fare. 

“Guizhi, look—just yesterday, she got silver from you, and today she’s already going to town.” 

Only then did Song Anning notice that Widow Song and her good friend Mrs. Wen were sitting on the other side of the cart. Guizhi was Widow Song’s name. 

Perhaps still shaken from yesterday’s scare, Widow Song merely glanced over and said nothing. 

Mrs. Wen, however, seemed determined to stir up trouble. “A worthless girl raised in the village really thinks she’s some young lady from town? Scrapes her skin a little and demands two taels of silver… “

“Some people are just lucky. If we had a Village Chief as a relative, we’d get money that easily too…” 

Insulting her was one thing, but now they were dragging Song Erhe into it—Song Anning couldn’t let that slide. 

She handed A’Yue to the auntie beside her, then turned and yanked Mrs. Wen’s hair. 

“Shut your damn mouth! Did your father’s coffin spring a leak and let you crawl out to yap? You’re like someone cracking melon seeds while giving birth—your filthy mouth never stops. “

“I didn’t hit you yesterday when I beat them, and now you’re asking for it?” 

“Ah—you little bitch, mmm—” 

Coincidentally, Mrs. Wen had a basket of large radishes strapped to her back. Song Anning grabbed one and stuffed it into her mouth, her gaze cold enough to freeze ice. 

“Yeah, you’re the bitch—offering yourself up for a beating for free. “

“Let me make this clear today: if anyone has a problem with me, Song Anning, come say it to my face. But if you dare use my name to slander Second Grandpa, we’ll settle it in front of the whole village. “

“Come on! Let’s go back to the village!” 

The oxcart was slow. Song Anning jumped off and dragged Mrs. Wen down with her. 

“Ning Girl, she’s just got a foul mouth. Don’t take it to heart.”

“Mrs. Wen, hurry up and apologize to Ning Girl. Have you forgotten what the Village Chief said yesterday?”

Mrs. Wen, who had only wanted to vent her frustration earlier, now sobered up a bit. The Village Chief had just warned everyone not to stir up trouble yesterday, and here she was causing a scene today. There was no way she could stay in Banyue Village after this.

Those driven out of the village would have no house, no land—they’d become wanderers.

“No, I don’t want to go back. Song Girl, I admit I was wrong, alright? It was all nonsense… Guizhi, I was speaking up for you. Can’t you say something?”

Widow Song curled her lips. “I never asked for your help. Huzi bullied someone first, and my family apologized and paid compensation. That matter was settled yesterday. Bringing it up today—who are you trying to provoke?”

Yesterday, Widow Song had seen things clearly. These so-called friends of hers were all fair-weather companions, quick to flee when trouble arose.

After returning home last night, she calmed down and thought it over. Song Anning’s behavior yesterday was different from before. In the past, she’d been slow with words, sullen, and troublesome. But now she was clever and bold, diligently working to earn money by gathering mountain herbs.

Her second grandfather was the Village Chief, and her uncle was a Literary Candidate, soon to become a Scholar. He was bound for great things in the future.

As a widow, it would be sheer stupidity to offend the Song family over a children’s squabble.

Having said her piece, Song Anning knew village gossip spread faster than wildfire. She was confident that within two days, today’s incident would be the talk of Banyue Village.

With her goal achieved and Mrs. Wen’s apology secured, she climbed back onto the oxcart, offering a gentle smile to those around her.

“……”

The oxcart resumed its journey, but the dozen or so passengers remained silent, not even engaging in idle chatter. Mrs. Wen sat at the edge, weeping for a long while before lowering her head, a flash of resentment flickering in her eyes.

Half an hour later, the cart arrived in Ping’an Town. Song Anning carried A’Yue straight to the medical clinic, only to be met with a slammed door.

“Shoo, shoo! Where did you beggars come from? This is a medical clinic, not a tavern. Go beg somewhere else…”

“……”

This was the first time she’d been snubbed since arriving here. Holding her sister, she stood bewildered in the wind.

Wanhe Hall’s decor was extravagant, more like a luxurious establishment than a clinic. A couplet flanked the entrance: *”Virtuous physicians uphold morality through the ages; skilled hands bear righteousness with benevolent remedies.”*

“Virtuous? Morality? Benevolent remedies? Righteousness? Their actions don’t match the words at all… Never mind, let’s try another place.”

But after wandering through several streets, she found only more branches of Wanhe Hall, each dismissing her in much the same way.

Something wasn’t right. The original owner of this body had visited Ping’an Town before and had gone to clinics with her mother. She’d never heard of Wanhe Hall being everywhere like this.

“Young lady, you’re in the wrong place. Us common folk go to the west side of town for medical care.”

The dumpling vendor stirred the broth in her pot, hesitating as if wanting to say more. She’d only spoken up because she pitied the two girls.

Noticing the vendor’s reluctance, Song Anning’s curiosity burned fiercely. With a wave of her hand, she declared, “Auntie, one bowl of dumplings, please.”

The dumpling auntie took the five coins, grinning from ear to ear. “Coming right up!”

When the dumplings were served, Song Anning casually asked, “What happened to the clinics that used to be in town?”

With just that one question, the dumpling auntie eagerly pulled up a stool and launched into her tale. “Let me tell you all about it…”

The auntie’s skills were excellent—the dumpling wrappers were thin, the filling generous. One bite warmed both the tongue and the heart. The sisters ate to their hearts’ content while the dumpling auntie regaled them with animated storytelling.

After feeding the last wonton to Song Anyue, Song Anning finally understood what had happened in this town.