Chapter 12: Pleading to Accompany Him to the Town

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Song Liangzuo immediately felt energized.

Having emerged victorious from a grueling study session, was she afraid of learning? Of course not!

All she needed now was to find the right opportunity to gauge her family’s attitude. As for money? She had seen enough of the world to know that she could easily produce something that could change her family’s situation. The challenge was finding a suitable way to showcase her skills.

Her medical knowledge—how could she demonstrate that?

She couldn’t just tell her family that she already knew how to do it, could she? They likely wouldn’t believe her and might even give her a potion made from ash and herbs to ward off evil!

And learn from someone else? She was constantly under the watchful eyes of her family; who could she learn from?

Centered on Daliushu Village, there was no place within a three-kilometer radius that either she or the original owner had ever visited.

Even if her family believed in her, as a four-year-old, which patient would dare to let her treat them?

Although she recognized many medicinal herbs, how could she explain her knowledge of them to her family? Did she intend to rely on the fact that they were illiterate and had never been to school?

Oh dear, the original owner couldn’t read either!

To learn to read, she would need to go to school, for which she would need a “Shuxiu” (a traditional educational fee). She remembered reading several history books, which recorded various customs surrounding Shuxiu.

Some say it involves offering six gifts: celery (symbolizing diligence), lotus seeds (representing the bitter hard work of education), red beans (symbolizing good fortune), red dates (representing early success), dried meat (for gratitude to teachers), and longan (for enlightenment).

None of those gifts were to be found in her home—all of them required spending money.

All of this felt like a closed circle, trapping her abilities inside as she waited to uncover a breakthrough, a chance to slowly exhibit her skills.

After analyzing her situation, she concluded that this breakthrough wasn’t in the village; she needed to find a way to the town.

Just as she was pondering how to discuss this with her family and gain their approval, the elderly woman who had been working in the fields approached and sat down beside her with a thump. “Good grandson, are you tired?” the grandmother said, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a coarse cloth scarf.

Song Liangzuo scrambled up and poured a bowl of water from the clay pot she had brought for the old woman. “Grandma, have some water first.”

The grandmother praised the suddenly thoughtful Song Liangzuo, “It’s my clever grandson who understands! You could have stayed at home, but you insist on coming out to suffer. Are you afraid you won’t have any work to do in the future?”

“Grandma, I’m not tired; I’m just resting here for a moment. If I do a bit of work, you and Mom will have less to do,” Song Liangzuo said earnestly.

“Oh, look how thoughtful my grandson is! Children your age in the village are still being changed and tended to. My grandson already knows to cherish us!” This compliment was seemingly directed more at the others present than at Song Liangzuo himself.

Wang Chunlan, approaching with a hoe in hand, nodded in agreement with a beaming smile. “That’s right! Just hearing him say this makes me feel more energized!”

“Who could disagree?” the elderly woman echoed.

Feeling flattered, Song Liangzuo didn’t forget her purpose. After a bit more flattering conversation with her family, she shifted the topic, “Grandma, Mom, tomorrow is the market day in our town; will we be going to sell eggs? Can I go see the town?”

Every first and fifth day of the month was market day in Gu’an Town, where villagers from several neighboring areas would gather to sell various goods.

The family’s supplies of oil, salt, and vinegar were often exchanged for eggs or wild vegetables from their home.

Each time, it was either the grandmother alone or with Song Zhaodi who would go, while Song Liangzuo had never been considered for these outings due to her young age and special circumstances.

When the elderly woman heard her suddenly bring it up, she was momentarily stunned, then affectionately tried to placate her, “Are you wanting to taste the pastries from the town? Stay home and I’ll bring you some sweets tomorrow.”

Seeing her most beloved grandmother refuse her request, Song Liangzuo rolled away onto her feet, walked behind the elderly woman, and began gently massaging her shoulders.

Her little mouth continued to plead, “Grandma, I don’t want the town’s pastries; I just want to see the town. I’ve never been there before. The village is nice, but I want to experience the outside world. Don’t worry, I’ll stick close to you when we get to the town—I won’t wander around.”

Though her grip wasn’t very strong, she had mastered the art of shoulder massage; the elderly woman, having never been massaged like this before, found her grandson’s touch surprisingly pleasant.

“The town has many dangers; if you accidentally get separated from me, what will I and your mother do? It takes half an hour to walk to the town; by the time you arrive, it will be dark!”

For the first time, Song Xiaoxiao, masquerading as Song Liangzuo, felt the weight of her grandmother’s disapproval.

“Grandma, I’m almost five years old! I can run really fast. Once we get to the town, I won’t go with any strangers. If they dare to grab me, I’ll shout and yell! Grandma, please take me with you to see— I promise I won’t cause any trouble.” After making that plea, Song Liangzuo turned and walked to Wang Chunlan, repeating the same gesture with her shoulders, charmingly requesting, “Mom, please speak to Grandma and let me go with you to take a look.”

Previously, Song Liangzuo had been confined at home, making her come off as quiet and uncommunicative. Because of her special circumstances, there had always been a careful tension in the atmosphere at home.

Now that Liangzuo had confirmed her identity in front of everyone, it was obvious that her demeanor had become more animated. Witnessing her daughter’s lively charm, Wang Chunlan felt her maternal heart soften.

With a bit of pleading tone and carefulness, she addressed her mother-in-law: “Mother, I can finish the work at home on my own tomorrow. How about letting Liangzuo go out with you to see the world? He will be the pillar of our family in the future, and he will eventually need to go to the town to stay connected. As long as you’re with him, I won’t worry.”

The elderly woman was amused and giggled at the two, so she put on a stern face and told Song Liangzuo, “Come over here and massage my shoulders. If you make me feel nice, I’ll take you with me tomorrow.”

This was a concession.

Song Liangzuo jubilantly ran back over to massage the grandmother’s shoulders.

Meanwhile, Song Zhaodi and Song Bandi, who had just arrived with Wang Chunlan, looked on enviously at their little brother, wondering how he had the courage to ask Grandma to take him to the town.

If they were to speak to Grandma in that manner, they would undoubtedly get scolded.

Seeing their envious glances, Song Liangzuo simply smiled, knowing that there were chores to do, and since he was unfamiliar with the town, it wouldn’t be appropriate to ask Grandma to take them as well right now.

However, he had made up his mind that he would seek opportunities in the future to take his two sisters to the town with him.

There were still chores to do in the field, so they couldn’t wait too long for him to provide a thorough shoulder massage. Before long, the family was back to work.

As the sun began to set, the family returned home joyfully, some carrying bamboo baskets filled with pig grass, others hoisting hoes on their shoulders, while some hugged wild amaranth in their arms.