Chapter 37: Who Was Speaking?

Her old shoes weren’t broken yet. She didn’t mind if they got dirty.

She would wear the new shoes after washing up.

Taking a candied fruit, Song Yuntang drew a meridian chart.

…

The next morning, the village buzzed.

Old Man Qiao, next to the village head, had suddenly become paralyzed!

Old Man Qiao was fifty-three, a son-in-law. His wife, Song Shi, was kind and let their children follow his surname.

After Song Shi’s parents died, Old Man Qiao became the head of the household.

He treated Song Shi well.

Old Man Qiao had carried water yesterday and, after sleeping, couldn’t get up.

His son rushed to Sanli Po.  Many villagers went to see.

Song Yuntang was awakened by the chatter.

She rubbed her eyes, sat up, and looked out the window. Zhao Shi had opened the door slightly and was talking to someone.

Liu Shi yawned and came out.

“Mother, what happened?”

Zhao Qiao’e, seeing everyone awake, closed the door and went to the kitchen. “Old Man Qiao, next to the village head, is paralyzed.  Everyone’s talking about it.”

“Paralyzed?” Song Jinbao, washing his face, was surprised. “He was fine yesterday. How could he suddenly become paralyzed?”

Zhao Qiao’e brought the washed brown rice into the kitchen, saying, “You never know what tomorrow holds.  Old Man Qiao went to Doctor Li in Sanli Po at dawn.”

Liu Shi added, “Doesn’t our Tang’er know medicine?”

Zhao Qiao’e shook her head. “Only our family knows Tang’er knows medicine. She’s young and inexperienced. Old Man Qiao’s case is clearly serious; don’t let Tang’er get involved.”

She sighed. “If she cures him, it’s fine. If not, she’ll be gossiped about. We’re all in the same village; let’s not meddle.”

Hearing their conversation, Song Yuntang understood. She got dressed, took a basin, and went outside to get water.

Zhao Qiao’e lit the stove and looked outside.

“Tang’er, your brother is back this afternoon. Don’t go anywhere these days. Let Zhuzi and Zhuangzi gather wild vegetables.”

Song Yuntang nodded, washed her face, and poured the water on the small vegetable patch.

The weather was dry and hot. The three cucumber vines had only a few weak leaves, not even a flower.

She had buried some medicinal residue nearby and moved them to the wall. She watered them every day, and they had grown more leaves and branches, and flower buds.

Soon, they would have cucumbers.

Breakfast was half a brown rice cake and porridge.

After breakfast, everyone went to work. Song Yuntang didn’t idle.  She put her needles in her sleeve and went out.

Usually, she wasn’t interested in gossip.

But she had to see this.

Difficult cases were opportunities for her to build her reputation.

Arriving at Old Man Qiao’s house, she found many women watching.

Some even held children, ignoring their cries, craning their necks to look inside.

Song Yuntang passed by and reminded them.

“Don’t shake so much. It’s bad for the child.”

The woman indifferently said, “Oh,” then realizing she should scold Song Yuntang, but seeing her face, she didn’t.

She just glared and stepped back.

Song Yuntang chuckled to herself.  She was meddling. Ignoring the woman, she entered the courtyard.

Doctor Li from Sanli Po was examining Old Man Qiao.

Besides Song Zhi, Old Man Qiao’s wife, and his eldest son, Qiao Da, everyone was outside.

Seeing Song Yuntang, the family members were stunned, unsure of her intentions.

Sun Jinhua, the eldest daughter-in-law, stepped forward. “Tang’er, are you here for something?”

Song Yuntang’s reputation wasn’t good, but the villagers were related, so they wouldn’t chase her away.

“Auntie.” Song Yuntang looked at the house. “I’m here to see Old Man Qiao.”

Sun Shi was only a year younger than Zhao Qiao’e.  Song Yuntang should call her Auntie.

Sun Shi smiled. “Doctor Li is examining him. You’ll have to wait.”

She was surprised.  People usually brought gifts; Song Yuntang came empty-handed.  And she had no connection with the family. Why did she come to see Old Man Qiao?

“It’s fine. I’ll just take a look.”

Song Yuntang was about to enter, but Qiao’s children stopped her.

“Song Yuntang, if you want to see my father, wait until Doctor Li is finished.” Qiao Er, Old Man Qiao’s second son, said.

Song Yuntang calmly looked at him.

“If I don’t look, Doctor Li won’t cure your father.”

“Do you think you’re a divine doctor?”  Worried about Old Man Qiao, Qiao Er lost patience. “You’re young but arrogant. Go home. My father doesn’t need you.”

Song Yuntang didn’t leave, but said to the house, “Doctor Li, is Old Man Qiao’s pulse weak and wiry? Is his muscle tension low? Has he been weak lately?”

Her voice was soft but audible.

Inside, Doctor Li, examining Old Man Qiao, heard the voice, exchanged glances with Old Man Qiao, and rushed out.

“Who was that?”