Chapter 63 -

Chapter 63: Chapter

The morning sun broke through the clouds, reflecting brightly off the deep blanket of fresh snow outside. In the kitchen, the air was warm and smelled of boiling herbal tea and freshly steamed bread.

Yimei sat at the low wooden table, helping Madame Zhang roll out dough.

"Madame Zhang," Yimei said, her voice gentle but firm. "We will be leaving tomorrow morning."

Madame Zhang stopped her wooden rolling pin, looking up with wide, worried eyes. "Tomorrow? But A-Yue, child, the mountain trails are still covered in snow! Your husband’s legs are only just starting to heal. Why don’t you stay another week or two? It is much safer here."

Yimei offered a soft, apologetic smile, playing her part seamlessly. "I wish we could stay, Madame. You and Grandmaster Zhang have been so kind to us. But my husband’s older brother is very ill in the next province. We received word before the heavy snow hit that his condition has worsened. If we don’t hurry to his side, Zhengyu might not get the chance to see him again."

Madame Zhang let out a sympathetic sigh, her expression softening completely. "Ah, family matters cannot wait. I understand. But how will you two travel with his weak legs?"

"A-Cheng said he would help us down to the main junction tomorrow morning," Yimei explained smoothly. "He knows the trail well and offered to help. Once we reach the main road, he can help us rent a sturdy horse carriage to take us the rest of the way."

Madame Zhang nodded slowly, patting Yimei’s hand with motherly warmth. "Alright, then. If A-Cheng is taking you to the carriage post, I feel much better. I will make sure to pack plenty of warm blankets and dried meats for your journey."

"Thank you, Madame," Yimei replied, her eyes sparkling with quiet gratitude as she went back to rolling the dough.

Yimei stepped quietly into Grandmaster Zhang’s private office, the scent of dried roots, pine resin, and old parchment filling the small room.

The old physician was sitting behind his low wooden desk, grinding dried herbs with a stone pestle. He didn’t look up when she entered, though his stiff shoulders gave him away. Having overheard her entire conversation with Madame Zhang from the adjacent hallway, he already knew why she was there.

Grandmaster Zhang was a proud man. He hated seeing a patient leave before he had brought them back to absolute perfection, and he certainly didn’t like the idea of Zhengyu traveling on roads that were still slick with ice. Yet, his pride kept his lips sealed; he wouldn’t beg them to stay, nor would he pry into their pressing family matters.

"Grandmaster Zhang," Yimei said softly, bowing her head in respect. "I wanted to thank you properly. Without your skill, my husband wouldn’t even be showing result today."

The old doctor grunted, setting the pestle down with a quiet clatter. He stroked his long white beard, keeping his expression rigid. "The boy’s recovery is half my needles and half his own stubbornness. You don’t need to thank me."

Yimei took a step closer, her voice taking on a serious, attentive tone. "Since we must leave tomorrow, I would like to ask a few questions regarding his care on the road. What must I do to ensure his legs continue to heal?"

Grandmaster Zhang looked up, his sharp eyes softening just a fraction at her genuine concern.

"First," the Grandmaster instructed, gesturing toward a stack of small paper parcels on his desk, "you must keep his lower limbs warm at all times. Cold air will lock his tendons back up. Every evening, soak a cloth in hot water, wring it out, and press it against his knees and calves for half an hour."

"I understand," Yimei nodded, noting every detail. "And his medicine?"

"I have packed ten days’ worth of decoction packets here," he said, tapping the brown parcels. "Boil one packet in three cups of water until only one cup remains. Give it to him every night after food. Do not skip a single day."

He picked up a small porcelain jar from his shelf and handed it to her. "This is a warming salve. If his muscles cramp or throb from the carriage ride, rub this firmly into his skin until it turns warm. And most importantly..."

Grandmaster Zhang looked Yimei dead in the eye, his tone stern. "He must try to walk a few steps every day with support. His nerves are alive again, but if he stays in bed out of fear or pride, his legs will wither. Make him move, even when he complains."

Yimei took the jar of salve, placing it carefully into her pouch. "I will make sure he obeys, Grandmaster. Thank you."

Later that day, as the evening sun began to set over the snow-capped mountains, A-Cheng came to Yimei’s room with a small woven basket over his shoulder.

"Sister A-Yue," he called out warmly. "I’m going up to the lower ridge to pick a few fresh herbs before it gets too dark. Would you like to come with me?"

Yimei smiled and nodded. "I’d love to."

She threw a warm cloak over her shoulders and stepped outside with him into the crisp evening air.

The village was peaceful and lively as they walked down the narrow dirt paths.

A-Cheng pointed out different plants along the snowy paths, explaining what each herb was used for as they picked them. Yimei listened attentively, enjoying the calm atmosphere.

As they walked side by side back toward the ridge, Yimei looked over at the bright, ambitious young man.

"Soon you will be heading to the capital for your studies," Yimei said softly, her eyes full of genuine warmth. "I wish you the best, A-Cheng. You are going to be a great physician."

A-Cheng’s face lit up with a proud grin as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Thank you, Sister A-Yue! I’ll work hard so I don’t embarrass Grandmaster Zhang in the big city."

Before Yimei could respond, a rowdy group of voices echoed up the snowy trail.

"Hey, A-Cheng!"

Three young men from the village jogged up to them, their heavy winter coats dusted with fresh snow. The leader of the group patted A-Cheng roughly on the shoulder, laughing loudly.

"We came to thank you again for yesterday!" the boy said, grinning wide. "If you hadn’t helped us track down that runaway sheep on the ridge before dark, my father would have skinned me alive. You’re a lifesaver, man!"

"It was nothing," A-Cheng replied, blushing a little under the praise. "Glad we got it back in time."

As the boys continued to laugh and chatter, two figures stepped out from behind them. It was Su Lan and her friend, carrying small woven baskets filled with red paper decorations for the upcoming New Year. The moment Su Lan’s eyes landed on Yimei standing beside A-Cheng, her steps slowed down.

"Oh," Su Lan murmured, stepping forward with a hesitant look on her face. "Sister A-Yue... we didn’t expect to see you out here picking herbs."

A-Cheng took one look at Su Lan and let out a heavy sigh, immediately stepping in front of Yimei. His jaw set tight as he glared at her.

"Su Lan, if you came out here just to cause trouble for Sister A-Yue again, you can turn right around and go back," A-Cheng said flatly, his voice stern. "No one has time for your nonsense today."

Su Lan’s face flushed red, but instead of snapping back like she usually did, she quickly shook her head and held up her hands.

"I’m not here to cause trouble!" Su Lan insisted softly, looking down at her boots before glancing back up. "I... I just really want to talk to Sister A-Yue."

A-Cheng frowned, still suspicious. He turned his head and looked at Yimei, silently asking her with his eyes if she wanted him to send Su Lan away.

Yimei looked at Su Lan’s unusually quiet posture, then offered A-Cheng a subtle, reassuring nod.