Reincarnation and Rebirth

Su Wan'er hid her body behind a thick tree canopy; the rustling leaves masked her breathing.

"What kind of status did that peasant have that the third leader didn't kill him and even let him stay for a few days?"

"Who knows, damn it, that old bastard, he came up here and started eating and drinking like crazy, and he even defiled the women in the village."

"Hey, those guys were just captured to amuse the brothers."

"How can that be the same? I'd be disgusted to have been played with by an old man like that, hahaha. Forget it, we're going down the mountain today, might as well go and catch a few more. I've been so bored these past few days."

"Me too, but if the second-in-command finds out and tells the first-in-command, will I be punished?"

"What's there to be afraid of? There's still the third leader, right? Damn it, I don't even know where this second leader comes from. Ever since he came, he's forbidden us from doing this and that. He won't even let us capture a woman. I'm already tired of all the women in the village."

"Alright, I heard that this second-in-command saved the first-in-command's life. It just so happens that the second-in-command died earlier, which gave that kid an opportunity to take advantage of the situation."

"Tch, he wears a mask all the time, like he's afraid people will find out who he is."

"Maybe she's an ugly monster who's too ashamed to show her face."

As their voices faded into the distance, Su Wan'er frowned. The direction they were heading was none other than Sunset City. To confirm her suspicions, Su Wan'er quietly followed them.

As dawn broke, the two arrived at the city gate. The gate, which had been tightly closed, quietly opened a crack after hearing the chirping of an insect, and the two slipped inside.

The city gate was wide open and without any cover, so Su Wan'er could no longer follow openly and had to return to Suhe Village.

Early in the morning, when Grandma Su saw that Grandpa Su had not returned yet, she was so anxious that she got angry at everyone.

Su Wan'er looked at the perfume cream made by Madam Chen and Madam Xiang and smiled. It seemed that the old lady's worries were yet to come.

Turning her head, she saw the rusty hoe by the door and suddenly slapped her forehead. How could she have forgotten about it?

But what excuse should I use to go to town?

"Milk……"

"What are you doing here?" Old Mrs. Su's face darkened even more when she saw Su Wan'er.

"My mother's medicine is almost finished..."

"Get out! She's always been lazy and good-for-nothing. Make her get up and do some work today. The Su family doesn't support idlers."

"But Grandma, we don't have any livestock left, and there's nothing to do."

Grandma Su felt a sharp pain in her chest. Thinking of the missing pigs, chickens, and ducks, her heart ached terribly. The New Year was almost here, and they could have been slaughtered, but now, they were gone just like that.

"It's all because of your mother, that jinx..."

Su Wan'er really didn't want to suffer the pain in her ears, so she interrupted Grandma Su, "Grandma, I didn't come to ask you for money. I want to go up the mountain with Grandpa Lin to find some herbs, and then take them to town to exchange for my mother's medicine. Of course, if there is any extra money, I will definitely bring it back to you, Grandma."

Grandma Su looked at Su Wan'er in disbelief. Why wasn't she acting crazy today?

"Hmph, the family's money should be kept by me anyway. The money you got from selling the medicinal herbs..." He stopped mid-sentence, noticing Su Wan'er's changed gaze and the cracking sound of her fingers pressing on his acupoints, and immediately changed his tune, "Fine, as long as it doesn't cost the family's money and you can hand over a portion more, I, this old woman, will turn a blind eye. Oh, and buy me some more medicine. This hand just won't get better, and the pain keeps me up at night."

"Okay, milk."

Bullshit, you guys slept like logs last night. The sleeping potion in the space isn't something to fool people.

With the old lady's permission, Su Wan'er went back to her room, took out two large white steamed buns, and stuffed them into Su Xiang'er's quilt.

Since Su Xiang'er was indeed seriously injured, Su Wan'er told her younger sisters to stay in their rooms and not to go out unless necessary. Even when it came to food, she would bring it to Su Xiang'er by the kang (a heated brick bed).

Ever since witnessing her elder sister's glorious deeds, Su Xiang'er has been filled with admiration and has become even more obedient, doing whatever her elder sister says.

"Big sister, have you eaten?" Su Xiang'er asked softly. She had gotten used to eating white steamed buns by now and had long forgotten to ask her older sister where they came from. Anyway, her older sister was so capable that she must have a way. Her older sister said that these things came from a legitimate source and were not stolen or robbed, so they accepted her care without any guilt.

"You've already eaten. You can share the food later. If your eldest sister isn't coming back for lunch, and Dad gives you some food, then eat it. If not, don't go out and make a fuss. Your eldest sister will bring you something delicious when she comes back."

"Oh, where are you going, big sister?"

“I went up the mountain with Grandpa Lin to collect herbs, and then went to town to get some medicine for my mother.”

Hearing this, Su Xiang'er was deeply moved. It seemed that her eldest sister was all bark and no bite; she really did care about their mother.

"Okay, then take care on the road, sister."

Su Wan'er glanced at her younger sister and Ming'er, who were still sleeping, and smiled, "Take good care of your sister-in-law."

"Don't worry, big sister, I'm all better now. If you hadn't told me to pretend to be sick, I would have gotten out of bed a long time ago."

"Honey, don't let anyone know you recovered so quickly. Lie down and rest."

Su Wan'er left the room and saw that Su Youlu and his wife were looking at her. She sighed. Madam Wang had only applied wood ash containing spiritual spring water. Although the wound had healed, it was still an internal injury that needed to be treated. In addition, she had lost too much blood, so her face was still pale for a short time.

"Wan'er, I just heard Xiang'er say something about being careful on the road. Where are you going?" The worry in Madam Wang's eyes was genuine, but Su Wan'er really didn't need such cheap concern.

"I'll go to town to get you some medicine."

"What? No, no need. Your grandma won't give you any money. Don't go and get scolded," Wang said anxiously.

Su Youlu gritted his teeth and said to Su Wan'er, "I'll go ask your grandmother for money."

Su Wan'er raised an eyebrow. This father was more reliable than Wang Shi these days.

"No need, I already told Grandma that I went up the mountain with Grandpa Lin this morning to collect herbs, exchange them for silver, and then I'll get medicine for Mother."

"Ah, well, can Dr. Lin agree to that?" Su Youlu asked, somewhat hesitant.

"Yes, Grandpa Lin promised me," Su Wan'er said casually. "Alright, I'll be back soon. You take care of the family."

"How about Dad goes instead, and you stay at home?"

"No need. It's not appropriate for a grown man like you to go with Grandpa Lin to collect herbs. We don't want people to misunderstand that we're trying to steal his job."

Su Youlu nodded hurriedly, "Yes, yes, that's right. Father didn't think things through enough. Be careful then."

Su Wan'er glanced at them, nodded, and left.

As for finding Lin Nanxing, we still need to find him, otherwise we won't be able to cover up this lie. Besides, Grandpa Lin is a very kind person, so let's repay his kindness in a small way today.

When he arrived at Lin Nanxing's house, he was just about to go up the mountain.

"Wan'er, what brings you here? Is someone in your family sick?"

"No, no, Grandpa Lin, it's like this..." Su Wan'er explained her purpose, emphasizing that she only wanted to help out and had absolutely no intention of stealing his skills. Moreover, she would consider the remaining money after selling the medicinal herbs and preparing the medicine as a thank you to Lin Nanxing.

Lin Nanxing laughed heartily, "Alright, then you can follow along. How much you sell is all yours. I don't want it. You little girls can keep it to buy some sweets." She's even trying to learn from him? This little girl's medical skills might be better than his own, or even surpass his old friend's.