Chapter 796: Entering the Mountain Together and Catching a Beast (1)

Although Mo Qingze didn’t think Xiao Ruiyuan was the most suitable choice as a son-in-law, he had no objections to the young man personally. Seeing his noble status, yet he willingly offered to help, Mo Qingze felt pleased. 

However, pleased as he was, Mo Qingze was not so easily swayed. If he agreed too hastily, everyone would see that Xiao Ruiyuan, not related to their family, was busying himself with their affairs. Mo Qingze hadn’t tested him enough yet, so how could he give in so easily?

“I have no objections to you and Yan Yan, but the proper rules must be followed!” Mo Qingze said directly, both as a reminder and a test for Xiao Ruiyuan. “If you want me to agree to marrying her to you, then show your sincerity.”

“Thank you for the reminder, Uncle Mo. It was my oversight!” Xiao Ruiyuan’s eyes subtly shifted, and he stood up to bow to Mo Qingze in apology, his demeanor respectful and without fault.

This time, Xiao Ruiyuan was genuinely only offering help, without any intention of using this opportunity to cause misunderstandings or rumors to bind him and Mo Yan together, forcing Mo Qingze to accept the marriage.

Mo Qingze had seen through his intentions, so he merely offered a reminder. If not, he would have already been angered.

Mo Yan entered, holding a freshly brewed teapot. Seeing the two men deep in conversation and her father’s face relaxed with a smile, she let out a sigh of relief.

She set down the tea tray, took the teacups and teapot, and as she poured the tea, she said, "Father, Master wants to go into the mountains to take a look. I’ll go with him shortly. We might not be back in time for lunch, so don’t wait for us."

Physician Du had suggested going into the mountains not just to take a walk, but because some rare herbs only appeared in winter, and they were unavailable in the space. So, the master and disciple planned to head into the mountains and try their luck.

“I see. Then make sure to bring enough water and food. Don’t let Physician Du go hungry,” Mo Qingze reminded. With the powerful Four Beasts around, he was no longer worried about Mo Yan’s safety in the mountains.

Xiao Ruiyuan, however, was not entirely at ease. He stood up and said, “The mountain path is difficult, and Physician Du is of advanced age. It’s best if someone is there to assist him. Since I have no other matters to attend to, I’ll accompany you into the mountains.”

Mo Yan’s eyes brightened, ready to agree, but she immediately suppressed the thought when she heard her father cough loudly.

Mo Qingze shot a glare at his daughter, who was nervously looking down, and then raised his head to Xiao Ruiyuan, “It would indeed be better to have another person with Physician Du. Huan Zhang, you go with them.”

“Thank you, Uncle Mo!” Xiao Ruiyuan bowed again to Mo Qingze in gratitude. As he thought about the chance to be alone with Mo Yan, a glint of excitement flickered in his eyes.

“Father, you’re the best! You’re the best father in the world!” Mo Yan hadn’t expected her father to agree so easily. She happily hugged his arm, beaming with affection.

“Calm down a little!” Mo Qingze couldn’t help but feel both exasperated and amused at his daughter’s silly behavior. This girl, even when her wishes were granted, shouldn’t show it so clearly. It made her seem too obvious, which could lead others to look down on her!

Mo Yan, completely unaware, quickly packed everything up and shoved it into Xiao Ruiyuan’s hands. Then, she supported Physician Du and easily walked toward the mountains.

Xiao Ruiyuan, with a neutral expression, took the basket filled with food, water, and tools like a spade and small hoe. He followed the master and disciple at a leisurely pace, his eyes full of indulgence. 

The Four Beasts led the way, scaring off many animals—both herbivores and carnivores—that were out hunting. The space already had plenty of fresh “food,” so these animals didn’t interest the Four Beasts. Only when they were bored would they play with smaller creatures, like a cat teasing a mouse, before letting them go.

[End of Chapter]

 Chapter 795: The Cause of Rebirth (4)

The more Mo Yan thought about it, the more she believed it was possible. She frowned and said, "Although many people's fates have changed, some things that are  meant to happen will still happen. Like the plague in the south you mentioned. However, this time the court should find a way to resolve it, instead of burning the city down like in that life. As for the war... as long as Da Chu remains strong, even if foreign invaders come, they won't succeed. Perhaps the war won't happen at all!"

In that case, she really had to focus on studying medicine. If the great plague did occur and she couldn't find a cure, who knew if fate would take another turn and lead her toward the events of the first life?

Moreover, the events that were meant to happen hadn’t been reduced; they had simply been altered by her existence, changing the bad outcomes. In her first life, she had accidentally found a master to teach her. In this life, although things were different, she had met Master Xue through Xin’er, and now she was learning medicine from him, proving that some things were truly unavoidable.

For this reason, Mo Yan, who hadn’t been very concerned about medicine before, decided to study under Physician Du seriously. Regardless of whether the plague happened or not, learning another skill could never hurt.

"Yan Yan, it’s good that you think this way. Don’t worry, with me here, your medical skills will be better than in your past life," Xue Tuanzi said, pleased with Mo Yan's resolve.

According to its deductions, the plague was likely to occur. If Mo Yan truly found a cure, it would be a huge merit, and perhaps at that time, Xue Tuanzi could finally take a physical form and leave the space.

Mo Yan gently rubbed Xue Tuanzi, feeling its soft white skin and the quiet pulse beneath it. Her agitated mind gradually calmed, and she held it in her arms, remaining silent for a long time.

After the little New Year, Mo Yan delivered the New Year gifts to the various families and, with a cart full of prepared medicinal herbs and gifts, went to the medical clinic to urgently ask Physician Du to accompany her back to her home for the New Year.

Ever since she learned that Physician Du had been her master in her first life, Mo Yan had felt much closer to him. Not only did she treat him as her master, but she also regarded him as a grandfather-like figure.

Physician Du had lived a lonely life for many years. After sending the young apprentices home for the New Year, he would stay alone at the clinic. Although he had grown accustomed to it over time, the loneliness and sorrow still lingered in his heart.

When his only disciple cared for him, Physician Du was naturally very happy and didn’t hesitate to accept her invitation. That afternoon, he packed up his things and went back to the Mo family with Mo Yan.

On the 28th day of the twelfth month, after taking time off for the New Year, Xiao Ruiyuan arrived at the Mo family home with New Year gifts, receiving a warm welcome from everyone except Mo Qingze.

Knowing that his future father-in-law was unlikely to treat him kindly, Xiao Ruiyuan cleverly refrained from trying to approach Mo Yan and instead brought up the topic of her upcoming coming-of-age ceremony in March.

The coming-of-age ceremony for a girl was an incredibly important day in her life. Any family that loved their daughter, even if poor, would do their best to celebrate this occasion.

Mo Qingze was satisfied that Xiao Ruiyuan remembered his daughter's birthday, and his stern face softened. "Yan Yan’s coming-of-age ceremony will be held earlier, on the 3rd of March."

A coming-of-age ceremony was typically held on a girl's birthday. However, if her birthdate was considered inauspicious, a different lucky date would be chosen, hoping to bring good fortune to the girl.

Mo Yan was born on the first day of April, and according to her birth chart, it suggested a life of loneliness and hardship, which was rather unfavorable. Although such beliefs were not entirely reliable, Mo Yan’s first life had seen her family scattered and her remaining unmarried, which seemed to prove the inauspiciousness of her birth.

Mo Qingze didn’t believe in such things, but when it came to his daughter, he had to be cautious. After thoroughly consulting the almanac, he settled on the 3rd of March, which was the Shangsi Festival. Girls born on this day were believed to be kind and filial, often receiving more love from their families. When they grew up and married, their husbands’ families would hold them in higher regard.

Although it was a rare lucky day, it wasn’t entirely in line with Mo Yan's situation. But changing the date of the ceremony had its own rules. It could be moved earlier, but not later. This was the best date Mo Qingze could choose.

"The 3rd of March is a good day. If Uncle Mo doesn't mind, I would like to come over a bit earlier to help with the preparations," Xiao Ruiyuan said.

Xiao Ruiyuan, not knowing that the 1st of April wasn’t considered a good day for Mo Yan, was pleased when Mo Qingze chose the Shangsi Festival, as it provided a three-day holiday. He had already started planning how to spend those three days with his beloved Mo Yan.

[End of Chapter]  

 Chapter 794: The Cause of Rebirth (3)

When the ruler's tactics were insufficient and there was no way to balance power, they could only watch helplessly as the mighty Da Chu slowly marched toward its demise.

In that life, the ruler wasn’t Chu Heng or Prince Heng, Chu Ye, but the young Sixteenth Prince who was forced to take the throne. In that life, Xiao Ruiyuan was assassinated, and Chu Heng’s poison was never cured. Before he died, he used his power to wipe out the Lin family, killed nine princes, including Prince Heng, who had been involved in the assassination of Xiao Ruiyuan, and also killed the Lin Empress, before succumbing to the poison.

After Chu Heng’s death, not long later, Emperor Hui'an’s health rapidly deteriorated, and before he passed, he passed the throne to the Fifteenth Prince, whom he had carefully cultivated. However, on the way to the palace to assume command, the Fifteenth Prince was shot and killed. In the end, the throne fell to the Sixteenth Prince.

The Sixteenth Prince, however, had neither the ability to govern nor the knowledge, and gradually became a puppet in the hands of the ministers, who vied for power and influence.

Mo Yan exhausted all her wealth, saving countless lives in the midst of chaos, but as a healer, she could heal people, yet she couldn’t heal the turmoil of the world. Later, when a plague broke out in the south, the court, instead of seeking a remedy for the plague, sent soldiers to encircle the affected people and set fire to the city…

In an effort to find a cure for the plague and save the countless people suffering, Mo Yan, regardless of her own safety, went south to treat the infected, and she actually succeeded in finding a cure. The plague was eventually ended, but she fell gravely ill and died as a result.

She died at the age of thirty-five, never having married.

A few years after Mo Yan’s death, Da Chu was completely plunged into war. The country underwent several changes in its leadership, the national power weakened, and eventually, foreign invaders came and took control of the beautiful land.

To establish long-lasting rule, the invading foreign powers carried out several large-scale massacres of the native people, causing rivers of blood to flow and mountains of corpses to pile up. After several years, the surviving population dwindled to less than thirty percent.

...

"My first life..." Mo Yan sat down on the ground, her expression dazed. "This was actually my first life..."

Apart from being saved by Xiao Ruiyuan, everything else was completely different from what she was experiencing now. She even doubted that the first life had truly been her own.

Xue Tuanzi, understanding that Mo Yan couldn’t accept this all at once, flew down from the tree branch to comfort her. "Yan Yan, look, the people you care about are all fine. Chu Heng didn’t die, and none of those bad things happened. You don’t have to think too much about it."

Mo Yan buried her face in her knees, her slender body trembling slightly. "How can I pretend it never happened? How can I pretend it never happened?"

Seeing Mo Yan like this, Xue Tuanzi deeply regretted having said these things. If Mo Yan couldn’t accept them, it could leave her with a psychological scar.

Xue Tuanzi panicked, flying around Mo Yan repeatedly, earnestly trying to persuade her not to overthink it.

Mo Yan indeed struggled to accept the truth, but she wasn’t going to beat herself up over it. However, every time she thought of her family, her lover, and her friends from the past life, who hadn’t met a peaceful end, her heart hurt terribly. These feelings weren’t something she could calm in just a day or two.

At a loss for what to do, Xue Tuanzi shifted Mo Yan's focus. "In this life, this should be your tenth life! Originally, your soul was split into two, and it seems like it was the will of the heavens. In the end, your soul being successfully brought here was also the will of the heavens! The purpose is to change Da Chu's fate, to stop those misfortunes from happening. Yan Yan, you’ve already done it!"

This was Xue Tuanzi's reasoning, and it firmly believed in the accuracy of its logic.

"Could it be like that?" Mo Yan finally seemed to stir a bit, holding the soft, fluffy Xue Tuanzi and thoughtfully saying, "If your guess is correct, then perhaps the events of the first life were a big mistake made by the heavens themselves, and my arrival here was to correct that mistake."

[End of Chapter]  

 Chapter 793: The Cause of Rebirth (2)

Whenever Mo Yan missed her family from her past life, she couldn't help but curse the heavens in her heart. But whenever she thought about how, if she hadn’t come to this time and space, her loving father, adorable and understanding younger siblings, the man she liked, and the entire Li family would have all perished, her heart filled with gratitude. However, the longing for her family from her past life only grew stronger with each passing day.

Additionally, from some of Xue Tuanzi's casual remarks, she always felt that the misfortunes she had feared weren't just her imagination; they were real and could actually happen. Those things were like a thorn, lodged in her heart, making her feel deeply uncomfortable.

After a moment's hesitation, Xue Tuanzi finally revealed some things she had previously kept hidden. "Yan Yan, the Mo family bloodline is vast, and there are many who can open the space, but do you know why I chose you?"

Mo Yan shook her head in confusion.

Xue Tuanzi's already mature voice grew even more solemn. "You possess the merits of nine lifetimes; your fate was originally one of complete blessings, but your soul is unstable, always at risk of dispersing! The moment your grandmother put the pendant on your neck, I performed a divination for you, but I couldn’t find any answers… Later, there was that terrifying explosion. With the level of space and my abilities, I shouldn’t have been able to break through the chaotic time and space and bring you here, yet somehow, I succeeded! I thought it was just good luck, but later I realized it wasn’t like that… When I regained my consciousness, I performed the divination for you again, but still couldn’t find any answers. So, I turned to divining the fate of your father, your younger siblings, and everyone who had appeared in your life. Through their fate trajectories, I finally realized that this life is your first, the first time you have gathered and become a living being!"

Mo Yan’s first life had been born into a poor farming family, losing her mother at a young age. She struggled to raise her younger siblings, only to face a natural and man-made disaster. During the escape, she gave her food to her younger siblings, fainting from hunger. In the end, her father and siblings tried to find food for her but encountered a group of cannibalistic refugees…

Unconscious, Mo Yan was awakened by the scavenging of vultures. With a fierce determination, she drove the vultures away and stumbled to find her father and siblings, only to witness the tragic deaths of her three closest family members.

Had it not been for Xiao Ruiyuan, who was southward to quell a rebellion and happened to pass by, saving Mo Yan’s life, she would have ended up as food for those refugees.

Mo Yan couldn’t have accompanied Xiao Ruiyuan south to the capital. Instead, she was taken in by a farming couple, elderly and childless, who treated her like a granddaughter. But just two years later, the elderly couple both passed away, and Mo Yan was driven out of the village by their relatives. When she went to the city to make a living, she was abducted by human traffickers and brought to the capital.

Her luck was good, as before she could be sold, the human traffickers were reported, and the authorities captured them all.

Once freed, Mo Yan lived as a beggar for a few days, before a fateful encounter with the renowned Physician Du, who took her into his medical clinic as an apprentice.

With a scholar father, Mo Yan had learned to read and write at a young age. Seeing her frequently sneaking glances at the medical books and showing an aptitude for the field, Physician Du, moved by her talent, tested her and then took her as a disciple.

After twenty years of dedicated study, Mo Yan became the most skilled female physician in the capital. Many women from prominent families would request her services whenever they fell ill.

With her exquisite medical skills and exceptional character, Mo Yan successfully managed Physician Du’s clinic, but during these two decades, the Da Chu Dynasty had been in turmoil, with internal relatives plotting to seize the throne and external enemies encroaching from all sides.

[End of Chapter]   

 Chapter 792: The Cause of Rebirth (1)

Wu Shi acted quickly, instructing Da Ni’er to take care of Tie Tou at home before heading to the city alone that very day. No one knew what she discussed with Liu Qingqing, but when she returned, her mood seemed improved. Although she didn’t say it directly, her words subtly indicated her satisfaction with Liu Qingqing. If nothing unexpected happens, the marriage seems to be settled.

Mo Yan, who hadn’t yet come up with a suitable plan, let out a sigh of relief as the matter was swiftly resolved. She was now just waiting for the Wu family to finalize the date and looking forward to happily attending the wedding banquet.

However, Mo Yan still had some lingering doubts. She asked Xue Tuanzi, “If the Wu family hadn’t separated from the old Mo family, would Tie Tou and Liu Qingqing have had no future together? Was it because of Hong Shi’s pressure that Tie Tou couldn’t resist?”

“Of course not!” Xue Tuanzi replied. “Tie Tou fought back, but in the end, Wu Shi softened and compromised. However, as long as they’re still tied to the old Mo family, everything is under Hong Shi’s control! Hong Shi doesn’t care about her grandson, so how could she compromise?”

Mo Yan sighed, “It seems that no matter when, we must have control over our own affairs. Otherwise, we’ll just be at the mercy of others! But, given Hong Shi’s greed, once she knows Liu Qingqing can afford to support a maid, she’ll definitely realize Liu Qingqing has money. In exchange for that money, she should agree, right?”

Speaking of Hong Shi reminded Mo Yan of the old Mo family. Ever since Mo Yongxi’s actions were exposed and he was punished to work in the stone mines, no one in the village wanted anything to do with the old Mo family.

The old Mo family had become quiet, rarely seen around the village. Occasionally, gossip would surface, mostly about Hong Shi being bedridden and miserable, or about Niu Shi and Mo Yonglu’s arguments, with Hong Shi being thrown out to live in a shed, or rumors of divorce. In short, none of it was good news for the old Mo family.

Upon hearing Mo Yan’s doubts, Xue Tuanzi snorted, “Do you think Hong Shi wouldn’t try to take advantage? If you hadn’t asked Liu Qingqing for help and made the madam of pleasure House give you some face, freeing Liu Qingqing’s contract, do you think she could have left with her savings?”

“Eh, would the madam really seize the belongings of a girl about to leave? That doesn’t seem likely!” Mo Yan thought that Yan Junyu’s purpose in House was to acquire valuable information, not for lack of money. Could it be that he’d allow his people to harshly seize the savings from someone leaving?

Xue Tuanzi rolled her eyes, her tone disappointed. “Yan Yan, you’re really too naive! Yan Junyu may not be short of money, but that doesn’t mean his subordinates aren’t! The madam of House is ruthless and greedy. As long as it doesn’t interfere with the main business, she’d have no hesitation in pocketing the dirty money. Even if exposed, she wouldn’t face any punishment, so why wouldn’t she do it?”

Mo Yan could tell Xue Tuanzi was mocking her, which made her teeth itch with anger. She almost wanted to climb a tree and pull Xue Tuanzi down to give her a good beating.

However, Xue Tuanzi’s words were quite realistic. In her past life, such things were more common, especially in larger enterprises. As long as it didn’t harm the company’s interests, some people would use their position to gain personal benefits, and it was usually just a matter of turning a blind eye.

Although she understood the concept of “a crystal-clear pond has no fish,” the thought of how things would be when her own winery was built, and she’d need to hire many people, left her feeling uncomfortable. She knew that similar things would inevitably happen, but there was no point in dwelling on it.

Since such things couldn’t be avoided, Mo Yan quickly dismissed the thought and turned to ask about something she’d long wondered. “Xue Tuanzi, if I hadn’t come to this time and space, what would have happened to my father and the others?”

[End of Chapter]

 Chapter 791: Compromise (4)

Physician Du had originally held some criticism toward Wu Shi for being so harsh, but upon seeing her in this state, he didn’t say anything. He turned to Mo Yan and the others and shouted, “Why aren’t you quickly helping her up?”

Mo Yan and the others quickly snapped out of it and hurriedly pulled Wu Shi, who was still kneeling and kowtowing, up from the ground.

Seeing Wu Shi crying uncontrollably, Physician Du said impatiently, “I’m going to perform acupuncture to unblock his heart meridian. If you keep crying, go wait outside. If you disturb me during the treatment and something happens to the child, it’s on you, the mother.”

In his younger years, Physician Du had raised children of his own, but due to some tragic events, he lost several of them. He loved children and couldn’t stand those who would beat or scold their kids without cause. This situation, particularly involving a mother and son, made the normally gentle Physician Du reluctant to show Wu Shi any kindness.

Wu Shi, upon hearing this, immediately clamped her mouth shut. Without waiting for Mo Yan and the others to advise her, she rushed out of the room. She stood at the doorway, unwilling to leave, but at least she stopped crying.

Aside from Mo Yan and the medicine apprentice, everyone else was ordered out.

Physician Du needed to remove Tie Tou’s clothes in order to perform acupuncture, and Mo Yan, as a young girl, shouldn’t have been in the room. However, Physician Du had the intention of passing on his skills to her, hoping she would witness the miraculous effects of acupuncture and encourage her to devote herself to studying medicine.

In the eyes of a physician, there were no distinctions between genders when it came to treating patients. Though the world might make a fuss about it, Physician Du didn’t think that way. When it came to difficult deliveries, for instance, physicians had to enter the delivery room regardless of the woman’s status.

At times like that, physicians were focused solely on treating the patient, without any improper thoughts.

Mo Yan, understanding Physician Du’s kind intentions, didn’t mind. She had come from a more open-minded society in her past life, and though she had never seen a man’s naked body, it wasn’t uncommon in that society. She maintained her composure as the medicine apprentice undressed Tie Tou, carefully observing Physician Du’s acupuncture and feeling the intricacies of it. The more she watched, the more engrossed she became.

As Physician Du inserted the needles, he explained the reasons and medical principles behind each needle placement in great detail. He didn’t expect her to learn everything, only hoping that she would appreciate the rare opportunity and learn as much as she could.

After dozens of silver needles were inserted, Tie Tou’s face contorted in agony, and suddenly he coughed up a large mouthful of blood. This blood wasn’t bright red or liquid; it was a dark, clotted mass.

“It’s done!” Physician Du said, a smile breaking across his face. The stasis in his heart had been removed, and the illness was more than halfway cured.

Mo Yan let out a breath of relief and saw Tie Tou slowly open his eyes. She quickly asked, “Tie Tou, how do you feel now? Is anything still hurting?”

Tie Tou appeared dazed. After a while, his eyes moved, and he opened his mouth to speak but inhaled cold air, sending him into a violent coughing fit.

The coughs caused further pain in his injured ribs, and his internal organs felt as if they had shifted. His entire body ached, and his face showed the strain.

“Tie Tou, you’re awake! I was so worried, I thought I’d never see you wake up... Wuu—” Wu Shi, who had been keeping an eye on the room’s movements, rushed in upon hearing Tie Tou cough. Seeing that he had indeed awakened, she knelt on the bed and cried over him.

Tie Tou, seeing his mother in such distress, became even more emotionally overwhelmed and began coughing harder. Physician Du shook his head and pressed two fingers against Tie Tou’s neck, miraculously stopping the coughing.

Tie Tou’s face, which had been pale, regained some color, though he still looked weak.

“Mother, don’t, don’t cry. I’m fine, I’m fine!” Tie Tou’s heart ached seeing his mother in so much pain. He tried to sit up, but the moment he moved, the pain intensified. He could only speak soothingly to her.

Wu Shi, seeing her once-strong son now so weak and knowing that it was all because of her actions, felt even more guilty. “Tie Tou, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have hit you, I shouldn’t have...”

Tie Tou slowly shook his head, wanting to say that he didn’t blame her, but his eyes suddenly reddened, and he couldn’t speak another word.

Physician Du gave Mo Yan a look and then stood up to leave. Mo Yan, noticing this, quickly informed Li Xiu and followed Physician Du outside.

“Master, is there something wrong with Tie Tou’s condition?”

Since Physician Du began teaching Mo Yan medicine, though they had never held a formal ceremony, Mo Yan still referred to him as “Master.” Physician Du was pleased by this and accepted her as his disciple after drinking a cup of tea from her.

Physician Du nodded. “Heart sickness requires heart medicine. That boy seems fine on the surface, but if his emotional pain isn’t addressed, he might not live long.”

Mo Yan nodded in understanding. Wu Shi’s love for Tie Tou was undeniable. Even though this time she had nearly cost him his life, her intentions were to do what was best for him. However, after this incident, Wu Shi might no longer hold onto her original beliefs. Perhaps this would be the turning point for Tie Tou and Liu Qingqing.

Her guess was indeed correct. Before she could even finish escorting Physician Du back to the city, Wu Shi voluntarily requested to meet Liu Qingqing. 

“If that Liu girl is truly a good person, I won’t care about her background. I’ll accept her as my daughter-in-law, and I’ll treat her like my own daughter, as long as she’s a good person!” Wu Shi spoke these words as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her heart. Her expression was relaxed, and there was no sign of reluctance.

Because of love, this mother was willing to compromise for her son...

[End of Chapter] 

 Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives