Shen Mingshu said gently, "I appreciate your concern, Mother Zhang, I'm feeling much better."
Mother Zhang replied with a worried look, "Falling into the river in winter is no small matter. I’ll go to the clinic tomorrow and get you some medicine; it will save you and your mother from having to go there and face the Liu family's harassment."
Shen Mingshu thanked her repeatedly, "Really, there is no need, but thank you for your kindness, Mother Zhang."
Yun Niang added, "Mother Zhang, everyone knows what has happened now, so they shouldn't dare to make things difficult for us. The wind is biting at night, you should hurry back and rest."
"Alright then. Mingshu, dear, you should get back inside quickly too, so you don't catch a chill."
As Shen Mingshu watched Mother Zhang turn and walk away, her eyes narrowed slightly. "Mother, does Mother Zhang have two sons?"
"How did you know? Her eldest son has been bedridden for years and has never even stepped out of the house," Yun Niang said, surprised. She closed the courtyard gate and pulled her daughter inside. "I only found out by chance. Mother Zhang said no one knew about it and made me promise to keep it a secret. I never even told you."
Shen Mingshu looked up at her with a smile and blinked. "I just saw it. You believe me now that I can read fortunes and faces, right?"
"I believe you, I do. My Shenshen is truly amazing." As Yun Niang smiled, her expression suddenly faltered. If Shenshen could read faces and fortunes, did that mean she already knew...?
Back in the room, Yun Niang tucked Shen Mingshu in and moved to leave, but a small, warm hand caught hers.
"Mother, stay and keep me company."
Yun Niang looked flustered. "You never wanted me to sleep with you when you were little. Why are you so clingy now that you're older?"
"When I was small, I was plagued by ghosts. I was afraid they would hurt you, so I slept alone," Shen Mingshu said as she pulled her mother down to lie beside her and tucked her in. "Now that those pestering spirits are gone, you can stay by my side."
Yun Niang’s heart ached, and she hugged her daughter tightly. "You have your Heavenly Eye now; we don't have to be afraid of those things anymore."
As she held her daughter’s thin shoulders, Yun Niang’s eyes grew red. How was she to explain her true parentage to Shenshen?
Suddenly, she heard steady breathing from her daughter. Yun Niang looked down quietly, a smile appearing at the corners of her eyes. How did the child fall asleep so quickly? Still, having her warm body in her arms was much better than sleeping alone.
...
The morning sun crept in through the latticed windows, dancing on the young girl’s fair, delicate cheeks.
Shen Mingshu slowly opened her eyes and sat up, squinting at the sunlight outside. She had intended to talk to Yun Niang about her biological mother last night, but her body was too exhausted, and she had drifted off to sleep. Her Yin-Ultimate Body was naturally frail, and after falling into the river, the physical exertion of the previous day had pushed her to her limit.
However, after a night of being nourished by the Chiyang Gold Fire, the chill from the river had completely vanished. She had let Yun Niang sleep with her last night because the Yin-Gathering Array also affected her; the Chiyang Gold Fire could help dispel the yin energy from Yun Niang’s body. Her own body wasn't yet strong enough to break the array, so she would have to wait a few more days.
The Chiyang Gold Fire was her soul-bound fire; not only was it the nemesis of ghosts and demons, but it was also the greatest aid to advancing her Mystic Power. Otherwise, she would never have attained immortality at eighteen in her previous life, revered by the world as a Celestial Master of the Xuan Sect. As a Mystic Master, one would be lucky to even touch the threshold of a Celestial Master by the age of seventy or eighty, let alone ascend.
Shen Mingshu walked into the courtyard to stretch, wondering what her old colleagues were up to. It was now the twenty-second year of Dayu; she had undergone her tribulation in the sixth year. Sixteen years had passed—she wondered if her sect members remembered her, and if a new Celestial Master had emerged in the Xuan Sect...
Yun Niang was cooking in the kitchen and, seeing her come out, hurried to say, "It’s cold in the morning, go back inside."
Shen Mingshu stretched her limbs and smiled. "Mother, light activity in the morning is good for the body."
Yun Niang had no choice but to say, "Breakfast will be ready soon."
Before long, two bowls of clear congee and a dish of pickled vegetables were on the table. This was their routine, their daily fare. Shen Mingshu hadn't eaten such plain food in a long time, but she was truly hungry. Surprisingly, it tasted quite good! Seeing her eat with such gusto, Yun Niang couldn't help but feel happy.
After the meal, Shen Mingshu said, "Mother, I’m going to the clinic. I made an appointment with Auntie Fan yesterday."
"I'll go with you. I can't let you go alone," Yun Niang worriedly said, quickly washing the bowls and chopsticks. Shen Mingshu thought about it and decided that having Yun Niang follow along was for the best; it would be a good chance for her to see her abilities.
...
At the Liu Family Medical Clinic, Fan Fangfang stood at the entrance, peering down the road. It was almost noon; why hadn't Shen Mingshu arrived yet? Could that little girl be trying to scare her?
In the distance, she spotted two figures. The thin, slender one was surely Shen Mingshu. A smile bloomed on Fan Fangfang’s chubby face, but she immediately suppressed it. *Hmph, I don't know if this is real or a trick yet; I can't give this girl a pleasant look.*
When Shen Mingshu and Yun Niang reached the entrance, Fan Fangfang scoffed, "Oh, you've arrived quite early."
Shen Mingshu didn't get angry and simply said softly, "Noon is the optimal time."
Blocked by her response, Fan Fangfang retorted, "Why did you bring your mother? Afraid I’d eat you?"
Yun Niang replied, "My Shenshen is young and can't be away from me."
"She's sixteen, she should be getting married. 'Can't be away from mother' is just an excuse," Fan Fangfang finally managed to get a jab in. She turned and walked inside. "Come on, the back of the clinic is where I live."
The clinic was small, so only the assistant from last night was there cleaning. They passed through a small side door into a courtyard. Because it was winter, the yard was filled with withered grass. By the western wall grew a peach tree, its bare branches swaying in the wind. One could imagine how fragrant the courtyard must be in the spring and summer.
Fan Fangfang called out, "Cheng!"
After a long wait, Liu Cheng emerged from the house, answering, "Mother, did you need something?"
"Go watch the clinic; I have things to discuss with these two." She tipped her head and gave him a pointed look, worried about the loose silver in the counter.
Liu Cheng understood immediately and ran over. "Don't worry, Mother, I’ll keep a close eye on the register."
Seeing the dark, bruised circles under Liu Cheng’s eyes, Shen Mingshu pressed her lips together, her eyes turning cold.
Fan Fangfang said, "Let's go."
Shen Mingshu, however, said, "Wait a moment." She walked over to the peach tree by the wall and touched its trunk.
Fan Fangfang asked, "What’s there to touch? It won't blossom until spring!"
Shen Mingshu turned back and walked over without a word. Fan Fangfang led them into a room and pointed to Liu Xingde, who was lying on the bed. "I don't know if I hit him too hard or what, but he still hasn't woken up."
Yun Niang couldn't help but chuckle and quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth. Shen Mingshu walked to the bedside and glanced at him; her face instantly turned cold. "Oh no, his soul has left his body!"