Chapter 20: Would you like to follow your sister…?

“What are you imagining now?”

Shen Yu gently tapped Yin Qiu’s small head.

This girl was wonderful in every way, except for her tendency to overthink things.

‘If what she said were true, wouldn’t everyone near Qingfeng Village have a mark left by her?’

“Um…”

Yin Qiu didn’t say much, but a hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes for no apparent reason.

“Alright, get some rest. Since you’ve been administered the Vaccine, there is a high probability that you will experience mild symptoms like a fever or physical discomfort, but don’t worry — you’ll recover quickly.”

“In a few days, you won’t have to fear the Great Plague anymore.”

Shen Yu patted Yin Qiu’s head.

After she finished speaking, she packed up her things and went to rest herself.

Having been exhausted by the journey for several days, Shen Yu was already at her limit.

It was impossible to get a peaceful night’s sleep in a carriage, as the bumpy road would shake her awake just as she finally managed to drift off.

She rarely used the phrase ‘waking up feeling peaceful’ to describe a bed.

***

By the time Shen Yu opened her eyes again, it was already broad daylight.

Had it not been for the bustling sounds of people at the Official Relay Station waking her, she probably would have slept even longer.

“Sister, are you awake?”

The guest room door opened, and Yin Qiu walked in with a smile.

She was dressed in coarse hemp clothes and her small face was dirty.

On her back, she carried a bamboo basket that was half a head taller than she was.

“Where did you go? Why are you so dirty?”

“Hehe…”

Yin Qiu didn’t answer.

Instead, she carefully pulled a many-layered handkerchief from a pocket hidden at her chest.

Upon opening the handkerchief, six shiny Copper Plates were revealed, still carrying the young girl’s warmth.

“There’s a mountain out back. I figured there must be Medicinal Herbs on it, so I took advantage of the early morning to head up there. There really were quite a lot! I gathered them all morning and traded them for six Copper Plates and two freshly steamed meat and vegetable buns.”

“They’re still hot. Sister, hurry and try one.”

As Yin Qiu spoke, she placed the Copper Plates wrapped in the handkerchief in front of Shen Yu.

Shen Yu didn’t look at the Copper Plates.

Instead, she looked at Yin Qiu’s small hands, which were covered in scratches.

It was true that there were wild Medicinal Herbs on the mountain, and it was also true that the demand was high because they could not be cultivated.

However, the prices the pharmacies paid were kept very, very low.

It was purely hard-earned money, and the climb up the mountain held many hidden dangers.

“I’m not short on money, and I certainly won’t let you go without food or drink. Why would you risk doing such exhausting work?”

Shen Yu gently took Yin Qiu’s small hands, looking at the startling sight of new wounds covering old ones.

‘I don’t look like I’m lacking money, do I?’

She understood the girl’s motivation, but she had never mistreated Yin Qiu during the journey.

These actions were completely unnecessary.

“That’s different. Sister’s money belongs to Sister. This is what I earned for Sister. Even after we reach the Capital City, I can find work doing laundry or needlework for others to help Sister earn money. Even though it’s only six Copper Plates, over time, it will eventually add up.”

As Yin Qiu spoke, she pressed the six Copper Plates into Shen Yu’s hand, her expression serious.

Shen Yu opened her mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.

Looking at Yin Qiu’s dirty little face, Shen Yu ultimately decided to keep those six warm Copper Plates.

“Sister, you said before that you wanted Yellow Hemp. Look! The pharmacy owner offered me three Copper Plates for them, but I didn’t sell. Look at how good the quality of this Yellow Hemp is!”

“I know that if this kind of Yellow Hemp were sold to a pharmacy, they would process and dry it, then turn around and sell it for three silver taels per *jin*. I happened to gather these few stalks myself. Once I’ve cleaned them up for you, it will save Sister a lot of money.”

Yin Qiu held the high-quality Yellow Hemp in her hands as if she were holding a trophy.

Her eyes were filled with a sense of achievement and joy for having saved money for Shen Yu.

“Well… Yin Qiu, I know you’re doing this because you want to stay by my side. But —”

“Si — Sister, I — I’ll be very good. I’ll definitely listen to everything you say for the rest of my life.”

“I understand. I understand all of that. But… you’re a poor child. I can’t bring myself to work you like a beast of burden.”

At Shen Yu’s words, Yin Qiu instinctively lowered her head, and tears began to well up in her eyes.

The hands holding the Yellow Hemp slowly slumped down, losing their strength.

In Yin Qiu’s world, the person who had been kindest to her besides her Grandpa was Shen Yu.

“There’s nothing wrong with being Sister’s beast of burden. I can do anything… but it’s okay. I understand if Sister doesn’t want me. I still have to thank Sister for saving me from the Human Traffickers.”

Yin Qiu was terrified of putting even the slightest bit of pressure on Shen Yu.

However, she could no longer hold back her tears.

“I was asking if you would be willing to learn medicine from me. To be an upright, respected Doctor rather than a maidservant who is looked down upon and cast aside everywhere?”

“To be a person with dignity, standing on your own two feet through your own skills.”