Good News from Afar

[18] Chapter 18: Good News from Afar

In late spring, grass grows and orioles fly, the temperature in the mountain valley gradually warming. Compared to the Qingming Festival period, more people were moving along the banks of the Spring River.

It was the busy farming season; adults were all occupied harvesting rapeseed from the fields. After the rapeseed was harvested, they had to quickly plow the fields and flood them, preparing to plant rice seedlings. They had no free time to wander around. Those strolling by the Spring River at this time were mostly half-grown lads craving meat, trying to catch fish. Occasionally, an adult would encounter them and scold them, because it was wasteful to eat fish that were spawning.

Every day, Zhu Fengqin went to the Food Station to buy groceries. When she returned, she would chat with Zhu Shian, saying that the Food Station hadn't sold fish for half a month. If she wanted fish, she'd have to wait a while, probably until after the Beginning of Summer in May.

"A few days ago, the Food Station actually sold wild vegetables. They said they collected them from various villages. You don't like wild vegetables because they're bitter, so I didn't buy any. Today, I managed to grab a pound of front leg meat, and I was thinking of buying some wild shepherd's purse to chop up with the meat and steam two batches of buns. Guess what? I didn't get it! When did wild vegetables become such a novelty?"

"It doesn't matter that you didn't get the wild vegetables. When spring started, I scattered some green vegetable seeds in the Rear Garden. Those greens won't grow big; they'll get tough in two or three months. They're only good for eating as seedlings. I just went to look, and the seedlings are as tall as a palm. I picked a basketful, which should be enough for two batches of buns."

Outside the kitchen, Zhu Shian was lying on a chair under the peach tree. The late spring sunlight filtered through the layers of peach leaves swaying in the wind, falling on her face—neither too hot nor too cold, just the right warmth.

Through the open wooden window of the kitchen, Zhu Fengqin was chopping meat while talking to Zhu Shian. After talking for a while without hearing a response, she stuck half her head out the window and called out, "An'an, are you asleep?"

"No."

Zhu Shian lazily raised her hand to shield her forehead.

"Is the sunlight making it hard to keep your eyes open? If you want to sleep, go inside. Don't lie here; you'll catch a cold from the wind."

"Feng Niang, I'm not sleeping."

"Good. You should arrange whatever you need to do during the day, not stay up like a night owl. Over time, no one's body can handle that."

"Are you finding the kids too noisy at home every day? If it's really too much, let them go play at Changfang's place. Her yard is spacious too."

The rhythmic sound of chopping meat resumed in the kitchen, and Zhu Fengqin continued muttering, "The village will probably be busy until after the Beginning of Summer. Counting on your fingers, it's not that long. If you think it's too noisy, just bear with it for now."

The adults in the clan were all busy in the fields. Leaving the very young children in the care of older kids wasn't reassuring, because there were rivers and streams everywhere. If one wasn't watched carefully and fell into the water, it would be too late for tears.

During the busy farming season in the village, it was a Zhu Family tradition to send the children to Sanqing Alley for care. After the work was done, each family would take them back. In previous years, they were placed in other homes, but this year, with Zhu Shian as the head of the family, they naturally came to the Main Residence, which was the most spacious.

Zhu Shian tilted her head to avoid the sunlight shining in her eyes, responding verbally while her mind wandered elsewhere.

Someone had just tried to break through the formation in the Mountain Valley. That person was the most formidable Zhu Shian had encountered so far; they passed through in just over ten minutes without damaging the Magic Formation at all.

That person's only purpose in breaking through was to head for the Three Pure Ones Taiji Formation in the valley. Who would be concerned about the Three Pure Ones Taiji Formation? Zhu Shian immediately thought of Ding Mao and the group behind him.

After guessing who the intruder was, Zhu Shian wasn't worried about them damaging the Formation. She even thought that person might come to Sanqing Alley.

"Aunt Feng, little sister is hungry."

"Hungry, huh? An'an, there are biscuits in the cabinet in the front hall. Give some to the kids and mix some milk powder." Zhu Fengqin directed Zhu Shian to work.

Zhu Shian turned around and saw two children, one big and one small, holding hands. They had come from the front yard to the back yard. There was a high threshold at the side door—how did the two little ones get over it?

Zhu Fengqin hadn't thought of that. She just urged Zhu Shian, "Go quickly."

"Oh."

Zhu Shian stood up and walked to the front hall, beckoning the two little ones who were lying on the threshold.

As soon as she beckoned, the two little girls trotted over to follow.

Zhu Shian looked down. The younger one, a little girl about two years old, was Min Min, Zhu Changfeng's youngest daughter. She knew her. The older one looked about four or five; Zhu Shian was seeing her for the first time. It was she who had just said her little sister was hungry.

Zhu Shian stared at her neck. Ying Ying looked up and stretched her neck for Zhu Shian to see: "My neck, hmm, pretty?"

Zhu Shian was amused by her cuteness and asked, "What's your name?"

"My name is Ying Ying. I'm almost five years old."

Min Min was of the Kang generation. Since she called Min Min 'little sister,' they were of the same generation. Her full name should be Zhu Kangying.

Zhu Shian smiled and asked her, "Are you hungry?"

Ying Ying rubbed her stomach, a little embarrassed: "Just a little, but I can wait a bit longer."

"Children can't go hungry. If you're hungry, you have to say so."

"Okay."

Another high threshold. Zhu Shian first carried Min Min over, then Ying Ying. Ying Ying said she didn't need help: "I can climb over by myself."

Ying Ying lay on the threshold, first swinging one leg over, then the other, then stood up straight, puffed out her chest, and stared at Zhu Shian with expectant eyes.

Zhu Shian understood immediately and praised, "That's pretty impressive. How did you get Min Min over the threshold earlier?"

"Like this, like this, and then like this, and we got over."

Ying Ying eagerly demonstrated for Zhu Shian. First, she nimbly climbed over the threshold herself. Then she made Min Min lie on the threshold. She dragged Min Min, putting Min Min's short little legs from outside the threshold to inside. Min Min's legs were too short; lying on the threshold, they just dangled in the air without touching the ground. Then she lifted Min Min down.

Zhu Shian applauded: "Impressive."

Ying Ying grinned: "I'm strong. My mom says I'm stronger than my brother."

Zhu Shian bent down and carried both little girls over the threshold, leading them to the front hall. She casually asked, "You're stronger than your brother?"

"Yeah. My mom says I have a good appetite and can eat more than my brother, so I'm better built than him. My mom says when my brother was five, he wasn't as tall as I am now."

Zhu Shian laughed: "Being able to eat is a blessing. That's good."

"Haha, that's what my mom says, and my grandparents too."

"I notice other kids in the village call their mothers 'Niang.' Why do you call yours 'Ma'? That's different."

"I like calling her Mama." Ying Ying tugged Min Min's arm and looked up at Zhu Shian. "Min Min calls her Mama too."

Min Min nodded: "Mama."

The children were too young to explain why the address had changed, but Zhu Shian knew. The trend from the big cities, slowly but surely, had blown its way to this remote and isolated little place called Zhen Shan County.

Zhu Shian looked at the children playing in the yard. Four or five of them were all little girls. The boys were naughty; they had probably run off to play in the alley.

She opened the cabinet, took out biscuits, and distributed them to the children. Then she made them some milk.

The milk powder from the He Family's last gift had long been used up. The remaining bag in the cabinet was a thank-you gift from Liu Xin's elder brother and sister-in-law.

After giving the children their snacks, Zhu Shian said to Ying Ying, "You're the most capable, so I'll trouble you to take care of everyone."

"Okay! I can do it!" Ying Ying answered very loudly.

Zhu Shian couldn't help but laugh. This child's name was well chosen; she was as spirited and vigorous as her name suggested.

Instead of returning to the kitchen in the back yard, Zhu Shian went back to her room. Xiao Bai, who had been out wandering all day, had returned.

"Master, a Daoist priest took the old monk from Wangyun Temple and Ding Mao to the Mountain Valley."

"What did they do?"

"They were looking at the Magic Formation in the valley. The new Daoist priest chanted some spell, and the Formation appeared, glowing." Xiao Bai hooked its tail around a chair and climbed up to Zhu Shian. "Ding Mao saw me. He's mean. He told the new Daoist priest to capture me, so I ran back quickly."

"Don't worry. In Zhen Shan County, they can't capture you."

Xiao Bai shook its head, grinning smugly like a petty person who had gotten their way. It knew its master would protect it.

Closing her eyes and sensing, Zhu Shian knew they were still in the valley and probably wouldn't come out for a while.

While Zhu Shian was focusing on Li Qingyuan and his group, they were talking about her.

Li Qingyuan had never met Zhu Shian and couldn't judge her specific strength, but based on the Formation he had seen today, Zhu Shian's skill in Formations surpassed his own.

Master Mingjue said, "The Zhu Family is known for their Spirit Script. I thought their Formations were just average. I knew the previous head of the Zhu Family; his Spirit Script was very powerful, but his Formations were ordinary. It was only after meeting the Zhu Family's Eldest Daughter that I realized I had underestimated the Zhu Family before."

Ding Mao was unconvinced: "Our Ding Family is also powerful. I couldn't beat her, but that's just me. My ancestors were still very formidable."

Li Qingyuan smiled and said, "I know about the Zhu Family. Their ancestor was originally a genius Dao Cultivator who was the pillar of the Taiyi Sect. He was proficient in everything—Spirit Script, Formations, divination, alchemy—without any weaknesses. If it weren't for that shocking accident that killed the Zhu Family ancestor and a host of Xuan Sect masters, the current landscape of the Xuan Sect wouldn't be what it is today."

It was a pity. The vicissitudes of life were unpredictable. A thousand years ago, the most prominent Taiyi Sect fell entirely. Even though people later tried to rebuild under the banner of the Taiyi Sect, they never regained its former glory. So much so that a thousand years later, the Taiyi Sect was absorbed into the Qingwei Sect and completely declined.

The Zhu Family still guarded the inheritance of the Taiyi Sect. Zhu Furu's only son, Zhu Shoulai, had no talent for Dao Cultivation. Those in the Xuan Sect who knew the Zhu Family thought Zhu Furu was the last generation of inheritors. Unexpectedly, when all hope seemed lost, a new path appeared.

"In the last ten generations of the Zhu Family in Sanqing Alley, no one has surpassed the Eldest Daughter," Master Mingjue sighed. "The rise of the Zhu Family is imminent."

Li Qingyuan formed a hand seal and chanted a spell, making the Three Pure Ones Taiji Formation disappear. He said, "It's still too early to talk about a rise, but among the successive generations of Zhu Family inheritors, this Eldest Daughter is certainly one of the best."

Ding Mao felt sour. The old monk praised her, the team leader praised her—why didn't anyone praise him?

Li Qingyuan smiled and patted Ding Mao on the shoulder: "There are too few Spirit Script Sect members in the Action Unit who can fight like you. We're short-handed. We still need to work hard to invite the Zhu Family's Eldest Daughter to join the Action Unit. You've dealt with her before. Later, go to Sanqing Alley and help me put in a good word."

"Got it, team leader."

Ding Mao was jealous, but he still acknowledged Zhu Shian's skill.

Alas, he thought about how when he told his family he wanted to join the Action Unit, the elders fully supported him. His grandfather even said to go out and see that there was always someone better.

After repeated setbacks at Zhu Shian's hands, he no longer dared to consider himself a genius among the younger generation of the Xuan Sect.

Master Mingjue shook his head: "The Zhu Family has never liked leaving Zhen Shan County. Now, the Zhu Family only has this one seedling, the Eldest Daughter. Let alone the Eldest Daughter herself, I'm afraid the Zhu Family won't agree."

Li Qingyuan said, "Let's try."

Li Qingyuan, Master Mingjue, and Ding Mao left the Mountain Valley. Passing through the Maze Formation, they saw several people waiting outside the Formation. The leader was Li Qingyuan's disciple, Li Mingzhao. At that moment, Li Mingzhao looked very anxious, clearly something major had happened.

"Master, Deputy Team Leader Zhang sent a carrier pigeon message asking you to go to Xiong Mountain immediately for support."

"Don't rush. Tell me carefully what happened."

"Deputy Team Leader Zhang said that a month ago, Xiong Mountain reported a mysterious death incident. All the people in a village in the mountains died unexpectedly. Deputy Team Leader Zhang sent the Central Action Group stationed in Jingzhou to investigate, but the dozen or so people who went have had no news at all. At the agreed time, there was still no word from the mountains. Deputy Team Leader Zhang is now fully mobilizing all Action Unit members on missions near Hubei to rescue them."

Xiong Mountain is located in the mountains of western Hubei. The shortest route from Zhen Shan County is to take the waterway to Badong, then go from Badong to Xiong Mountain.

Li Qingyuan's expression turned serious: "We can't delay. We'll leave now. Ding Mao, come with me."

"Yes, team leader." Ding Mao hesitated for a moment and then asked, "Should we call the Eldest Daughter?"

"She's not a member of the Action Unit. It wouldn't be appropriate to suddenly invite her to join such a dangerous mission. After this matter is settled, I'll come and talk to her personally."

Although they didn't call Zhu Shian this time, Li Qingyuan, in his hurry to get to the Wharf, still asked Master Mingjue to pass a message for him—to formally ask Zhu Shian if she had any intention of joining the Action Unit.

Li Qingyuan and his group left Zhen Shan County quickly. When Zhu Shian, after eating lunch, was about to take a nap, she was a bit surprised to hear that Master Mingjue had come to visit alone.

Zhu Shian received Master Mingjue in the front hall of the Main Residence.

Master Mingjue said, "Daoist Li Qingyuan wanted to visit you in person, but he encountered an urgent matter and had to leave immediately. He said your Formations are very impressive, and after he finishes his business, he will definitely come to exchange ideas with you."

Zhu Shian's lips curled slightly: "Oh?"

After the pleasantries, Master Mingjue got to the main point: "Daoist Li wants to invite you to join the Action Unit. Please consider it carefully."

Zhu Shian shook her head: "Thank you for your kind offer, but I have no such plans for now."

Even though he had guessed Zhu Shian's answer, Master Mingjue still felt a bit regretful. He urged, "Those of the Xuan Sect should take it as their duty to protect the people of the world. I would very much like to join but lack the qualifications. Eldest Daughter of the Zhu Family, since you have this opportunity, you should seize it."

"Thank you for your kindness." But she declined.

Master Mingjue knew he couldn't persuade her, so he didn't say more to annoy her. After exchanging a few polite words, he left.

As soon as the guest left, the little rascals who had been forced by the adults to obediently take their naps in the guest rooms scrambled up. Zhu Fengqin couldn't keep an eye on them, and the most mischievous ones slipped out the door in a flash. Zhu Fengqin discovered this and hurriedly chased after them.

"Can't even take a nap peacefully. Watch out, or I'll hit you. Come back, all of you, go back to your rooms and sleep. If you don't sleep for a full hour, you're not allowed out."

"Zhu Erwa, how dare you run! Yang Wazi, you're not listening either. I'll tell your dad, and see if he doesn't spank you."

In the middle of the day, not minding the scorching sun, a few naughty kids stirred up the entire alley. Zhu Changfang, who had already lain down for a nap, rolled up her sleeves and came out to help block them.

The most mischievous ones had run ahead. Seeing no adults outside, a few others quietly slipped out. They looked up and saw the head of the family standing at the Chui Hua Gate, watching them.

Ying Ying reacted the fastest. She grinned foolishly at Zhu Shian, pretending to be good. Before Zhu Shian could say anything, she turned around, ran back into the room, lay down on the bed, snuggled up to Min Min, and fell asleep instantly.

Zhu Shian waited outside the window for over ten minutes until all the children inside were asleep before she left.

Returning to her own room, before Zhu Shian could sit down, Xiao Bai, who had been out wandering, returned and said, "That Daoist priest who broke the Formation left with Ding Mao. They took a boat from the Wharf."

"I know."

Zhu Shian's reaction was calm. Xiao Bai curled its tail, climbed up a pillar to the beam, and lay down. Occasionally, it glanced down and saw its master meditating. It lay there and fell asleep.

The storms outside had nothing to do with Zhen Shan County. The commune members of Zhen Shan County went about their farming and their jobs, accustomed to this stable life. Day after day, they moved within their small patch of land without getting bored.

Zhen Shan County, a small county town built along the river in this mountain valley, had only two routes connecting it to the outside world: one was the land route to Nanjian County, and the other was the water route from the Spring River to Nanjian County, where it joined the Yangtze River.

The land route was a dirt road, difficult to travel when it rained. If people from the town wanted to go out, they usually took the water route. Goods from outside were mostly brought into Zhen Shan County by water as well.

The day before the Beginning of Summer, letters and parcels from the city's post and telecommunications bureau, distributed to Zhen Shan County, arrived at the Wharf and were then sent to the Zhen Shan County Post Office.

That afternoon, the county's postmen got moving. A postman on a bicycle turned into the memorial archway of Sanqing Alley, riding and shouting, "Who is Zhu Shian? There's a letter and a package for you, sent from Beijing. Come and collect it!"

"Who is Zhu Shian..."

The mischievous kids running all over the alley heard the Eldest Daughter's name and gathered around: "Stop shouting, stop shouting! Our Eldest Daughter is called Zhu Shian. Give the stuff to us."

The postman wouldn't give it to them: "Go away, don't cause trouble. It needs to be signed for in person. You don't count."

"Me, me, me! My name is Zhu Shian. I'll sign."

"Me, it's me. My name is Zhu Shian."

The postman was speechless. Whose children were these?

Zhu Fengqin came running with a broom. When the children saw her, they were scared and ran away, shouting as they ran, "Aunt Feng, there's a letter for the head of the family, and it's from Beijing!"

"I heard you. You don't need to tell me!" Zhu Fengqin gritted her teeth. "You little brats!"

The postman also said, "Your kids are pretty naughty."

"They won't be naughty for much longer. Once their parents finish their work, they'll come to pick them up." Zhu Fengqin asked, "There's a letter?"

"Yes, there is a letter. Here you go. By the way, are you Zhu Shian?"

"No, I'm Zhu Shian's aunt. We're from the same family."

The postman held out the letter but didn't let go: "...Is Zhu Shian herself here?"

"She is. I'll go get her." Seeing the postman wouldn't give it to her, she didn't take it.

Zhu Fengqin picked up the broom that had fallen on the ground and went home.

The postman pushed his bicycle to the entrance of the Zhu Family's Main Residence and waited. Sigh, this delivery had been a real hassle.

After waiting a few minutes, the postman saw a young woman walk out of the gate. His first question was, "Are you Zhu Shian?"

"I am."

"You have a letter and a package from Beijing. Please receive them."

"Beijing?" Zhu Shian guessed, "Sent by Jian Yi?"

Zhu Fengqin chimed in, "Probably."

The postman checked the sender on the letter and package. It was indeed sent by someone named Jian Yi. This must be Zhu Shian; he hadn't found the wrong person.

The postman unloaded the package from the back seat and placed it at the door: "The letter and package have been delivered. I'll be going now."

"Thank you," Zhu Fengqin quickly said. "You've worked hard. Take care."

Zhu Shian opened the letter and read it. She scanned it quickly and then smiled.

Seeing this, Zhu Fengqin asked, "What good news makes you so happy?"

Zhu Shian smiled and said, "There is good news. Our Zhu Family's Medical Pavilion might be able to open before the end of this year."

"What? Let me see the letter."

Zhu Shian handed the letter over and said, "Jian Yi said the medical system is trying to reform. In April, Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine has already been reestablished. I heard that the medical and health systems in Tianjin, Shanxi, and Shandong are also holding meetings to discuss the restoration of local Traditional Chinese Medicine schools."

"Great news! This is the best news I've heard all year!" Zhu Fengqin couldn't help but get excited as she read the letter.

Zhu Shian laughed and said, "Don't get too excited. Even better news is yet to come. Jian Yi said that Zhejiang has already started issuing temporary licenses for individual businesses. I heard that the leaders of the medical and health system are also discussing whether to issue individual practice licenses to some retired doctors who pass an assessment, as well as doctors with certified family medical traditions, to solve the problem of urban residents having difficulty seeing a doctor."

Zhu Fengqin was overjoyed: "This is good, this is good. Where is this assessment held? You should also get a certificate. Whether it's temporary or not, let's get the certificate first."

Zhu Shian really didn't know. Jian Yi had also said it was still under discussion. She had heard the news from elsewhere and didn't know the details.

Jian Yi was an educated youth sent to the countryside. The place she was sent to was the same production brigade where the Zhu Family grandfather and granddaughter were.

When Jian Yi first arrived in the countryside, she couldn't adapt. Her whole body broke out in a rash, which itched, and she scratched it until it was raw. Even her pretty face didn't escape. In the end, Zhu Shian cured her. From then on, Jian Yi treated Zhu Shian like a close friend.

Jian Yi was from Beijing, the child of a compound family. Her family, feeling sorry for her suffering in the countryside, often sent her various food and supplies, which she always shared with Zhu Shian.

Jian Yi was pretty and had a sweet tongue. Every time she sent things, she would call Zhu Shian 'little darling' and say that these things weren't good enough for her little darling. Every time, Zhu Shian got goosebumps. How could she say such things?

Zhu Shian didn't take advantage of her for nothing. Whenever the family made something delicious, she would invite Jian Yi to come and eat. Their relationship grew better and better.

After Jian Yi passed the college entrance exam and returned to Beijing, they hadn't been in touch for a few months. Unexpectedly, when she finally contacted them, she brought such good news.

Besides the letter, Jian Yi also sent many nice things to Zhu Shian, such as fashionable clothes from the city, pastries and candied fruits she thought were delicious, and several kinds of imported face creams.

Seeing these nice things, Zhu Fengqin was all smiles: "Oh my, Jian Yi really keeps you in her heart. She went out of her way to find out information for you, knowing our family runs a Medical Pavilion, and on top of that, she sends you so many nice things. How much must this have cost?"

Zhu Shian put away the letter, a slight smile on her lips. She guessed Jian Yi still had a conscience, that she hadn't forgotten all those sweet nothings she used to say for free.