Chapter 38: Can a Mute Still Write?

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Song Xiuyan repeated Ding Yao’s words word for word. “Ding Yao just said that although her Star Of The Sky roundworm formula does almost no harm to the human body, it is a little poisonous. If the dosage is too low, the Star Of The Sky cannot be extracted. If the dosage is too high, there will be side effects. Moreover, the dosage of the Star Of The Sky roundworm medicine varies from person to person. There will be a difference in the dosage of the medicine for age, age, and severity. Therefore, she can’t tell everyone what herbs to use, how to mix the herbs, and how long it will take to boil them. She hopes that everyone won’t try to mix them themselves. If there’s a need to expell roundworms, you can come over and let Ding Yao take a look. She will personally cook the soup for everyone. When the time comes, everyone will just have to give a little reward.”

Most of the villagers understood the reason. Song Xiuyan’s explanation was so clear that the villagers immediately agreed with Ding Yao’s explanation. They asked how much it would cost to expel roundworms. Ding Yao thought for a moment and decided to give them a special discount!

When the villagers learned that expelling the roundworm once only cost four yuan, they were all very happy. This price was too cheap. Immediately, a parent pulled the child to show Ding Yao. Ding Yao took a pen and paper and made a simple mark. The mark she made couldn’t be understood by others, but she could understand it herself. She would definitely remember who should use what amount.

When the villagers saw Ding Yao writing and drawing, they said in surprise, “Ding Yao can actually write?” A mute could actually write?

Ding Yao smiled and pointed at Song Xiuyan, meaning that Song Xiuyan had taught her. After making the record, she then announced the things to take note of. “Those who have registered, remember to come over tomorrow morning to drink medicine on an empty stomach. You must drink it on an empty stomach for two mornings in a row. After drinking the medicine, you must not eat anything too oily, and you must abstain from all stimulating food, understand?”

Just as Ding Yao was busy, Lin Hu came over again with something. Seeing the scene here, Lin Hu frowned. No wonder Ding Yao refused to go to the capital with him. It turned out that she had learned medical skills. Seeing that Ding Yao was constantly busy, Lin Hu knew that his trip had been in vain again. But Lin Hu didn’t leave. Instead, for the first time, he chose to stay and eat.

After lunch, Lin Hu looked as if he had thought things through. “Ding Yao, since you insist on not going to the capital, there’s no reason for me to tie you up. I’m going back to the capital tomorrow. If you think things through and come to the capital one day, give me a message. I’ll immediately come and pick you up.” After saying these words, Lin Hu bade farewell and left.

It was unknown if Lin Hu’s words were just casual words or if he had accidentally forgotten, but he actually didn’t leave an address for Ding Yao. Ding Yao couldn’t be bothered to ask, but she remembered this detail. She was certain that Lin Hu, this uncle, didn’t have much familial affection for her. As her biological niece, even if Ding Yao was unwilling to go to the capital with Lin Hu, since he knew that Ding Yao’s life was difficult, Lin Hu should still leave some money for her before he left. This was human nature, but Lin Hu didn’t.

From this, it could be seen that Lin Hu must have some motive for bringing Ding Yao to the capital. But what motive? According to the plot of a novel, it was usually a substitute marriage, but this guess seemed to be a little forced. Although she was beautiful, she was, after all, a mute. In any case, she wouldn’t go to the capital for the time being.

Ding Yao put Lin Hu’s matter aside. She was going to the mountain to dig up medicinal herbs to cure roundworms. Most of the children in the Song family village had roundworms. After the children in Song family village were cured, the neighboring villages would probably come over as well. Therefore, the medicinal herbs they had on hand were far from enough.

The snake venom on Song Yang’s body had long been removed. He had been staying at home for a period of time and was about to die of boredom. Seeing that Song Xiuyan and the others were going to the mountains to dig up medicinal herbs, he quickly raised his hand and said that he wanted to go too. Song Xiuyan pulled him back and said, “No, we have to leave one at home.” Song Xue was too young. Song Yi’s leg was injured and it was inconvenient for him to move, so someone had to protect him at home.

Song Yang’s eyes darted around, and he suggested, “How about this, you and Ding Yao stay at home. In a while, the children in the village might come over to see Ding Yao. Song Yu and I will go up the mountain to dig for medicinal herbs. Anyway, Song Yu will remember all the medicinal herbs we need to dig.”

Song Xiuyan thought about it and agreed. Ding Yao’s body was weak, and every time she climbed the mountain, she was so tired that she was panting. Out of consideration for Ding Yao’s health, Song Xiuyan agreed to Song Yang’s suggestion. Since Song Xiuyan agreed, Ding Yao naturally had no objections.

In the afternoon, Song Xiuyan called Song Xue and Song Yi into the study and asked them to practice calligraphy with Ding Yao. Each of them had a chair, and Song Xiuyan held a willow branch as he walked between them, giving them pointers from time to time, he would also correct their sitting posture. He was a strict teacher.