TMBIABHL: Chapter 13

 Character & Term Glossary

· Ye Chutang (叶初棠): The female protagonist, a reborn heir to an ancient medical family. The "Black-Hearted Lotus." Caring and resourceful, especially regarding her siblings' education and well-being.

· Ye Yunfeng (叶云风): The fourth brother (四郎). Energetic, often in trouble at the academy, but deeply respects his elder sister.

· Ye Jingyan (叶璟言): The third brother (三郎). A studious and intellectually curious boy, underserved by the local academy.

· Little Five / Xiao Wu (小五): Ye Chutang's youngest sister. Loves numbers, money, and her family.

· Lian Zhou (连舟): Shen Yanchuan's attendant/guard.

· Tutor Yang (杨夫子): The teacher at the local academy. Stubborn and not very competent.

· Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance (资治通鉴): A renowned Chinese historical text. Here, it's one of the books Ye Chutang provides for her brother.

· Spring Lantern Festival (春灯节): A local festival in Jiangling involving lanterns and celebrations.

---

Chapter 13: A Premonition Dream

Ye Yunfeng pressed his lips together, suppressing the emotions in his heart, and said in a low voice, "I know."

Elder Sister rarely brought up the past. In just three short years, it already felt like a lifetime ago.

Ye Jingyan sighed inwardly.

The peaceful and tranquil life they had now was already extremely precious.

If they were to return to the capital, who knew how many storms would be stirred up again.

…

Ye Chutang noticed Ye Yunfeng had been punished with the ruler while they were eating.

Looking at the bright red mark on his palm, Ye Chutang asked, "Did the Tutor scold you again today?"

Ye Yunfeng said carelessly, "I just couldn't recite an assigned text. The Tutor has a strange temper, as you know, Elder Sister."

He got into fights often; this minor injury truly meant little to him. But getting hit five days out of the ten he attended the academy was a rather high frequency.

Ye Chutang was used to it by now. She nodded gently. "You haven't used up the ointment I gave you last time, right? Apply it yourself after dinner."

Ye Yunfeng didn't really care about this small hurt, but he was still happy about his elder sister's concern. He grinned. "Elder Sister still dotes on me the most!"

Ye Chutang then looked at Ye Jingyan and asked about his studies. "Did you learn a new text today?"

Ye Jingyan shook his head. "It's still the same one from last time."

Ye Chutang wasn't surprised by this answer. She commented, "That's a bit slow."

Jiangling was a small place with few students and even fewer tutors.

She had met their Tutor Yang—stubborn, rigid, and, most importantly, not very capable.

Continuing like this would definitely hinder A-Yan's future prospects.

Ye Chutang said, "By the way, A-Yan, I picked out a book for you. You can read it when you have time later."

Ye Jingyan's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Elder Sister."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

When they first moved to Jiangling, they had nothing. He once thought survival itself was questionable. He never expected Elder Sister would single-handedly support the family and even send them to the academy.

But on the very first day, the Tutor misinterpreted the meaning of a poem. Ye Jingyan politely corrected him but was severely reprimanded.

From that day on, Ye Jingyan knew there was no hope in studying here.

When Elder Sister found out about this, she didn't say much, but the next day, she specifically bought him a book. And from then on, Elder Sister would go to pick out books for him periodically.

When he encountered parts he didn't understand and asked Elder Sister for guidance, she could always explain it clearly and logically.

He didn't pay much mind to what the Tutor taught, but he remembered every word Elder Sister taught him.

A quarter of an hour later, Ye Jingyan looked at the book handed to him, curious. "Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance? Elder Sister, where did you find this book?"

Ye Chutang said casually, "Oh, I ran into a book seller on the road a while back. This one looked pretty good, so I bought it."

This world seemed to run parallel to her previous one. The historical dynasties she had learned and read about before were completely different from here.

After realizing this, Ye Chutang felt completely at ease.

When they were fleeing back then, there was a long period where they didn't have enough to eat or a proper place to sleep. Ye Chutang could only tell them stories to distract them.

A-Yan and A-Feng would listen with rapt attention. Xiao Wu couldn't understand but would still snuggle in Ye Chutang's arms, blinking her eyes and listening obediently.

After coming to Jiangling, Ye Chutang found the academy unsatisfactory and started buying books outside.

But A-Yan read extremely fast and had high comprehension. Those ordinary books could hardly satisfy him anymore.

Ye Chutang finally decided to take matters into her own hands and transcribed The Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms for him. He loved it, as expected.

After that, Ye Chutang often did this.

It was only at times like these that Ye Chutang felt her past life as an overachiever wasn't wasted. Having lived a second life, she was still putting her knowledge to good use.

Ye Jingyan opened the book and started reading eagerly, quickly becoming engrossed.

Ye Chutang took Xiao Wu back to their room and happened to run into Lian Zhou.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"Physician Ye, this is today's medicine payment."

He respectfully handed over a money pouch.

A slight smile touched Ye Chutang's lips as she unceremoniously accepted it.

"Your master is recovering well. He should be fully healed in about three more days."

In all his years, Lian Zhou had never seen someone who changed the prescription and collected payment daily. But seeing his master's condition improving significantly, he felt the money was well spent.

Hearing this, Lian Zhou also felt relieved. He clasped his hands. "Thank you for your diligent care, Physician Ye."

Ye Chutang stuffed the money pouch into Xiao Wu's arms and smiled. "No need for thanks. It's my duty."

…

Back in the room, Xiao Wu climbed onto the bed, fished out a few more money pouches from the box at the head of the bed, counted them back and forth three times, and a big smile bloomed on her chubby little face.

—Silver! So much silver!

Ye Chutang clicked her tongue lightly and tapped the little one's forehead.

"Little miser."

Xiao Wu looked up at her eagerly.

Ye Chutang couldn't hold back a laugh. "Want some hibiscus cake? Alright, I'll take you to buy some later."

The weather had warmed up considerably. Combined with the recent stressful events at home, the atmosphere had been quite oppressive. It was a good time to take Xiao Wu out to relax.

Once they stepped out and saw the streets lively and decorated with lanterns, Ye Chutang realized it was the fifteenth of the third month—Jiangling's Spring Lantern Festival.

On this day every year, the men, women, and children of Jiangling would go out, carrying various lanterns to parade and have fun.

Ye Chutang carried Xiao Wu as they walked through the streets, bustling with crowds and a lively atmosphere.

"We should have called A-Yan and A-Feng to come along," Ye Chutang said.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

After all, they were only twelve and thirteen, an age full of playfulness. It was a pity for them to stay cooped up at home when Jiangling was so rarely this lively.

Xiao Wu nodded vigorously.

—So pretty! Want to see it with Elder Sister, Third Brother, and Fourth Brother!

After thinking for a moment, Ye Chutang decided to go back and call them to join.

After leaving the bustling main street, the crowd thinned a bit. Xiao Wu, afraid Ye Chutang would get tired from carrying her, requested to walk on her own.

So, Ye Chutang held her little hand as they headed back.

Suddenly, a cheer came from behind them. Ye Chutang turned around and saw a firework bloom in the sky.

At that moment, Xiao Wu tugged Ye Chutang's hand, gesturing for her to look in a certain direction.

Ye Chutang followed her gaze and saw, at the end of the street, several exquisite flower lanterns swaying, gorgeous and brilliant.

"You like them?" Ye Chutang guessed her thoughts immediately.

Xiao Wu nodded, her big, black-grape-like eyes sparkling.

She handed her little money pouch to Ye Chutang.

This pouch was specially prepared for her by Ye Chutang, containing her pocket money and New Year's money.

Ye Chutang couldn't help but laugh. "What, you want to buy one for Elder Sister?"

Xiao Wu nodded seriously.

—The prettiest one, for Elder Sister!

Ye Chutang teased, "Those lanterns are beautiful, they must not be cheap. Are you sure you really want to buy one for Elder Sister—"

Suddenly, her voice cut off. She sharply looked up at the lanterns again!

No!

She had seen this scene before—in her dream!

Ye Chutang's heart sank. A cold chill shot up from the soles of her feet to her spine!

(End of Chapter)

---

Translator's Note: check out my other work— My Younger Sister Insisted On A Marriage Exchange Wanting To Make Me The Wife Of A Marquis and Rebirth as the Matriarch of a Noble Family (⁠*⁠＾⁠3⁠＾⁠)⁠/⁠～⁠♡

← prev next →