Chapter 13: Precognitive Dream

Chapter 13: Precognitive Dream

Ye Yunfeng pursed his lips, suppressing the emotions in his heart, and whispered, "I know."

His sister never mentioned the past, and though it had only been three years, it already felt like a lifetime ago.

Ye Jingyan sighed inwardly.

The fact that they could have such a peaceful and quiet life now was already incredibly rare.

If they were to return to the capital, there was no telling how much turmoil it would stir up again.

……

It was during dinner that Ye Chutang discovered Ye Yunfeng had been caned.

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

Ye Yunfeng said nonchalantly, "I just didn't memorize one of the essays. You know how eccentric the tutor is, Sister."

He often got into fights, so this little injury really didn't mean much to him, but he was being caned five out of every ten days he went to the academy; the frequency was truly a bit high.

Ye Chutang was already accustomed to it and nodded gently. "The ointment I gave you last time isn't finished, right? Apply some yourself after you finish eating."

Ye Yunfeng didn't actually care about such a minor injury, but he was still happy that his sister cared, so he grinned. "Sister still loves me the best!"

Ye Chutang looked at Ye Jingyan and asked about his studies for the day: "Did you learn any new texts?"

Ye Jingyan shook his head. "Still the same one as last time."

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

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

She had seen their tutor, Master Yang; he was stubborn and pedantic, and most importantly, he lacked any real substance.

If things continued this way, it would certainly hinder A-Yan's future.

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

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

When they first moved to Jiangling, they had nothing. He had once thought that just surviving was a question, never expecting that his sister would single-handedly support the household and even send them to the academy to study.

But on the very first day, the tutor explained a poem incorrectly. When Ye Jingyan politely corrected him, he was severely reprimanded by the tutor.

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

When his sister found out, she didn't say anything, but the next day she specifically bought him a book. Since then, his sister would go out to pick out books every so often.

Whenever he encountered something he didn't understand, he would go to his sister for guidance, and she could always explain it clearly.

He didn't take what the tutor taught to heart, but he remembered every word his sister taught him.

A quarter of an hour later, Ye Jingyan looked at the book handed to him, feeling curious. "*Zizhi Tongjian*? Sister, where did you find this book?"

Ye Chutang said casually, "Oh, I ran into a book peddler on the road a while ago. I thought this one looked good, so I bought it."

This world seemed to be parallel to her previous one; the historical dynasties she had learned about and seen before were completely different from those here.

Once she realized this, Ye Chutang felt completely at ease.

When they were fleeing on the road, there were long periods where they couldn't eat or sleep well, and Ye Chutang could only tell them stories to distract them.

A-Yan and A-Feng would listen with rapt attention, and while Xiao Wu didn't understand, she would lean into Ye Chutang's arms and listen obediently with blinking eyes.

After arriving in Jiangling, Ye Chutang realized the academy wasn't up to par, so she went out to buy books.

But A-Yan read too quickly and had an extremely high aptitude; ordinary books could no longer satisfy him.

Ye Chutang finally decided to take matters into her own hands and transcribed a copy of *Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms* for him, which he indeed loved.

After that, Ye Chutang often did this.

Only at times like these did Ye Chutang feel that her life as a "grind" in her previous life hadn't been in vain; living a second life, she could at least put her residual heat to use.

Ye Jingyan opened it and began reading impatiently, soon becoming completely absorbed.

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

"Doctor Ye, this is the payment for today's medicine."

He respectfully handed over a purse.

Ye Chutang smiled faintly and accepted it without hesitation.

"Your master is recovering well. He should be fully recovered in another three days."

Lian Zhou had lived for so many years and had never seen someone change a prescription every day and collect payment every day, but seeing his master's health clearly improving, he felt the money was well spent.

Hearing Ye Chutang say this, Lian Zhou felt relieved and cupped his hands. "Thank you very much for your trouble, Doctor Ye."

Ye Chutang tucked the purse into Xiao Wu's arms and smiled. "You're welcome, it's only right."

……

Back in the room, Xiao Wu climbed onto the bed, dug out a few more purses from the box at the head of the bed, and counted them three times over. A huge smile bloomed on her chubby little face.

—Money! So much money!

Ye Chutang clicked her tongue lightly and tapped her little forehead.

"Little money-grubber."

Xiao Wu tilted her head, looking at her expectantly.

Ye Chutang couldn't help but laugh. "Want to eat hibiscus cakes? Alright, I'll take you to buy some in a while."

The weather had warmed up quite a bit, and with everything the family had been through recently, the atmosphere had been quite stifling. It was a good time to take Xiao Wu out to clear her head.

Once they stepped out and saw the bustling, lantern-lit streets, Ye Chutang realized that today was the fifteenth of the third lunar month—the Spring Lantern Festival in Jiangling.

On this day every year, men, women, and children in Jiangling would go out to roam the streets with all kinds of lanterns.

Ye Chutang carried Xiao Wu as they walked through the streets, surrounded by a sea of people and a lively atmosphere.

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

After all, they were only twelve or thirteen, at an age where they loved to play. It was a pity to be cooped up at home when Jiangling was so rarely this lively.

Xiao Wu nodded vigorously.

—Pretty! Want to see it with Sister, Third Brother, and Fourth Brother!

Ye Chutang thought for a moment and decided to go back and call them.

After leaving the crowded street, the crowd thinned out a bit. Xiao Wu, fearing that Ye Chutang would be tired from carrying her, asked to be put down to walk on her own.

Ye Chutang held her little hand as they walked back.

Suddenly, a cheer erupted behind them. Ye Chutang turned around and saw a firework blooming in the sky.

At this moment, Xiao Wu suddenly tugged at Ye Chutang's hand, signaling her to look in a certain direction.

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

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

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

She handed her own little purse to Ye Chutang.

This purse 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 them for Sister?"

Xiao Wu nodded earnestly.

—The prettiest ones, all for Sister!

Ye Chutang teased, "Those lanterns are very beautiful; they certainly won't be cheap. Does Xiao Wu really want to buy them for Sister—"

Suddenly, her voice trailed off, and she jerked her head up to look at the lanterns again!

No!

She had seen this scene in a dream!

Ye Chutang's heart sank, and a chill surged from the soles of her feet up to her spine!

(End of chapter)