177 Peaceful Rural Life

a ghostly apparition beside Ye Li. "Your Excellency," Ye Li pointed to the palace maid on the ground and instructed, "Take her away. Don’t scare anyone." The shadowy figure lifted the person effortles...Calm Village Life

Stay in this enclosed and tranquil mountain village, where Dr. Lin's treatment has gradually improved Ye Li’s health day by day. It was quite surprising to her that such a secluded place could have a doctor like Dr. Lin with exceptional medical skills. Ye Li had met many skilled doctors, including renowned ones like Shen Yang, but even among them, Dr. Lin’s skills were unparalleled. She personally witnessed him efficiently treating a young man who had broken his leg while hunting in the mountains—within just one month, the youth was able to walk again independently, though with some difficulty. It was clear that after another couple of months of rest, he would fully recover.

Seeing Ye Li’s surprised look, Dr. Lin proudly said, "Could a mere mortal understand my medical skills"

Ye Li twitched her mouth slightly and found herself buried under a pile of medical books that Dr. Lin had thrown at her. Now seven months pregnant, after more than a month of Dr. Lin’s care, he continued to give her sidelong glances, staring at her protruding belly and grumbling, "This boy is quite lucky; he’ll be a headache for everyone in the future." Hearing this, Ye Li smiled gently while rubbing her stomach, thinking that falling off the cliff with her and lying here for four months still left her unharmed—wasn’t that luck As she read medical books, she watched Dr. Lin busy outside organizing herbal medicines collected from the mountains. Curious about him, she asked, "Dr. Lin, you... are different from the people in this village."

Busy with his hands, Dr. Lin paused momentarily but quickly resumed his work, saying without lifting his head, "Are you just like them"

Ye Li smiled and replied, "So, Dr. Lin admits it—you are also from outside"

Dr. Lin’s difference from the villagers was evident to Ye Li soon after she woke up. The people in this small village respected him not only for his medical skills but also for his extensive knowledge that set him apart from them. In any era, common folks always have a special respect for scholars. Dr. Lin had a dedicated study room filled with neatly arranged books, some of which were ancient texts believed lost since the previous dynasty. It was strange to see such an individual in this tiny village where almost no one could read and write, let alone having lived here for decades. Standing up and dusting off his hands, Dr. Lin looked at Ye Li and said, "I’ve noticed that you aren’t a common noble lady either. During these days, I assume you have gathered quite a bit of information about me in the village"

Ye Li smiled slightly and did not deny it. These days, she had indeed inquired about Dr. Lin’s affairs but found nothing particularly noteworthy. Dr. Lin moved to this village thirty years ago and set up his practice here. He was said to be surnamed Lin, but since most people in the village were also of that surname, Ye Li wasn’t sure if it was true. It was also said that he had brought a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes with him, named Lin Yuan. However, over ten years ago, Lin Yuan left the village and never returned. Dr. Lin did not attempt to seek him out either; this had been going on for so long that many people gradually forgot about his existence.

"Dr. Lin, do you have no intention of leaving here" Ye Li asked.

Dr. Lin’s eyes dimmed slightly before he said after a while, "At my age, where else can I go It would be better for me to stay here and treat the villagers; when I die, they will take care of burying my body." Sensing the old man's melancholy, Ye Li pondered, "Dr. Lin, have you considered looking for your son Perhaps I might be able to help in some way." Dr. Lin snorted coldly, “He won’t come back and besides, he’s not my son.”

Ye Li raised an eyebrow and decided to end the conversation there. The old doctor did not seem like a man who enjoyed cultivating himself; his temper was also rather poor.

After confirming that Dr. Lin had no intention of leaving this remote village anytime soon, Ye Li settled down here with ease. About ten days after she woke up, a small wooden house was built next to Dr. Lin’s residence and then she moved in. She would usually walk around the village chatting with people or helping Dr. Lin with some household chores. After meals, she would spend time with the pile of books kept at Dr. Lin's place, gradually filling her room with them. Dr. Lin did not object to Ye Li taking away her ancient texts; no one in this village could read or write, and since the child he raised left eleven years ago, those books had been gathering dust without anyone bothering to look at them again. During her free time, Ye Li used a simple hairpin she always carried with her to exchange for soft fabric from girls skilled in weaving in the village; the baby would be due in a few months and she needed to prepare clothes.

Looking at the rough material in her hands, Ye Li felt a slight ache in her heart. If it weren’t here, everything the baby needed upon birth would surely be of the finest quality. But now… lifting her head to look at the setting sun outside, she sighed softly. The world beyond was probably filled with war and chaos; here, at least, things were much safer, right

While sewing clothes for the baby, Ye Li also made a set of clothing for Doctor Lin. Although the old man did not show it on his face, he obviously became less sarcastic and mocking towards her. He would occasionally throw over one or two ancient books that she had only heard about but were already long lost. Looking at the ancient book that Doctor Lin seemed to treat as worthless trash, Ye Li faintly smiled. She knew that this eccentric old man was gradually accepting her presence. In fact, if there weren’t so many people outside who she cared for, settling down in this small village for life would also be a good choice."Miss Chu… Miss Chu, are you there"Just as she was thinking about it, the sound of a young man’s voice came from outside. Ye Li helplessly sighed; indeed, there were always one or two people who made others speechless in this world. Supporting herself on the table, she stood up. The person outside had already walked in—it was a rather tall and upright youth carrying a wild chicken.Upon seeing Ye Li, he hurriedly approached with a flattering smile, saying, "Miss Chu, I hunted a wild chicken from the mountain for you to replenish your strength." Ye Li sighed inwardly and smiled at him, saying, "Doctor Lin, thank you very much. However, I don’t eat meat often, so take these back and give them to Uncle and Auntie to strengthen their health instead." The youth frowned, disapprovingly stating, "That’s not right Even if you don’t want it, the child still needs to be replenished. This… is what my mother told me to bring over." He then added with a blush on his simple face, looking at her with longing eyes.Looking at the youth before her, Ye Li couldn’t help but feel like rubbing her forehead. Actually, having such a pure folk custom had its downsides too, right In other places, people would always be cautious when encountering a woman living alone and pregnant. However, in this small village, after she could go out for walks again, Doctor Lin informed her that two households had come to hint at wanting to marry her and didn’t care if she was still pregnant. Although she had explained several times that it was an unexpected accident that brought her here and that once the child is born and she recovers, she would leave. Clearly not many people believed this, as the journey out of the village was dangerous even for strong men; how could a woman with a child be expected to make such a perilous journey"Doctor Lin, thank you very much for your kindness. But… My husband and I are deeply in love, he must be waiting at home for me. Therefore, after my child is born, no matter what happens, I definitely have to take the child back to see him. So… Doctor Lin really doesn’t need to worry so much about this."Originally, Ye Li didn’t want to be so straightforward, but with people sending wild game and food to her house every three days and two nights, eventually it resulted in everyone from the village pestering her ambiguously whenever she went out, which truly frustrated Ye Li. Most importantly, some matters should be decisively dealt with; dragging things out was not a good idea.The youth’s face turned even redder, somewhat crestfallen but also anxious as he said, "I know… Doctor Lin said that you are the daughter of a wealthy family outside this village. I… am unworthy of you. This is what I hunted on the mountain by chance, take it and keep it. I…"Seemingly not knowing what to say next, the youth threw down the wild chicken and hastily left. Ye Li looked at the door, lowered her head, and supported her protruding abdomen with a bitter smile."Miss, that young man is one of the best around here," Doctor Lin said as he walked in from outside and glanced over the wild game on the side table, understandingly adding.

Ye Li sighed helplessly and said with a bitter smile, "Doctor Lin, why are you teasing me You know that I have to leave here."

Doctor Lin sat down and heaved a sigh. He said, "I know from the first moment I saw you; this girl is not an ordinary person. This small mountain village cannot confine you. Just like that boy back then, without any attachment, leaving and never coming back to visit."

Looking at the old man complaining with a frown, Ye Li smiled faintly, thinking in her heart that she would try to help him find Lin Yuan when she had the chance to leave. Doctor Lin looked at her somewhat regretfully and said, "I am getting on in years, originally hoping you could be my successor and continue my medical skills. In this village... there will also be a doctor watching over."

Ye Li asked curiously, “Why doesn’t Doctor Lin find someone in the village to inherit his legacy” Doctor Lin had lived in the village for thirty years; he should have found an heir by now if that was what he wanted. Doctor Lin snorted lightly and said, "There isn't anyone here who can read or write. It seems their ancestors set a rule prohibiting literacy and leaving the village. Without knowledge of medical texts, I could only teach them to be mediocre doctors at best."

Ye Li smiled and said, "That would indeed be a pity. If Doctor Lin is not against it, why don’t you teach Jun Wei It’s just that I don't know how much he can understand in these few months."

Doctor Lin sized her up several times before leaving and threw back a sentence as he left: "Start memorizing the book I gave you yesterday."ed around desperate situations. Why did Princess Consort Wang’s view differYe Li smiled and said, "What are armies fighting for in war""To conquer territories.""That's right; the Black Cloud Cavalry c...