A soft murmur.
Sun Youwei slightly opened her eyes and saw a sliver of light coming through the window; dawn was breaking.
Had she really slept so long and so deeply?
Hmm, her chest didn't feel as tight anymore, and there was a comfort she had never felt before; her hands and feet weren't as cold either.
She had only drank the medicine Lin Miao prepared, and shortly after she fell asleep, not waking even once through the night.
Usually, she would wake up several times each night due to discomfort in her lungs, and it was rare over the years for her to sleep through the night.
But ever since she drank Lin Miao's medicine the night before last, she noticeably felt much more comfortable, her body more vigorous, the frequency of her coughs reduced, and the instances of coughing blood or blood in her phlegm also significantly decreased...
Especially after drinking that bowl of medicine last night, she fell asleep comfortably and slept soundly until dawn.
This was unprecedented.
How did Lin Miao's medical skills suddenly become so impressive, and where did he get his prescription?
Even with Sun Youwei's intelligence, she was puzzled and couldn't fathom the miraculous changes happening with Lin Miao.
Never mind, why think too much about it; Lin Miao surely wouldn't harm her.
After being ill for so many years, her mind was long at peace.
"Sister, are you awake? How did you sleep last night?" Lin Miao, hearing movement in the room, came and knocked on the door, calling out.
"Brother, I'm fine; I've already gotten up."
"I've cooked some porridge; come over and eat after you freshen up. I suppose the Huang Family will also be here soon." Lin Miao said through the door.
"Alright."
While they had breakfast, Lin Miao checked Sun Youwei's pulse again; it was a bit stronger, turning towards a good direction.
For severe illnesses, strong medicine is used, but that wasn't suitable for Sun Youwei; her long-term illness needed slow nurturing and care.
By his estimate, to properly recuperate, it would take at least half a year, if not longer.
No rush, Sun Youwei is only nineteen years old, a girl at that age hasn't fully matured yet; due to her illness, her nutrition absorption was lacking, but as her health recovers, she would surely go through another phase of growth.
Already breathtakingly beautiful in her frail state, one can only imagine how stunning Sun Youwei will look once she recovers and her nutrition catches up.
To have such a beautiful wife fall into one's lap, who needs a golden finger?
His memories from his past life were his greatest advantage; without a system, he could still thrive in this foreign world.
The touch of her delicate hand, though slender, was so smooth...
"Brother, brother, why are you smiling?" Sun Youwei always felt Lin Miao's smile was a bit off, but couldn't tell exactly what was wrong.
"Oh, sister, it's nothing. You're looking great today, that makes me happy for you." Lin Miao didn't let go of Sun Youwei's hand.
Sun Youwei only then realized her delicate hand was in Lin Miao's grasp; she gently pulled away, her cheeks turning crimson.
Seeing her shy demeanor, Lin Miao's heart couldn't help but flutter: "Sister, you're truly beautiful."
"Brother, you're spouting nonsense again! If you keep saying such things, I won't talk to you!" Sun Youwei was genuinely a bit upset; how had Lin Miao become so bold!
A cough, cough!
Lin Miao realized he wasn't in his original world anymore; a girl like Sun Youwei hadn't seen much of the world, her skin was thin, too much attention would be overwhelming for her.
"Sister, have some porridge, it's cooled down enough to eat now..."
"Miss Sun, we're here to reclaim the property!" Just as Lin Miao and Sun Youwei were enjoying a warm breakfast moment, an ill-timed voice came from outside.
The Huang Family had arrived.
Sun Youwei's expression tightened; she was about to stand but was held back by Lin Miao: "Sister, let me handle this today."
Lin Miao calmly stood up, tidied his faded blue shirt, and walked out into the center of the courtyard.
A considerable number from the Huang Family had come, everyone who was there yesterday plus more, especially the disrespectful Mr. Huang.
The Huang Family is merely a close branch of Yingchuan the Huang Family; their ancestors weren't even named Huang, but were granted the surname by the Huang Family.
Then, when a close branch encountered a misfortune, it dragged down their external lineage, leading to their expulsion here.
Being also a barren borderland with simple folk customs, it provided the opportunity for these people to act domineeringly. In the prosperous inland cities, they wouldn't even have the time to behave humbly.
"Lin Miao, where is Miss Sun from the Sun Family?"
"My senior sister is feeling unwell. If you have any matters, you can talk to me," Lin Miao stood there, feet slightly apart, posture erect, and eyes steady.
For a moment, the people of the Huang Family felt an illusion that the young man before them had a demeanor that was heart-captivating.
With such a demeanor, it seems that none of the younger generation of the Huang Family can match it.
"Can you make decisions?"
"Sun Simiao is not only my teacher but also my master, and my future father-in-law. You tell me, can I make this decision?" Lin Miao said loudly.
"So, it's still a matter of a son-in-law," Mr. Huang sneered, "Historically, sons-in-law have never had the right to make decisions for the host family."
"Did I ever say I would become a son-in-law?" Lin Miao sneered back and questioned, although he was raised by the Sun Family from a young age, it's like he was betrothed from boyhood and already had a marriage agreement. However, now that Sun Simiao has passed away, even though the agreement remains, it doesn't require him to join the Sun Family if he could directly marry his senior sister.
"If you don't join the family, how then..." Mr. Huang suddenly realized he overlooked the fact that Sun Simiao had died, and Lin Miao didn't necessarily have to join the Sun Family; he could marry Sun Youwei directly.
Lin Miao chuckled again, "Even if I did join the family, what of it? Historically, men are in charge outside and women inside, eventually, I would still run this household. Mr. Huang, if you have something to say, say it directly, and don't dawdle around like a woman."
"Lin Miao, how dare you insult me!"
"Little Five, stand back!" An elder of the Huang Clan, Huang Baichuan, reprimanded, sensing how Lin Miao, usually taciturn, suddenly became sharp-tongued, against whom Mr. Huang was no match.
Mr. Huang retreated sullenly.
"Lin Miao, regarding your master and Huang San's family case, the County Magistrate had ruled long ago. If you cannot compensate Huang San's family with 300 taels of pure silver, the Herbal Hall must be mortgaged in repayment. Today is the deadline. Am I right, old man?" Huang Baichuan said solemnly.
"That's correct!"
"Then please proceed with the compensation!"
"Compensation can be made, but the Huang Family must give me a written agreement to settle this matter thoroughly and ensure no future troubles. Can you do that?"
Huang Baichuan was momentarily stunned, not clear what Lin Miao was up to, but since he aimed for the Herbal Hall, naturally, there would be no further trouble after acquiring it.
"Of course, we can draft an agreement with both parties signing and stamping!
The Huang Family was certainly unprepared, but Lin Miao had prepared long ago, taking out the finest mulberry paper and wrote down the terms of the agreement as discussed.
"Huang Baichuan, is it true that if we're unable to produce 300 taels of pure silver, we'll have to mortgage the Herbal Hall to compensate Huang San's family?"
"Of course!"
"And if we can produce it?"
"If you can, the Herbal Hall remains yours," Huang Baichuan said with an open smile, thinking if the Sun Family could produce 300 taels of silver, they would have long done so, as they had people secretly watching the Herbal Hall yesterday but saw no one entering or exiting.
"Good, it's your word, and your agreement is signed!" Lin Miao said firmly, then took out six silver notes from his bosom, each of fifty taels, placing them on the table, "Huang Baichuan, these are official silver notes of fifty taels each, six in total. I dare not falsify them. You can verify yourself or get someone to verify them, three hundred taels of silver, our Sun Family has compensated, and now we're even!"
Huang Baichuan's face changed drastically; official silver notes—no one dared to counterfeit them, as it was punishable by death.
Having handled countless such notes, one look and he knew they were real.
"These silver notes I obtained from Mr. Xie at 'Yuanheng'; the note numbers are recorded at the pawnshop." Lin Miao added a note.
This was a warning to the other party: plans to accuse the genuine silver notes as counterfeit after taking them wouldn't work.
Since genuinely they were authentic, one mustn't underestimate some people's baseness and shamelessness, so he had to block all their paths.
Because if they took the money and turned around claiming the notes were fake at the government, should they conspire together, he would have nowhere to appeal.
Because, from the beginning, their target wasn't the money.
The subtext is, if you dare to frame me, I will then report 'Yuanheng,' since those silver notes were provided by 'Yuanheng.'
Huang Baichuan's face changed again.
'Yuanheng' was a giant entity the modest external branch of the Huang Family wouldn't dare offend, or risk losing their hard-won habitation.
"Very well, Lin Miao, I've remembered you!" Huang Baichuan took the silver notes, signed the agreement, and stamped his seal, including Huang San's wife and children, who also stamped their seal, then he left with the Huang Family members.
The Huang Family wouldn't cease here; Lin Miao had lived as their neighbor for two years, he knew all too well their nature.