A good night's sleep.
This is the greatest benefit of rebirth.
In the past, Lin Miao was also tormented by illness. For many years, he would wake up from his dreams due to the pain, and no matter how strong his will was, he ultimately could not overcome the sickness.
He looked around to find himself the first one awake in the shared room, while everyone else was still sound asleep, snoring away. This was due to the biological clock of his previous life, always waking up early to practice martial arts, though he'd neglected it during the mourning period for Sun Simiao's passing.
It's too early; the biological clock needs to be adjusted back.
In this era, without much nightlife, everyone went to bed early, naturally waking up early as well.
He washed up in the courtyard behind the kitchen.
Being away from home, he couldn't be too particular. Being a man, he naturally used cold water. Later, he would need to heat some water to take to his senior sister and the others.
Now that he's taken on the role of a "child bridegroom," he should be responsible. When he becomes the head of the household in the future, it won't be necessary.
"Benefactor!" Just as he lifted the water, there was a sudden splash behind him, startling Lin Miao so much that he almost dropped the bucket.
It was the old station guard who had spoken with him the previous night in the kitchen, now kneeling before him with an excited face.
Last night's medicinal soup, brewed from scraps, was given to his old wife, who miraculously did not cough throughout the night and even felt hungry for something to eat by dawn.
This morning, she appeared much more invigorated.
The old prison guard exclaimed in shock, calling it a "miraculous medicine"!
Such a great favor, seeing Lin Miao up early to fetch water, he couldn't hold back, rushing over to kneel in gratitude, for it saved his wife's life!
"Oh, sir, you frightened me! This is too great a gift for me to accept!" Quickly putting down the bucket, Lin Miao hurried over to help the old station guard to his feet.
"Last night, young sir's medicinal residue, I took it home, made a decoction with it, and gave it to my wife to drink. She didn't cough at all throughout the night, and this morning, she coughed up a big clump of phlegm. She felt so much better and even drank half a bowl of porridge in one go, feeling much more spirited than yesterday!" The old station guard spoke with overwhelming emotion, "Young sir, you are my benefactor, how could I not kneel in thanks?"
"Sir, this really has nothing to do with me. You've thanked the wrong person." Lin Miao hurriedly explained, not having even seen the patient. That the medicine worked was more due to luck, a fortunate strike.
While there are many good people in this world, helping others is something that brings joy, but there are also many parables like the farmer and the snake. Just one can ruin a person's future.
Protecting oneself is the best way to help others.
This is especially true for doctors, who must remember this point.
This is why the ancient teaching goes, "Doctors do not act rashly, and their knowledge is not lightly shared."
"Young sir, I was once a military officer garrisoned at the border. This short sword was awarded to me by General Wu'an Qingye for meritorious service on the battlefield. I've kept it safe with me always; it is the honor of my life. I have no sons or daughters and nothing to my name, so I give it to you!" The old station guard drew a simple, ancient short sword from his bosom, handing it to Lin Miao.
"Qingyu?" Two ancient characters were etched on the hilt, likely the name of the sword.
Drawing it an inch revealed a flash of chilling light that dazzled the eyes.
A fine sword!
"Sir, this is too precious. I cannot accept it without earning it." Lin Miao knew better; the sword weighed heavily in his hands, undoubtedly extraordinary, especially as the personal sword of General Wu'an.
This is a serious matter.
To be given such a lavish gift for some leftover medicinal residue seems excessive.
"I don't have many years left. Even if I were to keep it, I doubt it will accompany me to the grave." The old station guard said with a mournful smile, "Young sir, if you do not accept it, perhaps you could return it to General Wu'an's descendants if you ever have the chance to go to Li Jing."
"Sir, why did you choose me?" Lin Miao frowned. Was he really encountering something out of a play?
He felt as if he were dreaming.
There isn't love without reason in this world, nor hatred without cause.
"I sense that young sir is a good person."
"A good person?"
He received a "good person" card!
Lin Miao truly didn't know what to say; just how heavy these words were. Many toil a lifetime without receiving such a compliment.
The price of being a "good person" is steep, especially for a lifetime.
"Sir, I'll write out my lady's prescription for you. Follow it to continue treating your wife." Lin Miao sighed, finally softening.
Though he wasn't a healer in his previous life, he was a patient, and he understood the pain of watching a loved one suffer from illness.
"Thank you, young sir! Thank you!" The old station guard was moved to tears, once more kneeling before Lin Miao.
The prescription Lin Miao wrote didn't bear an official stamp of an "authorized healer," so formal pharmacies likely wouldn't fill it. But the old station guard should manage; Lin Miao didn't have to instruct him.
There are people in this world working outside the administration of the Medical Bureau, called "roaming physicians" or "wild physicians." Some have official permits, some don't. Without permits, treatment is much cheaper, but buying medicine is more complicated.
Seeing a "roaming physician" carries more risks; if the treatment doesn't work, delaying the condition or accidentally causing death is common, and it's down to personal luck.
If something goes wrong, it's impossible to find them unless caught on the spot.
Officials at most levy fines or impose hard labor because the choice was yours.
Based on the old station guard's description, his wife likely had severe asthma, ideally requiring a physical examination for proper treatment.
He could not expose this ability yet; vigilance is necessary, even if malevolence is not.
He could only leave behind a prescription for Xiao Qing Long Tang based on the old station guard's words, which warms the lungs, dispels cold, reduces phlegm, and relieves asthma.
During autumn and winter, when cold induces asthma, this is suitable for the elderly.
"Sir, this prescription..."
"Young sir, I will say it's from a 'roaming physician,' unrelated to you." The old station guard solemnly accepted the prescription, eyes moist with gratitude.
Seeing how understanding the old station guard was, Lin Miao said no more. After washing up, he heated water and brought it to Sun Youwei's room.
"Miss, Mrs. Yun, are you awake? I've brought the hot water for you."
"Junior brother, you can bring it in," said Mrs. Yun, as Sun Youwei was not yet accustomed to her temporary identity change.
"Yes."
Lin Miao brought in the hot water, noticing both his senior sister and Yun were up. His senior sister was sitting at a simple dressing table while Yun was doing her hair. As a young lady, she had to be dressed appropriately.
Lin Miao set down the hot water, went over to feel Sun Youwei's pulse, and examined her complexion, asking about her condition.
Sun Youwei's body was evidently improving, showing the prescription was effective.
"Senior sister, I'll go heat your medicine," he said. A dose can't yield just one bowl; it should at least be consumed twice to avoid waste.
If the brewed medicine hasn't spoiled, reheating it will have the same effect, especially with natural, wild medicinal herbs, proven effective by the old station guard's wife.
"Alright."
After breakfast, the trio left the inn and continued their journey.
Now outside the Huang family's reach, they didn't need to rush. With their new identities, the Huang family would have trouble tracking them.
They had no idea where they were headed, after all.
Along the official road, more travelers appeared, especially heading towards the prefectural city. The border had been peaceful for ten-odd years, with borders open for trade with the northern Great Qi Country, making commerce flourishing.
You could see caravans and guards accompanied by warriors.
These people exuded a strong presence, each not inferior to Mr. Huang.
The Huang family could only dominate in Qingping Town, but once outside, in Dongshan Prefecture or even the Da Li Dynasty, their stature was like fireflies compared to the moon.
There's a big world out there; to remain restrained in Qingping Town for a lifetime was not acceptable to the reborn Lin Miao.
The world is vast, and I want to see it!
Yet during their journey, he always felt a pair of eyes watching them, a prickle at his back.
Very uncomfortable.
His intuition had sharpened since his rebirth.