3.3
Chapter 2 Danger Looms
Chapter 2 Danger Looms
As Zhang Yingyue listened to the harsh scolding, her tears only flowed harder.
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The truth was that Song Shuying was not an ordinary newborn but a twenty–six–year–old woman from the modern world.
Before her untimely death, Song Shuying had been a skilled traditional medicine practitioner. That fateful night, a car veered onto the sidewalk, ending her life in an instant.
When she regained consciousness, she found herself reborn–not only as an infant but in a time far removed from her own.
The harsh reality of this ancient dynasty quickly became apparent. Sons were cherished, daughters dismissed. From the very moment of her birth, her value was questioned. Her grandmother’s bitter scolding left no doubt about her unwelcome arrival.
But something was wrong–terribly wrong. Song Shuying could sense it. Zhang Yingyue was in danger, and her fragile health was deteriorating rapidly. Panic set in.
Postpartum hemorrhage, Song Shuying realized, recalling her medical training. Yet as a baby, there was nothing she could do directly. Her tiny, helpless body seemed utterly useless in this critical moment.
Her gaze fell on the little girl standing beside Zhang Yingyue. Earlier, the girl had called Zhang Yingyue “Mom,” and Zhang Yingyue had called her “Ruying.” This must be her third older sister. If anyone could save their mother, it would have to be her. But how could Song Shuying convey such an urgent warning?
Desperation fueled her actions. She took a deep breath and cried out with all her might.
“Wah!”
Her piercing cries jolted Zhang Yingyue from her daze. Maternal instincts stirred, and she reached out to gently pat her baby. “Be good, Shuying, don’t cry… don’t cry…”
Song Ruying, startled by the sudden outburst, quickly climbed onto the bed. She scooped up her little sister and rocked her gently. “Don’t cry, Shuying,” she murmured. “Your big sister is here. I’ll hold you, so don’t cry.”
Even so, Song Shuying cried harder, her wails drowning out the bitter insults spilling from Wei Zhilan. Her cries were powerful and unrelenting, her face growing red from the effort.
“Wah!”
Zhang Yingyue’s heart clenched with worry. She feared her newborn daughter might be unwell. Struggling to speak, she reached for Song Ruying’s sleeve and whispered weakly, “Ruying, put your little sister down –and go to the fields to call your Dad.”
Obedient as ever, Song Ruying gently placed her sister beside their mother. She climbed over the bed, scrambled out the door, and ran as fast as her legs could carry
her.
As Song Ruying darted off, Song Shuying gradually stopped crying.
From the main house, Wei Zhilan’s furious tirade continued unabated. “You jinx! Always crying. If you
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Chapter 2 Danger Looms
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don’t stop, I’ll come over there and smother you myself You’re nothing but a curse to this family!”
The harsh words pierced Zhang Yingyue’s heart like a blade. She patted her newborn gently, tears rolling down her cheeks. “My dear Shuying,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “you must grow up healthy and live a long, prosperous life…”
Song Shuying lay silently, her small body still. She could feel the tender love her mother had for her, even in the midst of such hostility. But she also felt the grim reality of her precarious situation. Zhang Yingyue’s condition was worsening, and it was clear she was nearing her limit.
Suddenly, everything around Song Shuying turned dark. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in an unfamiliar place. A serene spring bubbled beside her, surrounded by patches of fertile, black earth.
Is this… Could this be a different space?
Suddenly, everything went dark before Song Shuying’s eyes. When her vision returned, Zhang Yingyue was lying right beside her, eyes closed, her hand moving instinctively in a soothing, repetitive pat.
Song Shuying silently activated the space again. When she opened her eyes, she found herself back beside the spring.
She took a deep breath, the air rich with a spiritual energy that seemed to saturate everything–the spring, the soil, the very atmosphere. This place was undoubtedly a treasure. If only she could let Zhang Yingyue taste the spiritual spring water, it might help her recover.
With a determined focus, Song Shuying exited the space and experimented cautiously. Finally, she managed to summon a small amount of the spiritual spring water.
A damp sensation gathered on her tiny fingertips. She carefully brought her thumb t the sweet, invigorating water.
r mouth, tasting
Her gaze shifted to Zhang Yingyue, who lay with her eyes tightly shut. Summoning every ounce of strength, Song Shuying reached out her hand toward her mother’s lips. Weak as she was, the spring water only trickled out drop by drop.
The cool dampness brushed Zhang Yingyue’s lips, rousing her subconscious. She instinctively licked her lips, the faint taste of water stirring a dim awareness within her. Too drained to fully wake, she was vaguely aware of the soothing moisture. Thirst clawed at her, and she longed for more.
The water was sweet and warm, spreading a comforting heat through her body as it flowed into her stomach. The warmth seemed to revive her, slowly replenishing her strength. Zhang Yingyue, though still utterly exhausted, managed to open her eyes briefly. What she saw startled her–her infant daughter’s tiny hand near her mouth. Alarmed, she gently pushed the hand away..
Once she was sure her baby’s hand was uninjured, Zhang Yingyue said softly, guilt lacing her voice, “I’m sorry, Shuying. I must’ve lost my senses for a moment. almost hurt you in my desperation.”
With the help of the spiritual spring water, Zhang Yingyue gradually regained some energy. After drinking what equated to a small bowlful, Song Shuying felt herself growing increasingly tired. Unable to fight the exhaustion, she closed her eyes and drifted into a deep sleep.
Before sleep claimed her, Song Shuying hoped the magical water would sustain her mother until Song Ruying returned with their father,
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Chapter 2 Danger Looms
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Zhang Yingyue watched her sleeping daughter, a mix of tenderness and guilt filling her gaze. She blamed herself for being unable to properly care for her newborn, for not even having the strength to nurse her since birth. Though her body had regained some vitality, she still couldn’t get up.
The aftermath of childbirth left her unclean and vulnerable, with no one to assist her. She sighed and stared at the dimly lit ceiling, her heart heavy with helplessness.
From the main house, the endless tirade of scolding and insults could still be heard. Wei Zhilan was furious that yet another daughter had been born. Her criticism was relentless, targeting Zhang Yingyue and even extending to her other children.
Unable to confront her mother–in–law, Zhang Yingyue could only shed silent tears.
Meanwhile, Song Ruying had reached the fields, where her father, Song Zhenyu, and his brothers Song Zhenming and Song Zhenxin were busy harvesting corn on the cob.
Their father, Song Shengdong, led the work with his sons following closely behind. Even Song Zhenyu’s two slow–witted sons were helping with the labor.
“Dad! Dad!” Song Ruying called urgently as she approached. “You’ve got to come back home! Mother and Shuying aren’t well!”
Emerging from the fields with a heavy basket strapped to his back, Song Zhenyu’s face was dark with concern. Sweat dripped from his brow as he asked, “What’s wrong with your mother?”
Song Ruying tried to explain, but before she could respond, Song Shengdong approached with a sour expression clouding his face.
“What’s there to fuss over?” he grumbled. “Another girl born, another mouth to feed Zhenyu, stay here. You’ve got work to do.”
Song Shengdong’s bitterness deepened as he continued muttering under his breath. The third branch had already produced four children, yet none were boys worth celebrating. To him, they might as well have none at all.
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