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The midday sun hung scorchingly in the sky, making the scallions in the small vegetable patch in the yard droop.

But even though it was hot, everyone's smiles never stopped.

Because today is a day of double happiness.

Mr. Xu found his granddaughter, and Huanhuan also found her relatives.

Ayan also found a renowned teacher to guide his studies.

Zhang Su'e cooked a sumptuous meal herself, with Xiuxiu, Shiliu, and Qingge helping her.

Braised pork ribs, braised pork belly with preserved mustard greens, boiled fish with pickled cabbage, stir-fried pork with green peppers, yam and pork bone soup, stewed chicken with mushrooms, braised eggplant with green beans, and a plate of hometown tofu.

Even during the Lunar New Year, the feast was more abundant than this.

Looking at the table full of dishes, Mr. Xu and his wife thought to themselves that the Liu family were really honest, simple, generous and lovely people!

Compared to those hypocritical officials in the capital, they were much easier to get along with.

The family sat together, eating and chatting, with laughter occasionally breaking the silence.

The meal was a lively and enjoyable affair.

However, this lively atmosphere was quickly broken by shouts from outside the courtyard.

"Da Niu! Is Da Niu home?"

It was the voice of Grandpa Chen, the village head.

His voice carried a hint of panic, completely unlike the old man who usually strolled around slowly.

Liu Daniu put down his chopsticks and went out to greet them. Tao'er stood up and looked out the window.

Grandpa Chen jogged into the yard, his white beard twitching, his forehead covered in sweat, his face pale, and his mouth trembling. He grabbed Liu Daniu's arm and cried, "Daniu, something terrible has happened!"

Your second brother... Erniu, something terrible has happened to him!

Everyone inside was startled. Zhang Shi quickly came out, and Tao'er followed her to the door.

Liu Daniu's expression changed, and he grabbed Grandpa Chen's wrist: "Uncle Chen, tell me slowly, what happened to Erniu?"

"After Erniu came back from town, he developed a high fever, broke out in a rash all over his body, and became confused, sometimes recognizing people and sometimes not, and talking nonsense."

Grandpa Chen was panting heavily.

"Oh no, how could this happen?"

Did Old Master Liu call a doctor for Erniu?

"The old man has already consulted the village's traditional healer, who said... he thinks it looks like the plague!"

Old Xu walked over at this moment and said, "Brother Liu, this plague is no ordinary disease. Generally, once you get it, it's a death sentence."

This disease is contagious!

You need to be mentally prepared!

He was kindly reminding us that even the imperial physicians in the palace probably couldn't cure this disease.

Moreover, this is a doctor from the countryside.

Tao'er understood; it seemed the medicine she had given her second uncle was already taking effect.

Liu Daniu's face turned pale instantly: "Have you asked a doctor to take a look?"

Is it definitely a plague?

"The old doctor didn't dare to say anything definitively, so he just said it looked like it."

Grandpa Chen caught his breath and wiped away his sweat.

"Now those brothers in the Liu family are causing a huge uproar, trying to kick your brother and his wife out!"

The old man was also forced into a corner...

He paused, his gaze passing over Liu Daniu and landing on Tao'er. "Daniu, listen to me. I'm thinking, since your Tao'er can cure your wife's eyes and your legs, her medical skills must be better than that old doctor in the village."

Why not let her go and take a look, let Erniu see, at least there's hope.

Anyway, let's give it a try, okay?

Liu Daniu turned to look at Tao'er, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something but then he swallowed it back.

Tao'er stood at the door, the afternoon sun shining obliquely on half of her face. She was silent for a moment, her mind racing with thoughts.

She gave me the medicine, so of course she has the antidote, but now is not the time to use the antidote.

However, the village head, Grandpa Chen, knew that his second uncle did not have the plague, but this matter could not be made public. If the second branch of the family wanted to escape that den of wolves, they had to finish this play.

"Grandpa Chen, I'll go with you to take a look."

Tao'er spoke, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, carrying a composure beyond her years.

"Peach Girl, that's a plague; you can easily catch it if you're not careful."

Old Xu got anxious and quickly tried to persuade him.

He didn't want anything to happen to such a good girl.

Although this girl is a skilled doctor, it was a plague, not some other disease.

"Mr. Xu, I know what I'm doing."

"None of you should go; just stay home. Grandpa Chen and I will go over there."

She went back into the house, took out a veil, and put it on her face, covering most of it except for her bright, sparkling eyes.

She also took a pair of coarse cloth gloves, which she had prepared long ago.

Before leaving, she turned back and waved to everyone, "Don't worry about me, just wait for my news."

"Xiuxiu, Shiliu, don't follow us."

Village head Grandpa Chen led the way, sighing and grumbling as he went, describing the chaos within the Liu family.

Tao followed behind, her face expressionless, but in her heart she was carefully planning each step to come.

They could hear the crying and shouting coming from the courtyard from a great distance; it was as noisy as a boiling pot.

As soon as Tao'er followed Grandpa Chen to the courtyard gate, she was shocked by the scene inside.

The courtyard was full of people. Old Master Liu stood hunched over in front of the main hall, his face stern and silent, his water pipe creaking in his hand.

Standing beside him were his third son, Liu Sanniu, and his fourth son, Liu Tianbao, who stood like two door gods on either side of him, their faces showing a mixture of fear and anger.

The daughter, Liu Jiaojiao, huddled behind a pillar, covering her mouth with a handkerchief, her eyes wide open.

The two daughters-in-law stood far away, each holding a handkerchief to cover their mouths.

A woman was kneeling in the center of the courtyard; it was her second aunt, Xu.

She was wearing a worn-out indigo shirt today, with a few strands of her hair down. Usually a neat and tidy person, she was now trembling with tears, her eyes swollen like ripe peaches, and her voice hoarse: "Father! I beg you!"

You can't just abandon my Erniu!

He's your own son!

How could the old doctor have diagnosed it as a plague with just a few words?

Maybe not!

Thump, thump, thump, three more thumps, his forehead was red from kowtowing.

"Please give me some money and ask the doctor in town to come and take a look. Maybe there's still hope!"

Erniu is young and strong, how can he just wait to die like this...?

She cried and kowtowed, her forehead hitting the bluestone ground with a thud.

Sigh, isn't this going too far?

Tao'er stood outside the crowd watching, and couldn't help but click her tongue twice in her heart.

This second aunt has really good acting skills.

The despair, pleading, and resentment in his cries were perfectly captured; tears fell instantly, and even the force of his kowtows was precisely controlled.

The sound was loud, but the forehead wouldn't actually get hurt.

If this happened in later generations, winning a Best Actress award wouldn't be a problem.

"To contract the plague is to die!"

Liu Sanniu shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice high-pitched and thin.

"Why bother hiring a doctor from the town?"

Not only is the money wasted, but what if it infects others as well?

Second sister-in-law, you heartless wretch! Do you want to kill our entire Liu family?

Liu Tianbao chimed in, "That's right!"

Haven't you heard how contagious this disease is?

Two years ago, the neighboring Lijia Village was hit by a plague that killed most of the villagers. What are we going to do if you leave Erniu at home?

You're just looking to get revenge on your father, aren't you?

Or is it revenge on us...?