The unease in Song Shixue's heart immediately dissipated when she saw Song Jinzhao and Song Qiming return.
She ran out, her voice thick with dependence: "Elder Sister~"
Song Qiming's eyes stung as he stared at his younger sister who had rushed out. He would not let his sister leave, never ever.
Song Jinzhao placed the youngest brother on the bed in the small room and instructed Song Qiming and his sister, "Elder Sister needs to clean up Father and Mother's room. You two stay here and watch over little brother."
Song Qiming and Song Shixue nodded obediently.
The bedding on the bed was stained with blood, now dried, and the smell of blood had mostly faded.
There were no spare bedding sets at home, so Song Jinzhao could only take the soiled bedding and clothes to the riverbank to wash.
Wringing them tightly, murky yellow-red water gushed out. She looked up at the clear mountains and river, took a deep breath, and let out a long sigh.
Perhaps because of the soul transmigration, this body's strength was much greater than before.
Although she couldn't lift a thousand-pound boulder, it far exceeded that of a grown man.
After tidying the house, she found a small wooden box hidden under the pillow. Opening it revealed several dozen copper coins.
Seventy-eight wen in total—this was the family's only money.
The bamboo basket in the corner of the kitchen was filled with millet. There was a little fine white rice left in the cupboard, only enough to make rice soup for the infant for two days.
If the accident hadn't happened, the original owner's father would have returned home in the next couple of days, planning to buy some fabric from Xining City to make two new sets of clothes for the soon-to-be-born child.
Unfortunately, everything had changed now.
That night, Song Jinzhao lay on the bed, staring blankly at the moon outside the window.
Tomorrow, she must go to the city to buy more fine grain and see if any medical clinic would take her on as an apprentice.
Her medical skills were sufficient to diagnose and prescribe independently, but without a proper teacher or origin, who here would believe a fourteen-year-old girl could treat illnesses and save lives? She needed to find a credible source to make people trust her.
"Elder Sister, Brother and I want to sleep with you." Song Shixue gently pushed the door open a crack, her deer-like pure eyes utterly endearing.
Song Qiming stood beside her, his lips bitten pale.
He had just said during the day that he needed to be sensible and care for his younger siblings, yet without his elder sister present, he was even afraid to sleep.
Song Jinzhao sat up and patted the kang bed. "Come up."
She slowly picked up the sleeping youngest child and placed him against the wall, making room for the two children.
Song Shixue snuggled close to Song Jinzhao, while Song Qiming lay down against the other wall.
The two children, having suddenly lost both parents, felt insecure. They closed their eyes only to open them again, afraid their elder sister might disappear.
Meeting their gaze, Song Jinzhao patted their heads and comforted them, "Go to sleep. Elder Sister will protect you."
As soon as the words left her mouth, she suddenly remembered something. She sat up and looked at the infant beside her.
"Little brother still doesn't have a name."
Song Qiming and Song Shixue sat up, looking bewildered.
Song Shixue said, "Mother knew characters. Our names were all given by Mother."
The original owner's mother had been a young maid serving a scholar's family's young lady in her youth and had learned a few characters along the way.
Later, when the master's family declined and dismissed the servants, the original owner's mother was robbed by bandits on the road. While fleeing, she tumbled down a cliff and was saved by the original owner's father. Not long after, the two married.
Song Jinzhao looked up in thought, then turned her head to the baby. "Let's call him Song Anhao. May he be safe, sound, and have a smooth life."
Having lost both parents at birth and being physically weak, growing up safely and soundly would be the best outcome.
Song Shixue's eyes curved into happy crescents. "Elder Sister gives names as nicely as Mother did."
Being looked at with such wholehearted admiration, Song Jinzhao felt a sense of belonging, as if she truly was their biological elder sister.
Morning light streamed into the courtyard. Song Jinzhao watched intently as Song Shixue fed Song Anhao rice paste.
"Only feed a tiny bit from the tip of the spoon each time. Let him drink slowly, don't let him choke."
"If he chokes, stop immediately, turn him over, and pat his back to help his breathing."
Song Shixue memorized it very seriously. "I watched when Elder Sister fed him late last night. I've already learned."
Song Qiming held his baby brother tightly. "Elder Sister, don't worry about going out. Younger Sister and I can take good care of little brother."
"Where are you planning to go out?" Old Lady Song walked in carrying a basket, having just overheard the three talking at the door.
Song Jinzhao stood up. "I need to go to the city to buy some fine grain and fabric, and also see if I can find work to earn money. It's not convenient to take Anhao, so I'm having Qiming and Shixue look after him."
Old Lady Song raised her eyebrows in confusion. "Anhao is...?"
Song Shixue piped up brightly, "It's the name Elder Sister gave little brother! Song Anhao! Grandma, isn't it really nice?"
Old Lady Song froze. A grandson's name should be given by his parents, or at least by his grandfather. How could it be given by a child who isn't even grown up yet?
But remembering that the third branch of the family would now be headed by her eldest granddaughter, her lips opened and closed, ultimately swallowing the words that had reached her lips.
Song Jinzhao asked, "Grandma, did you come over for something?"
Old Lady Song took an earthenware pot from her basket and placed it on the table. "Your grandfather didn't sleep well all night, worrying about you all. He urged me to come check on you first thing this morning."
Song Jinzhao glanced at the pot; it contained coarse porridge made from millet.
"Grandpa and Grandma needn't worry. The family lacks nothing for the moment, and Qiming and Shixue are both very sensible and capable."
Old Lady Song nodded. Seeing the four children being so warm and caring for each other upon entering had set her mind at ease.
But she wasn't completely reassured; necessary reminders still had to be given.
"Come back early from your outing. Don't buy things you shouldn't. The grain in the fields hasn't been harvested yet, so you absolutely mustn't be extravagant."
"I'll stay at home and keep watch for you today, and also teach Shixue a bit about childcare. You can go out with peace of mind."
"Thank you, Grandma."
After speaking, Song Jinzhao thought for a moment, then beckoned Song Qiming over. "Qiming, you're the young man of the house. Remember to protect your younger brother and sister."
Song Qiming nodded vigorously.
Song Village was very close to Xining City, only an hour's walk to reach it.
After dawn, there were quite a few pedestrians on the road, most carrying baskets or shoulder poles, all hurrying along.
Song Jinzhao quickened her pace, aiming to enter the city during the busiest time of the morning market.
She had learned that there were four medical clinics and pharmacies in Xining City and headed towards the He Family Clinic, reputed to have the best medical skills.
Entering the clinic, she saw a long counter at the entrance. Behind it was an entire wall of medicine cabinets. To the left were chairs and a table for consultations, currently unoccupied.
"Young lady, what medicine would you like to buy? Do you have a prescription?" The medicine boy, seeing the visitor was a teenage girl, spoke very gently.
A girl of this age coming out alone to buy medicine surely meant her parents at home were seriously ill.
Song Jinzhao shook her head. "I'm not here to buy medicine. Are you hiring medicine boys here? I know a little about medicine and would like to seek out a highly skilled physician to apprentice under."
The medicine boy's eyes widened in surprise. "Young lady, you must be joking. There are no women who study medicine in this world."
Song Jinzhao frowned. "Illness doesn't distinguish between men and women, so healers naturally shouldn't either."
The medicine boy looked her up and down. "Since ancient times, men handle outside affairs and women manage the household. Women should stay at home, support their husbands, and raise children."
"Let alone a woman treating a man."
Song Jinzhao knew ancient times were feudal, but hearing it firsthand still felt stifling.
"Does your clinic's physician never treat female patients?"
