lava

Chapter 1

lava

A lucky star brings good fortune (revised text)

At the foot of the misty mountain, lies the Farewell Pavilion.

Beside the pavilion stands a monument bearing the name of Cloud and Mist Mountain, behind which lies the only main road leading up the mountain. The master of Cloud and Mist Mountain is a renowned medical sage, also known as an eccentric figure. He is called the Old Man of Cloud and Mist.

The old man of the clouds and mist has an eccentric personality and numerous rules. He will not treat anyone who is terminally ill, will not treat anyone who does not pay a thousand taels of silver for treatment, and will not treat anyone who does not meet his standards. No one other than the patient is allowed to come up the mountain. Those who seek his treatment must also do three things for the old man of the clouds and mist. What these three things are depends on the old man of the clouds and mist's notification at any time. He is truly extremely arrogant.

Standing by the Farewell Pavilion, Han Xiao gazed up at the summit of Cloud Mist Mountain. She disliked this profit-driven, demanding healer. But his skills were undeniable, and she, desperate and begging for help, couldn't say anything. For her younger brother Han Le's illness, Han Xiao had sent a plea for medical help to Cloud Mist Mountain. Today marked the sixty-fifth day since she sent the first letter, but there was still no news from the mountain. Undeterred, Han Xiao visited whenever she could, praying that the mountain's healer would one day have a change of heart and be willing to save her brother's life.

Han Xiao is fourteen years old this year. The seventh day of the fifth lunar month was her fourteenth birthday, which was also the day she carried her younger brother to Baiqiao City at the foot of Yunwu Mountain. Baiqiao City has a hundred bridges, but what is famous in the city is the medical clinic.

Baiqiao City is renowned for its many doctors, and more than half of its shops are related to medicine, making it a true medical city. It is said that Baiqiao City Lord Nie Chengyan, though young, possesses considerable skill and ambition. Dissatisfied with the harsh conditions for medical treatment at Yunwu Mountain, he spent a fortune to build a city and establish clinics at the foot of the mountain, inviting renowned doctors and purchasing thousands of acres of fertile land to cultivate medicinal herbs. In Baiqiao City, every family lives in peace and prosperity, everyone is charitable and generous, and the clinics and pharmacies offer fair prices and honest service to all. Thanks to Lord Nie Chengyan's remarkable achievements, in just three or four years, Baiqiao City has become famous far and wide, and many patients suffering from difficult and complicated illnesses have received treatment here.

Han Xiao had come seeking a cure for her brother's leg in Baiqiao City, but she was disappointed. She had visited more than ten clinics in the city, but none of the doctors dared to claim they could cure Han Le. Three months passed, and Han Le's condition showed no improvement. Several doctors told Han Xiao that if all else failed, she should seek help from the Cloud Mist Mountain Elder. Although the Cloud Mist Elder was cunning and demanding, his medical skills were truly extraordinary. If she could persuade the Cloud Mist Elder to intervene, there was still hope for Han Le's recovery.

Han Xiao had no choice but to seek medical help from Yunwu Mountain, but the process was incredibly difficult. Han Xiao had very little money; in Baiqiao City, she relied on helping out at various clinics, doing the hardest and dirtiest work to earn money for her brother's medicine and treatment. Going to Yunwu Mountain cost a thousand taels of silver—she feared she could never earn that much in her entire life. And the old man of Yunwu never showed himself; she had no way to speak to him or plead for help in person.

Han Xiao was not discouraged. She waited at the foot of the mountain for the carriage from Yunwu Mountain to descend, pleading with them again and again, hoping to find a way to make an exception, but to no avail. She then secretly followed the carriage and ran up halfway up the mountain, hoping to meet the Elder of Yunwu. However, she lost her way in a strange forest. That time was extremely dangerous. She wandered in the forest for a day and a night before finally stumbling upon the way down the mountain.

More than half a month passed, and Han Xiao hadn't even gotten close to Elder Yunwu's door, but she refused to give up. She wrote a letter expressing her willingness to sell herself into slavery in exchange for Elder Yunwu's chance to treat her brother. In the letter, she expressed her determination and sincerity, and described her abilities and experience. She knew herbs, understood basic medical principles, and had cared for many patients. She said she could endure hardship, was meticulous and conscientious in her work, and was not afraid of bloodshed, dirt, or hard work. None of the patients she had helped care for had ever complained.

Han Xiao thought that since there were doctors on Cloud Mist Mountain who treated the sick and saved lives, they must need servants like her. She copied dozens of letters and searched through Hundred Bridges City for everyone who might have connections with Cloud Mist Mountain, bowing and kowtowing, hoping that if they had any connections, they could help her send a letter to Cloud Mist Mountain. She even begged the doctor at the clinic where she had worked to write a letter of recommendation for her, hoping that Cloud Mist Mountain would pay some attention to her.

Today marks the sixty-fifth day since the first letter was sent. Han Xiao watched as the carriage carrying the patient slowly ascended Yunwu Mountain. She knew that today would be another hopeless day. She forced a smile, moved her cheeks, and made a gesture of self-smile. Don't be discouraged, don't lose heart. Persistence will eventually lead to success. After encouraging herself, she clenched her fist, turned around, and walked into the Farewell Pavilion with a smile.

"Lele, let's go back." The weather was lovely today. In the golden autumn of October, everything was lush and green, laden with red fruit. The scenery along the way from Baiqiao City to Yunwu Mountain was delightful. So today, Han Xiao took some time to come to the foot of Yunwu Mountain to pray for good luck, and carried his younger brother along as well. Even if he was sick, even if his legs couldn't walk, being able to walk and see the sights and broaden his horizons was a good thing.

Hearing his sister's greeting, Han Le quickly smiled and said goodbye to the old man sitting to the side. Then he climbed onto his sister's back and asked her to carry him back.

"Sister, that old man just gave me a small ingot of silver."

"Huh? How can you take someone else's money for no reason?"

"He's waiting for his son. Yunwu Mountain cured his son, and he'll bring him down the mountain today. I said a lot of auspicious things, and then I told him how pitiful I was, sick and unable to afford treatment. He was in a good mood and felt sorry for me, so he took out some money." Han Le was overjoyed. He had managed to get some benefits from this again, and this time it was small change—he had never gotten so much money before. He had used this trick to ease his sister's burden a little along the way.

Han Xiao patted his bottom as a form of punishment: "You can't do that again."

Han Le pouted and didn't reply, resolving to act even more pitiful next time to coax more money. Han Xiao couldn't do anything with her clever younger brother, so she didn't dwell on the topic, but simply hummed a little tune and quickened her pace. The journey was quite long, and by the time she reached the city on foot, it would probably be dark.

"Sister, are you planning to take the long way around again to see Lord Nie's house?" Han Le knew what her sister was thinking as soon as she saw her sister walking quickly. Lord Nie Chengyan, the founder of Baiqiao City, was a great figure in her sister's eyes. He was not only talented and resourceful, but also young and promising, and kind-hearted. She often talked to him about the heroic deeds she had heard about.

Han blushed slightly: "Yes, we've been here for five months and haven't been able to meet such a person. I was thinking that maybe he could find a way to cure your illness. He's definitely kinder than the one from Yunwu Mountain, and he might be able to help us." Unfortunately, she heard from the people in the city that Lord Nie hadn't shown up for several months and was probably out of town.

Han Xiao has always respected those who practice medicine and do good deeds, especially since Nie Chengyan founded the entire medical city, so she naturally admires him greatly. She thought that if Elder Yunwu could also have Nie Chengyan's heart for saving lives, how many patients in the world would benefit!

As they hummed a tune and drifted off into thought, three burly men suddenly sprang out and grabbed the siblings. Han Le was roughly yanked off Han Xiao's back, and Han Xiao screamed for help, struggling desperately, scratching, biting, and clawing. The men hadn't expected the little girl to be so fierce and were hit several times. But Han Xiao was ultimately too small and weak to fight back; her mouth was covered, and she was forcibly shoved into a carriage. An elderly woman, seemingly in her forties, sat in the carriage. She had bright eyes, was dressed in fine clothes, and had a stern expression. She coldly said to Han Xiao, "Silence, or you'll never see your brother again."

Han Xiao knew the situation was unfavorable. The carriage sped along, and Han Le had no idea where she had been taken. So she forced herself to remain calm and asked, "Who are you? What do you want?"

"Girl, your good fortune has arrived. My master is twenty years old this year and will take you as his concubine."

Han Xiao stared wide-eyed in surprise: "What are you doing?"

"Become a concubine!"

"concubine?"

The old nanny grew impatient: "Even though she's a concubine, it's already a great honor for you. Don't be ungrateful."

Han Xiao remained relatively calm: "Mother-in-law, is this how your master's family takes in wives?"

The old nanny didn't answer her directly, only saying, "There is also a betrothal gift of one thousand taels of silver, and the wedding will take place today."

Han Xiao was startled again: "A thousand taels of silver?"

"This is a blessing you couldn't even pray to the Bodhisattva for." The old woman said arrogantly, her tone carrying a stern warning, implying that Han Xiao should obey.

But Han Xiao asked again, "Mother-in-law, where have all the other women gone?"

This time, it was the old woman's turn to frown: "What do you mean?"

“If all the other women were gone, how could you just blindly kidnap people to be your wives? I have neither wealth nor beauty, I am not good enough for you. I am just a lowly maid, and I still have to take my brother to see a doctor.”

“I know all of that. Your name is Han Xiao, isn’t it? You’re from Mincheng, aren’t you? Your younger brother, Han Le, has contracted a strange illness and wants to go to Yunwu Mountain to see a doctor, isn’t that right?”

Han Xiao nodded, and the old nanny continued, "If you marry my master as a concubine and have a thousand taels of silver, you can naturally ask the old man of the clouds and mist to cure your brother's illness. You also said that you have neither wealth nor good looks, so my master naturally doesn't want you. Once you marry into the family, you can stay here with good food and a good place to live."

Han Xiao looked at her in surprise, then thought for a moment and understood. She said, "Mother-in-law, is your master sick? If he is sick, he should see a doctor. The idea of a lucky star bringing good fortune is not to be believed."

It turns out that Han Xiao brought Han Le to Baiqiao City after a series of events. Ten-year-old Han Le had been ill for nearly two years. He was originally a famous child prodigy in Mincheng. When he was seven, his parents went to the mountains to worship Buddha but encountered bandits and died. His uncle and aunt had never had children, and seeing Han Le's intelligence and cleverness, they took him and his sister in. Unexpectedly, his aunt became pregnant the following year. After having her own child, she found Han Xiao and Han Le displeasing in every way. Han Le then inexplicably fell ill and could not walk. The doctors in the city examined him but could not find a cause for his illness, only saying that his pulse was extremely weak and that he would not live more than three months.

Now his aunt and uncle couldn't tolerate him any longer, fearing he might have some strange ailment that would ruin their own child. Faced with their disdainful expressions, Han Xiao didn't hesitate. He carried his younger brother on his back, took the money his parents had secretly left him, and embarked on a journey to seek medical treatment.

At the time, Han Xiao was only twelve years old. It would be difficult for her to survive with eight-year-old Han Le. With a clear goal, she went straight to the clinic, begging the doctor to take her in, offering to do odd jobs. At that time, the matriarch of the Liu family, the wealthiest family in the city, was seriously ill. A doctor and several apprentices came to treat her, and Han Xiao followed along carrying her medicine box. The matriarch, impressed by Han Xiao's cleverness and obedience, kept her with her. Originally, the matriarch was seriously ill, but since Han Xiao had been by her side, her health improved day by day. The Liu family felt Han Xiao was blessed and let her stay with her younger brother. However, after six months, Han Le's condition had not improved despite seeing doctors throughout the city. After much deliberation, Han Xiao finally bid farewell to the Liu family and decided to take her brother elsewhere for treatment.

Although Grandma Liu was reluctant to part with them, she was also touched by the deep affection between Han Xiao and her brother, so she gave them a pen and travel money. Before they left, she also told them that no matter whether the illness was cured or not, they were welcome to come back.

Han Xiao inquired and sought medical help along the way, using the method of working as a maid in a clinic to take care of patients. This way, she could find a place to stay and earn money for consultations and medicine. In addition, Han Le was clever, obedient, sweet-talking, and had a pitiful appearance due to her illness, which made many doctors take pity on them and take them in.

Han Xiao herself had a deep interest in herbs and medicine since childhood. However, being a girl, it was already a feat for her to be able to read and write; becoming a doctor was out of the question. Yet, by carrying Han Le on her journey to seek medical treatment, she was able to learn a great deal about medical principles and skills. Strangely enough, every doctor who examined Han Le said he wouldn't live much longer, but Han Xiao carried him on her back, traveling from south to west, and then from west to east, for two years, and Han Le still hadn't died.

Now, having arrived in Baiqiao City, the doctor, after examining Han Le, was greatly astonished to hear that the illness had dragged on for two years. Han Xiao's success in Baiqiao City, besides this legendary story, was also due to her good fortune; none of the patients she cared for and treated had died.

People who are sick or in trouble tend to believe in superstitions and seek good fortune, so if a clinic has a lucky star present, it will naturally attract good business. This is also an important reason why Han Xiao was able to stay in Baiqiao City smoothly for five months after running out of money.

The old woman who had kidnapped Han Xiao was clearly from a wealthy family. She had inexplicably abducted Han Xiao to marry him, probably because there was a seriously ill person in her family who had heard the rumors in the city and was trying to use the legend of the lucky star to bring good luck and save his life.

As the saying goes, when someone is desperate, they will try anything. Usually, if they have to go through the trouble of marrying someone to bring good luck, it is probably because all the doctors have failed to cure them. So how could the old nanny listen to Han Xiao's words? She scolded Han Xiao with a stern face: "Stop talking nonsense. You have gained a great advantage in this matter no matter what. Don't forget that your brother is in our hands. So you have to marry him whether you like it or not."

Assassins Attack (Revised Text)

Han Xiao knew that communication was useless, so she remained silent. Sitting in the car, she secretly calculated the time and route, plotting how she could escape if she had the chance in the future.

The carriage traveled for quite a while before finally entering a large mansion. Han Xiao sat inside the carriage and, although she couldn't see the scenery outside, she guessed that they had entered the city. After the carriage entered the gate, it traveled for quite a distance, and she deduced that the mansion was quite large.

The carriage finally stopped, the door opened, and several maids rushed forward, grabbing, pressing, and dragging Han Xiao into the main hall. Before Han Xiao could react, they grabbed a red dress and made her put it on. The dress wasn't Han Xiao's size and hung loosely on her, but no one in the family seemed to care. A male servant nearby carried a large rooster tied with a red ribbon and placed it on a nearby prayer mat.

Han Xiao didn't dare to struggle too much, but shouted loudly, "Where is my brother? Where is my brother?" She was being held by four or five maids in someone else's house, so she couldn't fight back. But she was worried about her brother and was afraid that something might happen to Han Leluo and the others.

The old woman walked in and shouted at Han Xiao, "The time the master calculated is almost here. You should obediently complete the wedding ceremony, and your brother will naturally be fine."

"No, I want to see my brother, right now!" Han Xiao shouted at the old woman without fear.

"You'll see him after you finish the wedding ceremony."

"I can't see my brother, so I'm doing this worship ceremony unwillingly and with a heart full of resentment. Do you dare to accept such a blessing?"

One sentence hit the old nanny's weak spot, and the lucky star was in her grasp, but what if something went wrong... The old nanny waved to the servant beside her, who quickly ran out and came back a while later carrying a boy.

"elder sister."

"Lele".

Upon seeing each other, the young Han Le remained calm despite his age: "Sister, I'm fine."

The old nanny waved her hand, and the male servant carried Han Le to the side. Han Xiao's heart was pounding, wondering what to do. The old nanny shouted, "The time has come, hurry up and complete the wedding ceremony."

The rooster, bound with red silk cloth, crowed a few times, seemingly quite self-aware of being the groom. Han Xiao stared at it dumbfounded.

A wedding ceremony? With a rooster?

It seems she really is with a rooster. Han Xiao was pressed down onto the prayer mat by two maids. As the male servant shouted "bowing to heaven and earth," Han Xiao's head was forced down. When she looked up, she turned to look at the rooster husband. It turned its head and crowed a few times. Its little black bean eyes looked at her innocently.

In the past two years, Han Xiao has traveled all over the country to help her younger brother with his illness, dealing with doctors and families with seriously ill patients. She had heard of the idea of marrying someone to bring good luck, but she never expected that such a thing would happen to her.

Han Xiao has always been optimistic; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to support her younger brother until now at such a young age. Although she has been forced into a marriage to bring good luck, the other party has not threatened the lives of her and her brother, which has put her mind at ease. She can figure out what to do next.

The male servant beside her was still shouting for the second bow to the parents, but Han Xiao was forced to bow haphazardly towards the altar, where no one was sitting. That's right, she had no parents to worship, and no one would impersonate the rooster's parents, so there was no one to bow to. After bowing to the parents, it was time for the husband and wife to bow to each other. Han Xiao was pulled around and forced to kowtow to the rooster. The rooster haughtily turned its head away, not even glancing at her. This bizarre wedding ceremony made Han Xiao chuckle.

The ceremony was quickly completed. The old nanny breathed a sigh of relief; the timing was perfect. She looked at Han Xiao, quite satisfied. The young girl was calm and composed; the rumors seemed true. She nodded to the male servant, who called out loudly, "Send her to the bridal chamber."

"My brother has to stay with me." Han Xiao didn't take this wedding ceremony seriously. They wanted to have a marriage ceremony to bring good luck, no problem, but her brother couldn't be separated from her.

Unfortunately, the maids ignored her and continued to pull, shove, and push her towards a room in the backyard. Han Xiao tried to turn around and saw the male servant carrying Han Le following behind them, and only then did she feel relieved.

The bridal chamber was actually a sickroom. Even before reaching the door, a strong smell of medicine filled the air. Han Xiao was pushed inside, where two doctors and three maids were guarding her.

The patient, who had been married off to bring good fortune, lay on the bed, looking to be around twenty years old, fast asleep. The old nanny instructed a maid named Xiao Huan to stay in the room with Han Xiao that night, to keep her company on their so-called "wedding night." Han Xiao understood that the old nanny was afraid that leaving her alone might cause some trouble.

The old woman glanced at Han Xiao, her eyes revealing no emotion, but Han Xiao asked her, "Where is my brother?"

"It's in the small hut right next door. You stay here and behave yourself. If my master recovers, you'll have no worries about food and clothing from now on."

"What about my brother's illness? You promised to give me money to seek medical treatment at Cloud Mist Mountain, right?"

"right."

"Whether your master is good or bad, I've already brought good fortune through this marriage, so the money is definitely going to be given, right?"

The old nanny glanced at Han Xiao again; this girl was quite clever. She then answered, "Yes."

"When will you give it to me?"

Xiao Huan, standing to the side, was dumbfounded. This skinny girl had such audacity.

As expected, the old woman was not happy. She said in a deep voice, "I will pay you the money in three days. You can send your younger brother to Yunwu Mountain for medical treatment. But since you have already gone through the wedding ceremony, you are now a member of our Long family." The implication was that the thousand taels was considered payment for selling yourself into servitude.

"Since your family is wealthy, why don't you go to Yunwu Mountain for medical treatment? The practice of 'marrying for good luck' is a heretical practice and should not be trusted. If you are sick, it is better to see a doctor." Han Xiao was still trying to persuade him.

The old woman didn't respond to her again, but just snorted and said to Xiao Huan, "You two take good care of her." Then she left with the others.

With everyone gone, the room fell silent. Xiao Huan cautiously went to the bedside to check on her unconscious master, then tidied up the small couch against the wall. She looked at Han Xiao, unsure how to address her, and said, "You can sleep here tonight."

Han smiled and thanked her, but wasn't in a hurry to go over. She said to Xiao Huan, "Sister, there are guards outside, I can't get out. Please, could you check on my brother for me?"

Xiao Huan saw that she was polite and had a decent appearance, so she thought she must be an honest girl. After thinking for a moment, she went to the door to ask and quickly returned: "Don't worry, your brother is sleeping next door and he's fine. Granny Yu even sent a doctor to check on him. He'll be alright."

Han Xiao nodded and asked, "Sister, what is your master's background, and why is he sick? Since you're already here, even if he can't be cured in Baiqiao City, why don't you go to Yunwu Mountain?"

Xiao Huan replied, "My master's surname is Long, so he comes from a wealthy family. As for his background, if Granny Yu is willing to tell you in the future, she will." Speaking of Yunwu Mountain, she glanced outside the house, then looked at the sleeping patient on the bed, and lowered her voice, saying, "I heard that it is against the rules of Elder Yunwu, so the mountain is unwilling to treat him."

Is this against the rules? Han Xiao pondered. Could it be the third rule—only those they dislike can be treated? This family is so domineering; no wonder Elder Yunwu dislikes them. He wondered what illness they had.

She asked aloud, and Xiao Huan answered, "My master was ambushed and killed by villains. He fell from his horse and suffered some sword wounds and falls, but although the external injuries healed, he hasn't woken up. We've seen many doctors, but he's not getting better. He's slowly withering away, so we rushed to Yunwu Mountain for treatment, but we've been turned away every time. Later, Granny Yu went to pray to Buddha, saying she wanted to try a 'lucky charm' method. Everyone says you're a lucky star, and none of the patients you've cared for have died, so..."

As Xiao Huan tidied up, she prepared to move a chair to stand guard by the bed, but when she looked up, she saw Han Xiao standing by the bed and reaching out to touch her master. Xiao Huan was startled and rushed over.

Han Xiao took the young master of the Long family's wrist and carefully felt his pulse. Xiao Huan exclaimed in surprise, "You know medicine?"