A Jiu shook her head, "I'm just staying here for a few days. I'll figure out the rest of the matters on my own. I won't trouble you, sister-in-law."
"Silly child, your parents treated you like that, and you're still so devoted. Tell me, what's truly on your mind?"
Liu Cai'er ruffled A Jiu's hair.
A Jiu's eyes lit up, "Sister-in-law, my parents have changed for the better. They're good to me and deeply care about you. If you want to know my honest thoughts, it's to do everything I can to get my parents out."
Hearing these words from a fifteen-year-old girl, Liu Cai'er was taken aback.
She looked at the determined gaze in A Jiu's large eyes, which also inspired her. "Yes, then listen to your heart and follow it. I'll be more confident this time when I go out."
"Mm," A Jiu nodded.
"I think your clothes don't fit you well. I'll have Tongzi buy you a couple of changes of clothes tomorrow. While I'm away from the inn, don't be constrained. The back courtyard is very large, so you can stay in whichever room you like."
After giving instructions, Liu Cai'er took A Jiu to the back courtyard. "As for you entering the city, I've spoken to the Prefect three times. However, with so many refugees lately and the current climate, you'll likely have to wait until I return from Nanzhou County before I can urge him again."
In the back courtyard, many sieves were laid out, holding various medicinal herbs. Liu Cai'er then returned to her own room to pack.
"Ah, right, sister-in-law, you mentioned you're going to Nanzhou County tomorrow?" A Jiu suddenly remembered the place name sounded familiar.
"Yes, my elder brother is managing things alone with a few of my father's former apprentices, and he's about to collapse. I have to go help. If my elder brother also exhausts himself to death, my Liu family will truly be without an heir."
As she spoke, Liu Cai'er busied herself packing, tying a simple bundle and placing it on the bedside, looking as if she would leave at first light tomorrow.
Liu Cai'er sat on the edge of the bed, looking at A Jiu with a faint smile for the first time. "Earlier, sister-in-law was truly overwhelmed and shouted at you. Please don't take it to heart. And as you can see, my medical skills are not good enough to preserve my father's legacy."
Liu Cai'er smiled sadly, her eyes instantly filling with tears.
"I understand." A Jiu didn't blame her sister-in-law. When someone is at their breaking point, they truly wish for death but cannot die, and wish for life but cannot live well.
"You really understand?" Liu Cai'er's eyes reddened, and two lines of tears streamed down her face.
"Yes, but sister-in-law, you're leaving tomorrow. How about I teach you tonight? Perhaps it will be helpful when you get there."
A Jiu had this thought earlier. She didn't know much herself, and she wasn't sure if the ear acupuncture points would be effective against this plague. She felt that contributing in some way might help her sister-in-law.
Liu Cai'er quickly wiped away her tears and said with a smile, "That would be wonderful. If it proves helpful, my brother and I can return, and my father's spirit in heaven will rest in peace. I'll also thank you on behalf of the people of Nanzhou County."
"We don't know if it will be useful yet. Sister-in-law, could you give me those paper and pens? I'll draw that diagram."
A Jiu had actually been reading text, but the book was so captivating that it had already formed images in her mind of the acupoint distribution in every part of the ear.
Liu Cai'er quickly went to the front hall to fetch paper and brushes.
A Jiu then leaned over Liu Cai'er's dressing table and drew an ear.
Small dots represented the acupoints, and Liu Cai'er's eyes widened as she looked.
"Little sister A Jiu, I understand. All these reflex zones are essentially the meridians and acupoints of the entire human body, aren't they?"
"Sister-in-law is right." After finishing the drawing, A Jiu picked it up and handed it to Liu Cai'er.
That night, the two slept in the same bed, and A Jiu began to explain what illnesses each acupoint could treat.
As for the plague, it would require professional people to gather and analyze it using the specialized knowledge of ear acupuncture.
The two stayed up all night until dawn began to break.
They finished discussing the ear acupuncture.
Liu Cai'er looked at her notes, which she had been taking while listening, and said, "Little sister A Jiu, this trip has been a great help to me."
"I just happened to know, and you happened to want to learn. It's not a huge help, just something done along the way."
A Jiu gave a light laugh, looking at the misty grid window.
"I didn't actually have to go. I volunteered to go to the government. I found out that your elder brother might have been taken to Nanzhou County."
As soon as she heard this, A Jiu's drowsiness vanished. "Sister-in-law, you've found out my elder brother's whereabouts?"