Perhaps there truly was magic in celebration, for after Xiao Yeyang married Daohua, Old Madam Gu’s spirit began to improve gradually. She stopped vomiting when taking her medicine and no longer coughed up blood at night.
Seeing this, everyone was very pleased.
By mid-February, the hills were blanketed in peach blossoms. Suddenly, Old Madam Gu was struck by a whim, expressing a desire to go out for a walk.
Upon hearing this, Daohua immediately smiled and said, "Sure, the weather today is neither too cold nor too hot, just perfect for a stroll."
Xiao Yeyang brought over a wheelchair and pushed Old Madam Gu out of the courtyard.
Gu Jian and Madam Yan followed behind.
The group made their way down the hill together.
Amidst the fields, the villagers were busy preparing for spring plowing. Seeing the working villagers, Old Madam Gu even stopped to chat with them for a while.
Old Madam Gu was in great spirits all morning, touring Taohua Village thoroughly before showing signs of fatigue.
"Sister, it’s almost noon. Let’s go back," Gu Jian suggested.
Old Madam Gu looked around reluctantly, as if trying to etch the scenery of Taohua Village into her mind. After a while, she nodded, "Okay."
When they reached the top of the hill and saw the brilliant peach blossoms covering the mountains, Old Madam Gu said she wanted to enjoy the flowers for a bit. "You all go ahead with your tasks. With Yeyang and Daohua here to accompany me, I’ll be fine."
Gu Jian had to go back to brew medicine, instructing Daohua and Xiao Yeyang to take good care of Old Madam Gu before hastening back to Taohua Temple.
Madam Yan, seeing the wind was a bit strong at the mountain top and worrying about Old Madam Gu catching cold, went to get her a cloak.
Once the two of them left, Old Madam Gu asked Xiao Yeyang to push her to the highest point of the mountain.
Daohua quickly said, "Grandma, the wind is strong over there. Let’s just enjoy the flowers from here."
Old Madam Gu shook her head with a smile, "I just want to stand atop the peak and look down at the scenery below. Just a glance. Don’t worry, it’s not cold today, I won’t catch a chill."
Seeing the longing in Old Madam Gu’s eyes, Daohua and Xiao Yeyang exchanged a glance and found it hard to refuse, and in the end, they pushed her there.
Soon, Xiao Yeyang and Daohua had brought Old Madam Gu to the highest point of the mountain.
"Look, that’s the road leading in and out of Taohua Village."
Old Madam Gu chuckled, pointing to the dirt path below, "Every time you come, you have to pass through there." She then silently gazed at the village entrance, not shifting her gaze for a long while, until finally, she said with regret, "What a pity, I won’t be able to see it anymore."
Daohua felt uneasy hearing those words, and noticing a hint of melancholy on Old Madam Gu’s face, quickly smiled and said, "Grandma, Xiao Yeyang and I will often come to visit you and Master. You just focus on getting well, and soon you’ll be able to meet us at the village entrance."
Old Madam Gu burst into laughter, drawing Daohua and Xiao Yeyang’s hands together, "You two had better be good to each other."
Xiao Yeyang glanced at Daohua, crouched down, and smiled at Old Madam Gu, "Grandmother, I will definitely treat Daohua well, be with her until our hair turns white, and stay by her side forever."
The smile in Old Madam Gu’s eyes deepened.
Daohua, looking at Xiao Yeyang, had a glimmer of joy in her eyes as well.
Old Madam Gu pointed at a peach tree not far away and said, "The peach blossoms over there are blooming so brilliantly. Go pick a few branches for me; I want to put them in a vase when we return."
Xiao Yeyang promptly smiled and went to pick the peach blossoms.
Seeing that there was no wind at the moment, Daohua didn’t hurry to push Old Madam Gu back and, seeing Xiao Yeyang picking either too large or too small branches, quickly went over to help.
Soon, the two returned with several branches of peach blossoms.
When they came back to Old Madam Gu, Xiao Yeyang tucked a small spray of peach blossoms into Daohua’s hair and asked with a smile, "Grandmother, does it look nice?"
Daohua gave Xiao Yeyang a glare but, seeing Old Madam Gu appraising her, she turned her head with a smile to give her a better view.
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