Midnight Mountain Herb Hunt

Hu Xiaocao was almost crushed by the basket on her back, which contained not only pig slop but also firewood.

She walked unsteadily along the mountain path, holding a piece of deadwood she'd picked up as a walking stick in her left hand, occasionally pushing aside vines or plants blocking her way.

She carefully scanned her surroundings, holding a drawing in her right hand. By the faint moonlight, she compared it from time to time, as if searching for something.

The drawing depicted a plant that somewhat resembled a night-blooming cereus.

"Grandpa Wu, who's treating Mom, said I need to find this kind of herb that blooms at night. I've been looking for ages and haven't seen it," Hu Xiaocao muttered to herself. The mountain path was difficult, and it was already night, with dim, unclear light, making her stumble all the way.

Her hands and feet were covered in countless small scratches, all from sharp, thorny plants.

Hu Xiaocao seemed oblivious to the pain, her gaze focused. She didn't notice her clothes snagging on a nearby branch.

"Rip—"

In the silent night, the sound of tearing fabric was exceptionally loud.

Seeing the large tear in her sleeve from the branch, Hu Xiaocao couldn't help but show a pained expression. "I'll have to mend my clothes again when I get back."

Hu Xiaocao couldn't help but sigh, feeling a bit dejected.

"I wonder where Grandpa Wu's herb that blooms at night actually is."

The mountain forest at night was completely different from the daytime, as if it had transformed. Everything had two sides, yin and yang, without exception.

During the day, it was lush and green with shady trees, but at night, everything was steeped in the thick ink of darkness. The tall trees' outlines gradually blurred.

They seemed like strange figures lurking in the dark, ready to strike, menacingly watching Hu Xiaocao below.

No matter how mature she was for her age, she was still just a child.

A chill ran down Hu Xiaocao's spine, and she suddenly remembered the stories about mountain spirits and monsters that the village elders used to tell her. If you're not good, the mountain spirits will snatch you away! They love to catch crying children.

Such words were originally meant to scare children into being quiet and obedient.

But given the current environment and location, Hu Xiaocao, who was already dressed thinly, felt the mountain wind at night like someone blowing cold air on the back of her neck.

The surrounding tree shadows swayed and rustled, as if clapping their hands, filled with ghostly figures.

Hu Xiaocao couldn't help but shiver, starting to chicken out. "Forget it, maybe I should just go back."

The moment this thought surfaced, Hu Xiaocao remembered the scene of her mother lying sick in bed. Her heart immediately filled with renewed courage.

She subconsciously clenched her small fists, her eyes filled with determination.

"No! I have to find the herb that blooms at night and bring it back to cure Mom. That way, Mom can get better quickly and won't have to drink that awful medicine anymore."

Hu Xiaocao looked at the bright moon above and clasped her hands in prayer.

"Xiao Cao is so good and obedient, Mountain God Grandpa, you'll surely bless me, right? If you don't say anything, Mountain God Grandpa, I'll take that as your silent agreement!"

Bathed in the silver glow, Hu Xiaocao resolutely took a step forward. Her small body carried the entire burden of their life.

Meanwhile, on the other side, in the southeastern corner of Longyuan Village, stood a dilapidated thatched hut.

The exterior of the house was in disrepair, practically open to the elements. Even the windows were papered over, as if the slightest gust of wind would bring the whole structure down.

Inside, a large candle flame barely illuminated the surroundings. Besides a broken bed, there were crooked chairs missing legs, and a few broken bowls piled on the floor.

There was nothing else; it was truly a bare dwelling.

The room was also filled with a strong medicinal smell. A brown earthenware pot was simmering nearby, emitting the aroma.

A woman with a pale complexion struggled to sit up from the bed, leaning on the doorframe and looking out with a worried expression.

"Didn't Xiao Cao say she was going to gather pig slop? Why isn't she back yet? I hope nothing happened."

"Cough! No, I have to go take a look."

The woman, holding a walking stick, had just stepped out when she encountered Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan looked at the woman, frowning. "Sister, why are you out here? I told you, you need to rest in bed with your condition."

Wu Yuan had learned some medical skills from a barefoot doctor in his early years and was quite capable. People in the village with minor ailments would seek him out.

"Uncle Wu—"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

As soon as the woman opened her mouth, perhaps from the cold wind, her throat erupted in a violent cough, as if her insides were being expelled.

Wu Yuan quickly helped her back into the house and poured her a bowl of medicine from the simmering pot. The brown liquid was viscous and had a strange smell.

The woman drank it without changing her expression, clearly accustomed to it.

"I told you, your condition can't handle the wind. If it gets worse, I won't be able to help."

After drinking the medicine, the woman's coughing did subside, but her complexion remained poor.

She grabbed Wu Yuan's hand, her eyes full of panic. She was skin and bones, like a layer of flesh wrapped around bone, with veins bulging on the surface.

"Uncle Wu, Xiaocao is missing. She went out today to gather pig feed, and she hasn't come back yet. Could something have happened?"

Wu Yuan's expression suddenly changed as he thought of something. "Oh no! Xiaocao wouldn't have gone up the mountain, would she?"

"A few days ago, she pestered me, insisting I draw her medicinal herbs. I just thought she was a curious child and didn't think much of it, so I drew them for her."

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the herb is called "Moonpetal Grass," a plant belonging to the Oenothera genus of the Onagraceae family. It blooms at dusk or in the evening, hence its name. Both the petals and roots can be used as medicine, serving as a medicinal guide.

The woman's medicine was precisely missing such a guide. However, Moonpetal Grass was relatively rare here, and Wu Yuan had no stock, so he had to substitute it with something else.

Upon hearing this, the woman's eyes went black, and she almost fainted. "You mean to say Xiaocao went up the mountain to gather herbs for me?!"

Her emotions surged violently, causing her chest to heave dramatically. Her eyes were about to roll back.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Wu Yuan quickly pinched her philtrum and forced her to drink another mouthful of medicine. Only then did the woman feel much better.

The woman's eyes were red with tears as she sobbed, "What, what are we going to do? The mountain is so dangerous. Xiaocao is my only daughter. If anything happens to her, I won't live either."

Wu Yuan comforted her, "Sister, don't worry. I'll take people to look for Xiaocao right now. That girl is smart and clever. A lucky person will always be protected; she'll be fine."

"Then I'll trouble you, Uncle Wu. We're causing you more trouble."

Wu Yuan waved his hand dismissively. "Don't say that; it makes us seem like strangers. We're all neighbors."

The woman nodded tearfully, silently praying for Xiaocao in her heart.