Madam Jin Shi pursed her lips. She was embarrassed but didn't feel guilty about what Zhao Xiaohua said. However, Taozhi still had tears in her eyes.
Meng Yao still felt guilty at first glance and thought she shouldn't have made Taozhi cry. Moreover, Taozhi and Jin Shi were indifferent to Meng Yao's secret code about their souls.
How could there be such a coincidence?
Meng Yao tried her best not to look at Taozhi. She realized if she focused her attention elsewhere, the strangeness she felt would lessen.
Meng Yao told Qing Miao to stand up and quickly tugged at Qing Miao's arm to fix it. "There, I fixed your arm. You shouldn't lift anything heavy for the next two days," Meng Yao instructed indifferently.
Qing Miao felt better. Although it still hurt, it was not as painful as before. Qing Miao's complexion also visibly improved, and she wasn't as pale.
Ming Yao didn't want to waste any more time, so she nodded at the doctor and exited the Hundred Herb Hall holding Zhao Xiaohua's hand.
The doctor hurriedly called out to Meng Yao, "Madam Zhao! Please tell me about that technique you used." The doctor was curious.
He had seen many with dislocated joints and successfully treated them. However, he couldn't comprehend Meng Yao's technique. He had a strong desire for knowledge as a doctor.
Meng Yao smiled. "I'm sorry. I can't teach anyone that technique."
The regular method was rough enough. The doctor was disappointed, but Meng Yao had rejected him, so he thought it was best not to pry.
"Madam Zhao, Doctor Su is the best doctor in town and wants to learn your technique for the peoples' sake," Taozhi spoke.
'So?'
Meng Yao resisted the urge to teach Doctor Su her technique and looked at Taozhi calmly.
"It would benefit many if Doctor Su could learn your technique. I-I don't understand why you would reject Doctor Su's request, Madam Zhao." Taozhi gently bit her lip and batted her innocent eyes.
Taozhi knew how to tug at one's heartstrings with her expressions.
"I use that technique for self-defense. However, I would usually break bones, not dislocate joints. That should be enough to subdue my opponents," Meng Yao explained indifferently.
Then Meng Yao ignored Taozhi and left alongside Zhao Xiaohua.
"Taozhi, Madam Zhao already rejected my request," Doctor Su's tone was stern. "You shouldn't pry."
"I know. I'm sorry, Mentor." Taozhi glanced at Doctor Su and lowered her head.
"I don't mean to blame you since you didn't have any bad intentions. I know you want to help others who encounter such situations, but Madam Meng said regular procedures would suffice," Doctor Su quickly explained.
Even Taozhi desperately wanted to learn the technique for self-defense.
Meng Yao's hearing was excellent. Although she had walked three yards away, she still heard Doctor Su and Taozhi's conversation. She discovered Taozhi was Doctor Su's apprentice.
However, when Meng Yao arrived at the Hundred Herb Hall, it was Taozhi who ordered Doctor Su around. Also, the mother and daughter were familiar with Qing Miao, but they didn't seem to know each other at the Glittering Pavilion.
On top of that, Taozhi was an ordinary girl from the countryside, just like Zhao Xiaohua, according to the original Meng Yao's memories. As for what happened in her previous life, Meng Yao only knew a little about Zhao Xiaoshu and Zhao Xiaohua.
'Am I fated to meet Taozhi? She might have reincarnated since she pretended to ignore my code.'
If it were reincarnation, following Taozhi would resemble following a script. She could control her life's trajectory and avoid terrible things.
But if Taozhi did get reincarnated, wouldn't she tell Meng Yao? From its looks, Taozhi didn't look surprised. Meng Yao couldn't understand what was happening for a moment. She felt there were many mysteries about Taozhi.
Zhao Xiaoshu had disappeared once before, and a child's disappearance was a crucial matter. The villagers would know about it. Taozhi would have been shocked to see Zhao Xiaoshu if she were reincarnated.
Meng Yao wanted to use that to test Taozhi.
When Meng Yao and Zhao Xiaohua reached the oxcart, there was still half an hour left before Mr. Niu's departure, and many villagers had yet to arrive.
Meng Yao greeted Mr. Niu and pulled Zhao Xiaohua to sit in the same spot as before. The villagers arrived one after another, and Jin Shi and Taozhi were the only ones left.
The two weren't late, but there was only space in the carriage. The carriage was especially bumpy, and no one was willing to sit there.
"I thought you would reserve seats for me and my mother, Madam Zhao," Taozhi's voice was soft.
Meng Yao ignored Taozhi and refused to give up her heat. "You didn't ask me to, but I can't help even if you did. It would be impolite to reserve seats."
"She's right. We're on a first-come, first-serve basis," someone echoed.
"B-But my mother and I were sitting next to Madam Zhao and Xiaohua." Taozhi's eyes were red.
"We come and go, so you can't say this seat belongs to you and your mother. Can't anyone sit wherever they please on Mr. Niu's oxcart?" Meng Yao asked.
"Please sit down, and stop getting in the way. I have a lot of work to do at home." Someone got impatient
Taozhi and Jin Shi could only sit in the carriage and feel wronged.
When the oxcart finally arrived at the village entrance, Meng Yao paid Mr. Niu and led Zhao Xiaohua home.
"Madam Zhao," Taozhi called.
Meng Yao wanted to feign ignorance, but Taozhi called out loudly. She turned slightly and asked, "What's the matter, Taozhi?"
"I thought about what I said on the way home and knew I was wrong. I should have assumed you would reserve a seat for my mother and me just because I'm close with Xiaohua. I'm sorry," Taozhi spoke sincerely.
'I don't blame you,' Meng Yao almost blurted. She even thought, 'How could I blame Taozhi for that?'
"Oh, it's okay. I'm not angry. I'm in a hurry to check on Xiaoshu, so I can't talk too much," Meng Yao observed Taozhi's expression as she spoke, but nothing was out of the ordinary.
"Then I'll go play with Xiaohua," Taozhi replied.
'Did the villagers only find out about Xaioshu's disappearance later? Forget it. I should take it one step at a time. So what if Taozhi has reincarnated? There's no enmity between them and us.'
If Taozhi were evil, Meng Yao would avoid her and her family.
"I wanted Taozhi to sit next to me when we were on the oxcart, Mother," Zhao Xiaohua said gloomily. "But I was angry, and it wasn't easy for me to hold it back."
'W-What?'
Meng Yao was shocked. 'So, I'm not the only one who felt the urge to be kind to Taozhi?'
Meng Yao suspected there was a demon behind Taozhi, and she was almost sure there was something strange about her.