162, It’s a Matter of Luck (4 more updates)
“Xiaoyuan, is the old beggar still around?” Xie Zhinuan asked.
“He is. As per your instructions, Master, I’ve been feeding him three times a day. I saw him this morning, but I don’t know where he’s gone to cool down now!”
“Keep feeding him from now on, but it doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just enough to fill his stomach!”
“Yes!”
Xie Zhinuan didn’t seek any reward; as such, she was indifferent to what was given.
She would definitely leave the shop in Xiaoyuan’s hands in the future, coming to settle accounts once a month to see how much she could earn.
At this very moment,
In an alley in the back courtyard, several shady-looking men were howling in pain. The trouble was that they didn’t even know who had hit them. All they sensed was a sudden darkness, then something flashed by, followed by intense pain.
Then there were only wails left.
The old man stood at the other end of the alley, letting out a cold snort. Originally, he didn’t want to get involved, but the vulgarities these hoodlums were spewing became too much for even him to bear, and so he stepped in and gave them a beating.
These fellows wouldn’t be able to get off their kang beds for ten days to half a month.
Xie Zhinuan knew nothing of this; after arranging everything, she spoke with Xiaoyuan for a while longer, then had Shani harness the carriage and head home.
Upon arriving home, Xie Zhinuan began sharpening her sickles and woodcutting knives. The three dogs watched her curiously, not understanding why she was sharpening the knives.
Shani thought of coming over to help.
“It’s good you know to come!” Xie Zhinuan said and continued sharpening her knives.
She had never been to the deep mountains, nor had she thought about going. Since everyone else could venture into the mountains, why couldn’t she?
Moreover, Jiji Grass wasn’t only found in the mountains; everything depended on luck. She wanted to see if her luck was good enough to find Jiji Grass.
Xie Zhinuan also prepared hemp ropes, a carrying basket, and spices.
Knowing that Xie Zhinuan was planning to go into the mountains, Shani couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, when do you plan to go?”
“After lunch, you don’t have to come with me. I’ll just take the three dogs!”
“…”
Shani was stunned.
“Miss, there are many wild beasts in the mountains…”
“I won’t go deep into the mountains, I’ll just look around the edge. It’s best if you stay home,” Xie Zhinuan said earnestly.
She really hadn’t planned on bringing Shani along.
Originally, she didn’t even want to bring Dahuang, but after thinking it over, if she found something else valuable, she would need Dahuang’s help to carry it back down.
At midday, while cooking, Aunt Chen hesitated for a moment before bringing the meal across the street. In the end, she said nothing and returned.
After finishing her lunch, Xie Zhinuan packed her carrying basket, ready to set out.
Shani followed closely behind her.
Xie Zhinuan looked back at Shani, “You really don’t need to follow, I won’t go deep into the mountains!”
“Miss, please take me with you. No matter what you’re up to, I won’t speak of it to anyone. Also, I recognize medicinal herbs, so I could help gather some when we’re there!” Shani pleaded.
She just couldn’t rest easy about Xie Zhinuan, a beautiful young woman, being out there alone-if she were to meet someone with ill intentions…
The thought of what might happen was too frightening to contemplate.
“…”
Xie Zhinuan looked at Shani and thought for a moment, “Alright then, let’s go together!”
Shani breathed a sigh of relief and quickly followed Xie Zhinuan.
The two, along with the three dogs, didn’t venture deep into the mountains, but searched around the foot of the mountains and by a small stream. As Shani said, she recognized medicinal herbs. Although they didn’t find Jiji Grass, they dug up several good Shanqi plants, which left Xie Zhinuan quite satisfied.
She didn’t feel discouraged.
Jiji Grass wasn’t a valuable herb; she needed to find a specimen and then have the villagers dig it up, paying them for their labor.
For now, the priority was to locate the Jiji Grass.
Chapter 164