The weather in March and April is a season rich in herbs, and Gu Youyou and Banxia would take turns to stroll up the mountains from time to time.
The suburbs of Lingnan City were abundant in medicinal materials, but Jin Zijin said there was an even richer place, although one had to disguise oneself to go there.
On this day, they not only brought their herbal baskets but also clothes for disguising themselves.
After arriving and changing clothes, Gu Youyou realized Jin Zijin had taken her smuggling.
Smuggling into Nanzhao Country to gather herbs?
"Nanzhao Country worships Magic Poisonous Insect Techniques, and they often use witchcraft for treating diseases, so they don’t use many herbs," Jin Zijin explained.
"So most of the herbs on the mountain are untouched?" Gu Youyou asked with sparkling eyes.
Jin Zijin smiled and said, "Exactly, if we’re lucky, we might find precious herbs that have aged."
Hehe, that sounds great, let’s go ahead with the smuggling.
In the mountains, Jin Zijin did not deceive her; Gu Youyou was delighted. In her basket, she collected several herbs, all of which were valuable varieties of considerable age.
Loud and clear singing echoed through the valley. Curious, she parted the bushes and peered down to see brightly dressed men and women singing across the river in the romantically peach-blossom-filled valley.
’In March, I miss my sister as a hundred flowers bloom, I wander alone beneath the peach trees; without you, my heart cannot enjoy the blossoms, I only hope for my beloved sister to come.’
Gu Youyou turned to look at Jin Zijin in surprise. Weren’t ancient people constrained by etiquette and always reserved?
What was with that deeply affectionate Nanzhao Country man singing a love song down there?
Jin Zijin simply smiled faintly and said, "Nanzhao Country has liberal customs, its people have always been bold in matters of men and women. Influenced by them, the citizens of Lingnan City are also much bolder than those in the other cities of Zhuzhao Country."
Gu Youyou chuckled and said, "Matters of the heart should be open and upright; there is no need for secrecy. I find the people of Nanzhao Country quite sentimental."
Jin Zijin just smiled faintly and said, "You should only say that to me. After all, born and raised here, one should follow local customs. Too bad your citizenship is from Zhuzhao Country."
She stuck her tongue out at him and once again craned her neck to watch the spirited people below.
"Hey! She’s coming!" The girls on the other side of the river nudged a shy young lady forward, shouting to the people across the river.
The men on the opposite bank burst into laughter, pushing the man who had been singing the love song to the front, facing the woman across the river in a distant gaze.
That woman, looking at the opposite bank, sang out loudly, "In March, I miss my brother during Qingming, as everyone ascends the mountain for the spring outing. I see thousands upon thousands of passersby, yet my brother alone is nowhere to be seen."
Her tone carried a hint of complaint, yet her expression was shy and timid.
The man on the opposite side hurriedly rushed down to the riverbank, where a Boatman with a green headscarf, begged him, "Last time I didn’t go, and Qingzi must be mad at me. Uncle Jiang, please take me across."
Uncle Jiang, with a tobacco pipe clenched in his mouth, shouted across, "Can we go?"
The women on the other side laughed and pushed Qingzi forward, saying, "Your beloved man wants to come over, are you going?"
The girl looked at her anxious sweetheart on the opposite bank, wanting to give him a hard time, but eventually, she shyly nodded her head.
The group of women immediately shouted, "Go!"
Then, the Boatman put away his tobacco pipe and made way for the man to board the bamboo raft.